History of Denbigh

Denbigh or in Welsh Dinbych is a market town in Denbighshire, North Wales.

Before 1888, it was the county town of Denbighshire. Denbigh lies 8 miles to the north west of Ruthin & to the south of St Asaph. It is about 13 miles (20 km) from the Irish Sea port of Rhyl. The town grew around the glove-making industry. Its population at the 2001 census was 8,783.

The first Borough Charter was granted to Denbigh in 1290, when the town was still contained within the old town walls. During the Wars of the Roses, the town was largely destroyed, subsequently moving from the hilltop to the area of the present town market. In 1643, Denbigh became a refuge for a Royalist garrison during the English Civil War. Surrendering in 1646, the castle & town walls eventually fell into ruin. In 1645 there was a battle of Denbigh Green which the parliamentarians won.

Notable buildings in Denbigh include Denbigh Castle, the town walls begun in 1282 including the Burgess Gate, & Leicester's Church. This is an unfinished church begun in 1579, planned as a cathedral with the title of city to be transferred from neighbouring St Asaph. The project ran out of money & the grounds now lie derelict. Other attractions in the town include a library/museum.

Denbigh was once served by a railway station on the former London & North Western Railway, later part of the LMS. The "Vale of Clwyd" line leading north to St. Asaph & Rhyl closed in 1955, leaving Denbigh on a lengthy branch running from Chester via Mold & Denbigh to Ruthin, which closed in 1962. A southern continuation beyond Ruthin linking up with the Great Western Railway at Corwen had closed in 1952. The platform of Denbigh station can still be seen beside the road leading to the Kwik Save store.

Denbigh hosted the National Eisteddfod in 1882, 1939 & 2001.

At one time the majority of the population sought employment at the North Wales Hospital, which cared for people with psychiatric illnesses. The hospital closed in the late 1990s.

Foel Fenlli Hillfort is a example of a hillfort near Denbigh.

This History of Denbigh was written in January 2007

Here are some more sites, there are books & articles on the subjects in many internet places, or internet book shops,

The 10 Largest Welsh towns & cities

A site stating fascinating facts about Welsh Geography

A site on giant sloths, with mentions of animals that have been alive during the era of human history, that have gone extinct, from them to many other great species

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How castles are very important to Welsh history

A few pictures of Welsh Geography

The 10 Best Welsh sporting results ever

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A List of some famous places in the Conwy Valley