Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 7.djvu/353

 CAERNARVON CASTLE. 25 ."3 because here the western tidal wave which flows over Caer- narvon Bar from the Irish Sea, meets the flood tide coming from the east end of the Menai Straits by Beaumaris ; and where they both meet, the western tidal wave ends ; hence the name in Welsh, Bon-y-don, the end of the wave, and it might have been called, in the time of Edward I., Map-bon Quarry, and the ferry itself Pont Meney, because here Edward I. constructed that celebrated bridge of boats for his army to cross over into Anglesey, a bridge so wide that 60 horsemen are said to have been able to pass over abreast. The place has other historical association, for here was fought that severe battle which proved so disastrous to the flower of the English army. Some of the bones of the slain have recently been dug up, in great quantities, on the Caernarvonshire side of the river. The Welsh for bridge is Pont, and this was the only bridge ever existing over the Straits until the more skilful, but not more daring, conceptions of modern times have given the channel so much higher a celebrity. The ring-bolts to which Edward's bridge was fastened are still to be seen on the Caernarvonshire side, about two yards under water at low water mark, which is considered a proof of the water of the Menai having risen about 6 feet since Edward built his bridge. The number of flat stones forming the head of the passage round the Eagle Tower is 48, but the number counted in all the corridors, including these, is 785 ; but, as some of the corridors are inaccessible, the whole must be considerably greater. The heading stones in the lower corridors measure some 4 feet, and 4 feet 1 inch, and others 4 feet 4 inches in width, and those on the first floor 3 feet 1 inch, and 3 feet 3 inches in width : those of the corridor generally 1 foot 9 inches by 1 foot 10 inches, which, allowing for the corbels they rest upon, would accord with the sizes of the contract. There are some general entries on the former document (10 Edward II.) deserving notice. Mention is made of the king's iron ; thus showing that the Crown had royal stores of this valuable metal ; for instance, Ivobert, the smith, charges 2s. id. for mending and repairing one great martcl, for 12 wedges, 6 picks, and other iron-work of the king's iron ; also for working, fronl the same stores, upon Uie springhald and other engines ; for 7 hinges for the doors and windows of the towers of the Castle ; for divers bindings of