ber, and there is good reason for supposing that the word
harbour is derived from it. Swansea or Swansey is a compound word of
Scandinavian origin, which may mean either a river abounding with swans,
or the river of Swanr, the name of some northern adventurer who settled
down at its mouth. The final ea or ey is the Norwegian aa, which
signifies a running water; it is of frequent occurrence in the names of
rivers in Norway, and is often found, similarly modified, in those of
other countries where the adventurous Norwegians formed settlements.

Swansea first became a place of some importance shortly after the
beginning of the twelfth century. In the year 1108, the greater part of
Flanders having been submerged by the sea {19} an immense number of
Flemings came over to England, and entreated of Henry the First the king
then occupying the throne, that he would all allot to them lands in which
they might settle, The king sent them to various parts of Wales, which
had been conquered by his barons or those of his predecessors: a
considerable number occupied Swansea and the neighbourhood; but far the
greater part went to Dyfed, generally but improperly called Pembroke, the
south-eastern part of which, by far the most fertile, they entirely took
possession of, leaving to the Welsh the rest, which is very mountainous
and barren.

I have already said that the people of Swansea stand out in broad
distinctness from the Cumry, differing from them in stature, language,
dress, and manners, and wished to observe that the same thing may be said
of the inhabitants of every part of Wales which the Flemings colonised in
any considerable numbers.

I found the accommodation very good at the "Mackworth Arms"; I passed the
Saturday evening very agreeably, and slept well throughout the night.
The next morning to my great joy I found my boots, capitally repaired,
awaiting me before my chamber door. Oh the mighty effect of a little
money! After breakfast I put them on, and as it was Sunday went out in
order to go to church. The streets were thronged with people; a new
mayor had just been elected, and his worship, attended by a number of
halbert and javelin men, was going to church too. I followed the
procession, which moved with great dignity and of course very slowly.
The church had a high square tower, and looked a very fine edifice on the
outside, and no less so within, for the nave was lofty with noble pillars
on each side. I stood d