(message à l' intention des personnes intéressées par ce sujet : transmettez toutes nouvelles informations à ce sujet ou autour de ce sujet à "Boisgarin" (message sur cette base généalogique, ou par e-mail à [emailprotected]
Francis Gourvil : "TOPONYMIE BRETONNE et GALLOISE" in Tome CX Bulletin de la Société Archéologique du Finistère 1982, de la page 123 à la page 146 ; mot COETTEN à la page 133.
063 COETTEN (Arthur) enPambrokeshire, où ce nom désigne un dolmen. Finistère: Coattan en Saint-Pierre-Quilbignon, Coat-Tan en Saint-Méen et Loqueffret. Le toponyme peut aussi se décomposer en Coat-tann "bois de chênes" Francis Gourvil.
Full text of "Old Cowbridge, borough, church, and school"
https://archive.org/stream/oldcowbridgeboro00hopkiala/oldcowbridgeboro00hopkiala_djvu.txt
Miss Maud Gunter, B.A., of the High School, Cowbridge, has helped me much .... COWBRIDGE WILLS AND ADMINISTRATIONS . ...... Coetten Arthur, Llandidwg.
https://archive.org/stream/oldcowbridgeboro00hopkiala/oldcowbridgeboro00hopkiala_djvu.txt
Le comté de Glamorgan (en gallois Morgannwg) est un ancien royaume puis comté du sud du Pays de Galles, divisé lui-même en plusieurs comtés depuis la réforme de administrative de 1974, dont la capitale était Cardiff.
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glamorgan
http://www.y-bont-faen.wales.info
http://www.y-bont-faen.wales.info
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cowbridge_with_Llanblethian
https://archive.org/stream/oldcowbridgeboro00hopkiala/oldcowbridgeboro00hopkiala_djvu.txt
http://www.y-bont-faen.wales.info
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipédia:Accueil_principal
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aberystwyth
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Université_de_Bangor
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Université_de_Swansea
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Université_du_pays_de_Galles_Trinity_Saint_David
6.1 - Université de Glamorgan
L'Université de Glamorgan (en gallois : Prifysgol Morgannwg) est une université nationale britannique, située à Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Pays de Galles ...
Université de Glamorgan — Wikipédiahttps://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Université_de_Glamorgan
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Université_de_Glamorgan
THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES, JAMES MILES, "OLD COWBRIDGE BOROUGH, CHURCH, AND SCHOOL" BY LEMUEL JOHN HOPKIN-JAMES, Clerk, Doctor in Civil and Canon Law, of Trinity College, Dublin ; Master of Arts, of Queens' College, Cambridge ;Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, of London ; Rector of Cowbridge.ILLUSTRATED BY MRS. ADELAIDE WILLIAMS AND OTHERS. CARDIFF : THE EDUCATIONAL PUBLISHING COMPANY, LTD. LONDON: 9, SOUTHAMPTON STREET, HOLBORN, W.C.I. 1922. MADE AND PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN.
Full text of "Encyclopaedia Britannica Dict.A.S.L.G.I.11thEd.Chisholm ...https://archive.org/stream/...a.s.l.../02.EncycBrit.11th.1910.v.2.AND-AUS._djvu.txt... daughter of Sir John Philipps of Picton Castle, Pembrokeshire, was born at Dublin ...... between the individual coralla, and b distinguished as chymc.
Full text of "Old Cowbridge, borough, church, and school"https://archive.org/stream/.../oldcowbridgeboro00hopkiala_djvu.tx...
A Survey of the possessions of the Earl of Pembroke. ...... As Budoc had a dedication inPembrokeshire so might his mother in ...... 10.
fortr is!j0p of flanfraff.
My dear Lord,
The work which I have the honour of dedicating to myBishop is the outcome of my appointment by your Lordship to acure of souls in the heart and centre of a neighbourhood of greathistoric interest.
It has been my experience that parishioners dearly love to hearsomething of the history of their past and appreciate its applicationto their present.
You may remember how that great and wise prelate, Dr. Creighton,Bishop of London, recommended the study of parochial history tohis clergy on grounds other than that of its great value for the increaseof historical knowledge :
"... anything which tells the story of the long process bywhich the place in which your people live came to be what it is nowappeals at once to the mind.
" It is well that men should know the value of the heritage whichthey now enjoy, and so should feel their responsibility for its main-tenance and improvement. It is well that they should know theinfluences which moulded the past and should be taught their abidingforce.
" In a country village especially, teaching cannot be confinedto the pulpit, but must be carried into every profitable sphere.
" Simple talk with simple folk about things which interestyourself is always sure to be appreciated, and will be profitable forgood to yourself as well as to them. Whatever your personal interestsmay be and every man ought to have some -make them availableto those around you. It is by identifying your life with that of yourpeople that you will best succeed in teaching them the high truthsentrusted to your care. To them all else leads up, and by themeverything is illumined." (The Church and the Nation, 118-119.)
574721
iv DEDICATION continued
It has been my happy experience, my Lord, that such mattersinterest not only " the rich man in his castle," but " the poor manat his gate " no less, and amongst the subscribers to this work willbe found the names of many of such, to whom I2s. 6d. means much,but whose appreciation I greatly value.
The work is an expansion of sermons, addresses, and lecturesdelivered from time to time during the course of my duties as parishpriest of your cure and mine, and as your rural dean, and, therefore,I feel there is no person to whom I could more appropriately dedicatemy book than to my Bishop, whose Apostolic labours and gentlenessof character are an example to us all.
I have the honour to be, my Lord,With much respect,
Yours sincerely and dutifully,
L. J. HOPKIN-JAMES.
Llanblethian Vicarage,Cowbridge.
All Saints' Day, 1922.
PREFACE.
A work of this character involves thanks at every turn forinformation received, as the details of the narrative come frombooks and papers, deeds and documents, men and women, andfrom the silent world around, whose stones and earthworks speakto us in their way, and tell the story of the past.
If I were to say to whom I am grateful I should have togive a very long list of all to whom I owe letters, or reminiscences,or advice and most of their names will be found in the text ofthe work.
I am especially indebted to the lady whose illustrations haveadded greatly to the value of the book Mrs. Adelaide Williams,of the Cairns, Llanblethian.
Miss Maud Gunter, B.A., of the High School, Cowbridge,has helped me much by her work in providing an Index andthe maps.
There are many others to whom my thanks are due.
The Rev. W. F. Evans, M.A., late Headmaster of CowbridgeGrammar School, and Fellow of Jesus College, Oxford, hasthroughout the progress of the work given me the benefit ofcounsel, advice, and criticism from his wide and extensive reading,long experience, and great knowledge of the district of Cowbridge.
My friend has also read the proof sheets with the Rev. D. N.Da vies.
Mrs. Augusta Jenkins, of the Rectory, St. Athan, Glam., hasgiven assistance by her researches at the Record Office. Herreferences have made it possible to have photographs takenof the originals, which have enabled me to make the transcriptsat home.
My son, the Rev. D. Hopkin James, B.A., now of Rhymney,Mon., has typed several MSS. for the work.
Colonel Homfray, D.L., of Penllyn Castle, contributed informa-tion concerning the Glamorgan Hounds and the present reparationof Llanfrynach Church and Churchyard.
Mr. Harris, Mr. Arthur Gwyn, Mr. W. L. Jenkins, andMr. David Tilley have lent me papers.
vi PREFACE continued
The Mayor and Corporation of Cowbridge most readily gavepermission to inspect all their deeds and documents, books, andpapers.
The Town Clerk, Mr. W. T. Gwyn, as custodian of themuniments of the Corporation, has shown me every possiblekindness and consideration in allowing that inspection to be madeunder the most time-saving conditions.
I must say the same of Mr. R. Williams, M.C., M.A., theHeadmaster, with regard to the treasures of the Grammar School.
Lady Mansel Franklen, and Miss Nicholl of Woodford, havelent me portraits and engravings.
The select library of Welsh Ecclesiastical books possessed byMonsignor Paul Hook, Ph.D., was of great assistance during thesummer holidays at Aberystwyth, as was also the loan of booksby Dr. Diverres on the same occasion.
Thanks are also due to his_ Grace the Archbishop of Cardiff ;to Mr. Harris, of the Bute Estate, and Mr. Morgan ; to the Keeperof the MSS. at the British Museum ; to Dr. Hardy, Principal ofJesus College, Oxford ; to Bodley's Librarian and his staff ; toMr. John Ballinger, M.A., Dr. Diverres, his assistant, and themost efficient staff at the National Library of Wales ; to Mr. HarryFarr, of the Cardiff Free Library ; to Mr. Jones, Director andLibrarian of the Royal Institution of South Wales, at Swansea ;to the Rev. John Jenkins, M.A., B.Litt. (Gwili) ; to ProfessorGruffydd, M.A. ; to Mr. Griffith Williams, M.A., and Mr. E. J.Jones, M.A. ; to Sir Goscombe John ; to Dr. Fisher, Canon ofSt. Asaph ; to the Rev. T. Shankland, M.A. ; to the Rev. H. ElvetLewis, M.A. ; to Mr. A. G. Howell, Registrar of Llandaff Diocese ;to the authorities at the Probate Office at Llandaff ; to theVen. A. O. Evans, Archdeacon of Bangor ; to Mr. Arthur Wright,B.Sc., of Pengam, Glam., whose knowledge of the Bells of theDiocese of Llandaff is second to none, and who has furnished thiswork with his survey of the Bells of Cowbridge, Llanblethian,and Welsh St. Donats.
I have also to thank Mr. Iltyd B. Nicholl, F.S.A., and ColonelBradney.
The people of the place have been most ready to give thebenefit of whatever local knowledge they possess, in a courteousand kindly manner.
PREFACE continued vii
Mr. Short, of the Educational Publishing Company, hasobliged me by the benefit of his advice and experience in allmatters connected with the production of the book, and has donehis best to make publishing a pleasure from the author's pointof view.
My obligations to others, no less because they are notmentioned here, will be found in the text. If I have forgottenany I ask their pardon.
I beg to thank my Lords the Archbishops of Wales andCardiff ; the Bishops of St. Davids, Llandaff, and Monmouth ;the Marquis of Bute, the Earl of Plymouth, and Lord Tredegar,for their kind patronage of the work, and the 400 subscribers ofall grades of society who have made its publication possible.
SOME ABBREVIATED REFERENCES.
Arch. Camb. = " Archaeologia Cambrensis."
Cartae = Mr. G. T. Clark's " Cartae et Munimenta de Glamorgan." infour volumes. A few corrections were made from the new edition, insix volumes, as the work was going through the press.
C. in E. B. = " Christianity in Early Britain," by Dr. Hugh Williams.(Clarendon Press. 1912.)
Limbus Patrum = The alternative title of Mr. G. T. Clark's " The Genealogiesof Morgan and Glamorgan," published by Wyman and Sons, London,A.D. 1886.
M.M. = "A Descriptive Catalogue of the Penrice and Mar gam AbbeyManuscripts, etc.," by Dr. Walter de Gray Birch, F.S.A. In six volumes.
Myv. Arch. = The Myvyrian Archaiology of Wales.N.L.W. = The National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth.P.R.O. = Tl-e Public Record Office, London.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Page
DEDICATION. .. .. .. .. .. .. iii
PREFACE. v
SOME ABBREVIATED REFERENCES. ix
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS .. .. .. .. . . xv
LIST OF MAPS .. .. .. .. .. .. xv
PART I. THE BOROUGH.
I. THE BOROUGH . . . . . . . . . . 1
II. THE ROMAN BOVIUM AND THE WELSH PEN YCHEN . . 7
III. FROM THE ROMAN OCCUPATION TO THE NORMAN CONQUEST 11
IV. NORMAN COWB RIDGE . . . . . . . . . . 13
V. THE LAWS OF COWBRIDGE . . . . . . . . 25
VI. SURVEYS, CHARTERS, AND PRESENTMENTS . . . . 45
VII. THE GUILD AND TOWN HALL . . . . . . . . 53
VIII. MUNICIPAL OFFICERS AND THE ROLL OF FREEMEN . . 61
IX. THE TOWN WALLS, GATES, AND DITCHES . . . . 69
X. COWBRIDGE AND THE WARS . . . . . . . . 75
XI. THE AFFRAYS OF COWBRIDGE . . . . . . . . 86
XII. lOLO MORGANWG AND COWBRIDGE . . . . . . 88
XIII. CARLYLE AND COWBRIDGE . . . . . . . . 95
XIV. MISCELLANEA . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
THE PEOPLE'S FOOD . . . . . . . . 99
POOR LAW ADMINISTRATION . . . . . . 100
THE UNFORTUNATE .. .. .. .. 101
THE CHARITIES .. ., .. ..101
PARISH PUMPS .. .. .. .. 101
THE PARISH POUND .. .. .. ..101
THE POST OFFICE .. .. .. ..101
THE WINDOW TAX . . . . . . 102
PARLIAMENTARY REPRESENTATION . . . . 102
A PEDIGREE . . . . . . . . . . 102
MICHAELMAS EVE . . . . . . . . 102
MARRIAGE OF THE PRINCE OF WALES . . . . 104
A VISITOR TO COWBRIDGE AND A ROMANCE . . 104
THE FIRST PRINTING PRESS IN EAST GLAMORGAN
AND THE STORY OF A DICTIONARY . . . . 105
PAVEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . 106
THE RACES . . . . . . . . 106
THE GLAMORGAN HOUNDS 107
xii TABLE OF CONTENTS continued
XIV. MISCELLANEA continued : Page
GAS .. .. .. .. ..108
THE INSTITUTE . . . . . . . . 108
THE RAILWAY . . . . . . . . 108
THE INNS OF COWBRIDGE . . . . . . 108
THE REVELS . . . . . . 109
THE GLAMORGAN Cow . . . . . . 109
POSTING RIVALS . . . . . . ..110
A DEVELOPMENT IN JURISPRUDENCE . . . . Ill
SHOPPING AT COWBRIDGE .. .. .. Ill
A JOURNEY TO BATH .. .. .. 112
THE WAY OF THE CORPSE .. .. .. 113
THE LAST MARI LWYD .. .. .. 113
THE TOWN STOCKS .. .. .. ..115
THE GREAT Ox .. .. .. ..115
XV. MISCELLANEOUS DEEDS AND DOCUMENTS .. .. 116
XVI. LAND MARKS AND PLACE NAMES .. .. .. 119
XVII. COWBRIDGE WILLS AND ADMINISTRATIONS .. .. 125
PART H. THE CHURCH.
THE CHURCH . . . . . . . . . . 131
LLANBLETHIAN AND HER CHAPELS . . . . . . . . 135
ST. SENWARA ON THE THAWE . . . . . . . . 138
SAINT ZENOR . . . . . . . . . . 139
COWBRIDGE CHURCH . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
THE CONNECTION WITH LLANBLETHIAN, TEWKESBURY, AND GLOUCESTER 140
VILLA FRATRUS . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
THE CHANTRY .. .. .. .. .. .. 141
THE HOLY CROSS OF COWBRIDGE . . . . . . . . 142
THE SOUTH AISLE . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
THE TOWER . . . . . . . . . . 143
THE ROYAL FOUNDATION . . . . . . . . 145
THE ALTAR OF ST. NICHOLAS . . . . . . . . . . 147
VALOR ECCLESIASTICUS . . . . . . . . . . 147
LELAND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
RETURNS TO CANTERBURY . . . . . . . . 148
" ST. MARY'S" .. .. .. .. .. ..148
LEWYS MORGANWG . . . . . . . . . . 148
THE ORNAMENTS OF THE CHURCH . . . . . . . . 151
THE PEWS . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
THE BAILIFFS AND THE BURIALS . . . . . . . . 153
THE MONUMENTS .. .. .. .. .. 153
JUDGE JENKINS OF HENSOL . . . . . . . . . . 157
DR. MALKIN . , 160
TABLE OF CONTENTS continued xiii
Pase
NICHOLL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
ADMIRAL EDWARDES . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
EDMONDES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
HARNESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
RICH .. .. .. .. .. .. ..162
THE CHURCH BELLS . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
THE TERRIER . . . . . . . . . . 165
THE ORGANS AND ORGANISTS . . . . . . . . 167
THE REGISTERS . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
THE COWBRIDGE LIBRARY . . . . . . . . . . 172
THE STRUCTURE OF THE CHURCH .. .. .. .. 175
ACTS OF THE CORPORATION AND THE VESTRIES, ETC. . . . . 176
THE CLERGY OF COWBRIDGE .. .. .. .. .. 181
AN ABORTIVE MOVEMENT .. .. .. .. ..183
How THE CHURCH WAS SERVED .. .. .. .. 187
INCUMBENTS OF COWBRIDGE . . 191
SOME LOCAL ROMAN CATHOLICS .. .. .. 195
THE ORIGIN OF NONCONFORMITY IN COWBRIDGE.. .. .. 200
THE METHODISTS .. .. .. .. 201
THE WESLEYANS . . . . . . . . 203
THE BAPTISTS . . . . . . . . 204
OF WHAT DENOMINATION ? . . . . . . 206
PART III. THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL :
AN ESSAY ON ITS ORIGIN . . . . . . 207
SIR LEOLINE JENKINS . . . . . . 236
LIFE IN COWBRIDGE SCHOOL IN THE EIGHTEENTH
CENTURY . . . . . . . . 248
" THE GOLDEN BOOK " OF THE SCHOOL . . 250
THE SCHOOL AND THE WAR . . . . . . 253
SOME DISTINGUISHED SONS OF THE SCHOOL . . 254
Two NOTABLE BROTHERS . . . . . . 259
ARCHDEACON T. WILLIAMS . . . . 261
HEADMASTERS OF COWBRIDGE SCHOOL . . . . 263
APPENDIX.
A.
THE HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS . . . . . . . . . . 279
B.
TRADITIONS CONCERNING OWEN GLYNDWR 279
xiv TABLE OF CONTENTS continued
PageC.
(1). GLAMORGAN CASTLES . . . . . . . . ... 280
(2). ANCIENT REMAINS IN GLAMORGAN . . . . . . 283
(3). RELIGIOUS HOUSES IN GLAMORGAN . . . . . . 285
(4). RUINED CHAPELS IN GLAMORGAN . . . . . . . . 285
D.
COWBRIDGE AND THE WELSH POETS . . . . . . . . 286
E.
Full text of "Encyclopaedia Britannica Dict.A.S.L.G.I.11thEd.Chisholm ...https://archive.org/stream/...a.s.l.../02.EncycBrit.11th.1910.v.2.AND-AUS._djvu.txt... daughter of Sir John Philipps of Picton Castle, Pembrokeshire, was born at Dublin ...... between the individual coralla, and b distinguished as coetten- chymc.Full text of "Old Cowbridge, borough, church, and school"https://archive.org/stream/.../oldcowbridgeboro00hopkiala_djvu.tx...
1.2.Traduire cette pageA Survey of the possessions of the Earl of Pembroke. ...... As Budoc had a dedication inPembrokeshire so might his mother in ...... Coetten Arthur, Llandidwg. 10.
LLANFRYNACH CHURCH . . . . . . . . . . 290
F.THE ITINERARY OF THE ARCHBISHOP GALFRIDUS . . . . 296
G.
