BRECKNOCKSHIRE, or BRE'CON, an inland co. of South Wales, to the s. of Radnor, from which it is separated by the Wye. Length, about 35 m.; average breadth, 20. Area, 719 sq.m., of which two thirds are cultivated. B. is one of the most mountainous counties in South Wales, and has deep, beautiful, and fertile valleys. Two principal mountain-chains, the highest in South Wales, rising with Brecknock peaks to a height of 2862 ft., intersect the county in the n. and s., and occupy, with their offshoots, a great part of the surface. Old red sandstone occupies the s. and middle of the co., and silurian rocks the north. The chief rivers are the Wye, Usk, Yrfon, Elan, Claer wen, and Tawe. The climate is severe and rainy but healthy among the mountains, and in the valleys comparatively mild. The agriculture, though still defective, especi ally in the higher districts, was greatly improved by the Brecknockshire agricultural society, instituted in 1755. The chief crops are oats and barley, but much wheat is also grown in Talgarth and Crickhowell, the most fertile districts of the county. In the valleys in the e. some hops are raised, and some orchards are seen. The native small black-cattle are reared in the hills, while in the lowlands the Hereford breed pre dominates. The mineral produce is small, consisting of iron, especially along the s.
border; coal and limestone are also found in the south and west. The Brecon canal connects the co. with the Bristol channel, and many railways have been constructed throughout the county. There are several small factories of woolens and worsted hosi ery; also several important iron-works, but the ore is chiefly obtained from adjoining counties. B. returns one member to parliament. Pop. in 1871, 59,901. The chief towns are Brecon, the co. and only corporate one, Bnilth, Crickhowell, Hay, and Llanelly. There are many remains of British and Roman camps, Roman roads, calms, cromlechs, mounds, and castles throughout the county. B. formed part of the territory of the Silures, who bravely withstood the Romans. The :Normans, under Barnard Newmarch, wrested the co. from the Welsh princes in 1092. Llewelyn, the last British prince of Wales, was killed in this co. in 1282, and by his fall the native mountain chiefs were entirely subdued. Half the people in B. still speak Welsh.