Historic Towns Survey of Gwynedd: Bangor
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Historic Towns Survey of Gwynedd: Bangor GAT Project No. 1913 Report No. 681 June, 2007 Ymddiriedolaeth Archaeolegol Gwynedd Gwynedd Archaeological Trust Craig Beuno, Ffordd y Garth, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2RT HISTORIC TOWNS SURVEY OF GWYNEDD: BANGOR GAT Report No. 681 GAT Project No. G1913 CONTENTS 1. Introduction 2. Methodology 3. Principal Sources 4. The Topography of Bangor 5. The History of Bangor 6. Principal Archaeological Sites 7. Area Descriptions 8. Planning Guidance 9. Strategic Guidelines for the Management of Character Areas in Bangor 10. References Appendix I: List of sites ILLUSTRATIONS Fig 1. Location map of Bangor Fig 2. Topography of Bangor Fig 3. Map of Bangor by J Speed, 1610. Fig 4. Map of Bangor by J Wood, 1834. Fig 5. Map of Bangor by Capt. Edward Johnson, 1854. Fig 6. Map of Previous Archaeological Projects Fig 7. Map of Planning Conservation Areas Fig 8. Map of Character Areas Fig 9. Character Area 1 Fig 10. Character Area 2 Fig 11. Character Area 3 Fig 12. Character Area 4 Fig 13. Character Area 5 Fig 14. Character Area 6 Fig 15. Character Area 7 Fig 16. Character Area 8 Fig 17. Character Area 9 Fig 18. Character Area 10 Fig 19. Character Area 11 Fig 20. Character Area 12 Fig 21. Character Area 13 HISTORIC TOWNS SURVEY OF GWYNEDD: BANGOR (G1913) 1. INTRODUCTION The Historic Town Survey project proposes to examine the archaeology, topography and standing buildings of the historic towns and larger settlements of north-west Wales. The project is part of a wider pan-Wales series of studies being carried out by the Welsh Archaeological Trusts and funded jointly by Cadw and the relevant local authority. By their very nature towns undergo regular re-development as structures, and even street patterns, change to meet new demands and interests. But for those who manage the urban environment, a sound knowledge of the history and archaeology of the town, and a clear understanding of what forms its character, is essential if that special 'sense of place' is to be retained. Appropriate management of an urban environment is crucial for providing an attractive place for residents to work and live, as well as attracting visitors and tourists, and both are enhanced when there is a depth of historical understanding underpinning the decision making process. However understanding of the origin and subsequent development of these towns is often very limited, and yet the potential for the recovery of archaeological remains is very high. One of the aims of the historic town surveys is to ensure this potential is recognized and that resources are appropriately targeted. The first of the town surveys to be undertaken was the Carmarthen Historic Town Survey (Cambria Archaeology 2005). In the introduction to their report the authors succinctly state the driving motive of the study as a recognition ‘that a more strategic and proactive approach to identifying areas of archaeological importance would greatly assist the long term protection, preservation and conservation of the town’s archaeology. A strategic consideration of the archaeology of the town would also provide a more easily understood and transparent justification of the archaeological considerations necessary within development planning in Carmarthen’. The same motive is carried through to this study, and Cambria’s underlying methodology is also retained as an appropriate means of attaining the aims and objectives of the project. The origins of Bangor are thought to derive from the establishment of an early Christian settlement here in the 6th century. Though the nature of the settlement remains elusive, there are sufficient references to an early church at Bangor to acknowledge the presence of a monastic settlement of at least regional importance. This was maintained in the Middle Ages by the creation of Bangor as the centre of the newly formed Diocese, and the construction of the cathedral. The slow growth of Bangor from a Cathedral and church-oriented settlement to a commercial centre of importance, and the recognition of transport routes as a catalyst within this process, is charted below. Industrial growth, led by Richard Pennant of Penrhyn in the late 18th century, encouraged a boom in house building, and the sale of agricultural lands within the valley for urban and industrial development. A subsequent decline in the extractive and transport related industries has been off-set by the growth of educational institutions in Bangor, and these have, throughout the course of the 20th century, been significant forces within the physical and social development of the city. 1.1 Acknowledgements This study has been funded by Cadw and Cyngor Gwynedd Council. The Trust is grateful to officers of the council for their help, and in particular to Aled Williams and Gwynfor Jones, and to Judith Alfrey and Mike Yates of Cadw. Many people have a deep and abiding interest in the history of Bangor, and the Trust is particularly grateful to David Price, John Cowell and Terry Williams for sharing their knowledge so freely. The report has been compiled by Andrew Davidson, and the illustrations prepared by Tanya Berks. Colleagues within the Trust have been helpful throughout – Nina Steele and Emily La Trobe-Bateman have both given useful advice during compilation of the report; George Smith has freely shared his knowledge and expertise, and David Longley has been both supportive and helpful over the course of the project. 