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XXXIII. Description of the Carn Braich y Dinas, on the Summit of Pen-maen-mawr, in Caernarvonshire. By Governor Pownall
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 24 July 2012
Extract
In addition to the account which Mr. Camden has given of Pen-maen-mawr, Dr. Gibson has inserted in his edition of the Britannia, the following particulars: “On the top of Pen-maen-“mawr stands a lofty and impregnable hill; and here we find “the ruinous walls of an exceeding strong fortification, encom-“passed with a treble wall; and within each wall the foundation of “at least a hundred towers all round, and of equal bigness, and “about six yards diameter. It should seem says the account, “that there are lodgings within these walls for 20,000 men.” Dr. Gibson says indeed, “He had taken no description of this “himfelf; but gives the account as he receives it from a MS. “written in king Charles the 1st's time, by sir John Wyn of “Gwydir.”
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- Copyright © The Society of Antiquaries of London 1775
References
page 303 note [a] P. 804, 805, 2d edit.
page 303 note [b] In the year 1769.
page 304 note [c] Here I suppose the outer wall to be.
page 304 note [d] Pl. XIV.
page 306 note [e] Since I wrote the above, both Mr. Banks and Mr. Pennant assure me, there are circular inclosures within the body or solid of this third wall, which are so far forth a great weakening to it, if it was ever meant for defence.
page 308 note [f] The walls are too thick, and the works too large, to have been erected by a few shepherd inhabitants, as some people imagine them to have been, intended as a strong hold to secure their cattle from the foraging parties of an enemy passing through the country: on the other hand, these works are not of such strength as to resist an attack, even in the rudest times of barbarity. However, nothing but an attention to some one of the great duties of society, could have induced so large a number of people, as must have been employed in getting together and piling up such a quantity of stones as are still remaining thus piled up. If the building produced is not sufficient for defence, Religion immediately recurs to the mind used to see the immense structures which she has reared in almost every part of the world. Mr. Banks.
page 308 note [g] See Dr. Borlase's description and very elegant views of it.