Editing Llandovery (section)

==History==
===Etymology===
The name of the town derives from ''{{lang|cy|Llan ymlith y dyfroedd}}'', meaning "church enclosure amid the waters", i.e. between the Tywi and the [[Afon Brân]] just upstream of their confluence. A smaller watercourse, the Bawddwr, runs through and under the town.

===Roman legacy===
The [[Roman fort]] at Llanfair Hill to the north-east of the modern town was known to the [[Roman Britain|Romans]] as [[Alabum]]. It was built around AD 50–60 as part of a strategy for the conquest of [[Roman Wales|Wales]]. A [[Roman road]] heads across [[Mynydd Bach Trecastell]] to the south-east of Llandovery bound for the fort of [[Brecon Gaer]]. Another heads down the Towy valley for [[Carmarthen]], whilst a third makes for the goldmines at [[Dolaucothi]].

===Norman and medieval castle===
[[File:Llandovery Castle, Carmarthenshire.jpeg|left|thumb|[[Llandovery Castle]], Carmarthenshire, by [[Henry Gastineau]], seen about 1830]]
Attractions in the town include the remains of the Norman [[Llandovery Castle]], built in 1110. It was almost immediately captured by the Welsh and changed hands between them and the [[Normans]] until the reign of King [[Edward I of England]] in the late 13th century. The castle was used by King [[Henry IV of England|Henry IV]] while on a sortie into Wales, when he executed [[Llywelyn ap Gruffydd Fychan]] in the market place. It was later attacked by the forces of [[Owain Glyndŵr]] in 1403.

===Welsh hero===
A {{convert|16|ft|m|adj=mid|-high}} stainless-steel statue to [[Llywelyn ap Gruffydd Fychan]] was unveiled in 2001 on the north side of Llandovery Castle, overlooking the place of his execution 600 years earlier. He had led the army of King [[Henry IV of England|Henry IV]] on a "wild goose chase", under the pretence of leading them to a secret rebel camp and an ambush of Glyndŵr's forces. King Henry lost patience with him, exposed the charade and had him half hanged, disembowelled in front of his own eyes, beheaded and quartered – the quarters salted and dispatched to other Welsh towns for public display.

The design of the statue, by Toby and Gideon Petersen, was chosen after a national competition. It was funded by the National Lottery and the [[Arts Council of Wales]].

===Other history===
According to folklore, the [[Physicians of Myddfai]] practised in the area in the 13th century.

The Bank of the Black Ox, one of the first Welsh banks, was established by a wealthy [[droving|cattle drover]]. The original bank building was part of the King's Head Inn. It later became part of [[Lloyds Bank]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.llandoveryhistorysociety.wales/virtual-exhibitions/notable-people/david-jones-his-family-and-the-history-of-banking/ |title=David Jones, his family and the history of Banking |publisher=Llandovery History Society |access-date=8 July 2019}}</ref>

The population in 1841 was 1,709.<ref>''The Cyclopaedia of Useful Knowledge'' Vol. III, London (1847), Charles Knight, p. 1,013.</ref>