Shire to Shire Series: Carmarthenshire (Sir Gaerfyrddin) & Craig Gwrtheyrn
With a commanding view over the River Teifi in South West Wales sits the Rock of Vortigern (Craig Gwrtheyrn). The site was an Iron Age hill fort, placed in a strategic position over the Ystrad Tywi , though its folkloric association is tied to Late Antiquity.
Vortigern was at best a treacherous King of the Britons who allowed the Saxon warlord twins Hengist and Horsa to settle in Kent. When fleeing from St. Germanus on account of incest, oath-breaking and treason he fortified himself there, naming it 'Cair Guothergirn'. However the saint and his followers track him there, praying and fasting for three days and night till on the third night a fire from heaven descended upon them, killing Vortigern and his retinue.
Carmarthenshire is an immensely fertile area, known as the Garden of Wales and is renowned for its pork. In fact the Romans were so impressed by the ham they took the recipe back to Italy to become Parma Ham.