INSCRIPTIONS :
(1). AT LLANBLETHIAN . . . . . . 298
(2). Ax COWBRIDGE . . . . . . 298
H.
ELEMENTARY EDUCATION. . . . . . . . . . . 299
I.
AN ADDRESS TO THE BOYS OF COWBRIDGE SCHOOL . . ... 30 1
J.
THE JUDICIOUS EDMONDES . . . . . . . . . . 302
K.
BOROUGH, CHURCH, AND SCHOOL. . . . . . . . . 306
ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS .. .. .. .. ..311
LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS.. .. .. .. .. .. 315
INDEX 325
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
All the Illustrations, with the exception of the portraits of the Rev.H. S. Plumtre, Sir John Nicholl, Dr. Durel, and the print of LlanfrynachChurch (2), are the work of Mrs. Adelaide Williams, of "The Cairns,"Llanblethian, Cowbridge.
PageTHE CORPORATION SEAL, A.D. TO A.D. 1762 .. .. 2
BUCK'S VIEW OF THE CASTLES IN 1741 .. .. .. .. 17
ST. QUINTIN'S CASTLE, 1786 (from an old print) .. . . .. 19
THE " CUCKINGE STOOLE FOR SCOULDINGE " . . . . 32
COWBRIDGE OLD TOWN HALL AND HIGH CROSS (1) . . 53
ONE OF THE COWBRIDGE MACES . . . . . . 62
THE OLD TOWN WALL . . . . . . . . 69
THE OLD SOUTH GATE, COWBRIDGE . . . . . . 70
EGLWYS LLANDDUNWYD WELSH ST. DONAT'S CHURCH . . . . 78
LLANBLETHIAN (1) . . . . . . . . . . 96
LLANBLETHIAN (2) . . . . . . . . . . 97
THE SOUTH GATE AND THE TOLL GATE . . . . . . 98
COWBRIDGE STOCKS .. .. .. .. .. ..115
THE THAWE, " COUNSEL TUTT," AND THE CHURCH . . . . 131
LLANBLETHIAN CHURCH AND CROSS . . . . . . . . 135
WAUN-Y-GAER, COWBRIDGE CHURCH, AND THE SCHOOL . . . . 140
THE TOWER, COWBRIDGE CHURCH . . . . . . 144
SEAL OF RICHARD III AFFIXED TO THE CHARTER OF COWBRIDGE CHURCH 145
THE CARNE ARMS . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
FOUR COATS OF ARMS .. .. .. .. .. .. 155
JUDGE JENKINS .. .. .. .. .. ..158
LEANING ARCHES AND PILLARS, COWBRIDGE CHURCH .. .. 176
REVEREND HENRY SCAWEN PLUMTRE, M.A. . . . . . . 194
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL (1) .. .. .. .. .. 207
THE OLD TOWN HALL AND HIGH CROSS (2) . . . . . . 221
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL (2) . . . . . . . . . . 230
SIR LEOLINE JENKINS, KNT., LL.D. . . . . . . . . 237
SIR JOHN NICHOLL, KNT., D.C.L. . . . . . . . . 258
COWBRIDGE OLD FREE (GRAMMAR) SCHOOL, SOUTH GATE, AND POUND 277
DR. DUREL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
LLANFRYNACH CHURCH (1) . . . . . . . . . . 290
LLANFRYNACH CHURCH (2) . . . . . . . . . . 291
LIST OF MAPS.
(By Miss M. GUNTER, B.A.).
PageOLD COWBRIDGE . . . . . . . . . . . . xvi
THE VALE OF GLAMORGAN . . . . . . . . . . 130
COWBRIDGE AND DISTRICT At the end
COWBRIDGE BOROUGH,CHURCH, AND SCHOOL.
I. THE BOROUGH.
COWBRIDGE as it is called in English, but Pontfaen asit is known in Welsh, is situated on the main road fromLondon to Milford Haven, a little more than twelvemiles from the ancient town and modern city of Cardiff.
The prospect which meets the eye on the approach to Cow-bridge from the east is both pleasant and beautiful and 'cannotbe described better than in the words of Donovan :
' ' The moment we approached within sight of Cowbridgeour attention was powerfully arrested with the sudden exposureof a burst of scenery, very far superior to any we had beforesurveyed in this part of the country.
" Within a mile or two of the town the road slopes graduallyover the easy brow of a prodigiously extensive and very loftyhill, from whence this charming expanse of landscape, which hadbeen previously concealed for the most part behind the obtrusivehill, breaks unexpectedly upon the view of the admiring traveller.
" For the space of many miles surrounding this exalted spot,the eye embraces an endless succession ot gently undulating hillsand plains, broken and diversified with ten thousand lines ofverdure ; dark fleeting shadows, marking the progress of passingclouds, with intermingled tints of the deepest ruddy brown ; andlands waving with the earnest of a prosperous harvest, or preparingfor cultivation beneath the hand of tillage. These extensive low-lands lie stretched like a map before the extended vision ; softeningand harmonizing their contrasted hues as they recede in thedistance from our point of observation. Beyond these, we discoverfeatures of a more imposing character, a vast range of hills thatbound the horizon to the north-west, among which we observethe lofty summits of the hills, that occupy a central position inthe very heart of Glamorgan. Directly before us, the toweringslope of Penline hill, crested by its castle, rises to consideration. . . With such sublime accompaniments of scenic wildness, have2
2 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
we once beheld the lovely Vale of Cowbridge." (DescriptiveExcursions, etc. 307-310.)
The earliest forms which the name takes in English are :1295-6, Cubrigg ; 1305, Coubrigge ; 1306, Coubrug ; 1310,Coubrugge ; 1336, Coubrugg.
THE CORPORATION SEAL, A.D TO A.D. 1762.
The Corporation seal in use before A.D. 1762 bears the legendS. COMMYNE DE : CHOVBRUGGE. This old seal has dis-appeared, but, fortunately, there is an 'impression of it remainingon an Indenture of 1st February, 1702-3. The new seal (nowcalled the old seal) came into being in A.D. 1762 : " ... it isordered that the common seal formerly used ... be henceforthabolished." It appears in the Proceedings of the Society ofAntiquaries, Vol. xv, p. 453, as an example of the depth towhich the art of seal-making had fallen in the eighteenth century.
In all probability, there was a bridge at Cowbridge in Celtictimes or during the Roman occupation, for we have evidence ofsuch in the seventh century when the anonymous geographer ofRavenna flourished. The printed volume which contains hiswork bears upon its title page :
THE BOROUGH 3
ANONYMI
RAVENNATIS
OUI CIRCA SAECULUM VII
VIXIT
DE GEOGRAPHIA . . .MDCLXXXVIII.
Therein we read : " XXXI. In oceana vero occidentale, estinsula quae dicitur Britannia . . . (p. 297) . . In qua Britanniaplurimus fuisse legimus civitates & castra, ex quibus aliquantasdesignare volumus, id est Giano ... (p. 298). . . Leucomago,Cimetzone, Punctuobice, Venta Silurum ... (p. 300)."
According to our greatest antiquaries this Punctuobice isCowbridge : " Bomio, rectius Bovio Boverton in Glamorgania.Non procul abest Cowbridge, quod vocabulum puto latere inRavennatis Pontuobice, i.e. Pont-i-bwch Britannis, Pons Vaccae,Pons bovinus, aut Bosporus." (Gale, Antonini Iter. MDCCIX.125.)
In a learned paper described as " Observations on the JuliaStrata," read by Preb. Harris before the Society of Antiquaries in1763, we have some further elucidation as to this curious name :" Cowbridge, the Punctuobice of the monk of Ravenna, or Pontuobicemore properly of Dr. Gale . . . The learned Dr. Gale is of opinionthat the word Pontuobice is a corruption of the Welsh Pont yVuwch (as he should say) which means Cowbridge, though forwant of better knowledge of the Welsh tongue, he terms it Pont ibwch, which is Buck bridge ; & he certainly has not deviated fromthe truth, for though the town be at present called Pontfaen orPont vaen . . . which implies stone bridge, yet before the buildingof the present bridge, which has no sides, & is low, & pitched orflagged with small stones or pebbles after an uncommon manner,the town was in Welsh probably called Pont y Vuwch, and in theWestern extremity of the liberties of the; Corporation, hi the wayto Neath, there is a little bridge to convey land floods from anadjoining field or two, which is about three feet in diameter, &the height of the arch above two feet, which to this day is calledPont y Vuwch or the Bridge of the Cow." (Archaeologia, ii, 14.)
Since the days of Walters and lolo there has been somecontroversy as to whether the proper Welsh form of the place-nameis Pontfaen or Pont-y-fon.
The first appearance of the form Pont-y-fon is in the imprintof lolo's Elegy to the present writer's ancestor, Lewis Hopkin.This was printed at Cowbridge in 1772 and bears upon the titlepage :
4 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
Dagrau yr Awen
neu
Farvvnad 'Lewis Hopcin Fardd
oLandyfodwg ym Morganwg
lorwerth Gwilim
o Dre-Fflemmin ym Morganwg
a'i cant 1772.
Pont-y-Fon :
Argraphwyd gan R. TomasM,DCC,LXXII.
Walters, in his Dictionary, gives his reasons why the properform of the place-name should be Pont-y-fon and not Pontfaen :" Cowbridge. . . . Y Bont faen. N.B. Pont faen (i.e. Stone-bridge)seems to be nothing but a corruption of Pont yf on (i.e. Cowbridge ;). . . The Bon signifies a Cow and Y Fon the Cow is clearfrom the following Proverbs, viz. -Y sawl a biau'r hen fon, ym'aeledyn ei chynffon : i.e. Let him, whose the old cow is, lay hold ofits tail (in order to assist it to rise :) quasi dicas, Let him, who- isinterested in the affair, take the toil upon him. Newydd bennygyr hen fon ; i.e. New (young) tripe in an old cow : a Proverbused to express one's disbelief of an improbable story ; as if oneshould say I as much believe it as I do that there is young tripein an old cow. It may serve to corroborate what hath been hereoffered to mention . . . that an ancient Chorographer, surnamedRavennas, writes it, PONTUOBICE, as it should seem, for PONTY BUCK, PONT Y FUCH, alias PONT Y FON, and that thereis at this day, at the West end of the Town, a little bridge calledPONT Y FUWCH."
What Walters said as to the existence of Pontyfuwch is quitecorrect, though in all probability hardly a single inhabitant inCowbridge at the present time has ever heard of it.
The references to it in chronological order are : " 1570. ASurvey of the possessions of the Earl of Pembroke. . . . RobertThomas holds by similar letters patent at Cardiff under the sealof the Chancellor there ... in the 18th year . . *of Henry VIIfor the term of 99 years all the demesne lands within the fee ofLlanblethian which lie between Lez Thawe on the East side andthe road leading from the bridge called Cowbridge in a circuitousdirection from Pen Rees Hill to the Water aforesaid on the Westand North side & the Ville of the suburbs of Cowbridge on theSouth side containing in all by estimation 84 acres."
THE BOROUGH 5
In a " Survey of Cowbridge Burrough " in 1630 : " . . . thesaid Jury do say that . . . Llanblethian doth compass . . .Cowbridge . . . and doth extend to the port way near a mearstone and a stone bridge commonly called Cowe-bridge north westof the said Burrough. And they also do say that the sameBurrough doth mear and bound from the way or lane leading fromCowbridge towards St. Hilary and Bewpeir on the East part to thebridge called Cowbridge on the West part."
1701, from "Thomas Wilkins of Lanblethian his book tran-scribed by Edward Lloyd of the Museum 1701 " : " Cowbridgeused execution at ye west end of ye town near pont-y-fywchwherein it hath its domination of Cowbridge, & ye place calledHangman's hill." In a later hand there is the following addition :" Pontyfywch at the west end of Cowbridge near the Darrenrock. Trios. Bere."
In an abstract of Title of Thomas Wyndham, Esq., whichrecites Indentures of 1724 : " saith erw pont y Bych heretoforedivided into three pieces abutting to the Highway leading toPenlline on the South West part."
In documents belonging to the Corporation of Cowbridge :" 1765. We present the Footway ... at the Darren to Ponty Vuch . . . ' " 1791. We present that the Bridge commonlycalled Pont-y-Fywch within the said Town is ruinous and out ofRepair and the Passage of Water thereunder and from thenceunder the Turnpike Road is too Narrow for the Conveyance thereof,and that the said Bridge ought to be repaired and widened byand at the expense of the Inhabitants of the said Town ofCowbridge. '
We do not agree with either Walters or lolo that Pontfaenis a corruption of Pont-y-fon, for several reasons.
There is evidence that the Welsh name for the place wasfor many centuries Pontfaen and no evidence to show that it wasever called Pontyfon before the latter half of the eighteenthcentury.
The references to the " Stonebridge " are very numerous, andamong them the following are but a few :
" In hac provincia sunt Netha, super rlumen ejusdem nominis,Pontfain, i. pons lapidea, Angli falso COVVBRIG, id est, pontemvacciniam vocant " (Commentarioli Britannicae DescriptionisFragmentum Auctore Humfredo Lhyyd. Coloniae . . . MDLXXI.)
" In this province are Neth upon a River of the same name,Pontfayn, that is to say Stonebrydge, Englishmen falsly callit Cowbridge." (Lhuyd. The Breuiary of Britayne. 1573.80-81.)
6 HISTORY OF OLD COWBR1DGE
"... and Cowbridge towne alias Pont Vaen, in the middest."(History of Cambria by Caradog of Llancarfan. Translated intoEnglish by H. Lhuyd, gentleman, London, 1584. p. 123.)
"... upon which more within land standeth Cowbridge theBritons of the stone bridge ca-11 it Pont Van, a mercate town."(Camden.)
"... a stone bridge commonly called Cowe-bridge north-west of the said Burrough." (Survey of 1630 )
" Pontfaen or Pontvaon . . . which implies stone-bridge."(Harris, Archaeologia. ii. 14.^
" Cowbridge in Wales, auncyently called Pont Vaine, i. PonsSaxeus vel Lapideus, howsoever it came to be Cowbridge."(Lambarde's " Description," 1730.)
In Leland's MS. of " Collectanea " there is information senthim by some Welsh friend some time between the years 1535-40 :" Ddaw currens per Pont vayn, habens originem spatio illiuspassuum duorum milium in loco vccato pant Llywyth, id est,vallis collorata. . . . Item est alius rivus, qui vulgariter nuncupaturThawan, id est Thaw, habens originem in loco vocato pant Llewyth,distans a Pont vayn versus septentrionalem plagam duobus millibuset quingentis passibus, et currit per Pont Vayn in mare Sabrinum...." (L. Toulmin Smith's edition of Leland, v. 238, 240, hi,101-106.) In the context from which this is taken, the phrase," distans a Pont vayn," occurs again and again with regard toplaces referred to
Moreover, in every extant reference to the Town in the Welshlanguage the form is never Pontyfon but always Pontfaen orPontvaen. The references to the Town in the Welsh languageare scanty, but the following are extant and are set down here in theorder of the antiquity of the matters to which they are supposedto refer :
Maenoldir y Bont faen. (lolo MSS. 16.)
"... a Thref freiniol y Bont Faen." (Myv. Arch. 700.)Oed Crist 1091, gwalgylched y Bont Faen. ' (Ibid. 700.)Brynowain wrth y Bont Faen. (lolo MSS. 98).Plwyfau Cymru : Y Bont Vaen, Llan Doche y Bont Vaen, &c.I Ho : prains or bont vaen. (Llanstephan MS. 7.)I howel prains or Bont faen ne Gowbris. (Lewys Glyn Cothi.Brit. Mus. MS. Add. 14, 871, p. 310.)
llyma varnod siori wiliam or bont faen :
(Dafydd Benwyn, Baglan MS. p. 436.)tra vo maen ny bont vaen vyth
THE ROMAN BOVIUM AND WELSH PEN YCHEN
haedde gariad hydd gwaw vaenny bu hwnt veth ny bont vaen
llyma varnod rissiart gwyn o lansannwr :
oerwyd y dinas auraid ai dynion
o bant fewn dwyrain y bontfaen dirion
K. i ganmol tre'r bont vaenDavyd Benwyn
(Jesus Coll. MS. 13. p. 63.)ail ywr bont vaen is maenawrod ar vil i Droya vawr
y Bont vaen am vrytaen vrauo Iwyrwedd yw ail orau.
The foregoing by no means exhausts the evidence which goesto prove that Pontfaen is no corruption of Pontyfon, but the ancient,traditional, and proper name for the place in the Welsh language.
II.THE ROMAN BOVIUM AND THE WELSH PEN YCHEN.
THOUGH Pontfaen (Stonebridge) is the correct form of the Welshname for the place, and no corruption from Pontyfon, yet, dowhat we can, we cannot get away from its connection with theBovine species, for, in addition to Cowbridge, Pontyfuwch, andPontuobice, we have still Bovium and Pen Ychen to reckon with.
" Having brought you to Cowbridge," writes Fenton, thetraveller and antiquary, " I would recommend your divergingthence to see several things worthy of note round about.
" In the first place the town itself, which I make the Boviumof the Roman itinerary, exhibits the remains of Norman Pridein the wall that still partly encloses it, and the wall now appearingwith rounded angles seems to have followed the agger of the oldRoman station." (Panton papers at the N.L.W. [not yetcalendared].)
The Antonine Itinerary, the work of several . persons, whichreached its present form about A.D. 320, so it is stated, marksout the main roads of the Roman Empire and the stations of theRoman Army. That portion of it which we have to consider
8 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
is thus set down : ITER XII. LEUCARO XV. NIDO XV.BOMIO XV. ISCAE LEG. ii. AUGUSTA XXVII.
Now, Cowbridge has from time to time been associated withBovium or Bomium. The Grammar School was and is knownas Schola Boviensis, and in the Llanblethian registers there is anentry, " Churchwardens . . . 1689 Pierce Deere of Lanquianand Thomas Pierce of Newton juxta Bovium." The schoolmagazine is called " The Bovian," and the name is found onmonuments in the church.
Is Cowbridge the old Roman station of Bovium or Bomium ?We do not attach much importance to the " v " or the " m," aswithout the original manuscript or early copies of it we cannotdeal with the question from the point of view of textual criticism.
If Bomium is the correct reading it should perhaps be statedthat the local pronunciation of the so-called " Bowman's Well "is " Bomin Well."
To the question whether Cowbridge itself is the Roman stationof Bovium we cannot give a definite answer, as it has, for the Romanstation, a most formidable rival claimant in Boverton or Boviarton,as it was sometimes called.
" The name," writes Mr. G. T. Clark (in his MSS. at theNational Library), "is in favour of Boverton, but Cowbridge wasupon the Portway and in plan it much resembles a Roman station.The walls mentioned by Leland being upon the Roman Lines."
After a perusal of most of what has been written on thesubject, the impression left on my mind is that Bovium is theRoman form of the Welsh Pen Ychen, or Pen Ychen the Welshform of the Roman Bovium. PEN means " end," " extremity,",or " head," and YCHEN is the plural of YCH, an ox. The oldestdivisions of Wales that have come down to us are those purportingto have been made by Rhodry Fawr, or Roderick the Great, aboutthe year 870. CANTREF PENN YCHEN was one of the fiveancient Hundreds of MORGANNWC and included KYMWTMEISGYN, KYMWT GLYN RODNE. KYMWT MAENAWRTAL Y VANN, KYMWT MAENAWR RUTHYN. (Red Bookof Hergest, ii. 412.)
