Camden's Britannia newly translated into English, with large additions and improvements ; publish'd by Edmund Gibson ...

FLINTSHIRE.

ON the North of Denbigh lyes Flintshire, a very small County, of an oblong form; wash'd on the North by the Irish Sea, or rather by a branch of it being the chanel of the Dee; bounded on the East by Cheshire, and elsewhere by Denbighshire.

We cannot properly call it mountainous, for it only rises gently with lower hills, and falls by de∣grees into fertil plains; which (towards the Sea espe∣cially) every first year they are plow'd, bear in some places Barley, in others Wheat, but generally Rye, with at least twenty-fold increase; and afterwards Oats for four or five years. On the West it descends to the Maritim part of the Vale of Cluid, and takes up the upper end of that Vale.

In the Confines of this County and Denbighshire, where the Mountains with a gentle declivity seem to retire, and afford an easier pass into the Vale, the Ro∣mans built, at the very entrance, a small City, call'd Varis* 1.1 [a]; which Antoninus places 19 miles from Conovi∣um. This, without the least diminution of its name, is call'd at this day Bod Vari* 1.2, which signifies the Mansi∣on of Varus; and shews the ruins of a City, on a small hill adjoyning, call'd Moel y Gaer, i.e. the City-hill. What the name signifies, is not evident. I have for∣merly suppos'd that Varia in the old British signified a Pass, and accordingly have interpreted Durnovaria, and Isannaevaria, The Passage of the water and of Isanna. Nor does the situation of this Town contra∣dict my conjecture, it being seated at the only con∣venient Pass through these Mountains.

Not three miles hence lyes Kaer-wysk;* 1.3 which name tho' it savour much of Antiquity, yet I observ'd no∣thing there either ancient, or worth notice.

Below this Varis, the river Cluid runs through the Vale, and is immediately joyn'd by Elwy, at the con∣fluence whereof there's a Bishop's See, call'd in Bri∣tish from the name of the river, Lhan Elwy; in Eng∣lish from the Patron, St. Asaph,* 1.4 and in Historians Epis∣copatus Asaphensis. Neither the Town is memorable for its neatness, nor the Church for its structure or elegancy; yet in regard of its antiquity, it is re¦quisite we should mention it. For about the year 560.* 1.5 Kentigern Bishop of Glascow fleeing from Scot∣land, instituted here an Episcopal Seat and a Mona∣stery, placing therein six hundred and sixty three Monks; whereof three hundred being illiterate, were appointed for tilling the Land; the same number for other employments within the Monastery; and the rest for Divine Service: and all these he so distributed into Convents, that some of them attended at pray∣ers continually. Upon his return afterwards into Scotland, he appointed Asaph, a most upright and devout man, Governour of this Monastery; from whom it receiv'd its present name. The Bishop of this Diocese has under his jurisdiction about 128 Pa∣rishes; the Ecclesiastical Benefices whereof (in case of vacancy in the See,) until the time of Henry the 8. were in the disposal of the Arch-bishop, by the Ar∣chiepiscopal right, which is now a Prerogative of the Crown. For so we find it recorded in the Hi∣story of Canterbury.

Higher up, Rhudhlan,* 1.6 so call'd from the reddish bank of the river Cluid where 'tis seated, shews a very fair Castle, but almost decay'd with age. 'Twas built by Lhewelyn ap Sitsilht, Prince of Wales; and first wrested out of the Welshmens hands by Robert de Ruthlan,* 1.7 (‖ nephew of Hugh E. of Chester) and for∣tified with new works, by the said Hugh's Lieutenant. Afterwards as the Abbot de Monte informs us, King Henry the second having repair'd this Castle, gave it to Hugh Beauchamp [b]. Below this Castle, the ri∣ver Cluid is discharged into the Sea, and tho' the Valley at the mouth of this river, does seem lower than the Sea, yet it is never overflown; but by a na∣tural, tho' invisible impediment, the water stands on the very brink of the shore, to our just admiration of Divine Providence.

