Llannerchymedd

Llannerch-y-medd Tales

The Marian Conspiracy

The historian Graham Phillips believes that the burial place of the Virgin Mary was Saint Mary’s Church in Llannerch-y-medd, although many do doubt this. He believes that the bones of the Virgin Mary had been carried from the church and buried by a sacred well in order to protect them from the attacks of the Vikings. Indeed, there is a gravestone in Oriel Ynys Môn which many have taken to the gravestone of the Virgin Mary.

The Harpists of Llannerch-y-medd

Although no longer a public house, the embossed sign of the Britannia Inn can still be seen on the square of the village today. Regulars at the inn were three harpist brothers who went by the aliases of ‘Telynor Seiriol’, ‘Telynor Gwalia’ and ‘Telynor Cymreig’. Telynor Seiriol’, whose real name was Owen Jones (1860-1907), was a reputed harpist, having studied in the Guildhall in London. He was appointed an Official Harpist to the Welsh Fusiliers and even played for the Royal family (an honour shared by his brother John Thomas). On his death he was buried in Llannerch-y-medd churchyard, only a short distance from where his career started.

Llan Fair

‘The Fair of the Llan’ was a major agricultural fair which took place in Llannerch-y-medd and one which attracted buyers and sellers from all over the Isle of Anglesey, including cattle drovers and horse traders.

Its location in central Anglesey was crucial to its growth, as the village is within the boundaries of four of Anglesey’s commotes: Talybolion, Twrcelyn, Llifon and Menai. There are references to the Fair in records from the 14th century, and by 1683, six fairs would be held there; two of which were solely horse fairs. From 1658, a weekly market would also be held.

The Ceidio Path

The public footpath to the north West of Llannerch-y-medd follows an ancient route, used by travellers, locals and saintly folk alike. The path leads past St Ceidio’s church, a medieval church atop of a, possibly earlier, mound. Continuing along the road walkers may pass the farm called Gwredog (‘isolated place); old maps show the site of a possible monastery near here. Passing the roofless church of St Mary, walkers will pass Rhodogeidio watermill. Records of a mill on this site go as far back as 1352.

Old Gwredog Church

Along the path, visitors may come across the roofless church of St Mary’s, Rhodogeidio. Originally this church may have been a private chapel for a rich family which lived at Gwredog in the 16th century. The church itself is quite old, the bottom of the walls are medieval in date. One of the more interesting features is the fifteenth century window, which nestled above it is a medieval gravestone later reused as a lintel. The gravestone itself, a cross with vine interlace, probably dates to the 12th century.