In the Life of St. Paul de Leon, which Wermonoc tells us hewrote in the year 884, using an older Vita hardly legible by age,we have a very ancient explanation $f the place name, viz., thatthe inhabitants of this part of the county of old time worshippedthe head of an ox as the god of the land : " Penn-Ohen, latinaautem Caput dicitur Bourn, exortus, vocitata quae ideo, ut nobisvidetur, hoc nomen meruit adipisci, quia ab incolis illius aliorumexemplo gentilium mundi elementa simili colentium more,
THE ROMAN BOVIUM AND WELSH PEN YCHEN 9
antiquitus caput bo vis pro Deo adorabatur patriae." (AnalectaBollandiana. Tom. 1. P. 211.)
Penn-Ohen would be pronounced Pen Ochen, as h often standsfor ch in old MSS.
In the story of St. Cyngar in Capgrave there appears a KingPaul, who is the same personage as Paul Penychen, and, therefore,a petty king of this district, and in the Life of St. Cadoc we knowthat this Pol Penychen ruled over a marshy district of whichLlancarfan also formed a part. (Fisher. British Sain,ts, " Cyngar "and " Cadoc.") " Penichen " is mentioned in a Bull of Honorius IIto Urban, Bishop of Llandaff, in A.D. 1128. PENYCHEN was anancient Ecclesiastical Deanery, and down to the twelfth andthirteenth centuries the name occasionally occurs in the charters.
Isaac, dean of PENNECHEN, witnesses one of the earliestof the Margam charters (M.M. i. 6), and among the witnesses ofElias, Bishop of Llandaff, about A. D.I 240, are William de Lanmays,dean of Goronid, and Master Adam, dean of PENHECEN.(M.M. i. 48.)
Prof. Hugh Williams places it between Cardiff and Neath(C. in E.B., p. 379), while Messrs. Baring-Gould and Fisher identifyit with Cow bridge.
"... Penn-Ohen, i.e. Cowbridge in Glamorgan ..." (Livesof the British Saints, i. 187.)
We have now to state very briefly the relative claims ofCowbridge and Boverton and to answer some criticisms which, ifjustified, would strike them both off the list of claimants to thename. Cam den, the learned antiquary, put the matter thus :" Cowbridge, called by the Britains from its stone bridge Pont Van,a market town and the second of the three that Fitz Haimon afterhis conquest reserved for himself. As Antoninus hereabouts andat this distance from Isca places Bovium, corruptly written alsoBom him, I thought it a fortunate conjecture that this place mightbe Bovium. But finding three miles off Boverton, which exactlycorresponds in sound with Bovium, my regard to truth preventedme from seeking Bovium anywhere else. Nor is it uncommon tohave places named from oxen, witness the Thracian Bosphorus,Bovianurn a town of the Samnites, and Bauli in Italy quasi Boaliae,if we may believe Symmachus. But what serves instead of everyother proof is, that 15 miles from Bovium Antoninus places atown whose Latin name also is Nidium which our antiquaries havelong searched for though Neath a town of considerable note presentsitself with its name still entire."
To the same effect writes Gale : " BOMIO, rectius BOVIO,Boverton in Glamorgania. Non procul abest COWBRIDGE, quod
10 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
vocabulum puto latere in Ravennatis PONTUOBICE, i.e. Pont-i-bwch Britannis Pons Vaccae, Pons bovinus, aut Bosporus." (Ant.Iter. Ed. MDCCIX, 125).
Professor Haverfield, in his " Military Aspects of RomanWales," will have none of this, for he has a theory of his own.He writes : " The Antonine Itinerary tells us that a Romanroute ran from Isca Silurium (Caerleon-on-Usk) 27 or 28 miles toBomium, thence 15 miles to Nidium, thence 15 miles to Leucarum,and finally from Leucarum 15 miles to Muridunum " (p. 153).Then in a note : " Ant. 483. 484. Bomium is the right readingnot Bovium, which, I believe, is a conjecture of Camden's. Theoriesabout Boverton or Cowbridge maybe tossed aside." Nevertheless,after " tossing aside " an ancient tradition, he proceeds with alaboured and unconvincing proof of his contention. The threelast stations he identifies as Neath, Lougher, and Carmarthen,and he tells us the Itinerary is plainly incomplete. " It gives42 Roman miles as the distance from Caerleon to Neath. This istoo little. It is approximately the distance in a bee-line. But thehills here make a bee-line impossible for a road ; the natural routefor traffic would skirt the south of the uplands, much as the G.W.R.now runs, and this is a matter of 55 or 60 Roman miles." Butthe Itinerary is not incomplete as far as Bovium or Bomium isconcerned it was 27 Roman miles from Isca Silurium and Cow-bridge is 27 English miles from Caerleon by road to-day. Theroad through Cowbridge is, and has always been, the main roadfor traffic from London to the West. It was through Cowbridgethat the old stage coaches always ran.
In order to get rid of Cowbridge he must emend the text."We might then," he says, "emend the text so that 'thestages would run, i, Caerleon to Cardiff, ii, Cardiff to or near Pyle27 or 28 Roman miles, iii, Pyle to Neath 15 Roman miles and soforth." In fact, he must re-construct the Itinerary.
The Professor further states that " no quite certain traces ofRoman roads survive on the ground in South Glamorgan," butin this he is at variance with other authorities.
Mr. Thomas Codrington, in his " Roman Roads in Britain,"gives an interesting description of the Roman road from Cardiff,through Cowbridge, to Stormy Down. There are remains of aRoman camp at Caerau on this road. We have WAUN-Y-GAERat Cowbridge, and from time to time coins of Trajan, Antoninus,Claudius, and Constantine have been found here, together with aRoman fibula in an excellent state of preservation. Remains ofstone -work cemented with Roman concrete were discovered inexcavations on the site of the present Town Hall. Roman bricks
ROMAN OCCUPATION TO NORMAN CONQUEST 11
were also found, with indications of brick making. About twomiles from Cowbridge on the Bridgend road, in a field on the Southside, there is a square camp, and another on the North side.From the line occupied by these camps the great Julia Strata, soit is to be inferred, kept nearly to the course of the old stage-coachand turnpike road from Cardiff through Cowbridge to StormyDown.
NOTE. " The Bovian " for June and November, 1904, 1905,contains two interesting articles from the pen of Mr. Widdoweson " The Great White Road " and " Bovium." He is of opinionthat the Normans fortified a pre-existing Roman camp, obliteratingto a great extent the Roman work. As the school garden and thechurchyard are raised considerably above " Counsel Tut," heconjectures that they formed the S.W. corner of the Vallum andthat the Old Hall garden is a continuation of it. Waun-y-Gaer(meadow by the camp) and " Council Twt " are immediatelybelow this high ground. He has some interesting remarks aboutthe foss, and his contention would, perhaps, have had even greatersupport had he known the course of the Town Ditch, which we cannow trace more clearly from the Corporation documents.
In the Book of Llandaff, where Pen Ychen is placed in relationto other districts it is always to the East of the old district, whichhas evolved into the modern description " Groneath " : ' . . . etguorinid penichen " (p. 32).
" Landauiam scilicet cum tenltorio suo et parrochia videlicetCantrebachan. Chedueli. Guoher. Estrateu. Ercincg Guorinid.Penn echenn. Gunliuiuc. Diuent. Euias. Estrateur." (p. 42).
III.
FROM THE ROMAN OCCUPATION TO THE NORMANCONQUEST.
WHATEVER importance Bovium had as a Roman station seemsto have vanished very quickly, but there are several records otthe district of Bovium under its Welsh form Pen Ychen.
Mrs. Jenkins, of St. Athan Rectory, tells me that she has seenthe name Pontuobice, or Punctuobice, in a St. Quintin's charter,where, undoubtedly, it refers to Cowbridge.
I think, however, that the town can be identified underanother description. In the old Welsh chronicles we have severalsuch references as this : " Oed Crist. 893. daeth y Paganiaid duoni Gymru dros For Hafren ac a losgasant Lanelltyd Fawr, a Chynffig,
12 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
a Llangarfan. . . . ' Here we are told that the Black Pagans inA.D. 893 came to Wales from across the Severn Sea and burntLlantwit Major, Kenfig, and Llancarfan. There is, however, noreference to Cowbridge in these old chronicles before the Conquest,and the only other source of information known to us, besides theLives of the Saints, is the Book of Llandaff. And here we canprobably find our Cowbridge through the medium of Aberthun.
On page 260 of Dr. Gwenogvryn Evans's edition there isrecorded a grant of VILLA FRATRUS SUPER NADAUAN, ofwhich some of the boundaries are EBIRTHUN . . . ARHIDICLAUD DIRNANT DIGUAIRET BET NADAUAN. ARIHITBET APER EPYRTHUN NIHIT BETIFORD MAUR. . . .This is modernised as " Ebirthun or Aberthun. . . . along thedyke to the brook, as far as Naddawan. Along it to Aber Ebyrthunalong it to the high road. . . . ' The NADAUAN is the riverThaw or Thawe, for in the orthography of the Book of Llandaff" d " = Welsh " dd," or English " th," while " u," which doesduty for several modern letters, more often than not = W.
We have, then, NADDAWAN, and this form of the name forour river continued at least till the time of the Welsh poet, DavyddBenwyn, in the days of Queen Elizabeth :
oi glan byrth gloywa ny bydoi hafon drwyddi hefydAddawon yw dda yn wiroi didwyll ffrwyth i dwedir.
The modern name for the river in Welsh is " Ddawan," and" Thaw " or " Thawe " in English.
The descriptions must be viewed as from Llandaff, to whichthe grants were made.
From Llansannor to Cowbridge at this time there must havebeen a long marsh, which would make traffic almost impossiblebeyond the Thawe except through Cowbridge, the first pointreached where solid rock on the banks of the river would allowof a crossing, for before that is reached the whole distance musthave been a dismal swamp. It is then quite natural to inferthat the first " villa " or " township " that would be reachedon crossing the Thawe would be what is now Cowbridge, andthe next " tre " or " villa " that would be met with still bearsthe name of Pentre Meyrick, and of these there is a tale to tell.The story begins with the words (p. 147) : MOURICUS REXET CYNUETU CONVENERUNT INSIMUL LANDAVIE. . . .Mouricus is the Latin form of Meurig, or Meyrick, as the name isnow generally known amongst English folk. Well, he, Meurig the
NORMAN COWBRIDGE 13
King, and Cynvetu met together in the presence of Odoceus, theBishop of Llandaff, and swore on the holy relics that they wouldkeep the peace between them. But some time afterwards Meurigslew Cynvetu by stealth. Whereupon the Bishop called all hisclergy together and the chief abbots in his diocese, and solemnlyexcommunicated the wicked King Meurig lor his foul murder.The crosses were removed from the altars to the ground, thecommunity was refused baptism and communion, and in fullsynod the Bishop pronounced the words of the psalm : " Mayhis days be few : let his children be fatherless and his wife awidow." Whereupon the king repented him of his evil deeds,and with bowed head, and with tears in his eyes, accepted theyoke of penance, and after prayer and fasting, and almsgiving,Meurig gave four townships to the Church of Llandaff, for Odoceusthe Bishop and all his successors, viz. :I. RIUGRAENAUG.II. NANTAUAN.
III. EST INQUA OCCISUS EST CYNVETU ULTRANADAUAN, that in which Cynvetu was slain beyond the Thawe,which is probably Pentre Meurig, called perhaps after the namegiven in another grant (p. 129) IN QUA OCCIDIT MOURICCYNVETU, in which Meurig slew Cynvetu, and
IV. TRANSNADAUAN UBI FILIUS REGIS MECHATUSEST, the Town across the Thawe where the son of the kingcommitted adultery.
That is apparently all the light that is shed on the doings ofCowbridge from the Roman Occupation to the Norman Conquest.
IV.NORMAN COWBRIDGE.
THE story of the Norman Conquest of Glamorgan has been sooften told that there is no need to repeat it here, and, as Mr. G. T.Clark has furnished such an excellent contribution to the historyof the Norman Lordship in his " Land of Morgan," it will not benecessary to give any further reference to it except so far as itbears upon the story of the Borough of Cowbridge.
In the old Welsh Chronicle of Caradoc of Llancarvan, calledBrut y Tywysogion, printed in the Myvyrian Archaeology, we aretold (p. 699) that, after Rhys ap Tewdwr had been slain at PenRhys by the aid of the Normans whom lestyn ap Gwrgan had
14 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
hired, Robert Fitz Hamon and his knights and men met at" Twyn Colwyn," where lestyn paid them their hire in goldcoin, and from that day to the time of the chronicler the placewas called "The Golden Mile."
Then the story goes that owing to certain circumstances,which are variously stated, Robert Fitz Hamon wrested hisPrincipality from lestyn, and after certain divisions of the spoilgave the Lordship of Llanblethian Major and the chartered townof " Y Bont Faen " to Robert de Sancwintin (Myv. Arch. 700).The chronicler proceeds to say: "When the age of Christ was1091 Stonebridge was walled around by Robert Sancwintin, andafter that he made Llanblethian castle " (701). The context is,of course, in Welsh.
How long the St. Quintins remained Lords of the fee we donot exactly know, but Mr. Clark (Land of Morgan, p. 31) says thatthe family had disappeared by 1249, for Syward then held it.
The Book of Llandaff gives us among the witnesses to anagreement between Bishop Urban of Llandaff: and Robert, Earlof Gloucester : " et ricardo de Sancto Quintino. MCXXVI "(p. 29), and from the Penrice and Margam MSS. we can trace :
c. A.D. 1169. Herbert de St. Quintin (vol. I).
c. A.D. 1199-1216. John de St. Quintin (i. 39. iv. 155).
In 1205 we have a record of a possessory action at law betweenHerbert St. Quintin and Stephen of St. Hilary : "7 John : 1205.Glamorgan. Herbertus de Sto Quintino dat Vque marcas proconvincendo xii juratores per xxiv qui fuerant recognitores inassaisa nov dissaisine arrainiata inter ipsum Herbertum etStephanum de S'to Hilario de libero tenemento ipsius Herbert!in Lamblethyam." (Rot : de Fin : 323.)
The Le Despencer family apparently had much to do with theCastle, and at least one of them died there, for the Annals ofTewkesbury state : " Edwardus igitur primus, f rater Hugonistertii, ex Anna filia domini de Ferrars, genuit Edwardum secundum,Thomam, Henricum, & Gilbertum secundum & fortunio belliante fratrem suum decessit . . . et predictus Edwardus secundusobiit in Cambria apud Lanblethian in die Sancti Martini, annoMCCCLXXV & sepultus est apud Theokes."
It is said that this great Norman Lord, who died at Llanblethian,accompanied the Black Prince to France, and was present at thebattle of Poitiers. He bears the name of having been a skilfuland brave soldier in the French wars, and is described by Froissartas a great baron and a good knight.
Of such as the foregoing were the Lords of the Borough ofSt. Quintins, as Cowbridge was often called.
NORMAN COWBRIDGE 15
Cowbridge, in Norman times, must be regarded as a garrisontown, fortified by its walls and gates and ditches, with all itsburgesses armed with weapons and having defensive armour, aswill hereafter appear from the old laws of the Borough, and pro-tected by the castle, which commanded it from the hill above.The Gates and Walls appear to have been a feature of note aslate as the time of Elizabeth :
oi glan byrth gloywa ny bydoi hafon drwyddi hefyd
ond da hefyd end difostymrig kaer ond mawr i kosiyndi saint da iawn a sydder kwyro, r, dref ar kaerydd
Lantarn yw alont ir nailla chaerwyr drych i eraill.
There was, of course, the strongest possible connection betweenthe Castle and the Borough, and it appears that there were twocastles, the first built on Llanblethian Hill and the second whatis now known as St. Quintin's Castle.
In the oldest view of St. Quintin's Castle known to me (Buck's,in 1741) the remains of the first castle on Llanblethian Hill appearquite plainly, and some of the foundations of the same can be seennear Stallcourt to-day.
Mr. Jeston Homfray was of opinion that the first castle wasbuilt on Llanblethian Hill, and what is now called St. Quintin'sis the second castle.
" I much question whether the present building was thecastle built by Sir Robert St Quintin, it is certain that anothercastle stood on Llanblethian hill, which might have been theoriginal. According to some ancient manuscripts, Richard IIIre-built the castle under the stewardship of Sir James Tyrrell."(Castles of Glamorgan. 1828, p. 29.)
We have now conclusive evidence of the date of " St. Quintin's "Castle.
Gilbert de Clare was born in 1291 and was about four yearsold when his father died in 1295. He fought at Bannockburnin 1314, advancing against the Scots in his undisciplined valourahead of his men, and, becoming entangled in the ranks, wasoverthrown when fighting valiantly and slain. He was thus onlytwenty-three years of age when he fell. At the Inquisition whichwas held at Cowbridge after his death we read that the Jurors
16
HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
" say that in the Manor of Llanblethian there is a certain castlebegun by the said Earl and it is worth nothing beyond reprise."(Arch. Camb. 1889. 68-78.)
On the assumption that the Earl would not have begun thebuilding of the castle before he was of age, we can fix the date ofthe building of " St. Quintin's " from A.D. 1312 to 1314, and thewords, " begun by the said Earl," would imply that it had notbeen completed at the time of his death in 1314.
We have a document of A.D. 1509, May 29, wherein theappointment is made of " Charles Somerset, Lord Herbert, theKing's Chamberlain, to be Sheriff of Glamorgan & MorgannokConstable of the Castles of Cardiff, Cowbridge, and Neath, Stewardof Malefantes Lands in the said Counties." (Rot : Pat : 1. H. 8. p.1. m. 24.)
In an article by Mr. G. T. Clark (an authority on MediaevalMilitary Architecture), on Manorial Particulars of the County ofGlamorgan, published in Arch. Camb. IV, ix, 15, reference is madeto these castles, and therein : " West of it, [St Quintin's] beyondthe Taw, quite on the other side of the Valley, is a trace of a squaretower or castellet of some kind, about 30 ft by 40 ft, of which thelower 6 ft. remain. . . . West of this tower is a large camp ofirregular figure, parts of the ditch being perfect, and along itswest front a triple line of defence."
One of the two castles at Llanblethian was known in the lastdecade of the seventeenth century as " Y Llygod." In Pen. MS.120 at the National Library, in the hand of Edward Llwyd, keeperof the Ashmolean Museum at Oxford, we have a list of Glamorgancastles. Those in the Hundred of Cowbridge are written thus,but there are two which I could not make out :
/Lanblethya'
Llygod
Talavan
landoch
flemingstone in ye
Castles of - Castletone / h : of
& West Orchard Cowbridge
b . . .
C . . .