The shore descending gradually Eastward from this place, passes first by Disart castle, so call d from its steep situation, or (as others will have it) quasi Desert; and thence by Basingwerk,* 1.8 which also Henry the se∣cond granted to Hugh Beauchamp.

Under this place I view'd Holy-well,* 1.9 a small Town where there's a Well much celebrated for the memory of Winfrid* 1.10 a Christian Virgin, ravish'd here, and be∣headed by a Tyrant; as also for the moss it yields of a very sweet scent. Out of this Well a small Brook flows (or rather breaks forth through the stones, on which are seen I know not what kind of blood red spots:) and runs with such a violent course, that im∣mediately it's able to turn a mill. Upon this very Fountain there's a Chapel, which with neat work∣manship, was hewn out of the live-Rock; and a small Church adjoyning thereunto, in a window whereof is painted the History and Execution of St. Winifrid1 1.11. Giraldus2 1.12 writes that in his time there was not far from hence a rich vein of silver, where (says he) in search of that metal—Itum est in viscera terrae [c]. That part of this Country, because it affords the most pleasant prospect, and was long since reduced by the English, was call'd by the Britains Têg-Eingl, which signifies Fair England. But whereas a certain Author has call'd it Tegenia, and supposes the Igeni dwelt there, let the reader be cautious how he assents to it. For that worthy Author was deceiv'd by a corrupt name of the Iceni.

From the shore at this place, we see Flint-castle,* 1.13 which gave name to this County; begun by King Henry 2. and finish'd by Edward 1.3 1.14. Beyond that, on the eastern limit of the County, next Cheshire, lies Hawarden-castle, near the shore, call'd commonly Har∣den* 1.15* 1.16; out of which when Davidh, brother of Prince Lhewelyn, had led captive Roger Clifford Justiciary of Wales; he brought a most dismal war on himself and his countrymen, whereby their Dominion in Wales was wholly overthrown. This castle, which was held by Senescalship of the Earls of Chester, was the seat of the Barons of Mount-hault,* 1.17 who became a very illustrious family; and bore azure a Lion ram∣pant argent: and also encreas'd their honour, by marriage with Cecilia one of the daughters of Hugh D'Albany Earl of Arundel. But the issue-male being at last extinct, Robert, the last Baron of this family (as we have mention'd already) made it over to Queen Isabella, wife of King Edw. 2. but the possessi∣on of the castle was afterwards transferr'd to the Stan∣leys, who are now Earls of Derby.

Below these places, the south part of this Country is water'd by the little river Alen, near which, on a mountain at a village call'd Kilken, there's a spring which like the sea ebbs and flows at set times [d]. On this river Alen lies Hope castle,* 1.18 call'd in Welsh Kaer Gwrle, (into this King Edward 1. retired when the Welsh had surpriz'd his Army:) near which there are milstones* 1.19 hewn out of a rock: and likewise Mold, call'd in British Y Wydhgrig, the castle former∣ly of the Barons of Monthault [e]; both which shew many tokens of antiquity. Near Hope, whilst I was drawing up these notes, a certain Gardener digging somewhat deep, discover'd a very ancient work; con∣cerning which, several have made various conjectures: but whoever consults M. Vitruvius Pollio, will find it no other than the beginning of a Hypocaust of the Ro∣mans, who growing luxurious as their wealth increas'd, used Baths* 1.20 very much. It was five ells long, four broad, and about half an ell in height; encompass'd

with walls hewn out of the live-rock. The floor was of brick set in mortar; the roof was supported with brick pillars; and consisted of polish'd tiles, which at several places were perforated: on these were laid certain brick tubes, which carried off the force of the heat; and thus, as the Poet saith, Volvebant hypo∣causta vaporem. Now who can suppose but that they were such Hypocausts, which Giraldus so much admired at Kaer Lheion in Monmouthshire; when he writ thus of the Roman works there: And which seems more particularly remarkable, you may see there several stoves, contriv'd with admirable skill, breathing heat insensibly through small pipes, &c. Whose work this was, ap∣pears by this Inscription on some tiles there, LEGIO XX. for the twentieth Legion which was stiled Vi∣ctrix, as we have shewn already, lay in garrison at Chester, scarce six miles hence.

