Neath was founded in the twelfth century by Richard
Grenfield, one of the followers of Robert Fitzhamon, who subjugated
Glamorgan. Neath Abbey was a very wealthy one, the founder having
endowed it with extensive tracts of fertile land along the banks of the
rivers Neath and Tawy. In it the unfortunate Edward of Carnarvon sought
a refuge for a few days from the rage of his revolted barons, whilst his
favourite, the equally unfortunate Spencer, endeavoured to find a covert
amidst the thickets of the wood-covered hill to the north. When Richmond
landed at Milford Haven to dispute the crown with Richard the Second, the
then Abbot of Neath repaired to him and gave him his benediction, in
requital for which the adventurer gave him his promise that in the event
of his obtaining the crown, he would found a college in Glen Neath, which
promise, however, after he had won the crown, he forgot to perform. {20}
The wily abbot, when he hastened to pay worship to what he justly
conceived to be the rising sun, little dreamt that he was about to bless
the future father of the terrible man doomed by Providence to plant the
abomination of desolation in Neath Abbey and in all the other nests of
monkery throughout the land.

Leaving the ruins I proceeded towards Neath. The scenery soon became
very beautiful; not that I had left machinery altogether behind, for I
presently came to a place where huge wheels were turning, and there was
smoke and blast, but there was much that was rural and beautiful to be
seen, something like park scenery, and then there were the mountains near
and in the distance. I reached Neath at about half-past four, and took
up my quarters at an inn which had been recommended to me by my friend
the boots at Swansea.

CHAPTER CIII

Town of Neath--Hounds and Huntsman--Spectral Chapel--The Glowing Mountain

Neath is a place of some antiquity, for it can boast of the remains of a
castle and is a corporate town. There is but little Welsh spoken in it.
It is situated on the Neath, and exports vast quantities of coal and
iron, of both of which there are rich mines in the neighbourhood. It
derives its name from the river Nedd or Neth, on which it stands. Nedd
or Neth is the same word as Nith, the name of a river in Scotland, and is
in some degree connected with Nidda, the name of one in Germany. Nedd in
Welsh signifies a dingle, and the word in its various forms has always
something to do with lowness or infe