Publisher's Synopsis
From the PREFACE.
Daring the spare moments of the last seven years the writer has been engaged in producing the following work on the Old Stone Crosses of the Vale of Clwyd and neighbouring parishes, together with some account of the ancient manners and customs, and Legendary Lore connected with the District.
Most of the crosses are now for the first time described and delineated, and additional matter has been collected about such crosses as had previously been described.
The folk-lore has been collected from various sources, but chiefly from the aged inhabitants, many of whom are now no more, and in most cases, if not in every case, the writer has given his authority, or mentioned the name of his informant.
This part of the work is capable of much enlargement. Wales teems with folk-lore of great variety and interest, and in the grave of the aged, as they one after the other leave us, is buried for ever some tale of by-gone days, which we could wish had been retained. The writer hopes that he has rescued a few of these tales from oblivion.
There are expressions in Welsh that can only be understood by a knowledge of customs no longer practised. The word ymgroesi, to cross oneself, is still used, but the practice has ceased. Death in some parts of Wales is implied by words which mean "he is under his cross," from a custom once common of placing a wooden cross on the breast of the departed. Much curious information can be obtained by following the hint supplied by a word, and here and there in the following pages the reader will observe that many obsolete customs still live in the language of the people. This, however, is a source of information that has not been exhausted.
In the course of the work, the writer has acknowledged the kind assistance received from several gentlemen, but he wishes specially to thank Mr. Beedham, of Kimbolton, for invaluable extracts taken from rare books in the British Museum and elsewhere, and also the Rev. Canon Thomas, Mr. Howel W. Lloyd, and the Rev. John Williams, Glanmor, for willing and valuable aid which he has received from them.
"Efenechtyd Rectory," January, 1886.
