CAERWYS, thc name of a small town of Flintshirc, which is mouldering away with age. It stands on a rising ground, and consists of four spacious streets, crossing each other at right angles, and corresponding to the points of the compass. Several Roman copper coins have been found here ; and a stone, four feet six inches high, and three incites broad, was discovered in an upright position, with the inscription—Mc jacit mu lierbo - - - - obiit. This curious relic, which was used as a gate-post, has been lately removed to the garden at Downing.—Alultitudes of annuli are scattered over the neighbourhood ; and Pennant seems to think that the preceding inscription refers to a heroine, who fell in the field of battle. The derivation of Caerwys, from Cacr, a city, and GWS, a summons, she•s that it was once a seat of judicature for this part of Wales. It had its town-hall and its jail, and continued to be the place of judicature till the middle of the 17th century, when the courts were removed to Flint. Caerwys is famous for
its eisteddfod, or session of bards and minstrels, w hich was held here for many centuries. A silver harp was annually given to the best bard or musician, but this custom was discontinued after the eisteddfod of 1568, held by a commission from Queen Elizabeth. In 1798, this custom was resumed, but we do not know if it has been continued. Caerwys had formerly the most consi derable fairs in the county for cattle, sheep, and horses ; but these have almost entirely failed, since the increase of Holywc11. Number of houses, 138. Population, 773. See Aikin's Tour in Wales; Evan's Cambrian Itinerary; Pennant's Tours, vol. ii. p. where a complete account of the Eisteddfod will be found; and Powers Thstory of Wales. (1r)