St Michael's church at Cathedine occupies a rectangular churchyard on a hill slope at the southern end of the hamlet.

Some stonework from the earlier structure may survive specifically the west wall and the jambs of the south door which could be relics from its predecessor.

Following the conquest of Brycheiniog by Bernard de Neufmarché in the late 11th century, and its conversion into his Lordship of Brecknock, the whole of Cathedine was initially assigned by him to his prisoner Gwrgan ap Bleddyn, son of the last king of Brycheiniog (Bleddyn ap Maenarch) but was later repossessed by Bernard.

From the late 12th century formed part of the medieval Marcher lordship of Blaenllynfi (of which Talgarth was the main town), which eventually came into the possession of Gwrgan's descendant, Rhys ap Hywel (ancestor of Sir Dafydd Gam).

Predominantly regular fieldscapes with hedged boundaries to the south and east of Llangorse Lake, on sloping hill-land of Allt yr Esgair and the western flanks of Mynydd Llangors, lying between a height of between about 150–390 metres above sea level.