History of Aberystwyth
1BC-1100

Not yet

There is no evidence of any human habitation on the current site of Aberystwyth - it is not know when or why the Iron age Hill Fort on Pendinas ceased to be used, however, around this time all similar structures in the rest of Britain were similarly abandoned.

Roman Occupation

It is known that the Romans built forts in this general area and exploited local mineral deposits (lead and silver). Roman artefacts have been found within several km of Aberystwyth, but there is no evidence of them using the site of Aberystwyth and it is believed to have remained uninhabited.

Monastery

St Padarn (from Brittany) and a band of monks established a monastery in Llanbadern. He stayed here for 21 years before returning to France.
For the next 600 years the monastery and church were the most significant settlement in this area.

The New Aberytwyth Guide - TJL Pritchard, 1824,^[15]

“ HISTORICAL. NOTICES OF LLANBADARN VAWR.*
It derived its name from Paternus, a distinguished Saint in the British History, of whom Cressy and Archbishop Usher give the following account. "The sanctity of St. Dubricius and St. David, drew into Britain, from foreign parts, St. Paternus, a devout young man, about the year 516, together with 847 Monks, who accompanied him: these fixed themselves in a place called Mauritania, and there Paternus built a church and monastery, in which he placed the Monks, under an Economist, a Provost, and a Dean. This monastery seems to have sent abroad, many colonies of religious men into the province, for we find that this saint built many monasteries and churches, through all the region called Ceretica, now Cardiganshire. The church he erected in Mauritania, was raised to the dignity of an Episcopal see, which he governed for one and twenty years, and was from him called Paternensis : he was recalled into his own native country of Lesser Britany, where he was made Bishop of Vannes, having left Kinoc, as successor to his former Bishopric." Mauritania is supposed to be a latinized British name of Llanbadarn vawr. The writer of the life of St. Paternus, or Patern, says, " he by feeding governed, and by governing fed the church of Ceretica." " Padarn was the son of Pedredin ab Emyr Llydaw, and cousin of Cadvan, with whom he came into Britain, and was the first of all in the college of Illtyd, (in Glamorgan-shire,) where he was dignified a Bishop. He removed from thence, and founded a congregation in Caredigion, at a place thence called Llanbadarn vawr, consisting of 120 members, where be had the title of Archbishop. He was one of the most distinguished saints of Britain, and several churches were dedicated to him. He was ranked with Dewi and Teilo, in the in the Welsh Historical Triads, under the appellation of 'The three blessed visitors of the Isle of Britain,' for they went about, preaching the faith to all degrees of people, not only without reward, but with alleviating the distresses of the poor, as far as their means extended.'-Cambrian Biography, page 278.
* The etymology of its name is simple. Llanbadarn vawr signifies the great church of Badarn, or Padarn, who erected it. Llan, as well as Eglwys, is the Welsh for church, and vawr for great. ”

Vikings

The New Aberytwyth Guide - TJL Pritchard, 1824,^[15]

“ In the year 988, Llanbadarn was destroyed by the Danes, whose ravages were so extensive, that Meredith, Prince of Wales, was forced to compound with them, and to pay a tribute of one penny for every man within his dominions, which, in Welsh, was called Glwmaen, i.e. the tribute of the black army. ”

Wales vs Wales

Now setting his sights on South Wales he pushes through Ceredigion, ravaging the lands of Llanbadarn Fawr on the way. He appears to have held this area until his death in 1063

Raiding Wales

From his base as the Norman Earl of Shrewsbury Roger Montgomery leads raids into Wales devastating Ceredigion.

Book

Rhygyfarch of Llanbadarn monastery writes Vita Davidis (The Life of St. David) - the first of the lives of the Welsh saints.