Llangorse, Llanywern and Llanfihangel Talyllyn
churches consider themselves very lucky to be caretakers of some of the
prestigious Brute family stonemasons handiwork. They were based in Llanbedr,
Crickhowell during the 18th century and examples of their work can be
found in Breconshire, Radnorshire and Monmouthshire. They would have travelled
over local hills by horse and cart to deliver their work. Only in the last 50
years have they been recognised by historians for their uniqueness.
Thomas Brute (1698-1767)
second son of John Brute – a stonemason recorded as being paid £5 and 5
shillings to build a substantial stone road bridge in Llanover. Thomas was the
first generation to make and sign funereal monuments.
Aaron Brute (1731 – 1801) the youngest of Thomas’s five
children whose talents much improved over his lifetime.
third generation to sign his work - again which developed over his
lifetime.
Originally some of the monuments were thought to
be made from slate but further investigations revealed them as painted sandstone
– the recipe for the dye was written in the family bible which was destroyed
when the family home was burnt down.
The paint colours are still vivid after two and
a half centuries when they have been hung on internal church walls as in
Patricio, Llangattock, Walterstone, Llanbedr and Cwmyoy to name a few. Their
main design was of gilded angels or cherubs but also include open weave looking
baskets of droopy flowers and plain geometric designs. A good reference book is
called century stonemasons by Liz Pitman. A copy can be
found in the National Library of Wales.
The Llangors gravestone is a chest – rather plain but still lovely to have a
signed stone. It is located outside the church building – follow the path to the
back of the church and it is tucked in by the chancel wall on the left.
There are three coloured monuments inside
Llanywern church.The colour is still
visible on Charles Havard’s memorial stone after more than 250 years.
The local Brute family in Llanfihangel Talyllyn
are descendants of these stonemasons and the late John Brute has proved that the
genes were in his blood too as is shown by the lovely examples of stonework he
created in the local area. He also unearthed two stones while working on the
church tower.