Welsh History ....bloody history that binds Wales to Glasgow

[SteveH]

The great Llandudno ghost hoax that fooled the whole of Britain
Two sightings of the 'strange ghostly figure' were made on the Great Orme more than 100 years ago

On the eve of the First World War, the dramatic appearance of a ?strange ghostly figure? on the Great Orme became the talk of Llandudno. Within days, the sighting was being reported in newspapers around Britain.

A subsequent sighting prompted students of the occult to descend on the area after dark, hoping to catch sight of ?visitors from beyond the veil?. When the ghost failed to show, interest waned and Llandudno?s Great Orme apparition seemed destined to become forever condemned as supernatural mystery.

Within a fortnight, however, the veil was indeed lifted when the spectre.................... https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/great-llandudno-ghost-hoax-fooled-25438208?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

The ruined Snowdonia castle on a rocky outcrop once home to the most powerful Welshman of his age
Castell y Bere was built by Llywelyn Fawr and seized by King Edward I but later abandoned by the English in the 13th Century

Strung along a jagged rocky outcrop in Eryri is the ruin of a medieval castle that was once home to the most powerful Welshman of his time. Due to its remote location at the foot of Cader Idris in the Dysynni Valley, Castell y Bere does not attract as many visitors as the Edwardian castles on the coast.

Obscured by a row of trees off the beaten path near the hamlet of Llanfihangel-y-pennant in Gwynedd, it is something of a hidden gem despite being one of the most important and well-preserved native castles in Wales. It's also as wild and remote today as it was when it was built by Llywelyn Fawr back in the early 1220's

Castell y Bere may be remote but it's relatively easy to reach if you turn onto the B4405 off the A487 then head through Abergynolwyn. There are several signs peppered along the way to help you reach the castle and it's best to follow these rather than rely on a satnav.

Read more: https://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats-on/trips-breaks/ruined-snowdonia-castle-rocky-outcrop-25910333

[Hugo]

Derek Brockway ( Weatherman walking ) did a particularly interesting walk from Abergynolwyn to Castell Y Bere and we followed that walk a few years ago.   The castle is free to enter and is in an outstanding location at the head of the Dysynni Valley.
Nearby is the village of Llanfihangel where Mary Jones did that 25 mile walk across the mountaind to buy a Bible in Bala.   We did the first  part of the walk (About 2 miles ) and it was tough going and we had good walking gear whilst Mary did it in bare feet.
I remember the walk very well and also that we had to leave old Uncle Albert at the roadside while we walked back to the village to collect our car
Well worth a visit if you are in that area

[SteveH]

How North Wales pilot trained pioneering aviator Amy Johnson and a Prince of Wales
The Llanfairfechan war hero served in all three branches of the Armed Forces and was shot in the neck at Gallipoli

A North Wales pilot had the distinction of training a host of illustrious students to fly. Captain Valentine Baker, of Llanfairfechan, instructed Amy Johnson, the first woman to fly solo to Australia in 1931, and even the then Prince of Wales.

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/how-north-wales-pilot-trained-25904398?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Ewloe Castle was one of the last castles to be built by the native Princes of Wales. Unlike some of the other fortifications built in North Wales in the 13th century, the origins of the castle is shrouded in mystery.

The earliest reference to the castle from the time is that in 1257 Llywelyn ap Gruffydd built "a castle in the corner of the woods" - and that's it, according to Cadw. Things were moving rapidly for the Prince of Wales at the time. He had defeated his brothers in battle and had succeeded in pushing the English back to the border, retaking his family's land around Ewloe.

It's likely there was a structure in place there before and that the Prince of Wales added to it around this time, but the castle's history is a little murky due to the lack of records from the period. It was abandoned at the beginning of Edward I's invasion of Wales in 1277 and left to ruin thereafter.

fullarticle and link to video/photo gallery   https://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/ruined-north-wales-castle-hidden-26068105

[SteveH]

Llys Rhosyr medieval court of Welsh princes bought by Cadw

One of the royal courts of the Princes of Gwynedd has been bought by Wales' historic buildings organisation, Cadw.

Llys Rhosyr, near Newborough, Anglesey, is the only court of the Welsh Princes in Wales with visible remains that can be visited by the public.

It was "significant" in the Middle Ages and believed to have been used to administer justice and collect rents.

Other similar sites are known from documents or have been suggested from partial excavations.

But Llys Rhosyr is the only undefended court of the Welsh princes confirmed through archaeological excavation.

The site, which was bought for ?17,000, has been designated as a scheduled monument by Cadw.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-65197383

[Hugo]

I'm pleased that the site is in the hands of Cadw as it will be there for future generations to visit and I believe there are more ruins there waiting to be excavated
I was told a story about the excavations going on in 1992, the archaeologists were using ground radar to look for the site but were having no luck,   A local person asked them what they were doing and when the archaeologist explained the reason the man said that you are looking in the wrong field but the archaeologist argued that they had a map and were looking in the correct spot.   Anyway the local said that the field opposite was always called Cae Llys ( field of the Court )and when they used ground radar in Cae Llys the location was found straight away

[SteveH]

The controversial history of hill monument seen by thousands of drivers everyday
Dozens fought to have monument removed, but 30 years later it's still about.

