Britannia, volume the first, or, An illustration of the Kingdom of England and dominion of Wales by a geographical and historical description of the principal roads thereof, actually admeasured and delineated in a century of whole-sheet copper-sculps : accomodated with the ichnography of the several cities and capital towns, and compleated by an accurate account of the more remarkable passages of antiquity : together with a novel discourse of the present state / by John Ogilby ...

[illustration]

The Road from S^t. DAVIDS com PENBROKE to HOLYWELL com FLINT By IOHN OGILBY E••q^r His Ma.^ties Cosmograph^r. Containing: 156 miles: 4: Furl: viz^t. From S^t: Davids: to: Fis••••rd: 16: m: 1: Furl: to: Newport: 6.7: to: Cardig an: to: 4 to L•••• march to Llanrushed. u.••. 18: 1: to: Llanbader •• vaur near Aberistw••••h: 8:4: to: Talabont: 6: 7: thence to Holywel by Ba•••• 8•• Ruthm in Plate y^e. 2^•. 7 8:••

The Road from St. Davids Com. Pembroke, To Holywel Com. Flint.

• 1. THE Point of Bearing N. E. by E.
• 2. The Direct Horizontal Distance 118 M.
• 3. The Vulgar Computation 112 M.
• 4. The Dimensuration 156’4.

From St. Davids	Comp.	Measure.
to Fiscard	12	12	16’1	16’1
Newport	05	17	06’7	23’0
Cardigan	07	24	10’4	33’4
Llanarch	14	38	18’1	51’5
Llanrusted	08	46	11’3	63’0
Llanbadarn-vaur	06	52	08’4	71’4
Talabont	05	57	06’7	78’3
to Machenleth	07	064	10’7	089’2
Aberangel	07	071	10’3	099’5
Llanum-mowthy	05	076	07’5	107’2
Balla	10	086	13’4	120’6
Bettus	07	093	10’2	131’0
Ruthyn	07	100	10’2	141’2
Holywel	12	112	15’2	156’4

Pembrokeshire, Cardigansh. Montgomerysh. Merionethsh. Denbighsh. and Flintsh. are the Counties including the whole Road; and the Gwyn, Nevern, Tivy, Aaron, Arth, Weray, Istwith, Ridal, Salck, Lerry, Cletter, Kinver, Llevenant, Dovy, Angel, Garist, Dee, Tavor, Gyrow, Alwen and Clwyd, are the principal Rivers crost over, affording in general a very Hilly and Mountainous Way, where you seldom meet with that Entertainment as in other Roads, except in Cardigan, Holywel, &c.

THUS much in general for the whole Road consisting of 2 Plates, the First ending at Talabont in Cardiganshire, the Second at Holywel aforesaid; We be∣gin with Plate the First containing 78 Miles 3 Furlongs, wherein these following Turnings are to be avoided.

• At 3’1. The Left to Tranuny.
• At 6’4. The Right to Haverford West.
• At 10’6. The Right to Cardigan a different Way.
• At 16’5. The Right to Carmarthen.
• At 23’0. The Left acute.
• At 26’0. The Left to Trewethel.
• At 27’5. The Left to Molgrove.
• At 49’0. The Right acute.
• At 55’4. The Right to Tregaron.
• At 57’0. The Left acute.
• At 59’1. The Right to Llanbeder-veagh.
• At 64’2. The Right to Llanyler.
• At 73’4. The Right to Coggerthan.

Setting forward from St. Davids (the Account of which you have in LONDON to St. Davids pag. 34.) at 1’6. you cross Gorid Bridg over a Brook, and after pass by Gorld Chapel on the Left; whence an indirect Way by some stragling Houses on the Road leads you at 5 Miles to an Ascent of 6 Furlongs, then an easie Descent at 6’2. conveys you at 7’6. to a Descent of 6 Furlongs; half a Mile farther ascending a∣gain, a Descent caries you at 10 Miles through Merth alias Moithry a small Vil∣lage; whence crossing a Vale having on the Top a Prospect to the Sea about a Mile on the Left, you cross another Vale at 12’3. then at 13’3. an easie Descent succeeded by a more unlevel Way at 15’5. 2 Furlongs farther leads you into Fis∣card, q. d. Fish-guard, extending 3 Furlongs on the Road; by the Britains Aber∣gwain, as seated on the small River Gwyn near its Confluence with the Sea; is a Market-Town Govern'd by a Mayor, Bailiffs, &c. and hath a good Harbor for Ships.

