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CARDIFF

Volume 3 · 168 words · 1778 Edition

a town of Glamorganshire, in South Wales, seated on the river Tawe, in a rich and fruitful soil. It is a large, compact, well-built town, having a castle, a wall, and four gates, built by Robert Fitz-Hamon, a Norman, about the year 1100. It is governed by the constable of the castle, 12 aldermen, 12 burgesses, &c., and sends one member to parliament. Here the assizes and sessions are held, besides several courts. There is a handsome bridge over the river, to which small vessels come to take in their lading. It has now only one church, St Mary's having been long since thrown down by the undermining of the river. The castle, though much decayed, makes a grand appearance even at this time; and the walls of the town are very strong and thick. The church has a fine tower-steeple, and the town-hall is a good structure. The magistrates are elected every year by the majority of the burgesses. W. Long. 3. 20. N. Lat. 51. 30.