Merionethshire was undoubtedly the poorest and most desolate county in England and Wales. Even John Speed had difficulty in finding kind words to say about the county. He found it a "rough" place and "unpleasant to see. The air for great pleasure, nor the soil for great profit I cannot greatly recommend, unless it to be for the many and mighty great winds, that for the most part therein do rage". The map of Merionethshire is well drawn depicting the mountainous countryside