The history of the south Wales city of Swansea stretches back to the establishment of a Viking trading post at the mouth of the River Tawe, and the settlement was granted a charter following the Norman Conquest. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries the town grew rapidly through the development of coal mining and copper smelting in the area and is today the second largest city in Wales. In this book local author Lisa Tippings reveals the hidden history of Swansea, from its medieval and industrial past to the present day. From stories of intrigue and murder, shipwrecks off the coast, the Victorian asylum, the many places of worship and drinking establishments, to its literary and artistic connections, not least Dylan Thomas, its role in the womens suffrage movement and its industrial heritage in which pottery played an important role alongside copper production, Swansea has a rich and varied past. Secret Swansea explores the lesser-known episodes and characters in the history of the city through the centuries. With tales of remarkable people and unusual events and fully illustrated throughout, it will appeal to all those with an interest in the history of this city in south Wales.