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42-513: The Afon Soch is a short river on the Llŷn peninsula , Gwynedd , Wales . It arises to the north of the village of Sarn Meyllteyrn , through which it then flows, turning southeast towards Botwnnog . Beyond Botwnnog it is joined by its main left-bank tributary, the Afon Horon , which rises to the east of Carn Fadryn . Their combined flow approaches the coast at Porth Neigwl (or Hell's Mouth) but instead

84-552: A unitary authority . At the time of abolition, the rural district covered 114,232 acres (46,228 ha) and had a population at the 1971 census of 15,190. Pwllheli Municipal Borough was the successor to a free borough which was granted a charter by Edward the Black Prince in 1355. The corporation was abolished by the Municipal Corporations Act 1835 , and replaced by an elected council, which existed until Pwllheli

126-578: A battle at Digoll (Long Mountain) and mention that Cadwallon spent time in Ireland before returning to Britain to defeat Edwin. According to Geoffrey of Monmouth 's Historia Regum Britanniae (which includes a fairly extensive account of Cadwallon's life but is largely legendary — for example, Geoffrey has Cadwallon surviving until after the Battle of the Winwaed in 654 or 655), Cadwallon went to Ireland and then to

168-563: A bombing school at Penyberth on the peninsula. The events surrounding the protest became known as Tân yn Llŷn ( Fire in Llŷn ). The government had settled on Llŷn as the site for its new bombing school after similar locations in Northumberland and Dorset were met with protests. However, British Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin refused to hear the case against the bombing school in Wales, despite

210-536: A deputation representing half a million Welsh protesters. Protest against the bombing school was summed up by Saunders Lewis when he wrote that the British government was intent upon turning one of the "essential homes of Welsh culture , idiom , and literature " into a place for promoting a barbaric method of warfare. On 8 September 1936 the bombing school building was set on fire by Saunders Lewis, Lewis Valentine and D. J. Williams , who immediately gave themselves up to

252-520: A holiday camp at Penychain , which attracted visitors from the industrial cities of North West England and the West Midlands . As car ownership increased, the tourist industry spread to the countryside and to coastal villages such as Aberdaron, Abersoch, Llanbedrog and Nefyn, where many families supplemented their income by letting out rooms and houses. During the Middle Ages the cantref of Llŷn

294-400: A legacy of inclines and export docks and were the reason for the growth of villages such as Llithfaen and Trefor . Copper , zinc and lead were mined around Llanengan , while 196,770 long tons (199,930 t) of manganese were produced at Y Rhiw between 1894 and 1945. The Penrhyn Dû Mines have also been extensively mined since the seventeenth century around Abersoch . Shipbuilding

336-470: A new parish of Buan was formed by the merger of Ceidio and Llanfihangel Bachellaeth ; and the parish of Dolbenmaen was transferred from Glaslyn Rural District . Five years later, in 1939, Edern was abolished and incorporated into Nefyn . The rural district was abolished in 1974, with its area being included in the Dwyfor District of Gwynedd, which was itself abolished in 1996 when Gwynedd became

378-548: A regional ruler Belyn ap Cynfelyn and his Gosgordd who were allied with Cadwallon ap Cadfan . In subsequent years Llŷn was raided by vikings , most notably by Olaf in the late 10th century. The most rural parts are characterised by small houses, cottages and individual farms, resembling parts of south west Ireland . There are small compact villages, built of traditional materials. The only large-scale industrial activities were quarrying and mining, which have now largely ceased. The granite quarries of northern Llŷn have left

420-466: A sow (used in the sense of an animal that burrows through the land). There are a number of other Irish names in Llŷn. 52°49′35″N 4°30′13″W  /  52.8264°N 4.5037°W  / 52.8264; -4.5037 This Gwynedd location article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This article related to a river in Wales is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Ll%C5%B7n peninsula Historically,

462-495: A sudden with all his forces, by surprise, and destroyed him [Osric] and all his army." After this, according to Bede, Cadwallon ruled over the "provinces of the Northumbrians" for a year, "not like a victorious king, but like a rapacious and bloody tyrant." Furthermore, Bede tells us that Cadwallon, "though he bore the name and professed himself a Christian, was so barbarous in his disposition and behaviour, that he neither spared

