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fNNIF. or G 



■ '■'■■■■- '!'<■> ' /-./. /?<■'■> !,„y/.,, 



THE 



HISTORY 

OF THE 

GWYDIR FAMILY, 



WRITTEN BY 



Sir JOHN WYNNE, KNT. AND BART., 

UT CREDITOR, & PATET. 




OSWESTRY: 

WOODALL AND VENABLES, OSWALD ROAD. 
1878. 



X/s-2- 



2 . W. d. I 



WOODALL AND VENABLES, PRINTERS, 




BAILEY-HEAD AND OSWALD- ROAD, 



OSWESTRY. 




TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE 

CLEMENTINA ELIZABETH, 

(in her own right) 

BARONESS WILLOUGHBY DE ERESBY, 



THB REPRESENTATIVE OP THB OLD GWYDIR STOCK 
AND THE OWNER OP THB ESTATE : 
THB FOURTEENTH WHO HAS BORNE THAT ANCIENT BARONY: 

THIS EDITION OF THE 

HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY 

IS, BY PERMISSION, 

RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED BY 



THE PUBLISHERS; 



Oswald Road, Oswbstry, 
1878. 



r 



ri 



• 



I 



PREFACE 



OF all the works which have been written relating to the general or family history 
of North Wales, none have been for centuries more esteemed than the History 
of the Gwydir Family. 

The Hon. Daines Barrington, in his preface to his first edition of the work, published 
in 1770, has well said, "The MS. hath, for above a century, been so prized in North 
Wales, that many in those parts have thought it worth while to make fair and 
complete transcripts of it." 

Of these transcripts the earliest known to exist is one in the Library at 
Brogyntyn, It was probably written within 45 years of the death of the author; 
but besides that, it contains a great number of notes and additions of nearly the 
same date, which have never yet appeared in print. 

The History of the Gwydir FnmUy has been thrice published. The first edition, 
edited by the Hon. Daines Barrington, issued from the press in 177a The 
second was published in Mr. Barrington's Miscellanies in 1781 ; the third, edited 
by Miss Angharad Llwyd, made its appearance in 1827. 

The History of the Gwydir Family is the only one that gives any account of 
the state of society in North Wales in the 15th, and in the earlier part of the 
16th centuries, but unfortunately, it is lamentably deficient in dates. 

The present edition owes its existence to the long and painstaking labour of 
of W. W. E. Wynne, Esq., of Peniarth, who has collated his copy of 
Mias Llwyd's edition with the Brogyntyn, Wynnstay, and Peniarth MSS., 
adding a very largo collection of dates, from contemporary records, including 
the Ministers' Accounts in the Public Record Office, in London. 

Mr. Wynne having very kindly placed his copy at my disposal, it haa been 
my pleasant task during the last three or four months to superintend the issue 
of the present edition through the press, and I have most heartily to thank the 
Rev. Canon Williams, of Rhydycroesau, for his advice and assistance, without 
which several errors would have passed uncorrected. 

The text followed in the present edition is that of Barrington's Miscellanies, 
published in 1781, and this has been carefully compared with the other 
editions, the variations being pointed out in the notes. The Memoirs from 
page go to the end are taken from Miss Llwyd's book. 



In one of the copies of the Gwydir MS. at Mostyn, there is, at the head of 
it, in a later handwriting than the MS. itself, "A true coppy of a manuscript 
written by S r Jo" Wynne of Gwydir K nt and Ban* ut Creditur &_ patet. 1607." 
It also contains the Latin MS. of Bishop Robinson, mentioned in note 3, page 
12 of this book. The same Mostyn MS. also ends the list of the children of 
Meredith ap Jevan with those by his concubine, which appears as a note on 
page 87, taken from the Gwydir MS. at Wynnstay. A second written copy 
preserved at Mostyn has at its commencement the following: — "This book 
was transcribed from a coppy belonging to S r Morris Parry 1 of Llan Elian 
Clerk in the year 1674, And afterwards compar'd with & corrected by two 
coppys, the one belonging to the Reverend Dr. Humphreys Dean of Bangor 2 the 
other found among the Evidences att Gweder, which last was in many places 
corrected & interlind, & much of it writt with the hand of S r John Wynn 
himself the Author. 1683. Thomas Mostyn, of Gloddeath." 

The references to other editions, in the notes to the present one, are indicated 
on page tl. The letter "W." is only affixed to a few of the more personal 
notes by Mr. Wynne; the bulk of those with no initial attached being also 
from his pen. 

The portrait of Sir John is reproduced by photo -lithography from an old 
engraving, the plate of which Miss Llwyd used for her edition of 1827. 
The portrait of Sir Richard, by Janson, is also copied by the same process from an 
engraving by Bartolozzi which has appeared in Pennant's Tours and else- 
where. The view of Dolwyddelan Castle is reduced from an engraving 
published by Buck in 1742. The somewhat rude sketch of Gwydir House, 
with the arms of the family, is a copy of the one mentioned on page 6 as being 
on the border of a county map published about 1720. There is one of the 
original issues of this map at Wynnstay, but unfortunately the portion containing 
Gwydir is damaged, and the illustration given in this book has been very 
faithfully copied on stone by Miss M. W. Minshall from a photograph kindly 
lent me by W. Wynne Ffoulkes, Esq., of Chester. The still older picture on the 
title page, which represents Upper Gwydir as it was in 1684, when the Duke 
of Beaufort in his progress through Wales lodged there, is copied from the 
Beaufort Progress, and I am indebted for the use of it to Dr. Nicholas in whose 
Annals of County Families it appeared. The copy of the monument in Dolwyddelan 
church illustrates a pleasant paper on that attractive district in the Arckaologta 
Cambrensis, by the Rev. D. R. Thomas, to whom my thanks are due for the use 
of the engraving. 



Croeswylan, Oswestry. 
1 He was rector of Llmelian Irom 1660 10 1683. 



ASKEW ROBERTS. 
:t this to be the Wynnttay US.— W. 



GWYDIR MEMORIALS. 



THE life of Sir John Wynn, the historian of the Gwydir Family, was so uneventful 
that but few records remain to form materials for a memoir. The chief incidents 
in his career may almost be summed up in a paragraph: — "His character has been 
held up as all that was worthy, and decried as everything that was crafty. He was 
Member of Parliament for the county of Carnarvon in 1596, one of the Council of the 
Marches of Wales, and created a baronet in 1611. Being 'shrewd and successful 
in his dealings,' people were led to believe he oppressed them, and, says Yorke in 
his Royal Tribes of Walts, ' it is the superstition of Llanrwst to this day, that the spirit 
of the old gentleman lies under the great waterfall Rhaiadr y Wennol, there to be 
punished, purged, spouted upon, and purified from the foul deeds done in his days 
of nature.' It is recorded that in 1615, Sir John having incurred the displeasure 
of the Council of the Marches, Lord Ellesmere, the Chancellor, was appealed to, 
but, the ' shrewd ' baronet made his peace in the surest manner, by paying a bribe 
°f £35°' He wa8 a man, evidently, who tried to make the best of both worlds, for 
after squaring the court with his bribe, 1 and managing to keep his name on the 
Commission for Carnarvonshire, he made his peace with heaven by founding a hospital, 
endowing a school at Llanrwst, and giving up sundry tithes to support these chari- 
ties. Sir John bore one of the great standards at the funeral of Henry, Prince 
of Wales. He died in 1626-7, at t ' lc a £ e °f seventy- three." 

Mr. Barrington, in his introduction to the History of the Gwydir Family (see 
page 7) inserts the letter of Sir John to his kinsman, Sir Hugh Myddleton, respecting 
the reclamation of land, where Tremadoc now stands, 8 and Mr. Halliwell, some 
years back, published " An Ancient Survey of Pen Maen Mawr," which is supposed 
to bo from the pen of Sir John Wynn, and to which Bishop Gibson had access when 



1 The following is the "bargain" struck between 
the parties: — Si'd. Yf Mr. Bernard Lyndesey 
Esquier Groom to his Mi™. Bedchamber pro- 
cure a pardon for Sir John Wynn Knight and 
Baronet and some of his servants of (heir fyncs and 
offences inflicted upon them by the Counsel] of the 
Marches, upon the sealing of the said pardon he 
is to receave from Richard Wjnn Esquier sonne 
and heire to the said Sir Jo: Wynn the somme of 
three hundred and lift ye pounds. In witness of 
this agreement between us we have both sette our 
hands the sixteenth of January 1615. 

Signed in the presence B. Lyndbsey, 

of me Rich. Wynn. 

Amb. Tkelwall. 



tural Sutney of North Waltt : — Honorable 
Sir. — I have received your kind letter. Few are 
the thinges done by me. for which I give God 
the glory. It may please you to understand, 
my first undertaking of publick workea v-- ■ 



within less than a myle 

add my first being - ' 
35 years since, in seeking of coals for t 



: where 1 hadd 1 



t beinge, 24 < 



of Denbigh, Touching the drowned lands near 
your tyvinge, there are manye things considerable 
therein. Iff to be g.iyned. which will hardlie be 
performed without great stones, which was 
plentiful at the Weight, as well as wood , and 
greate sums of monye to be spent, not hundred! 
but thousandes— and first of all His Majesty's: 
intereste must be got. As for myself. I am grown 
into years, and full of buaienessc here at the mynes, 
the river at London, and other places, my weeklie 



GWYDIR MEMORIALS. 



he prepared his edition of Camden. One extract from this is interesting, exhibiting 
as it does, a considerable mixture of superstition and simplicity in the shrewd baronet's 
mind. Speaking of a camedd on Moetfre, a smooth round hill somewhere between 
Llanvairvechan and the village bearing the dreadful name of Dwygyvylchi, he says : — 

Neare unto this place there is a flyne delicate hill called Moelvre. townd by nature and mownted 
very highe; and in the toppe very playne and pleasant: uppon this hill there is a cyrdc marked, where- 
Uppon stood three stones aboutes a yard and a quarter above grownd, the one redd as blood the Other 
white, and the thyrd a litle bluer then the white stone, standynge in a triangle wiesc. What shouldc bee 
the reason of placynge such three stones in such a place upon soe highe and soe pleasant a mounte, and 
to place there stones of such colloures. 1 cannot! eipresse othenviese than wee have yttby tradition. The 
tradicion is this, that God Allmighty hath wrought in this place a miracle for increasynge or our fayth. And 
that was thus. Three women, aboutes such tyme as Christianity began to creepe in amongest us, uppon a 
Sabaolhdayin the momynge went to the toppe of this hill to wynowe there come, and ha vynge spread there 
wynowynge sheete uppon the grownd and begunn there worke, some of there neighthours came unto them 
and did reprehend them for violatynge and breakynge the Lorde's commaundement by workynge uppon the 
Saboathe day. These faythless women, regardynge there profytt more than the obsearvynge of God's 
commaundement, made slight of there neighbours admonition, and healde on in there worke ; whereuppon 
ytt pleased God instantly to transfourme them into three pillars of stones, and to frame these stones of the 
lame collour as the womens clothes weare, one read, thother white, and the thyrd blulshc, and to trans- 
fourme there winowyng sheete and come into eanh, and soe to leave them there in example unto others. 
This is a tradicion wee have and beleeved by the oulde people in that neighbourhood, and housoever, 
whether ytt waa soe or noe, the tradicion is wholesome, and will deterT others from workynge uppon the 
Sabaoth day. These stones, beynge worth the seynge as they weare there placed, have beene digged uppe 
by some idle headed youthca within this sixe yeeres, and weare rowled downe the hill, and doe now lie att 
the (bote of the hill. 

If Sir John Wynn led a life of retirement, it was none the less a busy one. 
Besides his concern for the reclamation of land on the Carnarvonshire coast, and 
his survey on the Carnarvonshire mountains, he appears to have been actively 
engaged in other works for the benefit of his neighbours, but not at the same time 
forgetting himself The following extract points to the local manufacture of Welsh 
Friezes, by Irishmen ; and to mining operations in Anglesey : — 

Gwvdir, id Ai'c. 1623. 
. . . . One Roper, of Roper's Rest in Ireland, beinge one of the Privie Counsel, would 
gladly set 300 people here a work to spin woolle, and desired your answer to know whether 
it might be done. I say it may bee done ; for I have conferred with divers which do affyrme the 
same. And a more Gttinge tyme there cannot be than this time of necessiti* : for if the tyme s did amend, 
they will not goc out of their own countrye. I will find them houseing upon my lands about Llanrwstand 
Trevriew, beinge within a myle of my bonse ; and all thynges necessarie for them, and monie afore- 
hand, for it will require a great somme ol monie to make them loomes and other implements fitte for the 
occupation, and alsoe to make mylls and tenters. 

. . . Woolle is to be had in this countrie good store, and verie cheape. Because it is so charytable a 
deede, and for the goode of the countrye. 1 offer my furtherance with all my hearte, and the servise of my 
people: and I should my self e be best able to further it of anie in this countrye, all circumstances 
considered. It is title the gentleman should send a sufficient man here, with fulle instructions concerning 
his intended purpose ; and would best begin a lesse preparation aiminge at a greater. . . . 

Yours, fie, John Wyn. 

P.S. I pray you doe your endeavoure to selle my lead care that is at Beaumaris. Methinkt those 
foreiners that have received so much monie of the countrye for the come they brought in, should be bound 
to leave some parte thereof for our countrye commoditie, that all the monie ol the land be not carried 
away; and this sh oulde be done by your beinge pry me officer in your lowne. I sould always for three 
pounds a tonne, allowing the long hundred ; but to take monie, now I wouldc sell it for somethinge lesse. 



charge beinge above £ioo; [which makth me verie 
unwilling to undertake anie other worke, and the 
least of theise, whether the drowned lands or 
mynes, requireth a whole man, with a large purse. 
Noble Sir. my desire is greate to see you, which 
should draw me a farr longer waie, yet such 
are my occasiones at this tyme here, for the settlinge 
of this greate worke, that ) can hardlie be spared 



one hour in a daie. My wiefe being also here, 1 
cannot leave her in a strange place. Yet toy love 
to publicise workes, and desire to see you (if God 
permit), male another tyme drawe me into those 
partes. Soe with my heartie commendations 1 
commit you and all your good desires to God. — 
Your assured lovinge couiin to command, Hugh 
i. Lodge, Sept. 2, 1615, 



GWYDIR MEMORIALS. « 

The foregoing letter was addressed to "Humph: Jonea, Esq., Receiver of 
North Wales," and the two that follow were written to Lord Eure, President 
of the Marches of Wales, respecting the Copper Mines in Parys Mountain, 
probably some years earlier. They are all taken from the Rev. Walter 
Davies's Survey of Agriculture: — 

No. i. 

... I sende yon the myneral water of Anglesey to be tried ... I saw when Medley made the 
tryal before Sir Henry Sidney, and I laid down the particulars. First — a quantitie of iron was beaten 
small into powder, which was put into the water in a great boiler of lead, whereof there were either half 
a dolcn or more. Anie of these boilers, havinee flat bottoms, and not verie deep, not unlike the form of 
acoollcr, did contain manie barrels of licker, beinge that water; which beinge boiled with an exceeding 
hot fire of turf to a great height, and afterwards suffered to coolie, there was congealed in that water a 
threefolde substance ;— the one copperas, beinge greene, highest ; the second alome, beinge white, in the 
middle ; and the thirde, called the earth of iron, being yellowe in the bottome. The alome and copperas 
seemed both to be perfectlie good. The earth of iron, after it was fullie dried, grewe to a substance like 
ihe mste of iron which had long been canckered, yet yellowe. Of this earth of iron I have a greate 
quaniitie laide upon charcoale in a bricke furnace, and blowne downe and smelted like lead ; and downe 
came a greate quantitie of iron synders intermingled here and there with copper. The i-iolh parte of that 
which came downe proved to be copper; whereof parte was sent to the Lo. of the Counsel! that were 
partners in the worke, parte to others of the nobilitie ; and every gentleman of qualitie there presente had 
parte to carrie in his pockette, who were of opinion that the work would not quitte coste ; and so it proved, 
for that in a while it was given over. Wishinge your Lo. good successe in all your attempts, and 
cspEciallic in these your alcymycall conclusions. 1 do rest yours, Ac. 

John Wm 
No. a. 

..... I Remember some twentie eighte years agoe that there was a greate myner.il worke in 
Anglesey, some twentie miles beyonde me: that one Mr, Medley had undertaken by boylinge of a water, 
which wroughte these eflectcs. II made alome and copperas, and transmuted iron into copper ; all which 
ihe selfe same water did perffonnc, whereof the manner and particularities I have forgolten, though I have 
been an eye witnesse of the same ; ' for I went thyther in cornpanie with the late Lord Treasurer Burley, 
the Earl of Leister, and Sir Francis Walsingham, who were partners in that worke ; whereof the evente 
succeeded not ; whether by reason of Medley's want of skill on his parte, is a questions , . . 

One of the most notable events in the career of Sir John that has come down to us, 
is his controversy with Bishop Morgan. a The Bishop would not confirm a lease of 
church lands held by the baronet, and pleads "conscience," which, he says, " assureth 
me that youre request ys such, that in grauntyng yt, I shold prove my selfe an unhoneat, 
unconsionable, and irreligiouse man; ye a sacrilegiouse robber of my church, a 
perfydiouse spoyler of my Diocese, and an unnaturall hyndrer of preachers and good 



1 There is an inconsistency in these two letters 
that requires explanation. In the (previous) Letter 
the Baronet frankly owns that he had laid down the 
Particular! of Mr. Medley transmuting iron into 
copper;— in this (last) Letter, he says he had for. 
gotten the manner and particularities thereof. This 
was Sir John's sophistry, either to save himself the 
trouble of giving the information required by Lord 
Eure ; or, he wished, for private reasons, to Con- 
ceal the favourable symptoms ihat Parys mountain 
contained copper. As Mr. Medley is known to 
have made his experiments in 1579 ; and as Sir 
John, in this last letter, says they were made " some 
twentj-eighte years " back ; — both letters appear to 
be written in the same year, namely, 1607 ■ and it 
is probable that this last letter was written first; 
and on being further pressed by Lord Eure the wary 
Baronet gave the information contained in letter 
one. — Rev. Walter Davies. 



'The Rev. Canon Williams, in his valuable 
Dictionary of Eminent Wekkmm, tells us that Ibis 
"incomparable man for piety and industry," was 
bom in the parish of Penmachno, a village not far 
from Gwydir. He was educated at St. John's 
College, Cambridge, and bia first preferment was 
the vicarage of Welshpool, to which he was insti- 
tuted August 8th, 1575. After three years' residence 
there he was removed to the Vicarage of Llan- 
rhaiadr-yn-Mochnant, near Oswestry, and there 
he finished hi* great undertaking of translating the 
Bible into the Welsh language. He soon after- 
wards was rewarded with more than one sinecure, 
after the manner of the times, and was consecrated 
Bishop of Llandaff in 1595, at the express command 
of Queen Elizabeth. He wai translated to St. 
Asaph in September, 1601, and he died there Sep- 
tember to, 1604. 



GWYDIR MEMORIALS. 



scholars," &c, &c. Sir John, however, as will be seen by his reply, cared little for 
the charge of robbery and sacrilege ; but very much for what he deemed to be his 
rights : — 

Hominibus ingratis loquimini, lapides. The tower went oat to sowe ; and tome of his (cede fell in 
Monie ground, where hitt wythered, because hitt coald take noe roote. The seede n« good, but the 
land nought. I may justly say soe by you, I have in all shewed my lelfe your rfremde. in aoe much as 
yf I had not pointed you the waye with my finger (whereof I have yett good testimonye) you had beene 
■tyll Vycai of Llanrhayder. You pleade cooicienct when you should gevc, and nuke no bones to receive 
curtesie of your ffreinds. But I appeals to him that scarcheth the conscience of ait men. whether you 
have used me well, and whether hilt be conscience (w* . you ever have in your month) be the sole 
hindcrance of my request. I wyll avowe and justiffie hitt before the greatest Dyvyns in England, that it 
hath beene, nowc ya. and ever wylbe, that a man may w" . a salfe conscience be farntour of a lyvinge, 
payeing in effect for the same aa much aa hitt yi woorth ; and toe y* this, surmyse you the value to be aa 
you iayst. Nether was the loase of the Lhynge that I regard a dodkyn, but your unkinde deaJinge. 
Hitt shall leaon me to expect noe sweet e fruite of a sower stocke. Your verbal! love I esteeme aa 
nothinge ; and I make noe doubt Iw" . God's good favour) to lyve to be able to pleasure you, as much aa 
you shall me, et 6 contra. You byd me thanke God lor his meny benefyts towards me. God graunt me 
the grace ever soe to doe. In truth, I did much thanke Him in n-.yr.de to see you preferred to the place 
you are in, as yf you had beene my owne brother ; but that I recall, for I never expect good wyll of you, 
nor good torne by yon. 

John Wvjt, 

of Gwyder. 
Gwyder. the house that did you and your'* good. 2+ffc Primary, 1603. 
[To the Reverend Father, The Lord Busshop of St. Asaphe.] 

Sir John also writes to Mr. Martyn (who appears to have been a friend of both) 
a long and bitter letter, in which he threatens the Bishop with his revenge. He 
says : — 

Sift, No grcefe to the grecfe of unkyndnes : They rewarded me yll for good to the great dyscomfort ol 
my sole. 1 may say so, and justly complaen unto you of my L. of St. Asaphe, wbo (besydes what hys 
ancestors receved by myen) ja dyversly, and in great matters, bchouldynge unto me, whereof fbeynge 
schooled by hys late letter, of w* b . I send you a trew coppy) thoghe I expect no rent, yett yt eascthe my 
wronged mynd mucbe, to lay open hys hard dealyngs towards me, and my benefyts towards hym, befor 
you, who are not ignorant that I dely ver but a truethc, in most of them havynge been an ey wytnes. 

Hyt squarethe therefor w" . a good method in a narration to begyn w" . my deserts, w^ . 1 wyll ran over 
breefly ; w" h . I wold have you to put hym in mynd of: i. in that be protested to hys late servant Tho. 
Vaghan, that he remembred no more therof, then that 1 had lent hym my geldyngs to go to Llandda, and 
had sent hym a fatt oic ait hys fyrst comyngc to St. Atsaphe. W' h . ys to strayne a gnatt, and swallow 

Fyrst, I let hym have a Lease uppon hys farme of Wybernant, parte of the township of Doluthelan for 
forty years, for forty poundes in money. The farme he bathe sett att the yerly rent of twenty foure poundes 
per annr and yeldelhe of the Kyng's rent viijs. too pence yerly, as farre aa I remember. 

In meaaurynge the sayd farme w" . my farme of Pcnannen, I let hym have, in Pant yr Helygloyn, land. 
to the valew of iijl. yerly ; for w ch . my uncle Owen Wyn reprooved me muche. 

I bare the hatred of Jeuan M'dytbe, and hys nephew Ed. Morice, the lawyer, durynge his lyte ; for that 
I was a daysman, and agaenst hym ; I mean, Jeuan Midythe, and appointed my fiends com my ssy oners 
agaenst hym. 

Was hyt not I that fyrst dclt w"V Mr. Boyer to make hym Bushopp, and made the bargen, S' ? Mr 
Boyer was nether knowen to hym, nor he to Mr. Boyer ; ergo, yf that had not beene, he had contynued 
stjll Vycar of Llan Rbayder. 1 know you do not forgett what was obiected against hym and hys wyf to 
stopp his last translation, and how tbat my certyfycatt and my (rends quitted hym of that imputation, and so 
made hym prevayle ; for the wh=h, both they and I wear worse choght of by those we have good cause 
hyghly to respect. 

I labored, as yf hit had beene to save the [yf of on of my chyldren, to end the cause of dylapidations 
between hym and my coosin Dd. Holland ; knowynge hit wold have beene his great hynderance to be 
so matched att first dashe. How sufiicyent a man, how well firended, and what a toot he-man in hya auets 
my cousin Holland ys, every man that knowethe hym, knowethe that also. 

My L. of St. Aaaapbe I knew to be but poore (hys translation havynge stood him in muche) yett 
wylfull and heddy to run into law suets ; therefor I was aa muche troblcd to reclacme hym to reaon and 
consyderation of hya owen estate as I was to brings the adversse part to rcson and conformyty. My L. 
Bushopp's cheefe lyvynge was the tenthc of the Paryshe of Abergele, where my coosin Holland 
COmandeth absolutely. Yf they had gone to suet of law, he would so have wronged him in the gathcrynge 
of the tythe, as hit shold have beene lytlell worthe unto hym. My self excepted, was ther on Jent. in the 



GWYDIR MEMORIALS. 



contref wold once have shewed hym self for hym agaensl my coosin Holland ? and that knew he well ■ 
But my L. can make use of Jent. when they serve hys tome, and after decarde (hem upon pretence of 
conscyence ; w^ . may appere by the coppye of hys letter' unto me, whereof, I avowe on my credyt this y» 
the trew coppye. Thus much touchynge that matter of my desert ; and now touchynge my request. 

Mi. Sharp, my L. Chancelor's Chaplen beynge by hys L. collated parson of Llanrwet, leased liyi 
benefyce to on Rob*. Gwyn of Chester, who appointed a ffrend of myen, on Rob'. Vaughan, brother to 
my brother Tho. Vaugban, his under farmor. Doctor Elice, sometyme a great comander in theeie 
quarters, in favor of Doctor Meryke (who rewarded him w u . a township of teythe whear his mansyon 
house was in 'Spytty) d yd geeve lev to dysmember the parsonadge of Llan rwst of Tybrithc tythe, and to 
joyne hit to Corwen. Whearuppon, pyttyinge to see Llan rwst churche dysmembered by unlawful! 
practyse, acqueanted my L. of S>. Assaphe, that I mem to stand for the right of Llanrwst agaenst Doctor 
Meryke, V h . with an intent to do more for that churche, as 1 then made knowen to my L. The suet 
prooved, by Doctor Meryke's wejwardnes and hope in hii fautors, more chardgeable and troblesom then 
was expected. Whcnippon I eftsons acquainted my L. Bushop, that 1 ment to buy Robt. Gwyn's lease 
into my hands, that, surrendringe hit, Mr. Sharp (in consyderation of my great chardge in the suet) mjght 
grant me a lease of the tjvjnge for iij lyves, the only mean in som part to quit my chardge ; w* 1 . he 
promysed me to confyrme, and that hit should be the fyrst of all other that should receve confirmation. 
Havynge to my chardge and troble compased Robt. Gwyn's lease of to years, and by surrender ol the same 
gott a new lease of three lyves of Mr. Sharp, I sent hyt to be shewed my L. by ray servant W a . Lloyd ; 
who then seemed to mysljke hit, and answered doutfully touchynge the confyrmation, w> h . all chidd Mr. 
Sharp in suche sort, as givynge cause to have my lease new made, he made me pay lot. more then was 
att fyrst, by reson ray L. Bushop bad chidd hym. In end, hcarynge of a Chapter appointed for the 
confyrmstion of the other leases, 1 sent myen also by ray son Mostyn, and my letter to ray L. the contents 
whearof you shall fynd in my Lord's answer. To « ,rfl . 1 receved this answer; w* . whether hit be 
« my desert ya jour's to judge, as alto to eipostulat w">. hym, beynge oure ifrend, c> 



fyttynge n 



_ _n not of nature to put up wronge ; for as 1 have studyed for hys good, and wrought the 
my L. be assured of me as byttcr an enemye (yf he dryve me to hit) as ever I was a ste: 
nether ys he com to that heyght, or wantethc enemyes, that be may say, Major sum, quam 



.dfiSl 



obti 



fort una n 

be hathegeeven herbyc; 

towards hym. Hys ans' 



t honoies. I am ashamed for hym, that 
o his enemyes and myen to descant of his ungrate disposition ever aggravated 
iswer att lardge I pray you retoroe me, yf nothynge els. 

Your iovynge ffrend 
'. «■■ John Wvn, 

of Gwyder, 
i advowson of the lyvynge by Tho. Robt*, whence denyed the conlyrmation. 1 
ic man, w" 1 in too dayes after for the same, and my cooiin Elice Vaghan y/" 1 all ; 
:nyed me eny, sayinge he had provyded no preferment for his wife, and that he myght overlyve 
Sharpe, and have that lyvynge in Comendam. So, to conclude, I must have nothynge but a scomelull, 
chetynge letter, in leu of all my good indeavora. 

In allusion to the taunt of patronage in the letter of Sir John Wynn to htm, the 
Bishop, in one to Mr. Martyn, says : — " I confesse that Mr. Wyn thearein shewed greate 
love (as then I thought) to me ; but (as nowe I fynde) to hym selfe, hopynge to make 
a stave of me to dryve preacher's patrydges to his hys netts." 

The baronet of Gwydir evidently had very little veneration for the clerical office, and 
his directions to his Chaplain on his manner of life and behaviour, is a curiosity. The 
poor man is thus counselled : — 

First. You thai! have the chamber, I shewed you in ray gate, 3 private to yourself, with lock and key, 
and all necessaries. 

In the morning 1 expect you should rise, and say prayers in my hall, to ray houshhold below, before they 
go to work, and when they come in at nygt— that you call before you all the workmen, specially the 
yowth t and lake accompt of them of their belief, and of what Sir Meredith taught them. I beg you to 
continue for the more part in the lower house : you are to have onlye what is done there, that you may 
informe me of any misorder there. There is a baylyf of husbandry, and a porter, who will be comanded 



1 The letters from the Bishop to Sir John and to 
Mr. Martyn will be found in the Appendix to 
Yorke's Royal Tribtt of Walts. 

1 This chamber, and a gloomy one it is, still stands 



Gwydir, from the Bettws-y-coed 
road. The gateway (which has the arms and 
initials of Sir John over it) is perhaps the oldest 
portion of the place remaining. 



GWYDIR MEMORIALS. 



The mominge after you be up. and have said prayers, as afore, I wo 4 you to bestow in study, or 
commendable exercise of your body. 

Before dinner you are to com up and attend grace, or prayers, if there be any publicke : and to set up, if 
there be not greater strangers, above the children — who you are to teach in your own chamber. 

When the table, from half downwards, is taken up, then are yon to rise, and to walk in the alleys near 
at hand, until grace time ; and to come in then for that purpose. 

After dinner, if I be bosy, you may go to bowles, shuffel bord, or any other honest decent recreation, 
until I go abroad. If you see me voydof business, and go to ride abroad, yon shall comand a geldinge to 
to be made ready by the grooms of the stable, and to go with me. If I go to bowles, or shuffel bord, I 
shall lyke of your company, if the place be not made up with strangers. 

I would have you go every Sunday in the year to some church hereabouts, to preache, giving warnynge 
to the parish to bring the yowths at alter noon to the church to be catekysed ; in which poynt is my 
greatest care that you be paynfull and dylygent. 

Avoyd the alehowse, to sytt and keeps drunkards company ther, being the greatest discredit your 
function can have. 

That such an active and energetic country gentleman as Sir John Wynn would be 
busy at election times, no one can doubt, and the following letter, which bas been 
preserved in manuscript, probably refers to a contest in Carnarvonshire 1 in 1620 : — 

Sr. the experience of yo* love in this late el lection hath made me to thinke myself infmitclie bonnd vnto 
yo" : I pray yo"continewe yt to the end, the rather for that yo* owne reputacon lieth att stake asvrell as 
myne, and in requital] yo" shall find me to answeare yor kindnes in matters of greater ymportance. 
Co'mending me very kindlic vnto yo"' and yo 1 good Ladie, and my good Cosyn M™ Ann Brynkir, doe 
rest Yo 1 assured Loving Cosyn 
Gwyder, the 19th John Wyhs 

of December 1620. of 

Gwydei. 
To the right Wor* my very Loving Cosyn S'. William Maurice Knight. 3 

The last record of Sir John we are able to present to our readers, is an 
Inventory of his Waidrobe, taken from the Appendix to Pennant's Tours: — 

A noate of all my clothes: taken the eleventh day of June, 1616. 

Imprimis, i tawnie klothe cloake, lined thoroughe with blackc velvet! ; one other black cloake of clothe, 
lined thouroughe with blacke velvet! ; another btackc cloake of velvett, lined with blacks taffeta. 

Item, ii ridinge coates of the same colour, laced with silke and golde lace ; 1 hood and basses of the 
lame ; one other olde pairc of basses. 

Htm. ii blackc veivett jerkins ; two clothe jerkins laced with goulde lace, of the same colour. 

tttm. One white satten doublett, and blacke satten breeches ; one silke grogram coloured suite ; and 
one suite of blacke satten cutt, that came the same time from London. 

Item. One other blacke satten suite cutt ; and one blacke satten doublet!, with a wroughte velvet! 
breeches. 

Htm. One leather doublett, laced with blacke silke lace; one suite of Pttropui, laced with silke and 
golde lace ; another suite of Pltropui, laced with grecne silke lace. 

Htm. One olde blacke silke grogram suite cutt ; two blacke frise jerkins. 

Iltm. One blacke velvet! coa!e for a footman. 

Htm. One redd quille waskoote. 

Hem. ij pare of olde boothnse, toppes lined with velvett in the topps. 

Htm. ij pare of blacke silke stocking ; and two pare of blacke silke garters, laced. 

Iltm. One pare of perle colour silke stockins ; one pare of white Sittrop stockins ; three pare of woited 
stock ins. 

Htm. ij girdles, and one hanger, wroughte with golde ; one also blacke velvett girdle ; one blacke 
eiprei scarfe. 
Hem. Nine blacke felte hattes, wherof fbwre bee mens hattes ; and live cipres hatbands. 

Htm. One guilte rapier and dagger, and one ridinge sworde with a scarfe, with velvett scabbards. 



1 Mr. Breese in his Kaltndars of G wyntdd, under 
the heading of "Members for the County and 
Borough of Caernarvon," gives "John Griffith, jun., 
of Llyn, Esq.," as a Knight of the Shire, elected 
27 Dec, 1620. 



1 Seal — Owen Gwynedd, and Griffith ap Conan, 
quarterly. In the centre of the shield, the Baronet's 
badge-The Shield on the Breast of an Eagle, as 
now borne by Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, Bart. 



GWYDIR MEMORIALS. 



Item, ii pare of Spaniihc leather shooee. 

Htm. One russett frise jerkin. 

Ittm. Two pare of leather Yamoiietj, and one of clothe. 

Htm. ij pare of white boots ; one pare of russett boots. 

Htm. iij pare of newe blacke boon, and live pare of old blacke boot*. 

tltm. ij pare of damaske spurres, iii pare of guilte spurres. 

Before we proceed to give copies of the monumental inscriptions to the 
memory of the family in the Gwydir Chapel and elsewhere, there are two letters 
that will be interesting to readers of this book. The original of the first is 
at Brogyntyn. The writer was Sir John Wynn, Knight, eldest son of Sir John 
Wynn of Gwydir, Bart. He died before his father: — 

S*. According to my promise, 1 have sent to you hearby what I receaved of late from London as newts. 
The Prince ' as I heare died not of any wronge doen him by the Physiiians, as was hertofore received for 
truth, but of a suriett : during his disease which was not long, he patiently gave God thanks by prayer for 
his viiitacoen. The kinge being desirous to see him in his perplexitie, was persuaded therefrom by (he 
Counsel!, who besought him to ride to Theobalds, thcr to continewe for a while, which he did accordingtie, 
till the lyme of his departure which was within three dayes after — he ys generally Lamented of all. My 
rather ys Btayed by my Lord Chamberlain to continewe for ten dayes after the tearme, to be a mourner. 
These do moume but Earles and Bartons, & Barronetts. 

My COSin Pierse GruiEthes > cause ys dismissed the Court of wardes, 4 the possession of the land in 
question setteled in the adverse partie. Sir John Egerton's cause was heard in the Court of wardes, ft a 
case made of hitt which longe will not he vndecided. Mr. Needham is like to be dismissed that Courte, 
ft I feare to be undoen, lor as yt ys thought there is noc hope for him to Prevaile. 

This ys all the last news 1 heard which 1 could not choose (seeinge I have mett with so convenient a 
messedger| but write to yuu, although I was in hast to meet a gent, this raorninge, and ready to take 
horse. Contending me very kindly to yourself your good Lady & the rest of your good Companie at 
Carnarvon do ever rest your loving cosin & ffrinde assured to vse, 

John Wyjw. 

Llanvrothen the 

xxvi"> of Nov. i6ii. 

Whether the mariadgegoe forward or not, I know not. neather have I receaved thereof any thinge. 
The Palgraves stile ys this— The high & mihty Prince Fkeoekicke the fift, by the grace of God, Counte 
Pallatyn of the Rhein, Duke of Bavaria, Elector, & Arch sewer of the sacred Romaine Empire, ft 
in Vacancie of the HBM, Vicai AbwoC fa : Born at Amberge in his upper Pallatinat the 16 of August 
159&. This did 1 finde intituled above his pickture — farwell in great hast. J. W. 

The other one— or rather the one from which only an extract is taken— is from 
Owen Wynn, afterwards Sir Owen Wynn, Bart., to Sir Wm. Maurice of Clenenney, 
and is dated 5 July 1622 -. — 

My Lo. 1 hath not bought Penrhyn* as yet, nor likelie to buy it for ought I heare, so as the Treavoura 
must End out another to buy it, except they let it at that rate which it is worthe — my Lo, hath offered 
8000 pound for it beinge fullie as much as it is woorthe, which they have refused, ft as I doe heare now 
thev truly repent them of their refusal. 

My lo. Cookes great Cause in the Courte of wardes is heard, ft ended this tearme, & he bath the glorie 
of the day, which I am sure you wilbe glad of beeinge such a special! (friend of yours. 

The greate cause in Chauncrrie, for the hurninge of the cliaunceric office, betweene Mt Tothill, one of 
the six clcarkes, ft Sir Robert Riche. is also heard & detennyned, this terme : there is a decree in that 
cause by which everie man is ordered to set by his owne loase, ft be quiett, for (he certayntie where the 
6 re began could not be knowne. 

There is noe newes woonh the writing of— the general! want of money maketh all the officers biih of the 
starrechamber ft of other courtes sitt ydle, for want of employment, ft long may they be ydle for anie 
goodnes they have. 1 



1 Heniy, Prince of Wales, son of Ki 

' Of Penrhyn. 

' John Williams, Archbishop of Y01 



■ The seal to this letter bears an impression of the 
armsof the Wjnns of Gwydir— the 3 eagles— first 
and fourth ; second and third, a chevron between 
3 fleura-de-ljs. In the centre of the shield, a crescent 



xiv GWYDIR MEMORIALS. 

The memory of Meredith ap levari, who may be called the founder of the Family 
at Gwydir, is commemorated by a brass in Dolwyddelan Church, a facsimile of which, 



. Thomas, in the paper alluded 
n of this brass, from the pen of 



reduced in size, is given below. 1 The Rev. 

to in the preface, incorporates the following descriptio 

Mr. Bloxam : — 

The effigy, represented as kneeling, ia bare-headed, with the hair clubbed in the fashion which prevailed 
in the early pan of the reign of Henry VIII. Round the neck is worn a collar of mail. The body- 
armour consists of a globular breastplate with angular- >h aped tuilles attached to the shirt, and beneath 
these is an apron of mail of that peculiar kind represented on Welsh sepulchral effigies. On the 
shoulders are pass-guards, the arms above and betow the elbows are protected by epautieries and 
vambraces, the elbows by coudes, the bands are uncovered ; the thighs are protected by cuisses, the 
knees by genouilleres, the lees by iambs, the feet by sollerets. broad-toed, and apparently laminated, — a 

'" On the left side is a sword, 



fashion a 



it before the reign of Henry VIII. 



the representation 'of the collar and apron of mail. In this and other sepulchral effigies in Wales, the 
mail-armour appears very different to that description of armour in England. Was it so in fact ? Thii 
is a problem to be solved. Mail-armour, though restricted in use to cover certain portions only of the 
body, as in this instance the neck and loins, was worn so late as the middle of the sixteenth century. 
I have a pair of splints (armour so called), viz., a breast- and back-plate temp. Philip and Mary, circa 1555. 
To the breast-plate is attached an apron of mail. Are there any small portions of mail-armour, 1 do not 
mean Asiatic, existing in any of the inhabited castles or country houses in Wales ? 





m^CJ^ri^^^fl»W^tto|v^ 



(Drawn to quarter original size). 

1 I have a strong impression that the shield of mem, and that there was a brase representation of 
ms stood originally in the centre of this mono- the wife of Meredith opposite to him— *™ 






GWYDIR MEMORIALS. xv 

In the Gwydir Chapel at Llanrwst there is a marble tablet containing the following 
pedigree, comprising a period of Five hundred years : — 

This Cbappel was erected Anno Dom 1633, By Sr. Richard Wynn, of Gicydcr, in the Covntj of Carnarvon, 
Knight & Baronet, treasvrer to the high and might ie Princess Henriette Maria, queen of England, daughter to 
Henry the fourth, King of France, and wife to our sovaraignc King Charles. Where lyeth buried his father, 
Sr. John Wynn, of Gwyder, in the Covnty of Carnarvon, Knight and Baronet, Sonne and heyre to Maurice 
Wynn, 6onne and heyre to John Wynn, sonne and heyre to Meredith ; which three lyeth buried in the 
Church of Dolwethelan, with tombes over ihem. This Meredith was sonnc and heyre to Evan, sonne and 
heyre to Robert, sonne and heyre to Meredith, sonnc and heyre to Howell, Sonne & heyre to David, sonne 
and heyre to Griffith, sonne and heyre to Caeradock, sonne and heyre to Thomas, sonnc and heyre 
to Rodericke, lord of Anglisey, sonne to Owen Gwyneth, prince of Wales ; and younger brother 10 David 
prince of Wales; who married E'me Plantaginet. sister to King Henry the second. There succeeded 
thli David three princes: his nephew Leolinus Magnvs, who married lone, daughter to King John; 
David his sonne, nephew to King Henry ihe third ; and Leolyn, the last prince of Wales of that house 
and line, who lived in King Edward the first's time. Sr. lohn Wynn married Sidney, who lyeth buried 
here, the daughter of Sir William Gerrard, Knight, lord chancellor ol Ireland, by whom he had issue, 
St. Iohn Wynn, who died at Lvca, in Italy \ Sr. Richard Wynn, now living i Thomas Wynn, who lyeth 
here; Owen Wynn, now living; Robert Wynn, who lyeth here ; Roger Wynn, who lyeth here ; William 
Wynn, now living; Maurice Wynn, now living; Ellis Wynn, who lyeth buried att Whitford, in the 
covnty of Flynt ; Henry Wynn, now living; Roger Wynn, who lyeth here; and two daughters; Mary, 
now living, married to Sr. Roger Mostyn, in the Covnty of Flynt, Knight; and Elizabeth, now living, 
married to Sr. Iohn Bodvill, in the Covnty of Carnarvon, Knight. 

This Chapel is referred to on page 9 as being probably from designs by Inigo 
Jones, Some years ago a local printer issued a handbill purporting to be a description 
of the building, and giving copies of the monumental inscriptions. Partly availing 
ourselves ol this handbill (a copy of which hangs in the chapel, and, we are told 
is often transcribed by visitors), but restoring the inscriptions to their original language 
and spelling, the following is its substance : — A brass, fixed on the wall, beneath 
the Tablet, is described as " a superb engraving of Dame Sarah Wynne . . executed 
by one William Vaughan in a style of elegance hardly to be met with." Beneath 
the figure there is the following inscription : — 

Here lyeth the body of Dame Sarah Wynne wife to the Honoured Sr. Richa.d 

Wynne of Gwyddur Barronet and one of the daughters ot Sr Thomas Middleton of 

Chirke Casllc Knight Shee departed this life the 16th day of lune, 1671. 

[Guil : Vaughan. Sculp sit]. 

On each side of the Tablet are brasses (with the heads finely engraved) bearing 
the following inscriptions : — 
Here lyeth Ihe body of John Wynn of Gwedvr Here lyeth ye body of ye La. Sydney Wynn ' wife 

Kt. and Baronet who died first of March 1626. of Sir John Wynn of Gwedvr Kt & Baronet who 

died ye eight of Ivne 1632, 

Beneath a table which stands in front of the reading desk, (and which contains some 
figures in old oak, of the eagle and griffin), there is a marble monument, ruthlessly marred 
by the initials of the vulgar ; on which reclines the quaint figure of a child, with 
a raised shield of arms on each side, and underneath, this inscription : — 



1 The following letter by this lady is from an 
autograph formerly in the possession of Maurice 
Wynne, L.L.D., Rector of Bangor Iscoed. Sir 
Richard, to whom it was addressed, was, by birth, 
second son of Sir John, but the elder son John, who 
was also a Knight, died without issue, at Lucca, 
and Richard succeeded to the Baronetcy. He was 
Groom of the Bed-chamber to Charles Prince of 
Wales, afterwards King Charles !., and accompanied 
him and Buckingham, in the Prince's matrimonial 
expedition to Spain in 1613. Sir Richard wrote an 
account of that expedition, which is published in 
Hearnc's Hiitoria Vila tt Regni Ricardi II., Vol. 
I, page 207. 



Good Sonne Richard, 

I am glad to hear of yor safe retoume 
out of Spayne, and that vow have yor health well 
(wch god continue) for I much feared the same, 
and prayed very heartily for you. Thus having 
nothing els to write vnto you out my best withes 
andLoue vntomy Daughter yor Wife recommended, 
with my prayers to God to blcsse you, I rest 

Yor Louing Mother, 
Gwydder June 16 Sydnsy Wynk. 

1623. 
To mj very Louing Sonne Sr Richard Wynn, Kt. 



GWYDIR MEMORIALS. xvii 

In Pennant's time (1781) these brasses 1 were "trampled under feet," and there 
is yet another inscription in the chapel that shows to whose care it was that the 
place has been restored to order: — "Pet: Rob: Drvmmond Willovghby Dom: de 
Eresby et Gvydir Restitvit a.d. mdcccxxxv." 

The inscriptions on two of the monuments to members of the Gwydir family are given 
on pages 4 and 9, the former being that to the memory of Sir Richard at Wimbledon, 
and the latter to Henry, tenth son of Sir John Wynn, in the Temple Church, London. 
In Pennant's History of the Parish of V/hitford (1796) the following inscription is 
given from a monument in the church of that place :— 

■n of Sir John Wynne of 
i of ober, and was buried 
the xxiii. of the said month. Ao Domini i6ig. Omnis euro fmnum. 

And there is yet another monumental inscription which was formerly amongst 
those in the Chapel at Llanrwst : — 



Moricius Wyn de Gwydder ar : hie jacet 
prima conjux Jana fil. Rici' Bulkley Venei 
Grevjll de My Cot* militis. Tertia Kathahr 
augusti 
Local tradition asserts that Sir John Wynn 



et Justicise Accrrimus assertor cui 
camerarii. Secunda Anna fil. Edw. 
et h-aeres Tuderi ap Rob'ti Ar: x" die 
1580. 
1 one of the first to obtain a hint of the 



existence of the Gunpowder Plot, and that he did so through his cousin Dr. Thomas 
Williams of Trevriw, it zealous Roman Catholic. The story goes that this cousin sent 
the baronet an enigmatical letter foretelling some dire catastrophe, and recommending 
him to absent himself from Parliament. Sir John took the warning with him to 
London, and found a member who had also received anonymous advice to the same effect 
Of course a secret held by two soon became no secret at all, and the plot was frustrated 
as history tells us. But Sir John was too shrewd to betray a secret, so his kinsman's 
name was never mentioned to Protestant or Papist. 

One interesting incident in the family history is its connection with so cele- 
brated a figure in Welsh annals as Catherine de Berain. It will be seen on 
Table III. (opposite page 48) that " Mam Gwalia "—as she was popularly called — 
was the third wife of Morris Wynn. Her portrait, taken in old age, was ex- 
hibited by the Rev. R. H. Howard, at the North Wales Exhibition, held at 
Wrexham in 1876; and there is, in Yorke's ' Royal Tribes, the copy of a portrait 
of her when a young and blooming woman. " We are told that Catherine 
had for her first husband, Salisbury, heir of Lleweni, and by him had a aon, 
Thomas, who was executed for Babington's plot in Sep., 1587. Her second 
son, ■ Sir John Salisbury, The Strong,' succeeded at Lleweni. Her Beren 
estate followed the heiress of the Lleweni house into the Combermere family. 
Her second husband was Sir Richard Clough ; by him she had two daughters; 
one married Wynn of Melai, and the other Salisbury of Bachegraig, and from 
this marriage descended Dr. Johnson's friend Mrs. Thrale. Catherine's third 
husband was Maurice Wynn of Gwydir. Her fourth husband, who survived her, 
was Edward Thelwall, a widower, and his son, by a former marriage, married 
the daughter of Catherine by Maurice Wynn, . . "Mam Gwalia' is said by 
Yorke to have been a ' singular character,' but in what her singularity consisted — 
further than she had four husbands — we are not informed. The story goes that 



1 Mr. Pennant, writing ol the brass in memory of and Robert— of whom nothing is definitely known. 

Dame Sarah, says it was "by far the most beautiful The latter (see page 3). who engraved the very 

engraving he ever saw, yet neither the names of rare print ol Sir John Wynn, was supposed by Mr. 

this (Vaughsn) or the foregoing artist (Crew) are on Barrington to be the Antiquary of Hengwrt, but 

the records of the fine arts. It is also singular that Mr. W. W. E. Wynne it sure that this is an error. 

there should have been ruro Vaughans — William * Milcote in Warwickshire. 



LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. 



Leigbtoo, Stanley, Esq.. M.P- Sweeney Hall 

Lewis, Dr. June*. 50, Broad- street, Orfbed. 

Lewis, Geo., Esq., Plankton Grange. 

Lewis, Re*. Evan, Dolgelley. 

Lewis. Rev. David, Rector of LLtoeynsew. 

Liverpool Free Public Library. WiOUaa Brown- 
street, Mr. P. Cowell, Librarian. 

Lloyd, Al&ed, Esq., 28, Park-road. Haremoek 
Rill. London, S.W. 

oyd, Edward Evans, L . , . 

