Caerwys in
Flintshire, North Wales is a small town but with a lively and vibrant community.
Having been granted a Royal Charter in 1290 it is one of the smallest "towns"
in Great Britain. Although being just under two miles from the A55 Expressway
the town is often passed-by unnoticed by travellers, yet it is surrounded
by areas of outstanding natural beauty with stunning views across mountains
and valleys. Its proximity to the A55 North Wales Expressway makes it an
ideal location for touring North Wales including the beautiful Conwy Valley, Conwy Castle and to the East the English Border
lands including the ancient walled town of Chester.
Despite having a small population Caerwys has three public houses, two with
restaurants, a general store, delicatessen, two butchers, a baker, (no candle
stick makers), a pharmacy and newsagent, hairdresser and garage. It also
benefits from a Golf
course, tennis court, children’s playground and a bowling green.
As the name suggests, Caerwys was once a Roman outpost, but it is most famous
for the eisteddfodau or poetry festivals which have been held there. According
to tradition, the first was summoned in about 1100 by Gruffydd ap Cynan,
the liberator of Gwynedd from the rule of the Norman overlord Hugh Lupus.
Another was held in 1523, and in 1567 Queen Elizabeth I gave permission
for a competitive bardic assembly there.
The Roman connection continues with the ancient Church of St Michael's in
the town, although this can not be proved. It is said that, on the basis
of the early fabric at the base, the Church Tower was built on the site
of a Roman observation tower. Whether true or not the Church can be traced
back many hundreds of years. It has a late 13thC tower and nave to which
a chancel and a north aisle were later added. The building contains a 13thC
effigy, broken sepulchral slabs of 14thC date, and a range of wooden furnishings
of 17thC date. The church has two lychgates, one originally dating to 15thC.
The earliest reference to the church is in 1244 when it was nominated as
a meeting place between Prince David and King Henry III and was referred
to again in 1284, when compensation was paid to the rector for damage done
to the church during Edward I's incursion into Wales. It is evident that
there was an existing settlement and church prior to the laying out of the
planned town from 1290. Whether the church, however, can be taken back into
early medieval times remains to be satisfactorily established. More
about St Michael's Church >>
The town's later history is dominated by its connection with the United
States of America and Pennsylvania in particular.
The English King Charles ll gave William Penn land in America which to-day
is known as Pennsylvania. William Penn was a Quaker and he was also a personal
friend of Thomas Wynne, who carried on his trade as a Barber - Surgeon in
the town of Caerwys. In 1682 both William Penn and Thomas Wynne sailed on
The Welcome to America with the blessing of Charles ll. Thomas Wynne became
the first speaker of the Provincial Government, a Provincial Judge and was
instrumental in agreeing treaties with the local Indian tribe the Lenni
Lenape. The original streets of Philadelphia were designed on the street
grid pattern of Caerwys, and many properties were built in the region which
reflected designs of properties in the Caerwys area. In 2006 members of
the Wynne Geneology Club, made up of descendants of Thomas Wynne, visited
North Wales to follow in their ancestor's footsteps. They stayed some time
in local houses in Caerwys and visited some of the many historical sites
and tourist attractions of North Wales. More about Caerwys
and the Thomas Wynne connection >> |