Near unto this river Alen, in a narrow place beset with woods, lies Coleshull,* 1.21 call'd by Giraldus Collis Car∣bonarius, or a Cole-hill. Where when King Henr. 2. had made all diligent preparation to give battel to the Welsh; the English, by reason of their disorder'd multitude, were defeated, and the King's standard was forsaken by Henry of Essex, who, by right of inheritance, was standard-bearer to the Kings of England. Whereupon being charged with treason, and overcome by his adversary in a duel, and his estate forfeited to the crown; he was so much asha∣med of his cowardise, that he put on a hood, and retir'd into a Monastery.

There is another small part of this County, on this side Dee, in a manner wholly divided from the rest, call'd English Maelor;* 1.22 whereof we have taken notice in Cheshire, when we gave some account of Ban∣gor [f], and therefore need not repeat here what we have written already. Nor remains there any thing to be mention'd except Han-mere,* 1.23 seated by a lake or mear; whence that ancient and honourable family that dwells there, took the name of Hanmer.

The Earls of Chester,* 1.24 by light skirmishes with the Welsh as occasion and opportunity offer'd, were the first Normans that subdued this County. Whence in ancient records we read, That the County of Flint ap∣pertaineth to the dignity of the sword of Chester: and the eldest sons of the Kings of England, were formerly stiled Earls of Chester and Flint. But when it was added to the Crown, King Edward 1.* 1.25 supposing it very advantageous, as well to maintain his own, as to bridle the Welsh; kept this and all the maritim parts of Wales in his own hands; and distributed the inland countreys to his Nobles, as he thought convenient: imitating herein the policy of Augustus Caesar, who himself undertook the charge of the out∣ward and most potent Provinces; permitting the rest to the government of Proconsuls by lot. And this he did with a shew of defending his Empire, but in reality, that he might keep the Armies under his own command.

This County hath only 28 Parishes.

ADDITIONS to FLINTSHIRE.

[a] WHether the ancient Varis was seated at the same place we call Bod Farri, I shall not dispute: but the name of Moel y Gaer (which our Author interprets the City-hill) seems but a slender confirmation of it. For we cannot doubt but that place receiv'd it's name from the for∣tification or entrenchments that are yet to be seen there; the word Kaer (as we have already hinted) signifying strictly, only a Wall, Fortress, or Enclosure; which being prefix'd to the names of Roman towns, because fortified, has occasion'd several to suppose the genuine signification of it to be a Town or City. We have divers camps on our mountains call'd Kaereu, where we have not the least grounds to suspect that ever any Cities were founded; and in some places I have observ'd the Churchyard-wall to be call'd Kaer y Vynwent: nor does it seem improbable that this Kaer was deriv'd originally from Kai, which signifies to shut up, or enclose. This fortification is exactly round, and about 160 paces over: we may frame an idea of it by supposing a round hill with the top cut off, and so made level. All round it, the earth is rais'd in manner of a Parapet, and almost opposite to the Avenue there is a kind of Tumulus or artificial Mount.

At this Moel y Gaer, Howel Gwynedh* 1.26, (who si∣ded with Owen Glyndwr against King Henry 4.) was beheaded. He was one who for a long time annoy'd the English of his neighbourhood; but be∣ing taken at length by his enemies of the town of Flint, and beheaded at this place, his estate was disposed of to one Saxton. Before him, one Owen ap Aldud had also opposed the English in these bor∣ders; who by force of arms kept all Tegaingl un∣der his subjection for about three years, until such time as he had obtain'd full pardon.

