Calls to bring island crown home

The crown is kept in the Liverpool Maritime Museum

The crown of the last "king" of Bardsey Island should be returned home to Gwynedd, says a local historian.

Glyn Evans, from the Caernarfon Civic Society, said it was just one example of artefacts which should be returned.

The last "king", Love Pritchard, "reigned" in the 1920s and his crown was later sold and has been at National Museums, Liverpool, since 1986.

The museum said it had not received an approach but would be "happy to discuss this further" with appropriate bodies.

Heritage Minister Rhodri Glyn Thomas said modern technology could be used to view items kept out of Wales.

It is unclear how Bardsey Island, off the coast of the Lleyn peninsula, came to have a "monarch".

The crown, made of brass and tin, was worn by King Love Pritchard, who died in 1927.

When he visited the mainland town of Pwllheli in 1925, he was welcomed by former Prime Minister David Lloyd George as an "overseas king".

The crown was later sold to Merseyside Maritime Museum, although it has been loaned back to Wales on display since then. It is currently in storage.

Medieval times

Mr Evans said he wanted the crown to be used "as an example" of the type of national treasure which had "left us".

"No-one is prepared to take an initiative in these matters - we're so complacent," he said.

"I can't explain why this is, but I think it's important that somebody should take the reins and bring these matters forward," he added.

Other historic artefacts which are no longer in Wales include the original Llandeilo Gospels, written in medieval times.

Mr Evans said he wanted someone to take the initiative

They are kept in Lichfield Cathedral and Llandeilo has an electronic copy.

Owain Glyndwr's "Penal" letter asking for support from the King of France 600 years ago also remains in France.

There are talks to establish partnerships to allow more museums to work together.

Mr Thomas said: "I think my role is to facilitate those discussions to get establishments to talk to one another.

"But of course we have to look as well at the possibility of technology which allows us to, even if a treasure is located somewhere else in the UK or Europe, show it through the web in Wales."

The museum said the Wynn Collection, which includes the king of Bardsey's crown, had been housed at the Merseyside Maritime Museum since 1986.

It was part-purchased and part-given to the museum by Lord Newborough.

"This was done with the full agreement of the National Museums of Wales to prevent the collection being dispersed," said a spokesperson.

There had been no question raised of returning the collection to north Wales.

"In the event of the suggestion being made, National Museums Liverpool would be happy to discuss this further with the appropriate bodies," added the spokesperson.