Pen lyn^Cowbridge
There is another reference to it in a paper read by JohnStrange, Esq., F.R.S., F.S.A., His Majesty's Resident at Venice,on 28th January, 1779, and published in Archaeologia VI (p. 24) :
NORMAN COWBRIDGE 17
" The first represents a rude figure about five feet long, and carvedin has relief, on a stone projecting from under the South Westbutment of the tower of Llanblyvian church [the figure now inthe clergy vestry] about a mile from Cowbridge, on the road toLantwit Major ; where formerly were seen two castles, of one ofwhich there are still considerable remains."
lolo Morganwg gives several lists of Glamorgan castles in hismanuscripts, and in those lists, which will be found in the appendix
BUCK'S VIEW OF THE CASTLES IN 1741.CASTRUM DE LLAN BLETHIAN. CASTRUM LITHANI.
to this work, we have, from MS. 43 (p. 245), where eighty-two ofthem are mentioned :
32. Lanblethian.
33. Llygod.39. Cowbridge.
In MS. 59 (p. 453) :32. Llangwyan.
37. Llanfleiddan.
38. Castell v Llogawd.In MS. 30 (p. 48) :
36. Llanddeiddan Quintin.37 arall y Llygod.
63. Castell Sion Good fellow ynghoed y marchog wrthy Byrthin.
The print of 1741 shows the remains of the older castle onAngel Hill.
Mr Corbett, a very careful antiquary, pointed out in a paperwhich he read when the Cambrian Archaeological Society visitedCowbridge in 1888 that the name of St. Quintin was of com-paratively modern origin, and that the present building is of the3
18 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
fourteenth century and was commenced long after the time ofSt. Quintin. (Arch. Camb., 1888.)
In a Royal Writ to the Escheator Citra Trentam, to deliver ashare of Gilbert de Clare's Lands, in 1317, we have : " Castrumet manerium de Lambleth et castrum et manerium de Talevancum patria Talevan et Lanhary cum pertinentiis. . . . Burgus deCOUUEBRUGGE . . . Manerium de Lantyltwyt cum patria deRuthyn . . . ' (Cartae. iv. 64.)
In the Ministers' Accounts, 21-22, Henry VIII (1530), preservedin the Record Office, there is an account of the fee of the " Con-stable of our said lord the King's Castles of Cardif, Cowbridge,and Neath."
Both Leland and his informant refer to what is now krtownas St. Quintin's Castle. Leland writes : " From Landouhe toLanlithan village half a mile and heere is a stone bridge. Mosteof the village is in the west ripe. The other parte and the castelis on the est ripe. This castel longging to the king is yet partlystanding, and is in Terstuard lordship, and kept as the prisonfor it." (p. 31.)
His informant adds the interesting description : " Castrumde Llan Blethian, distans a Pont Vayn quingentis passibus, ubiest porta quae habet septem cataractas (v. 238). Item est etaliud castrum, distans a Pont Vayn ducentis passibus, id est,castrum Lithani, et stat ab orientali plaga ejusdem rivi, distansab illo jactu lapidis, et in illo castro est turris, sive porta, in quasunt loca pro septem cathar . . . et est munltissima structura "(V. 241.)
As Leland's informant calls the Castle in the first instanceCastrum de Llanblethian and places it 500 paces from Cowbridge,and in the other case Castrum Lithani 200 paces, it would seemthat he referred to both the older and the more recent Castle ;" et aliud castrum " would not, however, be conclusive evidenceof this, as he refers to every castle in the neighbourhood. Thereis another good view of the second castle in Grose's " Antiquities "(vii. 83), where it is said that it was drawn in 1786, with a noteto the effect that the castle descended to Sir William Parr, Marquisof Northampton, and belonged to Sir William Herbert of SwanseyKnt., and was late the property of Lord Windsor, passing to LordMount Stuart by the marriage of the heir of Lord Windsor.
By the Charter of Charles II the Constable of St. Quintin'sCastle was to be Mayor of Cowbridge, and he continued to be sotill the dissolution of the old Corporation in 1886.
The races within the walls of Cowbridge were, no doubt, togive them their relative order of importance, French, English, and
NORMAN COWBRIDGE
19
Welsh, as we know from the documents of the time, that ran inthe County. About 1 166 there is a Charter of Notification addressedto Nicholas, Bishop of Llandaff, his Sheriff of Glamorgan, and allhis Barons and Men, French, English, and Welsh, by William,Earl of Gloucester. (M.M. iv. 121.) About the same time thefoundation charter of Margam Abbey by Robert (of Caen), naturalson of King Henry I, is addressed to Robert Norries, his Sheriff,and all his men, French, English, and Welsh.
ST. QUINTIN'S CASTLE, 1786 (copied from an old print).
The Welsh description of the Conqueror was William FastarddTywysawg y Francod a Brenin y Saeson William Bastard, Princeof the French and King of the English.
Most of the early documents connected with the town have aFrench sound about them, in the names of the parties as well asof the witnesses.
After the death of Gilbert de Clare, Lord of Glamorgan, on7th December, 1295, an inquisition post mortem on his death washeld at Cowbridge on 5th February following, when the jury were :
John Rubey William Keting
Richard Fitz John John de Geteton
William Dolman William Pryor
Alan Chyk Michael le Tayleure
20 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
Thomas Randolf William de Valence
John Galwey John Galeraund
William le Prate John Canty(Arch. Camb. 1889. Pp. 68-78.)
It will be noticed that there does not appear to be a Welshname amongst them, but by 1314-15 the position is somewhataltered, for in the Inquisition of that date we have some Welshnames in the list of the jury, for it was taken by the oaths of :
Richard Nerbert Michael Tescore
William ap Philip William Pyeres
Aaron ap Howell John Teler
Alexander le Priour Roger Thorgod
John Long Thomas Deine
Stephen de Cappenmore John Henry(Ibid.)
In the Inquisition 1314-15, after the death of Gilbert de Clare,to which reference has been already made, we have this informationconcerning the Borough :
"THE TOWN OF COWBRIDGE.
" The Jurors aforesaid also say that in the town of Cowbridgethere are certain burgesses who hold 277 burgages and an half& the fourth part of one burgage and render yearly 13 - 17 - 9at four times of the year by equal portions, to wit, for everyburgage, 12d ; and of the aforesaid burgages there are seventeenwho hold 16 acres 3| roods of land, and render yearly at theFeast of St Michael 16s 10|d ; and there is a certain prisage ofale which is worth yearly 6 13s 4d ; for every brewing 6d ; &there is the toll of the market of the same town, with the fairsthere at the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross and it isworth yearly 40s with the chenseries ; and the pleas and perquisitesof Courts are worth yearly 40s. ..." (Arch. Camb. 1889.68-78.) fr-
The large number of burgages at Cowbridge is worthy of note.It appears there were more burgages in Cowbridge in 1314 thanthere were in Swansea in the time of Oliver Cromwell.
There is also a grant by Arnicia Le Newelestar of COUBRUGGE,and among the witnesses are Roger le Poleter, Laurence Aurifaber,Nicholas de Mora. It is dated on the Sunday after St. Peter adVincula, A.D. 1310 (M.M. i. 150). In a charter of grant of landin the fee of Llanblethian, " Datum apud Coubrugg die Luneproxima post festum Sancti Mathie apostoli anno regni RegisEdwardi filii Edwardi Regis decimo," we have the attestation :
NORMAN COWBRIDGE 21
" Hiis testibus Johanne Longo, Alexandra dicto Priore, Ricardofilio Stephani, clerici, Henrico le Nerbert, Henrico le Machounet aliis."
There are many references to the Borough in the Ministers'Accounts at the Record Office, and as there is much of a samenessabout them all, with the exception of dates and names, the perusalof one of such will be sufficient :
Compotus Johannis Giffard De Brymmesfeld Custodis terrarumet tenementorum que fuerant Gilberti de Clare comitis Gloucestrieet Hertfordie Defuncti in manu Domini regis existentium inGlamorgan et Morgannon de existibus eorundem A xx Die Aprilisanno Regni Regis Edwardi nono usque xxix m diem septembrisproxime sequentem. (Cartae i. 213.)
COMITATUS GLAMORGANCIE
Compotus ejusdem Johannis de exitibus comitatus Glamorgancieper totum supradictum tempus. (Ibid. 223.)
VILLA DE COUBRIGGE.
Redditus assise. Idem respondet de vij li xv s. iijd receptis de
redditu assise burgi ville de Coubbrigge ad terminos Beati Johannis
baptiste et sancti Michael is simul cum redditu xvj acrarum terrae
t iij rodarum tradito burgensibus. sum : vij li xv s. iij. d.
Exitus. Et de Iij s. receptis de prisa cervisie ibidem per idem
tempus et non plus causa guerre et propter caristiam.
Et de xxvij s viijd receptis de tolnetis mercati ejusdem ville simul
cum nundinis ibisdem ad festum invencionis sancte crucis.
sum : Ixxviijs viijd.
Placita et perquisiciones. Idem respondet de xxs. vd. receptis.
de placitis et perquisicionibus curiarum per idem tempus ibidem.
sum : xxs, vd.
sum : tocius recepte xij li xiiijs. iiijd.
Expense
Acquietancia et resolucio redditus.
Idem computat in acquietancia redditus ij ballivorum ejusdemville per idem tempus xijd.
Et in redditu resolute abbati et conventui de Neeth in partesolucionis c li, vij li vjs. iijd. ob. q. videlicet pro dimidio annoSumma omnium expensarum vij li vijs iijd. ob. q. (Cartae i. 228)
In the foregoing account, rendered by John Giffard, Guardianof the lands and tenements of Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Gloucesterand Hertford, deceased, in the hands of the King, we have thefollowing entered among his Glamorgan possessions.
22 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
It relates to his dealings with the property from 20th Aprilto 29th September, in the ninth year of Edward. Of whichEdward he does not say, but at the very end of the long documentwe have the words : " regni Regis Edwardi filio Regis Edwardi."
Gilbert de Clare was Lord of Glamorgan from 1307 to 1313,and on his death the Lordship in the hands of the Crown wasadministered by several persons :
1313. Payn de Turberville, Gustos.1314-15. Walter de Hackluyt, Gustos.
1314. Ingelram Berenger, Gustos. Roger de Turberville.John Giffard, of Brimmesfield, Gustos. (Cartae. iv. 653.)
This brings us to the ninth year of Edward II, 1315.
From the great possessions of the Lord we have the accountof the town of Cowbridge, as stated, in Latin, and the gist of itis as follows :
TOWN OF COWBRIDGE.
Receipts.
REDDITUS ASSISE. This was the assessed or standing rentdue to the Lord and had to be paid at the Feast of St. John theBaptist (which is the Norman dedication of Llanblethian Church)and at Michaelmas, together with the rent of 16 acres and 3 roodsof land held by the burgesses. The total comes to 7-15-3.EXITUS. This term applies to certain profits or issues due.The amount comes to 52/- de prisia cervisie the prise or prisageduty on ale, paid to the Lord. The smallness of the amount isattributed to war and dearth. 26/8 was received from themerchandise and markets of the town up to the Feast of theInvention of the Holy Cross (Holy Cross is the Norman dedicationof Cowbridge Church).
PLACITA ET PERQUISICIONES. 20/5. From the Pleas inthe Lord's Courts and the Perquisites of the same. These per-quisites were generally profits which arose to the Lord from fines,heriots, and amerciaments, over and above the yearly revenuereceived from the land.
The total receipts from all sources come to 12/14/4.
EXPENDITURE.
The outgoings connected with the Lord's revenue from theBorough are grouped under the general heading :
ACQUIETANCIA ET RESOLUCIO REDDITUS.
These terms have a technical meaning in law, and the precisemeaning varies according to the context. Acquietare is a lawword which signifies quietum reddere, and it sometimes means to
NORMAN COWBRIDGE 23
pay. The context requires that resolucio redditus means rentcharges payable out of the property. First, the rent of 12d. duefrom the two bailiffs is set forth as a deduction. It means thatthey were quit of the rent due from them on account of theirservices rendered in the office which they held. That the meaningis this we know from a charter of Thomas Le Despencer to Kenfig.20 Rich. II. (1397) : " Et eciam predictus prepositus et ballivusqui pro tempore fuerint pro serviciis suis de redditu unius burgagiisint eorum quietus per annum."
Then there is the rent charge (in redditu resolute) due to theAbbot and Convent of Neath, the Cowbridge portion of the 100per annum, 7 6s. 3d. for the half-year.
The property which the Abbey of Neath held in Cowbridgewas originally given to the Convent by Gilbert de Clare in exchangefor certain properties in the neighbourhood of Neath. The wholetransaction can be traced in an Inspeximus and Confirmation toNeath Abbey by Richard Neville, Earl of Worcester, in 8 Ed. iv.(1468) : " Notum sit omnibus hoc scriptum visuris vel auditurisquod Frater Adam de Kaermerdyn divina permissione Abbas deNeth assensu conventus sui concessit dedit et hoc presenti scriptocirographato confirmavit domino Gilberto de Clare comiti Gloucestrieet Hertfordie omnia terras et tenementa sua de la Brittone. . . .Et pro hoc concessione donatione et eschambio idem comes concessitdedit et hoc presenti scripto cirographato confirmavit eidem abbatiet conventui in puro eschambio centum libratas certa tenementatenentibus in locis subscriptis percipiendas. Videlicet . . . Deredditu Burgi de Cowbrugg xiiij,, xiis,, viid ob ; De redditu maneriide Lamblethian xiij,, vii,, qr ; . . . Datum apud Usk tertio decimodie Aprilis anno gratie millesimo ducentesimo octogesimo nono."(1289.) (Cartae. ii. 194.)
The foregoing recites that, in consideration of the concession,donation, and exchange, the Earl gave and by those presentsconfirmed to the Abbot and Convent of Neath, in pure exchange,one hundred pounds yearly and the dry rent accruing from certainproperties which are specified, and among them a rent from theBorough of Cowbridge of 14 12s. 7d., and from the manor ofLlanblethian of 23 Os. 7d. The deed which witnessed the exchangewas dated at Usk in A.D. 1289. This exchange was confirmedby charter of Edward III in 1336, and Neath Abbey continuedto hold this considerable property in Cowbridge down to thedissolution of the monasteries, for in the Valor Ecclesiasticus(26 Hen. viii. 1534-5) it is stated that the value of the propertyof Neath Abbey in the Town of Cowbridge was 7 per annum.(Cartae. iv. 633.)
24 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
There is such a sameness about the mediaeval documentsrelating to the town that we forbear further reference to them.It only remains to show from two examples that public businessrelating to a wide area was conducted from Cowbridge as a centrefrom time to time.
From Cowbridge, Ralph de Stafford, First Earl of Staffordand Lord of Newport, takes, in 1359, the Abbot and Convent ofMargam under his special protection, and the deed is " Datumapud Coubrugg die dominica in octabis Pasche anno regni RegisEdwardi tercii post conquestum tricesimo tercio." There is alsoa Royal Inspeximus of a record in the Court of Augmentation,showing that in A.D. 1539 the townsmen of Pyle came into Courtwith a deed dated at Cowbridge in A.D. 1536, under seal of JohnVaughan, LL.D., visitor for the King's Vicar General in Spirituals,reciting letters of William Morgan, LL.D., Official of the Bishop otLlandaff, the whole referring to a dispute between the townsmenof Pyle and the Burgesses of Kenfig.
Cowbridge throughout the Middle Ages was an importantcentre for the transaction of the civil and ecclesiastical business ofGlamorgan.
NOTES.
Y Llygod means in English " Mice." This name for the oldcastle on Angel or Llanblethian Hill probably shrouds someinteresting tradition or folk-lore which appears to be lost.
The tale would probably be somewhat of the same natureas that connected with The Mouse Tower on the Rhine, concerningwhich there are two opinions :
(1) That it was built as a toll-house for collecting the duties
upon goods the word maus meaning " toll," and thetoll collected on corn being very unpopular gave rise tothe following story.
(2) That it was built by Bishop Hatto, who, when there
was a great famine in Germany, got the poor togetherin a barn and burnt them to death, saying, " They arelike mice, only good to devour the corn." He wasafterwards plagued with mice wherever he went andremoved to a tower on the Rhine, but here they cameand ate him up, and that tower is still called Mouse-Tower.Southey has made it the subject of a poem called " God'sJudgment on a Wicked Bishop." See also " The PiedPiper of Hamelin," by Browning.
Castrum Lithani. This is but another form for Bleddian, towhom there are two churches dedicated in Glamorgan Llanfleiddian
THE LAWS OF COWBRIDGE 25
Fawr, Llanblethian, and Llanfleiddian Fach, St. Lythan's which,in the Book of Llandaff, is called Ecclesia Elidon. In the Taxatioof 1291 it is given as Eccl'ia de S'co Lychano (for Lythano).Dr. Fisher says, "These foims, however, point to a distinct Saint."(British Saints, p. 223.) In view of the Castntm Lithani at Llan-blethian and the form Llanlyddan for the same, this can hardlybe so.
Prof. Hugh Williams also states : " Sometimes we findLupus's name made into Bleiddian in Welsh documents. It hasalso been alleged that churches are to be found in South Wales' dedicated ' to Lupus under the supposed form of his nameBlethian or Bleiddian. . . . Moreover, Llan-bleiddian, or Llany-blethian, by a well-known rule, requires a name Pleiddian, notBleiddian, just as Llanbedr presupposes not Bedr, but Pedr."(Christianity in Early Britain, p. 225.)
There is something in the Professor's argument. The onlyfault is that he did not know enough. The form " Llanyblethian "we have never seen or heard of, and there are but two pronuncia-tions by those natives of the place who know any Welsh, and theyare Llanddyddan and Llanlyddan. The local English pronunciationis always Llanblyddian and not as spelt, Llanblethian.
V.THE LAWS OF COWBRIDGE.
" Oi chyfrauthaii goraii gwyrYw rhylan ai rhiolwyr." Dafydd Benwyn.
THESE are inscribed on an old parchment roll of about thirtyfeet long, each sheet of which has been pasted or stitched togetherso as to form one continuous roll. Here and there are holes inthe parchment, and in a few places the writing is almost obliteratedand difficult to read. As to how or when it came to be writtenthe roll tells its own tale, but it does not tell us that the Ordinancesinscribed thereon, as to a large part of them, were enacted asearly as the reign of Edward III. We know this, however, froma comparison of the Ordinances of Cowbridge with those of Kenfig,which were enacted in the fourth year of Edward III, A.D. 1330.The Kenfig Ordinances are printed in Major Gray's excellentbook, "The Buried City of Kenfig " (156-78).
From a comparison of the Ordinances of the two boroughs itlooks as though they were model laws for the Boroughs of the
26 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
Lordship, for they are so much alike and most of them are identical." Bailliffs " of the Cowbridge roll is " portreeve " in that of Kenfig.With this exception 1 6 are almost identical word for word.
Number 7 of Cowbridge is number 9 of Kenfig.,,8 , 7
9 10
11 20 are the same.
The second part of 20 in the Cowbridge roll that all theinhabitants of Cowbridge shall have defensive weapons is peculiarto Cowbridge, and Kenfig has noth'ng to correspond with it.
21 26 are the same.
27 of Cowbridge forbids Burgesses wearing certain liverysaving that of the Lord
27 of Kenfig relates to the opening of shops.
28 of Kenfig, which relates to swine about the Cross, etc., is alittle fuller than in the Cowbridge Ordinance which correspondswith it.
29 and 30 are the same.
31 of Cowbridge is 27 of Kenfig.