I can add nothing in confirmation of our Author's conjecture, that the word Varia signified anciently a Passage; nor can I perceive on what grounds he first suspected it, unless he supposed the Romans might coyn it out of the British Fordh, which signifies a way: but it seems a little too hard the letter d should be wholly omitted; for in such British names as they latiniz'd, we find they generally either retain'd the consonants, or changed them for letters of the same organ. However, though I cannot acquiesce in this Etymology of Varis, yet I dare not assign any other, as not knowing any British word that comes near it, except Gwair (for 'tis a rule confirm'd by at least forty examples, that where the Romans use the let∣ter v. the Britains have gw.) which having no other signification than Hay, makes little to our purpose.

[b] At Rhudhlan (though it be now a mean vil∣lage) we find the manifest signs of a considerable town: as, of the Abbey and Hospital; and of a gate at least half a mile from the village. One of the tow∣ers in the Castle is call'd Tŵr y Brenin, i.e. King's tower; and below the hill, upon the bank of the ri∣ver, we find another apart from the Castle, call'd Tŵr Silod. Offa King of Mercia, and M'redyth King of Dyved, died in the battel fought at Rhudhlan, in the year 794.† 1.27.

[c] The water of Holywell breaks forth with such a rapid stream, that some ingenious persons have suspected it to be rather a subterraneous rivulet which the miners might have turn'd to that chanel, than a spring; it being their common practice, when they meet with under-ground Currents in their work, to divert them to some Swallow. And this suspicion they confirm with an observation, that after much rain the water often appears muddy, and sometimes of a bluish colour, as if it had wash'd some Lead-mine, or proceeded from Tobacco-pipe clay: adding far∣ther, that this seems to have happen'd since the time of Giraldus Cambrensis, it being not likely that so no∣ble a fountain would have escaped his observation, had it then existed. But though we should grant that Giraldus might neglect the taking notice of so extraordinary a Current; yet we have good grounds to assent to Dr. Powel's opinion, that 'twas not fre∣quented by Pilgrims at that time, nor at all celebra∣ted for miraculous cures, or the memory of St. Beuno and Winifrid, who yet liv'd above five hundred years before‖ 1.28. For seeing we find that Author, through∣out the whole course of his Journey, was particularly curious and inquisitive about miraculous fountains, stones, bells, chains, &c. we have no reason to pre∣sume,

had this place been noted at that 〈…〉〈…〉 for Winifrid's being restor'd to life by St. B••uno, and the miraculous origin of the Fountain thereupon; or for any soveraign virtue of the water in healing Di∣seases; but he would take care to deliver some ac∣count of it to posterity: especially considering that he lodg'd one night at Basingwerk, within half a mile of this place. From hence Dr. Powel very rational∣ly infers, that the Monks of Basingwerk, who were founded above one hundred years after, were (for their own private ends) the first broachers of these fabulous miracles. For (says he) before the foundation of that Abbey (which was in the year 1312.) no wri∣ter ever made mention of the Romantic origin and miracles of this Fountain. But I refer the Reader to his own words, more at large, in the place above-cited; being for my own part, of their opinion who think such frivolous Superstitions, are too much honour'd, when we use arguments to confute them.

Of this St. Beuno, who was founder of the Abbey of Klynog Vawr in Caernarvonshire, as also of En∣nian who built the Church of Lhan Ennian Vrenin in the same Country, I find some account in Mr. Vaughan's Annotations on the History of Wales, which tho' not so pertinent to this place, I shall add here however, as being willing to make use of the least occasion of publishing any Notes of an Au∣thor so well acquainted with the Antiquities of his Country.

