The Origins Of The Village
The history of a settlement in the vicinity of St. Nicholas can be traced back to Neolithic times with the survival of a chambered tomb at Tinkinswood, one kilometre south of the present village. Excavations have also revealed finds dating from the Early Bronze Age and the Roman era, the latter taking the form of pottery and iron tools. A more substantial legacy left by the Romans was the road constructed between Gloucester and Neath, establishing a route which would, centuries later, form the basis for the turnpike road and the modern A48.
Further archaeological sites surrounding the village include a group of earthworks occupied during the 12th century, namely Cottrell’s Castle, Coed-y-Cwm, and the well-preserved circular camp of Y Gaer. By this time, however, a settlement had been founded beside the old Roman road on the site of St. Nicholas proper. St. Nicholas was called Llaneinydd, and it appears to have acquired its present title in the aftermath of the Norman conquest of Glamorgan, when it was renamed in honour of a saint favoured by the Normans. The church, probably established prior to the invasion, seems likewise to have gained its dedication to St. Nicholas during this period. Perhaps affected by the burning of the village carried out by the Welsh in 1226 and 1229, a fate likewise suffered by St. Hilary and Bonvilston, nothing remains of the early Saxon or Norman building. Instead, the oldest sections of the church - and consequently the oldest sections of masonry extant within the village - can be dated to a rebuilding of around the 14th century.
During the redistribution of land that followed the Conquest, in 1092 the settlement had been amongst those parts of Glamorgan which were given to Sir John Fleming. The Norman manor was later divided during the 12th century, and by 1578 the land was principally owned by three separate estates belonging to the Earl of Pembroke, Miles Button of Dyffryn, and Rice Meyrick of Cottrell. The split is still apparent in the layout of the village, and can be seen in the arrangement of the states in terms of property.
Change had come also to the religious foundations serving the community, beginning with the erection of a Calvanistic Methodist Chapel in 1739-40 on the western outskirts of the village. This was rebuilt in 1870 and is now the Presbyterian Church. The parish church of St. Nicholas was restored (including new windows) between 1859 and 1860, the work being supervised by the Cardiff architects Prichard & Seddon. Trehill has strong links with Howell Harris, the charismatic leader of the 18th century Welsh Methodist Revival and founder of the Presbyterian church of Wales.
St. Nicholas continued to prosper as a small rural community, with farm buildings such as Village Farmhouse, situated to the east of the church, operating from the centre of the settlement. Trehill Cottage was originally occupied by labourers attached to Trehill Farm. The village also benefitted from passing trade, and a number of public houses - The Crown Inn, The Prince’s Arms (today Trehill House), The Travellers’ Rest, and the thatched Three Tuns Inn (formerly a magistrates’ meeting house) - were established to serve those travelling along the turnpike road.
Further archaeological sites surrounding the village include a group of earthworks occupied during the 12th century, namely Cottrell’s Castle, Coed-y-Cwm, and the well-preserved circular camp of Y Gaer. By this time, however, a settlement had been founded beside the old Roman road on the site of St. Nicholas proper. St. Nicholas was called Llaneinydd, and it appears to have acquired its present title in the aftermath of the Norman conquest of Glamorgan, when it was renamed in honour of a saint favoured by the Normans. The church, probably established prior to the invasion, seems likewise to have gained its dedication to St. Nicholas during this period. Perhaps affected by the burning of the village carried out by the Welsh in 1226 and 1229, a fate likewise suffered by St. Hilary and Bonvilston, nothing remains of the early Saxon or Norman building. Instead, the oldest sections of the church - and consequently the oldest sections of masonry extant within the village - can be dated to a rebuilding of around the 14th century.
During the redistribution of land that followed the Conquest, in 1092 the settlement had been amongst those parts of Glamorgan which were given to Sir John Fleming. The Norman manor was later divided during the 12th century, and by 1578 the land was principally owned by three separate estates belonging to the Earl of Pembroke, Miles Button of Dyffryn, and Rice Meyrick of Cottrell. The split is still apparent in the layout of the village, and can be seen in the arrangement of the states in terms of property.
Change had come also to the religious foundations serving the community, beginning with the erection of a Calvanistic Methodist Chapel in 1739-40 on the western outskirts of the village. This was rebuilt in 1870 and is now the Presbyterian Church. The parish church of St. Nicholas was restored (including new windows) between 1859 and 1860, the work being supervised by the Cardiff architects Prichard & Seddon. Trehill has strong links with Howell Harris, the charismatic leader of the 18th century Welsh Methodist Revival and founder of the Presbyterian church of Wales.
St. Nicholas continued to prosper as a small rural community, with farm buildings such as Village Farmhouse, situated to the east of the church, operating from the centre of the settlement. Trehill Cottage was originally occupied by labourers attached to Trehill Farm. The village also benefitted from passing trade, and a number of public houses - The Crown Inn, The Prince’s Arms (today Trehill House), The Travellers’ Rest, and the thatched Three Tuns Inn (formerly a magistrates’ meeting house) - were established to serve those travelling along the turnpike road.
