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Table of Contents
- Llantysilio Church
- Bryntysilio Hall
- Llantysilio Mountain
- Horeseshoe Falls
- Valle Crucis Abbey
- Eliseg's Pillar
- Castell Dinas Bran
- Llangollen International Eisteddfod
RED TEAM
Llantysilio Church
Founded in the 6th Century, the present church was built in 1180 but is much repaired/renovated and restored in 1900 and 1992. St. Tysilio also founded churches in Langolen in Brittany, France and Cornwall. Founded 8 other churches, mostly in N. Wales.
St. Tysilio was a Prince of Powys. He lived about 500-580 AD. He was the son of Ysgythrog - a local Prince.
Built in late 15th century, restored in 1876 and incorporates 1180 church fragments set around North wall window - visible on the exterior. Also a 15th century 5-light East window and the glass in the North window is 14th Century.
Robert Browning worshipped there in 1886 with his friends the Martins (who lived at Bryntysilio Hall) whilst he was staying at the Royal Hotel in Llangollen.
Some of the old wood behind the altar came from Valle Crucis Abbey. The Font, Eagle of the Lecturn & the panelling above the Sanctuary are said to be 14th century. The church was probably associated with Valle Crusis Abbey that had also appropriated other churches at Wrexham, Ruabon, Llangollen, Bryn Eglwys, Chirk and Llandegia.
Website: www.merseyworld.com/faith/html-fileloetwax
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Bryntysilio Hall
Built in 1870. Queen Victoria visited in 1889 with Princess Alice of Hess (who was the last Tsarina of Russia and was murdered after the Revolution when the Communists seized control of the country).
Llantysilio Mountain
An American bomber crashed on the ridge during WWII. Moel-y-Gaer, above Rhewl was a Celtic Hill Fort.
Horeseshoe Falls
Constructed by the Ellesmere Canal Co. in 1808 to supply water from the River Dee to the Shropshire Union Canal connecting Ellesmere with Ellesmere Port. Thomas Telford was the Engineer-in-Charge.
Thomas Telford was also famous for constructing the main London to Holyhead route - known as the A5, the Pontcysyllte aqueduct and of course the iron bridge that gives Ironbridge its' name (see www.vtel.co.ukligmt/index.htnil).
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BLUE TEAM
Valle Crucis Abbey
Founded on 28th January, 1201 AD, by Cistercian (or white) monks on land donated by Madoc ap Grufydd Maelor, Prince of Powys (Gryfydd ap Madoc's father) who was buried there in 1236. The abbey was a satellite of Strata Marcella Abbey, near Welshpool but no traces exist of this abbey today. There were numerous fires in the earlier years and one of the stone fire escapes is still visible today. The Cistercians preferred to build in remote and beautiful locations - there were other abbeys at Basingwerk, near Holywell and Poulton near Chester.
(see www.bwpics.co.uk/poulton).
Located 1.5 miles from Llangollen. Originally called the Abbey of Llanegwestle, Llan Egwast or Abaty Glan y Groes. The pool adjacent to the abbey is called Llyn Eglwystl.
The valley is called Pant a Groes (which means 'the bottom of the cross'). It was very rich - well known for huge meals, bright silver and excellent wines plus the Abbot liked to dress well and wore many rings.
Its' mill was mentioned in the Charter Roll of Edward 1 in 1295.
Remained in use until the Act of Dissolution in 1536, ordered by Henry VIII's commissioners following the arrest of the Abbot for corruption, selling the Church's land, etc. By then, there were only 6 monks left, the abbey was in serious debt and badly in need of repair.
Website: www.data-wales.co.uk/castle2
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Eliseg's Pillar
Eliseg was a Prince of Wales in the 8th century but the pillar is originally 9th century - according to the Latin inscription on it. It has been referred to as "probably the most famous memorial in Wales" (Donald Gregory, "Wales Before 1066 - A Guide") and was probably the first cross to be erected in Wales. It would have been a Celtic style cross.
The pillar was originally a cross - twice it's current height. The abbey was named after it - Valle Crucis means ' the valley of the cross'.
Reputedly erected by Cyngen or Concenn, King of Powys (died in Rome, 773 or 854 AD) in commemoration of his great grandfather Elise's life and martial achievements
During the Civil Wars, in the 17th century, fanatical Puritans hacked at it and left it broken on the ground. Fortunately, a transcript of the inscription had been made 100 years earlier. The largest remains were reconstructed and placed on a low mound - believed to be a 5th or 6th century burial site - by Edward Lloyd of Trevor Hall, where it remains to this day. Supposedly, the workmen who re-set the pillar uncovered the body od a very tall warrior with a guilded skull in the tumulus upon which the pillar is set. This is supposed to be Elise/Eliseg himself.
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GREEN TEAM
Castell Dinas Bran
The stone castle was built about 1250 by Grufydd ap Madoe as a fortress against the Saxons - Offa's Dyke is a mile or so away. The original fortress was a wooden garrison or stockade that was destroyed by fire. There is evidence of Bronze Age fortifications - 5 bronze axe heads have been found on the site. The earliest hill fort may have been 2000 years old. It was the capital of Powys Fadog - one of the Welsh Princedoms in the 12th and 13th centuries - and was the home of the Maelors. Powys Fadog stretched from the Mochnant valley, to Bala, to the Alun valley, to Chester and Shropshire.
Commonly, but incorrectly, called 'Crow Castle' - Bran can be translated as crow - but the correct translation is 'Fortress of Bran'. Bran was reputedly an early King or Prince of Powys. Also recorded as 'Din Brain' in the Middle Ages.
The area of the castle is 290 x 140 ft. It was practically impregnable from the North and West and was an important stronghold. The castle is 1060 ft above sea level. It has a triple ring of earthworks.
The castle was seized by the English, under Roger le Strange, in 1277. It passed between Welsh and English stewardship for many years. The town of Llangollen built up under the protection of the castle.
Mostly ruins by 15th century, mainly because it was no longer required as a defensive position. The locals stole the stone and used it to build their houses. During the reign of Henry VIII it is recorded that an eagle was nesting of the site and no-one could approach the top of the hill because it would attack them whilst defending it's nest.
Website: www.Castlewales.com/dinas.html
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YELLOW TEAM
Llangollen International Eisteddfod
First held in 1947 as a "constructive means through which peoples of many lands may meet freely, through music" and "encourage cultural activity among non-professional people" and was in direct response to the wish for world wide peace following the Second World War. It recently celebrated its' 50th Anniversary. Nowadays, there are regularily 40 or more nations represented. There are, roughly, 900 volunteers and 2,500 competitors involved each year.
The Eisteddfod is held in the first full week in July each year, starting on Tuesday. The last competition day is Saturday but a concert is also held on the final Sunday.
Its' slogan is "Blessed is a world that sings, gentle are its' songs".
It has been visited twice by the Queen, first in 1953 and more recently for the opening of the new 'Royal Pavilion' in 1992; Prince Charles visited in 1996 and agreed to become the Patron for the Eisteddfod in 1997. The main competitions were held in a marquee that was erected each year. The Royal Pavilion is a permanent construction with practice rooms, changing rooms and office space. The competitions are now held in a spectacular canvas construction that can he extended to accommodate several thousand spectators.
The competitions take place during the day with evening concerts featuring the winners of the days' competitions and well-known guest artistes. In 1995, the Sunday concert featured Luciano Pavarotti and in 1997 Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.
Website: www.arik.co.uk/lime
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