St. Beuno, to whom the Abbey of Clynog was de∣dicated,* 1.29 was the son of Hywgi ap Gwynlliw ap Glywis ap Tegid ap Cadell, a Prince or Lord of Glewisig, bro∣ther's son to St. Cadoc ap Gwynlliw, sometime Bishop of Be∣neventum in Italy: he was by the mother's side, Cousin German to Laudatus the first Abbot of Enlli (in English, Bardsey) and to Kentigern Bishop of Glasco in Scotland, and of Llan Elwy in Wales. The said Kentigern's Fa∣ther was Owen Regent of Scotland, and son of Urien King of Cumbria. Beuno having rais'd to life, as the tradition goes, S. Winifrid (who was put to death by one C'radoc a Lord in North-Wales, because she would not yield to his unchast desires) was much respected by King Cadvan, who gave him Lands, whereon to build a Mo∣nastery. Cadwallon Cadvan's son bestow'd also other Lands on him, call'd Gwareddog; where having begun to build a Church, a woman came to him with a child in her arms, and told him those Lands were the inheritance of that Infant. Whereat Beuno being much concern'd, gave orders she should follow him to Caer Seiont (call'd by the Romans Segontium, and now Caernarvon) where King Cadwallon resided. When he came before the King, he told him with a great deal of zeal, he had done ill, to devote to God's service such Lands as were not his own lawful pos∣sessions, and demanded he would return a golden Scepter he had given him as a consideration for the said Lands; which when the King refused, he was excommunicated by him. Beuno having pronounced his sentence against him, departed; but Gwyddaint, who was Cousin German to this Prince Cadwellon, being inform'd of what had hap∣pen'd, follow'd after him; and overtaking him, gave him (for the good of his own soul and the King's) the Township of Clynnoc vawr, which was his undoubted inheritance; where Beuno built a Church about the year of our Lord 616. about which time Cadvan died, leaving his son Cadwallon to succeed him. Some tell us Beuno restor'd St. Winifrid to life in the year 644. but (whatever we may think of the miracle) that time is not reconcileable to the truth of History.

Not long before this time, Eneon Bhrenin or Anianus Rex Scotorum, a Prince in the North of Britain, leaving his Royalty, came to Llŷn in Gwynedd, where he built a Church, which at this day is call'd from him Llan Ein∣gan Bhrenin, where he spent in God's service the remain∣der of his days. King Eneon was the son of Owen Dan∣wyn ap Eneon Yrth, ap Cunedha Wledig King of Cambria, and a great Prince in the North. He was Cousin German to Maelgwn Gwynedh King of Britain, whose father was Caswallon Law-hîr brother to Owen Danwyn. The said Mael-gwn died about the year of our Lord 586. Medif, daughter to Voylda ap Talw traws of Nan-conwy, was Maelgon's Mother, &c.

[d] Concerning Fynnon leinw, or the ebbing and flowing Well, mention'd by our Author to be near Kilken; a worthy Gentleman I consulted on this oc∣casion, informs me that 'tis indeed in the Parish of Kilken, but nothing near Kilken-Church or the ••i∣ver Alen; and that it neither ebbs nor flows at pre∣sent, tho' the general report is that it did so formerly. But whereas Dr. Powel (whom our Author and o∣thers seem to have follow'd) supposes this to be the Fountain to which Giraldus Cambrensis ascrib'd that quality; he is of another opinion, suspecting rather that Giraldus meant Fynnon Assav, a noble Spring, to which they also attribute the same Phaenomenon* 1.30. But seeing that Author (tho' a learned and very cu∣rious person for the time he liv'd) is often either erro¦neous or less accurate in his Physiological Observati∣ons, it's but seldom worth our while to dispute his meaning on such occasions.

[e] The present name of Mold I suppose to be an abbreviation of the Norman Mont-hault, and that no other than a translation of the British name Gwydh∣grig, which signifies a conspicuous Mount or Barrow; for tho' the word Gwydh be not used in that sense at present, yet that it was so anciently is manifest from some names of places, the highest Mountain in Wales being call'd y Wydh va† 1.31, and the highest Stone-pillar or Monument I have seen there, call'd Hir-vaen gŵydhog‖ 1.32; so that there being a considerable Krig at this place (for so they call artificial Mounts or Bar∣rows in South-Wales) we may safely conclude it thence denominated.

