ordered all who were seized within the walls to be tied back to back, and flung into the river. For his services, the parliament granted to the archbishop a general pardon, and in addition a release from all his sequestrations. After the Restoration this fortress was granted by Charles II. to Edward Earl of Conway, who, in 1665, ordered all the iron, timber and lead, to be taken down and transported to Ireland, under the pretence that it was to be used there in his majesty's service. Several gentlemen of note in the country opposed the design, but their remonstrances were over-ruled, and this noble pile was reduced nearly to its present condition. It is at this time held of the crown at an annual rent of 6s. 8d., and a dish of fish to Lord Hertford as often as he passes through the town. The Church, said to have been the conventual church belonging to the monastery, is an inelegant but antique structure. There are within it a few monuments to the memory of different branches of the Wynne family. Among other inscriptions is one recording an instance of fecundity somewhat uncommon. It is on a plain stone over the body of Nicholas Hookes, of Conway, who was interred here in the year 1637, and is stated to have been the forty-first child of his father, and himself the father of twenty-seven children. A few years ago there were some remains of the Cistertian Abbey founded here by Prince Llewelyn ap Iorwerth, in 1185, but at present no traces of them are visible. In this convent, and that of Strata Florida in Cardiganshire, were kept the Welsh Historical Records, from 1126 till the year 1270. The founder was buried in the church of the abbey; but after the dissolution his coffin was removed to Llanrwst. In the same church, A.D. 1220, was also interred Cynan ap Owen Gwynedd: his body was inclosed in the habiliments of a monk, holy garments, which in those superstitious days were deemed proof against every power of Satan; and thus, as Moret said of Albertus, "he turned monk after he was dead." In the principal street there is a large pile of building called Plâs Mawr, The Great Mansion. This appears to have been erected in the year 1576 by Robert Wynne, Esq. of Gwydir. Over the gateway is the inscription, Avex8, ATEX, sustine, abstine. The apartments, which are very numerous,. are ornamented in a rude style with arms and uncouth figures in stucco work. Edward made Conway a free borough; and the mayor for the time being was the constable of the castle. Amongst other privileges, it possessed one, in common with all other English garrisons on the west side of the Clwyd, that when any person committed a crime within that district, he could not be convicted but by a jury empannelled within it. The principal inns are the Castle and the Harp. CHAPTER XXXI. EXCURSION FROM CONWAY ROUND THE CREIDDIN. Creiddin-Diganwy-Taliesin, the British Bard-Llandudno-Hwylfar Ceirw-Copper Mines - Orme's Head - Gloddaeth — Bodscallon— Marl. CREIDDIN is a commot or hundred of Caernarvonshire, situated on the side of the river opposite to Conway, and forming a considerable promontory into the Irish sea. It is terminated by an extensive rock, on many sides very precipitous, of about two miles in length, called the Great Orme's Head. This is connected with the main land by a neck of ground, altogether so flat, that Leland says, "the way to it is over a made causey, through a marsh often overflown."* This is never the case at present; it is, on the contrary, supposed to be some of the finest corn and meadow land in this part of Wales. Close to the shore, at the distance of about one mile and a half from the suspension bridge, is DIGANWY, at present called by the common people, Y Fardre. The remains, which are now almost covered with earth and shrubs, are just sufficient to enable one to form some judgment as to the original extent of this castle. The exterior wall inclosed the summits of two high and almost conical rocks, except on one part, where this defence was rendered unnecessary from the depth of the precipice. These summits appear to * Leland, Itin. vol. v. p. 49. It is frequently called Gannoc by the old monkish writers. have been the sites of the principal buildings; but although it was strong from its elevated situation, and was successively the habitation of several of the Welsh princes, it is impossible that this castle should have ever been a place of any magnitude. These rocks are high, and form conspicuous objects from the walls of Conway. From the summit of the one which is most elevated, there is a good view of the principal parts of the promontory; hence may be seen Gloddaeth at the foot of a considerable rocky eminence, and in a different direction, about two miles to the east, the woods of Bodscallon, and again, somewhat to the south, those round Marl. Diganwy is supposed by some to have been a Roman station, the Dictum, where the Nervii Dictenses, under the late emperors, had their reserve guard. In the sixth century it was occupied as a place of residence by Maelgwn Gwynedd, and for two centuries afterwards formed one of the royal mansions, till the year 808, when it was destroyed by lightning. It was soon rebuilt, and being thought a post of great strength and consequence, suffered much in the struggles of this country. In the year 1246, Henry III. attempted to rebuild this castle, then in a ruinous state; and the English army appears for a considerable length of time to have suffered great distress. A letter preserved by Matthew Paris, from a soldier of fashion, describes this in very spirited terms. "We lie here," says he, "watching, praying, fasting, and freezing; we watch in defence against the Welsh, who beat up our quarters every night; we pray for a safe passage home; we fast because we have scarcely any food left; and we freeze from the want of warm clothing, and having only linen tents to keep out the cold." The army was at length so harassed, that Henry was compelled to retreat, heartily weary of his fruitless attempt. In 1263 the place was completely destroyed by Llewelyn; and Con TALIESIN, THE BRITISH BARD. 301 way Castle being erected not long afterwards, it was thought a needless task to commence a new building here. TALIESIN, THE BRITISH BARD. During part of the sixth century Maelgwn Gwynedd, Prince of North Wales, kept his court at Diganwy, and his brother Gwyddno Garanhir, Gwyddno with the High Crown, the lord of Cantref Gwaelod, resided also for some time in the neighbourhood. The latter had near his residence a weir, called Gored Wyddno, Gwyddno's Weir, which is even yet known by the same name. Elphin, the son of Gwyddno, was an extravagant youth, and had at one time so greatly exhausted his finances, that he was compelled, as a temporary relief, to ask of his father the benefit of the weir for a single night. The request was complied with, but not a single fish caught. A leathern basket was however taken up, which, on examination, was found to contain a child. This was an unfortunate circumstance to one so much in want of even a successful tide; but Elphin had the humanity to direct that the child should be taken care of, and that no expense should be spared in his education. The youth, who was named Taliesin, was introduced by Elphin at his father's court; and his first step towards fame was in reciting there a poem containing the history of his life, called Hanes Taliesin. Maelgwn Gwynedd was greatly surprised at his talents, and afterwards became his patron. Some time after this, a dispute took place at Diganwy, between Elphin and his father, of so serious a nature as to cause the former to be thrown into prison. His attentions to Taliesin now proved of the utmost importance to him: the bard addressed to the prince a poem, which excited his commiseration, and caused him to issue an immediate order for Elphin's release.-Taliesin throughout the whole of his life continued to receive the |