PREFACE. Though the author cannot claim a natives familiarity with the county of which he has here essayed to tell the story, long residence in it has given him an interest in its physical features and its history which he hopes is in some measure reflected in the following pages. Yet, pleasant as the task has been, it could never have been accomplished without the aid of many kind friends who have given him valuable expert guidance in unfamiliar fields. The chapter on Geology owes much to Mr Edward Greenly, F. G. S., and that on Natural History to Professor K. J. P. Orton. Help has also been given in various ways by Mr Harold Hughes, A. R. I. B. A., Mr G. J. Williams, one of H. M. Inspectors of Mines, Mr E. R. Davies, Secretary of the County Education Committee, Mr J. T. Roberts, Clerk to the County Council, Professor T. Winter, Dr J. Lloyd Williams and the Rev. T. Shankland. J. E. LLOYD. June q t h , I 9 I I . CONTENTS PAGE County and Shire. Meaning and Origin of the name Carnarvonshire . General Characteristics. Position and Natural Conditions . Size. Shape. Boundaries . Surface and General Features. Watersheds. Rivers. Lakes . Geology . Natural History . A Peregrination of the Coast. Coastal Gains and Losses. Coast Protection . Climate . People-Race, Language, Population . Agriculture . Industries-Mines and Q arries . Shipping. Ports. Fisheries . viii CONTENTS PAGE History of the County to the Edwardian Conquest. 87 Later History of the County . 93 Antiquities . 99 Architecture- a Ecclesiastical . . 107 Architecture- b Military . . 116 Architecture- c Domestic . . 127 Communications-Past and Present. Roads and Railways . . 127 Divisions-Ancient and Modern. Administration . I 3 7 Roll of Honour . . 141 Chief Towns and Villages of Carnarvonshire . . 151 ILLUSTRATIONS PAGE View near Cape1 Curig . 3 Hettws y Coed . . 6 Llanfairfechan 7 View on the River Glaslyn . 9 Sychnant Pass 3 The Precipices of Carnedd Dafydd . 1.5 The Pass of Llanberis . 7 Snowdon from Llyn I. lydaw . . I S The Conway near Trefriw . . 2 0 Fairy Glen, River Conway . . 2 2 Bridge on the Dwyfor Khyd y Benllig - 23 Aberglaslyn Pass . 2 4 Llyn Idwal . 2 5 Dolbadarn . 2 7 Great Ormes Head and St Ii d losC hurcl . - 33 Llandudno Bay . - I Penmaen Mawr . 4 3 Menai Straits the Swellies . - 4 5 The Rivals Yr Eifl . 48 St Tudwals Islands .5 1 Llanbedrog Point . 5 2 Moel y G2st . 5 3 Aberglaslyn Bridge 5 7 PAGE Treniadoc . 58 Portniadoc Harbour 59 Llandudno Lighthouse . . 61 Crib Goch arid Cwiu Glas . 65 Weapons of the Stone and Bronze Ages . 69 Black Cattle University College Iierd . 7 5 A Snowdonian Cottage . 77 Penrhyn Slate Qiarries . .. Y o Workers in the Perirl yn Q arries . . 82 Gimlet Rock . 83 Pwllheli Harbour . 85 The Conway Estuary . . 86 Criccieth Castle . 94 Carnarvon Castle . 98 Rhos Lan Cromlech, near Criccictll . 100 Crornlech at Cefn Aniwlcli . . I O I Stone Circle, Penmaenmawr . . 1 0 2 Treflys Church . . 106 Bangor Cathedral arid University College New Biiildings 109 Tlie Bangor Pontifical illunlinated page . . I I O The Bangor Pontifical showing old music . . 1 1 2 Clynnog Church . . 113 Llanengan Church . . 5 Carnarvon Castle from tlie River Saint . . 117 Carnarvon Castle Qieen Eleanors Gate . . 119 Conway Castle Interior . . 1 2 0 Dolbadarn Castle . . 1 2 2 Plas Mawr, Corlway . . i24 Plas Mawr Q e e n l- lizabctlis Koonl . 12.5 Holpliead Road and Llyn Ogbc. cn . . 130 Menai Suspension Bridg-e . 131 Britannia Iubular Bridge - 134 Conway Tubular Bridge . . 3.5 ILLUSTRATIONS Sir John Wynne of Gwydir . Dewi Wyn o Eifion . Ieuan Glan Geirionydd . Aber Falls ...