Bedd Porus

Looking southwest, with Llech Idris standing stone clearly in view.

This is a late Fifth or early Sixth Century Christian memorial stone, removed from its original exact location, but still in the vicinity. It is unusual in being away from any church or churchyard, instead, it is in the wilderness, near ancient routes, both Roman and Prehistoric. (Sarn Helen runs nearby, as well as the huge Llech Idris Menhir).

Presented in a caged enclosure, with a crumbling cast of the original (which is in National Museum of Wales), the stone reads

PORIUS / HICINTUMULOIACIT / HOMO PLANUSFUIT

this means "Porius lies here in the mound. He was a plain man."

There is debate as to missing letters and the exacting meaning of "plain", which could make the fellow either a leper who had lost his nose, or a Christian!


Open countryside and ample parking near the bridge.