At the End of the Town you cross the Gwyn aforesaid, whence 2 repeated A∣scents seconded by a larger Descent conveys you over 2 Valleys, where at 22 Miles having a Prospect to the Sea you descend 5 Furlongs, and enter Newport of 3 Furlongs Extent, seated near the Nevern where it empties it self into the Ocean, and where they have a Wear for Fishing; a Market-Town Govern'd by a Portreeve, Bailiff, &c.

At 23’6. you cross the small River Nevern aforesaid, and after a little Ascent

leave Eglois-nowith Church on the Left about 3 Furlongs, then descending 4 Fur∣longs, at 26 Miles you pass through Velindra a small Village; whence 2 repeated Ascents lead you at 28’4. to the Brink of a large Valley; then at 31’4. descend∣ing a large Hill of 12 Furlongs, passing by St. Dogmel's on the Left, you at the Bottom over a fair Stone-bridg cross the Tivy, which Rising in Cardiganshire near the Confines of Radnorshire, receives successively the Wyryk, Brenyg, Mathern, Det∣tor, Kery and Keach, and about 4 Miles below this Place falls into the Sea.

Here at once you enter Cardiganshire and Cardigan, by the Britains Aber-tivij, (i. e. Ostium Fluminis Tivij) and Caer-Decan, (i. e. Urbs Decani;) is the Shire-Town, and the Place where the Assizes are Held and the County Goal kept, indifferent large and well-built, containing 3 Wards yet but one Church; is Govern'd by a Mayor, Recorder, 13 Aldermen, 13 Common-Councel, &c. sends one Burgess to Parliament; has a good Market on Saturdays, and 5 Fairs yearly, viz. on 5 of the Lady Days.

From Cardigan you pass over 3 repeated Ascents seconded by a large Descent, and at the Bottom of which, viz. at 37 Miles, omitting the Way on the Right which unites again at 38’5. over a small Rill ascend 4 Furlongs, then at 39 Miles you leave Blainport a small Village on the Left, and 6 Furlongs farther ascend 3 Furlongs; thence at 45’5. a small Ascent conveys you through 5 repeated Valleys, and by the Four Boroughs or Tumuli, and at 46’2. again prosecuting your Road o∣ver several Mountains: at 51’4. you pass through Llanarch a small Village, then descending and ascending at 54’3. you pass by Hevennyw Chapel on the Left; whence an Ascent seconded by a larger Descent leads you at 55’4. to the small River Ayron just at its Influx with the Sea, which crossing you pass through a small Village; the Sea accompanying you on the Left several Miles: At 57 Miles you omit the acute Way on the Left that leads over the Beach a different Way to Llan∣rusted, and pass through Llandowhee Aberath a small Village where you cross the lit∣tle River Arth, then ascending 7 Furlongs you descend again 8 Furlongs, and at the Bottom crossing a Brook at 60 Miles pass through Molinamore a small Village, and 3 Furlongs farther leave Llansanfraid Church on the Right.

At 62’6. you cross the small River Weray, and enter Llanrusted a scattering Vil∣lage extending 2 Furlongs on the Road, and after by a great House on the Right, where the Road between Cardigan and Aberistwith falls in; at 64 Miles you ascend 6 Furlongs leave Llanyler Church on the Right 4 Furlongs, and at 65’5. pass by 2 erected Stones plac'd on a small Hill distant about 2 Furlongs, and at 67’6. 2 re∣peated Descents brings you at 69’1. to cross the River Istwith or Wustwith, not far from its conjunction with the Sea, then ascending you leave Llanachairn Church on the Left, and pass over a Valley where after an easie Descent of 2 Furlongs, at 71 Miles cross the River Ridal, which (with the Wye and Severn) rising about the Top of Plinillimon Hill, passes by Aberistwith at near a Miles distance and falls into the Sea: 2 Furlongs farther you enter Llanbadern-vaur, extending 2 Furlongs on the Road but more transverse, a Village of good Accomodation, and leave Aber∣istwith on the Left half a Mile, [for which vid. LONDON to Aberistwith, pag. 5.]