Lloyd. Ho-el W, Esq., aa, 

L John, Enq., Qoeeo'i Hotel. Oswestry. 

,. J. V. Wo, Esq.. Clochtaen, Liangs** (tm* 



Lloyd, 
Lloyd, 

Lloyd, Rev. T. H., Vicar of Nerquis. 

Loadale. James, Esq., Castle Hill, Aberystwyth. 

Mottyn. the Right Hon, Lord, Mottyn. Flintshire. 
Hainwaring, Salosbory Kynastm, Esq.. Oteley. 
Main waring, Townahend, Esq., Galitfaenao. 
Martey. George. Esq., Oswestry. 
Matkin. Mrs., Gwydir Castle, Llanrwst- 
Mclntyre, Peter, Esq., Agent, Llanrwst. 
Middleton. John, Esq.. Westholme, Cheltenham. 
MLnshall, Charles, Esq., Beechfield, Oswestry. 
Minshall, Miss M. Wynne, Castle View, Oswestry, 
MinshalL P. H, Esq., Oswestry. 
Morgan, Rev. D., Vicarage, Fenrhyndeudraeth. 
Morris, E. R,, Esq., Homestay, Newtown. 
Morris, Henry, Esq., 392, Strand, London, W.C, 
Motes, Mr., Trevor Issa, Rhosymedre, Rhuabon. 



Owen, A. C. Humphreys, Esq.. Glansevern. 
Owen, Rev. Elias, M.A., Diocesan Inspector of 

Schools, Ruthin. 
Owen, D. C. Lloyd, Esq., Birmingham. 
Owen, Rev. R. Trevor, Llangedwyn (licocopitl.) 
Owen, George, Esq., Park Issa, Oswestry. 
Owen, Morris, Esq., Solicitor, Carnarvon. 

powis, the Rt. Hon. the Earl oi. Lord Lieutenant of 
Montgomery shire, Powis Castle, Welshpool. 

Pamplin, Wm„ Esq., TJandderfel, Merionethshire. 

Parkins, Wm. Trevor, Esq., GUsfrvn, Gresford. 

Payne, William, Esq., Woodleigh, South sea. 

Penson, R. Kyrke, Esq., F.S.A., Ludlow. 

Pierce, Mr. Ellis, Bookseller, Dolwyddelan. 

Pierce, Mrs., Sherboume House. Leamington. 

Pryce,' Elijah, Esq., Trederwen House, Llansant- 
flraid. 

Pryce, Rev. Shadrach, M.A.. Penymorfa, Carmar- 
then. 

Quaritch, Bernard, Esq., 15, Piccadilly, London, 

Reid. Augustus H., Esq., Temple Row, Wreiham. 
Richards, Captain E., Morben Hall, Machynlleth. 
Roberts, Mr. D., Willow- street, Oswestry. 
Roberts, Mr. Tom, M.R.C.V.S.. Oswestry. 
Roberts, Thomas, Esq., C.E., Portmndoc. 
Rochdale Free Library, Mr. G. Hanson, Librarian. 



Ryfarxk, J. Panl, Esq., FiA, ITkjhfali., « 



Sarin, John, Esq., Bodegroes, PwDhdi 
Scott, Mr*, Pesuanh Ceha. Towyn. 
Soattwra, Francis R, Eaq, LorSow. 
SocthwdL T. Martin, Esq, The Wood 

anrtfc. 

Snorth, Hubert, Esq, i Vltno ss t . Bridgnorth. 
Staatrt, Major, Bctton Strange, Sbrcwsbaxy . 
St. David's College, Lampeter. 
Taylor, Edw. Jaaoe*. Eaq., fSJL, Newt, Bisbops- 



Tboanas, John, Esq. (PnitrU GwtBa), 53, Wel- 

beck -street. Cavendish Square, Load on. 
Tbocias, John. Esq- Slate Wharf. Pc 



ArckaoXogi* Ca»brtnat, Meifod Vicarage. 

Thomas, Rev. Llewelyn, Jesus College, Oxford. 

Thomas, Mr., The Buildings, Baschtuxh. 

Thnrsfield. T. H„ Esq- Barrow, Broteley, Salop. 

Tomkies, John, Esq. , Copenhagen Terrace. George- 
street, Cheetham Hill, Manchester \lme copits.) 

Trtherne, George M., Esq, St. Hilary, Cowbridge. 

Tucker, Stephen, Esq., Rang* Croix, Heralds' Col- 
lege, London. 

Vaughan, Henry F. J., Esq.. B.A., S.C.L., 30 
Ed wardes- square, Kensington, W. 

Vereey, Captain Edmund H-, Rhianva, Bangor. 

Venables, Rowland Geo., Esq- Oakhurst, Oswestry. 

Willoughby de Eresby, the Baroness, Grimsthorpe, 
Boame, Lincolnshire {four cotia.) 

Webb. T.. Esq., Talworth House, Cardiff. 

West W. Comwaitis, Esq., Lord Lieutenant of 
Denbighshire, Ruthin Castle, Ruthin. 

Wbeldon. Rev. T. J., B.A., Bethania, Carnarvon. 

Williams. Edward Esq., Broomhall, Oswestry. 

Williams, J. Ignatius, Esq., Goldsmith Buildings, 
Temple, London. 

Williams, Pryce, Esq., Holly House, Bristol. 

Williams, Richard, Esq., Celynog. Newtown. 

WJH smsi, Rev. Canon R., Rhydycroesau Rectory. 

Williams, Rev. Canon, Llanfyllin. 

Williams, Rev. H. E., Vicarage, Dolwyddelan. 

, Rev. W. Wynn, Menaifron, Anglesey. 

Williams, Stephen, Esq., Penralley, Rhayader. 

Williams, T. Humphrey. Esq., Llwyn. Dolgelley. 

Wilkin s, Charles, Esq., Springfield, Merthyr Tydvil. 

Wood, R. H„ Esq., F.S.A., Pantglas. Ttawi- 
fynydd, Merionethshire. 

W'vnn, Sir Watkin Williams, Bt_. M.P., Wynnstay. 

Wynne, Wm. W. E., Esq., Peniarth, Towyn- 
Merionetb (tiro coj-its.) 

Wvnne, Wm. R. M., Esq. do. 

Wynne, Owen S., Esq., Plas-Newvdd, Rhuabon. 

Wynne, J„ Kendrick, Esq.. Eccleshall, Staff. 

Wynne, Robert Vaughan, Esq., Eccleshall, Staff. 





Sm/ticai/tD Wtxyx 

fniarj far Retire WOkuMti .it* ftHiimn), fmtt. 





THE HISTORY OF THE GWEDIR FAMILY, 

BY SIR JOHN WYNNE, 
The first Baronet of that Name, who was born in 1553. 



INTRODUCTION. 1 

IT may not be improper to give the reader some account of what 
he is, or is not, to expect from the present publication, as 
well as to throw together what few particulars can be now col- 
lected with regard to its author. 

The MS. hath, for above a century, been so prized in North 
Wales, that many in those parts have thought it worth while to 
make fair and complete transcripts of it. One of these Carte had 
consulted, and he refers to it as his authority for the Welsh Bards 
having been massacred by Edward the First 2 . This circumstance 
alone may stamp a most intrinsic value on the MS., as it hath 
given rise to an ode which will be admired by our latest posterity. 
The whole passage relative to this tradition is also cited by the 
Rev. Mr. Evans, in his Specimens of Welsh Poetry, and it ap- 
pears that he had made the extract from a copy in the collection 
of Sir Roger Mostyn, Bart. 8 

' * This history of the Gwedir family was first pub- 2 See Carte, vol.JII. p. 196, where it is entitled 

lished in octavo, 1770; but the impression having Sir John Wynne's History of thc'fiwtdir family. — B. 

been sold, it hath for some years been in consider- ,. _ ,»*.. r n L - j 

vi * j-*ur u-^r.oi-^ See Jones's History of Brcconshirt, and 

able request and is therefore here [1781] re- _ . • . ._ /., J ~ r 

• * j «*u jjv 1 * w t» . -« Stephens's Literature of thi Cymry, for a com- 

pnnted, with some additional notes.— B. It was , * _ a . _ e . _ ' , A * '* . A _ 

again reprinted, in 1827, with additional notes by £ ete refutation of Sir John', statement about the 
Miss Angharad Llwyd. Mas8acre ot the Bard »- 

B 



INTRODUCTION. 



It is believed likewise that there is another transcript 1 in 
the possession of Mr. Panton, of Plasgwyn in Anglesey, 
who, together with Mr. Holland, of Conway, and the Rev. 
Mr. Jones (late Vicar of Llanrwst), have been so obliging as 
to communicate many particulars with regard to the Gwedir 
family. 

The author was indeed a general collector of what related not 
only to his own ancestors, bat the antiquities of the Principality 2 , 
as Rowland cites an Extent 3 or Survey of North Wales, illustrated 
by useful remarks of Sir John Wynne. 

There was some difficulty in settling the time of the author's 
birth and death, till Mr. Granger's Biographical Dictionary was 
consulted, who gives the following inscription under a copy made 
by Yertue, from an engraving of the author by Vaughan : — * 

"Johannes Wynn de Gwedir in Com. Carnarvon Eques & Ba- 
ronettus 5 ; obiit i*° die Martii. 1626, xt. 73."® 

The accuracy of these dates seemed at first to be very suspicious, 
as there is an account of a voyage to Spain by Sir Richard Wynne, 
of Gwedir, Baronet, in 1623, which is prefixed to that volume 
of Hcarne's Tracts that begins with the Life of Richard the se- 
cond. Application was however made to the late Mr. West, 
Pr. R. S., for leave to examine the original print, in his very va- 
luable and curious collection. Mr. Granger's dates are thereby 
most exactly confirmed, and it may not be improper here to add 
the inscription under the engraving : 



,„,....-- t*IMt| ■ 



•* atao from ■ «TT itkh of Edwwd the third. It U caUei the " Record 
the Harili— CaOatam. It 
of Hon, Caernarvon, 

One ol tk* jnaa of Sir John Wynn, by 



rfMwWHwThW. h«-W««^»»»h««-«*« V~^ ,_ . _ _ _ .. 

if AjuiMO- fun ' Moriaao «fc- »■ A * B«»r««fe»«i Burnet m 1611. {See Gw.!. 

#M.*t ».. **r" '■ V^NMfil ts* f-m'i tiwc.Md *TW«wfa*>MGtiM«B«ctcn«t'*>K iaKribed 

.-«*W.**J Vy *.r*.r4 «* «»«.«> 1-4 ***** At «. S* >*• WjmI pewre M Motfjo-L. 



INTRODUCTION. 



" Vera effigies Domini Clarissimi Johannis Wynn de Gwedir 
in Com. Carnarvon, Equitis & Baronetti. 

" Obiit primo die Martii 1626, atat. 73. ] 

" Honoris ipsius causa Rob. Vaughan sculpsit, prolique D.D." 

This was possibly Robert Vaughan of Hengwrt the great an- 
tiquary, who was a particular friend of Sir John Wynn, as also 
of his son Sir Richard, to whom he dedicated his book entitled 
" British Antiquities revived." I find also by the letter subjoined, 
that Mr. Robert Vaughan of Hengwrt engraved himself, and that 
the expression of sculpsit therefore is strictly accurate. 
"Sir, 

" I wold intreate you to send me certayne directions, whether itt shold be three 
Egletts in a Scutcheon, 01 one Eagle on a Wreath ; for to doe it in a Scutcheon 
with one Eagle is contrary to the rules of heraldry, and not your cote : likewise 
whether itt shold not have a Label! for the distinction of an elder brother, during 
the life-time of his father, in this manner; /^'StS") ^ ^ ou P' ea8e to Bent * 
by the weekly post I will answer you lil.^A. I ty tne ne3t ' convenient 
messenger. When these troubles began I W'Mt?' I had drawne the pedigree 
of Sir Richard from Owen Gwynedd line- ^^^^^/ ally to himselfe ; now in 
my absence from London both the copper plate which I had began to 'grave 
and the draught was embezzeld from me : now I am resolved (God willing) 
this vacation time to sett it a foote agayne. I onely want the names of your 
ancestors from Owen Gwynedd to your selfe, of which you are the 15th 
(leaving out young Sir John and Sir Richard) because they died issueless. For 
the faces I am at my own fancy till I come to Sir John Wyn your father; for 
the rest that are beyond him I thinke you have no true pictures of them extant. 
This (ii I have your fayre leave) I wold dedicate to posterity, in some small 
measure, to expresse my duty I owe to your honor'd family ; and during life remayne, 

" Your evervowed servant 
" London, June 21, 1650. " Robert Vaughan. 4 

"To the Hon. Sir Owen Wynne, Knt. 
" Baronet at Gwedur, 
" These, with his service, present." 

[Communicated by Paul Panton, Esq.] 



1 He died, at Gwydir, on Thursday, March i, 
1626-7, and, as was said, was buried at Llanrwst 
the neM day. (See Arch. Camb. Oct., 1864, 
p. 3M.) 



W. W. E. Wynne is quite certain (hat 
ib not Robert Vaughan of Hengwrt. 



INTRODUCTION 



It seems improbable that the engraver could be inaccurate in 
the dates of Sir John Wynne's birth and death, when the print is 
dedicated to his family. 

The title therefore given by Hearne to a voyage ol Sir Richard 
Wynne 1 of Gwedir, Baronet, in 1623, when he only became so 
in 1627, must have arisen from his being a Baronet when he, per- 
haps, made a more fair and complete copy of his Travels. 

If this could want any confirmation, it may receive it from 
two commissions in Rymer 2 ; in the first of which, dated in 
1626, mention is made of Sir John Wynne, Baronet ; and in the 
second, dated in 1627 3 , of Sir Richard Wynne, Baronet. 

Though Mr. Granger therefore seems to be accurate, with re- 
gard to the birth and death of the first Baronet, yet, from a simila- 
rity of names, he hath made a mistake in ascribing the republi- 
cation of " Dr. Powel's History of Wales from Cadwalader to 
Llewelyn, by W. Wynne, A.M.," to this Baronet. 

The author, who was born in 1553, seems to have lived chiefly 
in retirement, during which period no very interesting particulars 
can be expected. 4 

The building a new house is an event of some consequence in 
such a life; he began Upper Gwedir 6 in 1604, as appears by an 
inscription over the entrance. 



1 An inscription in Wimble ton church. — Hie 
jacet Ric: Wyn de Gwedir in Com: deCaernar: 
Mil: et Baron: thesaurarius nee non conciliarius 
Honoratissimas Principis et Henriette Marine 
reginx qui linea parentali et illustri ilia Familla 
et antiquisBima Stirpe Britanica North WaJlias 
Principum Oriundus Denatus 19 die julii 1649 
iEtatis 61.— L. 

: See Rymer's Fad. vol, VIII. part ii. p. 145 
and 333. Hague ed. — B. 

1 Sir John Wynn probably died on March 3 
1626, — B. (See note 1 page 3). 

1 It should seem, that he had travelled in his 
younger days, as Archbishop Williams (then tutor 
to his sons at St. John's College. Cambridge) 
speaks of him as a man, Multorum mores 



hominum qui vidit, & urbes. [MS. Letter penes 
Paul I'an ton, Esq.] — Which circumstance is perhaps 
confirmed by his son having visited Italy when 
young, as fathers generally wish that their 
sons should be educated in the same manner 
with themselves. B. A letter in Mr. Panton's 
possession from Mr. Williams, afterwards Arch, 
bishop of York, speaks ot Sir J. Wynne's sons 
as very promising scholars. By No. 2110, ot 
Hartiian MSS., it appears that there was a room 
within the hall at Gwydir painted with the arms 
and descent of the family. — L. 

1 The house, called Lower Gwedir, he mentions 
in this MS. to have been built by his great grand- 
father. As for Upper Gwedir, it was covered 
almost with inscriptions in different languages; 
scarcely any of which remain, as the wainscot hath 



INTRODUCTION, 



It was considered as one of the best houses in the Principality, 
because there is a tradition that it was calculated to receive any of 
the Royal Family, who might have occasion to go to Ireland K 

As in the year 1604 none of the blood Royal could probably 
think of such a journey, it may rather be supposed that it was 
destined for the reception of the Lords Deputies of Ireland, as it is 
little out of the road to Holyhead, if at this time they did not go 
from Chester to Dublin. 

Be this as it may, some reason for any mention being made of 
this house arises from a possibility of its having been designed 
by Inigo Jones, in his first manner, before he had been in Italy, 
as this great architect was protected by Sir John Wynne. 

The name of Jones sufficiently proves him to have been of 
Welsh extraction ; to which it may be added, that his cast of 



been lately used in repairing farm-houses on other 
parts of the estate. The Pigeon-house appears by 
the date to have been built in 1597. There 
is an engraving of Lower Gwcdir in a man 
of Denbigh and Flintshire, which was published 
40 or 50 years ago, by William Williams. 
A Welsh inscription, which is still legible, over 
the entrance, is here subjoined : 

Bryn Gwydir gwelir golau adeilsd, 

Uwch dolydd a chaerau, 

Bryn gwych ad ail yn ail ne, 

Bron wen henllys brenhinlle. 

Hugh bach ap Howe!! ap Shenkin a ganodd 

yr Englyn uchod, ddeng mlynedd cyn amcanu 

gwneuthur yr adeilad hon. 

" A conspicuous edifice on Gwydir hill, towering 
over the adjacent land, a well chosen situa- 
tion, a second paradise, a fair bank, a palace 
of royalty. 

"This Englyn was written by little Hugh 
Shenkin, ten yiars bi/are thi building teas 
diiigned." [ It should seem from this, that 
little Hugh Shenkin was a prophet, as well as 
poet.]— B. 

The late reverend Mr. Jones, vicar of Llanrwst, 
was so obliging as to copy the above inscription 
and to accompany it with the translation here 
given. He alio observes, that this Welsh compo- 
sition is a sort of jingle, for which he knows no 
English name, or any similar metre. — B. 
Gwydir Summer House bears date 1675. — L, 



' I Kn< 



■ SlK, 



v in part to acquit myselfe of 
the obligation you have layd on me, without 
giving my acknowledgement to your excellent lady 
whom I have taken the boldness to visit, and 
find her in the happy condition I desired, being 
very well, and upon inquiry, continuing in the 
hopeful way you left her to increase your family. 
Really upon my view and consideration of the 
seate or Gwiddcr, I conclude it to be the best 
place in Wales, and inferiour to few in England. 
I need not urge those things to hasten your re- 
lume ; but I should judge very weakly uf those 
that have such conveniencys, and will not enjoy 
them, if not detained by very great consider- 
ations. In fine, 1 am in the buttery, just taking 
leave, and drinking your health, bidding adieu 
to your house, and the tike at this lime to your- 
selfe. 



" Your 1 



ri,Hrs< 



" And obliged L'osen, 

"Thomas Bulkely." 
" Gwydder, this 27th May, 1661, 
[Present this to the Hon. Sir Richard Wynne, Bart.) 
" John Win ap Meredith dwellith at Gwedet 
at two bows shots above Contway town, on the 
ript of Conway Rivet: it is a praty place." Ld. 
Hit. vol. V. p. 40, Leland here most evidently 
mistakes Conway for Llanrwst.— B. 



INTRODUCTION. 



features, as represented in Hollar's engraving of his portrait, seems 
to show that he must have been an inhabitant of the Princi- 
pality. 

All traditions have generally some foundation, and it is com- 
monly believed in the neighbourhood of Llanrwst, that Jones 
was born either at that town, or Dolwyddelan, which is equally 
situated near considerable estates of the Gwedir family. The tra- 
dition is also so circumstantial, as to suppose that he was 
christened by the name of Ynyr, 1 which, after his travels into 
Italy, he exchanged for Inigo as sounding better. 2 It is part like- 
wise of the same tradition, that he was patronised by the Wynnes 
of Gwedir, and that he built PlastSg, belonging to the Trevor 
family, on the road from Wrexham to Mold. 3 

As every particular which relates to this great architect is in- 
teresting, it may not be improper also to observe, that Jones, who 
went a second time to Italy in 1612, might possibly have travelled 4 
under the protection of the author's eldest son, John, who died 
at Lucca in that year. As for his being patronised by the Earl 
of Pembroke at this time, it seems to be very justly doubted by 
Mr. Walpole. 6 



1 I think with much more probability, that it was 
Inco, which 1 find was a name not very uncom- 
mon in those times, and there is a house not 
fat from Llanrwst which is called to this day 
" Pen-craig Inco." P. B. Williams. — L. 

* Thus Cooper (master for the Viol da Gamba 
to Charles the First) after he had been in Italy 
changed his name to Coperario. Hawkins's 
Hiitory of Music, vol. IV. He also altered his 
Christian name, stilmg himself Giovanni instead 
ot John. Ibid. vol. IV. p. 55. Thus likewise 
Peter Philips, another musician, who had been 
much in Italy, atiled himself Pietro Philippi. Ibid. 
v. III. p. 337. Jones was branded by Ben 
Jonson for his vanity, as one of the latter's 



epigra 



1 addressed to Inigo Marquis would 



Jones indeed contrived the scenes for Jc 
ion's masques, which being perhaps more ad- 
mired than the poetry, encited Jonson's envy. 
It is remarkable also that one of these scenes 
represents Craig Eryii, or the rocks of Snowdon, 



under which Jonei was bora, if a native of Llan- 
rwst.— B. [ By Snowdon is here meant, what was 
anciently included in the forest of that name. — B.) 
Davydd Rhys, changed his surname into Rizzio; 
his Tather, Dr. John Davydd Rhys studied Physic 
in the University of Sienna, in 1555. — L. 

3 There is an engraving of the front of this 
house on the side of a large map of Denbigh- 
shire and Flintshire, which was published about 
forty or fifty years ago. — B. 

* The university of Oxford, A.D. 1605, upon 
King James visiting it, hired one Mr. Jones, a 
great traveller, who undertook to further them 
much, and furnish them with rare devices, but 
performed very little, to that which was expected, 
though paid £50. for his service. Addition to 
the second volume of Lei. Collect, p. 646. — B. 

» Antcdetti 0/ Painting in England (article 
Jones) ; where notice is likewise taken, that this 
great architect was possibly protected by the Earl 



INTRODUCTION. 



It is not improbable likewise that Jones might have obtained the 
considerable station he afterwards rose to from the patronage of 
this family, which considered him as a promising genius, that did 
particular honour to Gwedir and its neighbourhood. But to re- 
turn to what more immediately concerns the author of these 
Memoirs, and his family. 

In 1610 Sir John Wynne erected at Llanrwst some almshouses 
(to which he gave the name of Jesus Hospital) for the reception 
of twelve poor men, and drew up regulations for the manage- 
ment of his benefaction. He also endowed this charity very libe- 
rally with the rectorial tithes of Eglwys Fach, which are now 
valued at ^200. per annum. 

In 1615 he had incurred the displeasure of the Council of the 
Marches, as the then Chancellor (Lord Ellesmere) is informed, 
that Sir John Wynne, Knight and Baronet, is improper to be con- 
tinued a member thereof, and also that his name should not remain 
in the commission of the peace for Carnarvonshire. 1 

The year before his death he was desirous of promoting a con- 
siderable embankment on the confines of Carnarvon and Meri- 
onethshire ; 2 as appears by the following letter : 

" Right worthee Sir, my good Cousyn, and one of the greate Honours 
of Veneration, 

" I Understand of a greate work that you have performed in the Isle of Wight, 
in gaininge two thousand acres from the sea: I may safe to you as the Jewes said 
to Christ ; we have heard of thy great workes done abroad, doe somewhat in thine 
owne Countrey. 

"There are two wayis in Merionythshire whereon some parte of my living 8 Heth, 



of Arundel. — B. Inigo Jones was employed by 
Q. Eliz. in repairing one of the piers of London 
Bridge, which gained him repute, after being re- 
commended to that Queen by Sir John Wynne. 
This anecdote the late Rev. John Lloyd, Rector 
of Caerwys, received from Mr. Stoddart, of Llan- 
dderfel. who had it from the late Mr. Wynn, of 
Bod&callen, who was possessed of several anec- 
dotes relative to Ini^o Jones. — L. 
1 MS. Letter, penes Mr. Pan.tnn.-B. 



* Engineers have lately made their reports in 
favour of this undertaking; but hitherto no work, 
men have been employed.— B. Readers of the 
present edition of this hook will scarcely need to be 
informed that by the embankment made by Mr, 
Madocks early in this century, nearly 3,000 acres 
ofland have been reclaimed. 

' Anciently used for an tttati, thus, " I have 
a little living in this town."— The London Prodigal 
ascribed to Shakespeare. — B. 



INTRODUCTION. 



called Traethmawr and Traethbychan, of a greate extent of ground, and entringe 
into the sea by one Issue, which ys not a mile broade at full sea and verie 
shallow : the fresh currents that run into the sea, are both vehement and greate, 
and carrie with them much sand, beside the southerly winde, which bloweth to the 
haven's mouth, carrieth with it so much sand that it hath overwhelmed a greate 
quaniiiic of the ground adjacent. There are also in the boarderinge countreys 
abundance of wood, brush, and other materials fit to make mounts, to be had at a 
verie cheape rate, and easilie brought to the place, which I hear they do in Lin- 
colnshire to repell the sea. My skill ys little, and my experience none at all in 
such matters; yet I ever had a desire to further my country in such actions as 
might be for their profit, and leave a remembrance of my endeavours ; but hindered 
with other matters, I have onelie wished well and done nothinge. 

" Now seinge yt pleased God to bringe you into this countrey, I am to desire you 
to take a view of the place, not beinge above a daie's journey from you ; and yf 
you doe see things fit to be undertaken, I ame content to adventure a brace of 
hundreth pounds to joine with you in the worke. 

" I have leade oare on my ground in greate store, 1 and other minerals neere my 
house, yf it please you to come hither, being not above two daies journey from 
you, you shall be most kindely welcome; yt may be you shall find here that will 
tend to your commoditie and myne : yf I did knowe the day certaine when you 
would come to view Traithmawr, my sonne Owen Wynn shall attend you there, and 
conduct you thence along to my house. Commending me verie kindely unto you, 
doe rest, 

■' Your loving Cousyn and Friend, 

•• Uwyder, Sept. I, 1625. " John Wynne." 

To the Hon. Sir Hugh Myddleton, 

Knight and Baronet. 
[A coppie ot a letter to Sir Hugh Myddleton, Knight and Baronet, 
at the Silver Mines 3 in Cardiganshire.] 
In 1626, at the age of seventy-three, he died much lamented 
both by his family and neighbourhood, which may be inferred 
from the engraving by Vaughan already mentioned, as in those 
times few had such respect shewn to their memories, who were 
not very singularly esteemed. 



• I Theee mine* have been Uttty worked. »nd I 

^ h some niece**.— B. 

* Then l» *o much »il»w in tome of the lead 

mine, not f« ft«m Abwyttwilh. lUu they ha« 

Ltrn tilled the Wufch Polow; I have been in- 



formed liio ihM money hath been wined from 
them.-B. This VM done by Mr. Bushel m.tlie 
time of Charle* 1st. See the grant to [him for 
th»t purpose in Rymer's Fadira. 



INTRODUCTION. 



How many of Sir John Wynne's children were livuig at his 
death cannot now- be accurately known ; he had, however, by 
Sidney, daughter of Sir William Gerard, chancellor of Ireland, 
eleven sons and two daughters. 1 

Sir Richard Wynne, who became the eldest son upon the death 
of his brother John, was one of the Grooms of the bedchamber to 
Charles the First when Prince of Wales, and was appointed 
afterwards Treasurer to Queen Henrietta. 

In 1633 Sir Richard built the chapel at Llanrwst, which is sup- 
posed by tradition to have been planned by Jones, and in 1636 the 
bridge over the Conway at the end of the town was completed. 
This bridge is also considered as a work of Jones's, and is so 
elegant a structure that it sufficiently speaks itself to be the plan 
of a masterly architect. 2 

Having stated the few circumstances which could be collected 
with regard to the author, it may not be improper to mention, 
that no liberties have been taken in improving his orthography or 
style, except now and then by breaking a very long and compli- 
cated period into two, so as to make it more perspicuous and in- 
telligible. 



1 This appears by the inscription over the 
author's tomb at Llanrwst. A letter from Arch- 
bishop Williams slates, that some ot his elder sons 
were promising scholars. — B. 

In the Temple Church is a monument to Henry 
Wynn, one of the eleven sons or Sir John Wynn 
of Gwedir, Bart. This Henry Wynn married 
Catherine, the daughter and heiress of Ellis 
Lloyd, E»q.. of Rugoch in Merioneth. He was 
Judge of the Marshals**, Prothonotary of the 
N.W. Circuit, and Secretary to the Court of 
the Marches. He died in 1671. See also No. 
2130, p. 148 & teq. of the HarUia* MSS. for 
many inscriptions on the tomb- stones of the 
author's ancestors in Llanrwst church, which 
seem to have been copied about a century ago, 
and many of which are now scarcely legible.— B. 
Henry Wynn was father to Sir J. Wynn, of Wynn- 
stay, Bart, who, having no children, left his estates 
to Sir William Williams, Bart, of Llanvorda, the 



husband nt Jane, grandaughter and heiress to 
William Wynn, of Garthgynnan, who was the 
fourth son of Sir J. Wynn, of Gwydyr, upon 
condition of his taking the name and arms of 
Wynn. The present Sir W. W. Wynn is the lineal 
descendant, and representative of Sir William 
Williams.— L. It was to Mr. Watkin Williams, 
the eldest son of Sir William, that Sir John Wynn 
left the estates. 

1 Mr. Panton hath informed me, from the records 
of the Quarter Sessions for Denbighshire, that 
this bridge was directed to be rebuilt in the 9th 
of Car. I. by a letter from the Privy Council, 
Jones being then surveyor of the works, and, 
having therefore probably procured this order in 
favour of the place of his nativity. The estimate 
amounted to £ 1000. which was to be levied 
on the two counties of Denbigh and Carnarvon. 
(A modern lawyer would probably dispute the 
legality of such a requisition.]— B. 



It it not pretended that the panes* jwiiEi iiim i 
to any merit of this Met, as it appears to have bees com- 
piled merely for the anther's information, and that of has des- 



His intention to these memoirs of his tamiry was to dednce his 
pedigree from Owen Gwynedd 1 , Prince of N. Wales in 113S. 
So long therefore as his ancestors continu ed to be some of the rtgm& 
of that country, it may be considered as a history, or rather brief 
chronicle of the Principality. Imperfect however as it is, yet it 
may be entitled to some degree of value, in the light of a sup- 
plement to Dr. Powel's Chronicle of Wales. 

It appears by this MS. that the author was furnished with some 
materials, which neither Powet, nor Wynne, the only other his- 
torian of Wales, had ever seen. 

In different parts of these memoirs he cites as bis authorities, 
The copy of a Fragment of a Welsh Chronicle, in the possession 
of his cousin Sir Thomas Williams of Trefriw ; Welsh Pedigrees ; 
The records kept in Carnarvon Castle ; Records copied for him 
at the Tower by J. Broughton, Esq., then Justice of N. Wales ; 
as also the tradition of the country. 

What seems to be most interesting in the work, are some anec- 
dotes and circumstances which relate to the more immediate an- 
cestors of the author, as they are strongly characteristick of the 
manners and way of living in the Principality during that 
period. 

As the places mentioned are often nothing more than farms, 
and in a part of Wales not much known probably to English 
Readers, it hath been thought proper to subjoin in a note some 
account of their situations. 

If this had been done, however, in every instance, it would 
have greatly increased the size of the publication; it therefore 
may not be improper to premise, that the scene chiefly lies in 

• Ow«n Gwynedd «ucce«d*d hi> faihei Griff, ab Cynars, in the Principality of North 
Wild, in the yeor 1137, and reigned 31 years.— L. 



INTRODUCTION. 



II 



Eifionydd 1 , Dolwyddelan 2 , and Gwedir, all of which are in Car- 
narvonshire. 

I conceive it to be much to the credit of these Family Memoirs 
that the very learned and ingenious Dr. Percy (Dean of Carlisle) 
hath perused them with such attention as to have drawn out four 
genealogical tables, 8 as also to have added some notes, for the il- 
lustration of certain parts, and more particularly with regard to 
the pedigrees. I am proud to insert these, and the reader will 
find them under the mark of P. I have likewise added some ob- 
servations for which I am indebted to the Rev. Mr. Evan Evans, 
translator of some specimens of ancient Welsh Poetry, published for 
Dodsley, in quarto : these are marked E. 4 



1 Evionydd is a tract of country lying between 
the promontory of Lleyn and the mountainous 
region of Snowdon. It was formerly a comot of 
the cantrev, or hundred of Dunodig; the other 
comot was Ardudwy, now a part of Meirionydd- 
shire, between Harddlech and Barmouth. Walter 
Davies. — L. 

3 Dolwyddelan, a parish near Capel Curig. — L. 

8 These tables were largely augmented in the 
edition issued by Miss Angharad Llwyd in 1827 ; 



and in the present edition they are further aug- 
mented by Mr. W. W. E. Wynne. 

4 In the present edition these initials are retained, 
and the other notes in the two editions issued by 
the Hon. Daines Barrington have the letter B. 
attached to them. Those for which Miss Llwyd 
is responsible are marked L. The most important 
notes now added (including 4ril the references to 
the existing copies of the Gwydir MS., and most 
of the dates from other sources) are the work of 
W. W. E. Wynne, Esq., of Peniarth.— A.R. 




Written by Sir John Wynne of Gwyder, Knt. and Baronet, 
Ut creditur, & patet. 

GRUFFITH ap Conan, 1 Prince of Wales, had by his wife 
Anghared, the daughter of Owen ap Edwyn, Lord of 
Englefield, Owen Gwynedd, Cadwalader and Cadwallon, who 
was slaine before his father's death : he reigned over Wales fifty 
years. His troublesome life and famouse actes are compiled by a 
most auncient frier or monke of Wales: this was found by the 
posterity of the said Gruffith ap Conan in the house of Gwedir 3 
in North Wales, and at the request of Morice Wynne, Esq. 
(who had the same written in a most ancient booke and was 
lineally descended from him) was translated into Latine by Ni- 
cholas Robinson, Bishop of Bangor. 3 



1 Gruffith ap Conan died in 1137. In the MS. 
copy or (he Gwydir History at Wynnstay, the 
arms of the wife of Griffith ap Conan are given 
as. Sable, a chevron between 3 rosea, argent, and 
those of the wife of his son, Owen Gwynedd, as 
argent, a cross ingrailed, flory, sable, between 3 
Cornish choughs, proper. 

s There are two houses so called at present 
very near each other, the one Lower Gtrydir 
and the other Ufpir; they are both in Car. 
narvonshire, on the western side of the Conway 
opposite to the town of Llanrwst. One of these 
houses is so ancient as to be mentioned in 
Saxton's map of Carnarvonshire, which was en- 
graved in 1578.— B. Evan Evans Cler. derives 
the name of Gwydir from Gwy (water) and tir 
(land), and Mr, Lloyd of Cowden, from Gwaed tir, 
or the Bloody Land, there having been a great 
battle there, &c. It is certain, that in the above 
life of Gruff, ap Cynan, there is an account of a 
bloody battle between him and Trahayam ab Cara- 
dog, fought at a place from thence denominated. 
Gwaed-erw, or tir gwaedlyd, alias gwaedir ; I 
believe from the circumstances of that battle, 
that it was fought upon this spot. The foregoing 



remarks upon the etymology of the word Gwydir 
bear the stamp of high authority ; at the same 
time, it is not improbable, when the peculiar 
situation of the house and lands is considered, 
being on the banks of the Conway, from which 
probably the latter was originally recovered, that 
Gwy dir, or water land, is the true one. Gwy or 
Wy is the ancient word for water, still found in 
the names of rivers, i. e. Cynwy the first or chiet 
river, Elwy, or Ailwy, the second river, and Wye, 
thi river by way of eminence. — L. 

■ The late Rev. Mr. Lloyd of Cowden, in 
Sussex, informed me that he saw this MS. of 
Bishop Robinson, at the Rev Mr. Hugh Hughes's 
late vicar of Bangor, whose father and eldest 
brother were stewards after him at Gwedir.— B. 
The Life of Griffith ab Cynan was written in 
Welsh, and translated by Bishop Robinson into 
Latin. This translation, in his own handwriting, 
is preserved at Peniarth, and a transcript ot the 
Welsh Text, and of the Latin, was made by the 
Rev. Canon Williams, of Rhydycroesau, and pub- 
lished in the Archaotogia Cambmuis in 1866. 

The MS. said to have been at Wig, Llandegai, 
is as follows : Sciant tarn priesenlcs quam futuri 



TABLE No. I, 



« i 



TABLE I. 



Pr. Gruffith ap Conan, prince of Wales ;=p Angharad, da. of Owen J 
reigned 50 years, died 1137. j lord of Englefield. 



Gwladys, da. to Lly-=j=Pr. Owen Gwynedd,=f€hristian, da.j>f Gronow, 
warch ap Trahayarn. 



reigned 32 years, died 
in 1 169. 



Yorworth, or Edward=f=Marged, da. of Madog 
with the broken nose, ap Meredith, prince of 

A\A n/*fr r*;orr% PoWyS. 



ap Owen ap Edwyn, lord 
of Englefield. 



Cadwalader, lord=f=Alice da, of R 
of Cardiganshire, earl of Clare. 



I 
Pr. David, prince of Wales, 

married Emma, sister of 

king Hen. II. 



I 
Owen did not reign. 

O. S. P. a 



I 
-Rodri, lord of Anglesey, 
marr. 1st Agnes, da. of 
lord Rhys ap Gruffith ap 
Rys ap Tudor Mawr. 
(N. B. Rodri marr. 
2dly a da. of Gotheric 
king of Man.) 

b 



Cadwallon, 
abbot of 
Bardsey. 



Pr. Llewelyn the Great, prince=T=Tangwy8tl 

of North Wales in 1194, at 

length prince of all Wales, died 

in 1240. He marr. Joan, da. of 

king John, by Agatha, daugh. of 

Robert Ferrers, earl of Darby. 



, da. of 
Llowarch Goch, 
of Rhos, 
ist wife. 



Thomas ap Rodri,=f=Marged, da. of 

Einion ap Set- 
syllt. 



I 
Gruffith ap 
Rodri, c 



Einion, 3d. a 



I 



I I 

Gwladys, 2d. w. Prince David=j= 

of Reginald de began his 

Braose, married reign in 

adly Ralph lord 1240. d 

Mortimer, of 

Wigmore. 



CariadogapTho-=f=Eva, da. of Gwyn [orCynon] 



mas. 



ap Gruffith ap Beli. 



Gruffith ap Lle-=f=Sina, or Senena 



welyn. 



/ 



Einion ap Cariadog=p 
1 st son. The site of 
his palace is to be 
seen at this day in 
Penychen. 



Gruffith,=pL< 



Prince Llewelyn ap Gruff '= David was exe-=p 



last prince of Wales, slain at 



pnn 
silt, i 



Buellt, in 1282. 



cuted at Salop in 
1284. 



13 
Owen Goch. 



I 



A daughter. 
Maternal ancestor to Owen Glyndwr. 



Dafydd Fele ab Dd.=pA daughter. 



Tudor, lord of 

Penychen, &c. 

h 



Gwerville, da 
of Eignan. 
1 



David ap Grt 
ap Cariadog. 



Sii h 

in the 
(afb 



Rodri ab Gruff.=f=* • 

Thomas ab Rodri.=T=•• 



I 
Elin the Frenchwoman, [so called because she was in France with her 
married and had children. Hengwrt MS. — L. 



* This interesting anecdote identifying Syr Jevan of Wales, (whose chivalrous exploits occupy so large a portion of Froissart*! 
Hengwrt MSS. belonging to Gryffydd ap Howel Vaughan, Esq. of Rug, whose kind indulgence in permitting the Editor a perusal oft 



Cadwallon, slain=p Gwenllian, wife of Gruff' 
before his father's ap Rhys ap Tudor mawr, 
death. j prince of South Wales. 



Natural sons by various women. 



i. Conan had 
part ot Merio- 
neth. He had 
several sons ; 
scil. 



Gruff', ob. 
"53- 



Meredith, 
other issue. 



I : 

2. Llewellyn. 

3. Meredith. 

4. Edward. 

5. Rhun. 

6. Howel. 

7. Cadelh. 

8. Madoc. 

9. Einion. 
10. Cynwric. 
ix. Philip 

and 
12. Riryd. 



T 



Howell. 



>warch, &c. 



I 
Will' Cariadog, alias Wilkock 
Craidog, 3d. son marr. an in- 
heretrix in Pembrokeshire. 



And heir of 
Vaughan. 



Owen Haw g6ch, or Owen with the " Bloody Hand," 
who distinguished himself in the wars of France, 
temp. E. 3, & is celebrated by Sir John Froissart, in 
his Chronicles, by the name of Syr Ievan of Wales. 
Murdered by John Lamb, in 1381.* — L. 

ith the son of Tomas ab Rodri, was discovered in one of the 
ume is most gratefully acknowledged. — L. j 



Notes to Table I. 



a He was living 31 Oct., 1212. 
b Rodri was living in- 1183. 
c Living 31 Oct., 1212. 
d Prince David, &c.=j= 

Ellis ap Jer-^=Agnes 
werth ap 
Owen Bro- 
gyntyn. 

e It has been generally said that Griffith was illegitimate, 
but the celebrated Welsh Antiquary, Vaughan of Hengwrt 
maintained a contrary opinion. 

/ Living A 25 Hen. 3. 

g See page 25. 

h Dead in 1328. See Rolls of Parliament. 

i Angharad coheiress to her brother 2 Edw. 3, 1328. Se 
Rolls of Parliament. 

j I strongly suspect that the following is the passage to which 
Miss Angharad Llwyd refers. It is in Hengwrt MS. 351, the 
only one she is likely to have had access to, as being at Rhug 
in Col. Vaughan's time. It is on page 865, and is a copy of a 
large MS. in the autograph of Robert Vaughan the Antiquary. 
Hengwrt MS. 96. 

44 On Loawgoch alas yn Ffrainc gan Jo 11 Lam ei was drwy 
frad yn ei wely pan oed yn arfaethy dyfod i oresgyn talaith 
Cymru J. B. 30. O. S. P. 

" Elen Ffrances am ei bod yn Ffrainc gydai brawd ac yn 
medry Ffrangeg= ap Jor. ap Ednyved Vychan 

p. Llyfr Mr. Edd. Herbert Drefaldwyn." 

It would appear from a letter in the Archceologia Cambrtnsis 
No. XXI, third series, page 62, quoting an original record in 
the Imperial Library of France, that the names of Sir Ievan 
of Wales were " I vain agruffin," doubtless Ievan ap Griffith. 
— W. 



• * 



HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



Owen Gwynedd was Prince after his father. 1 

He married to his first wife Gwladys, daughter to Lowarch ap 
Trahayarn, Lord of Divet, by whom he had only Yerwerth a 
Drwndwn or Edward with the broken nose, 3 and by his second 
wife called Christian, daughter of Gronow ap Owen ap Edwyn 
Lord of Englefield, being his cosen, he had David who after 
him was Prince ; he had also Rodri Lord of Anglesey, 4 and Cad- 
wallon who was Abbot of Bardsey, and Angharad wife of Griffith 
Maelor. 5 He had besides these by diverse women Conan, Llewellin, 
Meredith, Edwal, 6 Run, Howel, Cadelh, Madoc, Eneon, Cynw- 
ric, Philip, and Riryd Lord of Clochran in Ireland, (v. Powel's 



qd. ego Grifl. films Conani concessi dedi et con. 
firm.ivi dec. el Ecclesiss Sli Johanis Evang. de 
Hagemon & Canonicis ibidem deo aervientibus ad 
Ecdesiam eorum de Nevyn trea acres in Nevyn et 
AbrahamFiliumAldrediSutorisetduosfiliosSerence. 
Co. W. et Jo. in perpetuam Eleemosynam libere 
& quiete ad Ecdesiam S. Marin de Nevyn & 
pracdictis Canon, de Hagemon jure perpetuo 

pertineat 

Omnibus St* dei Ecclea. fihis tarn priesentibus 
quam futuris David rei filiue Owini Salutem. Notum 
sit vobis me concessise Abbati & Canonicis de 
Hagemon illam terram quam T. D. habuit in 
villa de Nevyn ab omnibus ttrrenis consuetu- 
dinibua immunem concedoque similiter pratdict' 
Canonicil decimationem molendini mei de Nevyn 
ad perpetuam EleemoBynam, T. Jo. de Burcheto 
Kado de tega, Einion Beys Ac. 

David filiug Oweni Principle North -Wallie 
Universii xti fidelibus Francis & Anglis Salutem 
in Domino Sempitemam. Sciaiis me assensu Emma: 
uioris mex et Oweni hferedia mei Ac. His Teat. 
Remo Epo. Rado de lega, Domina Emma soror. 
Hen: Regia ux. Davidia fil. Oweni Princip. 
North wall. Ac. Ac. Sciaiis me assensu Davidis 
mariti mei et Oweni h.-eredia mei Ac. 

T, Einion Seys, Rado de lega.— L. 

In the Bregyntyn MS. the worda "and are 
extant " follow ■■ Bishop of Bangor." (See p. 1 i, "]. 

1 Owen Gwynedd died in 1169. 

• This account differ* very materially from that 
given by Dr. Powel in hia History of Cambria, 
p. 336. It ahould seem however that the author 
made hm of some materials in compiling this 



short chronicle of the Princes of Wales, which 
Dr. Powel had no opportunity of consulting ; 
and he hath already mentioned a life of Griffith 
ap Conan written by a most ancieal Friar or 
Monk of Walts. Dr. Powel'* History was pub- 
lished in 15S4, and as the author refer* to it 
in thia page, it proves that this part of the MS. 
was written after that year.— B. Evan Evans 
informed Mr. Barrington of a Latin History of 
Wales, by one Davydd Maelor, which Dr. Powel 
wrote some notea upon ; he likewise told him that 
the Chronicle of Thomas Williams is in the Hengwrt 
Library, J. LI.— L. 

* " Vcrworth Drwyndon near to Brute." Out 
of a charte of the Genealogic of the Dukes of 
Yorke inserted in Leland'a ColUct. vol. II. p. 
lib. id edit.— B. 

' There ia a poem addressed to Rodri, by Gwalch- 
mai, in the Myvyrian Archaoloiry, ed. 1870, p. 146. 
The tomb of Rodri was found upon the reparation 
of the choir of Holyhead church, in 1713, and on 
it a small brass shell, curiously wrought with net 
work fCamb. Rtg. vol. III. p. aij.} 

* Gryffith Maelor Lord of Bromficld, who 
died in 1191. [See Anderson's Royal Gtntatv- 
gi/s.) He was brother of Maryed, mentioned 
hereafter. — P. 

* Edwal, or Idwal, waa murdered at Llyn 
Idwal, by Dunawt. son of Nefydd Hardd, one 
of the Fifteen Tribes of North Walca, to 
whom Owen had entrusted the youth to be 
fostered. (See Pennant's Tours, vol. 3, p. 163, 
quarto ed. 17S4.J 



14 



HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



Chron.) This Prince Owen with his brother Cadwalader (as the 
Welsh Chronicle maketh mention) in his father's time made 
many victorious voyages into South Wales against the Normans 
that incroached mightilie on that country, and in a pitched field 
slew 3000 men, and put the rest to flight. Being prince after 
his father's death, he overthrew the Earle of Chester and a num- 
ber of March Lords, and (as Giraldus Cambrensis hath it in his 
History, intituled Itinerarium Cambria?) repulsed K. Henry II. 
who made three voyages royall against Wales with all the Power 
of England, Normandy, and Aquitane, together with the suc- 
cours of Flanders and Britayne. In one of the voyages at 
Counsyllt wood the whole army of the King was put to flight, 
as the French Chronicle 1 sayth, the King's person endangered, 
and the great standard of England overthrowne and forsaken 2 , 
which was the cause that Robert Mountfort, a noble baron, im- 
peached Henry of Essex the standard bearer, (who held that 
office by inheritance), for beginning the flight, of treason, which 
being tried by combate, the standard-bearer was overthrowne, 
his office, lands, and goods, confiscate, and himselfe shaven a 
monke in the Abbey of Reading. After that this Prince had 
reigned most victoriously thirty-two years, he died. It is written 
of him, that he was soe fortunate, as that he never attempted that 
enterprise which he atchieved not. 

Cadwalader, brother to prince Owen 3 , was married to Alice, 
daughter to Richard earl of Clare, and was lord of Ceredigiawn or 
Cardiganshire. 



1 As there 

it is difficult 
alludes to. 

to, whether 
before mentii 
of Conway, 
of the same t 
of a Welsh 



relalio: 



Sir 



several French Chronicles which 
treat of what happened in England, 
to ascertain what History the author 
He also does not explain in any in- 
Welsh Chronicle he so often refers 
that of Caradoc of Lancarvan, that 
oned to have been written by a Friar 

perhaps some other compilation 
The author also cites the copy 

ronicle in the possession of his 

omas Williams of Trefriw. (See 



I See Gulielmua Neubrigensis's account of the 
action. I. a. c. 5. which agrees with the author's 
in most particulars. — B. 

: ' Cadwalader /rater Owini magni satutem in 
Domino ; Notum sit universitati vestrse quod ego 
Cadwalader pro salute anima me* & omnium 
aniecessorum & hercdum mcoram dedi & concesai 
Deo & Ecclie S. Joannis Evan' do Hageman & 
Canonicis ibidem Deo servientibus in puram & 
p'petuam Eleemosynam Ecdesia: de Nevin. T. 
Alic' de Clara uxore mea, Ranulpho coroite 



HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



15 



Though this record is attested 1 by Cadwalader king of Wales 2 
because he had kingly authority in this countrey, yet he was no 
more than a subject to his brother, by whom he was banished, 
and lost his lands, till by composition the same was restored. The 
Welsh Chronicle calleth him Prince of Wales: he dwelled most 
at the castle of Aberystwythe. He was murthered by the English 
souldiers which the King sent to conduct him to his countrey. 

