Page images
PDF
EPUB

As was before mentioned, a limestone quarry has encroached upon the camp at the north-west corner, and the wall is lost for some distance; but where it reappears, on the north side, we arrive at the remains of strong works. These were evidently intended for the defence of the entrance where the paved pathway leads down to the well. They are, however, in so confused a state that no plan of them can be made.

It was said above that one chamber does not adjoin the outer wall. This is to be met with at a point fiftysix yards south-west from the well-entrance. It is protected at the back by a ledge of rock, and is sixteen yards long by eight broad.

16 YARDS

Oblong Chamber, 56 yards from Pathway leading to Well.

Although no other foundations are now to be seen within the camp, it does not follow but that such may formerly have existed, for all available loose stones appear to have been from time to time removed for building purposes. Nearly opposite the church a road leads down from the enclosure, but it seems to be modern. There is a cavity near the centre of the camp, six feet long, two feet six inches broad, and about two feet deep, which at first sight might easily be taken for a cistvaen; but is, I think, naturally formed.

It is highly probable that the works on this hill were originally raised by the inhabitants of this part of the Island of Anglesey, in prehistoric times, as a refuge for themselves and their cattle. There is, however, abundant evidence to prove its subsequent occupation by the Romans. Miss Angharad Llwyd in her History of Mona (p. 265), and also Lewis in his Topographical Dictionary (v. Llanfihangel Din Sylwy), say "Numerous fibulæ, coins, and other Roman relics, have been frequently discovered here; and in the summer of 1831 a great num

[graphic][graphic][subsumed][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small]

ber of silver and copper coins were found in this place, among which were some of Nero, Vespasian, Constantius, and Constantine; together with rings, keys, buckles, and clasps of copper, and other relics of Roman antiquity." At a point within the rampart, nearly abreast of the church, where the turf has lately been removed from off the limestone, I picked up several fragments of red pottery, parts of mortaria in whitish clay, and a piece of slag with a bit of quartz embedded in it. Mr. H. Prichard, of Dinam, had previously found a number of similar fragments at the same place. There would probably be a line of road leading up to Din Sylwy, either from the shore, near Aber-lleiniog, or else from Penmon. It is said that the remains of a paved Roman road may be traced, leading through Penmon towards Llaniestyn, but I have had no opportunity of examining it. W. WYNN WILLIAMS.

Menaifron, Augt. 1868.

STONE SLABS FOUND IN THE CATHEDRAL OF ST. ASAPH.

DURING the repairs which, for some time past, have been in progress in the Cathedral of St. Asaph, the workmen came upon two slabs a little way beneath the ground or pavement of the nave, near the eastern arch of the central tower, close by the entrance into the choir; and as they have features of interest, an engraving of each is here given; perhaps prematurely, for nothing is as yet known, it is believed, as to what personages they are intended to commemorate. They seem to be of fifteenth century work. One of them, bearing a floriated cross, may have been placed over the grave of one of the bishops. Underneath it was found a flat, leaden, circular box-cover or lid, with a hand in benediction rudely cut or scratched upon it. The other was, no doubt, the sepulchral covering of a layman; for it bears a shield of

arms, and a curious representation of a hare and hound. It had been at first supposed by the correspondent who supplied the drawings from which the engravings have been made, that these armorial bearings were those of some member of the family of the Hollands, formerly of

St. Asaph.

so much importance in North Wales, on account of the lion and the fleur-de-lys; but there are difficulties in the way of this supposition which render a suspension of judgment advisable. It has been thought better to lay them before the Association at once, rather than to wait for attempts at identification.

« PreviousContinue »