Historical Snowdonia
Man, over many millennia, has made his mark on the local landscape. Bryn Cader Faner,
one of the best preserved bronze age burial sights in Europe, lies on the hill a couple of miles from the house, and there are many prehistoric settlements and burial cairns , many joined by a ten mile bronze age path. Harlech Castle , completed by Edward 1 in 1287, as part of the iron ring of castles around North Wales , still stands imperious on its rocky outcrop. Owain Glyndwr, the last prince to rule an united Wales , held a parliament here in 1404, and later the brave stand of the defenders during the Wars of the Roses was commemorated by that famous march of the Men of Harlech. During the civil war the castle held out in the Royalist cause and was the last castle in Britain to fall.
http://www.castlewales.com/harlech.html
Apart from Edwards' castles there are several native Welsh castles, well worth a visit. The tranquil setting of Castell y Bere near Abergynolwyn, to the south, belies its turbulent past, and Dolwyddelen castle, built by Llywelyn the Great stands sentinel at the head of the Conway valley. Dolbadarn castle, in Llanberis, was also built during this period, and is also well worth a visit.
Another link with the civil war can be found a few miles away in Llanbedr at the head of the lovely Nantcol valley. Maesygarnedd farm was the home of Cromwell's brother in law John Jones, who signed the death warrant of Charles I, and was to pay for this on the scaffold on the return of Charles II.
Visitors with an interest in the Arthurian legend will find plenty to intrigue them. Legend has it that Dinas Emrys, near Beddgelert, was the site where the red dragon slayed the white dragon, and where the boy Merlin first showed his magic powers. The site of Arthur's last battle lies high on the slopes of Snowdon, on the Watkin path, and his knights lie in a nearby cave awaiting his return.
