Public Monument and Sculpture Association National Recording Project
The Hopcyn Cross Photograph
Region ID | AH | |
Work ID | 134 | |
Manual Reference | BRIDGEND001 | |
Title | The Hopcyn Cross | |
Architect | Williams, Christopher | |
Date of design | 1927-1928 | |
Year of unveiling | c.1928 | |
Unveiling details | c.1928 | |
Road | Minor road to village off the A4063 | |
Precise Location | At road junction immediately SW of churchyard at centre of village | |
A to Z Ref | ||
OS Ref | SS857887 | |
Postcode | ||
Work is | Extant | |
Listing Status | II | |
Duty of Care | ||
Commissioned by | ||
Notes | ||
Cadw report: A high cross type of monument raised on a base of 3 high octagonal steps, the cross base in the form of a cross with infilled angles. The tapered shaft has a late Celtic type angular interlace on each main face and is capped by a wheel cross, also enriched with interlace and a sycamore leaf at the centre. | ||
Memorial was raised in 1927-1928 replacing the former direction post in the same position. Later addition of name in mid 1970's. | ||
The memorial cross commemorates the liaison between Ann Maddocks, the maid of Cefn Ydfa (1704-27), and the poet Wil Hopcyn. Ann was the daughter of William Thomas of Cefn Ydfa, a house near Llangynwyd and was married at twenty-one to Anthony Maddocks, her guardian's son and a rich lawyer, apparently against her wishes as she was in love with a young poet named Wil Hopcyn who composed the verses 'Bugeilio'r Gwenith Gwyn' for her. Soon after her marriage she is said to have died of a broken heart. However, there is no real evidence for this story and although a poet named Wiliam Hopcyn (1700-41) lived in the district of Llangynwyd, there is no evidence to suggest that he was in love with Ann or that he wrote the words of the song. | ||
circa | c. | |
raw year | 1928 | |
Condition | Good | |
At risk | Not at risk | |
Inscriptions | Inscribed on east-facing steps: COFIWN / WIL HOPCYN / 1701 - 1741 / EF A CANODD / GWENITH GWYN Inscribed on north-facing steps: ADFYD / TWM IFAN PRYS / ANTONI POWEL / SAMUEL JONES / LEWYS HOPCYN / SION BRADFORD / REV R PENDRIL LLEWELYN M.A. Inscribed on west-facing steps: CEFN / ANN THOMAS / 1704 - 1727 / Y FERCH O / CEFN YDFA / BRINLEY RICHARDS (BRINLI) / ARCHDDERWYDD CYMRU / 1972 - 1975 Inscribed on south-facing steps: YDFA / DAFYDD NICLAS / RICHARD PRICE / LLYFNWY / CEULANNYDD / CADRAWD | |
Signatures | Inscribed on lower step on south side: CHRISTOPHER WILLIAMS R.B.A. | |
Elements
Element Details
Part of work | Material | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|
Whole work | Coarse grained grey granite | 433cm high |
Assessment of Condition
Surface Character
Detail | Comment |
|---|---|
No damage | |
Structural Condition
Structural Condition | Comment |
|---|---|
Other | No damage |
Vandalism
Vandalism | Comment |
|---|---|
None | |