After the death of Owen, Yerwerth (or Edward), his sonne, 
being thought unfitt to governe by reason of the deformity of his 
face, David his brother became Prince in his father's roome. 

I find that Yerwerth Drwndwn, or Edward with the broken 
nose, being put from the government of the principality, had 
assigned him for his part of his father's inheritance, the hundreds 
of Nanconwy and Ardydwy. 8 He dwelled at the castle of Dol- 
wyddelan, 4 where it is thought credible his son Llewelyn the 
Great, or prince Llewelyn 6 , was borne, whose mother was Maryed 
the daughter of Madog ap Meredydd prince of Powys. 

Conan ap Owen Gwynedd his son had for his part the country 
of Merioneth." 

David married 7 Emma sister to King Henry the II. and had by 
her a sonne called Owen; upon confidence of that match he ba- 
nished his base brethren, and imprisoned his brother Roderike, 
because he desired the portion of inheritance. But Rodericke: 

Ce strife, etc. Predpio quod Abbas Satop & 
Convent us habeant tot am tenuram mam inter 
Ryblam & Mersam [Two rivers in Lancashire] 
T. R. comite de Clara & Cadualadro ap Gr. ap 
Cyxan rcgf Walttarvm, & Roberto Basset & 
Gaufrid apud Cestriam. — B. 

1 See note ' page 14. 

'For "is attested by" the Bala MS. .has it 
" calleth this."— L. 

"Nanteonway is a hundred of Carnarvonshire, 
through which the river Conway runs ; Ardydwy 
is a hundred in the N.W. part of Merionethshire. 
— B. 

* This castle is situated in the South Eastern 
part* of Carnarvonshire, and in perhaps the least 



frequented part of the mountains. The re 
at present are very insignificant. — B, 

* It is therefore always sriled by Giraldus Cam 
brensis, Ttrra Jitiorum Coiwni.— B. 

■A charter of Llewelyn, the son of Griffith, 
Prince of Wales and Lord of Snaudon. is dated 
at Dolwyddelan, the next Thursday before the 
Festival of S. Lawrence tiSi, (Rtcord of Cat 

1 " What I in loud reply Madoc exclaimed, 
Hath he forgotten all 1 

David, King Owen's son . . my father's son . 

He wed the Saxon . . the Plantagenel I " 

(Southey's Madoc, First part, p. 7, 8vo. edit.. 1807) 



i6 



HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



breaking his brother's prison, entered the isle of Anglisey, and 
was received of the people as soveraigne lord thereof, and within 
a while recovered all that parte of Wales which lyeth above the 
river of Conway. At such time as Giraldus Cambrensis in the 
company of Baldwyn Archbishop of Canterbury 1 travailed through 
Wales, preaching the crosse against the infidells, David had noe 
other part of the principality of Wales save Ruddlan castle and 
the territorie adjacent, which he held with a garrison of English, 
where the Archbishop lodged one night to visit the King's sister, 
as the same Giraldus doth testifie in his booke intituled, His Jour- 
ney through Wales. 

Giraldus maketh mention , that Roderic was Prince at such 
time as the Archbishop preached the Crosse in Anglisy, and that 
he had in his court Llewelyn the son of Yerwerth, or Edward, his 
nephew, who, though he was overborne by his uncle David (that 
maried the K. of England's sister, and had by her issue male), as 
alsoe by his uncle Roderic, (who to strengthen himselle with 
the power of South Wales, had maried his own cosen, 2 daugh- 
ter of the Lord Rys ap Gruffith ap Rys ap Tewdwr mawr, and 
by her had issue Gruffith and Thomas), yet God soe advanced 
the right of the young prince Llewelyn, that in time he put 
down both his uncles from the princely scepter and their poste- 
rity, yet it may be imagined, (considering what places they held 



1 This was in the year uSS. 
'Agnes. See Collins's : 
>]. i, 8vo. 1720.— P. 



count of the Wynnt 
Griffith ap Conan. 



family in his Baronttagt, 



Agnes =f Agnei, da. of lord Rhyl. 




HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



17 



in their countrys and what friends they had abroad), not with- 
out an honourable composition and provision for themselves and 
their posterities first had. 

It appeareth by the records 1 in K. John's time remayning in the 
Tower, that the King gave to Owen the son of David, being 
his cosen german, and to Gruffith the sonne of Rodri 2 three can- 
treds, viz. Rhos, Rheviniog, and Duffryn Clwyd, excepting 
the castle of Gannocke* and the territorie of Criddyn, wherein 
the said castle did stand, and alsoe gave them three other cantreds 
if they could winne them : the record followeth in hsec verba 4 . 

By this record, (as also by the Welsh historie, which mention- 
eth that David ap Owen often assayed by the power of the King 
of England to recover the principality against Prince Llewelyn 



' Omnibus sanct* Ecclite filiis tam p'sentibus 
qaam futuiis David re* lilius Oweni salutem. 
Notum sit vobis me concessisse Abb.ui et Canonicis 
de llagemon illam (crram quam T. D. habuit in villa 
dc Nevyn ab omnibus tcrrcnis consuetudinis (sic) 
immunem, concedoq similiter p'dict' Canonicis dec i- 
mationem molendini mti de Nevyn ad ppetuam 
Eleeraosynam, T. Jo. de Burcheto, Rad'o de lega. 
Enion Seys&c: 

David lilius Owini princeps NorthwallUe vniv'sis 
Xii fidelibus Francis & Anglis salutem in domino 
sempiternam Sciatis mc assensu Emm* vxoris 
rata: & Oweni hcredis met &c -. his T. Remo Bpo', 
Rad'o de lega. 

Domina Emma soror Henric regis uxor Davidis 
filii Oweni principis Northwallie £c: sciatis me 
asscnsu Davidis marili mei, et Oweni heredis mei 
& T. Enion Seys. Rad'o de lega. (From the 
Brogyntyn MS.) 

'' Rodri is a contraction for Roderic. Thus 
Odri is for Oderic. See Hist. Lit- de la France, 
t. VIII. p. 108.— B. 

' The castle of Gannocke is supposed to have 
been situated below Conway, where the river 
empties itself into the sea.— B. Called also Diganwy. 

' JO' Dei g'ra, &c. Sciatis Nob concessisse & 
hac chana n'ra confirmasse Audoeno filio Davidis 
& Grufr filio Roderici tria cantreda; sc. Rhos, 
salvo Nobis c astro de Gannocke cum Creythyn 
ubi castrura illud sedet, Rhevcmoc & Dufiiyn 



Clwyd cum ptinentiis suis integrc tenenda ipsis 
Audoeno & Gruffino & heredibus suis de Nubia 
& heredibus n'rii per servicia subscripts; s. 
singulis annis xn dextrarios dc pretio : s, de uno- 
quoq; cantred mi dextrarios; S prelerea dc 
illis tribus cantredis unim nalam [This is the word 
usedin the MS.; it should however, probably, he 
incut, i in canvm, from the French word meute.] canum 
p' annum, & decern lepores t omnes accipitres 
& falconcs gentiles & spervarios diet' triuni 
Cantredorum, reddendo inde Nobis & heredibus 
n'ris singulis ami is apud Salop ad Festum S. 
Petri ad vincula. P'terca ipsi ambo ibuni Is 
servitium n'rum c'u gentibus de diet' cantredm 
& alias remanebunt si volumus. P'dicti vero 
Audocnus & Grumnus obsides Nobis dabunt dc 
fideli aervitio suu. S. Audoenus lilius David dabit 
fili u* suu' de uvore sua desponsat' &C. &• it /' jiosse 
itlaruHi &• p' liemliam n'ram poiiinl coHanirtrt 
Arfon ar & clawdd et Lleyn, idon' icrvic' Nobis 
facient de illis tribus 'pdict' cantredis. His T. 
Dom', P. Winton E'po, W. Comite Sarum fratre 
nostra, G. filio Petri Com' Warren, S. Com' Win- 
ton, W'm Com' Ferrar. Wiil'imo Briover, Petro 
fil' Herberti, Th'o de Ardincr, Pho de Arch Justic' 
Cestr'. Dat' [p manum mris (sic) Redemaritc' 
Arched Norlhumbr'. — Brogyntyn MS.] apud 
Suwerit' x\xi die Octob' anno regni n'ri xmi*. — B. 
The word " clawdd " in the MS., should pethaps 
be"Arllechuredd."— L. In the Piniarth MS. it 
reads thus : — '• Arwn, Arichauit et Lewin " " Ke- 
demariK 1 " is " Redimari Sc " in Piniarth MS. 



i8 



HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



his nephew), it may appeare that the cosens, Owen the sonne of 
David, and Gruffith the son of Rodri, joyned with the K. of 
England against their prince Llewelyn ; but all in vaine, for 
Giraldus maketh mention, they got noe other portion but what 
they had by composition. In what place it was in Wales the 
sons of Rodri had possessions graunted them, or whether it was in 
diverse places (as is most likely it should be, to weaken men of 
their alliance, friends, and authority among the commons), it 
doth not appeare by certayne record. 

Whether David ap Owen had any more children by the king's 
sister but Owen, and whether any, or who be descended, either 
by male or female, of them, I cannot yet find any certainty 
thereof. In a fragment of a Welsh cronicle, copied by Sir Thomas 
Williams, I find, that in the end Llewelin killed his uncle 
David, and all his posterity, at Conway. Soe that I think there 
is none descended from the said David and the Lady Emma his 
wife either male or female. 

The posterity of Rodri bad large possessions in Denbigh land, 
called Rhos Ravoniawg, neare and about Denbigh castle, in the 
chiefest and best parte of the same, as hereafter in this history shall 
appeare (whereby it may seeme K. John's graunt of that countrey 
was not wholly frustrate unto them, or perhaps they had that 
land given them by the last prince Llewelyn) and also were 
lords of diverse lordships in the county of Carnarvon, especialie 
in the hundred of Evioneth. The Evioneth men have it among 
them by tradition, that Llewelyn the Great gave the lands in 
Evioneth unto the posterity of Rodri. I find in a fragment of a 
Welsh cronicle, copied by my kinsman Sir Thomas Williams, that 
Rodri had another son called Einion (as is afore specified) by the 
daughter of the Lord Rys, Prince of South Wales, beside Gruffith 
before mentioned and Thomas. 

Rodri his second wife was daughter to Gotheric, King of Man. 
In anno Dom. 1243 Rodri ap Owen, by the help of Gotheric K. 
of Man, invaded Anglisey, but within one yeare was thence re- 



HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



tg 



pulsed by the sons of Conan ap Owen Gwynedd, who held the 
isle to themselves. Quere, who are descended of this Conan ? 
There is in the towneshipp of Pennant Evioneth a gwely called 
gwely wynon Cynan 1 held very freely ; many suppose that part of 
this Conan's inheritance was there. I remember the words of 
Giraldus Cambrensis, that sayeth, I will advisedly omit the cruell 
and unnaturall warrs that were for ambition of government be- 
twene Prince Owen's children and offespring in the time of the 
said Giraldus. Rodri lyeth buried in the Colledge of Kerkyby.* 
This I had out of the Welsh cronicle, copied by Sir Thomas 
Will' of Trefriw. 8 

Thomas ap Rodri maried Marged, the daughter of Einion ap 
Sisyllt, 4 and had by her Cariadog ap Tho', who maried Eva the 
daughter of Gwyn ap Gruff', Lord of Kegidfa, and had by her 
Einion ap Cariadog, Lord of Penychen 5 (where his manor is called 
to this day, Llys 6 Einion ap Cariadog), Bala deulyn, 7 Penyberth, 8 
and of many places more, as may be imagined by his greatness in 
his time. He had also Gruff' ap Cariadog Lord of Friwlwyd* 
(where the ruins of his manor house do alsoe appeare), Ystrad, 
Eskibion, and of other great possessions in Rhos and Ravoniawg. 
He had likewise Syna maried to Gruff' ap Llewelyn, by whom 



1 This may be rendered, The Tenement of the 
Nephews of Conan. Gwely is literally a bed— 
metaphorically any place of rest, hence house, 
habitation, manor, estate, or tenement.— B. Gwely 
is likewise metaphorically a family, or household. 
— E. 

' Kerkyby it at present called Holyhead in Angle- 
sey.— B. In Welsh still called Caergybi. 

' Trefriw is a village in Carnarvonshire, situated 
on the southern side of the Conway, about two 
miles below Gwedir. It signifies the town on the 
bank or declivity. — B. 

* Einion ap Sisyllt of Llanwrin (note to Brogynlyn 
MS.) He was styled Lord of Meirionydd.— L. 

* Penychen is the promontory within sight of 
the Avonwen railway station, to the west. It 
now (1B78) belongs to Lord Newborough. 



* Llys signifies a palace, or great mansion 
bouse,— B. 

7 Bala deulyn is at the outlet of the Nantllc 
Lakes. King Edw. 1. dates charters there in the 
twelfth year of his reign. I believe it to be the 
same piace as Nennrdarchlyn (Neuaddailyn— the 
hall upon the lake), where he dates charters in 
the same year.— W. 

"Penyberth is about two miles to the north- 
east of the village of LUnbedrog. It is the largest 
farm upon the Madryn estate. 

' Friwlwyd is a township situated in the parish 
of Llanarmon and hundred of Evioneth in Car- 
narvonshire: a small river runs through it bearing 
that name. Ystrad and Eskibion must probably 
adjoin to this township.— B. 





■20 HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 

the said Gruff' begat Llewelyn ap Gruffith last Prince of Wales 
of the Brittish race, who was slayne at Buellt. Llewelyn ap 
Jerwerth ap Owen Gwynedd haveing by the helpe of his Cosens 
Conan ap Owen Gwinedd's sonties, .deprived his uncles, began to 
raigne anno 1194, who atchieved soe many noble enterprises that 
he obtained the name of Llewelyn the Great among all posteritie 
and writers. His workes and worthy deeds being remembred by 
soe many miters, do make me the lesse to dwell upon the reher- 
sall of them, seeing my purpose is no more than cursoriwise to 
touch the raigne of the princes, to "the end to make the history 1 
I write more easie to be understood. 3 Only I have thought good 
to insert here a coppie of one of King Henry the Third's letters 3 



1 The author by this means the history oi his 
own family .— B. 

-When it shall appear in the reign of what 
Prince everything was done (Ruthyn MS.) — L_ 
'"HENRICUS Rex Angli«, *c Leolino 
Principi Aberti 1 Dn'o de Snowdon, Salutem & Se 
tOIum. Cum propter innundationes aquarum & 
viarum discrimina nuncii n'ri ad vos accedere non 
possint, p'cursorem quendam literas p'aentes dux- 
imus destinendas, p' quas majestati vestrae signi- 
fkamus q'd Nos p' Nobis & n'ris vobiscum & 
earn oi'bus vestris pacem tenuimus & tenebimus 
in farm-', & hoc dedimus ballivis n'ris & impri- 
sii» [This word signifies one who undertakes 
another's business, from rmprtndri, an old French 
lerra used for tntr/f rtndet] in mandatis, Ut pacem 
cum iuis Coroarchionibua firmiter teneant & ob- 
,m rogamus serenitatem quod 
comoranlib' detis si placet 
ris pacem teneant inviolatam : 
1 si placet nobis Bignificetis 
ra." This letter is printed 
as copied by Sir John Wynne. It should not be 
concealed however that upon examining the re- 
cords in Rymer lor the year 1133 and 17th of 
Henry the Third, it turns out to be a letter 
from Lewelin to Henry the Third, and not 
from that King to Lewelin. See Rymer, vol. L 
par. i. p. 114. Hague Ed. — B. In the Brogynlyn 
MS. following the words " valeat ex'lentia vestra." 
there is the following : — Leolinus principi North- 
inOfaB pib' fide lib' isn p'stnlib' quam futuris p'sens 



ripttim inspecturis salut 



ballivis in Marchia 
in mandatijq'dcum r 

Valeat ex'lentia \ 



1 salutari Noverit 
leo ft Ecctie Stt 
Jbhannis Evangelism: de Hagemon & canonieiB 
ibidem deo servientibus p' salute anima: nra: & patrio 
n'ri &c. Bient charta p'dicti dividis filii Owini testa- 
tur. T. Rainers Epo' Assaph ct Rado de lega &c. 

This letter is preceded by one from Henry the 
Third to Lewelin in the ioilowing words : " Rex 
Lewetino Principi de Aberfrau, &c. Domino de 
Snawdun. Salutem. Noveritis quod die luna;, 
proximo post instans fcBtum nativi talis beata; 
M arise mittem us consilium nostrum usque Colewent, 
in occursum consilii vestri ibidem. Et ideo vos 
rogamus quod detis consilio vestro plenam potes- 
taicm ad exponendam consilio nostro plene 
voluntatem vestram, quia nos dablmus consilio 
nostro ex parte nostra plenam potestatem ad 
exponendam consilio vestro voluntatem nostram 
ad fimiker pacem faciendam inter nos & vos ; 
ita quod nullus scrupulus sit inter vos & nos. 
Et volumus quod id providebitur inter nos & vos, 
quod nullo modo vos, vel David filius vester 
aliquo tempore a tervilio nostra recedatis. Teste 
R, apud Hayam 2 die Septembr'." Rymer, ibid. 

The author seems to have ascribed the first 
letter to Henry the Third, on account of the 
expressions Mojeslm veslra — rvgamus strtHilaUm 
— valeat tictllentia vistra, which he chose should 
be applied to Lewelin. Whereas it appears by 
the letter from this King to Lewelin that he 
considered him as his vassal. Quod nulla modo 
vos vtl David flius vestcr aliquo tempore a nostro 
strvitio rtctdatis. — B. 






HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



unto the said Prince Lywelyn, which is extant in the records of 
the treasurie at Westminster (because it is extant in noe cronicle 
that I have seen) and was thence brought to light by Richard 
Broughton, Esq. Justice of North Wales, the chiefe antiquary 
of England ; a man to whom his countrey is much beholden, pre- 
ferring nothing more than the honour thereof, which he most 
carefully raketh out of the ashes of oblivion, in searching, quot- 
ing, and coppying, to his great chardge, all the ancient records 
he can come by. 

Anno Domini 1253 one Gruffith ap Conan ap Owen Gwynedd 
was buried in a monkes cowle in the Abbey of Conway, as sayeth 
the Welsh cronicle. Anno 1201 J Prince Llewelyn banished 
Meredith the sonne of Conan ap Owen Gwynedd suspected of 
treason, and seised the cantreds 2 of Llun and Evioneth, which 
were Conan's lands, into his own hands. Giraldus Cambrensis 
in his Itintrarium Cambria: sayeth, that the cantreds of Llun and 
Evioneth were the possessions of Owen Gwynedd's children when 
he passed through Wales, and that they had two castles ; the one 
in Carnmadrin in Llun, the other called Dewdraeth juxta mon- 
tana de Erryri, which confirmeth that Ardydwy and Evioneth 
made but one cantred, for 3 Penrhyn Deudraeth, where that castle 
stood, is in Ardydwy 1 . I am of opinion that the cantreds of 
Llun and Evioneth were the possessions of Rodri, and given by 



1 It must be admitted that these facts are not 
stated with proper attention to their dates. A 
most ingenious and learned friend (the Rev. Dr. 
Bcnj.imin Pye) hath suggested, that if the two 
dates were transposed, they would agree with 

Wynne'* History of Walls B, •• The yeare after 

(taoo) Griffith ronne to Conan ap Owen Gwyneth 
a noble man died, and was buried in a monks 
cowle at the Abbey of Conwy, and so were all 
the noble* (for the most part) of that time buried." 
(Powell's History of Walts, 1584, p. 253). "The 
yeare wot, Llewelyn ap Jorwerth prince of North- 
wales, being a tustie young man, banished out of 
the land his coosen Mercdyth the Sonne of Conan 
ap Owen Gwynedd suspected of treason, and 
seased the Cantref of Lhyn and Euyonyth to hi* 



owne hands, which were Conan's land." [Ibid. 
p. 155.) Meredith was one of the founders of the 
Abbey of Cymmer, in Merionethshire. 

5 A canlred is a district of country, which is 
thus described by Giraldus Cambrensis ; '• Unius 
commoti solum, i. e. quarts par* eantredi ; habet 
antem haw: insula (sc. Mona) treccntas quadr.iginca 
villas, & pro Iribus caatndis reputatur." The 
cantred* of Llun and Evioneth are in .the S.W. 
parts of Carnarvonshire. The latter is so called 
from its being watered with many streams, as 
Aquitaine in France is supposed to be. — B. 

" Aberiaen in Penrhyn Deudraeth. — L. 

• Ardydwy is a hundred in the N. Western 
part of Merionethshire.— B. 



HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



this Prince Llewelyn, upon the expulsion of Rodri from the 
principality, to this Meredith ap Conan : howsoever it was, the 
posterity of Rodri held it till the conquest of Wales by the King 
of England, and then how they lost what remayned undivided 
into small portions, shall hereafter be shewed in this history. 

Llewelyn, Prince of Wales, married Joane the daughter of 
King John, begotten on his wife Agatha, daughter of Robert 
Ferrers, Earle of Darby. The King in marriage gave with his 
daughter the lordship of Elesmer in the marches of Wales. Some 
will affirme that Agatha was not the King's wife, but paramour, 
but that is most untrue, for he married her long before he was 
King, and because she bare noe issue male (as some affirme) di- 
vorsed himselfe from her ; others thinke she died anone after he 
was King 1 . 

Prince Llewelyn in his youth, long before this recited ma- 
nage, had maried Tangwstyl, daughter of Lowarch Goch of 
Rhos, by whom he begate a most valiant sonne, called Gruffith 
ap Llewelyn, 8 who, as heire apparent in his father's time, after 



1 Joane was, however, most certainly the ille- 
gitimate daughter of Agatha, as there is in Rymer 
an instrument thus entitled, '' De remissione 
Lewd i no Wallix I'rintipi qui Joannam Regis 
fliam natham duxerat in uxorem."— It concludes, 
" Et quod ipsum dcinceps pro filio habebimus " 
(vol. 1. par i. p. .jv anno 1208. 10 Joh.l Ac- 
cordingly, four years afterwards. King John sends 
a letter; " Dilecto filio sua Lewilino Principi 
Wallias." (Ibid. p. 65.) 

What seems still more extraordinary, in the 
next reign, this spurious daughter of K. John's 
is stiled by Henry the Third, his sister, and 
Lewclin sometimes his brother, as likewise David, 
the ton of this marriage, his nephew. See vol. I. 
par. i. p. Si. 9S. & 100. in which last reference 
Lewelin'e wife is also stiled Domina Norwalliie. 

The stone coffin in which, according to tradition, 
this daughter of K. John's was buried, is still 
used as a trough for the cattle to drink out of, 
not far from a farm house called Friars, which 
is situated in the island of Anglesey about a 
mile N. of Beaumaris, on the sea-coast. [It is now, 
1878, carefully preserved in a building in Baron hill 
wood.] She is supposed to have been buried in the 



neighbouring church of Llanvays ; and that this 
part of the tradition is true, appears by the 
following extract from an instrument in Kymer : 

Pro Fratribus Minorum de Llanvaysii in Insula 
nostra de Anglesye. 

Considcrantcs quod in cadem domo 

corpus tamjJIiir Regis yohannis progenitoris nostri 
quam filii Regit Dacia, necnon corpora Domini 
de Clyffort [For an account of the action in which 
this Dominus de Clyhord was killed see Dec. 
Script, c. 3464], &c. ttfutta tiistunt. Rymer, 
vol. IV. part ii. p, 83. A.D. 1414. & a Hen. V. 
The supposed coffin of Pompey's father is used 
as a watering trough for mules at Barcelona- 
Swinburne's account of Spain. 

In the year 1236 died lady Johan Wife to 
Lewelin Prince of Wales the which was sister 
to King Henry by the father's side. She died 
b March at Haveringe in Essex, and was buried 
at Tarente Nunnery, in Dorsetshire. Lei. Collect. 
vol. II. p. 455. N. ed. It must be admitted that 
these two accounts are very contradictory. — B. 

1 In Dr. Powel's History of Walts, p. 298. 
this Gruffith ap Lewclyn is said to have been a 
lusty Gentleman, but base born. — P. 



HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



2j 



many warrs between him and his father, had the cantreds of 
Englefield, Ros, Rovoniog, and Dyffryn Clwyd given him by 
his father, being countreys next adjoyning unto England, to the 
end he might defend his countrey from the English. 

This Gruffith, in his father's time, maried Sina, or Senena, 
as the Latine Booke 1 called her, daughter to Cariadog ap Tho' 
2 Rodri ap Owen Gweyned : some of our Welsh pedigrees say she 
was the daughter of the King of Man, but it is an untruth ; there 
are other most ancient records to the contrary, 3 veryfying as here 
is laide downe. 

Also it is evident her brethren Eingan ap Cariadog and Gruffith 
ap Cariadog lost their lands in the quarel of her sonne, Llewelyn 
ap Griffith, last Prince of Wales, when his uncle David held the 
principalitie against him, as shall hereafter appeare. In Prince 
Llewelyn ap Jerwerth's time you shall find mencion made of 
Howell ap Gruffith ap Conan ap Owen Gwynedd, whom the 
Prince doth banish in anno 121 1, and after, in anno 1215, you 
shall find him first remembered in the honourable voyage Prince 
Llewelyn made unto South Wales, when he rased Carmarthen. 



1 It is rather difficult to ascertain what history 
of Wales the author means to refer to by what 
he stiles the Latint booke, Caradoc of Lancar- 
van's History ended with the year 1156, and 
therefore long before Gruffith's marriage. It was 
continued indeed by the bards (which belonged 
10 the two abbeys of Conway and Stratflur) to 
the year 1170 ; but Dr. Powel, who mentions 
the above particulars, does not state whether 
this continuation was in Welth or Latin. At 
it chiefly depended upon the Bards at their clcra, 
J should suppose that it was in the Welsh 
language. As for Geoffrey of Monmouth, whose 
history is in Latin, all the transactions he gives 
an account of are long anterior to what is here 
alluded to. It should therefore seem that the 
author refers to Matthew Paris or some of our 
Historians, who wrote in Latin, and occasionally 
lake notice of Weish occurrences.— B. Mr. 
Vaughan of Hcngwrt, in a letter to Archbishop 
Usher, mentions a History of Wales compiled by 



Tho*. Maelorius. which may be the History here 
alluded to. There is a Latin copy of the Annals of 
Wales at Gloddaeth, and probably many more of 
the kind at Hengwrt, Ac. There is a copy of this 
letter of Mr. Vaughan to Archbishop Usher in Dr. 
Fowlks's papers which came from Halston. Mr. 
Vaughan says, he never had seen the book, but 
observes, that it is quoted by Dr. Powel, and 
believes the author Thos. Maelorius did not live 
much before Henry the 6th's time. 1 am satisfied 
he is the same person that is miscalled in a former 
note David Maelor, by Mr. Evan Evans; Mr. 
Evans's tetter is dated the 14th of April, 1651. 
John Lloyd. — L. 

1 Tho' ap Rodri in edit. 1770. 

* See in Powel's History article* of agreement 
between Henry III. and Senena wife of Grufhlh, 
p. 301. Vet some Welsh Pedigrees suppose he 
married Rhanult daughter of Rheinalt King of 
Man.— P. 



HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



(Quere, Where his possessions were ? and who are come of him ?) 
Howell ap Gruff ap Conan was buried at Conway. 

I find not, during Prince Llewelyn ap Jerwerth's raigne, any 
mencion made of any thing done by the posterity of Rodri ap Owen 
Gwynedd : a man may easily guesse the reason, for this Prince 
held them under, and suspected -lest they should aspire to the 
princely dignity, which their ancestors sometime had held. 

In the raigne of David, sonne to the said Prince Llewelyn by 
Joane King John's daughter, who began to raigne anno 1240, 
Eignan and Gruff ap Cariadog tooke parte with their sister's 
Sonne, Llewelyn ap Gruff, the last Prince of Wales of that line, 
afterwards slayne at Buellt. 

We receave it by tradition from father to sonne in Evioneth, 
that David ap Llewelyn being Prince by the ayde of his uncle, 
the King came to the towne of Pwllhely in Llun to parle with 
the bretheren Eingan and Gruff ; whom the bretheren met with 
such a force on the day of truce, that the Prince told them they 
were too strong to be subjects ; whereto they answered, that 
he was rather too weake to be Prince, and soe parted without 
any conclusion or agreement. In the end they were forced by 
long warrs to forgoe that countrey, and to lose their land there, 
and to joyne themselves to their nephew Llewelyn ap Griffith, 
who then had his court at Maesmynan in Flintshire. He also 
held, as is before mentioned, the cantreds of Englefield, Dyffryn 
Clwyd, Ros, and Rovoniawg, against his uncle David ; haveing 
warre on the one side with the King, on the other side with his 
uncle, who gave them greate possessions (as some thinke) as afore 
is remembered about Denbigh Castle. 

Llewelyn, the sonne of Gruffith, their nephew, after the death 
of his uncle David, attayning the government of Wales, restored 
to his uncles their lands snd possessions in the county of Carnar- 
von. I find noe record of any thing done by them in the time 
of the same Prince. 



HISTORY OF THE GWVDIR FAMILY. 



25 



Eingan ap Cariadog 1 had a sonne, of whom mention shall bt: 
made hereafter, called Tudur Lord of Penychen 2 , Penyberth, and 
Baladeuiyn, and whether he had any more sonnes is to me uncertain. 

Gruff ap Cariadog maried Leuki, daughter of Llowaith 
Vaughan ap Llowarch Goch ap Llowarch Holbwrch, and had 
but one sonne to my knowledge, called David ap Gruffith s , 
which David maried Eva the sole heiress of Gruffith Vaughan ap 
Gruffith ap Mereithig of Penyfed in Evioneth, by whome he had 
three sonnes ; viz. David, Meredith, and Howell. This appeares 
by the record of the extent made of Denbigh land, in the time 
of Edward the first, by Henry Lacy 4 Earle of Lincolne, to whome 
the King gave that land upon the conquest of Wales : for Henry 
Lacy minding to make a princely seat of the castle of Denbigh, 
per force compassed 5 the children of the said David ap Gruff to 
exchange their possessions about Denbigh Castle (which were 
great) with him for other lands of lesse value in the said lordship, 
in the furthest part from him : the words of the record follow thus' 1 . 

How they left the lordship of Friwlwyd, and other their 
lands in the County of Carnarvon, I can find no record of, but 
only have it by tradition, that it was taken from them by the 
King's officers, for to this day it is parte of the principalitie ' of 



1 Eingan ap Caradoc Arglwyd Penychen yr hwn 
■ydd a mur ei Lys etto iw weled ym mhennychen. 
(A note in a more modem hand in Htngn-<t MSS. 

* This is a township neat (he sea, in the Parish 
of Abererch in Carnarvonshire, and situated be- 
tween the towns of Crekcith and Pullhely.— B. See 
note on page 19. 

" He had alio a daughter, Guerfil (or Gwerville) 
married to Inon ap Einion, according to Collins'* 
account of the Wynne family. (Baronetage, vol. I.) 
But perhaps this may be a mistake, for Gwerville 
daughter of Eignan ap Cariadock mentioned here, 
after.— P. 

" Rex concessit David, filto Grifiini, quod ipie 
& herxdes sui halieani et leneant de h & herzdihus 
»uis lotam terrain de Diffrencloyt, & de RcumnoiA. 
cum pertinentiis in Nor-Wallia." Rotulus Waltta 
de anno 6 Regis Edw. I. Sir Joseph Aylofle'a 



Calmdan of Attaint Ckarttri. Query, was the 
grantee in this charter this David, or David 
brotUer of Prince Llewelyn ) I believe it was the 
latter, who is styled " Lord of Denbigh." Sec also 
Peonaat'l HWci, vol. 2, p. 37.— W. 

* The cantreds of Ros and Revoniawg, and the 
Comote of Dynmael, were confirmed to tiim by 
charter dated 16 Oct: 10 Edw. I. Judging from 
the dates, it was probably David ap Griffith, and 
not his children who made this exchange with 
Lacy. See the MS. dates Tables 1 and 2. The 
Earl of Lincoln died in 1311. 

<■ "CflOpelW m Denbigh MS.— L. 

" By some mistake however the record is omiltej 
in the MS.- B. 

•' Principality here means lands held under the 
Princes of Wales, eldest suns of the Kings of 



<t 



1» T+ii vv^ZJZ * 



+., 




S*+/ 'H^g^fA ngKit.i' t n tin, TSPt, i\ 
*>4'** *a+/aa/ "*<#? -vi I**** wu&*r«£:uc 



«-'#*— * t ^ . 




••**»•» •»«• 



4*1*- «f U* 



'*■■* ***** y >/•/../ y. *s* * * :*v*+i0, h U«# y^fiitf 

yA*+** **+ Jt *•'«*+*** • f*y*As* <*) \ y 

l*M» + ^-* %*++** /'yl****/ $t 
******** jU*t +/* i4'*- f f*. 

f***' •*/--**+ •*** **&*, *+<£+ y4A* Mwm4* 
A /»j,4.,*jy ;♦*•-' i«v^*« V/Wi** frvV y(w*/j *>tpU# 
y4+* 1**4*4' /If m* Ututtju *A**$<mAw m 

up I4*#*l/h 4* *h *j4 IhAw *} lUh%w wy*m 
nth* *** IfhH* 4* h*}*4***l/h t fthvhyh, k 





HsK* 7 •/ill' 

* *u * V i*\ Mv\m-^c tnjx tmin-n 
m*r n no0tn rrrnrzxsm k. *f ai 
*}**;&** vtufo ypvor. aEBednm^ 

j4*t:*vi* #. tiwv icax^ivs flea 7 
Wifo.r v&jue* k vnmrum ■ in mi 
^'^r tutie feimuBun arf |g'.' Kuiuri n: 
;,**;»<> ft & 'sritflm t f ftmiif i w -*e3e 

* a &j*i\&* v*jj*Yia xl Isjtl Cdcsarvnc t 

4*>fwtt i*H5f*C«Jb« fas 

y\* *JiAm. frsVfMt- mSam 
7i4» *;* *i*j torn \rmmcnm at 

4774 'A iU HmU**r M&&. vtedi « a iaxje 
v>M4MMfif 0**&y * mM0i aomf i tte tx&BA or 

i,*$uw*m, m*4* in the 2t*h jtax of Edward 
7W4, 7W4j<«afr€C«exccocntkedolDTcnceof3xd 
/««# <^ k4w*rd Ike Tkkd iootead of the &&-— 

• 7 U wtcy 'AMtnvfXthw** taken m 7 




a 
v. 



HISTORY OF THE GVVYDIR FAMILY. 



Prince Llewelyn in Buellt, the King made a proclamation of 
peace to all the inhabitants of Wales, receiving them all that 
would come in and yeald themselves to him into his protection ; 
graunting the use and fruition of their lands, liberties, and pri- 
vileges they held before in their countrey under the Princes of 
Wales. This is the peace specified in the record : after which 
Tudur ap Eingan had held his lands almost one yeare. To 
whom or to what family this Gwervill was married I cannot as 
yet leame. This land soe taken is part of the possessions of the 
principalitie of Wales to this day. It is to be noted here, that all 
the selfe same time, in the raigne of Edward the First, the 
Queene his wife tooke perforce the land of Eingan ap Cariadog's 
offspring in the county of Carnarvon, and Henry Lacie exchanged 
perforce, with Gruff ap Cariadog's offspring in Denbigh land, 
and that the cozens stood in equall degree of kindred one to ano- 
ther, viz., cozen germans removed ; which hard dealing must 
needs pull downe a kindred. It cannot be otherwise alsoe, but 
that Friwlwyd was by the same Queene, or by the Justice Will' 
Sutton or others, who dealt hardly with the gentrie of these parts 
in those days, taken from the posterity of Gruff, for it is parte 
of the principalitie to these daies, although the record proving 
this happened not to fall into my hands. 

But to recurre lo the offspring of Gruff ap Cariadog, and then- 
succession, with the estate and condition they lived in from time 
to time unto this day ; it being my purpose to treat thereof. Out 
of the three brethren, David, Meredith, and Howell, who ex. 
changed, as above is remembred, with the Earle of Lincolne, the 
posterity onely of Howell doth remaine in credite and shew in 
their countrey, the posterity of the other two being by division 
and subdivision of gavelkind (the destruction of Wales) brought 
to the estate of meane freeholders, and soe haveing forgotten their 
descents and pedigree, are become as they never had been. If 
you aske the question why the succession of Howell sped better 



r 



28 



HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



than the posterity of the other two brethren, I can yeald no other 
reason, but God's mercy and' goodness towards the one more than 
the other, as God sayd in the booke of Moses, " I will have mercy 
"on whome I will have mercy," for they lived in the same com- 
monwealth , and under the same storme of oppression, soe as if 
God had not left us a seed, we had beene like Sodom, or com- 
pared to Gomorrha. Nevertheless by the goodness of God we 
are and continue in the reputation oi gentlemen from time to 
time sithence unto this day, as shall appeare by the discourse 
following The offspring of David ap Meredith hold the land 
exchanged by the Earle of Lincolne with their ancestors, viz., the 
towneship of Yscorebryll in Eglwys vach 1 and halfe Maethebroyd 
in Llanrwst, 2 and are reputed to be descended from Grumth ap 
Conan in the quarter where they dwell, but yet are not able to 
lay downe the certayntie of their pedigree. 

David ap Gruff* ap Cariadog (as before mentioned) maried Eva 
the daughter and heiress of Gruff' Vaughan ap Gruff' ap Mory- 
thig, and by her had that land which in the extent of North 
Wales is called Gwely Griffry in Penyved in Evioneth in the 
county of Carnarvon ; the quit rent of the Prince out of this 
Gwely" is £. 3. igs. Which Morithig the grandfather of this 
woman was, I am uncertaine, for there were two of that name ; 
one in North Wales, who is descended from Sandde Hard O Vor- 
tyn, from whome the chiefe men in Yale and Afaelor* derive 
their descent; and another in South Wales, called Morithyg 
Warwyn, of whome are come all the Vaughans. It did not 
appear by the Welsh pedegrees, that this Griffry was descended 
of Morythig, till I found the record in the Exchequer of Carnar- 



1 Eglwys vach is a pariah in the S.W. pact of 

Denbigh shite. — B. Eglwys vach signifies the church 
in the vale, from the obsolete word BAch, which 
bears that import. — Evan Evans. Others say th at 
this church is so called, from Bach ab Carwed, a 
-chieftain in the seventh century. See Owen's Bio. 
gruphy. W.D.— L, 



5 The town of Llanrwst is also in Denbighshire, 
lot far distant from the parish of Eglwys vach. — B. 
1 This word hath been before explained. — B. 
* Extensive Lordships in Denbighshire. — B. 



TABLE No. II 



TABLE II. 



a David ap Gruffith ap =f=Ev?, da. of Gruffith 
Canadog. St* the for- | Vaughan. & 
mer pedigree. Table J. . 
(after page 12). 



I 



Howell; 
of Evioc 



Evan, or fcUn.^ 



David Chwith.- 



Meredith. 



Howdl ap David.=pEva, or Myfanwy. 

d 



Gwenllian T wile of Jevan 
Gruff' ap Madog ap Ririd- 
rlaidd, of Penllyn. e 



Meredith ar>=pMorvydd, da. of Jevan 



Howell. / 



ap David ap Traha- 
yarn Goch oi the house 
of Rhyi ap Tudor. She 
died 1416. 



i 
David ap Howell manv 

(a daughter of Gwenllian. 

as it should seem in page 

jo). 



I 
wife of Reignalt 

ap Bleddyn. (Perhaps 

the same that married 

David ap Howell. See 

page 30). 



M 
Robert ap Meredith=p 

when he was almost 

80 married Angha- 

rad, da. of David ap 

L'yn, Sec. (she mar. ! 

2ndly Meredith ap 

Rhys ap Ievan 

Llwyd, &c.) 



Jevan ap Mere- 
dith, married 

Lleiki, dau. of 

Howel Sele. 

k 



31. 
Robin .=7= 



Marsii, wife of 

Jenkin Conwey 

ancestor of the 

Conwey*. 



I 



Robin Vanghan=f=Angharad, da. of Rhys 
son of David. ap Gruff' &c. 



A da. wife of 
Ithel Vaughan. 



Catherine, only da>=pRhys ap Einghan 

Vaaghan. 



I ; 

Meredith ap Jevan-pMargaret, da. of Einion ap Ithel, Howell ap=f- 

esq. to John of Gaunt. Jevan, &c. | 



Leify, a da. 



John ap Meredith=7=GwenlIian, probably a 



guardian of his great 
uncle's children. 



o 



sister of Gruff' ap 
John ap Gronw. 

P 



Robert ap Meredith,=f= 
Abbot of Bardsey. j 

9 



I 
Jevan ap Robert, 

died in the 32nd 

year of his age. 

r 



1 st wife. — -^ 

Catherine, sister of 
Howell ap Rhys 
2d w. Gwenhyfar, =f 



I 1st wife 
Howel ap- r -One of the da. of Rob. 



T 



Rhys ap 
Howell 
Vaughan. 



ap Meredith. (2d w. 

a da. of Tudur ap 

Gruff \ &c. 



I 
Morris,=j 

eldest 

son. 



1 

Jevan. 



I 
Robert, slain 

in Coed mar- 

chan, vita 

Paths. 



I 
Owen. : 



John C 
ap h 



Meredith ap Jevan, 
obt. 1525. He hpd 
5 wives and 26 child- 
ren. See the next 
Table III. 



Robert. 



John, 



I 
Jevan. 



A daughter. 



1 



1 



Gruffith Vaughan.=f=A daughter. 



David Lloyd ap Gruffith 
Vaughan or Vychah. 



'! 



a third da. marr. Howell^ 
ow ap Jevan ap Gronw 
rel of Maelor. 



Alician van, 
wife of John 
ab Madog 
Puleston i 
from whom 

ded the Pu- 
Icstotis of 
Emeral and/ 



levan, ances- 
tor of many 
fain ilka in 
Carnarvon - 



Sir Howel of the 



Robert, 4th 
if Thomas 
bury, of 
:ny, e»q. 



Another da. wife 

of Gru filth ap 
Madog Vaughan. 



(V« 



f to Table II. 



<i See page 15. 

b Eva, the daughter of Griffith Vaughan, wife of David ap< 
Griffith, bore the arms of Moriddic Warwyn. She wa» heiress 
of Resailgyfarth, and the posses*™ called Gwely Griflry. in 

Evionelh. 

" Griffith "=j= 



Sir Howel Jevan.* 

y FwyalL. I 

* Hcngwrt MS. 113. Autograph of Guiyi Owen, fol. 41. 
Jevan ap Gr. ap Howel was living 19 Ed*, III. See Rymtr 
edit. 1825, pt. r, p. 68. 

d Eva, daughter of Jevan ap Howel, wife of Howel ap 
David, bore the arms of Colhvyn. By her the houses c ailed 
j Llys in Kevn y Van, burned by Owen Glyn Dwr, & 
Ystymkegid, and oilier great possessions in Evioneth, came to 
Howel ap David. 

c His tomb is in Llanuwchllyn Church. 

/Living lO Edw. III. 

» " Shire " 



H 01 



V., 1 4 16. 



•"Madocap Jevan Ap Einion" is a feoffee to the settle- 
ment (referred to) dated 10 Oct., 34. Hen. VI., to whtch 
Howel ap Grono is feoffor. Perhaps this i» the person, as he 
and Howel were third cousins. 

h See pages 30 and 7 9- He was brother not son to Einion. 

.' Living the 9 Hen. IV. 

j See pages 34 and 64- 

4 Jevan was living in 2 Hen. IV., (1401) See Uinitltri 
Accounts for period ending at May in that year. 

I " Emeral and" crossed out in MS. note. 



h The pedigree opposite is wrong, 



s the following extract 



from the emblazoned Salisbury Manuscript at Wynnstay, proved in a great degree by copies of deeds, 
&c, in that Vol., will shew : — 



'Howel ap Grono ap Jevan ap 
Grono ap Hwfa ap Jorwerth, 
of Hafod-y-wern, party to a 
conveyance 24 Dec, 7 Hen. 
VI M and to another on 10 Oct 
34 Hen VI. 



Agnes, dau. of Jevan ap 
Madoc, of Maelor; wife 
of Howel on 24 Dec., 7 
Hen VI., living upon 10 
Oct., 34 Hen. VI. 



Alswn only child=f=Howel ap Jevan 



living 10 
Hen. VI. 



Oct., 34 



ap Griffith of Bersham. 



John Puleston, 
died 1461. 



Alswn Vychan, settlement 1 
upon her and her heirs by 
John Puleston her husband, 
made in court of the ville 
of Wrexhamt io Oct., 34 
Hen. VI. 

Alicia, dau. of— John Puleston, mar- 
Thomas Salis- riage settlement 
bury, sen. made in a Court of 

the Ville of Wrex- 
ham 12 July, 15 
Edw. IV. 

* It was Grono ap Hwfa ap Jorwerth who married a daughter of Jevan ap Howel (see above). The 
wife of Hwfa, and Grono's mother is stated to have been Margaret, daughter to Llewelyn ap Ynyr of Yale. 

t That is, Licence was granted therein to make the feoffment or settlement. 

n Living 26 Hen. VI. 

o Living 20 July, 2 Edw. IV. 

/ Read " Gwenever daughter of Gronw ap Jevan ap Einion." 

q See page 34. 

r Living 6 Edw. IV. 

5 This pedigree shows that Rees ap Jevan was cousin german to his wife's grandmother, but the dates, 
taken from contemporary Records, exhibit the possibility of it. There must have been about 35 years 
between the ages of my mother and one of her first cousins, my mother being the younger. There was 
not quite ten years difference in the ages of my mother and the grandson of her first cousin, she being 
born in July, 1780, and the late Sir Richard Puleston, Bt., in June, 1789. — W. 

Einion ap Griffith, 
10 Rich. II. say 1387. 



Jevan ap Einion, 
1427. 



A dau.=pHowel Sele, 
murdered 
about 1401. 



David ap Meuric 
Vychan. Will 
1494-5. 



=j=Meurice Vychan 
1464. See Char- 
ter of Confraternity 
of that date, from 
the Abbot, below. 



A dau.=r= Jevan ap Mere- 
dith, 1 40 1, died 
during Glyn- 
dwr's wars. 



I 
Meredith ap Jevan, 

20 Hen. VI., say 

1442. 



Howel Vychan 



John ap Meredith 
1485. Marriage 
settlement of his 
son Owen 2 Rich. 
III. 



Robert, Abbot 
of Bardsey 
1464, probably 
then a young 
man. 



David 
1461-8. 



1 



Rees ap=rGwenhwyfar, heiress. 
Jevan 
31 Hen. VI. 



Jevan ap Rhys 
»5 X 3- 



HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



29 



yon. If a man list to be curious which of both Morythigs this 
was, let him find whether of them lived nearest this time, and 
that sure was he. 

Howell ap David maried Eva 1 the daughter and heire 2 of Jevan 
ap Howell 8 ap Meredith of Evioneth (by some cards* of pedegree 
she is called Myfanwy 5 ) and had with her large possessions in 
Evioneth, which to this day remaine in the posterity of the said 
Howell, yet mangled with division and subdivision of gavelkinde. 

Memorandum, That Evan ap Howell ap Meredith had another 
daughter and coheiress, maried to one of Penllyn of the stocke of Rind- 
flaidd of Penllyn, her name was Gwenllian, and she maried Jevan ap 
Gruff ap Madog 6 ap Riridflaidd of Penllyn. 7 The said Jevan ap 
Howell ap Meredith had a third daughter and coparcener that ma- 
ried Howell ap Gronw ap Jevan ap Gronw ap Howell cf Maelor, 
and by him she had two daughters, viz. Gwervile, maried to Tudur 
ap Hob-y-dili, 6 the other was Alician, who maried Puleston, and 
brought Hafod y werne to that family. Evan ap Howell ap 
Meredith, father to this Eva, was brother to Gruff' ap Howell ap 
Meredith, who was father to Einion ap Gruff, father to Jevan 
ap Einion 9 and Howell. This Howell was knighted at the field 
of Poyctiers, and by our countrymen is reported to have taken 
the French King; but howsoever it was, he did such service there, 
that the Prince bestowed a messe of meate to be served up dayly 

Evioneth, living 16S3. — Hillary of tkt Gwydir 
Family, in Htngart MS., 350, fol. 15. 

' Penllyn is a bundled in Merionethshire.— B. 

f Tudur ap Hob-y-dilli and others enter into a 
recognizance for £bo to Rich. Boule "parse*" 

of the church of Mold, 21 July, 1386 36th Report 

of the Deputy Keener of Public Rnouli, p. 347. 



1 The descendants of David and Eva have 
always borne the arms of Morythig Warwyn. 
She was heiress of Cesailgyfarch, and of the 
possessions called Gwcly Griffry, in Evioneth. 

'Rather Co-heir.— P. 

■ Jevan ap Howel ap Meredith appears as Rin- 
gild for Ihe Comote of Evioneth, in a Roll of 
Miohlm' Accomiti, Co. Cam : from Michaelmas 
13rd Rich. II. lo 1 Hen. IV., and so on to the 
month of May, 1 Hen. IV. 

* This is used for charts.— B. 

* See an ode to Myfannuy Fuhiut amongst 
Evans's Specimens of Welsh Poetry. Miufaniw 
i.t. my woman or my dear. — E. 

