England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Beaumaris St Mary & St Nicholas

The Parish

The chapelry of Beaumaris, lying within the wider parish of Llandegfan, lies in the extreme east of the Isle of Anglesey. Beaumaris is a small market town, port and holiday resort dominated by its Edward 1st era castle. Beaumaris sits at the easternmost end of the A545 road which follows the southern coast of the island eastwards from Menai Bridge with most properties lying south of the port and historic centre. Beaumaris is by road 8 miles from Bangor but a mere 3 directly across the outer Menai Straits to Bangor's northeast. Beaumaris has a long history as a port under its former name of Porth Wgyr it was one of the major ports in post Roman Britain, Beaumaris became important following King Edward 1's suppression of the Welsh and the construction of its castle, one of a chain built around the periphery to exert control. The castle was built from 1295 and was the last castle to be erected during this phase of control. The remainder of the town was laid out as walled town but the walls were not erected until after the Glyndwr revolt of 1414. Beaumaris rapidly grew and became the administrative centre for the island (a role since surrendered to Llangefni). The failure of the town to attract a railway limited its growth in more recent times but its location, castle & proximity to the sea make it an attractive resort in modern times. As a coastal settlement numerous small streams and brooks drain into the Menai Straits. Beaumaris is sited at sea level with the more recent developments rising to around 40 metres higher, the landscape is rolling rising to around 120 metres within a mile or two. Beaumaris parish was a tiny acreage of just over 300 acres yet supported a population of around 2,300 parishioners. Like most of Wales Beaumaris is not mentioned in Domesday Book which did not cover this area.

The Church

St Mary & St Nicholas' church stands around 250 metres northwest of the pier, occupying the block formed between Church Street & Steeple Street. The church has its origins in the 14th century crossing the border between Decorated & Perpendicular designs, the church was petitioned by the town's residents to create a separate church from Llandegfan, saving a journey of almost 3 miles. The church was reworked extensively in the Tudor period with tracery and finials redesigned in a style described by Pevsner as "a slightly wild example of Tudor post-Perpendicular". Extensive restorations continued in 1825 when the bell-stage was constructed to the tower and a northern aisle added, further restoration was conducted in 1902 and when I visited further reconstruction was in progress preventing entry to the grounds. The church sits on a sloping site on the western side of Church Street with extensive street parking available. A low wall topped by rails forms the boundary. Access was presumably returned once works were completed.