1 2. METHODOLOGY The methodology employed to undertake the project is based upon that developed by Cambria Archaeology for its study of Carmarthen (Cambria 2005), which in turn was based upon a methodology developed in England for urban characterization and assessment, and in particular the studies undertaken by the Cornwall and Scilly Urban Survey (see details at http://www.historic-cornwall.org.uk/). The principal objective of the urban surveys is to ‘provide a framework for sustainable development within the town’s historic environment’ (Cambria 2005, 4). The following methods were used to achieve this aim. Data collection This phase included the collection of data from regional and national historic environment records, including those kept at Gwynedd Archaeological Trust, RCAHMW, Cadw and National Museums and Galleries of Wales. The records were entered onto a database that was compatible with the regional Historic Environment Record, and their location identified through a geographical information system (MapInfo). Additional records and information sources were identified from historic maps, prints and photographs, and literature sources, including early antiquarian works. Interpretation This phase involved the compilation of a report that described the archaeological and historical development of the town, as indicated by the data gathered during the first phase. Characterisation The characterisation process combined the understanding gained from the historic and archaeological survey with a visual assessment of the surviving historic fabric. This included noting distinctive architectural forms, materials and significant elements of town and streetscapes. Use was made of the Listed Building information (Cadw 1988) and architectural sources (for example Clarke 1966; Jones 1973; 1981). Strategy The final phase of the project used the information gained from the earlier phases to provide a series of strategic policies that can feed into local authority plans and documentation. The archaeological and character zones were used to identify planning aims and recommendations. Wherever possible the work has been undertaken in conjunction with Local Authority planning officers, and has taken into account relevant documentation such as local conservation plans and policy documents concerning urban and brown-field regeneration. The information gathered as part of this project will be held by the regional Historic Environment Record to allow future advice on developments within historic urban areas to be relevant and up to date, and ensure that policies involving the built environment are based on accurate knowledge. 3. PRINCIPAL SOURCES 3.1 Bibliographic sources A list of works consulted combined with bibliographic references is given at the end of this report. There are a number of contemporary descriptions of Bangor by topographical writers and historians of the 19th century and earlier, and these provide a useful chronological outline of the growth of the city. Of particular use are those by Willis (1721); Evans (1812); Fenton (Fisher 1917); Lewis (1833) and Hyde-Hall (Jones 1952). The development of Bangor in Early Medieval times is discussed by David Longley (1994; 1995) following excavation in the centre of the city, and by Nancy Edwards (2006). Bangor has been well-served by historians, many of them, though by no means all, associated with the University. Professor M L Clarke (1966; 1969; 1981) wrote authoritatively about the Cathedral and architecture of Bangor, and Professor Glyn Roberts conducted much 2 research into the history of the city, though only a small part of this was ever published (1957). Professor A D Carr has synthesised the known medieval history (1986; 1994). For references to the cathedral and its development see the section on this topic later in this report. The history of the Friary in Bangor and its subsequent history as a grammar school has been examined by Barber and Lewis (1901), Glyn Roberts (1957), W P Griffiths (1988) and Price (1994). The archaeology of the friary was examined by (Harold Hughes (1898 and 1900) and more recently through archaeological excavations by Gwynedd Archaeological Trust and Birmingham Archaeology (GAT 2004; Birmingham Archaeology 2004). The detailed work of Peter Ellis Jones has been extensively used by subsequent historians and archaeologists, and is the starting point for any researcher examining the growth of the city from the 18th century to the present (see references from 1970 to 1991). The maritime history of Bangor has been well served by Elis-Williams (1988), and much of the history relating to the port is also included in Boyd (1985).