The last Blog entry mentioned the number of Castles in Wales per square mile as being the greatest number in any country in the World. Oppression aside; Wales is also a place of learning. This can be best understood by reference to the number of libraries. At the last count there were 17 libraries in Aberystwyth which is the highest number of libraries per head of population in any town or city in the World.
It was inevitable that Aberystwyth would become a centre of learning. The Parliament of Owain Glyndwr is believed to have been called at nearby Machynlleth. Aberystwyth and Harlech were the last two castles held by Glyndwr during the Welsh Rebellion. The isolated position of Aberystwyth with its port and poor road network meant that a castle was a necessity. Located around such a dominating structure a town was bound to grow. Ceredigion was an important area for the Welsh Princes to control. With a trading port and good grazing for livestock, Ceredigion also provided isolation from large scale attack and disease. Although, inhabitants located along the coast were vulnerable to sea-borne plundering raids. Nevertheless the town grew around the castle and the port and by the Napoleonic era the County had attracted great wealth from trading in Wool and Horses. Money leads to investment, and this provided grander structures to attract more people to the town. Initially to partake in the waters, but these days the emphasis is on housing the migrating population of Aberystwyth University and to a lesser extent; the not insignificant number of visitors attracted to the town each summer.
As a centre of learning, the town attracted the development of a National University of Wales and the National Library of Wales. The University has a worldwide reputation as a centre of excellence, and its Department of International Politics is second to none. The Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies located next to the National Library of Wales is a dedicated research institute of the University of Wales. It is little wonder that people from all over the world are attracted to Aberystwyth as a place of learning. Michael Appiah of Ghana is one of those academics who have graduated from Aberystwyth University. And of course, I am another one.
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