Early 1800s

‘Curiosity induces many persons to visit this island almost every summer; but the grandest sight the present inhabitants ever witnessed, was a visit of the proprietor, Lord Newborough, about eight years ago, accompanied by Lady Newborough, and several persons of distinction, in the whole to the number of about forty. This company embarked in fishing smaks from Porthor, near Carreg Hall, in the parish of Aberdaron. On their arrival in the island, marquees were immediately pitched. The whole company dined in the open air; and, at the conclusion of their repast, all the inhabitants were assembled. The ensuing scene reminded a gentleman of my acquaintance, who was present, of what he had read respecting the inhabitants of some of the South­Sea Islands. They were drawn up in a circle, and the Lady Newborough adorned the heads of the females with caps and ribbons, whilst Lord Newborough distributed hats among the men. The nominal king and queen of the island were distinguished from the rest by an additional ribbon.’

‘North Wales’ Vol. I. William Bingley (1804)

This king died in 1826. He was not named but we can be certain of the date as Lord Newborough II (Thomas John Wynn) received a letter on the 3rd of July regarding the design of Enlli’s lighthouse. The letter stated the King of Enlli had died.

‘The poor old King of Bardsey is dead and buried on the island.‘

There is no record of his grave in Enlli’s graveyard. Within three weeks Lord Newborough had visited Enlli on a ship called ‘Arvon’. He brought friends with him in other boats for the new king’s coronation.

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. He was buried in the cemetery.

In his diary, the Revd. William T Jones, a Missionary/Minister on Enlli from 1875 said his predecessor Robert Williams was King of Enlli as well as a Calvinist Minister and farmer of Hen Dŷ and that his wife Sian was queen. He was highly respected and was called Esgob Enlli (Bishop of Enlli) and referred to himself as king. Whilst preaching on temperance in Betws­ Y Coed he told the congregation.

“On the land where I live there is a King and queen who have signed the pledge, and both are keen abstainers.”

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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. We assume Lord Newborough was responsible for the crown and that he brought it with him to the ceremony.

King John Williams I was born in 1799. He farmed Cristin Uchaf and was the Trinity House agent on the island. In 1833 he heroically sailed the barque ‘Lady Douglas’ to safety at St. Tudwal’s Islands. Despite his skills as a seaman John Williams drowned in the Swnt (Sound) on 14 April 1841. He was buried in Aberdaron cemetery. He reigned from 1826 to 1841.

The newborn baby was too young to succeed his father and it is likely that Enlli remained without a king until the end of the 19th century.

The crown is displayed in Storiel (Bangor), after spending many years in Liverpool’s Maritime Museum.

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. Drink took its toll on him – spirits that came ashore following shipwrecks in the First World War. It is said that a cairn of empty beer casks was built on the mainland to attract John Williams. He unwillingly crossed the Swnt to the Promised Land and was soon taken to the workhouse in Pwllheli where he died.

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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.