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504-463: Is complex: the majority is formed from volcanic rocks of the Ordovician period. Rocks of Cambrian origin occur south of Abersoch. Numerous granite intrusions and outcrops of rhyolite form prominent hills such as Yr Eifl, whilst gabbro is found at the west end of Porth Neigwl . The western part of the peninsula (northwest of a line drawn from Nefyn to Aberdaron) is formed from Precambrian rocks,

546-445: Is credited with having sponsored Saint Cadfan 's monastery on Bardsey Island , which became a major centre of pilgrimage during medieval times. There are numerous wells throughout the peninsula, many dating back to the pre-Christian era. Many have holy connotations and they were important stops for pilgrims heading to the island. The Welsh Triads record regional resistance to Edwin of Northumbria 's incursions into Gwynedd by

588-671: Is now less common. The name is thought to be of Irish origin, and to have the same root – Laigin ( Laighin ) in Irish – as the word Leinster and which also occurs in Porth Dinllaen on the north coast. Following the death of Owain Whitetooth ( Owain Danwyn ), king of Gwynedd , Owain's son Saint Einion seems to have ruled Llŷn as a kingdom separate from his brother Cuneglasus ' kingdom in Rhos . He

630-473: The 1950s onwards, extensive use was made of artificial fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides, leading to drastic changes in the appearance of the landscape. Tourism developed after the railway to Pwllheli was built in 1867. The town expanded rapidly, with several large houses and hotels constructed, and a tramway was built linking the town to Llanbedrog . After the Second World War, Butlins established

672-591: The 1960s, a number of Welsh monoglots still lived in the Llŷn Peninsula. However, before 2001 there had been a decline in Welsh speakers in Gwynedd , which includes the Llŷn Peninsula. According to the 2001 census the number of Welsh speakers in Wales increased for the first time in over 100 years, with 20.5 per cent of a population of over 2.9 million claiming fluency in Welsh. The 2001 Census also showed that 73.1 per cent of

714-639: The English People of the Anglo-Saxon writer Bede , who is strongly critical of him. Cadwallon consistently appears in the genealogies of the Kings of Gwynedd as the son of Cadfan ap Iago and a descendant of Maelgwn Gwynedd and Cunedda . Historian Alex Woolf , however, presents the case that the genealogists have erroneously inserted Bede's Cadwallon into the pedigree of the unrelated Kings of Gwynedd as son of Cadfan. Instead, Woolf suggests that Bede's Cadwallon

756-641: The English. Additionally, the fact that Cædwalla of Wessex a generation after Cadwallon's death bore a name derived directly from the British Cadwallon suggests that Cadwallon's reputation could not have been so poor among the Saxons of Wessex as it was in Northumbria. The new king of Bernicia , Eanfrith , was also killed by Cadwallon when the former went to him in an attempt to negotiate peace. However, Cadwallon

798-489: The Municipal Corporations Act 1883. The borough charter had been granted by Edward I in 1284. The urban district covered 472 acres (191 ha) and at the 1901 census had a population of 1,406. By the time of abolition and incorporation into Dwyfor in 1974, it covered 1,721 acres (696 ha), and had a population at the 1961 census of 1,672. Cadwallon ap Cadfan Cadwallon ap Cadfan (died 634)

840-495: The Welsh language. The whole of Llŷn is governed by Cyngor Gwynedd , a unitary authority established in 1996. The area had traditionally formed part of Caernarfonshire , for which an elected county council had been formed in 1889. Caernarfonshire was abolished in 1974 and incorporated into the new county of Gwynedd , which became a unitary authority under the 1996 reorganisation. Llŷn Rural District , based in Pwllheli ,

882-431: The area as the rise in house prices has outpaced average earnings in Wales. On the other hand, there has been an influx of non-Welsh speakers purchasing properties for retirement or holiday homes. The issue of locals being priced out of the local housing market is common to many rural communities throughout Britain, but in Wales the added dimension of language further complicates the issue, as many new residents do not learn

