Bardsey Island History | The Island Has Lots Of Stories To Tell

The island has lots of stories to tell

The title “Burial Place of 20,000 Saints” hails from the early Middle Ages, when it was believed that three pilgrimages to Enlli were as spiritually significant as one to Rome.

Throughout history, Enlli has been home to three “Kings of Bardsey”. Over the centuries, it has inspired many notable artists, adding to its rich cultural heritage.

Four people sit at a wooden picnic table outdoors on Ynys Enlli, drawing or writing on paper, with ancient ruins and hills visible in the background.

A white house with a dark roof stands on a hillside, partially obscured by yellow-flowered shrubs in the foreground, with a cloudy sky above—a peaceful scene often preserved by the Bardsey Island Trust.

A cluttered storage room with fishing nets, floats, ropes, buoys, and miscellaneous equipment scattered on the floor captures the essence of life on Enlli.

Raw sheep fleece and wool hang on a wooden wall next to aprons, with a basket of wool on the floor below—a simple scene capturing life on Enlli.

Two birds perch on a rocky outcrop, with a red and white striped lighthouse blurred in the background—a timeless scene echoing Bardsey Island history beneath a clear sky.

Wildflowers and grasses in a meadow with yellow and purple blooms under a clear blue sky, echoing the natural beauty found in Bardsey Island history.

A person wearing outdoor gear stands on a rocky hilltop under a cloudy, overcast sky, gazing toward the distant outline of Ynys Enlli.

Abstract landscape painting with green fields, blue sky, and hints of a distant building near the horizon; bold lines and loose brushstrokes evoke the spirit of Bardsey Island history in a dynamic composition.

Rocks scattered on a sandy beach with small waves coming in from the blue-green ocean, echoing the serene beauty of Bardsey Island history.

A group of seals rest on partially submerged rocks in clear blue water, viewed from above—a tranquil scene that echoes the natural beauty found throughout Bardsey Island history.

The history of Ynys Enlli
A brief snapshot

2nd century B.C.

The earliest evidence of people on Bardsey are pieces of flint dating back to between 2,000 and 1,000 B.C shaped by humans and found on the western coast and slopes of the mountain.

1st century B.C.

Saint Cadfan (a Breton) established a monastery on the island- believed to be the first monastery in Great Britain. It is said he ‘received’ Enlli from Saint Einion (the King of Llŷn).

963 B.C

Vikings sacked or plundered the island.

12th century

Llywelyn Fardd refers to the monastery.

This is supposedly the first record of the monastery.

13th century

Building of the bell tower in St Mary’s Abbey.

Remains of the bell tower can still be seen today.

1537

Dissolution of monasteries, including Enlli.

The island was sub-let by Edward VI and Thomas Seymour.

1549

Enlli given to John, Earl of Wawrick

Enlli was a reward for the Earl of Warwick from Edward VI for his bravery when fighting against rebels in Norwich (Ket’s Rebellion).

1553

Earl of Warwick transferred Enlli to Sir John Wyn ap Huw Bodfel (ancestor of the Newborough family)

1752

Sir John Wynn, Glynllifon

Became the owner of Enlli and was the father of Lord Newborough (the first), Sir Thomas Wynn.

1796

Coronation of an unnamed king.

According to a reference in William Bingley’s ‘North Wales’ book, published in 1804.

1821

Completion of the Lighthouse

The lighthouse was built and continues to stand on Trwyn Diban at the southern end of the island. It cost of £5,470.

1824

The Pretenders

There is reference to the Rev. Robert Williams being the monarch. He was born in Y Gegin Fawr, in 1796 but lived on the island from 1824 until his death in 1875.

1826

Coronation of John Williams I, Cristin Uchaf

John Williams, Cristin Uchaf was crowned King John Williams I in August 1826, where the crown was used for the first time.

1856

New lantern fitted in the Lighthouse, which was used until 2014.

1870’s

Houses seen today were built by Lord Newborough (except for Carreg Bach).

1875

‘Yr Ysgol’ (The School)

The School House (Yr Ysgol) was originally the ‘old chapel’ building for islanders until a more formal school was established in 1875 for the twelve students on the island at the time. However, there are records of children in education on Bardsey as early as 1771.

1875

Chapel built by Lord Newborough.

As requested by the island tenants.

1878

The Bardsey foghorn or ‘Corn Enlli’

‘There is a strange creature called the Fog Horn its raucous sounds are meant to direct vessels in the fog.

End of 1800s

John Williams II crowned King.

John Williams from the Cristin family became king at the end of the 19th century. It is said he reigned for a short period, possibly until 1918, and that he then emigrated to the mainland.

1918

Love Pritchard, the last king of Enlli.

The last king of Enlli was born at Tŷ Pellaf in 1842 and was not of the Cristin lineage. Syr Mortimer Wheeler met him in one of Aberdaron’s taverns when he visited Llŷn in 1922.

1927

Death of Love Pritchard.

He was buried in Aberdaron cemetery close to the beach.

1953

Bardsey Bird & Field Observatory established.

The Observatory was established by several supporters across Wales and the wider UK birding community to monitor the wildlife on the island.

1979

The Bardsey Island Trust

In 1978 a campaign was launched to buy Bardsey from the Hon. Michael Pearson (Lord Cowdray).

1987

Lighthouse became automated

That ended the continuous period of over a century and a half when lighthouse keepers had been present on Bardsey, and part of the close community on the island.

2014

Red LED lights replaced the existing rotating optic.

This was part of the drive away from continuous running diesel stations. The light is now controlled from Trinity House’s Planning Centre in Harwich, Essex.

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