Vale of Glamorgan, The

Agriculture has been the main economic activity of the Vale of Glamorgan for many generations, but manufacturing and service industries are growing rapidly. Barry, where the docks are being redeveloped, is also a centre for a number of chemical concerns. Penarth Dock has been converted into a marina. The county borough's business concerns include major vehicle engineering and alternator plants; a power station; cement works; Rhoose International Airport, which serves the city of Cardiff; and television studios. Tourism is of considerable importance, especially at Barry Island, Penarth, and Llantwit Major.

The Romans, who had conquered the area by about ad 75, built the Via Julia Maritima, a military road from Gloucester in England to St David's in Pembrokeshire, with a way-station within the Vale of Glamorgan county borough—possibly at Cowbridge. After the departure of the Romans in about ad 400, the area was the scene of feuds among local princes, of invasions by Anglo-Saxons, and of raids by Vikings. This part of South Wales was converted to Christianity at an early date, possibly in the 2nd century; during the first half of the 6th century a major monastery and university was founded by St Illryd at Llantwit Major. The university eventually vanished, following the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII. The Normans arrived late in the 11th century. During the English Civil War, the area had strongly Royalist sympathies, but was quickly overcome by Parliamentary forces.