As a near-by resident and having a close childhood love of Tenby and its scenery, I have always had an interest in its evolution through the ages and its historical background. For a small sea-side town in south west Wales, this quaint tourist destination has quite a mysterious history and I am quite happy to share Tenby's captivating ancestry with you.

The birth of Tenby was realised at the time of Norman Conquest in roughly 1003. An Anglo-Norman aristocrat, Arnulf of Montgomery conquered South Pembrokeshire with his Norman army in the 11th Century, realising the strategic importance of its geographical position. It could be supplied by sea during siege and had an advantageous defensive position. This area was then handed over to the Earls of Pembroke. It was thought that one of these Earls, Gerald de Windsor built the castle on Castle Hill in the 12th Century to protect the fortress against Welsh rivals. In 1187, Maelgwyn ap Rhys led an army of Welsh into Tenby, these continued, the last being in 1260 under Llewelyn ap Gruffydd. These attacks were generally against the Norman Conquest. These are the basic origins of Tenby's roots, and only the start of her growth.

One of Tenby's most distinguished features are its walls. The invasion of Tenby in 1260 illustrated the weak defences of the fortress, so it was decided that the town would be defended behind walls, gateways and towers with the castle on castle hill acting as the defence headquarters. These walls were erected by 1264's Lord of Pembroke, William de Valence. A Barbican tower was also constructed, today's Five Arches, for the west gate of the fortress. A ditch thirty foot wide was created for extra protection. These defences would serve Tenby against the threatening Spanish Armada of 1588.

St. Mary's church is an important aspect of Tenby's heritage. The tower of the church is the most historical, built roughly in the 14th century, making it one of the oldest church towers in Pembrokeshire. The spire was joined onto the church in the 16th century. These ancient remnants of Tenby add to its uniqueness as a popular seaside town and to its historical wisdom.

The great plague enforced a harsh and chaotic period on Tenby. The plague had enraptured Tenby and other towns of West Wales in 1650, before it had even hit London in 1664. This outbreak caused between 300-400 people to die out of a population of around 1000 people. This period affected Tenby largely, mainly economically together with a reduction in foreign trade and a seven- year period of Civil War.

Tenby had a part to play in the Civil wars of 1642 -46. The Mayor of Tenby, David Hammond, originally kept Tenby for Parliament in 1641-42. But in 1643, Tenby was taken over by Royalists and was the only Royalist town in Pembrokeshire in 1644. This led to attack from Parliament in the form of cannon fire on the town walls, leaving them nearly in ruins and creating an opening into the town for Parliamentary troops. In 1648, there was more chaos in Tenby as a result of the declaration against Cromwell by Colonel Laugharne and Colonel Poyer who also held Pembroke castle. They were dissatisfied with the out-of-touch and distant government. Cromwell sent men to crush the revolt and Poyer was later executed. From this evidence, Tenby was shown to be a controversial town during the Civil Wars.

However, with the approach of the Victorian era, Tenby's reputation changed dramatically. Tenby was known by the Victorians to have healthy properties because of its seaside position, its vitality, freshness and educational sources particularly in nature with its rock pools, beaches and seaweeds. During this period, there was a flush of visitors to Tenby with its enjoyable scenery for promenading, and the sense of tourism, which it was beginning to create. Many houses were built to accommodate Tenby's many visitors. The national monument to Prince Albert was built in 1865 on Castle Hill to commemorate this change in Tenby's existence. The industrial revolution arrived to Tenby in the form of shipping lanes, railways and the newly formed tourist industry, which is its main source of income today.

This is an insight into Tenby's long and changing background. There is evidence of most of its history today such as St. Mary's church, the Tudor Merchant's house, which is the oldest house in Tenby built in the 15th century and there is a collection of artefacts in Tenby's Museum. These places nicely explain Tenby's historical story. It's name is even historically evident. In Welsh, it means Dinbych-y-Pysgod - "town of the fishes" - remembering Tenby as an old fishing port.

Tenby has gone on a long journey and has seen many events in its time and I believe it has one of the most fascinating backgrounds a small town could have. I also believe that more people should know about Tenby's wonderful history and I count myself lucky to be able to tell it.