60 



THE BEITISH ISLES. 



Mercia, in 795, anniliilutecl the AVelsh, fighting under the leadership of Caradoc, 

 the lofty spires of the cathedral of SL Asaph indicate our approach to the charming 

 Tale of Clwyd, the greater part of which lies in the neighbouring county of 

 Denbighshire. 



A detached portion of Flintshire lies to tlie south-east, between the English 

 counties of Cheshire and Shropshire. This is known as the Maelor Saesneg, or 

 " Saxon Lund," and Welsh has not been heard there since the days of Henry VIII. 

 This small tract of country abounds in curious old villages, the most remarkable 

 amongst ihemheiug Bangor lii/cocd ("Under the Wood"), or Monac/iorum, famous 

 for its monastery, supposed to have been founded about the year 180 by the first 

 Christian King of Britain ; but of this not a vestige remains at the present day. 



Fig. 30. — Remains of Valle Ouucis Aubey, 



Denbighshire (Dinbych) is a somewhat straggling county, extending from 

 the broad Yale of the Dee to the Irish Sea, between the rivers Elwy and Conway. 

 The greater portion of its surface is hilly, and fit only for pasture, but it is inter- 

 sected by several fruitful valleys, the most extensive being that of the Clwyd. 



WrexJiam and Riiahon, the two most populous towns of the county, lie in the east, 

 close to Watt's Dyke, which separates the Vale of the Dee from the hill}' part of 

 the county, and which was thrown up by the Saxons as a defence against the Welsh. 

 Both these towns depend upon coal and iron for their livelihood, and the former 

 likewise produces some flannel. The dyke referred to, as well as that of Offa, to 

 the south of the Dee, approximately marks the linguistic boundary ; and whilst 

 Wrexham, to the east of it, is virtually an English town, Ruabon, on its farther 

 side, is almost wholly Welsh, and is becoming more so every day, owirg to the 



