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
Caeron, on Mynydd y Rhiw mountain; Castell Odo, on Mynydd Ystum; and two
on Mynydd Cilan, in the parish of Llan Engan. Several eminences bear the
name of Pen yr Orsedd, i.e. the Throne, or Seat of Judicature, two of
these are not far distant from Nevin; and near Cefnamwlch is a Cromlech,
called Coetan Arthur. The following wells may also be mentioned as
remarkable, on account of their bearing the names of British Saints; viz.
Ffynnon Saint, Ffynnon Ddurdan, Ffynnon Cefn Llaethfaen, Ffynnon Eliw, in
the Parish of Rhiw; Ffynnon Garmon, in Aberdaron, and Ffynnon Lleuddad,
in Bryncroes.
Aberdaron is a small fishing Village, situated on a sandy Bay, at the
extremity of the Promontory of Lleyn (_Langanum Promontorium_); the mouth
of the Bay is protected by two little Islands, called _Ynys Gwylan_; it
takes its name from the rivulet _Daron_, which here empties itself into
the sea; the inhabitants are mostly fishermen. The Church, which
consists of two aisles, supported by four handsome pillars, is dedicated
to St. Hoywyn; it was a sanctuary, and much frequented by pilgrims;
Leland says it was called Llan Engan Frenin, (_Fanum Niniani Reguli_),
but it is very probable, that the transcribers of his work must have made
a mistake, as _Llan Engan_ is seven or eight miles distant, on the road
to Pwllhely, and where there is a very curious inscription on the
Steeple, copied and explained by Mr. Rowlands. The Rectorial Tithes
belong to St. John’s College, Cambridge; the Vicarage is in the patronage
of the Bishop. This and Porth Meudwy, (a small Creek near it) were the
places where Devotees, in former times, usually embarked for Bardsey
(Enlli), and the curious stranger, who may wish to visit that Island, can
easily procure a boat here, but before he sets sail he should examine the
ruins of St. Mary’s Chapel (Capel Fair), and also our Lady’s Cave and
Well, (Ogof Mair a Ffynnon Fair,) the former is situated in a small
plain, between two hills, Uwch Mynydd a Mynydd y Gwyddel, and the latter
not far distant, nearly at the foot of a dreadful precipice called Maen
Melyn, and from which, no doubt, this Commot (Cwmmwd-maen) takes its
name. There is a most hazardous and circuitous path, down to the Cave
and Well, along which Devotees frequently descended in former days, and
even at the present time many are induced to visit the spot from
curiosity. Maen Melyn is a yellow rock, streaked with white veins, in
the middle of a black precipice, and at a distance has much the
appearance of a large dog or leopard. In the dark ages of Popish
Superstition it was supposed that if a person could descend by this path,
and bring up a mouthful of water from the well, his wish would be
certainly fulfilled; the Cape, at the end of the Promontory is called
_Penyccil_, and the ridge of hills Braich y pwll. This Chapel was placed
here, in all probability, to give the seamen an opportunity of invoking
the tutelar Saint for protection through this dangerous Sound.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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