This is a Bishop’s see, in the county of Carnarvon, and is said to derive
its name from _bon_, good, and _chœur_, choir; but this seems a strained
etymology. It is supposed to have been formerly a more considerable
place than it is at present. The views from the elevated environs are
extremely fine. The Cathedral was founded in the sixth century, by St.
Deiniol (Daniel) who was elected the first Bishop of Bangor. It was
destroyed by the Saxons in 1071, and rebuilt by King John in 1212. In
1402 it was burnt down, in the rebellion of Owen Glyndwr, and remained in
ruins upwards of ninety years. It was rebuilt early in the sixteenth
century, chiefly by Bishop Sheffington. On a rocky eminence, about half
a mile east from Bangor, formerly stood a castle, built by Hugh, Earl of
Chester, in the reign of William II. Its site is still visible. The
situation of the Bishop’s residence is much admired.