is very romantic, and would form an interesting drawing, by taking in a
small bridge of two arches below the house. It is completely encircled
by lofty mountains, which may be considered as subject to the “cloud-capt
Snowdon.”
Situate at the junction of three vales, its beautiful meadows form a fine
contrast to the surrounding rugged scenery. The church is small, but
lofty; it is supposed to be erected on the site of an ancient priory of
Augustine monks, dedicated to St. Mary, and founded, according to the
account of Mr. Rymer, in his Fœdera, by Lleyelyn ap Iorweth, in gratitude
for the preservation of his son, and as an atonement for the rash effects
of his intemperate rage, so pathetically described in the following poem:
but both the Mr. Williamses, who have written on Caernarvonshire, support
the opinion of its earlier establishment, looking upon it as the most
ancient foundation in the country except Bardsey. Its revenues,
according to the Reverend P. B. Williams’s account, must have been
considerable; which he likewise accounts for as necessary, from its being
on the great road from England and South Wales to North Wales, and from
Ireland to England. In order to enable the prior to keep up his usual
hospitality, Edward the First, after it had greatly suffered by fire in
1283, most generously, at his own expense, repaired all the damages; and
Bishop Anian, about the year 1286, to obtain for it benefactions,
remitted to all such benefactors who truly repented of their sins, forty
days of any penance inflicted on them.
BEDDGELERT,
OR,
THE GREYHOUND’S GRAVE.