Swansea - History

The English name Swansea is derived from ancient times, back to one of its earliest visitors Swein Fork beard who was King of Denmark (986 AD - 1014 AD).

In the early 12^th century the Norman Henry de Newburgh built a castle there, which was later destroyed by the Welsh rebel Owen Glendower. Up to the early 18^th century Swansea was a small market town and a coal port.

Up to the early 18^th century Swansea was a small market town and a coal port. Thereafter it grew steadily as an industrial centre. Local outcrops of coal were used in the smelting of imported copper after 1717, and the industry prospered so much that by the mid-19^th century Swansea's Metal Exchange was the centre of world trade in copper.

After the Vikings, the Normans arrived and built fortifications and castles in and around Swansea and Gower. The area remained foreign until the early 15^th century when the Welsh prince Owain Glyndwr ransacked the town.

By the early 19^th century, it had an elegant town centre, a theatre and assembly rooms, salt-water baths and a hectic social program. This golden age lasted as long as the industrial strength, which paid for Swansea's opulence. By the time of World War One, Swansea was no longer an industrial superpower.

When Word War 1 was over, it was clear that the established industries were in decline and the infrastructure was dealt a terrible blow during the Second World War when the German Luftwaffe bombed the town.

The old parish church of St. Mary was rebuilt in 1959 after being destroyed in World War II.

Swansea has a tourist trade based upon the extensive beaches of Swansea Bay and the attractive Gower coast.

Pop. (1991) 171,038.

© Copyright 2000 - 2004 Eurotravelling.net  POWERED BY wORLDTRAVELGATE.NET