Anglesey

Anglesey (Welsh: Ynys Môn, pronounced {{IPA|/?ɐnɪs'mo:n/}} (IPA), unniss mawn), is an island and county at the north western extremity of North Wales. It is separated from the mainland by a narrow stretch of water known as the Menai Strait. It is connected to the mainland by two bridges, the original Menai Suspension Bridge (carrying the A5), built by Thomas Telford in 1826 as a road link, and the newer, twice reconstructed Britannia Bridge, carrying the A55 and the North Wales Coast Railway line.

History

Historically, Anglesey has long been associated with the Druids. In c. AD 60 the Roman general Suetonius Paullinus, determined to break the power of the druids, attacked the island, destroying the shrine and the sacred groves. The Romans called the island Mona. Following the Romans, the island was invaded by Vikings, Saxons, and Normans before falling to King Edward I of England, in the 13th century.

Related Topics:
Druid - Roman - Suetonius Paullinus - Vikings - Saxons - Normans - King Edward I

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Môn is the Welsh name of Anglesey. The English name is a corrupted form of Old Norse, meaning the 'Isle of Ongull'. Old Welsh names are Ynys Dywyll ("Dark Isle") and Ynys y cedairn (cedyrn or kedyrn; "Isle of brave folk"). It is the Mona of Tacitus (Ann. xiv. 29, Agr. xiv. 18), Pliny the Elder (iv. 16) and Dio Cassius (62). It is called Mam Cymru ("Mother of Wales") by Giraldus Cambrensis. Clas Merddin, and Y fêl Ynys (honey isle) are other names. According to the Triads (67), Anglesey was once part of the mainland, as geology proves. The island was the seat of the Druids, of whom 28 cromlechs remain, on uplands overlooking the sea, e.g. at Plâs Newydd. The Druids were attacked in 61 by Suetonius Paulinus, and by Agricola in 78. In the 5th century Caswallon lived here, and here, at Aberffraw, the princes of Gwynedd lived till 1277. The present road from Holyhead to Llanfairpwllgwyngyll is originally a Roman road. British and Roman camps, coins and ornaments have been dug up and discussed, especially by the Hon. Mr. Stanley of Penrhos. Pen Caer Gybi is Roman. The island was devastated by the Danes (Dub Gint or black nations, gentes), especially in 853.

Related Topics:
Welsh - Old Norse - Old Welsh - Tacitus - Pliny the Elder - Dio Cassius - Giraldus Cambrensis - Druid - 61 - Suetonius Paulinus - Agricola - 78 - 5th century - Caswallon - Aberffraw - 1277 - Holyhead - Llanfairpwllgwyngyll - 853

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