' of John Owen of Kefn in 



* In the Brogynlyit MS. thi 
comma at " Einion." This Howel was 
brother to Einion ap Graft, who was 1 
Sheriff of Carnarvonshire, for 3 years, 1 
Edw.III.; though it would seem from the 
in the text, that he Was son. He was in recei| 
ol an annuity from the Crown at Michaelmas 
Rich. II. of £10 a year.— Actount 1/ Chamberlat 
of North W'<ilri for that year, at Michaelmas. 



uly 



5o 



HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



during his life before his battle-axe, which after was bestowed 
on the poore, whereof he was called Sir Howell y fwyall. 1 He 
was alsoe Constable of Chester and Criketh Castles, 2 and had the 
mills to farme, and other many great office, and places of profit. 
Of Jevan ap Eingan his brother are descended very many gentle- 
men of principall account in the county of Carnarvon. Howell 3 
begate Meredith and David ; Meredith ap Howell* dwelled in 
Evioneth at his houses Keffin y fan, and Keselgiffarch, and David ap 
Howell in Llanrwst in Denbigh land, at his house called Henblas 
in Maethebroyd. Meredith ap Howell maried Morvydd the daughte r 
of Jevan ap David ap Trahayarn goch of Lliin, who was descended of 
the house of Rys ap Teudwr. In the extent of North Wales, made 
in the 26th of Edward the Third, you shall find that Meredith 
ap Howell 6 and others are the heires of Gwely. Grift' David ap 
Howell his brother maried 8 
viz. Jevan ap Howell ap Meredith, the daughter of Gwenllian, 



1 Fwyall signifies an axe,— B. Howel was also 
"Raglot" of Aberglaslyn, and died between 
Michaelmas a Rich. II, and the same time 6 
Rich. II.— Afini'ifVrj' Accounts ; and Account of 
Chamberlain of North Walts. (See Pcmartk MS. 
45. No. a, pp. 7 and 38.) 

1 Some small remains of this Castle still continue. 
It U on the sea-coast of Carnarvonshire.— B. 

* Not Howel of the Battle-axe, but Howell ap 
David ap Gruffith ap Cariadog, &c. According to 
Collins. Howell ap David had five sons by Eva 
daughter of Jevan ap Howell ap Meredith ; vis. 
Meredith. Robert, Tudor, Grufnth, and David.— P. 

* It appear- in a Roll of Ministtrs' Accounts from 
Michaelmas 3 to do. 6 Rich. II, that at that 
time Meredith ap Howel held in farm from the 
Crown the Lordship of Geit. 

' Davydd ab Howell, brother to Mredd, ah 
Howelt, married the grand -daughter of lefan ab 
Howel ab Mredd., being the daughter of Gwen- 
Uian. Denbigh MS.— L. 

* There is tome mistake here undoubtedly in the 
pedigree, probably occasioned by the chasm in the 
MS.— B. Miss Uwvd fills up this blank as 
follows : — " hit brother married the grand-daughter 



or Jevan ap Howell, Sec.," but Mr. Wynne thinks 
Miss Llwyd has not cleared the matter op. The 
late Mr. Joseph Morris of Shrewsbury, suggested 
the following : — 

leuan ap Griffith ^Gwenllian dan. of 
ap Madoc, of I leuan ap Howel 
Nantffreur to ap Meredith, of 

Ririd Flaidd. [ Evionydd. 
... I 



Robin Vychaa =j= Angharad, dau. oF 

Madoc an Rys* to 

I EdnyvedVychan. 

Catherine dau, of ^p Rys ap Einion- 
Robin. I Vychan, to 

Pen ivy n 

Gwenhwyfar, f.h, wife Lleiki, f.h. wife of 

of Robt. Salusbury Griffith ap Madoc 

of Llanrwst. Vychan.tojarddwr. 

(From a letter of the late Mr. Joseph Morris). This 

partially clears up the imperfect passage above, but 

not that part of it relating to Rcignall ap Bleddyn. 

• Madoc ap Rys ap David ap Rys Van ap Rys 



HISTORY OF THE OWYDIR FAMILY. 



31 



and Jevan ap Griff' ap Madog ap Jerweth was wife to 1 Reginall ap 
Bleddyn, and had by her issue Robin Vaughan ap David ap 
Howell, who maried Angha r ad the daughter of Rys ap GrufV ap 
Rys ap Ednyfed Vaughan, and had no issue male, 2 but one daugh- 
ter called Cattrin vch Robin Vaughan- who maried Rys ap Ein- 
gan Vaughan of Llanrwst, a gentleman of the house of Penwyn 
in Nanconwy and Denbigh Land ; 8 who having noe issue male by 
her, but daughters, the greatest parte of the possessions of that 
house, which were now worth a thousand markes a yeare, came 
to the Salisburies. For Robert Salisbury the elder, fourth sonne 
of Tho. Salisbury of Lleweny, in the county of Denbigh, Esq. 
maried Gwenhwyfar, the daughter of Rys ap Eingan and Cathe- 
rin the daughter of Robin Vaughan ap David ap Howell. Rys 



ap Edneved Vychan. (Robert Vaughan of Hen- 
gwrt. HeHgart MS. 90, p. 853, quoting Griffith 
Hiraethog.) 

=j=J=van ap 
I Htm el of 
Lly* yn Cefn 
Y V«n (Cya- 

I tymkegid). 

I I 

Myfanwy, — Howel ap Jevan ap =;=Gwenllian 
or Owei- D.ivid, Griffith ap 1 dau. Mid 
vil dau. (pages 33, Madoc,— | co-heir, 
and co- 35, 37). his tomb- I 



Other issue a daughter = Hcwel Pickhill* 

Htngmrl MS. 436 (quoting Gutyn Owen.) folio 41, 
and folio ii8, and Hengturt MS. 96, pages 743, 853, 
and 889. 

•Jevan ap Howel Pickhill held lands in Holt, 
30 Sept. 1397. (See 36th Report oi Deputy Keeper 
of Public Records, page 142.) 

The following is the text of the passage as it 
stand* in the Brogynlyn MS. of The Gwydir 
Family:— "In the Extent of North wales made 
in the -■ 6 of Edward the 3d you shall nod that 
Meredith ap Howell and other* are the heires of 
Gwely Griffri [David ap Howell his brother 
maried verch Jenn (Jevan) ap Howell ap Meredith) 
the daughter of Gwenllian. and Jevan ap Gruffith 
ap Madoc ap Jerwerth, was wife to Rcignall ap 



Bleddyn (sic| and had by her issue Robin Vaughan 
ap David ap Howell who married Angharad the 
daughter of Rys ap Gruffith ap Rys ap Ednvfcd 
vaughan, and had noe issue male but one daugh- 
ter called Cattrin v* Robin vaughan who married 
Rys ap Eingan vaughan of llanrwst, a gentleman 
of the house of Penwyn ol Nanconwy and Den- 
bighhind who havelng no issue male by her bul 
daughters." It is stated in the Brogyntyn MS. 
that the words bracketed were a note in the mar- 
gin of the original MS. 

1 If the words " was wife to Reignall ap Bled- 
dyn "were left out, the page would be sense, an] 
would ag?ee with the pedigree— W. 






1 this line be 



1 In all the printed copies of the Hillary 0/ thi 
Gwi/dir Family, and in all the manuscripts of it 
which I have examined, the passage from th; 
words "David ap Howell" down to ''Denbigh 
Land" inclusive is very obscure. There can 
be no doubt that here the original manuscript 
has been carelessly written, or the transcripts inac- 
curately made. In the Brogyntyn manuscript a line 
is drawn round the words from '■ David ap Howel" 
down to and including " Howel ap Meredith,'' and 
in the margin occur* this note— •' This is a note ia 
the margin." Thclate Mr. Joseph Morns, of Shrews* 
bury, in a pedigree which wc insert at page 30, 
attempts to clear up this difficulty, but not succcts- 
fully. nor does Miss Llwyd, in a note at page 39 



HISTORY OP THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



ap Eingan had one other daughter by her, called Lleify, 1 to 
whom he gave faire possessions ; but nothing comparable to the 
other, that was married to Gruff ap Madog Vaughan in Aberge- 
ley. 3 All the inheritance of this Robin Vaughan ap David ap 
Howell, held after the Welsh tenure, within the lordship of Den- 
bigh, was, by the custome of the countrey, 8 to descend to his 
heirc male, and so descended to jevan, the sonne of Rob't ap 
Meredith his cosen, as hereafter shall be laid downe in the life of 
the said Jevan. I have in my house the probate of the testament 
of Mnrvydd, the wife of Meredith ap Howell, as faire to behold 
as at the first day, bearing date anno 1416. The probate of the 
will is dated at Krikieth, before one Rob't Swaython, official of 
the Archdeacon of Merioneth. Meredith ap Howell had by her 
two sonnes, Rob't and Jevan, and a daugher, called Marsli/ mar- 
ried to J«nkin Conwey of Ruddlan, mother to Hen Sion acer 5 y 
Conwey, of whome all the Conweys, of Ruddlan and Bodriddan, 
and Lords of Prestatyn, are descended. She was the first Welsh- 
woman that was maried into that house, as John Conwey, Esq. 
my cosen, (now Lord thereof) told me. John Tudur, 6 one of 
our Welsh heraulds, sayth, that there was a third brother, called 
Robin, whose daughter and heire Ithel Vaughan maried, and there, 
fore those descended from him die quarter Owen Gwynedd's egletts. 7 



of her edition ; but if the word " and," in line 7 of 
that payr, Urf 'he WOld* hum " wis wife "down 
to and including " Blcddyn" were struck out, the 
passage would be sense, and agree with all the 
pedigrees.— W. 

1 Leuci who married Owen »b Gryffydd. — L. 
LkBd hs Br*tf»lVN JUS. 

' Abergele v is a town ill the western port of Den- 
bighshire nut the «ea.— V. 

' Whether by this custom in meant y 1 * of gavel, 
kindt, (Note 10 the llrvgynlyn MS.) 

4 According to the Great Book of Pedigrees, by 
the UtlfUly oi llengwrt, Robert Vaughan [Hm- 
gwrt ttS.S. i/'l. tins H*nt1 HI ihe gi ,1 rulmothet 
of John Hen aer y Ccnwey. In the 36th and 37th 
Reports of ihe Dei uti Keeper Bf the pHblic 
iv he re there ata such voluminous icfer- 
i the landowner* of Flintshire, there 



appears no jfmliiii Conwey, but Jenkin and John 
are the same name, and there appear to have been 
several in successive generations bearing the name 
of John ; so that it is very difficult to identify each 
as they occur in the pedigrees. It is certain, how- 
ever, that Sion Hen aer g Comeiy died on the 
next Saturday alter the feast of St. Mary the Vir. 
gin, 1487. 

B There is no word in Dr. Davies's Dictionary 
nearer to this than aihor, which he supposes to 
•ignify HttU. — B. Aer, i.e. the he'rof Conwy, — L. 
The word is aer in the Brugtjitlj/n MS. 

' John Tudur of Wigfair, in Rh6s, Denbighshire, 
was John Conwy's domestic Bard. He was a 
skilful Herald : and satirized the vices of the age 
very freely.— L. He died in 1602. 

' These arc mentioned in the Preface, to have 
been the arms of Owen Gwynedd.— B. 



HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



I find an obligacion, bearing date 20 July, 2° Edward IV. 
wherein John ap Meredith standeth bound to Jevan ap Robert 
Meredith to stand to the award of Gruff ap Robin ap Gruff, 
and Lewis ap Howell ap Llewelyn, arbitrators elect for the said 
John ap Meredith, and Meredyth ap Rys, and Jevan ap Howell 
ap Rys ap Eingan, arbitrators elect for the said Jevan ap Robert, 
to parte certaine tenements betweene them in Evioneth : and in 
case they could not agree, then was Howell ap Eingan ap Howell 
Coetmore 1 named umpire. 

Memorandum, That during Robert ap Mered' his time, the 
inheritance descended to him and his brother was not parted after 
the custome of the countrey, as being gavelkind ; but Jevan 
being maried enjoyed both their houses, viz. Keven y vann 2 and 
Keselgyfarch : and for that Jevan, then Constable of Criketh, 
clave fast to the King, Owen Glyndwr burned them both to 
cold ashcs. s Neither was the inheritance betwene their posterity 
divided, untill such time as Jevan the sonne of this Robert was 
maried and had many children, as may appeare by the indentures 
of partition betweene Jevan the sonne of this Robert, and John 
ap Meredith ap Jevan, grandchild to the other brother Jevan, 
the one parte of which indentures I have. Those that made par- 
tition betweene them were these, Thomas ap Robin * of Kych- 
willan, that maried Gwenhwyfar, and Jevan ap Meredith. This 
Thomas ap Robin was after beheaded neare the castle of Conwey 
by the Lord Herbert, for that he was a follower of the house of 
Lancaster : fi and his wife is reported to have carried away his head 
in her apron. Some affirme Jevan ap Meredith to be the elder 
brother, and soe doth all the race that are of him contend : my- 



1 Howell Coytmor, in conseque 



behaviour in the French wars, got new armorial 
bearings, uure a chevron between three spears' 
heads argt. embmed gules.— L. 

* Now called Ystymcegid. This place passed by 
ihe marriage of Catherine daughter of Robert Owen. 
Esq., with Robert Wynne of Olynn, into that 



t his heroic family, and from them through the Owens of Pork- 



inglon (0 the late Mrs. Ormaby Gore. 

1 A similar expression of cut'! cauls is used after- 
wards in this History. — B. 

* Thomas ab Robin agisted in conveying the 
Earl of Richmond to France. — L. 

•In 1466. 



34 



HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



self, and those that are come of Robert, have this reason to think 
him to be the elder. Robert had issue Jevan, Jevan his brother 
had issue Meredith, Meredith had issue John, John being of 
man's estate had the tuition of his uncle Jevan ap Robert, 1 my 
ancestor, and yet Robin Vaughan ap David ap Howell's land in 
Denbigh land, being cozen to them both, descended to Jevan 
ap Robert, my ancestor, and not to John ap Meredith ; which 
I hold for an invincible argument that Jevan is descended from 
the elder. Alsoe I have the King's Writte, directed to Robert 
Meredith, Meredith ap Jevan ap Meredith, and to the principall 
gentlemen of Evioneth, for the apprehension of Jevan ap Robin 
Herwr, a notable rebell outlaw, and others of his qualitie ; which 
writt doth place Robert ap Meredith first before his nephew, 
which alsoe may fortifie the opinion of them who hold him to 
be the elder 2 brother to Jevan ap Meredith. The wordes of the 
writ doe follow, in ha^c verba. 3 



1 Observe >■'■ chough Robin Va° his lands de- 
fended as Is alledged to Evan ap Robert, yet this 
descent was not according to y' comen law of 
England but according to the Welsh custom &laws 
then in effect, if soe then y Author'9 argument 
is but weak to conclude y* Robert was y» elder 
brother of Evan ap Mredith, for if y* Welsh law 
was y 1 y* land should descend to y* next heyre 

male ot e blood, then though Evan and 

Robert ap Mredith by y Gavel 

ap Robert was nest of kinne to Robin Vaug .... 

by one descent as is apparent by the 

Pedigrees in this booke and otherwise and soe as 
next of kinne, he also might be next heyre male to 
Robin Va°. (A note in the Bregyntyn MS.) 

1 This is of noe weight for it is everie dayes ob- 
tervac'on & experience yt not only in y» Commis- 
sions of y° peace &c, but alsoe in Acts of Parliam't 
younger brothers are named before their elder 
brothers & meane p'sons before Bronetts K"- and 
gents of ye best ranke and quality being of farre 
better estates and of belter descents. (A note in the 
Bregyntyn MS.) 

' Hi:NRICU5 Dei gratia Rex Angiire & Francia; 
4 D'nus Hibemia:, dilectis sibi Roberto ap Mere- 
dith, Meredith ap Jevan ap Meredith, Rys ap 
Tudur, Howell ap Madogap Jevan, John apGronw, 



& Howell ap Jevan Vaughn, Salutem.* Quia p - 
certo sumus informal!, q'd Jevan ap Robin & alii 
diversi notorii utlegati & incogniti dc die in diem 
vi & armis cum diversis felon' in comitiva sua, 
unt ambulationes sup' 



fide! in 
Carnarvon & • 



in Co c 



de 



eisd' tidelib' spolia' 
in destructionem & de- 
paup'ationem ligeoram nostrorum manifestam, ac 
contra formam slatulorum progenitorum nostrorum 
in hac p'te p'visorum. Assignavimus vos & unum- 
quemq' vestrum conjunct im & divisim ad aires- 
tandum & capiendum p'dict' Jevan ap Robinf & 
alios in comitiva sua existent' p' corpora ubicumq' 
inventi fuerint infra co'motum de Evioneth & 
eos salvos & securos usq' castrum n'rum dc Car- 
narvon indilate duci facialis constakutario n'ro 
ibid' liberandos & in eodem c astro moraturos 
quousq' de eorum deliberatione a! iter duxerim' 
ordinandum ; & ideo vobis mandamus q'd circa 
p'missa diligenter intendatis & ea facialis cum 
effectu sicul inde coram nobis respondere valuerilis. 
Damns autem onlv'sis & singulis ndelibus n'ris 
tenore p'sentium firmiter in mandatis quod vobis 
& cuilibet vestrum in omnib' quie ad arrestationem 
& captionem p'dlcti Jevani ap Robin & aliorum 
p'tinent' intendentes sim, auxiliantes, fortifie antes. 



HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY, 



35 



But howsoever it be, the gavelkind and custume of the country 
not yealding to the elder any prerogative or superiority more 
than to the younger, it is not a matter to be stood upon. Indeed 
Jevan ap Meredith maried in his youth Llenau ■ the daughter of 
Howell Sele ap Mereicke, of the house of Nannau i.i Merioneth- 
shire, 2 and begat by her Meredith ap Jevan ; whome in his youth 
he matched with Margaret the daughter of Einion ap Ithel of 
Rhiwedog 3 in Penllyn in the county of Merioneth Esq. of the 
tribe of Ririd flaidd, and Howell ap Jevan ap Meredith. 

Quere. If any males descended of this Howell be living now t 
Owen Holland of Berw, and Rytherch ap Richard of Myfyrion 
in Anglesey are descended by females from him, as Richard Gruf- 
fith ap Hugh affirmith ? Alsoe it should be knowne how this 
land is gone from his posteritie. 

This Einion ap Ithel was Esquire to John of Gaunt Duke of 
Lancaster, to whome for his service, as well in the time of warre 



ip' omnia respondentes. In cujua rei testimonium 
has litteras nostras fieri fecimus patentee. T. 
meipso a pud Carnarvon 28 die August] anno 
regni n"ri vicesimo.-B. [144a] 

* [See p. 34, note 3] I suspect that " Howell ap 
Jtvan Vaughan" above is the same person as occurs 
« page 35, tbebrother of Meredith ap Jevan apMere- 
dith. He is called in nearly all our Pedigrees "Howel 
Vychan ap Jevan" and was owner or Fronoleu, be- 
tween Tremadoc and Pont Aberglaalyn, now (187S) 
the property of Lord Harlech. — W. + Quere, whether 
this lefan ap Robin was not lefan ap Robin bach 
of Trerudd, in the parish ol Towyn, whose pardon 
was procured and obtained by means of Siencin 
Vychan of Caethfe, Squier ot the body to H. 7.— 
L. This note occurs in the Brogyiityn MS. 

' Lleiki, in edit, of 1770. 

1 Kantian a a very ancient lamily-seat about 
three miles N. of Dolgelley in Merionethshire. It 
stands perhaps on higher ground from the valley 
beneath, than any GtnlUtnan't house in Great 
Britain. In Saxton's maps it is spelt Sauna, as it 
continues to be commonly pronounced. There are 
some traditional anecdotes about Howell Sele, 
or Selif, which is the same with Solomon, in the 
neighbourhood of Nanney. Howel Sele of Nanney 
stood out for Hen. IV. against Owen Glendower. — 
MS. Life, penes the Rev. Mr. Price, Librarian of 



the Bodleian Library. —Howel was attacked by 
David Gam of Brecknock, Ibid. — B. Copper 
ba'lere, a spit, and two silver spoons were lound at 
Nannau by the late William Vaughan, Esq, — L. 
Sir Walter Scott refers to the tradition of the 
death of Sele in Mtirmuin, and gives as a note 
the Rev. G. Warrington's graphic ballad on the 

* Rhiwedog is also a very ancient family-seat in 
Merionethshire, about a mile S. K. from Bala. In 
Saxton's maps it is spelt RucdoL The name issaid 
to signify the bloody-bank, and by tradition a great 
battle was fought near this spot— B. 

Llywarch Hen addresses his son Cynddd w in the 
words following in a poem still extant, 
Cynddelw, cadw dithau y rhiw 
Ar a ddel yma heddivr 
Cudeb am un mab nid gwiw. 

"Cynddelw. defend thou the steep pass of the lull 
against all that assault us to day. it is in vain to be 
fond of the only son which is remaining." 

Llywarch Hen in the fitld at Rhintdog, after he 
had lost all his children but Cynddelw.— E. As 
we feel sure Mr, Evans never spelt some of the 
words io this quotation from the " Lament," as 
given by Mr. Harrington, we have ventured to cor- 






36 



HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



as peace, he gave a pension of twenty markes per annum, issuing 
out of his manor of Halton: 1 The charter I have seene being in 
French, with the Duke's seale and armes, and it remaineth in the 
custody of John Owen of Ystymcegid, 2 Esq. the heire of Owen 
ap John ap Meredith. 

Meredith ap Jevan 3 ap Meredith begat by the daughter of Ei- 



1 There are many Hal ton 3 in England. See 
Spclman'8 Index Villaris. 

9 Ystymcegid was formerly one of the seats of 
the Owens of Cleneney, and is in the parish of 
Dolbenmaen in Carnarvonshire. The mansion-house 
of this family is now at Porkinton in Shropshire ; 
and it may be perhaps said that there is stronger 
proof of the same spot having been the capital 
mansion of the Owens for a longer time, than pro- 
bably can be produced by any other family in 
Europe. The following order of Henry III., trans- 
cribed from Rymer, proves that Porkinton belonged 
to the Owens nearly 650 years ago. " Rex Lew- 
elino Principi Sal. Sciatis quod— & Bledh filius 
Oeni de Porkinton venerunt ad fidem & servitium 
nostrum." See Rymer, vol. I. par. i. p. 79. A.D. 
1218. and 2 Hen. III.— B. 

"Kowydd Mredydd ap Ifan amrhedydd 
o ystymkegid. 

Pa wrol ion pur i wledd 
prav blaenio pobl wynedd 
Mredydd o fionydd faenawr 
mab Ifan ail gogfran gawr 
By lowydd teg, sylwedd twr 
syth gwynn ymlaen saith gannwr 
a ffennaeth hoff i anian 
fry a gae lwk efrog Ian 
ag er yn fab gwiwran fodd 
hap ras orfod prysurfodd 
i bob gwaith i bob gwthiaw 
i bob aer drom bybyr draw 
diwarth rym, i doe wrth raid 
derwen y penaduriaid 
ag nid oes walch glanfalch gledd 
nenn fynys yn un fonedd 
wyr fredydd irfrau ydiw 
ap howel gwych hepil gwiw 
gwaed dafydd ap gruffudd gryf 
gwych gynnes ag iach gennyf 
Ymwel ai lys ami i wledd 
Mark hynod ymrig gwynedd 
ystum wenn bias da yma i waith 
Kegid nid bendy koegwaith 



Neuadd fawr newydd furwen 

uwch ael ffordd uchel i ffen 

He kair gida am Hew kowrain 

lliosog hir bob lies kain 

arian a gwin urien ged 

ag aur ai law*n egored 

o ddwys bur dda syberwyd 

a rhoi'n ddi ball, rhinwedd byd 

Ifor yw fo fawr i fudd 

a fraisg fynn frisg ifionydd 

Hew ag awch ffwg Uiwgoch ffonn 

Hawen gorf, llyn ag arfonn 

da reolwr dewr eilwaith 

holl benllyn hyd ferwyn faith 

ag yno rhwydd i gwna rhawg 

evro a dail riwedawg 

efo i wraig wenn fry a gaid 

o bur iawn ryw barwniaid 

Marged lawhyged yw hon 

Mawr i chynyrch merch einion 

wyr ithel Ian, araith lwys 

yw bwrdd gwin, beirdd a gynwys 

fr Hosog roi lusen 

eurgain hil wrgenau hen 

da loer yw honn, deuliw 'r haf 

dirion siriol, dwrn saraf 

a da wyneb di anoeth 

i fionydd, fu'r ddydd i doeth 

at fredydd arf derydd dan 

dur bafais dewr ab ifan 

gwr y sydd mewn gras heddyw 

glew union farn, glana'n fyw 

eb yr un pur, barwn parch 

ail kyfflyba kaiff loewbarch 

draw hyd yn hynn, drud ion had 

dawn ofeg duw'n i afael 

kafas air byd, bryd, breuder 

a chlod gann weiniaid a chler 

ag efo, pan ddel gofyn 

aur naf teg, gwr, nowfed dyn 

i gadw rhwysg y gwaed yrhawg 

o brint ais bronn y tywyssawg 

Mai Owain wych ymlaen nod 

gwynedd hen gynnydd hynod 



HISTORY OF THE GvVYDIR FAMILY. 



37 



nion ' ap Ithel, John ap Meredith,' 2 (who maried and was at man's 
estate afore his grandfather's brother, Kobert ap Meredith, my 
ancestor, ever maried ;) and Robert ap Meredith, Abbot oi Bard- 
sey. This may be accounted for, as we have it by certaine tra- 
dition, that Robert was almost eighty years old before he ever 
married, and then in his dotage fancied and married Angarad the 
daughter of David ap Ll'yn ap David of Kefn-melgoed in the 
county of Cardigan, whose wife was the daughter of Rytherch 
ap Jevan Llwyd of that countrey ; by her he had issue Jevan ap 
Robert and several daughters. From this Robert the Abbot 3 are 
descended my three Penceneclle, * because they are descended of 
church nobilitie, viz. Gruffith ap Richard of Madryn issa, Robert 
ap Richard 5 of Llocheiddor, and Owen ap John ° ap Jevan ap Ro- 
bert of Bron y foel, and Kefn Kyfanedd in Evioneth. 

diwid fryd doed i fredudd 

dalaith »iir hen, dilyth rhudd 

a gardys amlwg eurdcg 

Rolant ait ar i lin teg 

yrllynedd mowredd iniraia 

o bru'n y ewrt barwn kain 

Hani goel ierll, hir i gledd 

burned ag ni bu omedd 

Arocs iraidd res arian 

at i warr glew, eryr glifl 

rhoed eto « llwyddo lies 

. l . : r fynwer ai i fonwes 

a graddied hwnn gwreiddiad hedd 

baun y gwin yn benn gwynedd. 

I. llowdden ai kint. 
Brogyntyn MS. No, 13. Cowydd 11. 
levari Llawdden was an eminent poet of the vale 
ol Llychwr in Carmarthenshire, who flourished 
from about A.D. 143010 1470. He spent a great 
part of his life as minister of the church ol Machyn- 
lleth, but in his old age he retired to the place of his 
nativity, where he died. — Cambrian Biography, 
page 303. 

'This Einiun, after the death of Walter Lord 
Mauncy (who was by patent sheriff oi Merioneth- 
shire for life} succeeded him in that office, being in 
great favour with Henry the Fourth, in the begin- 
ning of whose reign he died. — E-, citing a MS. of 
Mr. Robert Vaughsn or Hengwrt— B. 

'John ap Meredith, party to a deed on the nth 
Jan., » Rich. 3. [148S)- 



Jevan an Robert David El I in ^Robert ap Howe] 
I l_ 

I 



Richard ap 
David of 

Madryn issa. 



Owen ap John 
of Bronyfoe! 
and Cefn Cy- 
fanedd in 
Evionedd. 



Agnes -=r Maurice ap 
born I Robert Wynne 
1557.I ofGlyn. 
> " Yr hwn a bnodod ar ol troi i 8yd." From a 
MS. in the handwriting of SimwntVychan, formerly 
in the possession of Mr. Vaughan of Shrewsbury. 

Pedigree above from Hengwrt US, 360, adding 
the name of " Griffith ap Richard " from Sir John 

i Ptnctnedlt signifies hiai! of a family. — B. 

B Robert ap Richard was living in 1590. 

■ He is party to a deed at Brogyntyn of 19 Nov, 
37 Elii. (1584). In the Brogj/ntyn MS. the pass- 
age runs thus:— "Of Kefn Kyfanedd, in Evioneth,' 
•' Bronyfoel" being erased and "Kefn Kyfanedd" 
substituted for it, in a much more modem hand. 



38 



HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



The case why this Robert ap Meredith was soe long unmaried 
may appeare partly by record, and partly by tradition ; it is cer- 
taine, that as in the time of Henry the Fourth, Jevan ap Mere- 
dith had matched his sonne (as is aforesaid) to Einion ' ap Ithele's 
daughter, who belonged to the house of Lancaster : soe he clave fast 
to that house in the time that Owen Glyndwr rebelled in Wales. 
Soe that in the time of that warre he and Meredith ap Hwlkyn 
Llwyd of Glynllifon, 2 had the charge of the town of Carnarvon, 
and an English captain was over the castle; in revenge whereof, 
Owen burned his two houses, Keven y van and Keselgyfarch in 
Evioneth. In the processe of continuance of this warre Jevan 
died at Carnarvon, and was brought by sea (for the passages by 
land were shut up by Owen's forces) to Penmorfa, 3 his parish 
church, to be buried. Robert his brother, taking] a clean con- 
trary course, was out with Owen Glyndwr, as may be gathered 
by a pardon granted him in the ninth yeare of Henry the Fifth, 4 
then Prince of Wales, which I have to shew, whereof the true copie 
ensueth. 5 



1 Einion ab Ithel of Rhiwaedog covenanted with 
John Duke of Lancaster, to attend him for one year 
in his expedition lo Cuicnne, with one man at arms 
and one archer: this indenture is still extant at 
Rhiwaedog, " Cest endenture faite entre le tres 
haul & puissant jo: Due de Cuyen & Lancestre 
d'un pane ct Eignon ab Ilhel dautrc parte, Sec, 
&c."— L. 

'This place lies about Six miles S. of Carnarvon. 
— B. 

' Pinmorva signifies ft the end or head of the 
ntnrsh. This village is situated at the entrance of 
the Traethmawr sands, which divide Merioneth 
and Carnarvonshire.— B. 

'oth of Henry IV, Amongst the Records of the 
late Welsh Audit Office is a licence for him to 
build a mill upon his lands in the villc of Dynlley, 
dated 20 May 22 of King Henry— doubtless Henry 
the VI.— W. 

* HENRICUS iUustris Regis Anglie & Francise 
primogenitua, Princeps Angtix, Dux Aquitanix, 
Lancastrian St Cornubije, St Comes Cestrix, locum 
tenens metuendissimid'ni n'ri regis & patris in p'tib' 



South WaJlix A North Wallix o'ibus & singulis 
p'sentes literas n'ras mspecturis, Salutem. Sciatis 
quod not authoritate St potestate nobis p' ipsum 
metuendissimum d'num n'rumregem&patremcom'- 
issis, ac cii.im pro quadam line nobis p' Rob'tum 
ap Meredith ap Howell nuper rebellcm dicti d'ni 
n'ri regis & patris in parti b' Wallia;, ad opus 
ejusd' d'ni n'ri regis & patris soluta ; recepimus 
& admisimus dictum Robertum ad gratiam p'dicti 
d'ni n'ri regis & patris, & ei pardonamuB no'ie ejusd' 
d'ni regis & patris sectam pacis sua; qui ad ipsum 
d'num n'ruro regem & pattern p'tinet p' omnimodis 
p'ditionib', rebellionibus, incendiis, feloniis, adhssio- 
nib', transgression! bus, misprisionib' & raalcfactis 
quibuscumq' p' p'dictum Robertum in p'tibus A 
marchiis Wallia: anto hxc tempora factis sive p'pe- 
tratis. unde indictatus, vetatui*, rectatus, vel appei- 
latus existit, ac etiam utlegariiB, si qua in ipsum his 
occasionib' fuerint p'mulgata, & iirmam pacem 
p'dicti d'ni regis & patris inde concedimus, ac ea 
bona & catalla sua quiecumq' dicto d'ino n'ro regi 
& patri occasionibus premissis forislacta no'ie St 
authoritate p'dictis concedimusp"pscntcs: itatamen 
q'd stet rectus in curia p'dicti d'ni regis St patria St 



HISTORY OF THE GWVDIR FAMILY. 



39 



Rys Goch 1 of Eryri, a bard of that time, made him a song, 
shewing what notable qualities he had, and yet durst not name 
him therein, for that as it seemeth he was an outlaw at that 
time when the song was made, but sheweth in the song his de- 
scent from Gruff ap Conan 2 , and that he was the hope of that 
stocke. 

The Song that Rys Goch made to Robert ap Meredith be- 
ginneth thus : — 

HIR y bu Ruffudd ruddbar 

Waywdan fab Cynan ein car 

Ar goesgeirch hir gwayw ysgwyd 

Yn gorwedd Llew Flamgledd Llwyd 

A'i dalaith Llwybr goddaith Llaw 

Fynnodd gynt yn kelffemiaw 

Tann oerfab bid tan arfoll 

Na chryn ddyn ni chrynodd oil 



lis versus cum loqui voluerit de p'missis 
vel aliquo p'missorum ; in cujus rei testimonium has 
litteras n'ras fieri fecimus patented. Dat' London 
xx die Septembris anno dictimetuendissimin'ri regis 
A patris Henrici quarti post conquestum IX°. Irro- 
tulatur ad scssionem tentam apud Carnarvon die 
Lunie proximo posl festum assumptions beam 
Maris Virginia an'o principatus dn'i H. principis 
Walli*,undecimo.— B. 

" (See p. 38, note 5] This word properly signifies 
tOJiyoin at forbid; it is corruptly used for vititui. 
See du Conge, in articulo. Rectatus from rectum 
signifies prosecuted. -B. 

1 Rys Goch flourished about the year 1400. Sec 
Lluyd'a Arck. He liv'd at Havod Garregog near 
Beddcelhert. The lale heireas [Jane, daughter of 
Morys Wyo. married Zacheui Hughes, A. B. of 
Trefan. She died in 1764.— L.] of this place (who 
married Mr. Hughes of Trevan) was descended from 
him in a direct line.— E. "This Rys Goch a 
Erryrri descended paternally from Collwyn, one of 
the 15 tribes, he being (he son of Davydd lb lor- 
wcrth ab Icfan Llwyd ab Birid ab Carved ab Gwyn 
ab Ednowen, Ac, and lived upon his own lands at 
Havod-garegog in Nanmor, in the Parish of Bedd 
Getert, and Mawrii Williams Nanmor is his heyre. 
and enioieth that house and lands at this day, being 



the sonne of William ab Hugh ab Lewya ab Morys 
Gcthin, the sonne of Margaret the dau : and heyre 
of Rhya goch o Ryri. The sayde Mauris Williams 
of Nanmor is alsoepiternallyc descended from Tydyr 
Hob y dili, (mentioned in a former page), and 
Gwerfil hia wife the dau : of Howell ab Gronw by 
his wife the daughter of lefan ab Howell ab Mere* 
tlvJil, as being the sonne of William ab Huw ab 
Lewys ab Morys Gethin ab lefan ab Rhys ab Tydyr 
ab Hoby dili, whose right name was Robert ab Tudor 
ab Einghan ab Cynric ab Llowarch ab Heylin ab 
Tyfid ab Tangno ab Ysbrwyth ab Marchwyitl ab 
Marchweitbian. Also the wife of Morys Gethin was 
Gweryl verch GryHydd ab Davydd ab lefan ab 
Mredydd ab Gronw ab lefan ab Llowarch ab 
Davydd goch ab Davydd ab Gryllydd, who was 
the sonne ol Llewelyn the great, and father of the 
last Prince Llewelyn ab Gryflydd. This GryrT. ab 
Ll'nn is mentioned in page 16 of this Book because 
these ancestors of mine are mentioned in this Book, 
and 1 copieng the same. 1 thought good to lay 
downe my descent from them in a different charac- 
ter, that it may appeare 1 am descended from many 
others mentioned in this Booke." The above note 
was transcribed out of an old MS. copy apparently 
of the time of Syr John Wynn, and now in the 
possession of Mrs. Dd. Jones, of Ruthyn.— L. 
*i.t. Gruffithap Conan Prince of Wales.— P. 



Isssssl 






40 HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 

Mae arno gaink llathrfaink Llv 
Etifedd propr yn tyfv 
Yn dwyn ystod fragod frig 
Garw ben hydd gwr boneheddig 
O bryd a Llafn hyfryd hedd 
Ag ysgythr brwydr ag osgedd 
O gampau anwydav naid 
Frytanawl hen frytaniaid 
Om Gofyn emyn ymwal 
Dyn anosbarthys ei dal 
Pwy i henw nim difenwir 
Bedydd ar dv gwerydd dir 

Y gwr a elwir yn gainc 
Dylwyth-fawr ar dalaith-fainc 
Alexander niferoedd 

A mvr a phen mawr hoff oedd 
Trystan ddoethran addeithryw 
Dvlath avr ei dalaith yw 
Bonedd ond odid benoeth 

Y cwysg yn hen farwn coeth 
Rhwng Hafren hoywddwr gloywglan 
Liu gwrth a Hi a garthan 

Ni ad gwawd pechawd heb pwyll 
O gandaith genfigendwyll 
Son am y cymro os iach 
Pwyllog doeth a fo pellach 
Pe megid evrid araith 
Cenav o neb Cynan iaith 
Hir ddewr Ian hardd eryr lid 
Htnw mygr o hwn y megid 
Ymgroesed gwawd dafawd hen 
Ymgais ni wn i amgen. 

Rys Goch or Eryri ai kant. 



HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



41 



" Long did our friend [or kinsman] Gryfudd ap Conan, with 
his bloody spear, fiery lance, shield, and flaming sword, lye 
dormant like a greyheaded Hon, whilst his country was all in a 
blaze by the hands of the enemy, who heaped together dry 
wood to kindle [welcome] the fire. Tremble not at the relation, 
he did not tremble. From him there grows a beautiful branch 
eminent in battle and master of the British Games. 1 If my 
disordered head 2 is asked the Christian name of him who is 
called a descendant of the great family on the throne of the 
province, it is Alexander, the beloved chief of the multitude 
with the golden crown of Trystan the Wise. 3 I prophecy, he 
will deserve the high title of a wise baron, and withstand an 
army between the famous water of the Severn and the clear 
stream of Garthen. Dark envy and detraction will not suffer his 
praise to be celebrated. If it is his desert, timid caution avaunt. 
If any strait, beautiful, and brave offspring of Cynan's lineage 4 was 
ever bred, this must be he. Beware the scoff of those who have 
before detracted; if I speak of him it must be to his honour." 

Composed by Rees Goch (or Rhys the Red) of Eryri 5 . 



> These were the lour and twenty games (Y 
Pedair Camp ar Hugain 1 which every British youth 
aspired to excel at. See Jones's Musical and 
Poetical Relics, 1794. 

■ This ii a common expression in the Welsh 
language: when anything dangerous was spoken. 
they feigned madness.— This explanatory note was 
kidded by the learned gentleman who made the 
version of this poem. — B. 

* Trystan was the son of a King of Cornwall, who. 
was educated under Merlin, and became a most 
famous Knight enant of Arthur's Round Table.— 
Sec the adventures of this Knight, printed at Venice, 
1551, a vol. 4to. From his having been instructed 
under such a tutor, and many of his atchievements 
having been performed in Cornwall, Wales, and Ire- 
land, it is not extraordinary that he should be cele- 
brated by the Welsh Bards. As for the epithet of 
win, he merited this title probably from the instruc- 
tions of Merlin, and the ancient Knight Errant was 
supposed commonly to have every other virtue, as 
well as that of valour. Hence lit neuf Preux most 



probably signifies the nine Worthitt, though they are 
at the same time Champions. Thus a MS. in the 
French King's library is entitled, " Les nobles faite ' 
du tres preux & bon Chevalier Messire Tristan." — 
See the Bibtiothtqut dei Romans, p. 35a. Dean 
Percy hath a very fair MS. in old French, of the 
adventures of the same Knight amongst his curious 
and valuable collection: it is supposed to be of 
the ijth or 14th century, and is thus entitled, " La 
Grande Istoire de Monseigneur Tristan." 
Vidi Paris, Tristano & piu di mille 
Ombre Mostrommi, & nominoll' a dito 
Ch'amor di nostra vite dipartille. 

Dante, Inferno, c. j.— B. 
•The expression iaith in the original signifies 
properly tongue : thus lingua Waittuium in some 
old records signifies the Welsh nation. For more 
ample satisfaction, however, on this head, the reader 
is referred to Hurd's learned and ingenious Dialogues, 
vol. ii. p, 17. where he instances the use of the word 
laga, which signifies both a law and a country.— B. 
5 This Bard is placed by Llwyd. in i\n Archaologia 



42 



HISTORY OP THE GWYOIR FAMILY. 



This is the most ancient song I can find extant which is ad- 
dressed to any of my ancestors since the raigne of Edward the 
First, who caused our bards all to be hanged by martial law 1 as 
stirrers of the people to sedition, whose example being followed by 
the governours of Wales, until Henry the Fourth his time, was 
the utter destruction of that sort of men. 2 Sithence, this land of 
people were at some further libertie to sing and to keep pedegrees, 
as in ancient time they were wont ; since which we have some 
light of antiquitie by their songes and writinges. 3 From the 
reigne of Edward the First to Henry the Fourth, there is there- 
fore noe certainty, or very little, of things done, other than 
what is to be found in the Princes records, which now, * by tos- 
singe the same from the Exchequer at Carnarvon to the Tower, 



In the 15th century, About 1410. He Mile* him 
Rys Ooch o Eryri, or of tht Snovufon mountains. 
It th'iuld Ken) that the inhabitant* of this country 
have long been much addicted la poetry, a* a rock 
ii shewn by the shepherds, pretty near the aummit, 
under which, if two persona alccp on a midaummer's 
eve. the one will wake out of his senses, and the other 
■ poet. — B. A similar tradition i* told of Cadet Idtia, 
which Mrn. Hcmana bat recorded in a abort poem. 

1 Edward the First hath also been attuned of hav- 
ing deatroyed all the ancient record* and writings 
in Scotland, after Ilia conqueat of that kingdom. 
Sec thia however very ably refuted by Sir David 
Oalrymple, in his Examination into tht supposed 
antiquity of tht Rtgiam Majistatim. Edinburgh. 
1769, 410. — B. And by William Owen in the preface 
to the tat vol. of Archaolag'j of Walts. 

1 " Thia paragraph ii full of miatakes. The poem 
of Rhys Qoch la stated to be Ihe mom ancient after 
the time of Llewelyn ; and yet I shall presently in- 
troduce the reader to several " 

"thia order of men could not therefore have been 
deatroyed. The statement that Edward caused all 
the bards to be hanged doea not appear to be sup- 
ported by a tingle contemporary historian ; And it is 
probable that the worthy Haronet was led to form 
tins conclusion from knowing that Edward had 
issued an edict against the bards. Aware of this 
wet and not having met with many poems belong- 
ing to that period, he ranged the two facta an cause 
and effect The facts that all the poet* 



were not hanged, that the poems are not so scarce 
as he fancied, and that the law issued by Edward 
ordains no such punishment, go very far to in- 
validate this conclusion." " The 

various laws passed by Edward I., Henry IV.. Henry 
VIII., and Elizabeth were passed not to injure the 
orderly bards but to protect them from the excesses 
of the wandering vagabonds who plundered the 

people by their demands for ' Cymroortha." 

Mr. Price has an acute discussion of this matter 
(Hants Cymru, pp. 753-4) in his history, and con- 
cludes that if any were hanged, they must have 
been the CUrwyr. I am not convinced that any 
were executed : on the contrary, as the sole authority 
base* his conclusion on a premiss known to be false. 
we may safely conclude that there were none." 
" There are other mis-statements in this paragraph. 
The government of Edward was not as oppressive 
as is assumed, and instead of being 'followed in 
cruelty by the governors of Wales,' those very 
governor* were objects of regard." " I cannot 
therefore trust cither the logic or the history of the 
patriotic Baronet as regards this statement which 
Carte has repeated, upon which Warrington has 
moralised, and which has inspired one of Gray's 
finest odes."— Stephens's Littraturt of the Kymry, 
pp. 343-5 Ed. 1849. 

1 See a commission, in the time of Q. Elizabeth, 
to settle who were real bards or otherwise, prefixed 
to Evans's Speamms of WtUh Poitry.—B. 

'It should seem, from this, that these records 



HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



43 



and to the offices in the Exchequer at London, as alsoe by ill 
keeping and ordering of late dayes, are become a chaos and 
confusion from a total neglect of method and order, as would 
be needful for him who would be ascertained of the truth of 
things done from time to time. I have, to my chardge done 
what I could, but for my travell have reaped little or nothing, as 
you see. 1 

You shall finde in the ministers accompt, in Henry the Fourth 
nis time, Robert ap Meredith, 2 farmour of Dolbenman, 8 the 
King's weare of Aberglaslyn, * the mill of Dwyfor, and of other 
the King's thinges about his dwelling. 

Jevan the sonne of Robert ap Meredith being a child of tender 
age, on the death of his father, was in the tuition of his cosen 
german's sonne, John ap Meredith ap Jevan, his next kins- 
man, who crosse maried him and his sister with Howell ap 
Rhys 6 ap Howell Vaughan of the house of Bron y foel in 
Evioneth. This family, in those dayes was of greate possessions 
and abilitie, and was then accounted the chief house descended 
from Collwyn, whereof there be many of great account in that 
countrie. 

The widdow of Robert ap Meredith married Meredd' ap Rhys 
ap Jevan Llwyd of Vchaf without the consent of her allie John 
ap Meredith, and soe was faigne to flie the day she was married 



1 Mr. Stephens quotes the above paragraph in 
support of his argument against the " supposition 
that many Welsh MSS. were sent to the Tower of 
London for the use of the Cambrian Princes there 
imprisoned, and there destroyed by one Sedan."— 
Lit. of Ik, K., p. 351, Ed. 1849. 

' levan the son of Robert ap Meredith held in 
Lease the ville of Navyikyn in Evioneth, at Michs. 
ii Edw IV. (Miaiitirt' Aetouitt ) 



been before described. — B. 

* There is a famous salmon-leap at Aberglaslyn 
in Carnarvonshire, about a mile from the mouth of 
the river of that name, which divides Merioneth- 
shire from that county.— B. The fishery of Aber- 
glaslyn, and some cottages near the bridge, were 
sold about the year 1S00, by Wm. Wynne of Pen- 
iarth, Esq., my father, to T. P. Jones Parry, Esq., 
of Madryn. I know not how they got into the 
possession of my family. — W. 

» Howell ap Rhys is witness, and his father, Rhys 
ap Howell Vaughan, party to a deed dated on the 
nut Thursday after the festival of AH Siini* 
ao Hen. VI, (ind Nov., 1441J. 



46 



HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



Llewelyn ap Howell, and others,) he placed all these in the 
rearward, out of the fury of the fight, whilst all his sonnes were 
in the vanward, which himself led, where he was sore wounded 
in his face, whereof he was called Squier y graith 1 to his dying 
day : but God gave his enemies the overthrow, he opening the 
passage with his sword. 

Queen Catherine, being a French woman borne, knew noe 
difference between the English and Welsh nation, untill her 
marriage being published, Owen Tudur's kindred and countrey 
were objected to disgrace him, as most vile and barbarous ; which 
made her desirous to see some of his kinsmen. Whereupon he 
brought to her presence John ap Meredith and Howell ap Lle- 
welyn ap Howell his neare cosens, men of goodly stature and 
personage, but wholey destitute of bringing up and nurture, for 
when the Queene had spoken to them in diverse languages, and 
they were not able to answer her, she said, they were the goodliest 
dumbe creatures that ever she saw. 

This being not impertinent to the matter I treat of, and pre- 
served by tradition, I thought fit to insert here. 

John ap Meredith had by his wife five sonnes, viz. Morris, 2 
Jevan, Robert, Owen, and Gruff', whereof Robert in his fa- 
ther's time was slayne without issue neare Ruthyn in the follow- 
ing manner. [The rest survived their father, and have many de- 
scended from them] : 

The Thelwals of Ruthyn 3 being ancient gentlemen of that 
countrey, who came into it with the Lord Grey, on whome King 
Edward the First bestowed the countrey of Duffryn Clwyd, * 
were at contention with a septe or kindred of that countrey called 
the family of Gruff' Goch. These being more in number than 
the Thelwals (although the Thelwals carried the whole offices of 



1 Squicrygraith signifies Esquire with a scar. — B. 

* Morris was Arbitrator in a dispute between 
G ruffith Lloyd ap Ellis and Gruffitti ap Einioii, and 
Hoelap David ap Meredith, t6ihjuly,i 5 Hen. VII. * r the vaU ot Clwyd, Dyffryn bearing that 

1 Thelwal, who published the Digtsl of Writs, signification in Welsh.— B. 



of this family, and dates his work from his poor 
i near Ruthyn. It is about a mile from that 
i, on the road to Mold in Flintshire.— B. 



HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



47 



the countrey, under the Lord thereof, the Lord of Kent, l then 
treasurer of England) drave the Thelwals to take to the castle 
of Ruthyn for their defence, where they besieged them, untill 
the siedge was raysed by John ap Meredith, his sonnes, and kin- 
dred, to whome the Thelwals sent for ayde. In that exploite 
Robert the sonne of John ap Meredith 2 was slayne with an arrow 
in a wood, within the view of the castle of Ruthyn called Coed 
marckan 3 ; in revenge whereof many of the other side were slayne, 
both at that time and afterwards. Some affirme John ap Mere- 
dith to have beene at a field in Penyal 4 for Tho' Gruff, which 
field was fought betweene Tho' Gruff ap Nicolas and Henry ap 
Gwillim, and the Earle of Pembroke's captaines, where Tho* 
Gruff' got the field, but received there his death's wound. 