Prosecuting your Road over an Ascent of 6 Furlongs, which is seconded by two repeated Descents, where you cross the little River Salck at 75’4. leaving Ruddy∣pene House on the Right, you cross the little River Lerry, passing by Llanyhangle Castle Qualter on the Left; then at 76’6. you descend 4 Furlongs, and at 78’2. in the Bottom enter Talabont a scattering Village extending 2 Furlongs on the Road, therein crossing the Cletter a Branch of the Dowy.

Backward Turnings to be avoided.

• 1. At Salck fluv. the Right to Aberistwith.
• 2. 4 Furlongs beyond Istwith fluv. the Left to Tregaron.
• 3. 6 Furlongs short of Llanrusted, the Left to Cardigan a different Way.
• 4. 4 Furl. beyond Molinamore the Right.
• 5. A Furlong beyond Blainport the Right to Mountebrey.
• 6. 13 Furl. short of Velindra the Right to Newport Passage.
• 7. A Furl. beyond Velindra the Left to Ha∣verford West.
• 8. 5 Furl. beyond Velindra the right forward
• 9. 2’1. Short of Gorid Chapel the Left to Ulford.

[illustration]

The Continuation of the Road from S^t. DAVIDS to ••OLYWELL. By JOHN OGILBY Esq•• ••is Ma:^ties Cosmographer Plate: 2^d. containing 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••le: 1: Furlong viz^t: From Talahom com Cardig•••• to Machenllet i10. m 7. fu to Aberangel to 3 to Llanum-••••owthy 7:5: to Balla 13 4 to Bettus to:2:to Ruthyn to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Holywell: 15:2.

The Continuation of the Road from St. DAVIDS in Pembrokeshire, to HOLYWEL in Flintsh.

PLATE. II. & Last. Commencing at Talabont Com. Cardigan, and Extending to Holywel aforesaid. Containing 78 Miles 1 Furlong.

Wherein you are to avoid these following Turnings.

• At 80’4. & 81’1. The Right to Machenleth a different Way.
• At 89’2. The Right acute.
• At 90’4. The forward to Dolgelbe.
• At 103’3. The Left into the Bottom.
• At 109’6. The forward to Llanwothen.
• At 112’3. The R. to Balla the worst Way.
• At 113’1. The Right to the Mountains.
• At 120’0. The Right to Llanrillo.
• At 123’5. The Right to Llanvorval.
• At 124’6. The Left acute.
• At 126’3. The Right to Wrexham.
• At 132’3. The Right acute.
• At 134’0. The Right to the Hills.
• At 135’0. The Right to Eglois-Tarrow.
• At 145’6. The Right to Bulla Franck.
• At 154’1. The Right to CHESTER.
• At 154’5. The Right to Northop.

TO Talabont We brought you in Plate the First, whence you pass by the Sil∣ver Mines on the Left, and after a Descent of 4 Furlongs having a conti∣nued Ridg of Mountains on the Right for several Miles: At 80’1. you come to Sr. Richard Price's Park, which accompanies you on the Left for above a Mile.

At 83 Miles you cross the Kinver another Branch of the Dowy, and pass through Llanihangle a small Village, leaving a Silver Mill on the Left; then descending for 2 Furlongs, crossing Eynon fluv. a Branch of the Dowy likewise: At 84’4. you leave Garrick seated on the Banks of the foresaid Dowy on the Left, and 6 Furlongs far∣ther cross the River Levenant falling into the Dowy, and enter Montgomeryshire; whence an indirect Way over several Hills and another small Rill brings you at 89 Miles to the Entrance of Mahunleh alias Machenleth of 2 Furl. Extent on the Road, and about as much transverse, seated on the foremention'd Dowy, call'd Maglona by the Romans, where once they had a Garison; at present a small Town but enjoying a Market on Tuesdays.