3238 of Cowbridge are identical with 3137 of Kenfig.
39 is peculiar to Cowbridge.
40 of Cowbridge is 38 of Kenfig;, and so on in order, 41 45of Cowbridge being 39 43 of Kenfig.
46 is peculiar to Cowbridge, while 47 and 48 of Cowbridgeappear respectively as 44 and 45 in the Kenfig roll.
Up to and including these, all the Ordinances of Cowbridge,with the exception of those referred to, are the same as those ofKenfig, but after 48 of Cowbridge the Ordinances of the respectiveboroughs branch off and become quite different.
As 52 of Kenfig is an Ordinance referring to certain agriculturalmatters in the thirteenth year of Queen Elizabeth, and 50 ofCowbridge refers to the seating of ths Church, we may infer thatdown to the Reformation the laws of the two boroughs werealmost identical, must have come from some common authority,and have been adopted almost word for word by the civic authoritiesof the two boroughs
" Those Boroughs," wrote Rice Merrick in his MorganiaeArchaiegraphia in 1578, referring to all the boroughs of theGlamorgan Lordship, "used jura regalia within their liberties, andalso differed in Lawes,__Rightes, and Custornes from the Shireand Members and some of them from others ; some of them weregoverned by Mayors and Bayliffes, others by stewards, and parties."
The Ordinances which follow aie reproduced word for wordfrom the old roll in the original spelling, but it has been found
THE LAWS OF COWBRIDGE 27
too difficult a matter to reproduce all the forms which signifycontractions.
There is one word therein which is somewhat peculiar, andtherefore demands a note, as it will not be found, like the otherterms which seem strange to modern ears, in legal and antiquarianbooks of reference.
Chencer. In the 12 th year of Elizabeth, in the Inquisitionfor the Lordship of " Myskyn " :
" And be it known that every Tenant remaining withinthe said Lordship pays for the custom in Welsh called Chenceand in English Smoke Sylver for every one of them per annumH ..."
It is elsewhere in the same Survey called " The Toll of theChest."
" Toll of the Chest and Lez Chense and toll of strangers. TheBailiff answers annually for the Cense money or toll of the chest...." (P. 234.)
Under the Lordship of " Boviarton and Llantwytt " : " Alsothey say that all tenants and inhabiters dwelling within the saidlordship shall pay for every house having dwellers therein 2 d inthe name of Cense."
Llanblethian : " . . . and every tenant and inhabitant shallpay for every rent called the Cense l d ."
COWBRIDGE
VILLA
THE ANTIEANTE AND TRUE laudable ordinannce of the saidtowne newlie drawen by the consent of the Baylliffes and Aldermenthereof whose names are he re under written worde by worde agreableto the oulde decaied roule withe other more Ordinannces addedthereunto for the Good govermente of the said towne and liberts.Dated the viiith daie of January Anno Regni Doni nri JacobiDei gra Anglic FFraunc et hibnie Regis fidei Defensor viii
et Scotie xliiii : Anno Domi 1610.
FIRSTE YTT IS ORDEYNED by the Bayliffs and theire brethrenAldermen of the said Towne
1. That everie Baker lycensed by the said Bayliffs
from tyme to tyme shall bake good and sufficientebread to be sould as well to all burgesseschencers inhabitants and strangers keepingesuch true sice as shalbe lymited unto them byfor bakers the bayliffs weighinge accordinge to the rate of
the corne sould in the mkett uppon payne of a
28
greveous amcemente to the lord and fartherpunnishmente and penalties pvided by his Mtslawes and statuts for suche heyneous andintollerable offences.
ALLSO ytt is ordeyned by the (said Bayliffs and Aldermen,
2. That ev'y oven keeper within the said towneshall keepe true and lawfull weyghts, and thesame deliver to him or them bakinge bread tobe soulde whether they be burgesses chencersinhabitants or strangers uppon payne of agreveous amcemente.
ITM YTT IS ordeyned by the said bailiffs, that noe maner of
3. pson shall buy wheate, nor noe other come infor malt makers the mkett to make theire malte, uppon payne
of amcemente.
ITM ytt is ordeyned by the said Bailliffs that noe baker nor brewer
4. shall buy noe maner of come in the mkett beforefor buying of xii of the clocke in somer and xi of the clockecorn in winter uppon payne of amcemente.
ITM ytt is ordeyned that all brewers shall brewe good and wholesome
5. ale, third drincke and small drincke, as wellfor brewers to strangers as burgesses, chencers and inhabitants
of the said towne, uppon payne of amcemente.
ITM ytt is ordeyned that noe tapster shall werne her ale to sellinge
6. to burgesse chencer nor inhabitente of the saidfor tapsters towne, by gallon, potte, or quarte yf she hathe
above three pottles in her howse, upon payneof amcernent.
ITM ytt is ordeyned That noe butcher shall slea any man of victuall
7. neither make any staldinge in the highe streateuppon payne of amcemente of xiid at eny tymethat any be soe taken ALSO THAT noe butcher
for butchers shall sell any fleshe but under the sshamblesuppon payne of amcemente. AND ALSO thatall butchers strangers shall sell noe fleshe withinthe said towne but Tuesdaies and Saturdayesuppon payne of amcemente.
THE LAWS OF COWBRIDGE
29
ITM ytt is ordeyned that all brawlers or fighters that fightethe,8. or drawethe bloud, the one uppon the other,
for brawlers shall paie iiis iiiid for the bloud shed, and for
or fighters the ffray suche amcemente as shall please the
bailliffe.
9.
for mchandise^
10.
for butchers
11.
for casting ofhedds into thestreets
12.
for making suiteagainste thebailiffe untothe Lord orhis deputie
13.
for buyingeanything untilit come to yemarket place.
YTM ytt is ordeyned that noe maner of burgesseshall buy no man of mchandises that shall happento come within the said towne. But suche menas shalbe appointed by the said bailiffe andaldermen uppon payne of xls AND ALL suchemchandises to be devided amongst all theburgesses every man accordinge to his ability.
YTM ytt is ordeyned that noe butchor shallhould noe open shoppe one a Sundaie, nor onethat daie sell noe fleshe openlye uppon payneof amcement.
YTM ytt is ordeyned that noe butcheur shallcaste noe headdes, feete, nor noe other garbage,in the highe streate, nor in noe other place tothe anoyannce of his neighboure uppon payneof amcemente of xiid at ev'y tyme that he is soefound or taken.
YTM ytt is ordeyned that yf anie burgesse haveany wronge, and may be (by the bailliffe thereof)remedied. And will make any other suiteagainste the bailliffs or councell, unto the Lordor his deputie. That burgesse soe doeinge to bediscomyned by the bailliffe and councell, forevmore wthout any gainsay and a greaveousamcemente to the Lord, yf he be found guiltiebe iii of the councell and iii of the comons.
YTM ytt is ordeyned that noe burgesse, chencer,nor inhabitante, nor theire syvanntes shall buywthin the gates nor wthout the gates, noemaner of thinge that is comynge to the mketuntill the tyme yt be broughte unto the placeaccustomed. And all those that be taken orput upp, for that forstallinge or regratinge tobe amced in xii d at eny tyme that any of them
30
HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
14.
for sayingagainst thebayliffs
15.
for takinge anyman's partagainst thebayliffs
16.
17.
be soe found faultye. UNLESSE ytt be thebailliffs or any of theire brethren for theire ownehowse AND all chencers or strangers that selletheany fishe, unto the tyme ytt be broughte untothe place accustomed shall paie amcemente atthe bailliffs pleasure.
YTM ytt is ordeyned that noe chencer norinhabitant or reciante shall say noe unfittingewordes, wch shouldbe rebukefull or spitefull tothe bailings or to any of the councell, or willagainesay the good rule and ordennance of thesaid towne wch is made and ordeyned by thesaid bailliffs and aldermen uppon payne ofimprisonmt and amcemente of vis viiid the onehalf thereof to the Lord and the other half tohim that the rebuke is geven : and the thirdfaulte to be discomyned yf he be found guiltieby three aldermen and three burgesses.
YTM ytt is ordeyned, that noe burgesse, chencernor inhabitante of the said towne shall take noepte againste the bailliffs and aldermen wth noeburgesse chencer, nor noe other pson upponpayne of amcemente of xxs. And yf he be aburgesse to paie the penaltie forthwth and tobe discomyned and his bodie to prison, And yfhe be a chencer to paie the said penaltie and hisbodie to prison there to remayne till the bailliffsand councell comune togeither.
YTM ytt is ordeyned, That noe burgesse bemade or receaved into the guild hall, excepte hebe admitted by the Bailliffs, Aldermen, andBurgesses. So that he may be ruled and govnedby the Bailliffs of the said towne. And he orthey soe admitted and receaved shall take noemayntenance uppon payne of discomyninge, yfhe be found guiltie by vj men, and amcementeto the Lord at the pleasure of the Bailliffs.
ITM ytt is ordeyned, That noe Burgesse, chencer,nor inhabitante of the said towne, shall buyneither cheese, butter, egges, capons, hennes )
THE LAWS OF COWBRIDGE
31
that noe man chickens, nor noe other maner of victuall,
by anythinge comynge to the said towne to be sould, untill
untill it come the tyme it come into the comon mkett of ould
to the market tyme used uppon payne of amcemente of xijd
place at evy tyme that anie of them be found faultie.
18. ITM ytt is ordeyned, That noe Tavarner keepenoe open taveme in the anoyannce of his
for taverners neighbowre after x of the clocke at nighte, norno Tapster after ix, uppon payne of amcemente.
19. ITM ytt is ordeyned, That noe maner of psonshall play at dice, cardes, bowles, nor otherunlawfull games, wthin the said towne, nor the
for playinge f rannshise of the same, uppon payne of amcemente
of unlawful of xij d uppon him that oweth the howse that
games suche play is kepte in. And the players to be
broughte to prison, and amcemente to the
Lord. AND ALSO that there be noe tenyse
playinge wthin the highe streate uppon payne of
iijs iiijd to be levied uppon evy of them that
playethe.
20. ITM ytt is ordeyned, That noe Burgesse, Chencernor Inhabitante of the said Town, shall notcollor any stranger wthin his howse, privilynor openly to buy nor to sell any maner ofmchandises againste the rialtie and freedome ofthe said Towne uppon payne of xs.
ITM ytt is ordeyned, That evy burgesse, tenante,reciante, and inhabitante of the said Towne,that all the shall have a defencible weapon and harnes after
Inhabitants of his ability, to stand by the Bailliffs, Aldermen,the said town and other officers of the said towne, for theshall have defence and good order of the same, uppon
defensible payne of amcemente at evy tyme that they or
weapons. any of them shalbe found faultie.
21 . ITM ytt is ordeyned, That noe ostler shall houldnoe ostrey wthout a signe at his doore uppon
for Ostlers payne of amcemente of xs, And that noe Ostler
shall werne noe lodginge nor harboroughe to nostrangers comynge to the Towne on horsbacke
32
HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
22.
or one foote, uppon payne of amcemente ofxijd at evy defaulte.
ITM ytt is Ordeyned, That noe Stranger shallhave free prison in the guild hall above, butin the lowe prison, unlesse he be a Burgesse,gevinge, yeeldinge, and payinge wthin the saidTowne accordinge to the Charter And he tofynd suertyes to save the siante harmeles.
THE " CUCKINGE STOOLE FOR SCOULDINGE "(from Cox's Churchwarden's Accounts).
23. ITM ytt is ordeyned, That noe maner of psonshall make noe foraigne nor pigge stye to the
for pigstyes anoyannce of his neighboures, uppon payne of
amacemente of iijs iiijd, excepte yt be inhis garden.
24. YTM ytt is ordeyned, That noe maner of psonshall caste noe duste, dounge, nor noe other
for casting filthe in the streates nor in the Town ditches,
dust nor wthin fortie feet of any the foure gates of
the said Towne, or any pte of the walls thereof,
uppon payne of amcement.
25. Itm ytt is ordeyned, That noe Burgesse norchencer shall goe out of the fraunchise and libteof the said towne to the Ale or weddinge of anypson or psons whatsoev uppon payne of amce-mente of xs at evy faulte.
THE LAWS OF COWBRIDGE
33
26. ITM ytt is ordeyned, That yf any woman befound guiltie (by vj men) of scouldinge orwaylinge any burgesse or theire wiffes, or anyother of theire neighbours THEN she to be
for scouldinge broughte at the firste faulte to the cuckingestoole, there to sitt one howre. At the secondfaulte twoe howres, And at the third faulte tolett slipp, or ells a highe fyne to the Lord.
27. ITM ytt is ordeyned That noe Burgesse norChencer shall weare noe Gentlemans lyverye norConysaunce savinge the Lord of the frannchise,uppon payne of discomynuninge, And a fyne tothe Lord.
28. ITM ytt is ordeyned, That noe maner of psonshall have any swyne goeyinge wthin the Townwalles, nor in the franches, uppon payne (yf
for swyne complainte be made) of xij d amcemente at evy
tyme that they be found faultie. And yf anieswine be found aboute the Crosse, the Crossekeeps is to have for evy swyne ijd.
29. ITM ytt is ordeyned, That all suche psons ashath Burgages, half Burgages, tenemts, or anyother lands wthin the Towne or frannchise ofthe same, shall take noe tennants into therelands but suche as will and may be govned bythe Bailliffs, Aldermen, and other officers of thesaid Towne, And paie taskes, and tallages aswell to the Lord as to the Churche, And not tohurte the libts and frannchise of the same towneas in the waie of buyinge, sellinge, or Ostrey
houldinge, uppon payne of discomyninge (yf he be a free
man) and xs amcemente. And yf he be noeBurgesse xs amcemente, and his bodie to prison.
30. ITM ytt is ordeyned, That no burgesse shall notmchandise, wth noe strangers goods to theiresingular advantadge, and for to enhannce theiremchandises, and for to inbesell the Lords Rial tie,duties, and custome, uppon payne of higheamcemt.
34 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
31. ITM ytt is ordeyned, That no maner of psonshall hould noe open shopp, to cutt, carneTrawntrey or Ostrey hould, unlesse he be aburgesse, yeeldinge and payinge accordinge tothe Charter uppon payne of a greavousamcemente.
32. ITM ytt is ordeyned, That no Chencer norInhabitante of the said Towne doe not sayeagainste the Rialties and libts of the same, norof the Charter uppon payne of amcemente.
33. ITM ytt is ordeyned, That noe Chencer norStranger shall buy any Corne wthin the mkett,nor wthin the frannchise of the said Towne, tobe sould againe uppon payne of amcemente.
34. ITM ytt is ordeyned, That noe stranger shallbuy any Corne in the mkett untill the tymethat the Bailliffs, Aldermen, and burgesses beserved, excepte Gentlemen for theire ownehousehould, uppon payne of amcemente.
35. ITM ytt is ordeyned, That noe Chencer shall sellbread, Ale, nor noe other victualls, nor hould noeopen Ostrey by nighte nor by daie, wthin thefrannchise of the said Towne, but throughelicense of the Bailliffs for the tyme being upponpayne of amcemente.
36. ITM ytt is ordeyned, That noe stranger shallwalke by nyghte, after ix of the clocke, wthouta reasonable cause, or fire in his hand, upponpayne of amcemente of xijd, and his bodie toprison.
37. ITM ytt is ordeyned, That noe burgesse shall[discover] the councell of his Bretheren Burgessesof the said Towne, uppon payne of discomyningewthout gainsayinge, and amcemente to the Lord.
38. ITM ytt is ordeyned, That evy Burgesse, tenanteand Reciante, dwellinge wthin the towne walls,where the pavements or Cawsies hathe binne,
THE LAWS OF COWBRIDGE 35
shall and doe keepe them cleane, from dounge,and other filthe, uppon payne of amcemente ofxij d at evy faulte AND where the streates beunpaved evy man before his doore to pave thesame, uppon payne of amcemente.
39. ITM ytt is ordeyned, That noe maner of pson,shall drive anie beastes into the Towne ditchenor enclose the same, nor cutt noe thornes there,wthout licence of the Bailliffs uppon payne ofamcemente AND that noe man medle wth thebankes of the said ditches, uppon the likepayne.
40. ITM ytt is ordeyned, That noe man nor womanshall mylke any kyne in the highe streate wthinthe Towne walls, nor non shall suffer theirebeastes to abide in the highe streate nor in noeother streate by nighte nor by day. But onlygoeynge and comynge to and fro theire pasturesuppon payne of amcemente of xijd at evyfaulte.
41. ITM ytt is ordeyned, That noe Burgesse shall buynoe maner of wares, as boords, lathes, tyles, nornoe other Chaffre for any stranger. Wherebythe libts and freedome of the said Towne maybe hurte and hindered to the anoyaunce ofanie other Burgesse, uppon payne of iijs iiijd atevy faulte or offence comitted therein.
42. ITM ytt is ordeyned, That evy Tanner usingethe mysterie of Tannynge shall sell his leatherwell and sufficiently Tanned accordingly upponpayne of forfeiture of his said leather, or a fyneto the Lord.
43. ITM ytt is ordeyned, That no Burgesse norChencer shall buy any maner of hides or skinnes,of any beaste or Cattle whatsoever, or wooll,but only in the com on mkett place of ould tymeaccustomed uppon payne of amcemente at evyoffence by him or them soe donne.
36 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
44 ITM ytt is ordeyned, That all Butchers as well
straungers as Burgesses, and Chencers, shallbringe unto the mkett good, wholesome, andsufficiente victuales unblowne raised upp, onethe kidney or otherwise abused contrary to hishighnes lawes uppon payne of a greavousamcemente.
AND ALL straunge Butchors that bringe thebeefe, mutton, or other victualls to be sould, shallbringe withe them the hides and skinnes thereof,uppon payne of forfeiture of theire victuallsand amcemente to the Lord.
45. ITM ytt is ordeyned, That noe Burgesse of thesaid Towne, shall arreste, trouble, sue nor vexan other Burgesse, at any Courte, shire orfrannshise, out of the said Towne, uppon payneof discomyninge, and amcemente to the Lord.
46. ITM ytt is ordeyned, That no maner of psonbe admitted to be Alderman nor Burgesse wthinthe said towne, excepte he be a dweller therein,AND yf any of the Aldermen or Burgesses departefrom the said Towne, and dwell in an otherplace, him or them to be discomyned, that soedepartethe.
47. ITM ytt is ordeyned, That noe maner ofBurgess, Chencer, nor Inhabitante of the saidTowne, shall keepe noe licentious, naughtipackes,bawdry, or suspected harlotts, vagabounds norloyterers in theire howses, upon payne of xs.
48. ITM ytt is ordeyned, That noe maner of psonor psons whatesoev, Burgesse, Chencer norInhabitante of the said Towne, shall make noemexons wthin any place in the fraunchyse andlibts of the said towne to the anoyaunce of anyman or to the inconvenience of any of thestreates of the said Towne, uppon payne ofxs on evy of them soe doeinge.
