A gay archery fête of the British Bowmen, attended by 300 of the aristocracy of the kingdom, was held at Wynnstay in 1846.
Angling Station.—The Dee.
RUTHIN,
(Denbighshire.)
| Bala | 22 |
| Chester | 22 |
| Corwen | 12 |
| Denbigh | 8 |
| Llangollen | 15 |
| London | 210 |
| Mold | 10 |
| St. Asaph | 14 |
| Wrexham | 18 |
Ruthin (Rhudd-ddin or Rhuthyn) is beautifully situated on the aclivity of an eminence in the picturesque Vale of Clwyd, at the base of which and through the lower part of the town flows the river from which the vale takes its name, at this place an inconsiderable stream, serving only to work some mills in the neighbourhood. The parish contains 3333 inhabitants. The appearance of the town is pleasing, and the neighbourhood is embellished with numerous gentlemen’s seats, and commands much varied scenery. The principal inns are the White Lion and Cross Foxes.
The government of Ruthin is vested in a municipal corporation. It is one of the contributory boroughs, with Denbigh, Holt, and Wrexham, to return a member to parliament. Ruthin has been made a polling-place in the election of knights of the shire; and from its central situation, it has been selected, in preference to the town of Denbigh, for holding the assizes for the county: the quarter sessions are held alternately here and at Denbigh. The town-hall, situated in the market-place, was built in 1663, and is used for holding the courts leet and baron. Prior to the erection of the county-hall, the quarter sessions were held there. The county-hall is a modern structure, fronted with white stone, and, with the county gaol and house of correction, also situated here, is highly creditable to the skill of the architect, Mr. Turner.
The church is an interesting and ancient structure, with a fine roof of carved oak, panelled, richly sculptured, and apparently of the time of Henry the Seventh. The church was changed into a collegiate chapter A.D. 1310, by John de Grey, who formed an establishment of several regular canons, and endowed it with valuable lands and numerous privileges. The apartments of the canons were connected with the church by a cloister, of which a remaining portion has been converted into a residence for the warden.
The town contains an endowed free grammar school, a national school supported by voluntary subscriptions, and places of worship for various dissenting congregations.—The present rector is the Venerable Archdeacon Newcome, author of Memoirs of Dr. Goodman, Dean of Westminster, and Dr. Godfrey Goodman, Bishop of Gloucester, and also of some local histories.
The ancient castle occupied the declivity of a hill, fronting the Vale of Clwyd towards the west, and, from the extensive foundations and remaining portions of the walls, appears to have been a structure of great strength and magnificence: the remains consist chiefly of fragments of the towers, dungeons, and ruined walls. This fortress was built by Edward the First, who in 1281 gave it, with the hundred of Dyffryn Clwyd, to Reginald de Grey; from the family of Greys it devolved to Richard Earl of Kent, who sold it to Henry the Seventh. It was afterwards granted to Dudley Earl of Warwick, by Queen Elizabeth. After the restoration, the castle and its dependencies were purchased by Sir Richard Myddelton.
The elegant castellated mansion erected by the Hon. F. West, within the ruins of the old castle, forms a beautiful feature in the prospect of the town. The architect having blended the ancient and modern parts with harmonious effect, the structure displays great taste on the part of the projector. From various parts of the site are several rich and extensive prospects. No tourist should omit a visit to Ruthin Castle, which abounds with objects of interest to the student of British history.