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924-652: The coastline and hills are part of the Llŷn Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty . The Llŷn Coastal Path , a long distance footpath , enables walkers to fully explore both coasts of the peninsula. The peninsula is the original home of the Lleyn breed of sheep . This is a hardy and prolific breed that has become much more prominent over the last 20 years due to its excellent prolificacy and mothering ability. The sheep are white-faced; on average, ewes weigh about 70 kilograms (150 lb) and rams 90 kilograms (200 lb). Until at least

966-550: The defeat and death of Edwin and his son Osfrith. After this, the Kingdom of Northumbria fell into disarray, divided between its sub-kingdoms of Deira and Bernicia , but the war continued: according to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle , "Cadwallon and Penda went and did for the whole land of Northumbria". Bede says that Cadwallon was besieged by the new king of Deira, Osric , "in a strong town"; Cadwallon, however, "sallied out on

1008-600: The door to the Irish Sea , and Edwin successfully extended his rule to the "Mevanian Islands" – the Isle of Man and Anglesey . The Annales Cambriae says that Cadwallon was besieged at Glannauc (now Puffin Island , a small island off eastern Anglesey ), and dates this to 629. Surviving Welsh poetry and the Welsh Triads portray Cadwallon as a heroic leader against Edwin. They refer to

1050-516: The female sex, nor the innocent age of children, but with savage cruelty put them to tormenting deaths, ravaging all their country for a long time, and resolving to cut off all the race of the English within the borders of Britain." Bede's extremely negative portrayal of Cadwallon as a genocidal tyrant cannot be taken at face value. Cadwallon's alliance with the Anglo-Saxon Penda undermines Bede's assertion that Cadwallon had attempted to exterminate

1092-414: The housing market by incomers. From the 1970s to the 1990s, a group known as Meibion Glyndŵr claimed responsibility for several hundred arson attacks on holiday homes using incendiary devices, some of which took place in Llŷn. The Llŷn Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty covers approximately 62 sq mi (160 km ). The name Llŷn is sometimes spelled Lleyn in English, although this spelling

1134-475: The island of Guernsey . From there, according to Geoffrey, Cadwallon led an army into Dumnonia , where he encountered and defeated the Mercians besieging Exeter , and forced their king, Penda of Mercia , into an alliance. Geoffrey also reports that Cadwallon married a half-sister of Penda. Penda and Cadwallon together waged war against the Northumbrians. The Battle of Hatfield Chase on 12 October 633 ended in

1176-492: The language , although, as in the rest of North West Wales , many people are concerned that the influx of English speakers is damaging the standing of Welsh and threatening its future as a living community language in the area. The Welsh Language and Heritage Centre of Nant Gwrtheyrn is situated on the north coast. Concern for the Welsh language was ignited in 1936 when the United Kingdom government settled on establishing

1218-646: The last recorded Celtic Britons to hold substantial territory in eastern Britain until the rise of the Welsh House of Tudor . He was thereafter remembered as a national hero by the Britons and as a tyrant by the Anglo-Saxons of Northumbria. As with other figures of the era, little is certainly known of Cadwallon's early life or reign. The primary source of information about him is the Ecclesiastical History of

1260-653: The majority of which are considered to form a part of the Monian Complex and thus to be closely related to the rocks of Anglesey . Numerous faults cut the area and a major shear zone – the Llyn Shear Zone – runs northeast to southwest through the Monian rocks. In 1984 there was an earthquake beneath the peninsula , which measured 5.4 on the Richter scale and was felt in many parts of Ireland and western Britain . The area

1302-439: The northern coast consist of steep cliffs and rugged rocks with offshore islands and stacks, while there are more extensive sandy beaches on the southern coast, such as Porth Neigwl and Castellmarch Beach. North of Abersoch a series of sand dunes have developed. The landscape is divided into a patchwork of fields, with the traditional field boundaries, stone walls, hedgerows and cloddiau , a prominent feature. The geology of Llŷn

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1344-513: The peninsula was travelled by pilgrims en route to Bardsey Island (Welsh: Ynys Enlli ), and its relative isolation has helped to conserve the Welsh language and culture, for which the locality is now famous. This perceived remoteness from urban life has lent the area an unspoilt image which has made Llŷn a popular destination for both tourists and holiday home owners. Holiday homes remain contentious among locals, many of whom feel they are priced out of