Henry VII. minding on his entry into England to clayme the 
crown against the tyrant Richard the Third, wrote this letter, 
which is still extant, to John ap Meredith in hasc verba : 5 



r of England in 



1 The Earl of Kent wi: 
1464 and 1465. 

' Sciant p'aentes & futuri q'd Ego John ap M'etf 
ap leuan ap M'ed Annig' libten' dn'i Regis ville de 
Pennant Comot' de Evion' in Com' Caem' dedi 
concessi & hac p'senti Carta mea conlirmaui 
Oweyn ap John ap M'cd' filio meo om'ia mesuagia 
ten' tenement' molend' toft' prat' pasc' pastur' moi' 
maieic' turbar' ailu' bosc' subbosc' reddit* & a'uicia 
cu' suis p'tin' una cu' Nalivia villanis & eor' sequel' 
que h'eo in villis de Penna't Berkyn' Trefdrevan 
Trefverthir & Treflys in p'dict' Comot' de Evion' in 
Com' Caern'. H'end & tenend omni'a p'dict' Mea' 
err' tenement' Molend' toft' prat' paac' mor" maresc' 
turbar' silu' bosc' subbosc* reddit' & a'uicia cu' 
suis p'tin' vna cu' Nativis Villan' £ eor' aequel' 
p'fato Oweyn ap John ap M'cd' filio meo & hered' 
suis de corporc euo int* ipm' Oweyn & Elenam 
filiam hugonia lewys legittime p'creat' De Capit'Iib' 
dn'is feod' ill* p' s'vicia inde debit' & dc hire consuet' 
imp'pctuu'. Etegov'op'dicl'Joh'napM'ed' & hered' 
mei omi'a p'dict' mesuagia terr' tenement' molend' 
toft' prat' paac' pastur' mor' maresc' turbar' Bilu' 
bosc' tubbosc' reddit' & s'uicia cu' suis p'tin' vna 
cu' Nat' villan' & cor' sequel' p'fat' Oweyn ap John 
ap M'cd' filio meo & hered' suis int' ipm' Oweyn & 
p'fat' Elenam filiam p'd'ci hugonis lewys legittime 
p'creal' cool' ome'a gentes Warrantizabim 1 & im- 



p'petuu' defendemus. In cuiu 
p'senti Carte mee sigillum men' apposui. hiistcstib'. 
William ap GruH' ap Robyn, henrico Bal/rant, Res 
ap ll'e' ap hulkyn, Ken' ap d'd' ap Ithel, & Rit'o 
ffoiwist, & multis aliis. dat' apud Penna't duodecimo 
die Januarii Anno regni Regis Ric'i t'cii post con- 
questum Anglic Secundo. (L.S.) ^From the original 
at Brogyntyn.J 

* Cotd in Welsh signifies a wood. — B. 

* Pcnnal, the place where Tho' GrufP ap Nichols* 
was wounded, is knownc by tradition ; and liclh in 
Wttra Bennal, in the pariah of Towin, over against 
Llidiart y parke crache, and in the midst of the 
way 1 being a little round pavement, and almost 
covered with grasi. — This note waa added by some 
person who had perused the MS. with attention. — B. 
Between the words " Pennal " and '• the place " 
(in nole) the word "for" is inserted in Ihe 
BrogyttyH MS. 

Henry the Seventh, when he claimed the crown 
of EngLand against Richard the Third, landed at 
Milford Haven, and marched from thence through 
South and North Wales into Leicestershire, where 
the battle of Bosworth was fought. He had 
probably been informed at Milford that John ap 
Meredith bad considerable influence in N. Wales. 
[He might also know it from his family, as they 
were nearly related.] — P. 



4 8 



HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



By the King. 

Right trusty and well beloved, wee greete you well : and 
whereas it is soe, that, through the helpe of Almighty God, the 
assistance of our loveing and true subjects, and the greate confi- 
dence that wee have to the nobles and commons of this our prin- 
cipalitie of Wales, we be entred into the same, purposing by 
the helpe above rehearsed, in all haste possible, to descend into 
our realme of England, not only for the adoption of the crowne, 
unto us of right appertaining, but alsoe for the oppression of the 
odious tyrant Richard late Duke of Glocester, usurper of our 
said right ; and moreover to reduce as well our said realme of 
England into its ancient estate, honour, and property, and pros- 
peritie, as this our said principalitie of Wales, and the people of 
the same to their dearest ] liberties, delivering them of such mise- 
rable servitude as they have piteously long stood in. We desire 
and pray you, and upon your allegiance strictly charge and com- 
mand you, that immediately upon the sight hereof with all such 
power, as ye may make, defencibly arrayed for the warre, ye 
addresse you towards us, without any tarrying upon the way, 
untill such time as ye be with us, wheresoever we shall be, to our 
aide, for the effect above rehearsed, wherein ye shall cause us in 
time to come to be your singular good Lord, and that ye faile 
not hereof as ye will avoyd our grievous displeasure, and answere 
it unto your perill. Given under our signet at our, a &c. 

To our tmstie and well-beloved John ap Meredith ap Jevan 
ap Meredith. 3 

Jevan ap Robert ap Meredith, * my ancestor, haveing, as afore 
is remembred, crosse maried with the house of Bron y foel in 



examined.— E. 



i all the copies which I have 



'"I have seen ye original of this letter and 
perused it at Gwedir 1690. H. Bangor." (From a 
note in the autograph of Bishop Humphreys, in a 



MS. of the "History of the Gwydir Family," at 
Wynnstay.) 

* By the Ministers' Accounts lor the year ending 
Michs. ra, EdV. IV., in the Augmentation Office, 
London, it is shewn that at that time Jevan ap 
Robert ap Meredith held in lease for a term of four 
years, the villc of ''Navyskyn" in Evioneth, the 
present year being the first of the term. 



TABLE No. III. 



TABLE III. 



A daughter of Tudur ap=p Howel ap Rhys ap=f=Sister of Jevan ap Robert 
Gruff*, &t. ad wife. Howel Vauchan, ist wife. 



Catherine, sister o£f Jet; 
Howel ap Rhys. 



T 



Jhomat ap Kbyi 
ap li'jweJ 



ist wife 
An inheritrix of the=pRys ap Howel ap=pMargaret, da. of Hugh 
Trevor*. Rhys. &c. Conwey. 

c ist wife. 2d wife. 

Alice, 6th da. of William Gruff , =f=Gwenhyfar, da. of 
ap Robin, of Cochwillan. 



>i 

Robert. 



T 



3 . 
John. 



I 
Cadwuladcr r 
4p Thoman 



Kill* ap -A da. of 

Csdwu OwenW. 

lader. of Coer- 

7 milwr. 



i 

Owrn Klliw. 
/ 

I 
Kill* F.lliR | 



I 
Owrn Mil* 



A ton ft drf. p. Hi. 



ap Howel, Sec. 



i I 
Gruffith=7=Meredith ap 
ob. 1525, 

d 



Jevan,^=Mi 
Mi 



I 1 
William 

Wynne 



3 
Rees 

Wynne. ] 



u 

Rytherch. 



IS 
Margaret.=f= 



I" 
Elizabeth, wife of John 
ap Robert ap Llewelyn 
of Penllech. 



12 I 
Elen. 



Mien 
Lloyd 

/ 



|2 61 || 

John Wynne ap Jonet, marr. 



Meredith of 
Gwydir, 
«• *553- 

1 
Morys Wynn-, 
of (iwydir, ma. 
Jane. d. of Sir 
Kd. Bulkely, 
kt. of Beaumaris. 
I 



idly Sir John 7. Catherine= 

Puleston, of 8. Catherine=f= 
Emeral, knt. wen 

_ A_ 

3d wife 
-Catrin y 
Berain, 
heiress of 
Berain. 



19 

Lowry 



1° I I 13 14 I 15 I * 

Marsh. =p Humph=f= Cadwala- EIen.=f J 

Meredith der.=r=Sionet, dto. 

i of Wenallt. Tho. of PJa 

J k 



Gruff' =?= Gwen, fch. 



Wynn of 
Berth ddu. 



Rt. Salsbri 
of Plasisa, 
LI an rw st. 



|4 
Owen=j=Elin, fch. 



Wynn of 
Cacrmilwr. 



tn 



Rt. Salsbri 
of Llanrwst 



3| 
Rhobt. Wynn of=Dorti, 



Conwy, viv. 
1591. 

o 



da. of 
Sir Wm. 
Grifrydd 
of Penrlrja 



Kdd. Wynn, -Blanch, da. Hugh ab=j=Margret y fh. 



of Afitrad, 
only son, 111. 
in 1589. 



t. Wi 



of Jo. Van of Gryff ' 
Blaen-y- Sheriff 

Cwm. in i6og. 

r 



Sir John 
Wynn of 

(iwydir, 
Bt. KO 

created 

in 161 1. 

Stf his 
marriage 
ami des- 
cendants 
in Table 
IV. (p. 104.) 



Kdd. Wynn, of Llwyn,-p Owen Wynn ^f=Ann, fh. 



Rd.Mostyn of 
Bodscallon. 



John W.=pMarget, 
sold all his ' da.to Piers 
estate ex- Llwyd of 
cept »Caer- Rhiwaedog 

milwr, to 



Robt. Wyn- r - Barbara, f h. Rt. Wynn,=^=Catrin, da. 
Rd. Williams Sheriff for 
of Llwyn. Denbighsh 

in 1618. 
u 



of John Gr. 
of Caernar- 
von. 



his cousin 
Sir John 

Wynn of 
Gwydir. 



John Wynn.=f=Maq 

s ofGr 

ofCs 



Thomas Wynn.=j=Ellen, da. to 

Wm.ThomaiJd) 
ab Rhys Tho. 
ofCoed-helen 



cldcHt son, (). S. P. 

Clerk of the (irecn 

Cloth to Ch. 2d. 



Muwiis Wynn of Llwyn, 
born in Kujo. 



of Llwyn, m. 
in 1689, ob. 
1717, agd. 67. 



I 



Mawris 
Lewis of 
Pen^wern 
Festiniog. 



I I I 

Col. Hugh=f=Elin, da. Ann or Ellen=j=Rd. Wil- Rt. WymfiA! 
of Rich. 
Van. of 
Cors-y-gedol. 



Wynn 
w 



Hams of 
Llysdulas, M.P. 
for Mona. 18. J. 1. 



Kli/abeth, fh. Francis 
Kdwards of Pcnhc&cin, 
married in 1722. 



.1... 



Robert Wynn,=f=Ellen, fh. Rt. John Williams «f€i 

Wynn of Plas of Llysdulas, a 
mawr, Conwy, learned Antiq. 



of 
H 
PI 



Owen Wynn of l.lwyn, 
bom 1 7-'. | oh. 17841. 



Kllcnor, da. of Thomas 
Secle of Liverpool, 

v 

I 



Ancestors in the maternal line to 
Sir Thomas Mostyn, bt. of Mostyn. 



r 



Gryffydd Williams, Ml 
and O. S. P. in 1708. 



1 WtUcyn Kdwards Wvnn, Ksq. , Anna Maria, Relict 1 
of Llwyn, O. S. I 1 . 170A of John Mostyn, Esq. 

of Segrwyt. 



«Wi 



2 Mawrys Wynn, LL.D. Rector of Bangor Iscoed 

aa 



*obert.=f=Gwenhwyfar. 
//. 

I 



th Vaughan=f= 



r 



Jevan=f= 
b 



I 
A daughter. 



wife 
da. 
John 
ith. 



4th wife e 
of=f=Jonet, da. of=f=A 



Jenkyn Gruffith 
Vaughan. 



5th wife. 
._ da. of Jevan 
ap John ap Heilin. 



Catha- 
rine. 



23 
John 

Coetmoi 



I 



I 25 
Hugh 



26 | 
Jevan. 



iTl 18 | 

A^nes, Alice=p 
wife of 
Robert 
Salisbury 



19 
Gwen=T= 



20 | 

Mar. 
garet 



I 21 
=t= Eiliw.=r= 



£=f=Lowri t da. of John 
Wynn, of Ben- 
narth. 



i 

William. =r= 



Cadwaladeir=rjane, da. John Williams,^ 
of Thomas a goldsmith in 
Madryn, of London. See { 
Madryn. page 87. I 



n ab Thomas 
dol. of 

Wcnallt. 



nan=r= 



-Winifred Sir John Wil- Sir Edmund Sir Morris 
d. of Da- liams, Bt. of Williams, bt. Williams, 
vydd Lid the Isle of of Marnehall Physician 
of Trail- Thanet. Dorsetshire, to the Qu. 

wyn. created bart page 87. 

in 1642. 



. da. of 
r Pry- 
of 



I 
Cadwalader Van, A. M. 

Rector of Osgarthorpe 

Leicestershire. 



n. 



da. Ellen, fh=j= Robert Wynn ab Col. A son who sold 

Wynn of berth ddu. Glasfryn to William 

Lloyd of Trallwyn 



r 

of 
ch 



Estates 



k 



Ucnor=f P. LI. Fletcher, Esq. of Gwern Haelyd. 



Notes to Table III. 



a Party to a deed 30 June 22 Hen. 8. 

6 "Vaughan=^ Jevan=^ A daughter. 



»» 



I 



David Lloyd 
Griffith Vy- 
chan (see pp. 
63 and 77). 
c Before ■• 1st wife " put " reputed " and strike out "6th " 
after Alice. 

d u 1525/' aged about 65. 

t " 4th wife " and •• 5th wife " should be struck out, and 
the down lines below the — connecting Margaret with Jonet, 
and Jonet with Jevan (as well as the connecting mark itself) 
should be a "wavy" line to show that the descent is not 
1 egitimate. 

/ " Elen Lloyd," referee in an award in Nov. 1563, died 
1572. A " Marwnad" on her death in Hengwrt MS. No. 309* 

g " 1553 " should be 1559. 

h " Puleston of Emeral, Knt." strike out •• of Emeral." He 
died in 1550. 

i Living 4th June 1578. 

j Living 5th Nov. 1563. Dead before 4th June 1578. 

k Of the age of 60 years in Dec. 34 Eliz : as appears by 
some depositions in a law suit upon the 29 of that month and 
year. 

/ And ob : 10 Aug. 1580. 

m Party to a deed on 1 Jan. 9 Eliz : died 1590. 

n Died in 1578. 

o He was living Nov. 30, 1598. There was another son, 
Jevan " a doctor " dead in 1574. 

p He appears to have had a brother named John, who in 
the above-mentioned depositions is stated to have been of 
the age of 30 upon 29 Dec, 30 Eli*. 

q Ob: 1597. 

r And another son, Ellis. — Brogyntyn MS. 

s Died 14 Nov. 1637. He was brother-in-law to John Owen, 
Bishop of St. Asaph.— Piers Roberts's Journal, in the pos- 
session of Mr. Breese. 

t Ob: 1622. 

u Died in Feb. 1640-1. 

v He was of Glasfryn ; died 5 Nov. 1664, and was buried at 
Llanarmon, co. Carnarvon. 

w Ode on his birth in Hengwrt MS. 362a p. 68. 

x Probably graduated A.M. at Oxford 5 July 1671. 



[turn over. 



Elienor daughter of=?=Owen Wynne= 
Thomas Seele, Esq., I of Llwyn bom 
of Liverpool, Mer- I724died 1780. 



I 



Susannah 2nd dr. of Broaghton 
Whitehall Esq. of Broughton. 
2nd wife— Relict of John Lloyd, 
Esq. of Hafodunoi 



Watkin Edwards-Anna Maria d' of 

Wynne, Esq., of Meyric Meredith, 

Llwyn and Pen- Esq. of Pengwern 

gwern. born [3 April Co: Cam: relict 

1754, died s. p. 1796, of John Mostyn of 

at Dover, bur. at Segrwyt, Esq. 
LlanrhaiadrinCein- 
merch, Co. Denbigh- 



Owen Molyneux 
Wynne, born 11 
Au g- '757- mar*- his 
cousin. Miss Seel 



Maurice Wynne LI, D. 
born 13 Dec. (759, 
Rector of Bangor, 
Co. Flint, and Vicar 
of Wenlock, Co: 
Salop : possessor of 
Pengwern, Co. Mer- 
ioneth & Llwyn, 
Co. Denbigh. Sup- 
posed to be Lhc last 
descendant in the 
male line of the 
Wynn's ol Gwydir* 
.) Dr. Wynne 



Elienor man* to 
P. Lloyd Fletcher, 
Esq. of Gwem- 
hayledCo: Flint, 
and left issue. 



died ii 



1835. 



* Since the above was written, I have seen reason to believe that 1 am wrong here. Dr. Rice Wynne 
now (1840) of Shrewsbury is descended from the Wynne's of Maesmochnant, and through them 
lineally from the house of Gwydir. — W. 

Relict » Owen Molyneu* Wynne raarrd. "2 Mawrys" 

to his cousin Miss Seele and 

on Maurice not " Mawrys." Living 1834, died a. p. 



Md. the ixu, day of July a°rr" Ed. sexti qui't' that I John Wyn ap Md. of Gwedyr in thecom of Caem. 
Eiquyer have received of Elys ap Mores Esq uyer the sum of xx" sterlyng due vnto me the* said John by the 
sc'pte obligacome of the said Elissa of the wiche sum of xx" I the said John do Knowledge 1 



paid and the said Elis; 



isign' thereof discharged & acquieted by this p : 
,e the day & yere above w 



(From the . 
The childre 
inserted. 

Jan 



iginal at Brogyntyn.) 
of Maurice Wynn, of Gwydir, 



e not all given in Tablt 



P'meJoh'emWynapM'ed. 
1 III and IV. They are here 



Bulkeley.yMaurice Wynn.=rAnn Greville,= 
it wife. I relict of Edw- , 

Mytton 2d. 



I I ! 

Sir I.iIhj.,- Svdney 
Wynn. Gerard 



I I I I. 



Catherine dau. & heiress of 
Tudor ap Robert of Berain ; 
relict of Sir Richard Clough 
Kn t. The famous Catherine 
vt Berain, 3d. wife. 



Robert of Maesmochnant l_ 

man* Catherine, dau. & | 

heiress of David Lloyd Edw. Wynn, oi^Blanch, dau. Jane, wife o t 

ap Willium & left issue. Ystrad. * of John Simon Thel 

Ellen, wife of Thomas Vaughan, wall of fW 

Vaughan. of Pant Gias, ? sa " **■* ts< l. 

Dorothy, wife of Tho. 

Powell, of Horsley. 
Margaret, wife of Th. 
Salusbury, son of Sir 
John Salusbury, Knt. 
From Hengvirt MS. 96, in the autograph of Robert Vaughan, the antiquary of Hengwrt, page 862. 
" Sep. 29, 1623. Mr. Ellis Winne (was buried) on the south side of the long aisle (in Westminster Abbey); 
third son of Maurice Wynn of Gwydir, Esq., by his first wife, Jane, dau : of Sir Rich. Bulkeley, of Beau- 
maris, Knight. He was one of the clerks of the Petty Bag in the High Court of Chancery. His will dated 
25 Sept., proved 16 Oct., r623. His wife, dau : of Alderman Gage, survived him, but he evidently left no 
issue." 'tVeslminiter Abbey Retards, 8vo., London, 1876, p. lit). 



R" Gwyn, A.M., 
marr*- Sydney 
dau. ol SirW=> 
Jones. Knt. 

Ellis Wynn, man*- 

Alderman Gage. 



HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



49 



Evioneth, had by his wife, called Catherine, three sonnes, Mere- 
dith, Robert, 1 and John. After her death he maried Gwenhwy- 
far, daughter of Madog Vaughan, of the house of Llwyn Dyrus, 
descended of Sir Gruff' Lloyd, by whome he had two sonnes, 
Gruff' Vaughan and Jevan, and a daughter. Jevan died 2 being 
but one and thirtie yeares of age, of the plague, at Keselgyfarch 
his house. 

In the warrs betweene the houses ot Yorke and Lancaster, he 
{as all his} were Lancastrians, and he was one of the captaines 
who laid waste the Duke of Yorke's estate in Denbigh land ; in 
revenge whereof, the King sent Will' Herbert, Earle of Penbroke, 
in Edward the Fourth's time, who came with a greate army to 
recover the Castle of Harddlech, 3 held by David ap Jevan ap 
Einion for Jasper Earle of Penbroke, then beyond the seas. He 
also wasted with fire and sword all Nanconway, and the whole 
countrey lying betweene Conway and Dovi. He grauntcd at the 
same time a protection or safe conduct to Jevan ap Robert ap 
Meredith, and to his followers to come to parle with him, which 
I have to shew, under his seale of armes in hasc verba. * 



1 Robert had issue Jevan who dyed without issue 
and Catherine married to Griffith ap Evan o! 
Gwyddgwion descended of Gwaithvoed P. of 
Cardigan. (From a note to the Brogyntyn MS. — 
which note, I am certain, it in the handwriting of 
Wm. Vaughan, of Caethley, Esq., who was buried 
at Towyn, 71b Sept., 1677. W.) ' 
John ap levan ap 

Robert ap Meredith 

of Treflys, Co : 

Carn ; demisce of 

Garth Morthin in 

Gest, in the same 

Co. ; by deed dated 

30 June 12 ilen. 

viii. (.538) 





1 

Owen John ap levan 
ap Robert devisee 


1 
Griffith ac 




John, sole 




in the will of levan 


Uti-Ulur lu 




ap John, & hi» 






heir— living 7. Nov. 






1607. 





^i, e. Jevan ap Robert, thefather. See before,— P. 

• When this town it. thus spelt, it is said to 
Signify ihe beautiful or high rock [see Llwyd'a 
Arehaeleg. page 876. article fair] ; when in the 
common way [Harlech], it may be rendered the 
town upon the rock. As, unfortunately, the lately 
published Memoirs of Lord Cherbury are become 
excessively scarce, it may not perhaps be improper 
to insert from thence an anecdote relative to this 
liege of Harlech. The governor being summoned 
to surrender, sent an answer to the following 
effect: "That he had held out n castle in France 
"till all the old women in Wales talked of him; 
"and that he would defend his Welsh castle till all 
•' the old women in France tbouJd hear of it." — 8. 

' OMNIB", *c. fidclibus ad quos p'sens sciiptum 
p'venerit, Gtitliclin' Comes Pcnbrnchi* Jultie' d'ni 
regis in p'tibus suis North Wallia 1 , salutem. Stiatis 
noB dedissc & p' p'sentci concessisse Jevan ap Rob't 
de Com'oto Evioneth in Comitatu Carnarvon Salvum 
& securum conductum intiandi, veniendi, ambu- 
H 




50 



HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



He was a most goodly man of personage, of greate stature, ! 
(as may appeare by the Welsh songes made unto him), and most 
valiant withall. Besides the turmoyles abroad, he sustayned 
deadly feud (as the northerne man termeth) at home in his doore, 2 
a warre more dangerous than the other. 

His sister, having been married to Howell ap Rys, 3 died within 
few years after the marriage, leaveing noe issue male : and Howell 
ap Rys maried Tudur ap Gruff' 4 ap Einion's daughter of Ardydwy, 
a courageous stirring woman, who never gave over to make de- 
bate betweene her husband and his next neighbour and brother- 
in-law, my ancestor. Many bickerings passed betweene them, 
either makeing as many friends as he could, and many men were 
slayne, but commonly the losse fell on Howell ap Rys his side. 

David ap Jenkin being a neare kinsman to Howell ap Rhys, 
and then an outlaw, a man of greate valour, came to aide his 
cosen against my ancestor, but prevailed not, though they came 
upon the suddaine on my ancestor's house, and whilst he was from 
home. Thereupon (as we have it by credible tradition) David 
ap Jenkin wished his cosen to keepe friendship with his brother- 
in-law, for, said he, I will not come with thee to invade this 
man's house when he is at home, since I finde such hot resistance 
in his absence. 

This woman 5 caused the parson of Llanwrothen 6 to be mur- 
thered, because he had fostered 1 to my ancestor ; but God so 



landi, expectant] i, eom'orandi ac salvo eund' & 
redeundi p' & infra Comitatum de Carnarvon & 
Merioneth p' ae' bonis, & catallis, sine arestatione, 
molcslationc, impechimento, dam no, violenlia, 
manticaptione, p'turbatione, sen gravaminc aliquo 
tarn ad sectam d'ni regis, quain ad sect am partis 
alterius, p'sonse cujuacumq' a die confectionis 
p'sentium quosq' p' nos habuerit p 'monition em sex 
dierum. Datum sub stgillo nostra quarto die mensis 
Novembris anno regni regis Edwaidi 4I1 post Cnn- 
questum octavo.— B. 

1 i. e. Jevan ap Robert. See before.— P. 

1 A mode of expression which seems to explain 



1 Howel ap Rys, and Rys ap Howe] Vychan, his 
father, are, the former witness, and the latter party, 
to an original deed at Brogymyn, dated at Pen- 
nyved the next Thursday after the Festival of all 
Saints 10 Hen. VI [2 Nov. 1441). 

* Ellis brother of this Tudur ap Griff, ap Enion 
died in 1489. (See a note in Htngwrt US. No. 5.) 

The second wife of Howell ap Rhys, before 
mentioned— P, 

'■ Llanvrothen is a parish in Merionethshire, 
which borders upon Traethmawr sands. — B. 

' The strong connexion and affection between 
the Foster-father and son seems to be now much 
dropped in Wales ; it continues however in full force 



HISTORY OP THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



5« 



wrought that the murtherers, being three brethren, were all 
slayne afterwards by my ancestor, in revenge of the parson's un- 
worthy death. 

I have a number of obligations wherein Howell ap Rys stand- 
deth bounden for the observation of the peace, and awards touching 
that controversie ; but the plague taking away my ancestor, ended 
the strife betweene them, which was likely (if he had lived) to 
have ended with the death of one of them or both. Soe bloody 
and irefull were quarells in those dayes, and the revenge of the 
sword at such libertie, as almost nothing was punished by law, 
whatsoever happened. 

The cause of this mortal hatred betweene them grew (as it is 
credibly reported) in this sorte : John ap Meredith and Howell ap 
Rys were ever highly at variance ; my ancestor having had bring- 
ing up with his cosen John ap Meredith, affected him best, though 
allied nearly to the other, which was taken so heinously by 
Howell ap Rhys, that he converted the summe of his rancor upon 
his brother-in-law and next , neighbour. This quarell, my ances- 
tor being dead, never ended till, in assaulting the house of the 
said Howell, by the sonnes of John ap Meredith with their cosen 
Gruffith ap John ap Gronw (a gentleman of great account, who 
had been captaine, as is reported, of a company of launsiers in 
Aquitaine) : the said Gruffith ap John ap Gronw was slayne, 
being shot into the beaver with an arrow out of the house, 
whereupon the said Howell was faigne to leave the country to 
avoyd the furie of the revengment of blood. 

In the partition of the inheritance of Jevan ap Robert ap Me- 
redith betweene his five sonnes, according to the custome of 
Wales; Henblas in Maethbrood and all the land in Llanrwst 
in Denbigh land descending unto him, 1 (as afore is mentioned as 
cosen and next heire to Robin Vaughan ap David 2 ap Howell ap 



in the uncivilised parte of Ireland. In a letter fion 
Mr. Wynne [penes P. Panton. Esq.] to his father 
and dated in 1623, he desires that the widow of ai 
Evan Thomas may be btttotvtd on his /otter 



brother who worked in the garden at liwedir.- 13. 
1 " Descended unto him " ill Brogyutyn MS. 
5 Seer pages 3 1, 3+ 



5- 



HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



Gruff), fell to be the parte and portion of Gruff' Vaughan, his 
sonne, who maried the daughter 1 of Gruff ap Madog Vaughan, 
who was grandchild to Rees ap Einion Vaughan, viz., his daugh- 
ter's daughter. You are to understand that though Robin 
Vaughan, did not defeat his cosen and next heire Jevan ap Robert 
ap Meredith of the land held in the Welsh tenure, yet minding 
the preferment of his daughter, as much as law would suffer him, 
he charged the land with a mortgage of £. 12. to Rys ap Einion 
Vaughan his sonne-in-Iawe, which the said Rys ap Einion 
Vaughan did release to Gruff ap Jevan ap Robert in parte of his 
manage goods with his cosen, the daughter of Owen ap Gruff 
ap Madog : the very release I have in my custody. 3 

God hath shewed such mercy to our kind, that ever since the 
time of Rodericke the sonne of Owen Gwynedd, Lord of Angle- 
sey, our common ancestors, there lived in the commonwealth in 
eminent sorte one or other of our name, and many together at 
times. I have in my minde, in the perusal of the whole course 
of the history of our name and kindred, compared or likened 
God's worke, in that to a man striking fire into a tinder-box, 
by the beating of the flint upon the Steele there are a number of 
sparkles of fire raysed, whereof but one or two takes fire, the 
rest vanishing away. As for example, in Einion ap Cariadog, 
Gruff ap Cariadog, and Sir Will' Cariadog alias Willcocke 3 Carr 



1 She is called soon after this the daughler of 
Owen ap GrufP ap Madog. It is here given more 
contracted. — P. 

'The copy thereof ensueth — Omnibus Christi fide- 
libus ad quos p'sens scriptum p'venerit Rhys ap 
Einion salutcm in d'm'no sempiternam. Sciatis me 
p' fatum Rj-b remisisse duodecim libraslde prido qua; 
habeo sup' terram Robin Vaughan ap d'd ap Howel 
cum p* tin' iacenl' et existent' in Comoto dc vwch- 
rtuLas in dominio de denbigh Griffino ap Jevan ap 
Robert heredibus et assignatii suis, in p'petuum. 
Ita viz. quod nee ego p'dictus Rys nee hairedes mei, 
neq' exec uteres mei neq' aliquis alius per nos pro 
nobis, seu nomine n'ro aliquid ius, statum. titulum, 
clameum, interesse. sive demand' de vel in p'dictis 
duddceem libris neoue in p'dicta terra et I 



cum p'tinent' vt p'dicitur iacentes et existentes 
in Comoto predicto, nee de vel in aliqua inde parcella 
de Cfetero extgere clamare vel vindicare sive deman. 
dare poterimus, neq' poterit in futurum quovismodoi 
sed ab omni actione, iure, statu, titulo, clameo, 
interesse, et demand' inde in posterum exinde 
sumus penitus exclusi in p'petuum per presenles; 
In cuius rei testimoniu' huic presemi acripto meo 
sigillum mcum apposui coram his testibus Mrydd' ap 
d'd ap Eingan d'd ap Mrydd' ap d'd llwyd, 
S r Robert Cowsyth cler'c", Tho : Cowseih et 
Ievan ap d'd ap tl'yn cum mukis aliis. dat so die 
mensis Octobris anno regni regis Hcnrici seplimo 
vndecimo.— (From the Brogyntyn MS.) 
' Will Gach.or red Will.— L. 



HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



53 



adog, brethren ; Einion ap Cariadog as should seeme the elder 
brother, was Lord of Penychen, Penyberth, and Baladevlyn. 
His sonne, Tudur ap Einion, died without issue of his body, and 
his lands were begged by the Queene, King Edward the First his 
wife, as appeareth in this history. Gruffith, the second brother, 
was Lord of Friwlwyd, Ystrad, and Eskibion ; he had issue David, 
which David had three sonnes; David Chwith ap David, Mere- 
dith, and Howell; which are mentioned before to have exchanged 
their estate at Denbigh with Henry Lacie, earle of Lincolne. 
Will' alias Wilcocke Craidog, the third brother, maried an inhe- 
retrix in Pen broke shire, where his posteritie have remained ever 
since, haveing, from the house called Newton, named them- 
selves Newton Craidog, * both in Pembrokeshire and Somerset- 
shire. Some of the Newtons claim their lineal descent from 
Howell ap Gronw, Lord of Ystradtowin, an'o D'ni noo, de- 
scended from Rytherch ap Jestin, Prince of Wales. Note, 
among these three brethren, the posteritie of the one remaines ; 
of the other two, the one is vanished, and the other gone out of 
the countrey. Of Gruffith 3 his grand -children, only the poste- 
ritie of Howell are extant, who was before stated to be the 
youngest of the three sons of Gruffith Lord of Friwlwyd. Lastly, 
in Jevan ap Robert ap Meredith his children, which were five, 3 
only the posteritie 4 of Meredith are extant, and of account. 
Whereupon comparing things past with things to come, I pre- 
sage God's mercy to the kindred hereafter, as heretofore. 

Now after this large digression, to returne to the course of 
this former historic, Rys ap Einion Vaughan haveing had warn- 
ing, as aforesaid, that Henblas 5 should be redeemed, hasted to 



1 Some of the Ncwions claims iher lineal descent 
from Howel ap Grono Lord of Ystrad a.d. hoc 
desc: (ran Ryderch ap Jesiin Prince of W . . . 
3 the Rrogyiityit MS. in a more modern 
band than the other note*, J 

•i.e., Gruffith ap Cariadog'* grand-children. — P. 

'"Meredith hi* children, which were five." — 
Brogyntyn MS. has il " being five." 



' This is not true, vide ye page 56 and ye note to 
ye Brogyntyn MS.— {In the hand of Wm. Vaughan, 
of Caeihky, Esq. ] 

1 Hmbl.u, as well as Brynsullty. ie afterwards 
described, as being in the Lordship of Denbigh. It 
is supposed that Hinbtas is the same with PUukfii, 
or Tht old mi n iron .— B. It is curious that this word 
Hen is generally prefixed and the word Newydd 



54 



HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



build Brynsullty, before that Michaelmas appointed. I have seene 
an old man in my time called Jevan ap John ap David Vaughan, 
at least of ninety years old ; this man's mother served Rys ap 
Eingan Vaughan at that time, and she was wont to reporte 
that come 1 fayling them to build 2 the house, they reaped the 
come that grew in the raine 3 to serve that turne, as the corne in 
the ridge was not readie. 

The warrs of Lancaster and Yorke beginning this summer, 
made Jevan ap Robert ap Meredith forgetfull of his promise to 
redeeme the lands ; for in the time of that civill warre land was 
not ought worth, neither was it redeemed during his life. In 
those warrs Jevan ap Robert ap Meredith, even in the sixth of 
Edward the Fourth, with David ap Jenkin and other captaines 
of the Lancastrian faction, wasted with fire and sword the suburbs 
of the town of Denbigh. In revenge of this, Edward the Fourth 
sent William Earl of Penbroke with a great army to waste the 
mountaine countreys of Carnarvon and Merioneth shires, and 
take the castle of Hardlech (held then by David ap Jevan* ap 
Einion, for the two Earles Henry Earle of Richmond, 5 and Jaspe r 
Earle of Pembroke) which Earle did execute his chardges to the 
full, as witnesseth this Welsh rime. 
Hardlech a Dinbech pob dor 

Yn Cunnev, 
Nanconway yn farwor 

Mil a phedwarcant mae Jor 

A thrugain ag wyth rhagor. 6 



added, thus : Hengwrt,Cwrt newydd, Henbont, Pont 
newydd, Hen gastell, Caste]] newydd, Henblas. 
Plas newydd, Hendre, Trev newydd, &c. It is 
certainly not the same place as Talhenbont or Plas 
hen in Erionedd, which is near Criccieth. 

1 i. e. to be used as straw.— P. 

• i. e. to thatch it.— B. 

1 Raine, in some parts of England is used for 
furrow, or the lower part of the ridge. Wormius 
derives the word Ram (from whence the Runic 
character) from either ryn,* furrow ; or ryn. a gutter 



or channel. See lett. Run, p. a. 1636, cited in the 
Mew Translation of Mallet's Denmark, vol. I. 
p. 363.-B. 

* lefan ab Einiou of Cryniarth, in Llandrillo, 
Edernion, and Maesyneuadd neat Harddlech. — L. 

" Edmund dyed a.d. 1456. (Brogyutyn MS. J So 
in the original MS.; but ''Edmund" is underlined 
and "Henry" written above, in the more modern 
hand referred to in a note on page 53. 

■"At Harddlech and Denbigh every house was 
inflames, and Nantconwayin tinders; i+oofromour 



HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



55 



In that expedition Jevan ap Robert lay one night at the house 
of Rhys ap Einion at Henblas, who was maried to his cosen 
Catherine daughter of Robin Vaughan ; and setting forth very 
early before day unwittingly carried upon his finger the wrest ' 
of his cosen's harpe, whereon (as it seemeth) he had played over 
night, as the manner was in those days, to bring himselfe 
asleepe. 2 This he returned by a messenger unto his cosen, with 
this message with all, that he came not into Denbigh land to 
take from his cosen as much as the wrest of her harpe : whereby 
it appeareth, that by his means neither her house, nor any of 
her goods were burnt, wasted, hurt or spoyled. Thus both her 
houses, Henblas and Brinsyllty, escaped the Earle Herberte's de- 
solation, though the same consumed the whole burrough of 
Llanrwst, and all the vale of Conway besides, to cold coals, s 
whereof the print is yet extant, the very stones of the ruines of 
manie habitations, in and along my demaynes, carrying yet the 
colour of the fire. John ap Meredith being cosen german's sonne 
to Jevan ap Robert ap Meredith, notwithstanding he was soe 
much elder than he, (as the one was in man's estate, and the 
other but a youth), had the government of his uncle,* and of 
his livings s : during which time of his nonage, Robin Vaughan 
ap David ap Howell dying, as aforesaid, John ap Meredith came 
over with his uncle to Llanrwst and the Lordship of Denbigh, to 



I-ord, and sixty and eight more." This translation 
was made by a learned Divine, well known in the 
literary world for several publication!. He was 
alto to obliging aa to add the following metrical 
in the stile of Stern hold and Hopkins : 
'• In Harddlech and Dinbcch cv'ry house 
Was basely set on fire, 
But poor Nantconway sutfer'd more, 
For there the flames burnt higher ; 
Twas in the year of our Loud 

Fourteen hundred sixty .eight, 
That these unhappy towns of Wales, 
Met with such wretched fate."— B. 
1 The wrest of a harp is the hollow iron with 
which the strings are tuned ; this term is still used 



by the harpskord tuners for an instrument which 
they use for the same purpose — B. 

-The oldest Welsh tunet are very plaintive.— B. 
"Some of the Welsh Harpers, in the memory of man, 
were- able to play from the character used for the 
old Welsh musical notes: and there are many such 
MS. notes in the Hengivn Library." E. Evans.— L. 

*i. e. To cinders: the author hath before used 
cold astoi in the same sense.— B. 

•i.e. Hi* Welch Uncle, for Jevan was cousin- 
gerrnan lo John's father. — P. 

'Living! hath before been used by the author in 
the same sense with utati.—B. 






HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



take possession of the inheritance lately befallen him, called the 
Henblas in Maethbrood, where Rys ap Einion Vaughan and 
Catherine daughter of Robin Vaughan then dwelled. Haveing 
surveyed the land, they gave Rys ap Einion Vaughan then warn- 
ing that he should avoyd the land at Michaelmas, for then he 
should have the twelve pounds mortgage-money payed him. On 
this he requested to be tenant, and was answered by Jevan ap 
Robert ap Meredith, that he should He there at times himselfe, 
and theretore would not sett it. Whereupon Rys ap Einion 
Vaughan built Brynsullty house, upon parte of that land which 
Henry Lacie, Earle of Lincolne, Lord of Denbigh, exchanged 
with our ancestors, and which he had bought of some of our 
kinsmen that had the same by gavel-kind. Their name, how- 
ever, is forgotten, as is the pedegree of two other freeholders in 
Maethebrood., besides, which held land in my time in that towne, 
lineallie from .that grant and exchange. The one was called 
Rys ap Llewelyn ap David, whose posteritie doth yet inherite 
parte of this land : the other the wife of one Lancelott a weaver 
whose inheritance', my uncle, Gruff' Wynne, 1 bought, being 
but a matter of thVee pounds a-yeare. Into soe little partes did 
the gavelkind by many descents chop our inheritance, being at 
first large. Conferring oft with the freeholders of the parish of 
Llanrwst, my neighbours, how they held their lands, and from 
what common ancestor they were descended ; most of them are 
said to be descended lineallie from Ednyfed Vaughan, in the 
township of Tybrith and Garthgarmon. Inquireing also of them 
whence the freeholders of Maethebrood (Rys Llevelyn ap David, 
and Lancellott's wife) were descended, they said they, were fo- 
reigners, and came from the castle of Denbigh, as though the 
castle of Denbigh did procreate men : which sheweth that the 
tnulition is not yet forgotten, from whence they came. The most 
parte of that towne of Maethebrood is in our blood, blessed be 
God I 

' 01 Darth.ddu, S«e lit* ptJijtet at th« end of th« MS.— P. Beithddu it in Llinrnst parish.— B. 



HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



57 



Robin Jachwr, the greatest antiquarie of our countrey, being 
at Gwedir with my grandfather, and going one day to a chwarevfa 
gatnpav, 1 where the countrey was assembled at a place called 
Gardd y felin in the parish of Llanrwst, asked whether he would 
command him any service thither. Nothing, said my grand- 
father, having a nosegay in his hand by chance, but deliver this 
nosegay to the best gentleman thou seest in the company, upon 
tlie credit of thy skill ; who delivered the same with protestation 
of his charge in the presence of all the company to Llyn ap 
David, Rys Llyn ap David's father. I cannot however get his 
pedigree, nor Lancellot's wife's pedigree in any certaintie, to 
joyne them to ours: the reason is, that poverty soone forgets 
whence it be descended, for it is an ancient received saying, that 
there is noe poverty but is descended of nobilitie, nor noe no- 
bilitie but is descended of beggerie. 

When Adam delv'd and Eve span, 

Who was then a gentleman ? 

Then came the churle and gathered good, 

And thence arose the gentle blood. 2 
Yet a great temporall blessing it is, and a greate heart's ease 
to a man to find that he is well descended, and a great griefe it is 
for upstarts and gentlemen of the first head 3 to looke backe into 
their descents being base, in such sort, as I have known many such 
hate gentlemen in their hearts, for noe other cause, but that they 
were gentlemen. The conditional promise by God to David was, 
" that if his children would keepe his laws, he should not want 
a man of his loynes to sit on his seat for evermore." Whereby 
he had two things promised him, propagation of his seed, and 
eminence of continuance in the world. The Recabites, for their 



1 Chaartufn gampau. Country |vnct 



(From * MS. of the 15th century in the Brit. Mm. 
Songt and Caivh.) 

' A mcUphur from deer, a young buck of the 
iccond yen it called a buck of the first held. — P. 



53 



HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



obedience to their father's commandment, not to drinke wine, 
have the like promise of God. 1 

During the time the Earle of Pembroke's armie lay in Snow- 
don, Jevan ap Robert was faigne to leave his owne house, and 
lodge at night in the rocke called Ogo filen, standing at Meillio- 
nen, in the parish of Beddcelert, and continued all the next day 
with the Lancastrians. His friends and followers skirted the 
armie, and skirmished with them in the strait and rough passage 
of Nantwhynen, 2 untill at last he was sent for by the Earle 
under his protection and received into grace, as may appeare by 
the Earle's deed under his hand and seale; the like he did not 
graunt to any in North Wales, as farre as I can heare. 

The begining of the quarell and unkindness between Jevan ap 
Robert and Howell ap Rys ap Howell Vaughan grew in this sort. 
Jevan ap Robert, after his sister's death, upon some mislike, left 
the company of Howel ap Rys, and accompanied John ap Mere- 
dith his nephew, and his children, who were at continuall bate 
with Howell ap Rys. The fashion was, in those days, that the 
gentlemen and their retainers met commonly every day to shoote 
matches and masteries : there was noe gentleman of worth in the 
countrey, but had a wine cellar of his owne, which wine was 
sold to his profit ; thither came his friends to meete him, and 
there spent the day in shooting, wrestling, throwing the sledge, 
and other actes of activitie, and drinkeing very moderately withall, 
not according to the heaUhing, 3 and gluttonous manner of our 
dayes. 

Howell ap Rys ap Howell did draw a draught* upon Jevan ap 
Robert ap Meredith, and send a brother of his to lodge over night 
at Kcselgyfarch, to understand which way Jevan ap Robert ap 
Meredith meant to goe the next day, who was determined to 



1 See Jeremiah, ih. sixv.— B. 

I Nantwkynat licl within a imall distance of 
UriU-ielert. The rough and strait pauaga, men- 
tiuncd by the author, won opcna into a nmi pictu- 



resque valley.— B. 

'i. e. Drinking of ktalthu— B. 

•This is a phrase frequently used by the author, 
and Imports limiting a flan or trilling a schtmt.—B. 



HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



59 



shoote a match with John ap Meredith's children at Llanvihangel 
y Pennant, 1 not fane from John ap Meredith's house. This 
being understood, the spie, Howell ap Rees, his brother, slips 
away the night to his brother, and lets him know where he 
should lay for him. Now had Howell ap Rys provided a 
butcher for the purpose, that should have murthered him ; for 
he had direction by Howell to keepe himselfe free, and not to 
undertake any of the company until! he saw them in a medley, 
and every man fighting. Then was his charge to come behinde 
the tallest man in the company (for otherwise he knew him not, 
being a stranger), and to knocke him down ; for Howell ap Rys 
sayd; "Thou shalt soone discerne him from the rest by his stature, 
and he will make way before him. There is a foster-brother 
of his, one Robin ap Inko, a little fellow, that useth to match 
him behind : take heed of him ; for, be the encountre never 
soe hot, his eye is ever on his foster-brother." Jevan ap Ro- 
bert, according as he was appointed, went that morning with 
his ordinary company towards Llanvihangel to meete J ohn ap 
Meredith. You are to understand, that in those dayes, and in 
that wild worlde, every man stood upon his guard, and went 
not abroad but in sort and soe armed, as if he went to the field to 
encountre with his enemies. Howell ap Rys ap Howell Vaughan's 
sister being Jevan ap Robert's wife, went a mile, or thereabout, 
with her husband and the company, talking with them, and soe 
parted with them ; and in her way homewards she met her 
brother a horseback, with a great company of people armed, ride- 
Ing after her husband, as fast as they could. On this she cried 
out upon her brother, and desired him, for the love of God, not 
to harme her husband, that meant him noe harme ; and withal 
steps to his horse, meaning to have caught him by the bridle, 



'Thi» parish it very i 



sat 10 Beddcelerl. All this pari of ihe country it very 
and therefore very proper for ambuscades. -B. 






*v Mttflrorr o» the tarrjm family 



whuJt te ****%, t-azM z& vvxvt ajyrce- Soe raeoi eaa^as tie 
h/>r t^ r>y tfc^ tail, ha^p^f opr>« fcar. foe loo^ sad crying iewi 
fetr (wttter, that, m the tsuL he dnr* ott has Aar t m p mJ . sad 
sCfo^k at her arm^ *#Vkiws *bt> peruhris^ ww fcuac » iett 
sffppe h*r hoid* aryf rxraii^ before aha xx* a saxrov jthmw^i, 
whereby h^ must paw tfcrva^b a brooks witere ehoe was a iooc- 
bridge mat the feci : *ke then seeps to rise fcoubridge, and takes 
awfcy the canlla*, 1 or han/istay of d% bridge, and with the 
fame letu tlie at her brother, and, n' he had not a voyde d the 
Mowe, *he had strucke htm down from, his bone. 

—Purer arma mtnutrat. 

Howell ap Ryi and his company, within a while, overtooke Jevan 
ap Robert 2nd his followers, who turned head upon him though 
greatlie overmatched. The bickering grew very hott, and many 
were knocked downe of either side. In the end, when that 
should be performed which they came for, die mnrthering butcher 
haveing not strucke one stroake all day, but watching oppor- 
tunity, and finding the company more scattered than at first 
from Jevan ap Robert, thrust himselfe among Jevan ap Robert's 
people behind, and, makeing a blow at him, was prevented by 
Robin ap Inko his foster-brother, and kno cked downe ; God 
bringing upon his head the destruction that he meant for another : 
which Howell ap Rys perceiving, cryed to his people, "Let us 
away and be gone, for I had given chardge that Robin ap 
Inko should have been better looked unto : " and soe that bicker- 
ing brake with the hurt of many, and the death of that one 

man. 

It fortuned anon after, that the parson of Llanvrothen 2 tooke 
a child of Jevan ap Robert's to foster, which sore grieved Howell 

* Richard* in his Dictionary, renders this word - with," and Haw the u hand." 

accordingly a long rail used as a side fence to a , LlanTrothen is a small village in Merionethshire 

bridge. It also signifies a counsellor or attorney. situatc< | n€2T Traethxnawr sands.— B. 
— B. From the literal meaning of the words can 



HISTORY OK THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



61 



Vaughan's wife, her husband haveing then more land in that 
parish than Jevan ap Robert had ; in revenge whereof she plotted 
the death of the said parson in this manner. She sent a woman 
to aske lodgeing of the parson, who used not to deny any. The 
woman being in bed, after midnight began to strike and to rave ; 
whereupon the parson, thinking that she had been distracted, 
awakeing out of his sleepe, and wondering at soe suddaine a crie 
in the night, made towards her and his household also ; then she 
said that he would have ravished her, and soe got out of doores, 
threatening revenge to the parson. This woman had her bre- 
theren three notable rogues oi the damn'd crew fit for any mis- 
chiefe, being followers of Howell ap Rys. In a morning these 
bretheren watched the parson, as he went to looke to his cattle, 
in a place in that parish called Gogo yr Llechwin, 1 being now a 
tenement of mine, and there murthered him ; and two of them 
fled to Chirkeland in Denbighshire, to some of the Trevor's who 
were friends, 2 or of a kinne to Howell ap Rys, or his wife. It 
was the manner in those dayes, that the murtherer onely, and he 
that gave the death's wound should flye, which was called in 
Welsh a ttawrudd, which is a red hand, because he had blouded 
his hand : the accessaries and abetters to the murtherers were 
never harkened after. 

In those dayes, in Chirkeland and Oswald streland, 3 two sects 
or kindred contended for the soveraignty of the countrie, and 
were at continuall strife one with another : the Kyffins and Tre- 
vors. They had their alliance, partisans, and friends in all the 
countreys round thereabouts, to whome, as the manner of the 
time was, they sent such of their followers as committed mur- 
ther or manslaughter, which were safely kept as very precious 
Jewells ; and they received the like lrom their friends These 



1 Gogo y Llechwin, '• the cave of the while rock'', 
a cave of crystal spar on * farm called Hirynys, 
close to Llanvrothen, belongs to Caatell Deu- 
draeth estate.— (Ex inf. Edward Breese, Esq.) 

