Anglesey history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Anglesey (in Welsh — Ynys Môn) is rooted in the prehistoric era. It is not a classic city founded on a specific date, but an island region with ancient settlements. The first significant mentions in written sources date back to the 1st century AD and are linked to the Roman conquest of Britain.

The Roman historian Tacitus described the island as a sacred stronghold of the druids and a centre of resistance against the Romans. The modern name "Anglesey" is of Scandinavian origin and appeared much later, during the Viking Age (around the 10th century), likely meaning "Ongull's Island".

Key Factors of Formation

The development of the region was defined by a unique combination of geographical and political conditions:

• Strategic Geography: The island is separated from the mainland of Wales by the Menai Strait, which historically made it a natural fortress convenient for defence.
• Political Power: In the early Middle Ages (from the 6th century), the village of Aberffraw hosted the main court of the Kings and Princes of Gwynedd, one of the most powerful Welsh kingdoms. This gave Anglesey the status of the political heart of North Wales.
• Maritime Trade: Its location in the Irish Sea facilitated active exchange with Ireland and the Isle of Man, although it also made the coastline vulnerable to raids.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The economy of early Anglesey was based on agriculture. Thanks to its mild climate and fertile soils, the island earned the famous nickname Môn Mam Cymru ("Mona, the Mother of Wales"). It was believed that the harvests gathered here could feed all of Wales in times of famine.

Culturally, the island remained a guardian of Celtic traditions, language, and spirituality for many centuries, preserving its identity even after the construction of the famous castles by the English King Edward I in the 13th century.

Key Historical Milestones

• Around 3000 BC — Construction of the Bryn Celli Ddu burial chamber, one of the most important Neolithic monuments, testifying to the early settlement of the island.
• 60 AD — Roman legions under the command of Gaius Suetonius Paulinus invade the island for the first time, seeking to suppress the resistance of the druids.
• Around 870 — Aberffraw becomes the main residence of the Kings of Gwynedd, cementing Anglesey's status as the political centre of North Wales.
• 1295 — Construction begins on Beaumaris Castle, considered the pinnacle of Edwardian military architecture, although it remained unfinished.
• 1485 — Henry VII becomes King of England, founding the Tudor dynasty, whose roots trace back to the Penmynydd estate on Anglesey.
• 1768 — Discovery of vast copper reserves at Parys Mountain, which temporarily made this mine the largest in the world and stimulated the regional economy.
• 1826 — Opening of the famous Menai Suspension Bridge by Thomas Telford, connecting the island to the "mainland" with a reliable road for the first time.
• 1850 — Completion of the Britannia Tubular Bridge by Robert Stephenson, ensuring rail connections to London and the port of Holyhead.
• 1859 — The wreck of the clipper "Royal Charter" during a storm off the coast of Moelfre, which spurred the creation of the first weather forecasting service.
• 1860s — A local committee officially adopts the famous long name of the village Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch to attract travellers.
• 1971 — Commissioning of the Wylfa Nuclear Power Station, which became a key industrial facility on the island for decades.
• 2010–2013 — The island becomes home to Prince William and Kate Middleton during the Prince's service as a search and rescue helicopter pilot.

Key Stages of Anglesey's Development

The history of Anglesey is a journey from a sacred druidic centre to a vital transport and energy hub of the United Kingdom. Here are the main moments that defined the modern appearance of the region:

• Status as the "Breadbasket of Wales" (Middle Ages)
  Thanks to fertile soils, the island became the region's main agricultural centre. This ensured economic stability and allowed for the support of the royal court at Aberffraw, securing Anglesey's role as the political core of North Wales.
• Construction of Beaumaris Castle (Late 13th Century)
  The erection of the fortress by Edward I was a turning point in urban planning. Around the castle, the town of Beaumaris formed with a regular layout, becoming an administrative and trading centre, introducing new architectural standards to the island.
• Copper Rush at Parys Mountain (18th Century)
  The discovery of the richest copper deposits turned a quiet rural island into a global centre of the mining industry. This led to population growth, the development of the port of Amlwch, and the appearance of the first industrial landscapes.
• Transport Revolution (19th Century)
  The construction of the Suspension Bridge across the Menai and the Britannia Bridge ended the island's isolation. The emergence of reliable road and rail connections with London gave a powerful boost to trade and simplified the export of goods.
• Development of Holyhead Port (19th–20th Centuries)
  The expansion of the harbour and the launch of regular ferries to Dublin made Holyhead the main maritime gateway between Great Britain and Ireland. The port became a key employer and the foundation for the western part of the island.
• Tourism Marketing (1860s)
  Artificially lengthening the village name to Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch was a brilliant move. This event marked the beginning of tourism becoming an important economic sector, attracting travellers from all over the world.
• The Energy Era (20th Century)
  The construction of the Wylfa Nuclear Power Station in 1971 transformed the island's economy, creating high-tech jobs and making Anglesey an important link in the country's energy system.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

Anglesey's architecture is a unique blend of military might, aristocratic elegance, and industrial achievements. Unlike large metropolises, urban planning here did not develop around a single centre, but in pockets: around strategic ports, crossings, and castles. For centuries, the primary building materials were local limestone and slate.