Near this Town, as the learned* 1.33 Usher supposes, was that celebrated victory (which he calls Victoria Alleluiatica, for that the Pagans were put to flight by the repeated shouts of Alleluia) obtain'd by the Bri∣tains under the conduct of Germanus and Lupus, against the Picts and Saxons. Adding, that in memory of that miraculous victory, the place is call'd at this day Maes Garmon, or St. German's Field† 1.34. And where∣as it may be objected, That seeing 'tis allow'd St. Ger∣man died in the year 435. 'twas impossible he should lead the Britains in this Island against the Saxons, for that Hengist and Horsa arriv'd not here till 449‖ 1.35. He answers that long before their time (as appears from Ammianus Marcellinus, Claudian, &c.) the Saxons made frequent inroads into this Island.

It will not perhaps be unacceptable to the Curious, if we take notice here of some delineations of the leaves of Plants, that are found upon sinking new Coal-pits in the Township of Leeswood in this pa∣rish. These (tho' they are not much minded) are found probably in most other parts of England and Wales, where they dig Coal; at leastwise I have observ'd them at several Coal-pits in Wales, Glocestershire, and Somersetshire; and have seen considerable varie∣ty of them, in that excellent Musaeum of Natural Bo∣dies, collected by Mr. William Cole of Bristol, as also amongst Mr. Beaumont's curious Collection of Mi∣nerals. They are found generally in that black flat, or (as the Workmen call it) the slag or cleft which lyes next above the Coal; so that in sinking new Pits, when these mock-plants are brought up, they are apt to conclude the Coal not far off. These are not such faint resemblances of leaves, as to require any fancy to make out the comparison, like the Pietra imboschata, or Landskip-stone of the Italians; but do exhibit the whole form and texture more compleatly than can be done by any Artist, unless he takes off their impressions from the life, in some fine paste or clay. I say, resemblances of leaves, because amongst all the stones I have seen of this kind, I have hitherto observ'd none delineated with any roots or flowers, but always either pieces of leaves or whole ones; or else (which happens but seldom) some singular fi∣gures, which I know not what bodies to compare to. Such as those I have seen from these Coal-pits (and the same may be said of others in general) do for the most part resemble the leaves of capillary Plants, or those of the fern-kind: but our observati∣ons in this part of Natural History, are as yet in their infancy; and we know not but the bowels of the Earth, were it possible to search them, might afford as great variety of these mock-plants, as the surface contains of those we esteem more perfect. However,

this I shall venture to affirm, that these Plants (what∣ever may be their origin) are as distinguishable into Species, as those produced in the Surface. For altho' we find (as yet) no resemblance of flowers or seeds, yet the form and texture of these leaves, which are always constant and regular, will soon discover the Species to such as have any skill in Plants, or will take the trouble to compare them nicely with each others. For example; I have observ'd amongst the ruble of one Coalpit, seven or eight Species of Plants, and of each Species twenty or more Individuals.

Whoever would prove these Subterraneous Leaves an effect of the universal Deluge, will meet with the same difficulties (not to mention others,) as occur to those who assign that origin to the fossil shells, teeth and vertebrae of fish, Crabs claws, Corals and Sea-mushrooms, so plentifully dispers'd, not only throughout this Island, but doubtless in all parts of the World. For as amongst the fossil shells of England, we find the greatest part, of a figure and superficies totally different from all the shells of our own Seas; and some of them from all those, the most curious Naturalists have hitherto procured from other Coun∣treys: so amongst these Plants, we find the majority not reconcileable with those produced in this Coun∣try, and many of them totally different from all Plants whatever, that have been yet describ'd. But that the Reader may not wholly rely on my Judg∣ment herein, I have ••dded three figures of such leaves, out of a Coal-pit belonging to the Demeans of Eagle's-Bush near Neath in Glamorganshire.

Fig. 27. represents a Leaf of a Plant which I presume totally different from any yet describ'd. It's about six inches long, but seems to be broken off at each end, and almost two in breadth. The four ribs are a little prominent, somewhat like that of Harts-tongue; as are also the three orders of Characters, be∣twixt those ribs, which seem in some sort to answer the seeds of such Plants as are call'd dorsiferous, as those of the Hart's-Tongue or Fern-kind.