THE OATHE OF evy Burgesse
YE SHALL SWEARE THAT YE SHALBETRUE UNTO OUR SOVERAIGNE LORD
THE LAWS OF COWBRIDGE 37
JAMES BY THE GRACE OF GOD OFthe ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, FFRAUNCE, AND
Commonwealth IRELAND KING DEFENDER OF THEof England FAITHE. AND IN THESE HIS DOMINIONS
NEXT AND IMEDIATLY UNDER GODSUPREAME HEAD AND GOVERNOUR. YESHALBE OBEYSANTE AND OBEDIENCETO THE MAIOR, BAILIFFES AND OTHEROFFICERS AND MINISTERS OF THISTOWNE. THE LIBERTS AUNCIANTE ANDLAUDABLE ORDENAUNCE AND CUSTOMETHEREOF YE SHALL UPHOULDE MAYN-TAYNE AND KEEPE TO THE UTTERMOSTEOF YOUR POWER AND THIS TOWNEKEEPE HARMELES IN ALL THAT, THATIN YOW NOW IS OR HEREAFTER SHALBE,YE SHALBE CONTRIBUTORS TO ALLMANER OF CHARGES WITHIN THISTOWNE AS COMONS, WATCHES, CONTRI-BUTIONS, TASKES, TALLAGES, SCOTT ANDLOTT AND ALL OTHER CHARGESBEARINGE YOUR PTE IN YOURABILITIE AND POWER AS EVERY OTHERFFREEMAN SHALL DOE.
49. ITM YTT IS ordeyned by the Bailliffs and
Aldermen of the said Towne, That noe Burgesse,Chencer, nor Inhabitante of the said Towne,nor noe other pson whatesoev, shall breake anygrave in the Churche wthout licence of theBailliffs and Churchwardens, payinge agreableto the Ordennance pvided for the same, upponpayne of amcemente.
ITM YTT IS ORDEYNED agreed, and fullyconcluded by the consente of the Bailliffs,Aldermen, and Burgesses of this Towne. (theseaventhe daye of septembr Anno Regni donenre Elizabethe . . . decimo tertio.) That fromthence foorthe noe pue nor sedge be madewthin the Churche of the said Towne, nor noepson or psons placed in any sedge, pue or placein the said Churche, wthout the assente,consente, full agreemente, and appointmente of
38 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
the bothe Bailliffs, twoe of the Aldermen beingein the elleccon, twoe other of the Aldermenchosen and called from tyme to tyme by thesaid Bailliffs, and of the bothe Churchwardensfor the tyme beinge, or of six or seven of thesaid Aldermen at the leaste. Soe that one ofthe Churchwardens be allwaies one. AND YFany pson doe from thencefoorthe offend, ordoe any acte or acts contrary to this Ordenaunce,evy pson soe doeinge shall forfeite for evy dalethat suche offence or acte shalbe donne orcomitted iijs iiijd WHEROF the one haulfshalbe levied to the use of the Lord of the saidTowne and the other haulf towards the repaconof the said Churche or Walls of the said Towneby the Churchwardens by distresse or accon ofdepte.
[With the last word ends the fine hand of the first writer of theroll. The continuation is in different hands.]
Thus far we have reproduced the old roll word for word, butwhat follows is not of sufficient interest to quote in full."... all Tryalls pending in this Court for the future, shalbetried by a Jury of Twelve Burgesses . . . '
"... 1689 . . . the Bailiffs . . . shall receive . . . the sumeof ffour pound apeece, for the terme of their yere . . . '"... no foreigner or stranger shall be admitted & swornefreeman . . . without the consent of the Bayliffs, Aldermen, ormajor part of them and capitall Burgesses . . .1721/2 . . . whereas . . . the giving and disposing of the wholeToll of the said Town will be for the advantage ease and benefitof us & the poor Inhabitants of the said Town that are taxedassessed & pays a Church Rate . . . Therefore we ... do makenull & void the said Ordinance or by-Law made the s'd 9th dayof January 1689 . . . And we ... do freely . . . dispose ofthe whole profitts . . . accrewing from all the Toll in generall,the profitts or Toll ot the Weigh -house, The rents of the TownShop, Church House and Councell Tutt . . . towards the newcasting and making of eight new Bells . . . And whereas theBells now hanging in the Steeple or Tow'r of the Church of thes'd Town are broke, crack'd, and very much out of Repair, asalso the walls of the s'd steeple, Timber, and Frames being decayed,and other necessary work incident thereto, Therefore we ... for
THE LAWS OF COWBRIDGE 39
our ease as well as all the poor Inhabitants of the s'd Town inorder to avoid and prevent having a New Church-Rate made fornew casting the s'd Bells and for adding Four New Bells more... So as to have a ring peal or sett of eight Bells . . . declarefor an Ordinance ... all the Profitts, Toll and Rents aforesaidshall be Demised . . . during the s'd Term and the Churchwardensto give a Receipt for the same which shall be a sufficient Dischargefor such Farmer or Farmers for the Time being for the Rent . . .That the profitts, Rents, and Toll as afores'd shall and may bemortgaged for security for the raising and Borrowing of the sumof 246-00- for the uses aforesaid . . . during the Term of Nineyears commencing from the first day of January 1722 . . . 'COWBRIDGE VILL. WE . . . being mett this first day offfebruary 1732 . . . HAVE . . . ordayned THAT the yearelyRents and profitts ariseing from the Shambles shall immediately,as allsoe the yearely Rentes . . . from the Toll in generall, theWeigh house, the Rentes of the Town Shops, Church house, andCouncell Tutt from and after payeing Mr Evan's his full demandfor the Bells shall allsoe, be applyed towards payeing DoctorRichard Bates Eleven pounds being a remainder due to him forTimber sold towards th use of the Shambles and the furthersum'e of forty shillings due to him from the said Town forattending Margaret Miles and Mary Clement.
The foregoing were not mere paper Ordinances, for there wereofficers appointed whose duty it was to carry them out, and whohad to take their solemn oaths to do so.
The forms of swearing are contained in a little book inscribed
COWBRIDGE
TOWNTHE BOOK OF OATHS.
THE OATH OF A BURGESS.-
You shall swear that you will be true unto our Sovereign LordGeorge the Third by the Grace of God of the united Kingdoms ofGreat Britain France and Irland King Defender of the Faithand so forth ; You shall be Obedient to the Mayor, Bayliffs andother Officers of this Town ; the Liberties, Antient and LaudableOrdinances thereof you shall Uphold Maintain and Keep to theUttermost of your power, and this Town keep harmless in all
40 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
that in you is or hereafter shall be ; You shall be Contributor toall manner of Charges within this Town, as Summons, Watches,Contribution, Taxes, Tallages, Scott and Lott, bearing your Partin your Ability and Power as every other Freeman shall do Sohelp you God.
THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE.
I A.B. do sincerely promise and swear that I will be faithful andbear true allegiance to his Majesty King George so help me God,I A.B. do swear that I do from my Heart Abhor, Detest and Abjureas impious and Heretical that Damnable Doctrine and Positionthat Princes Excommunicated or Deprived by the Pope or anyAuthority of the See of Rome may be deposed or Murdered bytheir Subjects or any other whatsoever and I do declare that noforeign Prince, Person, Prelate State or Potentate hath or oughtto have any Jurisdiction Power, Superiority, Authority Ecclesiasticalor Spiritual within this Realm So help me God.
THE OATH OF THE MAYOR.
THE OATH THAT THE BAYLIFFS DO RECEIVE OF THE
MAYOR.
Ye shall not Imbezle or Conceal any part or Parcel of such RentsDuties or Forfeitures whatsoever that shall Accrue to the Lord ofthe Soil within this Town for the Time that ye shall be Bayliffsfor the same, and shall at the End of the Term of your said officemake and yield a true and perfect Account thereof according tothe usual Custom at the Lord's Audit, Ye shall make diligent searchand enquire for true Weights and Measures had and used amongstall kinds of Trades within this Town for the Time of Bayliffships,and that the Bakers and Brewers do keep and maintain the truelawful and allowed Assize of Bread, Ale and Beer, and that theymake the same Good and wholesome for Man's Body ; And thatlikewise ye forsee that neither in your Shambles, nor in any otherPart of your Town, in the Market or elsewhere within the Libertiesof the same Ye do not suffer any other kind of Victuals whatsoeverto be sold than such as be wholesome for man's Body as aforesaid ;All laudable Grants and Ordinances heretofore used within thisTown, and the Same not abrogated by any Law or Statute of thisRealm, Ye shall to the uttermost of your Power see executed . . .
THE LAWS OF COWBRIDGE 41
THE OATH OF JUSTICES OF THE PEACE THAT THEBAYLIFFS TAKE .
THE OATH OF A CAPITAL BURGESS
THE OATH TO BE GIVEN TO THE SERGEANTS AT MACE
THE OATH OF CONSTABLES
You shall make diligent Search as well by day and by Night forsuspected Persons, Common Loiterers, Masterless Men and Womenand such like, as also for all Manner of Bawds and common Harlottsand. them to bring before the Bayliffs to the End they may bepunished accordingly, You shal be prest and ready with yourdefencible Weapons to attend at such Times as occasion shallso require upon the Bayliffs and Aldermen, and in their Absenceupon the Sergeants at Mace to see the King's Majesty's Peacekept and maintained and the Offenders duly punished . . .
THE OATH OF THE GRAND JURY.
THE OATH TO BE ADMINISTERED TO ONE THAT ISSELECTED AS ALDERMAN
THE OATH TO BE ADMINISTERED TO THOSE THAT ARESELECTED COMMON ATTORNEYS
THE OATH OF THE ALE TASTERS.
You shall observe and keep all the Ordinances and LawfulCustoms of this Town and Liberty You shall be obedient to theMayor and Bayliffs in all Things that is lawful laudable and honYou shall have special Care that there is sufficient and wholesomeDrink brewed within this Town and Liberty as Ale Beer thirdDrink and small Drink wholesome for Man's Body You shall presentall those that do sell any unwholesome Drink whether it be strongeror small These and all other Things that belongeth to the Officeof Aletaster You shall diligently and Carefully execute and lookunto as near as God shall give You Grace So help You God
42 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
THE OATH OF THE CLERK OF THE MARKETT.
You shall acknowledge and confess our Sovereign Lord KingGeorge to be supream Head within these his Realms of GreatBritain and Irland next and immediately under God in all Causesand over all Persons as well Ecclesiastical as Civil You shall beobedient to the Mayor and Bayliffs of the Town their Credits inall honest and laudable Causes You shall to Your Powers defendall Ordinances and lawful Customs of this Liberty You shall tothe Uttermost of your Power maintain You shall diligentlyand carefully see to all Weights and Measures that by the Abuse-ments thereof the Kings Leige People be not defrauded anddeceived You shall carefully look that such Bread as shall bebrought to the Market be well and sufficiently baked and of lawfulWeights according to the Statute therein provided You shall seeto the Bakers that sell Bread within their Houses keeping neitherWeights nor Caring for any other Thing that might be for thePoor Commodities These with all other Things that belong to theoffice of the Clerk of the Market You shall diligently execute tothe Uttermost of your Power as near as God shall give you GraceSo help You God
THE OATH OF THE CROSSKEEPER AND BEADLE.
You shall truely use and exercise the Room and office ofCrosskeeper and Beadle for this present Year and to come, Youshall resort every Market Day to the Common Market near theCross in the said Town to the Intent that Ye suffer no manner ofPerson or Persons to buy Corn before Twelve of the Clock and togive Them notice by Ringing of the Bell And that no Baker orBrewer buy any Corn in the Market until one of the Clock in theAfternoon if you shall find or truly understand of any that doYou shall present him or them so offending in the next Courtfollowing unto the Clerk of the said Court to be recorded to theEnd he or they be there amerced at the Discretion of the saidCourt according to the Penalty and Quantity of his or their offenceor offences You shall also from Time to Time during your Con-tinuance in office well and duly correct all Common Vagrants andVagabonds that shall be taken and found within this Town insuch Manner as You shall be required by the Bayliffs These withall other. Things that do or ought to appertain to the Office ofCrosskeeper and Beadle as aforesaid You shall duly observe andkeep as near as God shall give You Grace So help You God
THE LAWS OF COWBRIDGE 43THE OATH OF THE SEARCHERS OF LEATHER.
You shall well and truely execute the Office of Searchers ofLeather within this Town and the Liberties of the Same for theYear present and to come You shall carefully look that all suchLeather as You do stamp or Seal be well and sufficiently tannedaccording to the King's Majesty's Laws and Statutes therinprovided You shall likewise see that all other Leather broughtinto this Town be well and sufficiently dressed and tanned unde'rSeal agreeable to the Same Statute These with all other Thingsappertaining to the Office of Searchers of Leather You shall heedilylook unto So help You God
THE OATH OF THE OVERSEER OF THE SHAMBLES.
You shall well and truly execute the Office of Overseer of theShambles within this Town of Cowbridge and the Liberties of theSame for this year present and to come You shall look with allCare and Diligence that the Flesh as shall be brought to the Marketto be sold be good and wholesome for Man's Body You shallpresent the Names of all such doe bring to the Market to be soldany blown or unwholesome Flesh These with all other Things thatshall belong to the Office of Overseer of the Shambles You shalldiligently execute as near as God shall give You Grace
So help You God
THE OATH OF THE RECORDER OR TOWN CLERK.
You shall truly and justly execute the Room and Office ofRecorder or Town Clerk within this Town and Burrough of CowbridgeYou shall justly enter all Actions belonging to the Jurisdiction ofthis Court according to the Nature and Meaning thereof as nearas God shall give You Grace You shall neither enlarge Diminishin Substance or alter the Nature of anyone Record recorded withinthis Court after the Appearance of the Defendant by Attorney orin Person entered to the Same You shall shew Yourself submissiveunto the Mayor and Bayliffs and their Creditts and reasonablecauses maintain These with all Things appertaining to the Officeof Recorder or Town Clerk You shall to your Power execute andobserve So help You God
THE OATH OF THE ATTORNEYS OF THE COURT.
You shall swear that You shall well and truly execute theOffice of Attorney within this Court and therein You shall behave
44 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
Yourselves honestly and truly and be obedient and Dutiful to theMagistrates and Judge of the Same You shall deny no ManJustice or Right nor wilfully for any Malice Lucre or Gain delayany Man for whom You deal You shall plead no Foreign Plea butsuch as be warrantable You shall not take away or imbezzle Raceor Deface any Record belonging to this Court You shall not raisenor extort any extraordinary Fees but shall be content with suchas have been usual and accustomed You shall to your Powermaintain the Jurisdiction of this Court and in all things appertainingto the Place and Office of an Attorney You shall duly-behaveYourself according to Your Skill Knowledge and AbilitySo help You God
THE FORM OF A CERTIFICATE OF RECEIVING THE
SACRAMENT.
Glamorganshire )
Cowbridge j We Jonathan Nicholls Minister of the Parishand Parish Church of Cowbridge in the County of Glamorganand William Cornish Church Warden of the Same Parish Churchdo hereby certify that John Williams and Roger Wilkins Esqrs.Bayliffs of the Town of Cowbridge upon the Lord's day commonlycalled Sunday the Thirteenth Day of January immediately afterDivine Service and Sermon did in the Parish Church aforesaidreceive the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper according to theCustom of the Church of England In Witness whereof We havehereunto subscribed our Hands this thirteenth Day of January 1716.
f Minister of the Parish andJonathan Nicholls | parish Church aforesaid
(Churchwarden of the saidWilliam Cornish | Parish ^ Parish Church
Griffith David and John Rosser Sergeants at Mace of the saidTown do severally make Oath that they do know John Williamsand Roger Wilkins in the above written Certificate named andwho now present hath delivered the same into this Court and furtherseverally make Oath that they did see the said John Williams andRoger Wilkins Receive the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper in theParish Church of Cowbridge in the said Certificate mentioned andupon the Day and at the Time in the said Certificate in that Behalfcertified and expressed and that they did see the Certificate abovewritten subscribed by the said Jonathan Nicholls Clerk andWilliam Cornish Warden and further the said Griffith David
SURVEYS, CHARTERS, AND PRESENTMENTS 45
and John Rosser do say upon their Respective Oaths That allother Matters of Things in the said Certificate recited mentionedor expressed as true as they verily believe
Griffith DavidJohn Rosser
PROCLAMATION TO A COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL
PROCLAMATION TO A COURT OF OUR SOVEREIGN LORDTHE KING
AN ADJOURNMENT OF ALL THE COURTS
THE FORM OF FREEDOMSHIP
A PROCLAMATION TO CALL A COURT OF ALDERMEN
TO ADJOURN THE ABOVE COURT
VI.SURVEYS, CHARTERS, AND PRESENTMENTS.
A TRANSLATION OF
A GENERAL SURVEY OF THE POSSESSIONS IN THECOUNTY OF GLAMORGAN OF THE VERY NOBLE HENRYEARL OF PEMBROKE, TAKEN IN THE TWELFTH YEAROF THE REIGN OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.(Kindly lent by the Bute Estate.}
COWBRIDGE :
Inquisition there taken and held before the aforesaid Commissionerson the 24th day of September in the 12th year of our Queenaforesaid By the oaths of Thomas Webbe, David Graunte, RobertWilliam Glover, John Nicholl, David Tanner, Jankin William,John Pearse, Thomas ap Hoell, Thomas ap Rece, Richard Morgan,David Morgan, Richard Harry, Jevan Webbe, John WilliamGrono, and John Jevan Webbe, JURORS, Who sworn andcharged say as follows
THAT
The heirs of John Carne Esquire render to the lord annually fortheir lands in the town aforesaid where formerly a burgage wassituate heretofore in the tenure of Hoell Came 4d.
46 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
John Smith for one " shope " on the north side of the townaforesaid near the east gate and renders 4d.
Richard Prenche for one burgage of recent erection near thewest gate 4d.
Total 12d.
THE CHENCE
Item. The Reeves or Bailiffs of the town aforesaid answer tothe lord annually for a certain rent called the Chence payableat the feast of St Michael & by the aforesaid reeves or bailiffsand amongst themselves (i.e. the tenants) to be collected andlevied 6s. 8d.
Total 6s. 8d.
Sum total of the Rents aforesaid by the year 7s. 8d.
BE IT REMEMBERED that the Lord shall have all the profitsof the Courts and Hundreds within the Borough' aforesaid TOHOLD with all the goods and chattels of felons and fugitiveswaifs estrays escheats & other royalties &c. And the bailiffs orreeves aforesaid annually shall answer the account thereof at theaudit of the lord at Cardiff or elsewhere within the County ofGlamorgan.
Note also that the lord shall have at his first entry after the deathof his predecessor for a certain payment called the Mises or Tallage9 payable within the space of 5 years after such entry.The lord shall have assize of bread and ale within the town aforesaidfor which the Reeves or Bailiffs aforesaid shall answer the accountannually and the Reeves claim to have an allowance for theirexpenses for every Court or hundred there held of 12d & 4d forthe clerk of the Court & 2d for the serjeant at mace.And also they say that our lady the Queen has the rents of allother burgages in the town of Cowbridge aforesaid formerlygranted to the Abbot of Neath in exchange by Gilbert de Clare,there being reserved nevertheless and always saved to the lordhomages wards reliefs escheats and other services and pprofits.A NOTE of the Charter graunted by Richard Nevyll &c & confirmedby George Duke of Clarence bearing date the 12th of Novemberin the 13th year of the reign of King Edward IV as followsWe Richard Nevel &c do grant to our burgesses of Cowbridge &cthat our Constable of Card ff shal be Mayor of our said boroughas of ancient time it has been accustomed And that there shallbe a dozen aldermen who shall take their oaths before us or oursaid mayor of the which there shall be chosen one bailiff whoshall take his oath before our Constable or mayor & the serjeant
SURVEYS, CHARTERS, AND PRESENTMENTS 47
shall take his oath before the said constable. And all pleas shallbe tried before the said Constable & bailiff, or one of them, grantingthat our Constable of Cardiff mayor of the said borough & bailiff,or one of them who shall be present shall hold our hundred of thesaid borough from month to month & that all quaworels &c shallbe determined before our said Constable & bailiff or one of themin the said hundred.
