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Archiver > POWYS > 2001-11 > 1005119227


From: "John Ball" <>
Subject: Pigs, Swine, Hogs, Boars, etc.
Date: Wed, 7 Nov 2001 07:47:07 -0000
References: <004f01c16567$7478df80$0101210a@tinypc> <00ab01c166f8$b0ee14c0$3537893e@freeserve.co.uk> <010301c16709$7da4bf40$bac987d9@omantel.net.om> <001001c1670e$54d91340$4363fea9@davidssc>


David Williams <> wrote:
As a child, I was told an ancient story of a ferocious wild boar which
terrorised the area around the Neath / Dulais valleys here in South
Wales. According to the legend, various huntsmen eventually banded
together and hunted it down, finally killing it on the banks of the
River Dulais at Creunant, where I lived as a boy.
..... my daughter.... explained that this legend of the boar is rooted
deep in ancient Welsh folklore. Apparently, the story was told
throughout Wales, and attributed to streams all over Wales where the
boar was supposedly killed, hence the presence of the word "moch" in the
name. She also explained that the "Creu" in Creunant (Crynant) is an
ancient word for a pigsty, and that this probably springs from the boar
legend also.
=============

Dear David,

This is most interesting.

You and your daughter's hypothesis would also explain the naming of the
village of Cwmtwrch and the river Twrch which enters the river Tawe at
Ystalyfera. I understand that the Welsh word "twrch" can mean "hog" or
"boar". In Cwmtawe Isaf there is a public houes named Tafarn Twrch,
whose pub sign is the head of a wild boar.

Kind regards,

John
----------------------------------
John Ball, Ystalyfera, Swansea Valley, UK
E-mail:
Welsh Family History Archive (WFHA):
http://home.clara.net/wfha/wales/index.htm

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