Stuck upon a hill overlooking Conwy and Llandudno Junction is a towering structure that appears to be some fragment of the history of North Wales. This tower, which is seen by thousands drivers every single day, can be easily spotted from the A55, and the A470 driving into Llandudno.

This structure is the Bryn Pydew Obelisk, built on the grounds of the Bodysgallen Hall Hotel at Ffrith Hill, and it is not some ancient Welsh monument but a much more recent build. Built in 1992, the structure is a modern folly built not to commemorate any event, but to match up with similar monuments, such as Cleopatra's Needle in London.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/nostalgia/controversial-history-hill-monument-seen-26743840

[SteveH]

Conwy man who became Archbishop of York and was twice imprisoned in Tower of London
He was at the death bed of King James I and closed his eyes when he passed away

He reached the heights of society but is a neglected figure in history. John Williams was born in Conwy and was imprisoned in the Tower of London twice - but he went on to become Archbishop of York.

Few may know this 17th century statesman's name but this year - 400 years on from his heyday in 1623 - seems as good a time as any to revisit this fascinating figure. Williams, who was born in 1582 and died in 1650,was born in a house called Parlwr Mawr, in Chapel Street, Conwy, which was only demolished in the 1950s.

He was related to the influential merchants, the Wynn family. Local historian Vicky Macdonald said: "He was an extremely intelligent young man and at the age of six, aided by a scholarship, attended Ruthin School where he excelled and became head boy.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/conwy-man-who-became-archbishop-26798609

[Hugo]

I went to the Bryn Pydew obelisk this morning with Mrs H to show her the Obelisk and also the thousands of Cowslips that appear there at this time of year
Unfortunately the Cowslips were past their best but still put on a good show.  Purple Orchids, primroses and many other variety of flowers were also there.
After seeing the obelisk I took Mrs H on a tour of the village and we had a nice chat with a local man and by coincidence he may be a distant relative of mine.
Mrs H even spotted a house she would like to live in but the roads to and from the village put her off the idea

[Hammy]

Hugo, You and Mrs H should have called in for a cuppa this morning as you were so close! A glorious day to enjoy the tremendous views.

[SteveH]

The sinking of the Rothsay Castle: A Welsh Titanic in 1831
Inquest on a disaster which led to the loss of 130 lives, condemned the state of the ship and the captain's conduct

If anyone is asked to name a famous Anglesey shipwreck, the sinking of the Royal Charter, off Moelfre, in 1859 would be the one most likely to come to mind, but in 1831 there was another marine tragedy where most of the passengers died.

The paddle steamer Rothsay Castle was built in 1816, and was originally used for service on the River Clyde, in Scotland. She was later transferred to the Liverpool and Beaumaris Packet Company, where she was used for day trips along the coast of North Wales.

Her final journey, which resulted in the death of 130 passengers, with only 23 survivors, took place on August 17, 1831. She left Liverpool at midday with 153 passengers, and was meant to leave at 10am, but was delayed by adverse weather and the late arrival of a passenger.

cont https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/the-wreck-of-the-rothsay-castle-a-welsh-titanic-in-1831/

[SteveH]

Spent many a happy hour running around that area, up and down the bryn..........

The ruined medieval North Wales manor house with a link to an English civil war
Llys Euryn in Rhos on Sea was once a 'huge and extravagant' fortress

A largely ruined medieval manor house with craggy walls hint at a landmark with an intriguing history. Constructed in the mid 15th Century in Rhos-on-Sea, what is now called Llys Euryn was built for Robin the eldest son of Gruffydd Goch who led the old Welsh tribal division of Rhos.

Visitors climbing the steps to it are rewarded with a display board telling how it was called Bryn Euryn before its name was changed to Llys Euryn. It's next to Bryn Euryn nature reserve which is much-loved by ramblers and dogwalkers alike.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/ruined-medieval-north-wales-manor-27131870

[Hugo]

It's worth seeing and must have been very impressive in its time.  According to a book by Norman Tucker Ednyfed Fychan seneschal of Llewelyn Fawr lived there in the 13th century and Robin ap Gruffydd Goch took possession of the ruins in the reign of Henry VI and turned it into a palatial home

[SteveH]

The intriguing story of the first printing press on Welsh soil
A Catholic group printed a book in a North Wales cave when Roman Catholicism and owning a private press were both considered treasonous activities

The outskirts of a North Wales seaside resort might seem to be an unlikely location to conduct secret operations away from the prying eyes of the authorities. The clandestine operation referred to also had the distinction of producing the first book to be printed in Wales.

cont https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/a-clandestine-printing-press-in-a-llandudno-cave/