Conway (from _Cynwy_, great river) is a fine old fortified town, situated
at the northern corner of Carnarvonshire. The Castle was built in 1284,
by Edward I. as a security against insurrections. He was besieged in it,
and only rescued by the arrival of his fleet. In the civil wars in the
seventeenth century it was garrisoned by the Archbishop of York, and
afterwards by Prince Rupert. The town and Castle were taken by storm in
1646, but the parliamentary forces did not injure the Castle, which was
never greatly damaged, until the Earl of Conway, who received a grant of
it from Charles II. despoiled it of timber, lead, iron, &c. for his own
use. A stranger will be much struck by the general appearance of Conway,
which forms an interesting picture, and is very unlike any other place in
the kingdom.—See page 16.
[Picture: Graphic of a hand pointing right] The writer of “the Trip” had
no opportunity of visiting Capel Cerig, or Beddgelert; but no person
should omit to do so when time will permit. From Carnarvon a most
delightful tour may be made to Beddgelert, Capel Cerig, Snowdon,
Llanberris lake, and back to Carnarvon.