Four Furlongs beyond the Town you cross the Dowy, which rising about the Foot of Bullagrois Hill in Merionethshire, on the Confines of Montgomeryshire, directs its Course South-west, and receiving 12 several lesser Streames, most of which are crost in this Road, here divides Merionethshire from Montgomeryshire, as it does below from Cardiganshire, embracing the Sea at Aberdowy. About 2 Miles from Mahunleh is Caven-Caer or the Ridg of a City, where the Ruins of a Wall in form Circular, and the Roman Coyns there dig'd up, speak its Antiquity.

At 90’4. you pass the small River Dulnas, where omitting the forward Way to Dolgethe; at 92’6. you pass through Aber-suddon a small Village, and cross the Ke∣ryg falling into the adjacent Dowy; whence repeated Mountains accompany you on the Left, as doth the foresaid Dowy on the Right; 6 Furlongs farther you pass through Llanvoring a small Village, and at 95 Miles leave Mathavern House on the Left.

A quarter of a Mile beyond you ascend for 6 Furlongs, and descend again for two, and leave Remis Church a Furlong on the other side the River Dowy: At 98 Miles you pass through Abertwydo a small Village, and at 99’2. enter Aberangel a scattering Village extending 3 Furlongs on the Road; whence crossing the Angel just at its Influx into the Dowy, you enter Merionethshire.

At 101’4. you leave Malloyd alias Manlloyd 4 Furlongs on the other side the Do∣wye; and at 102’6. pass through Dinas-Mouthy a small Village, and after cross the Garist; whence over several Ascents and Descents, at 107’1. you pass through Lla∣num-Mouthy another small Village, and at 107’6. re-pass the Dowy, having from

Machenleth hither accompany'd you close on the Right; then ascending Bulla-grois, a great Mountain of 2 Miles Height, you descend again for 7 Furlongs, whence your Road holds level for 2 Miles, having the Mountains on the Right and the River on the Left, a Descent bringing you at 114’3. to Pont-Ravan-Vauhan or Bi∣chan, a Bridg over a small Rill, the Mountains still continuing on the Right, and the River Dee on the Left, which at 116 Miles falls into the adjacent Lake or Llyn Tegidd alias Pemble Meer, into which fall also the Rivers Llue and Llavern: Of this Lake 'tis reported that the River Dee running through it mixeth not therewith; Salmons being never found in the Lake, nor the Fish Gwyniaid a kind of Whiting, in the River.

Your Road continues along the side of the Lake for 4 Miles compleat, passing through Llangower alias Llanover a small Village at 117’5. and crossing the Dee at 120 Miles just at its issuing out of the Lake, and bringing you at 120’5. to Bala extending 2 Furlongs on the Road; a small Town Corporate, enjoying several Pri∣vileges; is Govern'd by Bailiffs, &c. and hath a Market on Saturdays.

At 121 Miles you cross the River Trowerin, rising out of a Lake of that Name, and having receiv'd the Kelyn and Monauch-dowr, falls into the Dee a little below: At 121’6. you pass through Llanvaier alias Llanvor, a scattering Village; and 6 Fur∣longs farther cross the Tavor, from whence little occurs but a very Mountainous Way, till crossing the Gyrow at 128’7. over Pont-Mairthree Bridg you enter Den∣bighshire.

At 130’5. you cross the Alwen, which having receiv'd the foresaid Gyrow a lit∣tle lower falls into the Dee: Re-entring Merionethshire, and at the same time en∣tring Bettus a scattering Village, and at 132’1. again enter Denbighshire, crossing the River Cluyd, and prosecuting a Mountainous Road like the former, you leave Clocanog Church a Mile on the Left; and passing through a small Wood at 139 Miles you come to Llanvarog at 140’4. a small Village contiguous to Ruthyn which you presently enter; a large and well-frequented Town-Corporate, seated on the foresaid Cluyd, which passes by St. Asaphs; is Govern'd by 2 Aldermen, &c. and has a very good Market for Corn, &c. on Mondays; had formerly a large Ca∣stle, now ruinous; and at present enjoys an Hospital and Free-School, Founded and Endow'd by Doctor Goodman, temp. Eliz.

