ON
THE MEDIEVAL ANTIQUITIES OF ANGLESEY.
The antiquities of this remote and little-known district, may be commodiously arranged under three heads:—
(1.) The British or Cymric, before the introduction of Christianity.
(2.) The Cymric, posterior to the introduction of Christianity, and prior to the conquest of Wales by Edward I.
(3.) The antiquities posterior to the English conquest.
It is not, however, by any means easy to determine, first, at what period Christianity was actually introduced into Wales and Anglesey; and secondly, to pronounce what remains, usually classed as Cymric or Celtic, (such as Carneddau, Maen-hîr, Cromlechs, &c.), were erected before, or what after, the existence of the Christian religion in this district. It is highly probable that a large portion of the ancient military works, and many of the tumuli, cairns, &c., were constructed at a time later than the coming of the Saxons into Britain, and prior to the eighth or ninth century. In the absence therefore of written testimonials and other evidence, as to the date of such remains as we now find pretty numerously throughout the island, it is better to class all such remains under the head of "Cymric Antiquities;" this epithet being quite applicable to them at whatever period they first came into existence. The head of "Medieval Antiquities" will include all such edifices and ruins of edifices, &c., as are clearly posterior to the introduction of Christianity; and will also embrace the military buildings erected by Edward I., as well as the houses constructed down to the end of the sixteenth century.
It is only this latter head which is taken briefly into account in the present paper. The author of it is occupying himself in making an accurate survey, admeasurement, and delineation, of all the antiquities in the island; and has already terminated a large portion of the Medieval, with a small part of the Cymric division[1]. He hastens to give a brief sketch of
- ↑ He is also engaged in a similar survey of the antiquities of Caernarvonshire, and would be glad to hear of the other Welsh counties attracting the notice, and occupying the leisure, of some of his antiquarian friends.
