A bishop meets Wales’ oldest book. (A fine example of local journalism – a story out of nothing) Drych Cristianogawl, which translates as Christian Mirror, is housed in The National Library of Wales.

The book was on display at Blessed William Davies School as namesake William Davies was one of a group involved in printing the book. Davies, and eight others, spent more than six months hiding in a cave on the slopes of Llandudno’s Little Orme producing the Catholic book in 1586-87, an act then punishable by death.

Prohibited by law to publish Catholic books in England and Wales in the 16th century, many religious texts were either published abroad or on secret printing presses. The first part of Drych Cristianogawl was completed in February, 1587 but local residents discovered the cave was harbouring Catholics. A siege was laid but somehow the entire group managed to escape. William Davies was later executed.

We have a copy for sale.