From Ruthyn, an indirect Road having the Cluyd on the Left, leaving Llangan∣haval on the Right, brings you at 147 Miles to Llangwiven Church on the Left, from whence you ascend a great Mountain of 2 Miles in Height, at the Top of which you enter Flintshire, and descend 11 Furlongs, crossing the great Holyhead Road in the Bottom, and leaving Skiviog Church a Mile on your Right, and a little farther Caerwis or Cajerwis a small Market-Town on your Left half a Mile; then at 156 Miles by the Lead Mines on the Left, you descend 4 Furlongs, and enter Holywel a small Town or Village, so call'd from St. Winefrid's Well, lying somewhat lower on the North-East Side of it; a Place much resorted unto, as well by those that for their Health's sake come to bath therein, as by Pilgrims for De∣votion sake, in Commemoration of the Christian Virgin Winefrid, (the Name sig∣nifying a Winner or Gainer of Peace) who being beautiful was Courted by a young Prince to gain her Virginity, which not obtaining, he at last surpriz'd and Ravish'd her, and afterwards slew her and cut off her Head, which rolling down hither from the adjacent Hill, gave Rise to the foresaid Well; the Spring is cold, and has a fair Chapel built over it upon Pillars, in the Windows whereof is pourtray'd the History of St. Winefrid; It gusheth forth in that Quantity and with that Vio∣lence, that it presently turns a Mill, emptying it self into the Sea about a Mile and half below; and the Moss growing in the Well of a sweet and pleasant Scent, they take to be St. Winefrids Hair.

Backward Turnings to be avoided.

• 1. 1’2. beyond Holywel the R. to St. Asaph.
• 2. Against Caierwis Church the Left to Ski∣viog and the Right to Llanelloyd.
• 3. 5 Furl. short of Ruthyn the Left to Llan∣rathee.
• 4. 2 Furl. beyond Ruthyn the Right to Bala a different Way.
• 5. 3’5. short of Bettus the Right to Erma∣neth.
• 6. At the End of Llanwaier the Right to Llanroost.
• 7. 11 Furl. beyond Llangower the Left.
• 8. A Mile beyond Abersuddon the Left to Mahunleth a different Way.

Notes

• Counties past through Rivers crost over.
• The quality of the Way.
• Acute Turnings to be avoided.
• St. Davids, N.
• [3’1. E. by N.]
• Merth, 10 Miles. [10’3. N. E. by N.]
• Fiscard, 16’1. E. b. N.
• Newport; 23 Miles.
• Velindra 26 Miles. [26’2. N. E.]
• Cardigan, 33’4. E. b. N.
• [49’2. N. N. E.] Llanarch, 51’4. [56 Miles N. E. b. E.]
• Llandowhee Aberath, 57’1.
• Molinamore, 60 M.
• Llanrusted, 62’7.
• Llanbadern-vaur, 71’4.
• Talabont, 78’3.
• Acute Turnings to be avoided.
• Talabont, N.
• [79’2. N. N. E.]
• Llanihangle, 83 M.
• Mahunleh, 89’1.
• [90’6. E. N. E.]
• Abersuddon, 92’6.
• Llanvoring, 93’5.
• [96’5. N. by E.]
• Abertwido, 98 Miles. Aberangel, 99’3.
• Dinas Mouthy, 102’6
• [102’7. N. E.] Llanum Mouthy, 107’1. N.N.E.
• [110’2. N.N.W.] [115’2. N.E. b. N.]
• Llanover, 117’5.
• Bala, 120’6.
• Llanvor, 121’6.
• [128’4. N.]
• Bettus, 130’6. [132’2. N.E. b. N.]
• Llanvarog, 140’4. Ruthyn, 141 Miles.
• [144 M.N.W. b. W.]
• [146’7. N.N.W.] [151’1. N.E. b. N.] 154’5. N.W.]
• Holywel, 156’3.