Curiosities of Great Britain: England and Wales Delineated Vol.1-11: Historical, Entertaining & Commercial; Alphabetically Arranged. 11 Volume set.Dugdale, Thomas
History
Curiosities of Great Britain: England and Wales Delineated Vol.1-11: Historical, Entertaining & Commercial; Alphabetically Arranged. 11 Volume set.
Dugdale, Thomas
Great Britain -- Gazetteers
The old town-hall, built in 1563, has been taken down, and under the
patronage of Lord Viscount Bulkeley, another more elegant has been
erected upon its site. The town, re-incorporated in the 4th year of
Elizabeth, is governed by a mayor, recorder, two bailiffs, twenty-four
burgessess, two serjeants at mace, a town clerk, jailor, four
constables, and a water-bailiff. The county hall is a small low
building, being neither conveniently formed nor respectable in its
appearance. The custom-house stands upon the green near the edge of the
water. Beaumaris bay consists of an expansive opening in front of the
town, so sheltered by the island of Priesholme and the great Ormeshead,
as to allow vessels of considerable burden to ride in safety, during the
most stormy weather. The depth of water near the town, at ebb-tide, is
from six to seven fathoms, but the channel scarcely exceeds a quarter of
a mile in breadth. The greater part of the bay is left dry for several
miles when the tide is out, which part is called the Lavan Sands. These
once formed a habitable hundred, belonging to the territory of Arson.
They were formerly called Wylofaen, or the place of Weeping, from the
shrieks and lamentations of the inhabitants at the time when the land
was overwhelmed by the sea. Lavan is a corruption of Traeth Talaven, or
the fermented heap, allusive to the boiling up of water in the
quicksands. The ferry was granted by charter to the corporation in the
4th year of Elizabeth: it lies near the town. The place of embarking or
landing is the point anciently known under the appellation of Penrhyn
Safness, but afterwards Osmund's Air, from a malefactor, who on his way
to execution, being asked where he was going, answered, "To take the
air." The walk over the sand at low water is firm and good; they should
be passed three hours after high water, and will be safe for four hours;
or in other words, two hours before low water and two after. Precautions
are essentially necessary to be taken, for near the times of the sands
being covered by the sea they are frequently shifting, and in many
places become so watery or quick, as to have proved both dangerous and
fatal. This way is equally perilous in foggy weather, but as some
persons are necessitated to pass in every season, the large bell at Aber
is humanely rung, to direct them towards the sound.
_Market_, Wednesday and Saturday.--_Fairs_, Feb. 13, Holy Thursday,
Sept. 19, and Dec. 19, for cattle.--_Inn_, Bull's Head.
[Sidenote: Chief town in Anglesea.]
[Sidenote: Much frequented in summer.]
[Sidenote: Its government.]
[Sidenote: Lavan sands]
[Sidenote: Caution.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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