1 " Some of the Trevor's friends, or of a kinne to 



Howell." in edition of 1770. 

1 Now called Oitrtifnj .- it adjoins (o Chirkeland, 
where the Trevors continue still to be a very consi- 
derable tamily,— B. 



62 



HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



kind of people were stowed in the day time in chambers in 
theire houses, and in the night they went to the next wine-house 
that belonged to the gentleman, or to his tenants houses not 
farre off, to make merrie and to wench. Meredith ap Howell ap 
Moris, in those days chief and leader of the sect of the Kyffins, 
was a kinne to Jevan ap Robert and in league with him, to 
whome he sent to desire him, to draw him a draught to catch 
those murtherers ; who sent him word, that he should come pri- 
vately into Chirkeland only accompanied but with six, and he 
made noe doubt to deliver the murtherers into his hands. As 
jevan ap Robert was in his way going thither, passing by Ty yn 
Rhos, ' being a winehouse, standing in Penrhyn Deydraeth, 
Howell ap Rys ap Howell Vychan's wife, being in the house, 
said to the people that were with her, Yonder goeth Jevan ap 
Robert, Hwyr y dial ef ei dadmaeth, which is as much as to say, 
" that he would not in haste be revenged of the wronge done to 
hi» foster." Being come to Chirkeland, he abode there many 
daycs in secret and unseene, sleeping in the day, and watching all 
night. In the end, with the helpe of his friends, he caught the 
two murtherers, whom he had no sooner in hand, but the crie 
did rise, The Trevors to their friends, and Ike Kyffins to their 
leaders. To the latter of these cries Meredith ap Howell ap Moris 
resorted, who told Jevan ap Robert that it was impossible lor 
him to carry them out of the country to any place to have judi- 
i i. ill proceeding against them, by reason that the faction of the 
TnvOfll would lay the way and narrow passages of the countrie ; 
■Hid If they were brought to Chirke castle gate to receive the triall 
I Um countrie lawes, it was lawfull for the offender's friends, 
tvhoNoever they wore, to bring £. 5. for every man for a fine to 
the Lord, and to acquit them, soe it were not in cases of treason. 

I , ,.. /,'*.. i, -..([iiiiir. iln' liuuse in llic rough close to PUsncwydd. Before the embankment was 

I 1 pnyrhQI is a very old coltnKc at made, the ford across the GJaalyn was near it" 

Il WM .. |. iil'lii h< mm up to -|.> years It is upon the Caste! 1 Deudraetb estate.— (From a 

-1 imilfHha I'l.lrll Diuriruath drive ind letter of Edw, Breese, Esq., dated 14 March, 1875.) 



HISTORY OF THE GWVDIR FAMILY. 



63 



A damnable custome used in those dayes in the lordships marches, 
which was used alsoe in Mowddwy, 1 untill the new Ordinance 
of Wales, made in the seven and twentieth yeare of Henry VIII. 
Hereupon Jevan ap Robert ap Meredith commanded one of his 
men to strike off their heads, which the fellow doeing faintely 
the offender told .him, that if he had his nccke under his sword, 
he would make his sword take better edge than he did : soe reso- 
lute were they in those days, and in contempt of death ; where- 
upon Jevan ap Robert in a rage stepping to them, strucke off their 
heads. 

David Llwyd ap GrufRth Vychan, grandchild to Jevan ap 
Robert ap Meredith, in his youth waited upon Hugh, sonne to 
Mr. Robert ap Rys at Cambridge, elected Abbot of Conway by 
his father's procurement in his minoritie. He being at Plas 
Jolyn, 3 at the house of Mr. Robert ap Rys, an old woman that 
dwelt there in Rys ap Meredith's time, told him that she had seene 
his grandfather Jevan ap Robert at that house, both in goeing 
and comeing from his voyage into Chirkeland, and that he was 
the tallest and goodliest man that ever she had seene ; for, sitting 
at the fire, upon the spur, 3 the hinder parte of his head was to 



1 Mowddwy i> by that statute of Henry the Eighth 
now annexed to Merionethshire, whereat it wafi 
before part of Montgomeryshire. — B. 

■ Plat Jolyn U in Denbighshire, not far from Gelar 
and Voelai : it now belongs to Mr. M vdJelion of 
Chirk Castle.— B. 

'Spur (or. aa it should seem to have been pro- 
nounced by the author. S fieri- ) 



is an adage, which seems to imply that the 
Hp&t was a bind of a shelf used as a Sa/i to place .1 
dish of spare meat upon, until further secured. The 
Spur jutted out of the fall t or wooden wall behind 
the table in alto relievo. Few men standing could 
be as high as a Spur. W. Davies.-L. At Qlan. 
havon fawr in the big kitchen may be seen a unique 
fixture, part of an ancient piece of furniture, which 
: called the " y-sbar." The word is pronounced 



1 kitchen or hall fire, which generally goes by the nearly like " sbeere ; " and is a pnre Welsh word, 



e of a Stttlt, It is not very obvious I 
whence such a seat should have obtained the nam 
of Spir or Sptrt. I find the following passage i; 
the Saxon Chronicle, which shews the word Spii 
to be originally a term in that language " nomei 
Saxon : '' which Bishop Gibson renders scabellum. 



See the Chron. A.D. 1070. It appears from with i 



denoting a short post or pillar to set things upon. 
It consists of a massive Gothic carved oak pillar, 
surmounted by three ornaments, and having at- 
tached thereto a piece of oak pannelling within a 
broad and deep-moulded frame. The lowest onu- 
the pillar represents a wooden buttcr-bci 



the context to have been the stool < 
an image of Christ was represented 



Mall 



li,.l. 



nilar to what is used by country 



people when going on a journey ; the n 
i!ar to each other, differing only i: 






'■ Rhowchy spir arben y spur" wedge-shaped pieces cut from a sphere, representing 



HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



be seene over the spur, which she never saw to any other man. 
She alsoe said that in his returne from Chirkeland she saw Lowryt 
daughter of Howell, Rys ap Meredith's wife, his kinswoman wash 
his eyes with white wine, being bloudshot by long watching. 1 

jevan ap Robert in his returne from Chirkeland, riding home 
to his house by Gallt y Morfa-hir by moonshine (the tide in 
Traeth mawr- giveing him noe sooner passage) talking with his 
men carelesly, and out of danger, as he imagined, suddenly 
lighted an arrow shot amongst them from the hill side, which 
was then full of wood. On this they made a stand, and shot 
wholly all seven towards the place from whence the other arrow 
came, with one of which arrowes of theires shot soe at randome 
they killed him that shot at them, being the third brother of the 
murtherers ; God revenged that wicked murther by the death of 
every one of the three bretheren. Howell ap Rys ap Howell 
Vaughan, and especially his wife, boyling in revenge, drew another 
draught against Jevan ap Robert, in this manner. Jevan ap Robert's 
mother was of the house of Kefnmelgoed, in the countie of Car- 
digan, whose mother was sister to Rytherch 8 ap Jevan Llwyd, 
then and yet the greatest family in that countie. It hath before 
been mentioned to have been customary in Chirkelande and other 



perhaps the ouarterings of a round (Dutch-like) 
cheese, attached to each other. Its present position 
is near the lire-place ; originally it was near the 
door in the kitchen of the old house. Tradition 
states that its uses were to support a sideboard, 
whereon was placed provisions of brcad-and-cheese, 
ftc, for any poor and wayfaring man who might 
choose to call. — ifontgomeri/skirt Collection! of the 
Powysland Club. Vol. 6, p. 3*4. (1873.) 

1 It appears before that that Jevan had been 
obliged to watch for some lime in Chirkland, sleep- 
ing in the day. and matching in the night, for the 
murtherers, 4c— P. 

1 Traeth mawr, signifies the greatir tract of sand, 
to distinguish it from the Ivi, which is the road from 
Penmorva in Carnarvonshire to Harlech in Merio- 
nethshire. These sands are not commonly passable 
till the tide hath ebbed nearly three hours. — B. 



' In the 25th Report of the Keeper of the Public 
Records. Appendix No. 1, page 4, I find asfollows- — 
"Cardigan S. Wales. 34 Hen. g (8) Jenkyn ap levan 
ap Lewes, of Abbermayt, in theComote of Meveneth 
(lease to him of) one tenement with the appts. called 
Keven Melwyd in the parish of Llanvuncharon, in 
the Comote of Mcvenith Cardigan. Late of the 
possessions of Rethor ap levan Ltoid, gent.. 
lately outlawed for murder." 

There must be something wronghere, for Rytherch 
ap Jevan Lloyd could not then have been lately out- 
lawed for murder ; for in an original roll of Ministers' 
Amounts for the County of Cardigan in the Public 
Record Office, for the year ending at Michs. a:. 
Rich. II, I find aa follows: [Roll of debts] "dr 
anno xxi. Rich. II. Roth ap Jeun lloit nup' bedell' de 
Mabwynn de plur' debit' suii att'iat Jankyn ap Roth' 
& quatuor fratribus suis coher' suis eiusdem Roth' p" 
Will-m Asshe cam'ar Southwa'll " 4c, 4c. ; so 



HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



65 



parts of Wales, for the Llawrudds 1 to resort to the most power- 
ful! of the gentry, where they were kept very choisely. Howell 
ap Rys understanding that Jevan ap Robert and his people had 
occasion to goe to Carnarvon to the assises, thought it fit time 
by force to enter on his house ; and to apprehend all those, and 
to bring them to Carnarvon to be hanged ; for there was none of 
them but was outlawed of murther. To this end, to strengthen 
himselfe in this purpose, he sent for his trustiest friends about 
him, and among the rest procured David ap Jenkin his cosen 
german, then a famous outlaw in the rocke of Carreg y Walch, 2 
with his crew and followers to assist him, and suddenly came in 
a morning to the hall of Jevan ap Robert's house, where they 
were in outhouses about, and stowed in upper chambers in the 
lower end of the hall, and none to be seene. These people of 
Jevan ap Robert's that were in the hall raysed a crie, and 
betooke themselves to their weapons ; whereupon the outlawes 
awaked, and betooke themselves to their weapons, and bestirred 
themselves handsomely. It happened the same time that Jevan 
ap Robert's wife stood at the fire side, lookeing on her mayd 
boyling of worte to make metheglyn, which seething worte was 
bestowed liberally among the assailants, and did helpe the defen- 
dants to thrust backe them that were entered, and afterwards to 
defend the house. The house was assalted with all force, and 
pierced in diverse places, and was well defended by those that 
were within ; for having made diverse breaches, they durst not 
enter, a few resolute men being able to make a breach good against 
many. Upon this the crie of the countrie did rise, and Jevan 



ll would appear that Rytherch ap Jevan Lloyd was 
Ihtn dead. He appears la have owed .£179 is. lod. 
then a very large aura. — W. 

1 The signification oi the word llamrudJ hath 
before been explained by the author, and to import 
a nil or bluody kind, or the murderer who hid 
Kivcn the blow. — B. 

' There is a rock on the road from Shrewsbury to 
Oswestry, which is to this day called Kynailon't 



Cave, from its having been a receptacle to some 
robbers of thai name. - B. It Is said to have been 
the fortress of " Cynast Wyllt," or •' Humphrey 
Cynaaton the wild," ancestor to Sir Edward 
Kynaston. Bart, of Hardwkk, Salop. Tales of 
this Cynasion are a* numerous as those of Robin 
Hood or Rob Roy : his [grand] mother was Ami gony, 
[naturaljdau: ol Humflreylhe great [orgood] Du*e 
of Gloucester,— L, 



66 



HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



ap Robert's tenants and friends assembled in greate numbers, 
(whereof Robin ap Inko was captaine), who fought with the 
besiegers, and in the end with their arrows did drive the besiegers 
from the one side of the house, who continually assaulted the other 
side. After they had continued all that day and all that night in 
that manner, the next morning, seeing they could prevaile little 
to enter the house, they came to a parley with Robin ap Inko, 
who advised them to be gone in time : " For," said he, " as soon 
as the water of Traeth mawr will give leave, Jevan Krach, my 
master's kinsman, will be here with Ardydwy men, and then 
you shall be all slaine." (This Jevan Krach was a man of 
greate account in those dayes, in Ardydwy, 1 and dwelt at Kelli 
lydan, in the parish of Maentwrog.) Whereupon they gave 
over their enterprise, and returned to Bron y (oel, to Howell ap 
Rys ap Howell Vaughan his house, where David ap Jenkin ad- 
vised his cosen Howell ap Rys to take Jevan ap Robert for his 
brother-in-law, neighbour, and friend: "For," said he, "I will not 
be one with you to assault his house when he is at home, seeing 
I find such hot resistance in his absence." 

Dayly bickerings, too long to be written, passed betweene soe 
neare and hateful neighbours. In the end the plague, which 
commonly followeth warre and desolation, after the Earle of 
Pembroke's expedition, tooke away Jevan ap Robert, at his house 
in Keselgyfarch in the flowere 2 of his age, being thirty-one years 
of age ; whose death ended the strife of those houses ; for his 
three eldest sonnes were sister's sonnes to Howell ap Rys ap Howell 
Vaughan. 8 

Enmitie did continue betweene Howell ap Rys ap Howell 
Vaughan, and the sonnes of John ap Meredith. After the death 



1 ArJudwy is a district in the north-western part 



"Flowers" 



MlS! 



Llwyd's edition. This 



of Merionethshire. Maentwrog is also a parish of would be a literal translation of the Welsh exprct- 



iC county, not far distant from Ardudwy ; 
adjoins to Llanvrothen, the parson of which the 
author hath before had occasion to mention. — B. 
Maentwrog is in the commot of Ardydwy. 



yn mlodeu e. 
1 He held in lease the ville of Bodewyn and fish- 
ing of Stymllyn at Michs. n Edw. IV. I Minhlrrs' 
Accounts in Public Record Office.) 



HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



67 



of Jevan ap Robert, Gruffith ap John ap Gronw, (cozen german 
to John ap Meredith's sonnes of Gwynfryn,) who had long served 
in France, and had charge there, comeing home to live in the 
countrey, it happened that a servant of his comeing to fish in 
Stymllyn, 1 his fish was taken away, and the fellow beaten by 
Howell ap Rys his servants, and by his commandment. Gruffith 
ap John ap Gronw tooke the matter in such dudgeon, that he 
challenged Howell ap Rys to the field ; which he refusing, and 
assembling his cosens John ap Meredith's sonnes and his friends 
together, assaulted Howell in his owne house, after the manner 
he had seene in the French warres, and consumed with fire his 
barnes and his out-houses. Whilst he was afterwards assaulting 
the hall, which Howell ap Rys and many other people kept, 
being a very strong house, he was shot out of a crevise of the 
houBe, through the sight of his beaver, into the head, and slayne 
out-right, being otherwise armed at all points. Notwithstand- 
ing his death, the assault of the house was continued with great 
vehemence, the doores fired with great burthens of straw ; be- 
sides this, the smoake of the out-houses and barnes not farre 
distant, annoyed greatly the defendants, soe that most of them lay 
under boordes and benches upon the floore in the hall, the better 
to avoyd the smoake. During this scene of confusion, onely the 
old man Howell ap Rys never stooped, but stood valiantly in the 
middest of the floore, armed with a gieve 2 in his hand, and called 
unto them, snd bid them " arise like men, for shame, for he 
had knowne there as greate a smoake in that hall npon a Christ- 
mas even." In the end seeing the house could noe longer de- 
fend them, being overlayed with a multitude, upon parley be- 
tweene them, Howell ap Rys was content to yeald himselfe 
prisoner to Morris ap John ap Meredith, John ap Meredith's 
eldest sonne, soe as he would sweare unto him to bring him safe 

1 Stymllyn io on the Carnarvonshire coast, not far 'GUvt signifies a sword, from the French Qlain 

from Crekeith. There is a pretty large pool of —8. And probably the Weltb CUddyv. 
water near the *ea, where there are >otnc good 
iroutt, and in which thil filhing probably hap* 
pened.— B. 



'A HifWrtCY W IHh GWYDIK FAMILY. 

It* (,'4tu'AtWrt* */4*t\e f t// abi/fe the triafl of the law, for the death 
/ff (*tutt 9 '*\> John '+[> (sf<#$w 9 who was cosen gennan removed, to 
Hi* Mi/I ilw+M '*\> Kyt and 'A the very same house he was of. 
WhJ/,h M'/rri* ap John ap Meredith ondertakeing, did pat a guard 
about flu? *ai/J HwtW of hi* trustiest friends 2nd servants, who 
lc*|rt an/I defended him from the rage of the kindred, and espe- 
cially (/V Owen ap John ap Meredith his brother, who was very 
**W' ;t#;urj*t him. They passed by leisure thence, /i£i a cam/* 2 
to Carnarvon j the whole countrie being assembled, Howell's 
friend* pouted a horse-backc from one place or other by the way, 
who brought word that he was come thither safe, for they were 
in groat fear lest he should be murthered, and that Morris ap 
John ap Meredith could not be able to defend him, neither durst 
uny of Howell's friends be there for feare of the kindred In the 
end, being delivered by Morris ap John ap Meredith to the con- 
stable of Carnarvon-castle, and there kept safely in ward untill 
the ansises ; it fell out by law, that the burning of Howell's houses 
and assaulting him in his owne house, was a more haynous offence 
in Morris ap John ap Meredith and the rest, than the death of 
Gruff ap John ap Gronw in Howell ap Rys, who did it in his 
owne defence ; whereupon Morris ap John 'ap Meredith, with 
thirty-five more, were indicted of felonie, as appeareth by the 
copie of the indictment, which I had from the records. 

Howell, delivered out of prison, never durst come to his owne 
house in Evioneth, but came to Penmachno, 8 to his mother's 
kindred, Rys GethinV sonnes, and there died. It is a note worthy 
observation that the house by little and little decayed ever since, 
neither hath any of his posterity beene buried in his owne sepul- 
chre, being four descents besides himselfe. 

Rys ap Howell ap Rys his sonne, cosen german to my greate 

1 - Ftacrt" Rutkf* MS.— L, * Penmachno it a small village in Carnarvonshire, 

tit like an army, whkh makes regular en- °° thc road ******* Uanrwst and Festiniog.— & 
dazing their march*— B» 4 Rhys Gethin, a great warrior, sided with Owain 

Glyndwr.- 



HISTORY OF THE GWVDIR FAMILY. 



69 



grandfather Meredith ap Jevan ap Robert, maried to his first wife, 
an inheretrix of the Trevors, by whome he had greate possessions 
in Hopesland. 1 He afterwards, by the procurement of my great- 
grandfather, maried Margaret, daughter to Hugh Conwey, the 
elder, Reinalt ap Meiricke's widdow, his next neighbour in 
Gwedir, and was overseer of his workes when he built Gwedir- 
house, as William David ap Ellis Eytyn* his cosen, who lived 
with him in those dayes, told me. He was buried on the right 
side in the chancel in Llanrwst ; and was taken up at the bury- 
ing of Cadwalader ap Robert Wynne of Havod y maidd, 3 as 
my uncle Owen Wynne guessed by the greatness of the same. 

Thomas ap Rys ap Howell sold all his mother's lands and Im- 
ing in Hopesland, and a great part of his owne, and was buried in 
Hopesdale. 

Cadwalader ap Thomas, his son and heire, lying at Chester, 
died there. 

Ellis ap Cadwalader,* (who had maried my cosen german, 5 my 
uncle Owen Wynne's daughter), my kind cosen and friend, a 
man endued with many good parts, being sicke of an impostume, 
went to one Dr. Davies, 6 neare Brecknock, and there died. 7 This 
man's name I am bound to make an honourable mention of, for 
diverse kindnesses he shewed unto me, and especially for the wise 
advice and counsell he was wont to give me. Among many, 
one especially is by me and my posterity to be remembered, which 
I doe thinke worthy to be recorded in writeing. Unkindness and 
variance befalling betweene myselfe and my uncle Owen Wynne 
being neighbours, for wayes crosse my ground for the carrying of 



1 Dd. ib Elii Eytynof Watstay, now called Wynn- 

1 Havod y maidd it a farm in Denbigh (hire, not far 
from Cacrydrydion, it signifiei the witty farm.— B. 

* Amongst the recordi at Brogyntyn] a a letter 
from the great Lord Burleigh, addressed to Mr. 



Wm. Maurice of Clcnenney {afterwards Sir William 
Maurice), and this Ellis ap Cadwalader, on igtti 
July, ij86. 

1 She died in 1G38. 

* Evan Evans told me that the Dr. Davies here 
mentioned was no Other than the famous Sion 
Dafydd Rhys. J. LL See page vi.— L. 

' In 1597. His will at Doctors' Commons. 



70 HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 

his hay from the King's meadow in Trefriw to his house at Caer- 
mclwr, I grew to a great heat, and said that he should not passe 
that way without the losse of men's lives. Whereupon, he being 
present, and wishing well unto us both, reproved me sharpely, 
wishing me to follow the course of my ancestors, who with wis- 
dome, unanimity, and temperance, from time to time, had raised 
their fortunes, assureing me his ancestors might be an example 
unto me of the contrary, who with headiness and rashness did 
diminish and impaire theire estates from time to time. Which 
counsel of his tooke deepe roote in me ever after, and, to my 
great good, I bridled my choller, whereunto I was much sub- 
ject. 

Owen Ellis, the sonne of Ellis Cadwalader, died by a fall from 
his horse goeing home from Crikeith in the night, haveing beene 
there all the day drinking. 1 

Ellis Ellis, his sonne, fell mad, and continued soe a long time, 
and at length t * that case* died. 3 

Owen Ellis, his sonne, being a young man, newly maried, 
going home in the night betweene Kanhoren and Vaerdre, in 
Llftn, 4 where his wife lived, haveing by her one daughter, and 
leaveing her greate with child, (which after proved to be a sonne), 
by a fall from his horse, upon the way, died. 

These three were buried in their own sepulchres in the church 
of St. Katherine's in Crikeith, after this booke was by the author 
written.* 

It may be a question here, and a doubt to the reader, wherefore 

• In ito«« 

• ThU it * ttafuUr mtttal of txf*mt*t turnup 
whtah iht Author fctquwuty im*— B. 

•In i<^i* 

• MAn it in* H* Wtttaft r*auM»U «f QuMrrah 

tmtln*, " *vy in* rntinvt wrtu*k" Tint Kim *"* *** ****** •i** *« *«*-W. HS7J.) 




HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 71 

the land of Robert Vaughan ap David ap Howell should descend to 
Jevan ap Robert ap Meredith, his cosen and next heire, he 
haveing a daughter and heire of his owne body lawfully begot- 
ten ? To answere this question you are to understand that Henry 
Lacie, Earle of Lincolne, upon the conquest of Wales, haveing 
received of Edward the First his gift the countries of Ros and 
Rovoniog, now Denbigh land, and planted the same with di- 
verse Englishmen, who held their lands, as well as their poste- 
ritie, by the English tenure ; the rest of the Welshmen, loaded 
with many bad customes, held their lands in the Welsh tenure. 
One condition thereof was, that the inheritance should not de- 
scend to daughters, but should goe to the heire male of the house, 
if there were any 1 such within their* degrees to the dead man, and 
if not, that it should escheate to the Lord of the soyle ; yet in re- 
spect of the possibilitie of issue male, which the owner of the 
land might have while he was alive, the custome of the countrie 
did permit him to mortgage the land to serve his need, without 
the Lord's leave. You see hereby that Robin Vaughan did what 
he could, according to the custome of the countrie, towards the 
preferment of his daughter, 8 and t he reason why J evan ap 
Meredith his next kinsman and heire, had the lands. Which 
proveth alsoe that Robert ap Meredith was eldest brother to Jevan 
ap Meredith, John ap Meredith's grand father, which his 
posteritie greatly gainsaid;* for if Jevan ap Meredith had been 

1 It li uncertain in the Brogxnttn MS, whether that John ap Mredith had an allowance of other 

this is ane (one) or any, the MS. being mended land* in Evioneth where he had a fur greater estate 

here. then Evan ap Robt. had; as it conceived scd inde 

• Thru. perhapt.-B. ■' Three " in BaU MS.-U 1—(^">m the words » or that - to " q. " appear. 
AIM in Brogynlyn and JUngvrt itSS. ia a Afferent haad «° m * c «** ot ** no «. bul * «"> 

• But q. why should not these lands descend to b Y "° ■**■■ » ure **>* il w " not wmlen ^ lhe 
them both according to y» custom of gavelkinde: Bame P*™>n— W.) 

and whether this is not a weake argument, Ac.:* v'c -So fir of this note to the Urogy<ityn US. seems 

Cooke Litt : 140. Sect. aio. Soe it is more pro- to be in the autograph of William Vaughan, Esq. 

bable >■' Jo" ap Mredith gave this share or P> of if not the whole of it, down to the words " or 

thfwe ds to ye that."— W. 

oth " - ' * • Robert in regard of the «Tht» is a repetition of what hath been mentioned 

before being this happened before bciuie.— B. 

ye new ordinance (a> is evident by this booke) or 



72 



HISTORY OP THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



elder brother, then John ap Meredith should have inherited this 
land, and not Jevan ap Robert his father's cosen. 

Meredith, sonne to Jevan ap Robert 1 his eldest sonne, in the 
time of his father, was taken to nurse by an honest freeholder 
in the hundred of Yscorum Isgurvai, 2 who was owner of 8 the 
Creigiaw 4 in Llanvaire, and the best man in the parish, and have- 
ing noe children of his owne, gave his inheritance 5 to his foster- 
child. 6 Creige 7 standeth some sixteen miles from Keselgyiarch, 
whereby it may appeare how desirous men were in those dayes to 
have a patron that could defend them from wrong, though they 
sought him never soe far off. Creige standeth betweene Carnar- 
von and Bangor, two miles off from Carnarvon. In those days 
Carnarvon flourished as well by trade of merchandise as alsoe for 
that the King's exchequer, chauncery, and common law courts 
for all North Wales were there continually residing, whilst the 
way to London and the marches was little frequented. By this, 
civility and learning flourished in that towne, soe as they were 
called, the lawyers of Carnarvon, the merchands of Beawniares, 
and the gentlemen of Conway. I heard diverse of judgement, and 
learned in the lawes, to report that the records of the King's 
Courtes, kept in Carnarvon in those dayes, were as orderly and 
formally kept as those in Westminster. Thither did his loster 
father send my greate grandfather to school, where he learned the 
English tongue, to read, to write, and to understand Latine, a 
matter of great moment in those dayes. For his other brethren 
loseing their father young, and nursed in Evioneth, neare their 
father's house, wanted all this; soe as to the honest man, his 



1 "Jevan ap Robert, his eldest sonne." In the 
Brogyntyn MS. there is a comma after Robert. 

• In Carnarvonshire.— B. In the Brogyntyn MS. 
41 Isgurvai " is above the line in the more modern 
hand previously referred to. 

■Kvnn had more lands in Evioneth : vid : post- 
script— note to the Brogyntyn MS. by the said Wm. 
Vaughsn. 

4 Creige in edition of 1770, and in Brogyntyn MS. 



»Q. how he could by the lawes of Wales either 
give or sell his lands (a note in the Brogyntyn MS.) 

• This should aeeme to be after the new ordi- 
nance, otherwise it could not be soe granted, q. 
contrary to the said first recited cnstome. . . This 
gnift was before ye new ordinance as may appere. (A 
note in the Brogyntyn MS., all of it in the auto- 
graph of the said Wm. Vaughan.) 

7 Crug, in Llanfair parish. — L. 



K 



_ * 



„-..!■, 






>■ -- • 



--V <v 



V 



■J. 






HISTORY OF THE GVVVUIR FAMILY. 



73 



foster and second father, (for he gave him with breeding alsoe his 
inheritance) may be attributed his good fortune (God's provi- 
dence always excepted) which sometimes worketh by secondary 
meanes, whereof this man was the instrument. Haveing lived 
there till the age of twenty yeares, or thereabouts, his foster-father 
being dead, he fell in liking with a young woman in that towne, 
who was daughter-in-law to one Spicer, the reputed daughter of 
William Gruffith ap Robin, sheriffe of the county of Carnarvon. 
This Spicer was a landed man of £50 per annum, which de- 
scended to him from his ancestors, yet had an office in the Ex. 
chequer, 1 and dealt with trade of merchandise alsoe, that he 
became a great and wealthy man. His sonne, John Spicer,* was 
a justice of the peace in the first commissions after the new ordi- 
nance of Wales, and was brother by the mother to Alice 3 William, 
the wife of Meredith ap Jevan ap Robert. Their mother is said 
to be of the Bangors, whome I have knowne often to have claymed 
kindred of me by that woman. At Creig he began the worlde 
with his wife, and begate there by her two daughters, Jonett, 
the first, maried to Edmund Griffith, and afterwards to Sir John 
Puleston ; and another called Catherine, maried to Rowland 
Gruffith of Plas Newydd.* After this, finding he was likely 
to have more children, and that the place would prove narrow 
and straight for him, he was minded to have returned to his in- 
heritance in Evioneth, where there was nothing but killing and 
fighting, whereupon he did purchase a lease of the castle and 
frithes 6 of Dolwyddelan, of the executors of Sir Ralph Berkinnet. 

1 The author means the Exchequer Em ihe Princi- 
pality, then kept »t Carnarvon.— H. 

•"John Spicer, John Wyn " fdnubllesi John 
Wyrin ap Mercdithl and another, atti-M, as Junket 
ofthe peace, a Deed dated 14th Aug. 33rd Hen. VIII. 
The deed relate* to property belonging to Howell 
ap Gruffith, whose son Robert married a daughter 
of Lcv.it ap Jevan ap David. 

1 Alice vcb William.— L. 

' Plaa Newydd signifies till etu itaniio* or Gtii- 



Himnn'i houtt ; the name ia therefore very c. 
in Wales, and it is difficult to determine what Plaa 
Newydd the author alludes to. It should seem that 
our modern expression of a Gntltman't Plait ia 
taken from this Welah term.— B, See Menu 
Anli,j»,j where this Kowlaml Oniffydd is included 
in the list of Members of Parliament. W.D.— L. 
It was Plaa Newydd on the Menai, now the pro- 
perty of the Marqui* of Anglesea.— W. 

• Frith is a very common term in Wales, and sig- 
nifies generally a am.ill field taken out ofacommon. 



_ 



74 



HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



I find in the records of the Exchequer of Carnarvon, the transcript 
of an act of resumption enrowled, made in the third yeare oi 
king Henry the Seventh, by which act all king Richard's gifts 
are resumed, excepting one lease of the frith of Dolwyddelan, 
granted to Sir Ralph Berkinnet of the countie of Chester, knight, 
Chamberlaine of North Wales. Haveing purchased this lease, he 
removed his dwelling to the castle of Dolwyddelan, which at that 
time was in part thereo* habitable, where one Howell ap Jevan ap 
Rys Gethin, 1 in the beginning of Edward the Fourth his raigne, 
captaine of the countrey and an outlaw, had dwelt. Against this 
man David ap Jenkin ross, and contended with him for the sov- 
reignety of the countrey; and being superiour to him, in the 
end he drew a draught for him, and took him in his bed at 
Penanmen with his concubine, performing by craft, what he 
could not by force, and brought him to Conway Castle. Thus, 
after many bickerings betweene Howell and David ap Jenkin, 
he being loo weake, was faigne to fiie the countrey, and to goe to 
Ireland, where he was a yeare or thereabouts. In the end he 
returned in the summer time, haveing himselfe, and all his fol- 
lowers clad in greene, 2 who, being come into the countrey, he 
dispersed here and there among his friends, lurking by day, and 
walkeing in the night for feare of his adversaries; and such of the 
countrey as happened to have a sight of him and his followers, 
said they were the fairies, 3 and soe ran away. All the whole 
countrey then was but a forest, rough and spacious, as it is still, 
but then waste of inhabitants, and all overgrowne with woods; 



There ll a market town in Derbyshire called Chaptl 


the same liver)'. As they generally lived in 


%n the Frith which ii situated in a valley amongst 


forests, petbaps it might be conceived that they 


inch inclosures. The term of frith is originally 


were less distinguishable when dressed in this 


Saxon, hence dtorfrid signifies a forest with its 


colour,— B. Holingshed, in his description of 


bounds. Chron. San. a.d. 1086,— B. 


Ireland, p. 13, gives an account of Robin Hood 


1 The Bragyntyn MS. states, alter " Gethin " and 


and Little John J be says they lived about the 


before " in the," this— "abase son of Jenn' ap Rys 


year 1189.— L. 


Gethin." 


>See p. tax of Peter Roberts's Popular Anti- 


: The tradition is well known, that Robin Hood 


quities.—!,. 


and the outlawes bis followers, were clad in 






HISTORY OF THE GWVDIR FAMILY. 



75 



for Owen Glyndwr's warres beginning in 1400, continued fifteen 
yeares, which brought such a desolation that greene grasse grew 
on the market place in Llanrwst, called Bryn y botten, and the 
deere fled 1 into the church-yard, as it is reported. This desolation 
arose from Owen Glyndwr's policie to bring all things to waste, 
that the English should find no strength, nor resting place. The 
countrey being brought to such a desolation, could not be re- 
planted in haste ; and the warres of York and Lancaster happen- 
ing some fifteen yeares after, this countrey being the chiefest 
fastness of North Wales, was kept by David ap Jenkin, a captaine 
of the Lancastrian faction, fifteen yeares in Edward the Fourth 
his time, who sent diverse captaines to besiege him, who wasted 
the countrey while he kept his rocke of Carreg y Walch ; and, 
lastly, by the Earle Herbert, who brought it to utter desolation. 
Now you are to understand, that in those dayes, the countrey of 
Nantconway was not onely wooded, but alsoe all Carnarvon, 
Merioneth, and Denbigh shires seemed to be but one forrest 
haveing few inhabitants, though of all others Nantconway had 
the fewest, being the worst then, and the seat of the warres, to 
whome the countrey about paid contribution From the towne of 
Conway to Bala, and from Nantconway to Denbigh, 3 (when 
warres did happen to cease in Hirwethog, 3 the countrey adjoining 
to Nantconway), there was continually fostered a wasp's nest, 
which troubled the whole countrey, I mean a lordship belonging 
to St. Johns of Jerusalem, called Spytty Jevan, a large thing, 
which had privilege of sanctuary. This peculiar jurisdiction, not 
governed by the king's lawes, became a receptacle of thieves and 
muxtherers, who safely being warranted there by law, made the 
place thoroughly peopled. Noe spot within twenty miles was 
safe from their incursions and roberies, and what they got within 
their limits was their owne. They had to their backstay friends 

'"Fed in the eh arch- yard of LUnrwM."— Bala covered with wood, according to (lie account, 

US. — L. though tliere is at preterit little or none to be teen. 

'All this tract of country is mountainous, though 

not very rocky; it may therefore have been formerly 'Hiraethog.— L. 



76 HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 

and receptors in all the county of Merioneth and Powisland. 1 
These helping the former desolations of Nantconway, and prey- 
ing upon that countrey, as their next neighbours, kept most part 
of that countrey all waste and without inhabitants. In this estate 
stood the hundred of Nantconway when Meredith removed his 
dwelling thither, being (as 1 guesse) about the four and twentieth 
yeare of his age, and in the beginning of King Henry the Seventh 
his time. Being questioned by his friends, why he meant to 
leave his ancient house and habitation, and to dwell in Nantcon- 
way,* swarming with thieves and bondmen, whereof there are 
many in the kinge's lordship and townes in that hundred ; he 
answered, " that he should find elbowe roome in that vast coun- 
trey among the bondmen, and that he had rather fight with 
outlawes and thieves, than with his owne blood and kindred ; 
for if I live in mine house in Evioneth, 3 I must either kill mine 
owne kinsmen or be killed by them." Wherein he said very 
truly, as the people were such in those dayes there; for John 
Owen ap John ap Meredith, in his father's time, killed Howell 
ap Madoc Vaughan* of Berkin, for noe other quarrell, but for the 
masteiy of the countrey, and for the first good-morrow ; in which 
tragedie Meredith had likely beene an actor, if he had lived there, 
for the reasons aforesaid. He and his cosen the heire of Bron y 
foel were both out of the countrey, Morys ap John ap Meredith 
and Owen ap John ap Meredith were alsoe growne old men, soe 
as there was none in the countrey that durst strive with John 
Owen ap John ap Meredith, but Howell ap Madoc Vaughan of 
Berkin, 5 which cost him his life. 



thin pan of North Wales are said (o have been Leland to the pre 
buried at Myfod in thai county, which is situated 
on the river Vurowy.— B. 

5 Nantconway signifies the valley situated on the 
Conway. — B. 

' Evioneth ia a hundred in the S. Western part 
of Carnarvonshire: it in supposed to have obtained 






France. — B. 
re-feoffed of 



* Howel ap Madog Vaughan was: ri 
lands, Ac., in Evioneth, by deed dated on the next 
Monday after the Festival of St. Kathenne the Vir- 
gin, 4 Hen. VIII. The Original deed U at Pen- 

! Berkin (or Aberkin) is situated in the parish of 



HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



77 



Howell ap Madog Vaughan his grand mother, was Jevan ap 
Robert ap Meredith his sister, soe he was cosen german's sonne to 
Meredith. John Owen that killed him was cosen german to my 
grandmother, being the daughter of Morris ap John ap Meredith. 
In respect of the feude 'of my grandfather he could not abide any 
descended of Owen ap John ap Meredith, neither could she abide 
any of his kindred of Berkin. I write it but to show the manifold 
divisions in those days 1 among soe private friends. 

Howell ap Madog Vaughan haveing most valiantly fought out 
with his people, received his deadly wound in the head. Being 
downe, his mother being present, clapped her hand on his head, 
meaning to ward the stroke, and had halfe her hand and three 
of her fingers cut off at the blowe. 

David Llwyd 3 Gruffith Vychan, 3 my uncle, told me, that his 
father dwelling at Cumstrallyn in Evioneth, hearing of the affray, 
but not of his cosen's death, {for Howell ap Madog Vychan out- 
lived the fray certaine dayes), sent him, being a child, to see how 
his cosen did ; and he coming to Berkin found him layd in his 
bed, and his wounded men in great number lying in a cocheric,* 
above the degree near the high table, all in breadth of his hall, 
all gored and wallowing in theire owne blood. He likewise saw 
the gentleman's milch kine brought to the hall doore, and their 



Ltanistindwy.— B. Berkin, or Aberkin. was Bold 
about the year 1822, by William Wynne of Peniartb, 
Esq., to whom it had descended from Howel ap 
Madoc Vaughan, to Thomas John, second Lord 
Newborough. Some of the Berkin plate ii Kill at 
Peniarth.— W. 1.187a.; 

1 " This Griffith " (he was of Talhenbont, and 
grand-uncle to Howel ap Madog Vaughan), " wa* 
•Jaine by Morris ap John Meredith, his cousin german. 
31 thus. He called him forthe ft bid him looke up 
& with > knife stabbed him in the belly." Hart, 
MS. 1969. I cannot, however, make out that they 
were cousins german,— W. 

- See also p. 63. This person was not until to Sir 
John Wynn, but first cousin to his grandfather; 
a relation that even now {1872) would be styled, 



■ David Llwyd ab Gruffith Vychan.— L. 

'This term seems to be derived from an old French 
word couchtrii ; it may therefore signify a long 
boarded bed, placed with a proper inclination from 
the side of the room, which was the common dor. 
mitory of the servants. A shelf or boards thus dis- 
posed might answer the purpose of what in England 
was formerly called a pallet, and slanting shelve* of 
this sort are sometimes used in barracks for the 
soldiers to sleep upon. As for what is mentioned 
of its being above ike digrtr near the higM table, 
it is well known that the principal table In an 
ancient hall is always raised a step or two, as it 
i in most colleges. — B. 




milk carried hot from the kine, to the wounded men, by them to 
be druncke for the restoring of their blood. 

Howell Vaughan, upon his death-bed, did say, " that this 
quarrel should never be ended while his mother lived ; and 
looked upon her hand." Which was true indeed ; for she per- 
secuted eagerly all her time, and John Owen was kept in prison 
seven years in Carnarvon Castle, for soe long she survived her 
sonne, and his life was saved with much ado. After her death the 
feude was compounded for. 1 

John Owen and his followers were exceedingly sore hurt in that 
bickering ; soe that returning to his father's house from the fray, 
and his aged father sitting or walking before the doore of his house, 
and seeing his son and his company all hacked, wounded, and 
besmeared with their owne blood, he said unto them, Drwg yw'r 
drefn yma, a wnaethoch chwi etch gwerth ; 2 which is as much as to 
say, " You are in an ill-favoured pickle. Have you done nothing 
worthy yourselves?" " /, 3 " said the sonne, "I feare me we 
have done too much." " If that be soe," said Owen ap John ap 
Meredith, " I was this morning the best man in my countrey," 
meaning Evioneth, "but now I know not who is." 

You are to understand, that in Evioneth of old there were two 
sects or kindred, the one lineally descended of Owen Gwynedd, 
Prince of Wales, consisting then and now of four houses, viz. 
Keselgyfarch, y Llys ynghefn y fann, now called Ystimkegid. 
Clenenny, and Brynkir, Glasfrin or Cwmstrallyn ; the other sect 
descended of Collwyn, whereof are five houses or more ; viz. 
Whelog, Bron y foel, Berkin, Gwnfryn, Talhenbont, and the 
house of Hugh Gwyn ap John Wynne ap Williams 4 called Pen- 
nardd, 6 all descended of their common ancestor, Jevan ap Einion 8 

'Alio Plasdu, Bodvel, Boderda, Madrin, Pcny- 
berth, Rhosgyll. Bodean, Coylcay, (in Hmgvirt MS- 
folio 48 of this History.) 

* " He " (Enguerrard de Coucy, son-in-law of 

Edw. III., in his expedition against the Duke of 

Austria, under pretence of demanding the dower 

due to him — Enguerrard— in right of his mother) 

William. — W. " was likewise accompanied by Jevan-ap-Eynion-ap 



1 Such compositions were common in Wales 
fore the statutes or Henry the Eighth.— B. 

■ Gwerth in Brogyntyn US. 

* I Is probably used here for ay, as it is throi 
out the folio editions of Shakspeare.— P. 

*"Ap Williams" should be Joho Wynne 



HISTORY OF THE GWVDIR FAMILY. 



79 



ap Gruffith.' His brother was 2 Howell ap Einion ap Gruffith, 
that worthy gentleman called Sir Howell y fwyall, 3 who be- 
haved himselfe so worthyly at the field of Poitiers, 4 (where John 
the French King was taken by the Blacke Prince), 5 that he re- 
ceived of the Prince in guift the constableship of Cricketh castle, 
and other great things in North Wales, alsoe the rent of Dee 
milles in Chester; and, what was more, a messe of meat to be 
served before his battle axe or partisan forever, in perpetual me- 
mory of his good service. 6 This messe of meat was afterwards 
carried downe to be given to the poore, 7 and had eight yeomen 
attendants found at the King's charge, which were afterwards 
called yeomen of the crowne ; who had 8d. a day, and lasted 
till the beginning of Queene Elizabeth's time. Sergeant Roberts 
of Havod y bwch, neare Wrexam, was, at his beginning, yeo- 
man of the crowne. He maried Sir William Gerrard's halfe-sister 
by the mother, as did Robert Turbridge of Caervallen, neare Ru- 
thyn, Esq., another: to whom he told, "that being yeoman of 
the crowne, he had heard it by tradition in the King's house, 
that the beginning of their order was upon the occasion as is 
afore remembred." This did Robert Turbridge relate unto me, 



Griffith, a Welsh hero, no! less renowned than I 
tell, who had defended Henry* o 
and the throne of Castile, against the Black Prince. 
An ancient Swiss song, in which most of these 
details are preserved, also mentions a duke Ysso de 
Callia (Wales), with his gold cap, who commanded 
the English Cavalry." Simondt' Switzerland, Vol. 
a, p. tj-a, 

* Arniis 39 and 40, E. 3. See Sandford p. 1 85. 

1 [Howell ap Griffith in Mr. Robert Vaughan's 
Collections.] In parenthesis in Htngvrt MS. 350, 
folio 48 of this History. He certainly was Howe! 
ap Griffith, and w« uncle to Jevan ap Einion ap 
Gruffith.— W. 



: hath been before ir 



by the author. See p. ao,— B. 

1 II seems probable however, that Sir Howel y 
Fwyall wai a captor of the French King. He 
first surrendered himself to Denis de Morbecque, 
"but there was a struggle for the possession of the 
captive King, one saying * I took him,' and another 
making a like assertion." Afterwards, the King 
was taken from Morbecque by "some English 
Knights," and they were quarreling as to whose 
prisoner he was. . , The earls of Warwick and 
Suffolk ordered these knights to release their pri- 
soner, took him under their protection, and carried 
him and his son Philip to the Prince of Wales. 
Longman's Edw. Ill, Vol. 1 pp. 39a, 395. 

* Our author here repeats what hath before been 
stated, of which there are some other instances when 
the mat let was particularly interesting.— B. 

' " For bia soul's health." Bala US.— I. 



So 




HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



upon the creditte of the other man. The countrey people, 
grounding upon the songes, which say, " that he bridled the 
French King," will have it, that he took the French King 
prisoner : a matter unlikely, as the one served on foot, and the 
King on horseback. 1 But the foot captaine is a brasen wall of the 
army, and may be said truly to winne the field. 
After Meredith 2 had lived certaine yeares at Dolwyddelan castle, 



' Notwithstanding the author's doubts with regard 
to thii tradition, it seems scarcely to admit of a 
cavil, as such an extraordinary and expensive esta. 
blishment could not have been granted by the 
crown, but Tor most meritorious services. As for 
the impossibility relied upon, that a soldier on foot 
could not take the French King on horseback, this 
circumstance is moat fully accounted for by a MS. 
given to the Lord Treasurer Oxford by Mr. Hugh 
Thomas, and now deposited in the British Museum. 

" Sir. Howell ap Fwyall, ap Griffith, ap 

Howell, ap Meredith, ap Einion, ap Gwgan ap 
Meredith Goch, ap Colhwyn, ap Tangno, called 
Sir Houtll y Fwyall, or Sir Hoartll PoU Axi from 
his constant fighting with that warlike instru- 
ment.— It is said he dismounted the French King, 
tutting off hit horsr'i htad at one blow with his 
battle axe, and took the French King prisoner; 
as a trophy of which victory it is said that he 
bore the arms of France, with a battle axe in 
bend sinister, argent." HarlMSS. N* 1298. p. 34B. 
—the reference in the printed catalogue to p. it. of 
this number being inaccurate. 

The conqueror anciently had a right to quarter 
the arms of his prisoner. This appears by a treatise 
on heraldry, printed by Wynfcen tie Worde. without 
date, in which there is the following passage : "Wc 
have armys by our meiyts, as very playnly it ap- 
peareth by the addycyon or the arms of Fraunce to 
those of Englonde after the taking of K. John of 
Fraunce in the battayle of Poyctiers, the which 
certayn addition was lawful! and ryght, and wyselye 
done. And on the same manner of wyce a poor 
archer might have taken a prvnce or noble lord, and 
so the arms of that prisoner he may put to him 
and his heyrs." Hook of St. Albans, by da mi- Julian 

The author seems also to have forgotten some 
Welsh verses which are inserted in the margin of 
the MS. commemorating the grant of the mesa of 
meat to be served at Sir Howell's table, whilst the 
battle axe followed. 



Segir fy seigcr wyall doeth honn garr bron y brenin, 
Gwedyrmaesgwaedar y min; i dwysaig ai dewiswr 
Aj diod oedd waed a dwr. 

[Kowydd* i Jevan ap Meredith O Ceselgyfarch 
Howell ap Reignalt ai cant. >} 

" Place on the table my stutt, (bearing the axe 
which came from the presence of the king, with 
blood on its edge) the two dishes which I have 
chosen. The drink must be blood and water." 

" The poem in praise of Jevan ap Meredith of 
Ceselgyfarch, by Howell ap Reinalt the Bard."— B. 

* Cowydd (or distich) was inserted in the margin 
by a different hand from that of the copier: it is 
said to be very incorrect, and consequently not per- 
fectly intelligible. The above translation is supposed 
to be nearly the sense of it. — B. A fragment 
cannot be easily made out without the whole poem 
The Bard lived about 100 years after the battle of 
Poitiers, which was fought September 19, 1336. 
W. D.— L. 

t Flourished from 1460 to 1490.- L. 

- I find that the aforesaid Meredydd Wynn ab 
lefan ab Rhobert went twice to Rome ; and that at 
his death, by his will, dated the fourth of March, 
1535, he left his Estate to certain trustees, to be 
divided amongst his four sons, viz., John Wynn, 
RhysWynn.HumfFrey Wynn,, indCadwalader Wynn. 
To John Wynn he gave Gwydyr, and his lands in 
Nantconway, Dolwyddelan, and Llanfrothen. (Rhys 
Wynn dyed before the partition.) To Humphrey he 
left Cessailgyfarch, &c, and to Cadwalader Wynn 
he gave Wenallt, who was severaljtimes Member of 
Parliament. Meredydd ab lefan ab Rhobert, after 
he had done great service to the King, abroad in his 
wars, in France, where he was a considerable com- 
mander, at the siege of Tourney, and at home in 
extirpating of outlaws and banditti whith infested 
Wales, and were called Merv/yr and Guyllimd, and 
thereby had contributed very muth to the civilizing 
and quieting this country, — purchased the seat of 
Gwydyr from Dafydd ab Howell Coytmor, (a <"escen- 




HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



8t 



he bnUbd the boose in Pmanmcn, being the principal best ground 
in Dotvyddebn. and also within cerUine yeares after, he re- 
moved the church of Dohryddelan from a place called Brin y 

•TMNtH teae, that k to My, 
By his fins wise. Ate oca WOhaaB Gryflydd «* 
Bob* o GccteriDtei, te ted So* Wjm i ah 
Merest, of Gwydyr. -*o wried Efca tte |i III 111 
efXtwris Sncab Meredydd o Rhhmfef: Rhys 
Wy» 3 ab Mered. w» never married. Hi ted 
te tepmed also by Ate two other m, Wilteau I ab Mered. 
4 ib Mered. b« both died before 



Fiedydd, twite Ba« (Thta-dTdd). Rote* 







Grygfth of fjBMtt e : adry. Syr John Pnlestoet, Knight. 
■ tene*,-Kfev» ah DaaVdd abGwOrym o Lwydiarth, 
- E™ ah Sic* ah Meredydd o Bryacir. » 
Tlnlii "■■ahii ii Til nil I nl ■ 0. S. P. 

