It is in this manner, (observes Mr. Pennant, speaking of Tommen y Rhodwydd in Yale) that we must account for the total disappearance of many Welsh Castles, whose names are preserved in History, and whose vestiges we have sought for in vain.—They were made of wood, as was very customary with several ancient nations, and with others of later date. The Persians, on the approach of the Spartans, secured themselves within their wooden walls, and CÆsar found great resistance from a Tower, in the Alpine Castle of Larignum, made of the timber of the Larix, or the Larch, which was found to be incombustible. In later times, the Castle of Bamborough was built originally by Ida, with wood; the Burg of Murray was fortified by the Danes, with the same material.—The people of the same country, in 1228, had Castles of wood; and a century after these, more recent instances: William de Melton, Archbishop of York, in 1317, fortified the Mount in that City, called the Old Bale, with planks, eighteen inches thick. The Court of King’s Bench has very lately determined, that stage Coach passengers cannot legally be required to pay any demand whatever, for being conveyed over the ferry at Conway, and for carriage of their luggage, over and above the amount of their respective fares in such Coach. Probably at Braich y Bedd, near Hafod Gelyn. There is a Tradition that in former times there was a Church near that place, and a spot is still shewn distinguished by the name of HÊn Fonwent, (old Church-yard); and it is not unlikely but the Walsh Princes might nave had their Summer residence here, if we may be allowed to judge from the name; for Garth Celyn must have been near this spot. There is also a Tradition, that the village was set on fire, by Oliver Cromwell’s men, from the Bridge to the Church-yard, and that they lighted a fire under the Bell rope, in the Church, which they made use of as a Stable. Some idea of the magnitude of this concern may be formed, from the Proprietor having shipped off, from Port Penrhyn, in the year 1819, Slates to the amount of Fifty-eight Thousand Pounds. The Precentor, though at present unendowed, will in a few years have a Salary annexed to his Office, in consequence of a Decree lately made by the Lord Chancellor in his favour. This Ferry, probably, took its name from the Hundred or Division of the Island in which it to situated, viz. Tindaethwy. Near this Ferry, on the Anglesey shore, is a Rock known by the name of Carreg Iago, or rather Carreg yr Iacon, or Arch-Iacon; (the Archdeacon’s stone) rendered memorable on account of Archbishop Baldwin having stood up to preach the crusade upon it, at the time of his peregrinations for that purpose through Wales, 1188; and Alexander, Archdeacon of Bangor, is said to have interpreted to the people. Ceris, appears to be derived either from Cawr-rys (or rhys) the mighty rushing, or Gyr-rhys, which conveys nearly the same meaning;—Ymryson, to contend, is compounded, of ym and rhys; and the English word race, or course, is probably derived from this word. The shore near Porthamel, (Perth Amelius, according to Rowlands; Porth ym moel, as others conjecture,) is famed for being the place where Suetonius landed; his infantry were conveyed over in boats, probably near a spot still called Pont yr Ysgraffiau, and his horse crossed, partly by swimming and partly fording.—Ready to receive them, appeared on the shore, a motley army, (as Tacitus informs us) and women, running wildly about, in black attire, with dishevelled hair, and like furies, brandishing their torches; and the Druids surrounding them, and lifting up their hands to Heaven, and pouring forth the most dreadful imprecations. The Roman soldiers stood astonished with the sight—at length, animated by their leader, and encouraging each other, being ashamed to be intimidated by a womanly, and fanatic band, they advanced with their ensigns, and overthrew all who opposed them, destroying them in their own fires. After the battle, they placed garrisons in the towns, and cut down the groves consecrated to their horrid superstitions; for these people, considered it lawful to offer in sacrifice, the captives taken in war, and, to consult human entrails.