CONWAY CASTLE,

CAERNARVONSHIRE.

THIS Castle, which commands, by its vicinity to the strong pass of Penman Maur, the country to a considerable extent, securingthe road to the mountain of Snowdon and the isle of Anglesea, was built by king Edward I. in the year 1284, as a check upon the Welsh. Where the Castle now stands was formerly an abbey of Cistersian monks, founded by Lewellyn ap Gervas, prince of Wales, dedicated to the Virgin Mary and All Saints. These monks were removed to a monastery founded by the king at Manham, in Denbighshire.

Conway Castle is situated in the south-east angle of the town of Aberconway, on a steep rock, forming the western bank, and near the mouth of the river Conway. Its figure is very irregular, being composed of a square, to which, on its west side, is joined a pentagon, each of which forms a court. It was defended by eight round towers attached to the walls, which are very thick, and on the land side was encompassed by a moat. The common entrance is on the south-east side, near the east end, by a steeple and winding path; the passage is now nearly occupied by fragments of the surrounding ruins. There was also another entrance on the north side near the west

CONWAY CASTLE.

end, beyond which was the moat crossed by a drawbridge. Part of the great hall remains; the walls and some portion of the windows are entire, together with nine arches of stone which supported the roof. This fortress was a place of refuge to king Richard II. when he surrendered the crown to the duke of Lancaster, afterwards Henry IV.

It was repaired and fortified for king Charles I. in the beginning of the civil wars, by Dr. James, archbishop of York, at the king's request, and afterwards intrusted to his care, or any one whom he should appoint, until such time as the expenses he had incurred in repairing it should be repaid: but the archbishop was turned out by sir John Owen, a colonel in the king's service; when, getting no redress from the king, he joined the opposite party, and, in conjunction with colonel Mitton, forced the gates, entered the Castle, and took possession for the parliament.

The ruins are the property of the crown, under which it is held on lease by Owen Holland, esq. at the annual rent of 6s. 8d. and a dish of fish to lord Holland, as often as he passes through the town.