Catrin GwysioB 4 vch Mered- = Lcwi* ab let ah Dd. o Peagwcrn yn Festiniog. 
Mered. = Rhyddcrch as Dd- aFMered- o Bala, ancestor o Levi* Gwynn of Bala, and alsoe 
Brindier laaae* Wjra. 

Coed 7 Rfcygya yn Trawsfynydd, and also of 
Oyaoog favrr ys Arfoc.t 
; second wife Gwcnhwyfar vch Gnat ah HoweD y Faif oTnaonrerthyn Hon, and relict ot b: 
of Plaanewydd, Meredydd ted bk as foilo-eth :— 

Elim 7 vch Mered. died unmarried. 
EJsbetb 8 vch Mered=Sion ab Rhob. ab Lin. ap Morgan o'r Penllech. 
By his third wife Marget vch Mores Sion ab ~ 
Meredydd o Rhiwaedog, Meredydd ted inuc, — 
"umf&ey ab Mered. on whom be settled Cesssil- 



Lown 6 vch 

Marsli 6 vch Mere£=T( 

■eond ■*■ Gat 
if Plaaoewydd, h 



gyfarch, and most of hia land* in Evionydd, and 
who married Catrin, da. and heir of leCan Gryflydd 
ab Meredydd ab Gwylim Powis o Cwtnbowys yn 



Ffestiniog. Cadwalader ab Mered. to whom he 
gave Wenallt in Nanhwynen, and the rest of his 
lands in Evionydd: he=Sionet vch Tomos ab 
Moms ab Gryffydd ab Icfan o'r Plas d«. 

The daughters of Meredydd by his third wife 
were these : — 
Elin 9 vch Mered.=Edd. Stanley, constable of Harddlech cast ell. 
Sian lo vch Mer.= Cadwalader Ptys o Rhiwlas. 
Agnes ti vch Mer.=Rhobert ab Rhys Wynn Salsburi. 

Alia li=Tomaa ab Rhys Benned o Bodiewyddan. 

Gwen 14 vch Mer.=0wen ab Reynallt o Glynn Lligwy. 

Marget 15 vch=Sion GryrT. o Cichley 3 ab Syr Will. Gryff. o'r Penrhyn. 

Eurlliw 16 vch Mer.=Sion Hooks o Conwy. 

Besides these 30 children by bis wives, Meredydd Morris KyfEn, consecrated Dish, of St. Asaph, 1603. 

had the following by diverse women: — by Sionct And, lastly, by Gwenllian vch Gwylym ab Evan 

vch Siencin Gryflydd Vychan he had Sir Robert, a Llwyd, he had Catrin vch Met. who = William ab 

Priest ; zd. Sion Coytmor, from whom descend Syr Tomas Gronwy, by whom she had Syr Toma* ab 

Edmund Williams, Bart. Syr John Williams of the William the famous physic, to Qu. Elii. that made 

Isle of Thanet, and Syr Morris Williams, Knight ; the Welsh Dictionary, and in whose -US. of Achau 



1 third, Catrin vch Mer. = 5ion Dd. o Tregi 
father of Tomos Jones, commonly called Twm Sion 
Catte, (a great antiquary). And by Catrin vch Sion 
ab Heilyn o Benmachno, Meredydd had Evan and 
Huw, (who bad issue Rbobert ab Huw, and Reinallt 
ab Huw of Flintshire). Meredydd had also by a June, 1588. H. Bangor, October 18, 1699, 1700. 

dau. of Howell ab Rhys ab , Lewis, and * Party to a deed on 5th Aug., 15JJ. 

Marget vch Mer. = Dafydd Owen AM. father of + Party to a deed on i»t Oct., ij Hen. VII. 



I found this bancs of Meredydd's children by his 
three wives, which agreelh with a catalogue or them 
in Lewis Dwnn's visitation fl/S. signed and attested by 
Owen Wynn of Caermelwr 4 ab Sion Wynn ab 
Mered. and grandson to Meredydd ; dated the 14 ol 



-L. 



8a 



HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



bedd, to the place where now it is, being parte of the possessions 
of the priory of Bethkelert. He also there new-bailt the same as 
it is now, one crosse chapell excepted, which my uncle Robert 
Wynne built. It should seeme, by the glasse window there, that 
it was built in anno 1512 ; but whether it was in that yeare 
glazed, (which might be done long after the building of the 
church), I am uncertaine. The church, which is very strongly 
built, the castle, and his house of Penanmen stand three square, 
like a trivett, either a mile distant from each other. Questioning 
with my uncle, what should move him to demolish the old 
church, which stood in a thickett, and build it in a plaine, stronger 
and greater than it was before : his answer was, he had reason for 
the same, because the countrey was wild, and he might be op- 
pressed by his enemies on the suddaine, in that woodie countrey; 
it therefore stood him in a policie to have diverse places of retreat. 
Certaine it was, that he durst not goe to church on a Sunday from 
his house of Penanmen, but he must leave the same guarded with 
men, and have the doores sure barred and boulted, and a watch- 
man to stand at the Garreg big, during divine service ; being a 
rock whence he might see both the church and the house, and 
raise the crie, if the house was assaulted. He durst not, although 
he were guarded with twenty tall 1 archers, make knowne when 
he went to church or elsewhere, or goe or come the same way 
through the woodes and narrowe places, lest he should be layed 
for : this was in the beginning of his time. To strengthen him- 
selfe in the countrey, he provided out of all parts adjacent, the 
tallest and most able men he could heare of. Of these he placed 
colonies in the countrey, filling every empty tenement with a 
tenant or two, whereof most was on the Kinge's lands. Many 
of the posteritie of these tenants remaine until this day. One 
William ap Robert of Iscorum, being one of his followers, he 
placed in a tenement of the towneshippe of Gwedir, called Pen- 

1 Tall at this time often signifies itoul, and is used by Shakspeare in that sense.— P. 



HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



83 



craig Inko, now worth {. 30. per annum, who paid for the same 
onely a reliefe to the King or lord, which was 10s. ^ti. 

Such were the lawes in those days, and are still, that if 
the King's tenant holding in freehold, or freeholder holding 
under any other Lord, did cease for two years to do his 
service to the King or Lord, the said may re-enter. The writte 
is called Cessavit per biennitm; the exactions were, in those 
dayes, soe manifold, that not onely the bondmen ranne away 
and forsooke the Kinge's land, but alsoe freeholders their owne 
land. 

Here to lay downe in particular the 'Welsh customes would 
make the volume too great. 

Owen ap Hugh ap Jevan ap William, gieat grandchild to the 
said William, enjoyeth the land to this day; though in my 
grandfather's time it was in sute, by the contrivance of John ap 
Madog ap Hoshell, but it is now recovered by the meanes of my 
grandfather. Einion ap Gruffith ap Jockes, a freeholder of Fes- 
tiniog and Llanvrothen, he placed in the King's frith at Bryntirch, 
of whom are descended many in Nantconway, Festiniog, and 
Llanvrothen. Howell ap Jevan ap Pellyn, a Denbighshire man, 
and a tall archer, of whom are descended the race of the Pellyns, 
he placed in the tenement of Garth. He alsoe placed Gruffith ap 
Tudor, a Denbighshire man, in Rhiw Goch ; as likewise Jevan 
David ap Ednyfed, an Abergeley man (who felled, in one day, 
eighteen oakes, towards the building of a parte of Penanmen- 
house), in Bwlch y kymid. Lastly, he placed Robert ap Meredith 
in Berthios, whose sonne John ap Robert was dayry-man there, 
untill the beginning of my time. 1 

In Ddanhadog he found Rys ap Robert, a tall stout man, who 
being originally (as they say) a Vaynoll Bangor 2 man borne, and 
a freeholder, killed a man there, forsook his land, and fled thither. 
Rytharcli and Richard ap Rys ap Robert were my father's fosters ; 



«4 



HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



and from the said Richard ap Rys ap Robert is lineally descended 
Humphrey Jones 1 of Cravelyn, Gentleman. Diverse other tall 
and able men dwelt in the countrey, which drew to him, as to 
their defender and captaine of the countrey, soe as within the space 
of certaine yeares, he was able to make seven score tall bowmen 
of his followers, arrayed, as I have credibly heard, in this man- 
ner. Every one of them had a jacket or arraolett coate, a good 
Steele cappe, a short sword and a dagger, together with his bow 
and arrowes; most of them alsoe had horses, and chasing slaves 2 
which were to answere the crie upon all events. 

Whereby he grew soe strong that he began to put back and to 
curbe the sanctuary of thieves and robbers 3 , which at times were 
wont to be above a hundred, well horsed and well appointed. 

It is to be noted likewise, that certaine gentlemen and free- 
holders dwelt in the countrey, but not many, who were to an- 
swere the crie, and to come also upon the like distresse. 
The Issue of Meredith 1 ap Jevan ap Robert, 5 of Keselgyfarch 

Gwedir 6 com. Cam. 
By his first wife Alice 7 , sixth daughter 8 of William Griffith ap Robin 

of Cochwillan, he had, 

I. William Wynne, who died without issue. 



1 Receiver General of North Wales, and ances- 
tor to Mawris Jones of Ddol. The heiress of DdOl 
in Edernion married Mr. Parry of Llanrhaidr, 
from whom the present Richard Parry, Esq., of 
Llwyn-ynn and Plas newydd, is lineally descended. 
— L. 

S Q. Slaves i. e. hunting sptars. — P. 

s This was before described to be Yspytty Evan 
which belonged to the Knights Hospitalers, and is 
not far from Dohvyddclan, where this chieitain 
resided. These knights had St. John for their 
patron, and hence it ia possibly called Yspytty 
Evan (or rather Iwan which signifies John]; it ia 
now a small village situated on the Conway. Dr. 
Daviea renders Yspytty hospitinm.—B. 

1 In the Brogyntyn MS. the whole of this, down 
to and including " A.D. 1525," (p. B7), is in the 
more modern hand refened to previously. 



" Meredith Wynn ap Evan ap Robert after he 
had done great service to hii King abroad in hie 
wars in France, where he was a considerable 
com'ander in the siege of Tournay, and at home in 
extirpating the outlaws & banditi which infested 
Wales, & were called Herwyr & Gwilied, and 
thereby had contributed very much 10 ye civilizing 
& quieting this country, purchased the Seat of 
Gwyder of One of the descendants of Howell 
Coytmore & began to build the lower House he 
finished that part which is called Neuadd Fredydd 
or the Hall of Meredith & the adjacent Lodging!, 
And then leaving his paternall Seat of Kesailgy- 
Jarch as also his other house of Penanmen, He 
removed & setled at Gwyder where in peace & 
Hon'r he departed this life on the Eighteenth day 
of March 1525, oged about 65, & was interred 
in the church which he himself had built at Dol- 
wyddelan leaving behind him a very numerous 



HISTORY OF THE GWVDIR FAMILY. 



85 



II. John Wynne ap Meredith of Gwedir. 8 

III. Rees Wynne. 

IV. Rytherch. 

V. Margaret, wife first of Rees ap David ap Guillim of Angle- 
sey, 10 then of Jevan ap John" ap Meredith of Brynkir, and after him 
of Robert ap Meredith of Bronheulog. 

VI. Jonet, wife first of Edmund ^Gruffith, son of Sir William 
Gruffith the elder Knight, after him of Sir John Puleston, 
Knight. 

VI I . Catherine Lloyd, wife of Rowland Gruffith of Pla s- 
newydd." 

VIII. Catherine Gwinniow, wife of Lewis ap Jevan" ap David 
of Festiniog. 

IX. Lowry, wife of Rytherch ap David ap Meredith of 
Bala." 



■Hue. (From a Gwydir Pedigree at Wynnstay, 
which appears to have been compiled by H. Hum- 
phreys. Bishop of Bangor, in the year 1700, from' 
Sir John Wynn's Hillary of the Gvydir Family,) 

I find that this Meredith Wyn ap Evan ap 
Robert made two journeys to Rome, & that att 
his death by his will dated 4, May 1535 he left bis 
estate to certain Trustees to be divided among bis 
4 sons, John Wyn Rees Wyn Humphrey Wyn & 
Kadwalader. To John Wynne Gwyder & his 
lands in Nanconway Dolwyddelan & Llanfrothan 
( Rees dy'd before ye partition) to Humphrey Kcsail- 
gyfarch &c : 4c : Cadwalader (who was several 
times member of parliam't) Wenallt Ac. (From 
a note in the handwriting of Humphrey Humphreys, 
Bishop of Bangor, afterwards of Hereford, in ■ 
MS. of Sir John Wynn'a Hiilory of Iht Gwydir 
Family at Wynnstay.) 

Meredith ap Jevan ap Robert died iS Mar. 1535, 
aged about 65. (i. e. i5 2 S-°0 

In tbe South part of the East window of Pen- 
morva church are the pictures of Meredith ap Evan 
ap Robert and his last wife — Marg 1 * verch Maurice, 
with the inscription lollowing under them :— 

Orate pro Merydyt ap Evan ap Robert et Margcrta 
verch Maurice uliorem ejus — qui hanc fenestram 
fecerunt.* (From another MS. Vol. of notes rela- 
ting to the Wynn family at Wynnstay, and which 



appears to have belonged to Bishop Humphreys.) 

* A. portion of this inscription remains in the 
West window of Penmorva church, formerly a 
doorway, to which some fragmentsof the old glass 
have been transferred.— W. (July, 1870.) 

' In first edition this reads ■ and Gwedir." 
' Alice could not have been his first wife ; for, by 
his monument at Dolwyddelan, it appears that they 
both died on tbe same day, i3 Mar, 1535. 
" She was an illegitimate daughter. 

• Died in 1559 ; will proved at Doctors' Commons. 
" J Whose will is dated 10 Dec. 1510..— PrnirAo* MS. 
" Jevan ap John ap Meredith party toa deed 5th 

Aug. 7th of Hen. 7. (149a). 

11 He is party to a deed in which he is styled 
" Roland Gruffith son and heir of Robert Gruffith of 
Porthamal," dated 6 Feb. ayth of Hen. 8. His 
father [Robert Gruffith of PorthamlJ was probably 
then living, as he is not said \a the deed to be 
deceased. 

" He is witness to a deed dated 14th March, 33rd 
Hen. S, and died In 1551. 

" Who was a Justice of the Peace for the Co: of 
Merioneth on the 17th Aug. and and 3rd of Philip 
and Mary. 



86 



HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



X. Margaret, wile of Thomas Griffith Jenkin. 

By his second wife Gvenhover, daughter of Gruffith ap Howell 
y Farf, relict of Robert Griffith of Porthaml. 

XI. Elizabeth, wife of John ap Robert ap L'ln l of Penllech. 

XII. Elen. 

By his third wife Margaret, daughter of Morris ap John ap Mere- 
dith, he had, 

XIII. Humphrey Meredith, of Keselgyfarch. 8 

XIV. Cadwalader 3 of Wenallt, father of Thomas, father of 
Cadwalader, father of John Vaughan, father of Cadwalader, 
M.A.* 

XV. Elen, wife of Edward Stanley, Constable of Harddlech. s 

XVI. Jane, wife of Cadwalader ap Robert ap Rees of Rulas. 



1 Thii contraction ii for Lleweltn.— B. 
*,He was living -)th June, 1578. 



Humphrey |Mere-^ 
dr.);. at Kesel- 



Gwilym Powys 

of Cwmbowy, 
in Festiniog. 



■ Catherine, dau, of = 
Wm. Wynne ap I 
Wm. of Coch- I 



Evan Lloyd, of 
Havod llwddoc. 

, Thomas, married 
Marred, d. of 
Ellis ap Wm. 
Lloyd, ofRhiw- 
goch. 



Gwen, wife of 
Evan ap Robert 
ap Evan ap 
lorwerth, of 
Tanybwlch. 



Margaret, wife of 
Wm. J ones, of 
Caste! 1 March 
in Lleyn, Esq. 



I. 



s by Edw. Bresse, Esq., \ 



Jevan Lloyd. 

(Prom a pedigree lent to 
JlfS. 419, fol. 94 W.) 

■"Wmffreapme'dp'ter' voc'pen yfedet Kesaylgy. 
farch, xiij 1 . . Kadwaladr ap me'd p'ter' suis et 
aliis — xix*-v ,i ." (Prom the assessment referred to 
after the " Jones pedigree " in appendix to this vol.) 

Cadwalader was living upon Nov. 5, 1563. His 
daughter, Marselic, was married about the year 1578, 
to Maurice ap Robert Wynne, of Glynn, in the county 
of Merioneth. Cadwalader was dead before the 4th 
June, [578. Hiswidow is stated to have been of the 
age of 60 years 29th Dec. 34 Eliz. (isgt). His son 
John Cadwalader was of the age of 30 a! that time. 



about the year 1703 ; and Hingmrt 



* Degrees were at this time considered as the 
highest dignities, and it may not be improper to ob- 
serve, that a clergyman who hath not been educated 
at the universities, is still distinguished in some 
parts of North Wales, by the appellation of Sir 
John, Sir William, &c. Hence the Sir Hugh Evans 
of Shakespeare is not probably a Welsh Knight, 
who hath taken orders ; but only a Welsh clergy- 
man, without any regular degree from either of the 
universities.— B. 

'Sheriff of Merioneth 1545 and 1560. 



HISTORY OF THE GWYDIR FAMILY. 



s? 



XVII. Agnes, wife of Robert Salisbury. 

XVIII. Alice, wife of Thomas ap Rees ap Benet of Bodel- 
widdan. 

XDC. Gwen, wife of Owen ap Reinalt, of Glynllygwy. 

XX. Margaret, wife of John Griffith, of Kichleu. 

XXI. Elliw, wife of John Hookes of Conway. 

By Jonet, daughter of Jenkin Gruffith Vaughan, he had, 

XXII. Mr. Robert, a Priest. 

XXIII. John Coetmor, father of William, father of John 
Williams, 1 goldsmith in London ; who had issue Sir John Wil- 
liams of the isle of Thanet, 2 Bart. Sir Edmund Williams, 3 Bart. &c. 
From him alsoe came Sir Morris Williams, Physician to the 
Queene. 

XXIV. Catherine.* 

By a daughter of Jevan ap John ap Heilin of Penmachno he had 

XXV. Hugh. 

XXVI. Jevan. 

6 He died A.D. 1525. 



1 Thii John Williams, goldsmith, was an anti- 
quary of considerable eminence, and furnished Dray- 
ton with many of the particulars relative to Wiles, 
which be hath taken notice of in the Polyolbion. 
Biihop Nicholson therefore need not have been sur- 
prised, "that it should contain a much truer ac- 
count of this kingdom, ami tht dominion of W alt ti 
than could be well expected front the pen of a poet," 
Hill. Libr. p. 5. Mr. Bagford also in his letter to 
Hearne prefixed to the First Volume of Leland's 
ColUetanta says, that John Williams the goldsmith 
famished Drayton with Leland's papers.— B. John 
Williams was founder of a chapel in Nanhwynen, 
and endowed it with £5 per ann. the chapel is 
is.— E. It should seem from this, that 
Nanhwynen was probably the place of his birth. — B. 

■Of Minster, in the Isle of Thanet, created a 
baronet 11 Apr. 164*. 

* Ot MarnehuU, In Dorsetshire, created a Baronet 
ig Apr., 164a. 



'Catherine =p John David 



Tom Sion Catty, the Antiquary. 

(From the Gwydir Pedigree at Wynnstay). 

> " And Lastly by Gwenllian Daughter ot Gwilim 
ap Evan Lloyd (his concubine) he [Meredith ap 
Jevan ap Robert of Gwydir] had Catherine Who 
maried to Wiliam ap Thomas Gronwy by whome 
shee had S' Thomas ap Wiliam the famous Physi- 
tian that made the Welsh Dictionary, and in whose 
Booke of Pedigrees 1 found this catalogue of Mere- 
dith's children by his Three wives, which agreeth 
also with the catalogue of them which is in Lewis 
Dwn'sVisitac'onBook signed and Attested by Owen 
Wynn of Caer Melwr, (4th son of John Wynn ap 
Meredyth, ft grandchild to Meredyth) Dated the 
14th June ij88. H : Bangor, 1700." (From 
a MS. at Wynnstay, containing a pedigree with the 
armorial bearings, and inscriptions in a room at 
Gwydir in 1600, and upon the monuments of the 
Wynns of Owydir.) 







Tm Amcibkt Mansion or [Ufpm] Gwtdib, 
A* it ni in 1684, when the Duke of Beaufort, in bu Progre n through Wales, 
lodged there. 



MEMOIRS, &c. 



PREFACE. 

Thb History of the Gwydir Family, by Sir John Wynn, has long 
been out of print; and an object of curiosity and interest to persons 
connected with the Principality of Wales, and, indeed, to most 
antiquaries. The Lives which accompany it in the present volume 
are the work of the same accurate Historian ; and, in the Editor's 
opinion, no less deserving of publicity than the private feuds of a 
single family. She laments that it is not in her power to add to 
them those of the other Divines, natives of the Principality, whose 
virtues and learning are still affectionately borne in mind, by all 
who are able to appreciate the beauty and accuracy of our verna- 
cular translation of the Holy Scriptures and Liturgy. Extended 
fame was not to be expected by men whose labours were confined 
to a narrow district, and to a Language long treated with unde- 
served neglect by the great body of European Scholars. But the 
benefit which they conferred on their own little country, and the 
renewal by their means of genuine religion in those regions where 
it had lingered latest, may secure, it is hoped, no unfavourable 
reception for this humble tribute to the Fathers of the Reformation 
m Cymru. — L. in edition of 1827. 

N 



MEMOIRS, &c. 



t 



\ 



This Country, in Queen Elizabeth's time, produced six that were 
Bishops in sundry places ; and the last in order and the first to 
be remembered (as the course of this History leadeth), was Henry 
Rowland, Bishop of Bangor, born at Meullteyrn, 1 in Llun, son to 
one Roland ab Rhobet, an ancient Esquyre, who sat in that See 
eighteen years. He was sufficiently learned, for he preached 
twice, with approbation, before king James; and was a good pro- 
vident governour of his Church and Diocese, a great repairer of 
his decayed Cathedrall Church, and a great builder upon the glebe 
of diverse other Churches which he had in commendam. In house- 
keeping and hospitality, both to rich and poor, the greatest that 
hath been in our time, and yet dyed rich. And though he were 
in the commission of the peace continually, and in other commis- 
* sions that came into the country, yet he would put them off as 
• much as in him lay, having no will to deal but in his own element. 

He left an Alms-house for six poor men in the town of Bangor. 
1 He hath left lands for two Fellowships in Jesus Colledge in Oxen- 

( forde, and other lands for the maintenance of a Free School in 

Llyn Bodtwnog, being the place that he was brought up himself 
at school, and liberally left money to build it. He, with the volun- 



1 Of which place he became Rector in 1572 ; ad- from whence he was preferr'd, anno 1598, to the 
vanced to the Deanery of Bangor, August 21, 1593, Bishoprick. He died July 6, x6x6.—» L. 



tary contribution of his clergy, whereof he had the command in 
good will more than any before him, bought three fair bells for 
the steeple of the Cathedral Church of Bangor, they having but 
one before. He erected a monument there in the Church, with 
fair statutes of himsell and of his cousin, the next precedent 
Bishop, Doctor Richard Vaughan, with the following inscription: 

Pis memoriae duorum Episcoporum in hac Ecclesia proxime 
succedentium, qui fuerunt contigue nati, Coetanei, sibi invicem 
cari Condiscipuli, Consanguine! ; et illustri Familia Vaughanorum 
de Talhenbont in Evionydd : Prior Filius Thomae ab Robert 
Vachan Generosi de Niffryn in Llyn, Qui Sedem hanc per Biennium 
tenuit, deinde Cestrensem per Septem Annos ; Postea Londinen- 
sem per 'friennium tenuit, ubi vitam mensis martii ultimo An. Dom. 
1607, immatura morte commutavit. Cujus Virtus post funera vivit : 
Posterior Henricus Filius Rolandi ab Robert Armigeri de Mel- 
teyrn in Llyn et Elizabeth filia GrifTmi ab Robert Vachan, Armigeri, 
de Talhenbont, qui annum Consecrationis sua^ jam agit decimum 
octavum multosque agat feliciter ad honorem Dei & Evangelii 
propagationem, mutuo amore alter ultrique hoc struxit monumentum 
mense maii, Anno Dom. 1616. 

Orimur, Vicissim morimur. 

Qui non piecesserunt sequuntur. 

Next to him in that See preceded Richard Vaughan, 1 D.D. 



1 Of the same name, but not of Ini Talhenbont 
tribe, was Rhys Vaughn (the faithful follower of 
Richard the Third), who ought to be mentioned 
with respect while fidelity is rewarded as a virtue. 
Richard was a tyrant, and the vilest of men ; but he 
was Rhys Vychan's benefactor, and Rhys Vychan 
was grateful. The following well attested fact I 
translated out of an old MS. at Caerwys: "Rhys 
Vychan was owner of great lands and possessions 
in M6n, Caernarvonshire, and Flintshire ; ne was 
Squire of the body unto Richard the Third, and did 
attend him in his Privy Chamber, and by patent was 
free Denncn within England. He had purchased 
from the kingthrec goodly manors near Whitchurch, 
and had purchased Abcr, Cemmis, and Wig, and 
diverse otber things, which were all taken from Itim 




by Henry the Seventh. When Richard saw that 
Stanley was become a turncoat, and that the Welsh- 
men had all revolted from him, he called fit a 
(Boule) bowl of wine, sitting on horseback in his 
complete armour, and when the wine was brought 
him, he called unto Rhys Vychan, and drank unto 
him in these words, ' Here, Vychan, I will drink to 
thee the truest Welshman that ever I found in 
Wales,' and, having drunk, threw the bowl over his 
head, and made towards his enemies, where he was 
immediately slain." Hereupon Rhys Vychan lost 
all his lands (which was begged by new Courtiers) 
before he could obtain his pardon. He married 
Margaret Conway and left two sons.— L. 

Qu ! If Rhys Vychan be the "nameless Page " 
alluded to by Horace Walpole. in his Historic 




g.2 MEMOIRS. 

born also in Llyn, descended of the Vaughns of Talhen-bont, an 
ancient house of Esquyres. He sat there two years, but never 
was at the Bishopric in all that time, for that the means and 
demesnes l (demains) of the Bishopric was not able to find him 
being. A worthy housekeeper, and a liberal minded man, as the 
proof did manifest while he lived at Chester, whereto he was trans- 
lated. He was an excellent and a rare scholar, a discreet and 
temperate man, and very industrious in his vocation, which shor- 
tened his days. He was translated from Chester to London by 
King James, in whose good grace and favour he lived as any other 
Bishop (whatever) whatsoever. He dyed a poor man, for he res- 
pected a good name more than wealth. 

Next before him was Nicholas Robynson, D.D. 2 born in the 
town of Conway, in Caernarvonshire, was of honest parents and 
wealthy, whose father I knew bailiff of the town, being chief of- 
ficer, having by their charter authority to keep courts, with ser- 
geants and under officers. He was an excellent scholar, and would 
have preach'd exceeding well, especially when he did it without 
premeditation, for then he exceeded himself; but upon meditation 
(in my conceit) not so well, for I have heard him at both ; at St. 
Paul's in London, in time of Parliament, once, and in the country 
often ; whereof I can attribute no occasion, but that he was ex- 
treme choleric, and fearful withal, which, in my judgement, put him 
out of his natural bias ; withal he was a very wise man. He dyed 



Juubls, as having rrnde Richard the Third acquain- 
ted with Sir James Tyrrcl's character, when Syr 
Robert Brackenbury refused to murder the young 
PrinceB in the Tower ?— L. 

1 Sir John Wynn evidently alludes to Arthur 
Bulkeley. Bishop of Bangor, who granted a lease of 
all his lands in the hundred of Llyn, by indenture 
dated 1517- <*nn. prim. 6, to Gryffydd ab Madoc 
Vychan for a term of 09 years, at a reserved rent of 
nine pounds per ann. It is worthy of remark that 
this lease expired the very year [1646] that the Par- 
liamentary Commissioners were engaged in making 
a survey of the Bishop's landi, which is perhaps the 
reason that these lands (which must te of very con- 



siderable value) have not been since recovered. The 
Commissioners confess, that not having time to 
take the actual survey, they applied to William 
Lloyd of Plas-hun, who referred them to his steward 
Huw Lloyd, by whom they were informed, that the 
manor of Edern was leased by William, late Bishop, 
and William Lloyd of Plas-h£n, for three lives, for 
the sum of nine pounds, vid. Survey of 1647.— L. 

1 Made Dean of Bangor March 3, 1556, and con- 
secrated Bishop thereof on October 23, 1566. He 
died February. 1584-5, and was .buried in the Ca- 
thedral Church, near the altar, leaving five si 
one daughter, by his wife Jane, daughter of Randal 
Breretcn.— L. 



MEMOIRS. 



93 



rich, and left many hopeful children, for whom he had well provided. 

This county, 1 anon after the beginning of Queen Elizabeth's 
reign, produced three that were Bishops at once, born within or 
near the town of Conway. The one, Richard Davies, first of St. 
Asaph, after translated to St. David's, where he govern'd like him- 
self, and for the honour of our nation (loving entirely the North- 
wales men), whom he placed in great numbers there, having ever 
this saying in his mouth (rnyn y firi Faglog), his familiar oath, 
" I will plant you, North-wales men, grow if you list." He kept an 
exceeding great post, having in his service younger brothers of 
most of the best houses in that country, to whom, with his own 
sons, Thomas, Peregrine, and Jerson, which I knew at Oxenford, 
both born at Geneva, he gave them good maintenance and educa- 
tion. He did stoutly confront Sir John Parrot, Knight, in those 
days an inward favourite of the Earl of Leicester, who afterwards 
was Lord Deputy of Ireland, and one of the Lords of the Privy 
Council, a man of great possessions in that country, (who would 
have wrong'd him). He called to him William Salusbury of Plasisa, 
near Llanrwst, in the county of Denbigh, and divers others, 
Welshmen, profound scholars, and skilful linguists, and translated 
the New Testament, the Psalms, and Book of Common Prayer 
into the Welsh tongue ; and was very iar onward with the Old 
Testament, 2 and had gone through with it if variance had not hap- 
pen'd between him and William Salusbury (who had liven with 
him almost two years in that business), for the general sense and 
etymology of one word, which the Bishop would have to be one 
way, and William Salusbury 3 another, to the great loss of the old 



1 Caernarvon. — L. 

■ Di. Richard Davies translated the Old Testa- 
it from Joshuah to the end of Samuel into Eng. 
liih, besides several of the Epistle*. His father was 
David ab Gronw, who married Jonct, daughter of 
David ab Richard, descended from Ednowen Ben- 
dew. They had other children besides Richard.— L. 

* William Salusbury was born at Plasisa, near 
Llanrwst (descended from the Salutbury's of Lte- 



weny}. He composed a Welth treatise on rhetoric, 
which was afterwards revised and published, by 
Henry Perry, B.D. He translated, and first pub- 
lished in print, the Epistles and Gospels for the 
whole year, in King Edward the Sixth's time. He 
published also the whole New Testament in Welsh. 
at the command, or by the direction, of the Bishops 
of Wales, to which Dr. Richard Davies prefixed an 
excellent prefatory Epistle that does him peat 
credit. — L. 



British and mother tongue; for, being together, they drew Homi- 
lies, Books, and divers other Tracts in the British tongue, and had 
done far more if that unlucky division had not happen'd, for the 
Bishop lived five or six years after, and William Salusbury about 
twenty-four, bat gave over writing (more was the pit)), for he was 
a rare scholar, and especially an hebrician, whereof there was not 
many in those days. This worthy Prelate, Richard Davies, 1 was 
a poor Cerate's son, who serv'd at Cyffin, within half a mile cf the 
town of Conway, born at a place called Plas y Person. In Queen 
Marie's time he was fain to flee with his wife to Geneva ; where 
being an exceeding poor man, and living upon the contribution and 
alms of the fagitives there, he was so industrious that in three 
years time, or somewhat more, he attained the country language 
spoken in Geneva, which I think to be French. He served a Cure 
there, and preached ; and in the latter end lived well thereby. 
Oh ! how my heart doth warm by recording the memory of so 
worthy a man ! He dyed poor, having never had regard to riches. 

Thomas Davies, L.L.B. 2 and Chancellor of the Diocese of 
Bangor, born within three miles of the town of Conway, some say 
that he was born within the town, son to Davies 3 of Caerhyn, 
Gent, was, after Richard Davies's translation, elected Bishop oi 
St. Asaph, where he sat many years. He had at one time one 
brother called Gruffith Davis, high Sheriff of the county of Caer- 
narvon, and another brother of his Coroner, and another brother 
Escheator in the said county. 

In Queen Marie's time sat William Glynn* in Bangor; a great 



' " Wai Vicar of Durnham, and Rector of Maids- 
mnrlon, Co. Bucks, of which preferments he had 
been deprived in Queen Mary's reign, a» it teems 
for being married: became nominated to the See 
ofSl.Aaaph by Queen IflwbetH, IJS - On May it, 
ijfli, he wu« translated to St. David's, where he 
died i jKi, at hit episcopal palace at Aberjjwille, in 
the pariah church of which place lie win buried." 
Browns WllUi.— L. 

■Consecrated Blahop of St. Aiaph, May n. 1561, 
He died about Michaelmas, ij;j, and waa buried 



at Llanbedr, Co. Caernarvon. He dyed rich, and 
settled a scholarship on Queen's Coll., Cambridge, 

1 The Davie* line ended in an heiress, who mar- 
ried the Rev. Hugh Jones of Brynhyrddyn, Mona; 
their daughter and heir Catherine married Ralph 
Griffith, in whose family Caerhun remains at this 

'Consecrated Bishop of Bangor, 1555 ; died aged 
54, May 21, 1558, and was buried at his own Cathe- 
dral, near the Communion Table. He wasadescen 



MEMOIRS. 



95 



scholar, and a great hebrician, as by quotation of his books do shew, 
being rare in that time. He was a good and religious man, after 
the manner of that time. He was born in Hen-eglwys 1 parish, in 
this county of Caernarvon : he was a Priest's son, as I have heard. 
Qu. of what kindred and house. 

Another William Glynn, L.L.D. 2 of the house of Glynnllifon, 
being an ancient house of Esquyres, proceeded before him as Suf- 
fragan to Bishop Skevington, 3 being Abbot of Bermondsey, who 
never came into the country, but yet bestowed great costs on the 
Cathedral Church of Bangor, for he built the body thereof, and 
the bell tower, and furnished the same with bells, which were sold 
by the Bishop, Dean, and Prebends in King Edward the Sixth's 
time, when, as it was expected, that all the bells in England should 
have rung in the Courtiers purses ; which likely had been so if the 
Duke of Somerset had stood longer. This man, i.e. Glynn, was 
of a stirring spirit, and a great housekeeper; spent all, and had a 
hand in all the great temporal affairs of the country as well as the 
spiritual. Qu. whether there was any before him of this county, 
that were Bishops of Bangor ? 

William Morgan, D.D. 4 born at Dolwyddelan, in the comot of 
Nant Conway, and county of Caernarvon ; descended of the race 
of the bondmen of that town, servants (both he and his ancestors) 
to the house of Gwydyr, where he was brought up in learning. His 
first preferment was with myself, and by my means ; he was first 
made Bishop of Landaff, and afterwards translated to St. Asaph, 



djnt flam Einion ab Gwalchmai of Treveilir, a 
celebrated Welsh Baid. who flourished about the 
year 1 140. Trevcilir continued in the possession of 
his lineal defendants till tbe last owner sold it, 
in 1775, to William Evans, Esq.— L. 

1 Hen-eglwys if in Anglesey. 

1 He was Archdeacon of Merioneth, and after- 
u aids of Angletey. and died 1537. 

3 Thomas Pace, alias Skevington, born at Ske- 
vington, in Leicestershire, succeeded as Bishop of 
Bangor, by papal provision, dat. 7 CaJ. Max. 1508. 
He died in June, 135.3, and was buried in the Choir 



of Beaulie' 
place he w; 

'■'That incomparable man for piety, industry, 
real for religion and his country, was the ton 
of John Morgan by his wife Lowry, daughter of 
Gwylym ab John, descended from Marchudd. He 
was educated at St. John's College, Cambridge, and 
was (llf*t) Vicar of Welsh Pool, 1575, and thence 
preferred in the Vicarage of Llanrhaidr ym mocli- 
nani, Co. of Denbigh, and diocese of Si. Asaph, 
1588."— P. B. Williams. Consecrated Buhop of 
Landaff in t$g$. Hepublished his Welsh Bible in 
ijSS.— L. 



la >■,*: jr.- la w «_- 
OH" 

he . 
«T Drabs*- 
Mp-* R*ap Dam a>e{ 1 
* pot part Aaatat*; jat ka omai i 
a»i aacoi *e Owed rf (be ( 
wu^ani. He tSal a poor i 




' Wm inMintel (raw <W ■«■ Of !.»«4MI U Sc pfcp« »paMt BUboe Margin. VUe Yote'i H. 

Am** on fMnMMbw v). iCot, wsnre, iy*% m Tnb*,.-U 

■urinate i*. >•»,. timtaUikiM%li 'Vii. WvocnuinUu Arc!*. CocnofOiaer. 

dwClKmrftlwCMlMdnJawrcli-L. bwy.-L. 

■Tfcn nlmvn nw4vnt nhnwi Sti John Wynn'n « Living in Jan. 1595. 



97 



William Gruffith, Doctor of the Arches, one of the younger sons 
of William Gruffith of Caernarvon, born in Caernarvon, Judge of 
the Admiralty in North Wales, in Queen Elisabeth's time. 

Mauris Glynn, 1 Doctor of the Civil Law, son to Robert ab Me- 
redydd, born at Glynnllifon, Co. Caernarvon. A younger brother 
of that house, was Dean of the Arches, died without issue, and 
what he had he left to religious houses. He lived in King Henry 
the Eighth's time, before the ruin of Monasteries. 

Gruffith Williams, D. D. 1 born at Treveilian, in the said county, 
of ancient freeholders, his mother well descended, being of the 
house of Penmynydd 8 in Mona ; a great scholar, and an indus- 
trious preacher of God's word, as appears by divers of his sermons 
in London, preach'd at St. Paul's Cross, and are extant in print. 
Also, he was Lecturer in St. Paul's for some eight years together ; 
now Chaplain in Household to the Right Honourable the Earl 
Montgomery. 

Owen Meredydd,* sometime fellow of Alls Souls, in Oxenford, 
B. D. ; an honest man, and a good scholar ; son to Meredydd ab 
Toraas Gruffith, of Clynnog, Co. Caernarvon. 

Edmund Griffith, B. D. 6 and now Dean of Bangor, born at 
Llyn, in the same county, and a younger son to Gruffydd 8 ab 
Sion Gruffydd of Cevenamlwch, of an ancient house, and a worthy 
gentleman in Divinity. 

William Bryncir 7 Bachelor in Divinity, born at Bryncir, in the 
comot of Evionydd, in the said county, a younger son to Robert 
Bryncir. 

The county of Caernarvon also produced Sir William Jones, 8 



1 He died in 1515. 



1 A folio volume of hit works wai printed in hi* — L * 



May z6, 1637, tad wai buried in hit own Cathedral. 



life-time: iti principal object teem* to be the re- 
futation of Popery. — L. 

■ Owen Tudor was of that house, — L. 

* Buried at Llanwnda 33rd Nov, 1611. 

"Became Dean of Bangor in 1623. Sir John 
Wynn dying in t6a6, did not live to see him come, 
crated Bishop of Bangor, February, 1631, He died 



Gryffydd a ab Sion married Calrin, daughter of 
Sir Richard Bukeley, ol Baron Hill. Edmund «m 
their fourth son. — L. 

' Entered at Oifard in 1509. Living in t6t6. 

■ Sir William Jones married Marget, daughter of 
Gryffydd ab Sion. They had four ions.— L. 






now living, who was Chief Justice of the King's Bench in the 
Realm of Ireland : and now is one of the Judges of the Common 
Pleas at Westmynster. He was bqrn in Llyn, at his own house 
called Castellmarch, which is a very ancient house of gentlemen. 

In King Henry the Sixth's time, there was also a Judge of Com- 
mon Pleas, Jeffrey Coytmor, 1 born in the hundred of Nant Conway 
in this county of Caernarvon, of the Coytmors there, which were 
very gentlemen. His grandfather Howell Coytmor, 2 lieth buried 
under a fair monument in Llanrwst church, in the county of Den- 
bigh. He was captain of a hundred Denbighshire men, with the 
Black Prince, at the field of Poytiers, where John, King of France, 
was taken. He lived at Henle upon Thames. 

William Thomas, 3 son and heir to Rhys Thomas, born in Caer- 
narvon ; captain of two hundred men out of North Wales ; went 
with Robert, Earl of Leycester, to the Low Countries, where, find- 
ing Sir Thomas Morgan, and Sir Roger Williams* and Sir Martyn 
Shink, the most forward of that army, associated himself with them 
and especially with Sir Martyn Shink, and with him put himself 
and his company into Berke upon Rhyn ; whereas, the Prince of 
Parma, with all his army, did invest him, and besieged them for a 
great time, omitting nothing that .was to be perform'd for the win- 
ning of the same ; but, in the end, he was fain to give it over ; 
after which time, both Sir Martyn Shink and he came to the Earl 
of Leycester, to the camp before Suttroin, where, in that great 
skirmish, Sir Phillip Sidney was hurt to the death, and slain ; a 
brave, courageous, wise gentleman as any in this country produced 
in his time, or for many ages before. He had been Page to the 
Duchess of Somerset, and was brought up under the same Tutors 
as her son the Lord Edward Somerset was, who was not much older 
than he. He could speak Latin, Italian, and French, It was 

1 I find " John Cotesraore '" a puisne judge of paternal property, Gwydyr, to Jevan ab Mcredydd, 
the Common Pleas 15 Oct, r43o, and Chief Jus- ancestor to Sir John Wynn, the historian.— L. 
tice of the same Court upon 20 Jan., 1439. Jeffrey 
and John were then the same name. — W. 

9 Dafydd. son of this Howel Coytmor, sold his 



* Slain in Flanders 1586 [Ptniarth MS. 47, p. 

* Of Penrhos, Monmouthshire. — L. 



MEMOIRS. 



99 



thought that his Language was the occasion of his death ; for it is 
reported, that he yielded himself in the Italian tongue. [He who 
took him] envious that he should possess- such a prisoner, kill'd 
him in cold blood. These are reported, and whether true or no 
I cannot say ; but there, he died, 

Gruffydd Wynn, born at Gwydyr, second son of John Wynn ab 
Meredydd, serv'd in his youth Sir Edmund Knivett, Knight, Lord 
of the castle of Buckname, in Norfolk ; who, having had a quarrel 
in those days with the Lord Fitzwalter, son and heir to the Earl of 
Sussex, for his mother in law, the Earl's wife, with whom it was 
thought he was too familiar, retained a great many of our country 
gentlemen, on whom it was thought he did most rely for his safety. 
There served him at one time four of the house of Gwydyr, viz. 
next Gruffydd Wynn, Cadwalader Wynn ab Meredydd, John ab 
Rhys Wynn, and David Lloyd ab Rhys Wynn, brethren. Thomas 
Williams, father to Sir William Williams, Baronet, and one of the 
younger sons of William Williams the elder, of Cochwillan, and 
Edward Williams his brother, which also was a man at arms at 
Bullen, and servant to Lord Paget. Qu. whether he was his man 
or no. 

Sir Edward Knivet, being a very gallant forward gentleman, 
was the first that, of the King's side, did set upon the rebels of 
Northfolk, who lay in the neighbouring village 500 strong, with 
thirty horse of his own servants, where he kill'd five or six of the 
rebels ; but there he receiv'd a blow, which afterwards, was the 
occasion of his untimely death. From thence he rode to the Court 
to advise the state of the rebellion, and to get the King's pardon 
for those that he had kill'd. From the Court he return'd in great 
credit and authority with the Marquis of Northampton, the Lord 
Sheffield, and diverse other noblemen. Gruffydd Wynn was with 
Sir Edmund, and was of his Chamber, and with him in all places, 
and at the battle that was fought within the city of Norwich be- 
tween the Marquis of Northampton, General for the King's forces, 



and Kett, wherein the King's men were put to the worst, and the 
Lord Sheffield and many other gentlemen kill'd. I have heard 
himself often reported, that his master and he were as forward as 
the Lord Sheffield; they were armed with white armour, capapee, 1 
&c. &c. and that he receiv'd such a blow at that time on the head that 
he staggar'd, and one of his horse ears were cut off with a gleeve 2 
and thrust through the wythers ; and if it had not been for the 
goodness of his horse he had never come off, who brought him to a 
park near the city, and there fell under him dead. And he did 
verily believe that the cause of the Lord Sheffield's death was the 
reason that he was in guilded armour, and therefore they sought 
after him more than others. 3 Sir Edmund Knyvet's Lady was 
fain to flee by night from her house to Fremingham castle, where 
the King's daughter, the Lady Mary, then lay. The rebels came 
to Buckingham castle and burnt it, and made havoc of all that they 
found therein, for the people were all fled. The Marquis, and Sir 
Edmund, and the rest that survived, returning to the Court, the Earl 
of Warwick, and diverse other noblemen, as appeareth by the 
Chronicle of that time, and Sir Edmund, were sent down against 
the rebels, with a great army, where they fought with and overthrew 
them ; and Kett was slain, whose nag and saddle being of russet 
velvet, Gruffydd Wynn brought home with him to Gwydyr, and 
the nag was call'd " Glas Kett, 4 " by his former master's name, 
while he lived. 

After Sir Edmund's death, Gruffydd Wynn became servant to 
William, Earl of Pembroke, with whom he serv'd as a man at arms 
at Wyatt's field, in ranks that day with old William Mostyn, Esq. 
who serv'd the Earl also. His younger brother, Doctor Gwynm 
made him his heir, and thereby advanc'd his estate much. He was 



1 Polished steel was so called.— L. 



[ of persons having been 



' A glaive, an ordinary cutting and thrust weapon P"' to death for the sake of their armour — L. 
Of the Infantry, being a large blade on the end of a « ; _ e Ket[ , B Qfev _ L> 

pole. See Dr. Meyrkk's very valuable work upon 




the most bountiful housekeeper, both to rich and poor; a religious, 
stout, and wise man ; and was high Sheriff of the two counties of 
Denbigh and Meirionydd. I bought him a commission to be Jus- 
tice of the Peace in the counties of Caernarvon and Meirionydd, 
but he refused them. At his death, his living was worth a thousand 
pounds p. ann. and was wealthy withal. 

Robert Wynn, born at Gwydyr, in the said county, third son to 
John Wynn ab Meredydd, serving Sir Phillip Hobbie, Knight, 
in his Chamber, (being one of the council of King Henry the eighth, 
and a great commander of his army), was with the King and his 
master at the siege of Bullen, where he receivM a shot in his leg, 
whereof he was long lame : notwithstanding all the surgery the 
King's men could afford, it was strange that the surgeons could 
not find it at first and have it out, but it remain'd in that place for 
the time before mentioned ; it was wont, sometimes in four years, 
sometimes in six years, to grieve him, drawing an inflammation to 
his leg, which by repercusives being driven back, he should be 
well again. First, he married Dorothy, daughter of Sir William 
Gruffydd, of Penrhyn, Knight, Chamberlain of North Wales, and 
widow to William Williams the younger, of Cochwillan, who was 
a woman in years, and with whom he lived till he was past three 
score and six years old. Afterward, he married a young gentle- 
woman, daughter of James Dymoc, of Wellington, in the county 
of Flint, who, in his old age, brought him many children. Some 
six years after his last marriage, his wonted inflammation took him 
in the leg with an extraordinary vehemence, so that he supposed 
it would endanger his life ; in the end it grew to a heat, and he 
that was of his Chamber found with his probe a hard thing in the 
orifice, which he supposed a great scale of his shin bone : fearing 
least the same should rot, he being at my house at Gwydyr, I 
brought him to his chamber, desiring that I might see his man dress 
his leg afore he went to bed; being unbound, and the sore open, 
I found with my nail a hard thing in the orifice, and of a great 
length ; so I call'd for the probe, and with the same search'd the 



wound deeper than his man. durst, for fear of hurting him, and found 
that it was no bone, but the lead that had lain so long in his flesh ; 
and so sent for a surgeon to cut the dead flesh and skin and pull it 
out, which he did, and he was well recover'd, and felt no pain at 
all while he lived. 

He was at the rummage and burning of Edenborough and Leith, 
in Scotland, and the memorable journeys mention'd in the Chro- 
nicles in King Henry the Eighth and Edward the Sixth's time, 
excepting Marlborough field, 1 in Scotland, whereat I did hear him 
say he was not. In the latter part of King Edward the Sixth's 
reign, his master was sent Ambassador to the Emperor Charles 
the Fifth, who was then in Hungary, with the greatest army that 
the Christians ever had, to confront Solyman the Turk, that came 
with 500 thousand men to conquer Christendom ; at which 
service both his master and he was. His master being revoked by 
Queen Mary, and another placed in his stead, by reason of his re- 
ligion being a protestant, found the Queen's countenance averted 
from him ; whereupon alter he had kept his house for a while very 
privately, he desired of the Queen license to travel, which she 
granted with this addition, that she would give him leave, and all 
of his opinion, to travel out of the land and never return. He 
travelled not, but within a while after died in his own house, of 
melancholy and grief of mind. Robert Wynn, his servant, re- 
turn'd home, and anon after married as aforesaid, and built a goodly 
house 2 in the town of Conway, in this county of Caernarvon, 
where he kept a worthy plentiful house all his time ; and lieth 
buried in the church there, having two monuments, the one for 
himself, and another for his first wife. 

