Aberffraw
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Aberffraw is a small village on the south west coast of Anglesey (Welsh: Ynys Môn), by the west bank of the River Ffraw, at grid reference SH354693. The Royal Mail postcode begins LL63. Access by car is by way of the A4080 and the nearest rail station is Bodorgan.
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[edit] Attractions
Attractions near Aberffraw village include Llyn Coron (a lake), Barclodiad y Gawres, a Neolithic burial chamber and the island of Cribinau with the 7th century church of Saint Cwyfan perched on top. The church still holds services in the summer and is sometimes used for weddings with access by boat. The village has an excellent sandy beach which was awarded the Blue flag rural beach award in 2005, and is on the Anglesey Coastal Path.
[edit] Princely House of Aberffraw
Aberffraw is the name designated to the senior branch of descendants of Rhodri Fawr through his eldest son Anarawd ap Rhodri, as this branch made Aberffraw it's principal seat. Members of House Aberffraw include Idwal Foel, Iago ab Idwal, Cynan ap Iago, Gruffydd ap Cynan, Owain Gwynedd, Llywelyn Fawr, Llywelyn ap Gruffudd. In the 12th century, the Princes of Gwynedd began to use the title "Prince of Aberffraw and Lord of Snowdon". "Prince of Aberffraw" to emphasise their connection to Rhodri Mawr, and "Lord of Snowdon" to emphasise their possession of the region of Gwynedd. It is this branch that would become the focus of Welsh resistance to Anglo-Norman rule in Wales until the Edwardian conquest in the late 13th century.
The village remained the seat of the Princes of Gwynedd from the 9th century to the 13th century, though the court was moved to Aber on the mainland in the 12th century. The Princes' palace lasted until 1282 when Llywelyn the Last was killed. Aberffraw was one of the three principle royal sites in Wales; the others being Mathrafal and Dinefwr.
[edit] Sources
- Davies, John. " A History of Wales"