The burgesses shall choose four of the which our Constable ofCardiff who always shall be mayor of our said borough shall choosetwo to be bailiffs. The bailiffs & Serjeants shall account beforethe constable. And upon the death of any alderman the otheraldermen shall choose another in his place & present him beforeour Constable of Cardiff. And that all pleas &c shall be determinedin our said regal Court before our said Constable and Bailiff orone of them.
Note that Sir Richard Clare did grant unto Cowbridge all suchliberties as Cardiff had by a charter bearing date the 13th dayof March in the 38th year of Henry the Third.Item that Hughe Lord Spencer did increase the liberties grantedby Clare but that the head office at Cowbridge next to the Constableof Cardiff was but a port -reeve & one catch poll which was confirmedby Thomas Spencer & by Isabel Countess of Worcester LadySpencer & by Edward Lord Spencer. And the above namedRichard Nevyll did confirm the same with divers additionsby his charter dated the 12th of December, 39th year ofHenry VI & lastly confirmed by the Duke of Clarence as beforeis said.
The official records, in the State archives, of the chartersgranted to Cowbridge begin with the seventeenth year ofEdward II, i.e. A.D. 1323, though there is no doubt that previouscharters had been granted by the Lords of Glamorgan. Inchronological order the records are : " An Inspeximus andConfirmation by Edward iii, dated 1359 of charters granted toKerdiff, Usk, Kaerleon, Neuport, Coubrugg, Neeth, et Kenefegin Wallia." There is also another Inspeximus, in 1401, byHenry IV, of the Charters of 33, Edward III, and of 17 ofEdward II (Cartae ii. 65). Another by Henry VI, in 1453(Calendar of Patent Rolls), and one of Edward IV, in 1465 (Cartaeii. 182). In addition to the foregoing there is an Inspeximus ofthe charters of 31, Henry VI ; 2, Henry IV ; 33, Edward III ;and of 17, Edward II, with Confirmation to the Burgesses of thetowns above mentioned. (Cartae ii. 182.)
48 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
THE SURVEY OF 1630.
COWBRIDGE BURGUS
The presentment of Richard Beaple Esquire, Samuel Williams,Alderman Rees Griffiths, Alderman William David Barry . . . 1630.. . . the Lordship or Manor of Llanblethian doth compass, mear &bound round about the said Borough of Cowbridge on all partsand sides (saving part ... of the Lordship or Manor of ChristopherTurberville Esquire of Penlin) and doth extend to the port waynear a mear stone and a stone bridge commonly called Cowe-bridgenorth west of the said Burrough. And they also say that thesame Burrough doth mear and bound from the way or lane leadingfrom Cowbridge towards Stt. Hilary and Bewpier on the Eastpart, to the bridge called Cowbridge on the West part, and fromthe Lord's lands called Mille ffurlong on the South part and tothe Lord's tucking mill on the North part and that the circum-ference of the said Burrough ... is about one mile . . . thereare within the said Burrough some small little plot or parcel ofground which ... do properly belong unto and to the use of thesaid Burgesses . . . whereof . . . are called the Town Ditchcontaining one acre . . . Counsel Tut containing about hah" oneacre . . . the Butts containing about half one acre, and the otherlittle plot or parcel is called the Broad Shoorde containing aboutone quarter of one acre. And they further say and present thatone Richard Says Esquire some few years past hath incroachedon the common footway within the walls of the said Burroughwithout the high street thereof did lead to the North gate of thesaid Burrough in erecting and new building of one stable to therestraint hindrance and stopping the passengers of going to andfro the same way which formerly time out of mind hath been acustomablic used . . . and ever presented by the Grand Jury ofthis Borough to be a common footway and free for the Burgessesand Inhabitants thereof to have ingress and regress . . . theysay and present that one Edward Came Esquire holdeth onelittle plot of ground called the little Island or ffishpond containingabout half one quarter of an Acre of Land situate in the Eastpart of the Churchyard there & adjoining to the Orchard of theMansion House of the said Edward Came . . . William Bassett. . . holdeth one Toft commonly called the Smith's forge situatewithin the East gate and walls . . . and they further say thatone John Williams the now Recorder or Town Clerk of thisBurrough . . . there are two several fairs . . . the first fair keptupon the four and twentieth day of June (being the feast of theNativity of St. John Baptist) the other and last fair held and
SURVEYS, CHARTERS, AND PRESENTMENTS 49
kept upon every the 14th day of Septr. (being holy cross day).And two Market days weekly kept upon every Tuesday andSaturday in which said flairs and markets The serjeant at macedo use to levy and gather to the use of the Lord of the said Burroughof every particular person for pitching their commodities or wareone penny (saving of the said Burgesses . . . who ought to havetheir freedom . . . the Tenents and Inhabitants of the Manorof Talavan do usually pay to the Lord's use . . . chence moneyin lieu of their freedom.
THE CHARTER OF CHARLES II.
The second part of the Patent granted in the Thirty Third Year
of the Reign of King Charles the second.
THE TOWN OF COWBRIDGE. THE KING To all to whom
&c greeting.
WHEREAS our Town of Cowbridge ... is very antient and
populous and the Burgesses . . . Divers Liberties . . . have had
used and enjoyed as well by reason and means of Divers charters
... of our progenitors . . . Kings and Queens of England and
by Divers Lords and Ladies of Glamorgan.
Then follow the usual grants in a charter of this kind. Asthe charter is a very long one a few features must suffice.
"... the Bailiffs . . . may have a common seal ... tobreak change and renew as to them shall seem expedient . . .we ... do grant . . . full power and authority to ... make. . . Laws, Statutes, Ordinances, . . . for the good governmentof the Town ... so nevertheless that such Laws . . . Imprison-ments, ffines and amerciaments are reasonable and not repugnantnor contrary to the Laws ... of England. And ... we ...do ... nominate . . . and make . . . William Bassett andRichard Phillips to be the first and modern Bailiffs of the Town. . . .And further we ... ordain that the Bailiffs . . . before they. . . are admitted to execute the office ... by the Constable ofthe Castle of Llanblethian . . . shall be approved . . . before theConstable of the castle aforesaid or his Deputy . . . Moreover we. . . make and create . . . Edward Came, John Morris, WilliamMiles, Francis William, William Tream, Lewis Evor, John Powell,Richard Lloyd, Edward Bates, John Miles ... to be the firstand modern Aldermen. . . . AND MOREOVER we will . . . thatthe Constable of the Castle of Llanblethian ... & the Bailiffs. . . shall and may be Justices of us ... for the keeping of thepeace of us ... within the Town ... as also the statutes ofArtificers & Labourers Weights & Measures . . . And further we5
50 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
. . . grant . . . that they shall and may have hold and keep. . . every year for ever one ffair or markett at and on the Feastof St. George which is the 23rd day of April & on the vigil of thesame . . . together with Court of pie powder . . . one Court ofRecord on every Thursday in every Third week . . . Further wewill . . . that the Inhabitants of the Manor of Talavan for thetime being shall have and enjoy all and all manner of Customs,privileges, franchises, Libertys, Exemptions, and Dischargeswithin the Town of Cowbridge aforesaid & the Libertys of thesame . . . Witness the King at Westminster the eighth day ofAugust.
By writ of Privy Seal."
A PRESENTMENT OF 1748.
COWBRIDGE THE PRESENTMENT of the Grand JuryTOWN in the year of our Lord one thousand seven
hundred and fforty eight in the Time of IsaacRedwood and Thomas Edmonds Esquires Bayliffsand Justices of the peace of and in the saidTown
FIRST OF ALL We present the Town Walls round about thesaid Town to belong unto the Bayliffs, Aldermenand Burgesses of the said Town and nine yardsof ground from the said Wall round the saidTown to be the free Liberty of the said Townand also a free way for a wain and oxen Leadingfrom the Limes to the Broad Way through theStumpy fields with Ingress Egress and Regressto and for the Bayliffs Aldermen and Burgessesof the said Town To have free Liberty throughthe same at all times and seasons.
ALSO We present the Bowling green, pwll y Butts,
Broad Sword to be the free Liberty of theBayliffs Aldermen and Burgesses of the saidTown
ALSO We present all Toll and pilchings of all faires and
Markets within the said Town to belong unto theBayliffs Aldermen and Burgesses of the saidTown paying therefor yearly six shillings andeight pence time out of mind
SURVEYS, CHARTERS, AND PRESENTMENTS 51
ALSO
ALSO
ALSO-
ALSO-
ALSO
We present the House in Council Tut withThree foot of Land from the ground wall to bein the parish of Llanblethian and that part ofthe garden belonging thereto now Leased toPeirce Cornish Esquire at the yearly rent ofsix pence belongs to the Bayliffs Aldermen andBurgesses of the said Town with free Liberty ofIngress Egress and Regress to and for theInhabitants of the said Town to the River orCurrent of Water adjoining to the said Gardenwithout the hinderance of any Lord or Tenantbelonging to the said House.
We present that there is a Publick Weighhouseerected in this Town for the sole Benefit of thesaid Town and that all Butter Beef and otherponderous goods and Merchandizes ought tobrought to and weighed by the sellers of thesame in the said publick weighhouse Exceptwhat goods and merchandizes that is brought bythe Burgesses of the said Town who keeps scalesfor their own houses and that no person of thesaid Town shall receive or take any money forweighing such goods under pain of a ffine
We present Peirce Cornish Esquire Tenant inpossession of the Town house to pay for the samethe sume of Twenty shi lings yearly for the useof the sd Town, The same for the Town shopTen shillings for Councell Tutt six pence forlittle shop six pence and for the stable six penceRichard Bates alderman for
[There is a large blank in the parchment here.]
We present the great Causeway leading from theBridge to the house of W. . . . Town wallwith n the pound as likewise the West gate tobe out of Repair . . . repaired by the Inhabitantsof the sd Town
We present the several occupiers of houseswithin the sd Town whose names are hereon
52
HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
endorsed for raising of dunghills in the streetsof the sd Town keeping and permitting piggsabt the sd Town and for not repairing theirseveral pavements before their respective housescontrary to the ordinances of the said Town
ALSO We present all occupiers of houses that set out
sheep folds that they ought to Leave Three footspare between the gutter and such their sheep-folds and that they are to take in to their housessuch sheep folds before night otherwise that theyforfeit to the use of the Chamber of the sdTown the sume of Three shillings for eachoffence
ALSO We present the Highway leading from the
West gate to the Liberty stone by the LimeKiln to be out of Repair by reason of so muchof loose stones on the same and that the saidloose stones ought to be gathered and carryedaway by the Inhabitants of the said Town
ALSO We present Thomas Wyndham Esquire for not
raising the Wall by the West gate
ALSO We present John Williams for encroaching on
the Libertys of the sd Town by erecting a stableadjoining to his house now in the occupationof John Reynolds on the wast ground belongingto the said Town contrary to the Laws andOrdinances of the sd Town
ALSO We present Thomas Wyndham Esquire stone-
ing the water course and keeping the same cleanopposite to John Long's pool
ALSO We present Daniel Durel clerk for encroaching
on the Liberties of the said Town by erectinga Reekyard adjoining to his Garden on thewast ground belonging to the said Town contraryto the Laws and Ordinances of the said Town.
The signatures to the Presentment are missing and look asthough they had been cut off, for the rest of the parchment iswhole.
THE GUILD AND TOWN HALL
53
On the back of the document are the names of those presentedfor not repairing their several pavements, and three persons forraising dunghills.
VII.THE GUILD AND TOWN HALL.
COWBRIDGE OLD TOWN HALL AND HIGH CROSS (1)(copied from an old painting).
THE old Town Hall of Cowbridge stood in the centre of the HighStreet, opposite what is now known as the Duke of Wellington Inn,with the Town or High Cross in front of it.
The references to the Guild Hall in the ancient Ordinances ofthe town go to prove that the building and institution so namedwere in being in the time of Edward III. Its story had bestbe told by way of record.
Ordinances of the Town :
16 : . . . That no burgesse be made or received into the guildhall excepte he be admitted by the Bailliffs, Aldermen, andBurgesses . . .
54 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
22 : . . . That noe stranger shall have free prison in the guildhall above, but in the lowe prison . . .
The Great Sessions for the County of Glamorgan were held atCowbridge on 20th July in " the twenty first year of the reign ofthe lady Elizabeth."
1672. Lease of the " shopp and penthouses thereto belonging
. . . under the Town Hall of the said Town " to Anne Gronow
otherwise Stradling. Endorsed, " Mr Cornish's ... of ye Town
Shopp." This proves that the Town Shop was the shop under
the Town Hall.
THE BEAUFORT PROGRESS.
.1684. Cowbridge was en fete on the 18th of August this yearfor the Progress of the Duke of Beaufort through Wales, an accountof which was preserved in a MS. at Badmington and printed." COWBRIDGE, a Market-town in Glamorganshire, is called bythe vulgar Welsh Y BONT VAEN, which is as much as to saySTONEBRIDGE.
COWBRIDGE, August 18, 1684. This afternoon the Duke ofBeaufort, Earl of Worcester, Sir Edward Mansell, Sir John Talbot,&c., came to this Town, and were received at the entrance intoit by the Magistracy thereof in their formalities, by whom hisGrace and Company were conducted to the Townhall, where hewas pleased to accept of a Collation prepared for him, which gaveme time to take a view of the church belonging to this community."
What the writer noted in the church will be recorded belowin its proper place, and we must now follow him to the proceedingsof which the Town Hall was the centre.
" The streets through which his Grace rode, both towards andfrom the Hall, were strewed with Flowers and sweet herbs by theloyall and well-minded people of COWBRIDG, their good affectionleaving no room for Virgil's question,Quis cane ret Nymphas ? Quis humum florentib' herbisSpargeret ? aut viridi fontes induceret umbra ?
Which Ogilby renders,
Who shall the Nymphs record ? Who with sweet FlowersStrew earth, and springs surround with shady bowers ?h< And making out another line of the same Poet,Floribus agrestes herbas variantibus addunt.
Among which was no small quantity of the herb MINT,abounding more in Wales than in England this dry Summer of 1684.Menthaque ructatrix bulbus & herba salax.
Martial also hath this to say of this sweet herb,Haec tibi quae torta venerunt condita mentha,
THE GUILD AND TOWN HALL 55
si majora forent coctana fie' erat. MENTHA herba est odoris
gravissimi in quam, ut fabulantur Poetae, mutata est MYNTHE
NYMPHA A PROSERPINA propter mutuam Veneris con-
suetudinem quam habebat cum PLUTONE.
Market-day here is each Teusday.
Fair day . . .
Wake
We have now to return to the more prosaic dealings of theCowbridge community in connection with the buildings whichformed part of the old Town Hall or were used in connectiontherewith.
1727. Lease of " the old stairs adjoining to the Town Hall. . . the said Pent-house ... to Morgan Richards."
1731. Demise of "all the shambles . . . with its shops,bulks and standings . . . ."
1775. ' . . . agreed . . . that the two messuages . . . nearwhere the eastern gate lately stood . . . and also the stableopposite thereto and adjoining to the House of Correction ... beforthwith sold and the money arising therefrom be applied, . . .in discharging the sum of 100 ... borrowed of Edmund Lewisof Penlline Esqre . . . in the year 1768 when the same and upwardsof twenty pounds more were laid out in repairing the Guild orTown Hall for the accommodation of the suitors and others resortingto ... the Great Sessions of this County which have ever sincebeen held therein and for other publick Business of the Countyand Town."
1778. "... that the House in Church Street called theSchool House ... be let ... to the best purchaser who shallpay a Fine . . . and the money to anise ... to bo applyed inthe intended repairs of the Town Hall."
1778. "... contracted ... for repairing, widening andraising the Town Hall for the sum of One Hundred Pounds."
1782. "... that a subscription should be immediatelyopened for building Rooms for the Grand Petty Jury and Protho-notary at the Eastern end of the Town Hall, & that the Corporationshould begin it by subscribing 50 exclusive of materials of thepresent shambles . . . '
1795. Lease of Two shops under the Town Hall to WilliamWilliams, Grocer.
1802. "... that folding doors be made for the Arch inthe Town Hall and also that the Bar of the two seats in the sameshall be made removable."
1808. " Ordered that Anne Smith have the Liberty of takingthe accustomed Tolls on the Cross in th'-S Town she sweeping the
56 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
Shambles, weigh house, pent-houses and street as usual. Orderedthat Mr Kayes superintend the repair of the Pitching."
1812. " Ordered that David Jenkins be employed to makea wooden case or Box to inclose the clock in the Town Hall . . . '
1819. " Ordered that the Town Hall be repaired, painted, &white-washed."
Now we have to trace the events which formed part of thecircumstances related shortly after they occurred in the words :" The old Town Hall, Shambles, & Market House which stood inthe centre of the principal street obstructing the thoroughfarehave now been removed, and the old county Bridewell situatedat this place has been recently converted, chiefly by subscriptioninto a neat Town Hall with Jury rooms & other apartments."
A movement for a new Town Hall was set en foot in 1823,but it did not become an accomplished fact till 1830.
1823. " Plans and estimate of the expence attending theerection of a new Town Hall which have been procured by theRevd. John Montgomeiy Traherne at his own expense havingthis Day been laid before the Court Resolved that the Thanks ofthe Corporation be extended ... to him ..."
1824. " Resolved that the Corporation do subscribe the sumof One Hundred Guineas towards the removing of the Town Hallthe shambles and weighouse from their present situation and forrebuilding the same in some other spot and in such manner asshall in future be resolved upon."
1825. "... that the Treasurer do advertise in the twonext Cambrian Newspaper the names of all the subscribers & thesums of them subscribed towards the removing the present Hall& erecting another."
1829. " There being eighteen members of the Corporationpresent and the proposal of the County respecting the sale of theHouse of Correction being taken into consideration the voted ofthe members were 13 in favour of purchasing and five against it.Ordered that a Letter be written to the Rev. J. M. Traherne tobe laid before the Court of Quarter Sessions stating that theCorporation agreed to give 700 for the House of CorrectionGarden and Appertenances and to pay down on the execution ofthe conveyance 100^ and to pay the remaining 600 by Instalmentsof 100 each yearly and to be secured to the County by a mortgageof the yearly Income of the Corporation & the premises proposedto be purchased."
1829. " Ordered that the Town Clerk do get 200d circularsLetters printed ... to be sent to the gentlemen and Ladies of
THE GUILD AND TOWN HALL 57
Fortune to request subscriptions towards purchasing the Houseof Correction & building a new Town Hall &c &c."
