CASTELL DINAS BRAN.
The present remains of this ancient fortress are a few scattered walls. There is little doubt that it is of British origin, but the period of its erection, as well as the name of its founder is buried in oblivion. The original dimensions of its walls were about 300 feet long and 150 feet broad.
In the reign of Henry the Third it afforded an asylum from his enraged countrymen to Gruffydd ab Madoc, who basely betrayed his country to that monarch.
In 1390 this castle was inhabited by Myvanwy Vechan, a most beautiful and accomplished female. She was of the house of Tudor Trevor, and her father, Ednyved Vychan, then held the castle under the noble Earl of Arundel, in the reign of the unfortunate Richard the Second. She was beloved by Howel ab Einion Lygliw, a celebrated bard, who addressed her in a most charming ode.
On the north-west side of the hill is an adjacent rock called Craig Eglwyseg, or the Eagle’s Rock. For more than half a mile this rock lies stratum upon stratum, in such a manner as to form a kind of steps, parallel with the horizon, called by naturalists saxa sedilia, affording a remarkable geological phenomenon.