In
1073, when Rhuddlan castle was in the possession of the Normans,
Theobald, in a move to protect the interests of the Province of
Canterbury, consecrated Gilbert as the cathedral's first bishop.
Then after him it was the turn of Geoffrey of Monmouth, he was
consecrated bishop of St. Asaph in 1152. though he never visited
his diocese, preferring to spend most of his time at Oxford.
In
1188 Gerald of Wales visited the cathedral during his tour of
Wales with Archbishop Baldwin, who said Mass, and described the
church as in " a poor state of repair". That description
was certainly true for 1188, but compared to its total destruction
in less than one hundred years
later by the army of Edward I [ Edward Longshanks ] during his
conquest of North Wales. it was quiet insignificant.
In
a major and unprecedented victory for the Welsh Church, the cathedral
was rebuilt on its original site despite Edward Ist preference
for Rhuddlan. It was achieved through the efforts of Bishop Anian
II, (1268-93) perhaps one of the most significant appointment
of a bishop, for as Dominican Prior of Rhuddlan he was known as
'the black friar of Nannau and as the best and stoutest upholder
ever seen of the rights of his bishopric'. Anian withstood the
enmity of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, the last native Prince of Wales.
Damaged
again occurred to the abbey l402 during the rebellion of Owain
Glyndwr, when a fire destroyed the woodwork.
Further damage took place and again in 1715 when the tower was
completely demolished in a fierce storm.
It was
Sir Gilbert Scott who was responsible for the major restoration
of St. Asaph during the latter half of the nineteenth and the
early part of the twentieth century.
It
is perhaps the appointment of William Morgan as bishop at St.
Asaph, which is the most significant; for it was he, who in the
later half of the 16th Century undoubtedly saved my Nation's language,
when he translated that most holy of books, the bible, into Welsh.
On his death he was buried at St. Asaph, may he rest in peace,
for his endeavour he truly deserves too..
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