Vale of Meditation - William Wordsworth - St Michael's Church - Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr, Conwy, North Wales, UK
Posted by: 
Dragontree
N 53° 01.955 W 003° 30.493
30U E 465919 N 5876015
William Wordsworth was so inspired by the beauty of the area that he wrote the poem 'Vale of Meditation' about Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr.
Waymark Code: WMC1YE
Location: North Wales, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 07/16/2011
Views: 6
William Wordsworth stayed with his friend Robert Jones at The Parsonage in 1824 here in the village. It was the gorgeous landscape which inspired Wordsworth to write the poem 'Vale of Meditation'. The translation into Welsh is 'Glyn Myfyr' - as in Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr, the village.
There is an informative board inside the church detailing William Wordsworth's visit, featured in the gallery of this waymark.
Inside the porch of St Michael's Church is the old gravestone of another notable literary figure called Owain Myfyr.
Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr was home to Owain Myfyr who was a successful furrier in London. Owain co-founded the 'Gwyneddigion Society' which was dedicated to the literary arts of Wales. This society was a founder contributing towards the famous Eisteddfod we have today.
Owain supported many literary movements financially and is an important patron of Wales. His gravestone lies in the porch of the church.
The gravestone was moved here from Nutfield in Surrey. Originally it was located at All Hallows the Lees, Lower Thames Street, London. The move was due to damage from the blitz and it was repaired before coming here. It was Cymdeithas y Cymmrodorion who repaired the stone. In the inscription the word 'englyn' appears which commemorates the move on the 11th August 1951.
Owain Myfyr was an editor on the work by Dafydd ap Gwilym in 1789 and he also financed three volumes of 'The Myvyrian Archaiology' between 1801 and 1807. His manuscripts and papers are housed in the British Museum in London.
The church is open during the week between 10am and 4pm but please check times before visiting.
Short Description: A small, pretty village with St Michael's Church paramount to literary history.
Book Title: The Prose Works of William Wordsworth
First Year Published: 1876
Author's Name: William Wordsworth
Name of Waymarked Item: Vale of Meditation
Location of Item: St Michael's Church
More Information:
The stream which flows nearby refers to the Afon Alwen. The sanctifying name relates to St Michael's Church and the title of the poem itself 'Vale of Meditation' translates into Welsh as 'Glyn Myfyr' - as in Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr, the village.
An extract from the poem reads:
A Stream, to mingle with your favourite Dee,
Along the Vale of Meditation flows;
So styled by those fierce Britons, pleased to see
In Nature's face the expression of repose;
Or haply there some pious hermit chose
To live and die, the peace of heaven his aim;
To whom the wild sequestered region owes
At this late day, its sanctifying name....'
Admission Price?: 0.00 (listed in local currency)
Link to more information about the book or waymarked item.: [Web Link]
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