Fig. 28. resembles a branch of the common fe∣male Fern, and agrees with it in superficies and pro∣portion, as well as figure.

Fig. 29. expresses the common Polypody, tho' not so exactly as the 28th imitates the female Fern. This is an elegant Specimen, having the middle rib very prominent, and that of each leaf rais'd proportiona∣bly; four inches long, and an inch and a quarter broad.

I find these Mineral Leaves are not only produc'd in the Coal-slats, but sometimes in other Fossils; for I have formerly observ'd of them in Marl-pits near Kàer-wys in this County, which in some measure re∣sembled Oak-leaves: And amongst that valuable Col∣lection of Minerals reposited in the Ashmolean Mu∣saeum, by Dr. Robert Plot, I find a Specimen of Iron∣ore out of Shropshire, delineated with a branch of some undescribed Plant, which from the texture of the leaves I should be apt to refer to the capillary Tribe; tho' the figure (as the Doctor observes in his Catalogue) seems rather to resemble Box-leaves† 1.36. But I shall add no more on this subject, as expecting shortly a particular Treatise of the origin of form'd Stones and other Fossils, from an ingenious person, who for some years has been very diligent in collect∣ing the Minerals of England, and (as far as I am capable of judging) no less happy in his Discoveries.

[f] I find some mention of this Bangor Is-koed (for so tis generally call'd to distinguish it from Ban∣gor in Caernarvonshire) in that Manuscript of Mr. Robert Vaughan's of Hengwrt, so often quoted in these Welsh Counties. Bangor Monachorum (saith he) so call'd from the famous Monastery that was once there, lyes situate in Maelor Seising, or Bromfield, not far from Kaer Lheion, or West-chester. Both Town and Monastery hath so felt the injuries of time, that at this day there are hardly any ruins of them remaining. For we find now only a small Village of the name, and no footsteps of the old City, except the rubbish of the two principal Gates Porth Kleis and Porth Wgan; the for∣mer looking towards England, and the latter towards Wales. They are about a mile distant from each other, whence we may conjecture the extent of the City, which lay between these two Gates, the river Dee running through the midst of it. The old British Triades tell us, that in the time of the British Kings there were in the Monastery of Bangor 2400 Monks, who in their turns (viz. a hun∣dred each hour of the 24) read Prayers and sung Psalms continually, so that Divine Service was perform'd day and night without intermission, &c.

¶ It remains now that we make some mention of that remarkable Monument or carv'd Pillar on Mostyn-mountain,* 1.37 represented in the Plate by the first and second figures. It stands on the evenest part of the mountain, and is in height eleven foot and three inches above the Pedestal; two foot and four inches broad; and eleven inches thick. The Pede∣stal is five foot long, four and a half in breadth, and about fourteen inches thick: and the Monument be∣ing let thorow it, reaches about five inches below the bottom; so that the whole length of it is about thir∣teen foot.

The first figure represents the East-side, and that edge which looks to the South; and the second the Western-side with the North-edge; tho' the Sculp∣tures on these edges are grav'd as if they were no part of the stone.

When this Monument was erected, or by what Nation, I must leave to farther enquiry; however, I thought it not amiss to publish these draughts of it, as supposing there may be more of the same kind in some parts of Britain or Ireland or else in other Coun∣tries; which being compar'd with this, it might per∣haps appear what Nations used them, and upon what occasions. Dr. Plot in his History of Staffordshire, gives us the draughts of a Monument or two which agree very well with it in the chequer'd carving, and might therefore possibly belong to the same Nation‖ 1.38. Those he concludes to have been erected by the Danes, for that there is another very like them at Beau-Castle in Cumberland, inscrib'd with Runick Characters, which is presum'd to have been a Fune∣ral Monument* 1.39. But the Characters on the East-side of ours, seem nothing like the Runic, or any other letters I have seen, but resemble rather the nu∣meral figures 1221. tho' I confess I am so little satis∣fied with the meaning of them, that I know not whether they were ever intended to be significative. Within a furlong or less of this Monument, there is an artificial Mount or Barrow (whereof there are al∣so about twenty more in this neighbourhood, call'd y Gorsedheu) where there have been formerly a great many carcases and skulls discover'd, some of which were cut; and one or two particularly had round holes in them, as if pierced with an arrow: upon which account this pillar has been suspected for a Monument of some signal victory; and the rather for that upon digging five or six foot under it, no bones were discover'd, nor any thing else that might give occasion to suspect it Sepulchral.