Hugh Griffith, 3 son to Griffith ab John of Cefnamlwch, a very 
proper man, of a comely tall personage, was by his father put an 

• Qu. If Marlborough ?-L. , He w ^ Mn or ^^ ^ jQha by j,^ 

s This house still exists, opposite the Inn, and Bulc]cy[BulkelcyI,andbrother to Edmund Gryffydd 

retains many proofs of the fanciful decorations of the Bishop of Bangor. Page g7.— L. 
the period. — L. 




103 



apprentice to a merchant adventure in London, whom he serv'd 
very honestly and well untill his years were out, and became fac- 
tor, both for his master and others, in the parts beyond the seas : 
and passing from London towards his place of trade, with twelve 
hundred pounds, which he had taken up upon his own credit, 
was taken by the Dunkyrks and there imprisoned, and thence de- 
liver'd by the means of Hugh Owen, who was the private council 
to the Prince of Parma. This Hugh Owen was born in this coun- 
ty, a younger brother of an ancient gentleman's house call'd Plas 
du ; he serv'd in great credit with the Earl of Arundel, and was a 
chief actor in the Duke of Norfolk's action, and was thought to be 
the wisest man amongst them ; and when he saw that his counsel 
was not follow'd, travers'd his ground in time into Brussels, where 
he continued privy councellor to that state forty years, and until 
the end of his days. This Hugh Griffith being by his means re- 
leased, and having paid his ransom, and having lost his credit ir- 
revocable, gets a letter of mark, and furnish'd himself to sea, and 
proves there the worthiest, the most valiant captain of any nation 
that was at sea. In the end, within the straights lighting upon 
the ship of war of the King of Spain, that carried the King of 
Spain's treasure out of Italy into Spain, resolved either there to 
die or to win it, which, in the end, he did, after a most admirable 
fight for four or five days continuance, having slain the most 
valiant captain, being a Dutchman, and a great number of the sol- 
diers, but having received a great loss by the other, himsell being 
sore hurt, and his company so weakened that he was fain to be 
taken himself to Argier 1 for refuge ; where, either he died of his 
hurts, or was poisoned, and his goods seized upon to the Turk's use. 
Robert Powell, one of his followers, returned home full of double 
pistolets, who was searched, tortured, and beaten, to make him 
confess, as he told me himself. He also told me, that in the fight, 
which was long, fierce, and admirable, both parties would rest at 
times, and the captains parly, and drink one to another. 

1 Qu.AIgier-.-L. 






'/ ^ Wither u^tu cf VrfZd^n GrJr^- He 

* + * * + ■* + + 




J 









"S* ' J* *• • ■* * *■ j^ f f r"~ *~ /*"• **& ^"— ' , •"V'•.•*^" 



*sr.%\j cf Cr4jzzj&rt'/z.i yszzzpz zjzvCzx is Grr?:r: ab Ri-cLar* ^^ 
'v? t«£ Lv^m; cc£i,:r,a£d&d witi grtar cradft ioc me~- a 
tta24ft of t?.e Loir O/ss tries. :r (/^eer. Elizabeth's rbie. 

S?r Ksoh^rd Wy^s, of Caer^arvo-» Krigiit, of the fcocse of 
V/rjTJATt <Ji\f£:.z. of a hzzired nien in Ireland, provost ir,artial of 
¥l'*%hi?i% f +?Aez hir K".;l*:p Sydney, sometime page to captain 
V*/r&h\\, vfisj vr&z slain m the North of Ireland, whose armour 
he t/rou^'it t/> Sir Henry Sydney, then Lord Deputy of Ireland, 
wh'/ie fo]>/xrer he was all his life time after: and after his death, 
and for his sundry good services, being knighted ; and after hav- 
ing got the widow of captain Thomas aforementioned in the coon- 
try, lived at Caernarvon all the rest of his time. He was one of 
the council of the marches; keeping a very worthy house, being 
a religious, honest, and true-hearted man to his friend, having al- 
ways in his mouth this saying, "Duw a diwedd da," which in 
English is, " God and a good end," which no question God did 
hear, for he made a christian and a good end, as Gryflydd Wil- 
liams, 1 Doctor in Divinity, now living, being his ghostly father at 
his end ; and respecting which, also, the Rev. Father, Lewis, now 
Bishop of Bangor, preaching the funeral sermon of William Glynn, 
of Glynnllifon, Knight, did remember persuading all to the imita- 
tion of him 

The memorable services of John Wynn ab Hugh, 1 born at Bod- 

1 Sm pftg« 97#— L, John Pnletton; by her he had Hugh Gwynn 

• John Wynn ftb Hugh wm Sheriff of Cacrnar- Bodfd, Sheriff of Caernarfon in 1597, grandfather 

voato 1331 f and married Elizabeth, daughter to Sir to 8ir J ohn Bodfd, Knight, likewise Sheriff of 



TABLE No. IV. 



TABLE IV- 



Sir John Wynn, of Gwydir,=j=Sidney, da. of Sir Willum ( 
Bart so created in 1611. | Lord Chancellor of Irdai 
a 



1 Sir J. w ynn,=y=Marget, da. 2 Sir Rich. 3 Sir Owen Wn=f=Grace, da. 

ofSirThos. Wn. Bart. Sheriff for Den- 
mar, a dau. bighshire 



Cave. 



d. in hisfather's 
life-time, at 
Lucca, in 1621. 
6 

One da. who died an infant. 



in 



of Sir c 
Francis 
D'arcie 
0. S. P. 



1656 ob. 1668, 
aged 68. c 



1 



of Hugh 
Williams, 
of Wig. 



4 Rbt Wn. 
O.S.P. 



5\Vm.Wn.=F 
Esq. Pro- 
thonotary 
of Wales. 

f 



-Ada. & 
heiress of 
Thomas 
Lloyd, of 
Gwern-y- 
Brechtyn. 



6 Morris Wn. 7 E 

O. S. P. stn 

gT oft 

at I 

buried h 

ci 



I 



Sir Richard Wynn, of^pSara, da. of Sir Thomas Edward Thel-=r=Sidney Wynn, 



Gwydir, Bart. / 



Myddelton Bt. of Chirk 
Castle, m 



wall, Esq. it 



only da. 
heir, o 



and 



Mary Wynn,ih.=pRobert Bertie, Duke Sir Wm. Williams, Bt of Llanvor-=pMarget, f h. Watkyn Kyffin 



she died in 1689. 



of Ancaster. r 



da, Spr. of the House of Commons, 
son of Hugh Williams, D.D. 
ob. 1700. 



of Glascoed. 



Peregrine Bertie, 2d Duke of Ancaster.=|= 
He married Jane, da. of Sir John Brown- 
low, Bt. Peregrine died in 1742. 



Sir William Williams,=Fjane, only da. and heir, born 
Bt. of Llanforda. 25 Dec. 1665, mar. in 1689. t 

b. 1684, d. 1740. s 



Brownlow, 5th Peregrine Bertie, 
duke, 1780. =7= 3d duke of Ancas- 
ter, ob. 1778. 

Mary Elizabeth. 



I" 



JohnW 
Evans of V 

as. 

ICr 

Vm 



Rich. Mostj 
of Ptenbcdw. 



w 



I 



I 

Rbt Bertie, 
4th Duke, 
ob. 1779. 



Sir Watkyn Wms.=pFrances, da. Rbt. Williams,=Miriam, fch. Rich. William 



Wynn, b. 1691, ob. 
1749. His 1 st wife 
was Ann, fch. Ed. 
Vaughn of Han- 
ged wyn. ^^^ 



Priscilla Bar- 
bara Elizabeth 
Baroness Wil- 
loughby, of 
Eresby, wife of 
Peter Burrell, 
Esq. created 
Baron Gwydir, 
of Gwydir, 
May 28, 1796. 
See the Peerage. 



I 



I 



of George of Erbystoc. Arthur Wil- married zst * 
Shackerley, v Hams of Charlotte, f h. 

ofGwersyllt Ystym Colwyn. Rich. Mostvn, 

2d wife. O. S. P. of Penbedw. 

above named, O. S. P, y 



I 



Georgina Sir W. W. W.=r=Charlotte, da. Watkyn Wms.=Elisabeth, 



Charlotte 
Bertie. 



married 1st 
The Lady H. 
Somerset, da. 
to the Duke of 
Beaufort. 



to the Rt. Hon. of Penbedw, 
G. Grenville, M.P. for the 
& sister to boroughs of 
the Marquis of Flintshire, ob. 
Buckingham. 1808. S. P. 
aa 



Willi* 



Bi 
Edd. LI 



'7W 



T 



fch. Col. 
Stapelton, 
ofBodrhy- 
ddan, died 
April, 1825 



'illiam Anna Bella=j=R« 
Wms.esq. fh. d. 1824. | Pb 
O. S. P. D. 

1803. c3 

Ra 
of 



SirW. =r= 
W. Wynn 
dd 



Daughters married. 
See the Baronetage. 



=The Lady Right Hon=f=Mary, da. Right Hon.=T=Hon. 
Harriet C.W.Wynn of Sir F. H. W. Wn. 



Clive, da. to Pres. of the 

the Earl of Board of 

Powis. Controul, M 

of the Privy 

Council, &c. 

ce 



Cunliffe, Ambassadorat 
Bart. the Court of 

Denmark. 



Hester 
Smyth, 
da. to 
Lord 
Caring- 
ton. 



Anna=Ed. Lloyd Elix- 

Bella Lloyd^eaq. abetk 

ff of Pen-y- kk 



L 



I 

ennetta. Watkyn. Herbert 
jj Watkyn. 



Charles Watkyn Charlotte 
Watkyn. Henry. 



\ 



ary. 



J 



I 



Harriet. Sidney. Sons & Daughters. William Wan 
" Edward Wja 



* The Heiress of this ancient Family, Ann, daughter of John Puleston, of Emeral, Esq. married Richard Pary 
the name of Puleston. Created a Baronet in 18x3. 



.Esq.ofl 



Notes to Table IV. 



_ i 



Wn.=T=Catrin, Sir Rogei 
fh. Ellis Mostyn, 
Lloyd, of Knt.y 
Rhiwgoch. 



I 
Mary 

Wynn 



Sir Tohn=»Elizabeth 
Bodvill, Wynn. 
Knt. k . . 



I [■■ 

Bir Thos. Mostyn, Knt.=f= Sidney, wife of Sir Rich= 

Grosvenor, of Eaton, Bt. 
who died in 1664. q 



r. Elis. da. of Sir Jo. 
Whitlock, kt. C. Justice. 



I 2d Wife 

^■Sir Roger Mo8tyn,=f=Pruderice, Ida. of Sir 



created a Bart, in 
1660. 



Martin Lumley, Bt. 



Rog*r=p 
Grosve- 
nor, ob. 
1 66 1. 



ir Thos.=T=Bridget, 



Sir 

Mostyn, 
ma. (at xi 
years old), 
in 1662* 



Jane, w. of Ro- 



Sir Thomas=p 
Grosvenor, 



fh. Darcy ger Puleston, 

Savage of Esq. of Emeral, Bart. ob. 

Beeston. com. Flint. * 1700. 



1 



Sir Roger Mo8tyn,=f=The Lady Essex 



Bart. ob. 1749. 



I 
Sir Robert=p 



Finch, da. of the Earl Grosvenor, 
of Not^ngham. Bart. 

died 1765. 



I 



'4 



i 



Jane, ob.=r=Robert Sir Thos=FSara, fch. Rich. crea=f= 



x8ax. 
cc 



Lloyd, 
Esq. 



Mostyn, 
Bt. born 



of Swan 1704, ob. 
Hill. 1758. 



- I 
aaa-fEdward 

gift, Gatacre, 

m. Esq. of 

* Gatacro. 



Robert ted Lord 
Western, Grosvenor 
of London, in 176 1. 
See the 
Peerage. 



Janc=John Sir Ro-=p Margt. 



2 fch. Wn. ger M. 

Eyton 5. 1734, 

Esq. died at 

of Mostyn, 

Leeswood. in 1796. 



fh.Rev. 

Hugh 

Wynn, 

D. D. 

of Bod- 

scallen, 

ob.1792. 



tgh- 



Dauf 
ters 
married 



Ifttton Ed. Gatacre. Ann Bella. 



mm 



nn 



Sir Thomas Mostyn, 
Bart, only son. jo 



Flintshire , by whom she had one son, Richard, who took 



a See Table III. after page 48. 

He died on Thursday, 1 March, ,1626-7 and was buried on 
Friday, 2 March. 

b In his elegy, by Cadw. Cesail he is stated to have died in 
1614. 

c Sir Rich. mar. Anna dau. of &c. 

d *• D'arcie " of Isleworth "O. S. P." 1649 at 61. 

e " 1668 " read 1680, Ob. 13 Aug. 

/ Died 24 Oct., 1664. 

g Will dated in 1671, proved at London. Marriage Arti- 
cles dated 20 Mar., 1648. (A copy oi Bin Jonson's Works 
at Peniarth, fol. 1640 contains Morris Wynne's autograph, 
also a copy of Laud against F is fur.) 

h Died 20 Nov., 16x9 a g*?d 20 * • . : 

i Died 27 July, 1671, in his 69th year, 

j Born in 1567, died 18 Aug., 1642. 



11 » mm 



II 



Sir John=j=" Elizabeth Wynn " 
married andly John 
Thelwall of Gray's 
' Inn, Esq. 



Bodville 
Knt." 



Mary wife 
of Hugh, 
Viscount r " 

Cholmondeley. 

h Died before 13 Apr. 1675 (Qy. did he not die the end of 
Oct. 1674?) 

m She died 16 June 167 j. 

n Died 12 Dec. 1679. • • 

Married in June 1664. 

b Sir John Wynn died 11 Jan. 1718-9 aged 91. 

The Seal of Sir John Wynn of Watstay 21 July 1684. 1 Owen 
Gwynedd. 2 Gr ap Cynan.. 3 the three beads, necks. encircled 
by snakes. 4 Collwyn ap Tangno. 5 ^lowarch ap Bran. 
6 Salisbury. (To a letter at Brogyntyn). 

q They were married in 1628. 

r Married at Westminster Abbey 30 July 1C78. 

1 In MS. "b. 1684" is struck out, and there H added; 
Marriage settlement dated in 1686. 



[tvbm ovbe. 



t In M8. the word "only" (dau.) is struck out, and a note is added to the effect that the dates* do not 
agree with those below :— 



Wm. Wynn of (iarthgynan ;- r Jane Lloyd of Gwern-y-brech- 



ob:Oct 24,1664. He was Fro 
thonotary of North Wales. 



1 



dyn. Marriage covenants dated 
March 20, 1628. 



Kd. Wynn of Oarth- , Cath»'dau : of Rich, 
gynan lisq. Living Viscount liulkcley, 
3 Juno 1639. buried at Llan- 

drillo, 5 Sep. 1706. 
aged 69. 



MM 
Richard 

Willi! 

Mary 

at king' 

June 1639] 
Thomas [bapt. at 

King's Norton 1 Feb. 

1636] 



1 1 11 

chard J 

r illiam >ob:inf. 

ary [bapt. J 

,t King's Norton 3 



Sidney wife of Edw. 
Thelwall of Plasy- 
ward Esq. ob : 
15 June 1683. 



Hlmon 
Edward 
William 
John 



Jane, wife of Sir 
Wm. Williams, 
l)t. born 25 Dec. 
1664, ma. 1684* 
mar. settlement at 
Wynnstay dated 
1686. 



Mary wile of Edw. 
V a ugh an of 

. . . . born 20 
Nov. 1671.* 



1 



Sidney wife of Cad- 
, waladr Wynne of 
Voelas, Esq, born 
16 July, 1670.* 



j 



Mariana 
S.May. 3673 



[Salusbury AfS. (Mr. Morris' transcript) at Wynnstay] 

I* 3rd son, ob. 1735, ict. 76. 

u For •• Charlotte" read Charlotta Thcophila and strike the * a' out of '• Goathurst." 

v ob: a, p. w For " Miriam, fen." read Meryel dau: of. 

x Vox M ist*' read andly, and for M Charlotte" Charlotta. 

y Strike out " O.S.P." and add- He died 14 Mar. 1740, leaving a son Richard who died 19 Feb, 1745-6 
In his 16th year. 

m For ll Edw" read Charles: add 3rd wife after date. 

an Died 1832. bb Died x8ox. cc For " 1821 " read 1820. 

iW Wed 1840. <•«• Died 1850. 

// Married, secondly, Major Gen. T. Molyneux, K.H. who assumed the name of Williams. She 
in 18O2. 

gg Assumed the additional surname of Williams. 

hh Died 1822. H Died 1S34. jj Should be Henrietta. 

kk '» Watkyn Henry " should come first, with died young after his name. " Charles \\V* second. 

// 

" "" I I 
•' Sidney." 

Emma 

d. young. 

mm For •• Ed, (iatAcrc " Ed. Lloyd G macro. mm For •* Ann " Anna. 

00 Add died unmarried. 



MEMOIRS. 105 

fel, in Llyn, in the said county, whereof he was Lord, he now in 
this tract is not to be forgotten. He was standard-bearer to John 
Earl of Warwick, and afterwards Duke of Northumberland, in 
the great field fought between him and Kett, and the rebels of 
Northfolk and Suffolk near Norwich, in Edward the Sixth's time, 
his horse was slain under him, and himself hurt, and yet he upheld 
the great standard of England. There is mention of this shot 
made at the standard of England in the Chronicles of that time, 
for the which service the Duke of Northumberland bestowed upon 
him two fine things in Llyn, viz. the Isle of Bardsey, and the De- 
mesne House of the Abbot of Bardsey, near Aberdaron, called 
the Cowrtwith. The honourable mention made of his good ser. 
vice in the grant, which I have seen and read, a rare matter to find 
so good a master. 

Caernarvon 1623, whose daughter and heir, Sara, l Rett's rebellion, referred to on pp. 99, 100, oc- 
married Robert Roberts, son of Lord Viscount curred in the year 1549. 
Bodmyn, and their son, Charles, was created Earl 
of Radnor— L. 



FINIS. 



INDEX. 



Abergele, 32. 
Aberzlaslyn Weir, 43. 
Agatha, mother of Joane, 22. 
Agnes, dau. of Meredith ap Jevan, 87. 
Alice, dau. of Meredith ap Jevan, 87. 
Alice, wife of Meredith ap Jevan, 73, 84. 
Alician, wife of Puleston, 29. 
Angharad, wife of Griff, ap Conan, 12. 
Angharad, wife of Robert ap Meredith, 37. 
Angharad, wife of Robin Vaughan, 31. 
Ardudwy, 15, 21, 66. 

Bala deulyn, 19, 25, 53. 

Beaumaris, Merchants of, 72. 

Beddgelert Priory, 82. 

Berkinnet, Sir Ralph, 73, 74. 

Bodelwydden, 87. 

Bodvil, Sir John, 104. 

Brass in Dolwyddelan Church, xiv. 

Bronyfoel, 43, 48, 78. 

Broughton, Richard, 21. 

Brynbyga, 45. 

Bryncir, William, 97. 

Brynkir, 78. 

Brynsullty, 54, 55. 

Bryn y bedd, 81. 

Bryn y botten, 75, 

Buelt, 20, 24, 27. 

Cadwalader ap Robert Wynne, 69. 

Cadwalader ap Robert ap Rees, 86. 

Cadwalader ap Thomas, 69. 

Cadwalader of Wenallt, 86. 

Cadwalader, son of Griff, ap Conan, 12, 14, 15. 

Cadwalader Wvnn ap Meredith, 99. 

Cadwallon, Abbot of Bardsey, 13. 

Cadwallon, son of Griff, ap Conan, 12. 

Caermarthen, rased, 23. 

Caermelwr, 70. 

Carnarvon, 42, 68, 72, 73, 74, 75, 78. 

Cariadog ap Thomas, 19, 23. 

Carn Madryn, 21. 

Carreg y Walch, 65, 75. 

Catherine, dau. of Meredith ap Jevan, 87. 

Catherine, dau. of John Spicer, 73. 

Catherine Gwinniow, dau. of Meredith ap Jevan, 85. 



Catherine Lloyd, dau. of Meredith ap Jevan, 85. 

Catherine, wife of Jevan ap Robert ap Meredith, 49 

Catherine, wife of Rhys ap Einion, 55, 56. 

Catrin, dau. of Sir W. Bulkeley, 97. 

Catrin vch Robin Vaughan, 31. 

Chester, 30, 74. 

Chirkeland, 61, 62, 63, 64. 

Chwarevfa gampav, 57. 

Clenenny, 78. 

Coed Marchan, 47. 

Collwyn, 43, 78. 

Conan ap Owen Gwynedd, 13, 15, 19, 20. 

Conway, John, Esq., 32. 

Conway, 18, 24, 33, 49, 72, 74. 

Creigiaw in Llanfair, 72. 

Creig, 73. 

Criccieth, 30, 33, 70, 79. 

Criddyn, 17. 

Cwmstrallyn, 77, 78. 

David ap Gruffith, 25, 27, 28, 53. 

David ap Howel, 30. 

David ap Jevan ap Einion, 49, 54. 

David ap Jenkin, 50, 54, 65, 74, 75. 

David ap Llewelyn, 24. 

David ap Llewelyn ap David, 37. 

David ap Meredith, 28. 

David ap Owen. 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24. 

David Chwith ap David, 53. 

David Lloyd ap Rhys Wvnn, 99. 

David Llwyd, ap Gruff Vaughan, 63, 77. 

Davies, Dr., near Brecknock, 69. 

Davies of Caerhwn, 94. 

Davies, Richard, Bishop of St. David's, 93, 94, 96. 

Davies, T., Chancellor of Bangor, 94. 

Ddanhadog, 83. 

Denbigh Castle, 24, 25. 

Denbigh Land, 18, 25, 27, 30, 31, 32, 34, 49, 51, 55 , 

56. 7*» 75- 
Deudraeth, 21. 

Dolbenman, 43. 

Dolwyddelan, xiv, 6, u, 15, 73, 74, 80, 8i, 95. 

Dorothy, dau. of Sir Wm. Grunydd, 101. 

Dwyfor Mill, 43. 

Dymoc, James, of Willington, xoi. 

Dyffryn Clwyd, 17, 23, 24, 46. 




Ednyted Vaughn,. 56. 

Edward the Fun, 35, a6. 27, 43, 71. 

Edward the Fourth, 49, 54, 74, 75, 

Edward (be Third, 30. 

Edwal, ij. 

Egletts, the three, 3,32. 

Eglwys Vach, 28. 

Einion ap Cariadog, IQ, 13, 24, 15, 26, 17, 52, 5:. 

Einion ap Gruff., ap. 

Einion ap Gruff, ap Jockes, S3. 

Einion ap Syaillt, 10. 

Einion ap Ithel, 33, 38. 

Elen, dau. of Meredith ap Jevan. 86. 

Elen, wife ot Edward Stanley, 86. 

Eliesmerc, lordship 01". 33. 

Kills ap Cadwalader. 69, 70. 

Ellis Ellis, ton oi Owen Ellis, 70. 

Ellis. James son of Ellis Mauris, 00. 

Elliw, dan. of Meredith ap Jevan, 87. 

Elizabeth, dau. of Meredith ap Jevan, 86. 

Emma, lister to Hen. the Second, 15, 18. 

Englefield, 33, 24. 

Eskibion, 19, 

Eva, wife of Cariadog, 19. 

Eva, wife of David ap Gruff. 15, 18. 

Eva (Myvanwy) wife of Howel ap David, 15. 

Evan an Howel, 29. 

Evionydd, 11, 18, 21, 39, 30, 68, 73, 73,76, 77,78. 

Festiniog, 83. 

Fitzwaltcr, Lord, 99, 
Friwlwyd, 17, 53. 

Gallt 7 Morfa-hir, 64. 

Gannocke, (DIganwy), 17. 

Gardd y Win, 37. 

Garreg Big, 81. 

Garth, 83, 

Garthgarmon, 56. 

Gerrard, Sir William, 79. 

Giraldui Cambrensi*. 14. 16. 19, 21. 

Glyn, Maurice, ion of Robert ap Meredith, 97. 

Glynn, W., Bishop of Bangor, 04. 

Glynn. William, L.L.D., 93. 

Glynllygwy, 87. 

Gogo yi Llecbwin, 61. 

Gotheric, King of Man, 18, 13. 

Grey. Lord, 46. 

Griffith ap Howel y Fart, W. 

Griffith, Edmund, 73, 8$, 97, 

Griffith Maelor. 13, 

Griffith, Robert, of Porthaml, 86. 

Griffith, Sir Maurice, 104, 

Griffith, Sir William. 85. 

Gronow ap Owen, 13. 

Gruff ap Cariadog, 19, 33, 34, 33, 17, 51 

Gruff ap Howel, 19. 

tiruff ap Jevan ap Robert, 52. 

Graft ap John ap Gronw, 51, 67. 68. 

Gruff ap John ap Meredith. 46. 

Gruff ap Llewelyn, 19, 33, 33. 

Gruff ap Madog Vaughan, 31, 31. 

Gruff ap Richard of Madryn ista, 37. 

Graff ap Evan of Gwyddgwion, 44. 

Graff ap Robin ap Gruff, 33. 



)EX. 107 

Gruff ap Tudor, 83. " 

Gruff David ap Howel, 30. 

Gruff Goch, 46. 

Gruff Lloyd, 49. 

Gruff Vaughan, son of Jevan ap Robert, 49, 31. 

Gruff, ran of Rodri, 17. iS. 

( i ml"! Wynne of Berth-ddu, 56, 96. 

Gruffith ap Conan, 12, 21, 28, 41. 

Gru tlith ap Richard, 104. 

Gruffydd, Sir William, 10L 

Gruffith Vaughan, 3', 38. 

Gruffith, Will. Chamberlain of N. Wales, 44. 

Gruffith, Wm., of Carnarvon, 97. 

Gruffith. Wm., Doctor ot Arches, 97. 

Gwntrj 11,7s. 

Gwcly wyrion Cynan, 19. 

Gwen, dau. of Meredith ap Jevan, 87, 

Gwenhova, wife of Meredith ap Jevan, 86. 

Uwenhwyfar, wile of Jevan ap Robert ap Meit- 

Gwenhwyfar, wife of R. Salisbury. 31. 
Gwenhwyfar, wife of Thomas ap Robin, 33. 
Gwenlian, dau. of Gwillm ap Evan Lloyd, 87. 
Gwentian, wife of Ivan ap Gruff, 29. 
Gwerville, daughter of Gruff ap Cariadog. 33 
Gwerville, dau. of Einion ap Cariadog. 26, 27. 
Gwerville, wife of Tudor ap Hob-y-dili 19 
Gwladya, 13- 



Gwynn, Dr., 

Hal ton, 36. 
Harlech, 49, 54, 86, 
Havod v Maidd, 69. 
Havod y Wern, *9- 
Hen, Sion, heir of Conway, 31. 
Henblas, 31. 33, 33,56. 
Henry ap Gwillim, 47. 
Henry. Earl of Richmond, 54. 
Henry the Eighth, 63. 
Henry the Fifth, 38. 
Henry the Fourth, 38, 42, 43. 
Henty Lacy, 25, 27, 28, 33, 36, 71. 
Henry the Second. 14. 
Henry the Seventh. 47, 74, 76. 
Henry the Third, 30. 
Herbert, Lord, 33, 75. 
Herbert. Will. Earl of Pembroke, 49. 
H invert bog, 75. 
Hookcs, John, of Conway, 87. 
Hope si and. 69, 
Howel ap David, 19, 30. 
Howel up Jtimnn ap Howel Coetmore, 33, 
Howel ap Griffith, 33. 
Howel ap Gronw, 29, 33. 
Howel ap Gruff., 23, 24, 27. 
Howel ap Jevan ap Meredith, 35. 
Komi ap Jevan ap Pellyn, 83. 
Hinvel ap Jevan ap Rhys Gethin. 74. 
Howel ap Llewelyn, 43, 46. 

Howe) ap Madog Vaughan of Berk in, 76, 77 78. 
Howel ap Rhys ap Howel Vaughan, 43, 50, sr, 38 
59, 6a, 61, 6), 64, 66. 67, 68. 




io8 II 

Howel Coytmor, *vi., 33, 98. 

Howel t nml), 29, 30. 79. 

Hugh Griffith, son of Griffith ap John, 10a, 103. 

Hugh Gwyn ap John Wynne ap Williams, 78. 

Hugh, son of Meredith ap Jevan, 87. 

Hugh, son of Mr. Robert ap Rhys, 63. 

Hugh Owen. 103. 

Humphrey Jones of Cravelyn, 84. 

Humphrey Meredith, son of Meredith ap Jevan, 8 

Illustrations; — 

Brass at Dolwyddelan, liv. 

Dolwvddclan Castle, 73. 

Gwydir in 1720, 57. 

Llanrwst Bridge, g. 

Upper Gwydir, 38. 

Wynn, Sir John, to face title. 

Wynn, Sir Richard, i. 
Ithel Vaughan, 32. 



nip David, 30. 
Jevan ap Einion, 29, 30, 7S. 

Jevan ap Gruff., 10, 31. 
evan ap Howel ap Meredith. 29. 
Jevan ap Howel ap Rhys ap Einion, 33. 
Jevan son of Jevan ap Robert ap Meredith, 49. 
Jevan ap John ap David Vaughan, 54. 
jevan ap John ap Hcilin, 87. 
Jevan ap John ap Meredith, 46. 
Jevan a;i Meredith, 33, 35. 36, 38, 71, 
Jevan ap Robert ap Meredith, 31, 33, 37, 43,48, 
49. 5i. 5*. 53- 55. 5°. 58. 59. 60, 6i, 62, 63, 64, 
66, 67. 7«. 77- 
Jevan David ap Ednyfcd, 83. 
Jevan Krach. 66. 
Jevan Llawdden, 37. 

Jevan son of Meredith, 87. 
evan, son of Meredith Howell, 3a. 
Joane, wife of Llewelyn, 22. 
John ap Madog ap Hoahcll, S3. 
John ap Meredith, 33, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 51, 55, 



John ap Robert, dairyman, 83. 

John Coetmore, 87. 
ohn, Duke of Northumberland, 96. 
John Hen, 3er y Conwey, 32. 
John son of Jevan ap Robert ap Meredith, 49. 
John Owen ap John ap Meredith, 76, 77, 78. 
John of Gaunt, 35, 38. 
John Winn ap Hugh, 104. 
Jones, Sir William, 97. 
Jonet, dau. of Meredith ap Jevan, 85. 
Jonet, wife of Meredith ap Jevan, 87. 

Jonett, dau. of John Spicer, 73. 
ustice, Will" Sutton, 27. 

Ke[n Kyfanedd, 37. 
Kefn y Fan, 30. 33, 38. 
Kefnmelgoed, 64. 



Kelli lydan, 66. 

Keselgvfarch, 30, 33, 38, 4g, 66, 73, 78, 86. 

Kelt's Rebellion, 09, too. 

King James the First, 90, 

K;tk; John, 22. 

King Richard, 74. 

Knivett, Sir Edmund, 99, roo. 

Kowydd to (ohn ap Meredith, 44. 

Kowydd to Meredith ap Ivan, 36. 

Kyffins, 61, 62. 

Leicester, Earl of, 93, 98. 

Lcuki, wife of Gruff, ap Cariadog, 35. 

Lewis ap Howel ap Llewelyn, 33. 

Lewis ap Jevan ap David of Festiniog, 85, 

Lincoln, Earl of, 35, 27. 18, 53, 56, 71. 

Lowarch ap Trahayam, 13. 

Lowarch Goch of Rhos, aa. 

Lowry, dau. of Meredith ap Jevan, 85. 

Lowry, wife of Rhys ap Meredith, 64. 

Llanrwst, *8, 30, 51, 55, 56. 57, 69, 75,93. 

Llanwrothen, 50, 60, 83. 

Llanvihangel y Pennant, 59. 

Llawrudds, 65. 

Lleify, dau. of Rhys ap Einion, 31. 

Llenau, dau. of Howel Sele, 35, 

Llewelyn ap David, 57. 

Llewelyn ap Gruff., 20, 33, 14. 

Llewelyn the Great, 13, 16, 17, 18, 10. 31, : 

*4. 2 7- 
Llowaich Vaughan, 15. 
Llfln, 21, 70. 
Llyn Bodtwnog, 90. 
L!ys Enion, 19. 

Madog Vaughan, 49. 

Maesmynan, 24. 

Maethabrojd, 2S, 30, 51, 56. 

Marged, wife of Thomas ap Rodri, 19, 

Margaret, dau. of Einion ap I the], 35. 

Margaret, dau. ol Hugh Conway, 69. 

Margaret, dau. of Meredith ap Jevan, 85, 86, 

Margaret, wife of T. G. Jenkin, 86. 

Margaret, wife of Meredith ap Jevan, 86. 

Margaret, wife of John Griffith, 87, 

Marsli, wife of Jenkin Conway, 32. 

Maryed, dau. cf Madog ap Meredydd, 15. 

M assacre ol the Bards, 1, 42, 

Mawddwy, 63. 

Meredith ap Howel, 30, 31. 

Meredith ap Hwlkyn Llwyd, 38. 

Meredith ap Howel ap Moris, 6a, 

Meredith ap Jevan ap Meredith, 34, 36. 

Meredith ap Jevan ap Robert ap Meredith, • 

69, 72, 76, 77- 8o. 84. 
Meredith ap Rhys, 33,43. 
Meredith son ol Con*n, 21, 
Meredith, son of Gruff, ap Cariadog, 27. 
Meredydd ap Thomas Gruff., 97. 
Merioneth, 75, 76. 
Monument at Dolwyddetan, xiv. 
Monuments at Llanrwst, xv. 
Morgan, Sir Thomas, 98. 
Morgan, Wra., Bishop St. Asaph, ix, 95. 
Morithig, 28. 




Mom* an John ap Meredith, 46, 67, 68, 76, 77, 86, 
Morvydd, wife of Meredith ap Howe), 30, 33. 
Mostyn, William, 100. 

Nanhorcn, 70. 

Nantconwy, 15, 31, 49, 75, 76, 83, 98. 

Nantwhynen, 58. 

Newton Ctaidog, 53. 

Northampton, Marquis of, 99. 



Orfil 
Owen 
Owen 



of Wales, 63. 

ap Gruff, ap Madog, 51. 

ap Hugh ap Jevan ap William, 83. 

ap John ap Jevan an Robert of Bronyfoel, 37. 

ap John ap Meredith, 36, 46, 68, 76, 77, 78. 
uwcn ap Reinalt, 87. 
Owen Ellis, 70. 

Owen Gwynedd, 10, 12, t3, 14, 44, 31, 78. 
Owen Glyndwr, 33, 38, 75. 
Oweii Holland of Bcrw, 35. 
Owen, John of Ystyracegid, 36, 
Owen Mcredydd, 97. 
■Owen, son of David, 15, 17, 18. 
Owen Tudor, 45, 46. 
Owen Wynne, 69, 

Paget, Lord, 99, 
Parrot, Sir John, 93, 
Pediohsis: — 

Table I., 12. 

Table 11., 28. 

Table III., 48. 

Table IV., 104. 

Pembroke, Earls of, 49, 54, 56, 66, 100. 

Penychen, 25, 53. 

Pen craig Inco, 82. 

Pcnanmen, 74, 81, 82, 83. 

Penmachno, 68. 

Penmorva, 38. 

Penllyn, 19. 

Penyberth, ig, 25, 33. 

Pcnyal, 47. 

Penrhvn Deudraeth, 21, 6a. 

Plas Jolyn, 63. 

Plas y Person, 94. 

Poitiers, 79, 98. 

Powisland, 76, 

Prince of Parma, 98, 103, 

Pritchatd, Capt. , 104. 

Pwllheli, King at, 14. 

Puleston, Sir John, 73, 85. 

Queen Catherine, wife of Owen Tudor, »6. 
Queen Elisabeth. 7 g. 
Queen Mary, 94. 



Khobin Ddu, 43. 

Rhofl and Rheviniog, 17, 18, 19, 13, 24, 15, 71. 

Rhuddlan Castle, 16. 

Rhys ap David ap Gwillym, 85. 

Rhvi ap Kinion Vaughan, 31. 32. 53. S4. S5. 5&- 

Rhys ap Griffith ap Rhys ap Tewdwr Mawr, 16. 

Rhys ap Gruff, ap Rhys ap Ednyfcd Vaughan, 31 



Robin ap Inco, 59, 6o, 66. 

Robert ap Rhys, Abbot of Conway, 63, 

Rhys ap Meredith, 63, 

Rhys ap Tudor, 30. 

Rhys Gethin, 68. 

Rhys Goch, 39. 

Rhys Llewelyn ap David, 56, 37, 

RhysVychan.gi. 

Richard ap Rhys ap Robert, 83. 

Richard Gruff, ap Hugh, 35, 

Richard the Third, 47, gr, 

Richmond, Earl of, 33, 54. 

Robert ap John ap Meredith, 46. 

Robert ap Meredith, Abbot of Bard sty, 37, 38, 

Robert ap Meredith, S3. 

Robin ap Meredith ap Howel, 32. 

Robert ap Meredith ap Howel, 32, 33, 34, 37, 39, 

43i 7'- 
Robert ap Richard, of Llochciddor, 37. 
Robert, son of Jevan ap Robert ap Meredith, 49. 
Robert (a Priest) son of Meredith ap Jevan, 87. 
Robin Jachwr, 57. 

Robin Vaughan ap David, 31, 32, 34, 51,52, 55, 71. 
Robynaon, N., Bishop of Bangor, 92, 
Rodri (Roderick), Lord of Anglesey, 13, 13, 16, IS, 

19. 31, 34,52. 

Roland ap Rhobert, 90. 

Rowland Griffith of Plas Newydd, 73, 8j. 

Rowland, H., Bishop ol Bangor, 90. 

Rys ap Robert, 83. 

Rytherch ap David, 85. 

R/therch ap Jcstin, 53. 

Rytherch ap Jevan Llwyd, 37, 64. 

Rytherch ap Richard, 35. 

Rytherch ap Rhys ap Robert, 83. 

Rytherch son of Meredith ap Jevan, 85, 

Salisbury, Robert. 31, 87. 

Salisbury, Thomas, 31. 

Salusbury, William, of Plasisa, g3, 96, 

Sandde Hardd, 28. 

Sergeant Roberts, Havod y Bwch, 79. 

Skevington, Bishop, 95. 

Sheffield. Lord. 99. 

Shi.it, Sir Martyn, 08. 

Sidnev, Sir Phillip, g8, 104. 

Sir Thomas ap William, 87. 

Somerset, Lord Edward, g8. 

Spicer. John, 73. 

Spur, 63. 



Sway I ho n, Robert, 32. 

Syna, wife of Gruff, ap Llewelyn, 19, 23. 

Talhenbonl. 78. 

Tangwstyl, wife of Llewellyn. «. 

Thelwals of Ruthin, 46, 47. 

Tho' Gruff, ap Nicolas, 47, 

Thomas ap Rhys, 6g. 

Thomas ap Rhys ap Be net, 87. 

Thomas ap Robin, ofKychwillon, 33. 

Thomas ap Rodri, 19. 

Thomas son of Cadwalader, of Wenallt, 8 

Thomas, ion of Rbyi Thomas, 98. 



no 



INDEX. 



T racth M awr, 66. 
Trevors, 61, 62, 69* 
Trevricw, 70* 
Trystan the wise, 41. 
Tudor ap Graft, 50. 
Tador ap Einion, 26, 27, 53. 
Tudor, John, Welsh Herald, 32, 
Todur, Lord of Penychen, 25. 
Torbridge, Robert, 79. 
Twm Sioo Catty, 87. 
Tybrith,56. 
Tylwyth Skm ap Meredith, 44. 

Vanghan, Jenkin Griffith, 97. 

Vanghan, John, grandson of Cadwaladtr of Wen- 

Vanghan, R., Bishop of Bangor, 91. 
Vatighan, Robert, 3, 31. 
Vanghans of Talhenbont, 92. 
VsynoH, Bangor, 83. 

Whdog, 78. 

Will Cariadog, 52, 53. 

William ap Robert of Iscornm, 82. 

William David ap Ellia Eytyn, 69. 

William, Earl of Pembroke, 54. 

William Graft ap Robin, 73, 84. 

Williams, Archbishop, 4. 

Williams, John, Bishop of Lincoln, 96. 

Williams, of Cochwillan, 99. 

Williams, 8ir Edmund, 87. 

Williams, Griffith, D.D., 97 



WilliasaS) Sir John, 87* 

William*, Sir R oge r, 9ft 

WOHama, Sir Morris, 87. 

Williams, Sir Thomas, 18, 19, 

Williams, Sir William, 99 

Wynn, co rr esp o n de nce of Sir John, viii. 

Wynn, Graft son of John Wynn ap Meredydd, 

99> 100 
Wynn, John, Doctor of Arches, 96. . 
Wynn, Monumental I nscripti ons, zr. 
Wynn, Owen, 69. 

Wynn, Owen, son of Graft Wynn, 9& 
Wynn, Robert, son of John Wynn ap Meredydd, 

101. 
Wynn, Sir John, see Gwydir Memorials vii to ariii 

and Introduction, 2 to 8. 
Wynn, Sir Richard, ditto ditto 

Wynn, Sir Richard, of Brrnlrir, X04. 
Wynne, John, ap Meredith, 85, 96. 
Wynne, Rees, 85. 
Wynne, Robert, of Glynn, 33. 
Wynne, Robert, 8a. 
Wynne, William, 84. 

Yerwerth Drwndwn, 13, 15, 16 
York and Lancaster, 75, 
York, Duke o£ 49. 
Yscorebryll, 28 
Yscoram Isgurvai, 72 
Ystrad, 19 
Ystymkegid, 36, 78. 



ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS. 



Page xvi. llou/1 Cotlmori, " Hie Jacet Howe! 
Coctmor ap Graff Vychan ap Coruff." Howcl 
Coetmor and his brother Robert were executors of 
the will of Griffith Vaughan ap Griffith ap David 
Goch, as were Res Gethin and Gruff. Lya, and 
were living n Mar. 21 Rich. II., being Monday in 
the third week of Lent.— Public Records, "Welsh 

Plea Rolls." 

Page 3. note 8. There are several copies of the 
Great Extent of North Walts, as it is called. Two 
of them are in the British Museum, and two in the 
Hengwrt Collection. The whole, with the excep- 
tion of that of Merioneth, were made in 16 Edw. 
III. The Merioneth ■■Evtent" is of 7 Hen. V. 
They are printed in the Record of Carnarvon. 

Page ig, Note 4. Einion ap Seiiylt:— "El 

etiam (Juratores) dicunt quod quidam Eignion ap 
Seysyllt fuit seizitus in dominico suo ut de feodo 
de tota terra que fuit A cat inter Aquas de dyvi 
A dewlas tempore Llewelyn np Jorwerth nupcr 
principis. Et quod terra ilia tunc fuit pare A par- 
cclla Ci.moti de Estimaner in Comitatu Merioneth 
A adhuc de iurc esse debet. Et quod idem Eignion 
ap Seysyllt terrain illam tunc tenuit de Llewelyn 
vim ap Meredith ap Kynan A Llewelyn vychan 
fratre eius dominis de Merioneth in capite Et quod 
idem Eignon propter discentionem A discordiim 
inter ipsoa Llewelyn vawr & Llewelyn vychan et 
ipsum Eignion tunc habitant fugit ad Owenuro 
Kevelock dominum de Powys A devenit tenens 
eius de terra predicia Afecitbomagium & fidelitatem 
suam sibi pro terris predictis. Et sic hucusque 
terra ilia tcnta fuit. Et est parcella dominiorum de 
Powys initiate, Ac." (Extract from the Record of 
an Inquisition held at Bala, on the next Monday 
after the Festival of St. Michael the Archangel, 
6 Hen. VI., in Htngvrl MS. 119}. 

Page j J. For note 7 read 6, for note 6 read 7. 

?*g c 33i nol < *■ For " Now called Yatym- 
cegid," read "Part of the tenement now called 
Ystymcegid." 

P«g* 3 ( ; n °" *■ Mr. Barrington's note as to 






long possess 10 



. of Porkington by the O.vcn 
That estate came intoposaes- 
e Owens by the marriage of John Owen, 
secretary to tie famous Sir Francis Walsingham, 
and a younger son of Owen ap Robert of Bodiclin. 
in Carnarvon ih ire, with Ellin, eldest grand daughter 
and heiress of Sir William Maurice, Km., of Forking. 
ton ; and of Clenenncy in Carnarvonshire, She was 
born, 7 Uct., 1578, married secondly tolh« Hon. Sir 
Francis Eure, Chief Justice of North Wales, a 
younger son of Wm. Lord Eure, and died in i6a6. 
Her first husband was buried at Whitlington 30 
Marsh 161 1-12, and Sir Francis Eure was buried at 
SeUttyn n April 1621. BUdh. (Bleddyn), referred 
to in the note at page 36, was one of the sons of 
Owen Brogyntyn or de Porkinton, Lord Dinmael 
and Edeirnion, who was an illegitimate ton of 
Madoc ap Meredith, Prince of Powis. 

Page 37. Marriage of Robtrt af Mtridith. 
This statement differs from that on page 56. The 
following is from a Pedigree in the autograph of 
the eminent Welsh Genealogist, Griffith Hiraethog. 
in Hengwrt MS., 418, folio 73 :— 

Robert ap Meredith T=Angharad, dau. 
of David ap 
Llewellyn ap 
David by Mar- 
garet dau : 
Rydderch ap 
Jevan Llov/. 
ol the South. 

Page 38, note 4. Read as follows :—'• gth of Hen- 
IV., Hen. V. being then Prince of Wales. Amongst 
the Records of the late Welsh Record Office, is a 
license for Meredith ap Hwlkyn Llwyd to build 
a mill, Ac., Ac," 

Page 45. Rkobin Ddu. Robin (Ddu o Von,) an 
eminent poet who flourished from 1430 to 1470. 
Several of his poems are preserved in Manuscript, 
and among them is one written in 1450, from 
which we learn that he was returning from a pil- 
grimage to Rome, to Pope Nicholas V., in a thip 
with a cargo of wine, bound to Anglesey, bis native 
country.— Williams's Emintnt Wilinmin, p. 4)8. 






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■ PrlnUn ud Uttwgnpbsn, Balky Had, ud OmU RumI, OawaMrr. -V». 1S78 




5 



PEDIGREE OF JONES. 



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Notes to Pedigree of Jones. 



Robt. Wyn ap Jeu'n ap John 
P'teiTe (sic) suis ltd . , > 

Pro terr' voc erw seran 

et p' tenn't voc Tythyn dwy 
P' ter' voc bodlache 



P' tei' voc' ynys y pandy . 
*" ter' in tenure (sic) ■-" 
hoell 



P' ler' in tenure (sic) will'm ap madoc ap 



freth de pennant in perth deon ... 
freth de pennant yn Enys y grywyen .. 
freth de pennant Keysen ysadd 
freth de pennant yn mereiher 
freth de pennant in mwlch rywdyrthen 
freth de penna't in ysallt 



P' ter' voc' drylle y kyenle 

P' ter' voc' ter' merched gwyne 

P' ter' voc' myry ty her 

P' ter' hughe ap madoc in tenure (sic) Ric' 
ap gr ap d'd' 






•iSJ*" 



Morres ap Jeu'n ap John p'ter' voc' Kay mm 
Et p'ter" voc' ter' gwyn y pwll y march 
P* ter' voc' ter' Jeu'n ap Eign ap gwas 
P* ter' voc' ter' Luce [oy Luce] yn Penmorva. 
p' ter' voc' Mr" Jeu'n ap eign ap gwas yn 

bryn coch 

John ap Jeu'n ap Robt. pro ter' voc' Kavyn 

Key veneth 

of Crown 



jxi. 



Brogyniyn, written between zo July 1538, and the year 
'5G3, inclusive. The dotted lines and figures in italic are, in the original, in a paler ink, slightly more 

Award dated 2nd Oct., 1587, contending parties, Wm, Maurice, of Clenenney, Esq., and John ap 
mores ap Jeu'n (leuan) ap John, of Pennyved, eo: Caern : gentleman; Arbitrators, Robert wyn ap 
Elissa and Lewis Anwyll. They adjudge to be the property of the said John " such quantttie St soe 
much of the moore & lands called Gwern Virogle sett & leinge within the cowneshippe of Penryved 
as we the said arbitrators shall meere tread out & appointe to be the lands & medowes of the 
said John ap mores, without interrupcion ejection &c. of the said Wm. Maurice, or his heirs, &e., or 
by any_ coloure of encrotchemems belonging to the right honorable the L. of Leicester," and the said 
William is to make and assure by deeds, Ac. to the said John " all those parcelles of landes rents & here- 
ditaments &c, which arc now in the tenure &c. ol the said John in a close called y Kav mawr, and above 
the hey way of the west and northe syde of the same, within the townshippe of Pennyved, except soe 
much of the laste resyted premisses adjoining to the sayd hey way, as we shall meere " &c. They award 
as the property of the said William Maurice " all those parcelles of lands arrable medowe & pasture &c. 



imonly called dryllie y madu lloyd, within the 
verch Robert ap Eign." 



as "Robert son and heir" 
> the Brynlure, of Brynkir.- 



iship of Treflys, in the tenure &c. : at Jonedd 



t Brogyntyn.J 

e " Pedigree of Joe 



"Robert wynn ap Elissa" 
" By me Lewis Anwyll" (and 
duly seated).