Celia Fiennes ... Flint in Flintshire

Have you ever come across the name Celia Fiennes? It's quite unlikely. Allow me to introduce her as the equivalent of a "Trip Advisor" from the late 17th Century!

Celia Fiennes was an avid traveler who ventured across various regions of Britain, diligently documenting her experiences along the way. I recently stumbled upon one of her remarkable reports from 1698, where she recounts her visit to Flintshire. Starting her journey from Chester, she settled at a relative's place in Hawarden, which she intriguingly refers to as Harding.

In her own words:

“In a tarresse walke in my relations garden I could very plainly see Chester and ye River Dee with all its washes over the marsh ground which looked very finely.

Here are sands which makes it very difficult for strangers to passe without a guide. From hence my relation carry'd me to Holly Well and we pass'd thro' Flint town which is the Shire Town 5 mile from Harding.”

She goes on to describe Flint:

“ it’s a very ragged place; many villages in England are better, ye houses all thatched and stone walls, but so decay'd that in many places ready are to tumble down. There was a Town Hall such a one as it was; it was at a Session Tyme when I was there, which shew'd it at its prime. There is a Castle which still remaines with its towers built of stone, its down to ye water side.  From thence to Holy Well is 3 mile mostly by ye water side which is reckon'd the sea.  Here I went just in sight of High Lake where were many shipps rideing along that harbour.”

Although the language may seem outdated, Celia Fiennes offers a captivating and insightful portrayal of Flint Town in 1698! Imagine the thrill of being able to journey back in time and witness her experiences firsthand!

Today's image showcases a depiction of 'Ye Olde Town Hall' in Flint, which was unfortunately torn down in 1839. However, it was replaced with an even more magnificent structure that remains standing to this day.

#flint #flintshire #history #local history #blogwriter #amwriting