This monumental Pillar is call'd Maen y Chwyvan, a name no less obscure than the History of it; for tho' the former word signifies a Stone, yet no man understands the meaning of Chwyvan. Were it Gwy∣van, I should conclude it corrupted from Gwŷdh∣vaen, i.e. the high Pillar; but seeing 'tis written Maen y Chufan in an old Deed bearing date 1388. (which scarce differs in pronunciation from Chwyvan) I dare not acquiesce in that Etymology, tho' at pre∣sent I can think of none more probable.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Varis.
• * 1.2

  Vulgo Bod Farri.
• * 1.3

  Caer-wisk.
• * 1.4

  S. Asaph.
• * 1.5

  Capgrave.
• * 1.6

  Rhu••hlan.
• * 1.7

  Nepos.
• * 1.8

  Basing••••rk
• * 1.9

  Holy-wel.
• * 1.10

  S. Winf••••d.
• 1 1.11

  How her head was cut off, and set on again by S. Benno.
• 2 1.12

  Who yet knew not this well.
• * 1.13

  Flint.
• 3 1.14

  Where King Richard 2. circumvented by them who should have been most trusty, was cunningly induced to renounce the crown, as unable, for certain defects, to rule; and was delivered into the hands of Henry of Lancaster Duke of Hereford, who soon after claimed the Kingdom and Crown, being then void by his cession, as his inheritance de∣scended from King Henry 3. and to this his devised claim the Parliament assented, and he was established in the Kingdom.
• * 1.15

  Harde••.
• * 1.16

  B••i••. Pe••¦nardha∣lawg. Vaugh••••
• * 1.17

  Barons of Monthau••••
• * 1.18

  Hope-cast••••
• * 1.19

  Milstones.
• * 1.20

  Baths.
• * 1.21

  C••••eshull.
• * 1.22

  English Maelor.
• * 1.23

  Han-mere.
• * 1.24

  Earls of Chester.
• * 1.25

  Policy of Edw. 1.
• * 1.26

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 MS. O••••r•• 〈…〉〈…〉 ap 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• † 1.27

  Vaugh. MS.
• ‖ 1.28

  D. Poveli Not. ad Giraldi Camb. Itin. Cambriae, l. 11. c. 1.
• * 1.29

  V••nghan's MSS. Notes on Dr. Pow∣el's History.
• * 1.30

  G•••• G. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 br. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 c. ••.
• † 1.31

  〈…〉〈…〉.
• ‖ 1.32

  O•• 〈…〉〈…〉 ga•••••• An 〈…〉〈…〉 Gwy•• 1. c. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 G••gan••••
• * 1.33

  Ush••••. B••t 〈◊〉〈◊〉. An••••. ••. ex C••••••••¦tio 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• † 1.34

  Mat. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the name of pater, s••me••••••e imp••••s 〈…〉〈…〉 bee••i•••• there. Vide A••∣g••••••••.
• ‖ 1.35

  See 〈◊〉〈◊〉 A••th•••• 〈…〉〈…〉 cout•••••• the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Saxons
• † 1.36

  〈…〉〈…〉. C••ps. 〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.37

  Maen y Chwyvan.
• ‖ 1.38

  Plot's Nat. Hist. of Stafford∣shire, p. 404. & 432.
• * 1.39

  Phil. Transact. Num. 178.