1386-701: The police and claimed responsibility. The trial at Caernarfon failed to agree on a verdict and the case was sent to the Old Bailey in London. The "Three" were sentenced to nine months imprisonment in Wormwood Scrubs , and on their release they were greeted as heroes by 15,000 people at a pavilion in Caernarfon. The decline in the use of the Welsh language in Llŷn has been attributed to a rise in property prices. Local Welsh speakers are increasingly unable to afford housing in

1428-471: The population of Llŷn could speak Welsh. Additionally, 28 per cent of the population of Wales claimed to understand Welsh. However, the number of Welsh speakers declined in Gwynedd from 72.1 per cent in 1991 to 68.7 per cent in 2001. By 2003, however, a survey of schools showed that just over 94 per cent of children between the ages of 3 and 15 were able to speak Welsh, making Llŷn one of the foremost heartlands of

1470-573: The river turns sharply northwards at Llanengan and curves around east to Abersoch where it enters the sea. A short section of the Soch valley is followed by the Wales Coast Path where it takes a route inland of Porth Neigwl. Both the Soch and the Horon are misfit streams within valleys that were formed by glacial meltwater . The river name is reckoned to be of Irish origin, the old Irish word 'socc' meaning

1512-470: Was created under the Local Government Act 1894 from the area of Pwllheli Rural Sanitary District . At the time it covered 91,449 acres (37,008 hectares) and consisted of 30 civil parishes , although the number was subsequently reduced. At the 1901 census, it had a population of 16,816. Under a County Review Order in 1934, 18 parishes were abolished with their areas distributed among other parishes;

1554-602: Was divided into 3 cymydau , those being Dinllaen, Cafflogion and Cymydmaen, with their respective capitals at Din Llaen, Denio and Neigwl. After the Edwardian Conquest some of these settlements became free boroughs like Denio and other like Neigwl faded into obscurity. Llŷn is an extensive plateau dominated by numerous volcanic hills and mountains. The largest of these is Yr Eifl , although Garn Boduan , Garn Fadrun and Mynydd Rhiw are also distinctive. Large stretches of

1596-506: Was important at Nefyn , Aberdaron , Abersoch and Llanaelhaearn , although the industry collapsed after the introduction of steel ships from 1880. Nefyn was also an important herring port, and most coastal communities fished for crab and lobster . Farming was originally simple and organic but underwent major changes after the Second World War as machines came into widespread use. Land was drained and fields expanded and reseeded. From

1638-531: Was included in Dwyfor in 1974, as a result of the Local Government Act 1972 . At the 1841 census Pwllheli had a population of 2,367. By the time of abolition the borough covered 1,211 acres (490 ha) and had a population at the 1961 census of 3,647. Criccieth Urban District was created under the Local Government Act 1894, and covered the area of the former borough, which had been abolished in 1886 by

1680-474: Was overrun by Irish Sea ice during the ice ages and this has left a legacy of boulder clay and of meltwater channels. Llŷn is notable for its large number of protected sites, including a national nature reserve at Cors Geirch , a National Heritage Coastline and a European Marine Special Area of Conservation , and 20 Sites of Special Scientific Interest . The peninsula is home to a rare species of mason bee ( Osmia xanthomelana ), found nowhere else. Much of

1722-683: Was the Catguallaun liu found in genealogies as son of Guitcun and grandson of Sawyl Penuchel , rulers in the Hen Ogledd or Brythonic-speaking area of northern Britain. Cadwallon was affected by the ambitions of Edwin , King of Northumbria . Bede, writing about a century after Cadwallon's death, describes Edwin, the most powerful king in Britain, conquering the Brittonic kingdom of Elmet (now western Yorkshire ) and ejecting its king, Cerdic . This opened

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1764-448: Was the King of Gwynedd from around 625 until his death in battle. The son and successor of Cadfan ap Iago , he is best remembered as the King of the Britons who invaded and conquered Northumbria , defeating and killing its king, Edwin , prior to his own death in battle against Oswald of Bernicia . His conquest of Northumbria, which he held for a year or two after Edwin died, made him one of

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