Most of the history of Llandaff centres on its role as a religious site. Before the creation of
Llandaff Cathedral, it became established as a Christian place of worship in the 6th century AD, probably because of its location as the first firm ground north of the point where the river Taff met the
Bristol Channel, and because of its pre-Christian location as a river crossing on a north–south
trade route. Evidence of Romano-British ritual burials have been found under the present cathedral. The date of the moving of the
cathedral to Llandaff is disputed, but elements of the fabric date from the 12th century, such as the impressive Romanesque Urban Arch, named after the 12th century Bishop, Urban. It has had a history of continual destruction and restoration, as a result of warfare, neglect, and natural disaster. Llandaff has been a focal point of devastating attacks by
Owain Glyndŵr and
Oliver Cromwell. It was the second most damaged cathedral in the UK (after
Coventry Cathedral), following
Luftwaffe bombing during
World War II, and subsequently restored by the
architect George Pace. One of its main modern points of interest is the
aluminium figure of
Christ in Majesty (1954–5), by
Jacob Epstein, which is suspended above the
nave. In 2007, a lightning strike to its spire sent a surge through the building; which destroyed its organ. Its replacement, the largest to be built in the UK for over 40 years, was inaugurated in 2010. The
Bishop's Palace, also known as Llandaff Castle or Bishop's Castle now in ruins, lies to the south of the cathedral. It is believed it was constructed at a similar date to
Caerphilly Castle, in the late 13th century. It is also believed it was abandoned after being attacked and damaged by Glyndŵr in the 15th century. The gatehouse of the Palace survives, and the courtyard is now a public garden. Historically, Llandaff was informally known as a 'city', because of its status as the seat of the
Bishop of Llandaff. This
city status was never officially recognised, largely because the community did not possess a charter of incorporation. The ancient
parish of Llandaff included a wide area. Apart from Llandaff itself, it included the townships of
Canton,
Ely,
Fairwater, and
Gabalfa. During the development of the
South Wales coalfield and
Cardiff Docks, the parish was gradually absorbed into the
Borough of Cardiff during the 19th and 20th centuries. Seen as a clean and green up-market countrified village location close to the fast developing city, many of the better-off
coal merchants and business people chose to live in Llandaff, including the
Insole family. The house now known as
Insole Court dates originally from 1856. Llandaff itself became a
civil parish, and from 1894 to 1922, was part of the Llandaff and
Dinas Powis Rural District. On 9 November 1922, the
county borough of Cardiff was extended to include the area.
1952 mid-air collision On Monday 14 July 1952 at 1.15pm, two
de Havilland Vampire aircraft from
RAF Merryfield, of 208 Advanced Flying School, collided in mid-air at 29,000 ft. One Vampire,
VF265, went straight through a three-storey building next to the Llandaff Hotel, to the basement, killing a 53 year old woman. Another Vampire,
TG297, crashed in
Pontcanna Fields & Llandaff Fields. Pilot Officer G H Patterson, from the
VF265 aircraft, from
Houghton-le-Spring, landed in the middle of Cardiff Airport, and walked to Cardiff Aeroplane Club. Pilot Officer B F Shaw, from the
TG297 aircraft, from West Sussex, landed in the River Rumney. ==Demography==