The Tourist's Guide through the Country of Caernarvon: containing a short sketch of its History, Antiquities, &c.Williams, P. B. (Peter Bailey)
History
The Tourist's Guide through the Country of Caernarvon: containing a short sketch of its History, Antiquities, &c.
Williams, P. B. (Peter Bailey)
Caernarvonshire (Wales) -- Description and travel
After passing Glynn, we cross the Llifon, and about two miles further the
Llyfni, a rapid Stream, flowing out of Llynn Nanlle, and soon afterwards
arrive at CLYNNOG, a neat pleasant Village, beautifully situated on a
plain, near the Sea shore. There is a very handsome venerable looking
old Church, which has greatly the appearance of a Cathedral; it is built
in form of a cross: the length, from East to West, is about one hundred
and thirty-eight feet, and from North to South, seventy. Near the Altar
are three neat Stalls, divided by pillars supporting Gothic Arches, the
seats of the officiating Priests;—the Monuments are not numerous, there
is one however to William Glynn de Lleiar, with his figure and those of
his wife and seven children, another to his son in law George Twisleton,
Esq. of _Aula Barrow_ in Yorkshire, and in right of his wife of Lleiar;
he is generally supposed to be the same with _Colonel_ Twisleton, who was
an active officer under Cromwell, and took the gallant Sir John Owen, of
Clenenney, prisoner.—Adjoining to the Church, is the Chapel of St. Beuno;
the passage to it is a narrow vault, covered with large flat stones, and
of far greater antiquity than either Church, or Chapel, which seem nearly
coeval. The reader will not be displeased to see the following extract
from Leland, respecting this venerable old Fabrick:—“Clunnock Vawr, yn
Arvon, in the Commot of Uwch Gurvay, is a great Parish, and the fairest
Church in all Caernarvonshire, and is better than Bangor, is 15 miles
beyond it, and about the same distance as that town from the
shore.—Clunnock Vawr was some time a Monastery of White Monks, suppressed
many years ago, but the original of this Monastery was by St. Beuno, of
whom mention is made in St. Winifrede’s Life. The White Monks were of a
newer foundation. Gwytheint, uncle to one of the Princes of North Wales,
was the first giver of Clunnock Village and place to Benow. The Church
that is now there, with cross isles, is almost as big as St. David’s, but
it is of a new work; the old Church, where St. Benow lieth, is hard by
the new.” The Chapel was probably built after Leland had visited the
place, in the room of the old Church, which might have fallen to ruin.
In the middle of the Chapel was the tomb of the Saint, plain and altar
shaped, but it was in a great measure demolished, about 20 years ago,
when some workmen were employed by the late Lord Newborough, to dig in
search of the Saint’s bones. Votaries were wont to have great faith in
him, and did not doubt but that by means of a night’s lodging on his
tomb, a cure would be found for all diseases; it was customary to cover
it with rushes, and leave on it till morning sick children, after making
them first undergo ablution, in the neighbouring holy well. St. Beuno,
after he had assumed the Monastic habit, founded a Convent here in
616.—Cadvan, King of North Wales, was his great Patron, and promised him
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account