- Pennal
Infobox UK place
country = Wales
latitude = 52.58566
longitude = -3.9211
static_
static_image_caption =
official_name = Pennal
population =
unitary_wales =Gwynedd
lieutenancy_wales =Gwynedd
constituency_westminster = Meirionnydd Nant Conwy
constituency_welsh_assembly= Dwyfor Meirionnydd
post_town = Machynlleth
postcode_district = SY20
postcode_area = SY
dial_code = 01654
os_grid_reference = SH699003
map_type=Pennal is a
village on theA493 road in southernGwynedd , (in the formercounty ofMerionethshire /Sir Feirionnydd), northWales , on the north bank of theAfon Dyfi /River Dovey , nearMachynlleth .Roman Fort
It was the site of a
Roman fort , probably guarding a ford or ferry crossing of the Dyfi onSarn Helen the Roman road.Owain Glyndwr
Pennal is best known for its historical association with
Owain Glyndŵr . The remains of the Roman fort lie under the14th century house of Cefn Caer, overlooking the village. It is here that Owain is thought to have written the "Pennal Letter" of1406 , a letter to the King of France setting out his plans for an independent Wales. The letter was briefly returned to Wales from France for an exhibition at theNational Library of Wales in2000 , and a campaign has since sprung up for it to be returned permanently to Wales and put on show at the National Assembly building inCardiff .The church of St Peter ad Vincula within the village is recognised as the site of Glyndŵr's last senate meeting, and a memorial garden has been created for the native Welsh Princes.
Recent History
In the early
19th century there werequay s on the Dyfi whereslate from the quarries aroundCorris ,Aberllefenni andAbergynolwyn was brought bypackhorse for loading onto sea-going vessels. This trade died out when theCorris Railway to Machynlleth and theTalyllyn Railway toTywyn were built.The village also has a place in music history, as it was at nearby
Bron-Yr-Aur cottage thatRobert Plant was living when he wrote the rock classic, "Stairway to Heaven ". This has made it a mecca forLed Zeppelin devotees.External links
* [http://www.castlewales.com/pennal_church.html Description and photos of the Church]
* [http://www.cefncaer.com Cefn Caer website - occasional residence of Owain Glyndŵr's]
* [http://www.owain-glyndwr-soc.org.uk/letter1.htm Owain Glyndŵr Society's page about the Pennal letter]
* [http://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=3494556 www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Pennal and surrounding area]
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