—How thankful ought we to be for the benign influence of the Gospel of peace, by which we were delivered from the yoke of superstition, and the abominations of Heathenism! The meaning of the word is Resting-place, a name given it by Lord Lucan, being descriptive of the purpose for which it was erected; his Lordship usually spending a few days here, on his why to and from Ireland. The house stands on a bold eminence, and commands a full view of the Bridge and Ferry; and the inmates of this sweet retreat, have the pleasure of beholding the busy bustling scene, without being annoyed or discommoded, either by the noise of the passengers or the dust of the highway, as is frequently the case with houses situated near a public road. Y Faenol, is derived from Maenol, or Maenawr, (from which probably comes the English word Manor, and the vulgar Latin Manerium) meaning as explained in Howel Dda’s laws, either a lowland or upland district, bounded or marked out by large stones, (singular maen, plural meini) the former containing four Vills, and the latter thirteen. The new house erected by the present proprietor, is at some distance from the old one, the latter is very ancient, and has a very curious Gothic Family Chapel nearly adjoining it, dedicated to St. Mary. Near the same spot, as it is conjectured, where Agricola pasted over into the Island. This melancholy event took place on the night of the 5th of December, being the Carnarvon Fair day, and the Boatmen probably in liquor: the cries of distress were heard from both shores. One remarkable circumstance deserves to be recorded, that only one person (out of 69) survived in this instance, as well as the other, and both their names Hugh Williams. Caer, the fortified Town; yn Arvon, in the District of Arfon, one of the Hundreds of this County, so called from its situation, opposite Mona, or Anglesey, which is the is the signification of the word; viz. Ar, upon; Mona, Anglesey. The writer is aware that a very different account is given the origin of this motto, viz. that these were the arms of the King of Bohemia, killed by the Black Prince. Carnarvon, does not owe its name to Edward I. as is generally supposed; for Giraldus Cambrensis mentions it in his memorable journey with the Archbishop, in 1188; and Llewelyn the Great dates from it a Charter, in the year 1221: probably the Caernarvon of those times was the ancient Segontium; whose name the Welch had changed to Caer-ar-Fon. A Well near the old Fort, now called Hen Waliau, bears the name of that Princess, and some very slight remains of Ruins, point out the probable situation of this old Building, not far from the banks of the Seiont, to the right of the road leading to Pont Saint. The above William Griffith, of Carnarvon and Tref-Arthen, was descended by the Mother’s side, (as Mr. Rowlands informs us) from the Pilston’s of this Town, and his Grand Daughter, Margaret, conveyed this property to Griffith Jones, of Castellmarch, in Lleyn; and his Daughter Margaret marrying Sir William Williams, of Vaenol, Baronet, that gentleman consequently became possessed of it. Specimens of Ancient Welsh Poetry.—London 1784. 4to. The Red Dragon, was the device of Cedwalladr, which all his descendants wore on their banners. Supposed to be Tal y Foel, as it is now called. The word Bala, with regard to a lake, seems to convey the same meaning as Aber, when applied to a river, viz. its embouchure. David Thomas, the Welsh Bard, better known by the name of Dafydd Ddu o Eryri, has taken a house in this Parish, as he intends to quit his present habitation in the Parish of Llandwrog, (where he has resided some time) about April next. We cannot omit this opportunity of noticing this favoured Son of the Awen, (Muse) who is generally considered as the first Welsh Bard now living; and is another instance of what may be achieved by great talents, and a strong natural genius, though unassisted by the advantages of education. A conjecture, partly founded on tradition, attributes the erection of this fortress to Pardarn Beisrydd, son of Idawl; as we are informed to Mr. Pennant. Rhodri Mawr, the son of Merfyn Vrych, Prince of Wales, A.D. 843. Rhun ap Maelgwn, A.D. 585. It was reported that the Bard had perished on the Cardiganshire Hills. Here we have the testimony of Leland, that Wyddfa is Snowdon, and Creigiau Ryri Rocks were the Forest of Snowdon, which comprehended nearly the whole County. The Devil’s Bridge is near Hafod, in Cardiganshire, twelve miles from Aberystwith. Supposed to be derived either from Gafl, pl. Geifl, Forks; or from Yr Ufel, Fire, from the circumstance of their having been made use of as signal posts, and been lighted on them for that purpose. John Wynn ap Hugh, of the family of Bodvel, was Standard Bearer at the Battle of Norwich, Temp. Edward VI. for which service he had Bardsey, and Court, in Aberdaron, and was Sheriff of Carnarvonshire 1551; he married Elisabeth, daughter of Sir John Puleston, by a daughter of Robert ap Meredith ap Hwikin Llwyd, of Glyn Llifon. It is probably Pwll Nigel might have taken its name from this Nigel. a Gloddaeth,—b Rocks above Llyn Idwel,—c Snowdon,—d Llanberis,—e Cwm Idwel,—f on inaccessible rocks near Twll du, Snowdon, &c.—g near llyn y Cwn,—h Lake near Dolbadarn Castle,—i near Twll du,—k near Gloddaeth,—i on Clogwyn du’r Arddu,—m Penmaen mawr,—n near Glan y Bala,—o near Bangor,—p between Llanrwst and Conway,—q in the bottom of Llyn y Cwn, and Ffynon Frech,—r near Conway,—s near St. Helen’s well,—t Creuddyn,—u by the Waterfall near Aber,—v rare in Fachwen,—w near Dol Ty Du,—x in Llyn Ogwen, and Llanberis lakes,—y on a black rock near Clogwyn y Garnedd.