The Medieval Era: Military Gothic and Monasteries

The medieval appearance of the island was defined by two factors: religion and the English conquest. Urban planning of this period was strictly defensive in nature.

• Beaumaris Castle (Late 13th Century): The pinnacle of Edwardian military architecture. It is a classic example of a concentric castle, where the inner ring of walls is higher than the outer, allowing fire to be directed in two tiers. The perfect symmetry of the layout makes it a unique example of European fortification art.
• Penmon Priory: An example of early ecclesiastical architecture with elements of the Romanesque style. The surviving buildings demonstrate a transition to simpler and more austere forms characteristic of Celtic Christianity.
• St Cybi's Church (Holyhead): A unique structure built directly into the walls of a Roman fort (Caer Gybi). This is a rare example of continuity, where ancient fortifications became part of medieval sacred architecture.

18th–19th Centuries: Classicism, Neo-Gothic, and Georgian Style

During this period, Anglesey transformed from a military outpost into a place of residence for the nobility and a popular seaside resort. Architecture became more refined and secular.

• Plas Newydd: The ancestral estate of the Marquesses of Anglesey. The building was remodeled in the late 18th century by architect James Wyatt in the then-fashionable Gothic Revival (Neo-Gothic) style. The interiors combine classical proportions with romantic decor.
• Beaumaris Townscape: Rows of townhouses in Georgian and Regency styles have been preserved along the seafront. Colourful facades, strict window lines, and wrought-iron balconies recall the times when the town attempted to compete with the fashionable resort of Bath.
• Windmills: In the 18th century, there were more than 50 windmills on the island, forming a specific rural landscape. Llynon Mill is the only surviving working example, representing an important layer of vernacular industrial architecture.

The Victorian Era: Industrial Style and Engineering

The 19th century brought massive infrastructure projects to the island, forever changing its panorama. This was a time of triumph for metal and stone.

• Bridges over the Menai: Thomas Telford's Suspension Bridge (1826) with its monumental stone arches and suspension chains became a masterpiece of engineering thought. Later, the Britannia Bridge added elements of heavy industrial aesthetics characteristic of the railway boom to the landscape.
• Holyhead Port and Breakwater: The longest breakwater in the UK (2.7 km) is constructed of massive stone blocks. The architecture of the port structures and South Stack Lighthouse is distinguished by strict functionalism, designed to withstand the harsh elements of the Irish Sea.

Modernity

Modern architecture on Anglesey strives to blend into the natural landscape without disturbing its harmony. A striking example is the Oriel Môn museum and art complex in Llangefni, which uses local materials and a low building profile to emphasize the connection with the land and the island's history.

Historical and State Figures

• Saint Cybi (6th Century)
  Christian missionary and founder of a monastery.
  A key figure of the early Middle Ages. He founded a religious community inside the Roman fort at Holyhead (Caer Gybi), which subsequently became the town named in his honour (in Welsh, Holyhead is Caergybi).
• Owen Tudor (c. 1400–1461)
  Founder of the Tudor dynasty.
  Born at the Penmynydd estate on Anglesey. His secret marriage to the widow of King Henry V, Catherine of Valois, laid the foundation for the Tudor claim to the English throne. Grandfather of King Henry VII.
• Henry Paget, 1st Marquess of Anglesey (1768–1854)
  Field Marshal and politician.
  Gained fame as the commander of the cavalry at the Battle of Waterloo, where he lost a leg. The famous Marquess's Column was erected on the island in his honour. He resided at the Plas Newydd estate.

Cultural and Artistic Figures

• Goronwy Owen (1723–1769)
  Poet and clergyman.
  One of the greatest Welsh poets of the 18th century, a master of classical versification. His works played an important role in the revival of Welsh literary traditions.
• Sir Kyffin Williams (1918–2006)
  Landscape artist.
  Born in Llangefni. Became the most famous Welsh artist of the 20th century. His works, executed in the impasto technique (thick strokes), captured the rugged beauty of Anglesey's landscapes and farmers.
• Sir Hugh Owen (1804–1881)
  Education reformer.
  A native of the island who dedicated his life to creating a higher education system in Wales. He was one of the founders of the University College at Aberystwyth.

Modern Celebrities

• Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister (1945–2015)
  Rock musician, founder of the band Motörhead.
  Spent his teenage years in the town of Amlwch, where he attended school. It was on Anglesey that he received his famous nickname and began his interest in rock and roll.
• Dawn French (born 1957)
  Actress, comedian, and writer.
  Born in Holyhead. Known for her participation in the comedy duo "French and Saunders" and the lead role in the series "The Vicar of Dibley". One of the most recognizable women in British comedy.
• Naomi Watts (born 1968)
  Hollywood actress.
  Although born in Kent, she spent a significant part of her childhood (from age 7 to 14) on the island of Anglesey, living in Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, and learned the Welsh language at a local school.