1830. Proclamation of Willi?m the fourth " at the spotwhere the antient high cross lately stood and at the south gateand at the places where the East and West Gates formerlystood ..."
"... thanks ... to Isaiah Verity the Elder Esq. for his skillcare and attention in directing and superintending the building ofthe new Town Hall & the market place. ... A copy of theFreedomship is to be sent to Mr. Verity in an Oak Box made outof part of the Old Town Hall.Lease for a year. 24th May 1830.
Release & Conveyance of the late House of Correction. . . . Dated25th May 1830.
John Ward Esqr. Clerk of the peace for the County of Glamorganto The Bailiffs Aldermen and Burgesses of the Town of Cowbridge. . . reciting ..." a new House of Correction was necessary forthe said County and the same has been accordingly erected andis now in use at Swansea in the said County whereby the lateHouse of Correction at Cowbridge aforesaid is become no longernecessary for the purpose for which it was intended and wasformerly used AND FURTHER RECITING that the BailiffsAldermen and Burgesses of Cowbridge aforesaid being desirous ofimproving the public highway through the said Town and oferecting a more commodious Town -hall for the transaction of theCounty business usually transacted in the Town-hall of the saidBorough ..."
Thus the Conveyance of the old County prison at Cowbridgewas completed by the device of Lease and Release to be used asthe new Town Hall.
Underneath what is now the Town Hall of Cowbridge someof the cells of the old House of Correction for the County ofGlamorgan are still to be seen, and from the Glamorgan CountyRecords we can well picture to ourselves the kind of things whichtook place in connection therewith.
Easter 1734. At Cowbridge.
An account of money laid out by Wm. Phillips : " For HorseHire In Going to Bridgend with two to be whipped and paid forwhipping them 2 2s."
1737. April. At Cowbridge.Nicholas Jayne's Account.
for puting the Large Irons on the hores stealer and a Large padlockfor the Stocks 3s.and a Lanthorne Is. 6d.
58 HISTORY OF OLD CQWBRIDGE
for putting a pare of Irons on the Boy thatt Stole Mr. Popkins
mony 6d. "
a Lock for a doore aBove Staiers 2s. 6d.
a new pare of Irons (15 Ibs att 4d). 5s.
and for putting them on the man which stole the Blancots 6d.
A New Barr for the dungen window 2s.
for taking the Irons of new Gent 6d.
A Cros Barr for the dungen window shutter 2s. 7|d.
two large stapells and a padlock for the same windows 2s.
1750.
Easter. At Cowbridge.
Account of ironwork done for the Gaol by Win Lewis, smith.To Ironing Wm Rosser Is.
To taking off the irons from Wm. Rosser being Too Close Is.To putting a ordir p'r on Do. Is.
175 1.Account of the misrepairs of the House of Correction.
Account of John Lewis, blacksmith.For Ironing Edward Thomas Is.
For takeing of ye ABove Irons And Puting on a Leser Pare 2s.For takeing Wm. Morgans Irons of Is.For takeing a Single Iron of James Williams 6.
There are many such accounts as these printed in the thirdvolume of the Cardiff Records, and not in Vol. IV, as stated inthe Index to the same under Cowbridge.
Gangs of prisoners from the Bridewell used to work in theneighbourhood, under the control of the turnkeys, with muskets intheir hands, and the governor of the House of Correction, with hishorse pistol. Such gangs were last seen near the Twmpath onthe way to Stalling Down.
There is more than one person still living who remembersseeing men in the stocks at Cowbridge. The last person to beplaced there was named James Knapp, and he was put there fordrunkenness, but released at the instance of Mr. Bevan, who wasa magistrate.
When Mr. Alfred James was a boy, an old woman told himshe remembered seeing a female taken out of the House of Correction,tied to a cart, nude to the waist, and beaten through the main streetof the town and back again by one of the turnkeys of the Bridewell.
Felons were hanged on Stalling Down, according to traditionon the Aberthun (Hollybush) side on a spot where the fern nevergrows. It is said the prisoner was taken from the Bridewell in a cart,the rope was placed round the criminal's neck, and when hewas under the gallows the cart was taken away, leaving the prisoner
THE GUILD AND TOWN HALL 59
hanging. The tradition is that the felon was to hang for onehour and if not dead by that time (which was seldom the case)was set at liberty.
There is a story that a girl was hanged there for stealingsilver from Llandough Castle from a master who had been undulyfamiliar with her and had turned her adrift.
According to local tradition, the last person to be hangedthere was a yeoman from Gower of the name of Gordon.
" A hanging " on Stalling Down was an occasion for a publicholiday in the neighbourhood. All the women folk made greatpreparations the night before and arose early to get their workdone in time in order that they might go off to see the great sight.
1830. Mr. Talbot, then Member of Parliament for the County,subscribed a large sum for the new Town Hall, and was awardedthe freedom of the Borough.
On the occasion of Dr. Copleston, Bishop of Llandaff, comingto reside at Llandough Castle, the Corporation presented himwith the following address :
We, the Mayor, Bailiffs and other members of the Corporation ofCowbridge, approach your Lordship with every feeling of respectto express our gratification on the circumstances of your Lordship'staking up your residence in our neighbourhood.Your eminent character as a Scholar and a Divine is not unknownto us, nor the benefits conferred on that College over which youso long and ably presided. We are also acquainted with thatliberal yet discriminating charity, which, characterizing the trueChristian, forms so conspicuous a feature in your Lordship'sconduct and practice.
Impressed with a deep sense of the value of such qualities, wecannot refrain from expressing our satisfaction at your Lordship'spresence among us and we beg your Lordship to accept the assur-ance of our ardent desire, that so valuable a life may long be sparedto diffuse over us the benefits arising from the exercise of thosevirtues with which it is so richly adorned.
Presented by the Mayor, Bailiffs, and Town Clerk the 21st dayof October 1835."
Answer of the Lord Bishop of Llandaff to the foregoingaddress :
" Mr Mayor and Gentlemen of the Corporation.The kind and cordial welcome with which you have greeted meon my arrival in your neighbourhood, is one of the most gratifyingcircumstances that has occurred since my connection with this
60 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
Diocese. I receive it gladly and thankfully as an Honor but Ivalue it still more as an evidence of your esteem, and as anencouragement in my professional duties and cares. -The attach-ment your body has always evinced to our Apostolical Churchwould, I doubt not, have prompted some expression of respecttowards the office I hold in it, even if I had come as a strangeramong you . . . Gentlemen, it is the greatest possible comfortto the clergy, to feel that the magistrates, and the more influentialmembers of Society agree with them, and are disposed to givethem their support and countenance. Especially in times oftrouble and agitation is it important to manifest these kindredsentiments.
In our Protestant Country the clergy, although they have peculiarduties, have no separate interests as a distinct Order. Theyare blended in one common mass with their fellow subjects ; theyare partakers of the same civil rights, and are bound by the samesocial and domestic ties. The well being of the community is ourjoint concern and while we perform our part faithfully and con-scientiously I do not fear that we shall ever be abandoned by you.Gentlemen from my heart I thank you for this well timed act ofcourtesy and kindness. It shall be my care to prove how muchI desire to preserve your good opinion, while I continue to liveamong you."
1836. " Ordered that the Town Clerk on the motion ofDr Williams . . . forward . . . plans to the Lord Bishop ofLlandaff for his Lordship's selection of one of the proposed plansfor the new cupola."
1836. "... thanks ... To the ... Bishop of Llandafffor his munificent Donation of the Clock to the Town of Cowbridgewhich is so servicable to the Inhabitants and so ornamental tothe Town."
1837. " That the House adjoining the Town Hall commonlyknown by the name of the Black Horse be also advertised tobe let."
1837. " Proclamation of ... Alexandrina Victoria . . . '
1839. " The House adjoining the Town Hall known as theCoopers Arms . . . The Brewhcuse usually occupied with thebefore mentioned House."
1848. "... taking down the partition between the presentJury Rooms, erecting two new Jury rooms on the East side of theHall."
1 848. ' ' That the Bailiffs & the Town Clerk & the Rev. ThomasEdmondes be requested to solicit an interview with the countymagistrates attending petty sessions at Cowbridge with a view
MUNICIPAL OFFICERS AND ROLL OF FREEMEN 61
of obtaining their influence & support in retaining the QuarterSessions in this Town."
1856. "... gas fittings fixed in the Guild Hall of thisTown at the expense of the Corporation for the purpose of havingthe Common Hall and the Justice Room lighted with Gas."
1866. " That the present fixed seats in the body of the Hallbe removed."
VIII.. MUNICIPAL OFFICERS AND THE ROLL OF FREEMEN.
AMONG the records of the Corporation there is a list of Mayorsfrom 1737 to 1870, and of Bailiffs from 1736 to 1877. From otherrecords we are able to supplement the list. We have seen abovethat, according to the Charters under which the Town was governeddown to 1570 (p. 46), the Constable of Cardiff. Castle was alwaysMayor of Cowbridge. The Constable was usually the militarykeeper of the Castle, and sometimes of a whole district, as here,for Cowbridge was within his jurisdiction, and it would, therefore,appear (for we have seen nothing to the contrary) that he wasConstable of St. Quintin's as well. In the Charter of Charles IIthe Constable of St. Quintin's was to be Mayor, and he continuedto be so down to the dissolution of the old Corporation in 1886.
MAYORS OF COWBRIDGE.
[The following list is, of course, very incomplete.]A.D.
1169. Hamo de Valoniis.1198. Gauffridus.
1399. Richardus WootunStephanus
1400. Thomas SproteleyRichardus de Hum ?
1421-22. Watkin Morton
1424. Henricus Slake
1432. Wills Buttiller (Cartae iv. 658).
1456. Thomas Herbert (M.M. i. 156).
1509. Charles Somerset, Lord Herbert, (p. 16 supra).
30th Eliz., 27th May.
George Williams. Ar. May. (N.L.W. 3740. D. p. 25).
62 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
1722. Watkin Morgan, Gent. Landough.
1737. Francis Gwyn Esq. [inscribed on the church bells], son of
Edward of Llansannor. Co. Glam. Arm. Christ Church,
Oxford, made. 1 June 1666, aged 17 ; sat in 15 Parliaments,
M.P. for, Chippenham, Cardiff, Christchurch, Callington,
Totnes and Wells, successively.
Clerk to the Council. 1679-85.
Chief Secretary and Privy Councillor 1701.
Secretary of War 1714.
ONE OF THE COWBRIDGE MACES.
1741. Thomas Morgan, Gent. Landough.1746. Edmd. Lloyd Esq. Llandaff
MUNICIPAL OFFICERS AND ROLL OF FREEMEN 63
1779. Sir Herbert Mackworth Bart. Gnoll. (In his appointmentCowbridge is called " the Borough of St. Quintin.") In1788 he appointed Henry Hollier Esq. of Cardiff, his Deputy.
1792. Lewis Jenkins Esq. Caecady.
1817. William Nicholl Esq. Cowbridge.
1828. Thomas Edmondes Esq. Cowbridge.
1845. Robert Savours Esq.
1849. Robert Charles Nicholl Carne Esq.
1870. George Whitlock Nicholl Esq.
BAILIFFS.
1305. Johannes propositus de Coubrigge (Cartae i. 201).1487. Richardus Present, Johannes Coole, (Cartae ii. 228).29th Henry VIII. Lle'n ap Risiart, aliter Lewis ap Richard (Star
Chamber Cases " Carne." P.R.O.) This I take to be
Lewys Morganwg for reasons stated below. He was the
greatest Welsh poet of his age.1560. John Brewer and James Res Knap. (N.L.W. 3740. D.
P. 25.)
7. Eliz. Wm Present and John Nicholl. (Ibid.}11. Eliz. John Rice Knap and John Praunch. (Ibid.}30th Eliz. 27. May. Jenkin Williams and Rob. Button Ba.
(Ibid.}
1672. ffrancis Williams.
1673. William ffreame, Mathias Deane.1682, William Bassett, Richard Phillips.1709. Edward Bates, Jenkin Williams.1712, Edward Powell, William David.
1722. Edw. Carne, Roger Wilkins. (Inscribed on the bells.)
1727, John Stider, Evan Williams.
1731, John Twogood, Richard Bates.
1732, William Davies, Thomas Bates.
1736. Rich'd Bates Jr. & ...
1737-40. Thomas Bates and John Carne.
1741-2. Pierce Cornish and John Carne.
1743-7. Richard Bates and James Morgan.
1748-9. Isaac Redwood and Thomas Edmondes.
1750-1. John Carne and James Morgan.
1752-1760. Robert Thomas and Thomas Thomas.
1761-7. James Morgan and Thos. Thomas.
1768-71. Thomas Williams gent, and Thomas Williams, clerk.
1772-8. Thomas Thomas and John Walton.
64 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
1779-80. Thos. Williams, clerk, and Rob't Taynton.1781-2. Thomas Thomas and John Walton.1783-6. Robert Taynton and Benjamin Thomas.1787-^8. Walter Williams and John Thomas.1789. John Walton and Robert Taynton.1790-3. Robert Taynton and Walter Williams.1794-6. Wm. Williams, clerk, and John Be van.1797-9. Robert Taynton and Thomas Williams.1800-1. Wm. Williams, clerk, and Francis Taynton.1802-3. John Bevan and Thos. Williams.1807. Wm. Williams, clerk and Thomas Edmondes.1808-9. John Bevan and Thomas Williams.
1810. Wm. Williams, clerk, and Thomas Edmondes.
1811. John Bevan and Thomas Williams.
1812. Wm. Williams, clerk, and Thomas Edmondes.1813-14. Thomas Williams and Edward Ballard Senr.1815-16. Wm. Williams, clerk, and Thomas Edmondes.
1817. John Bevan and Edward Ballard, Senr.
1818. Wm. Williams, clerk, and Thomas Edmondes.
1819. John Bevan and Edward Ballard, Senr.
1820. Wm. Williams, clerk, and Thomas Edmondes.
1821. John Bevan and Edward Ballard Junr.
1822. Wm. Williams, clerk, and Thomas Edmondes.
1823. John Kayes and Edward Ballard Junr.
1824. Wm. Williams, clerk, and Thomas Edmondes.
1825. John Kayes Edward Ballard Junr.
1826. Wm. Williams, clerk, and Thomas Edmondes.1827-8. John Kayes and Edward Ballard Junr.1829-30. Thomas Llewellyn and Edward Bradley.1831. John Kayes and Edward Ballard Junr.1832-33. Edward Bradley and Francis Taynton, clerk.
1834. Thomas Rhys and John Bevan.
1835. Wm. Williams, clerk, D. D. and Edward Bradley.
1836. Thomas Rhys and John Bevan.
1837. Edward Ballard Junr. and Thomas Edmondes, clerk.1838-9. Thomas Rhys and John Bevan.
1840-3. Edward Ballard Junr. and Francis Taynton, clerk.1844. John Bevan Esq. and Thomas Edmondes, clerk.1845-6. Edward Ballard Esq. and Francis Taynton, clerk.1847. John Bevan Esq. and Thomas Edmondes, clerk.1848-50. Edward Ballard Esq. and Francis Taynton, clerk.
1851. John Bevan Esq. and Thomas Edmondes, clerk.
1852. Edward Ballard Esq. and Edward Bradley Esq.
1853. Francis Taynton, clerk and Thomas Edmondes, clerk.
MUNICIPAL OFFICERS AND ROLL OF FREEMEN 65
1854. Edward Bollard Esq. and John Be van Esq.
1855. Francis Taynton, clerk and Thomas Edmondes, clerk.
1856. Edward Bollard Esq. and John Be van Esq.
1857. Francis Taynton, clerk and Thomas Edmondes, clerk.
1858. Edward Ballard, Esq. and John Be van Esq.
1859. Edward Ballard Esq. and Francis Taynton, clerk.
1860. Edward Ballard Esq. and Thomas Edmondes, clerk.1861-3. Francis Taynton, clerk, and Thomas Edmondes, clerk.
1864. James Ballard Esq. and John Samuel Gibbon Esq.
1865. Thomas Edmondes, clerk, and John Samuel Gibbon, Esq.
1866. Thomas Edmondes, clerk, and James Simpson Ballard Esq.1867-9. John Samuel Gibbon Esq. and James Simpson Ballard Esq.1870-1. Thomas Edmondes, clerk, and Thomas Llewellyn Esq.
1872. John Samuel Gibbon Esq. and Thomas Llewellyn Esq.
1873. Thomas Edmondes, clerk, and John Simpson Ballard.1874-77. Thomas Llewellyn Esq. and Edward Bradley Junr. Esq.
The list in the Town Clerk's Office ends with the year 1877.
THE OFFICIALS OF THE CORPORATION.
The records concerning the Officials of the Corporation arevery scanty, and a fuller list of the Town Clerks would be verydesirable.
RECORDERS OR TOWN CLERKS.
Eliz. Thomas ap Howell.
" Wm Carne ap ho '11 carne, had issue these bare daughters . . .Margaret m : to tho : ap howell late recorder of Cowbridge . . . '(Llanover MS. E. 4. P. 70.)
As this William Carne was a younger brother of Sir EdwardCarne, of Ewenny, who died in 1561, it would appear that Thomasap Howell was recorder of the Borough for some time during thereign of Queen Elizabeth.
1630. Survey : " And they further say that one JohnWilliams the now Recorder or Town Clerk of this Burrough ..."
1730. Christopher Williams. (Burial of "Mr. ChristopherWilliams, Town Clerk, Nov : 4." Bishop's Transcripts.}
1761. Thomas Lewis. " Mr Thomas Lewis (late Town Clerkof this Town) for not delivering up the Papers and CommonSeal ..."
1761. Thomas Williams. "... that Mr Thomas Williamsthe Town Clerk be employed as the Attorney of this Corporationto take- such legal ways and means . . . unto the Recovery . . .6
66 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
of all the Deeds, Charters, and other papers belonging to thisTown . . . together with the Town Seal, Town maces . . . '
1807. John Thomas. "... that the Town Clerk do applyto the representatives of the late Mr Thomas for the Town sealKyd on Corporations, and all other Books & papers belonging tothe Corporation which were in his custody as Town Clerk."
1807. " Francis Taynton gent . . . produced an appointmentunder the Hand and Seal of the Most Hon. John Marquess of Bute. . . constituting him . . . Town Clerk . . . '
1835. William Edmondes
1851. " Your committee find that your Town Clerk has beenin receipt of a salary of Four guineas a year since the year 1822and that he is also entitled to the fees and perquisites of his officewhich chiefly arise from the admission of Freemen but since theBorough Court has fallen into disuse and the passing of the ReformAct has rendered the freedom unsought for, these have become verytrifling indeed."
1852. John Stockwood.
1892. William Thomas Gwyn, the present most respected andcourteous Town Clerk of the Borough.
OTHER OFFICIALS.
A list of all these would be tedious. Here and there we findsuch records as :
SARGIENTES.1487. " Johannes Ewer, Willelms Rogger " (Cartae ii. 228).
CONSTABLES.
1770. "John Thomas the younger, yeoman, and JeremiahJones, Innkeeper were sworn King's Constables for the Town.Thos. Richard, Innkeeper, Richard William, Innkeeper, EvanLewis, Cordwainer, and Jenkin Jeremiah, Blacksmith were swornBailiff's Constables of the Town."
THE TOWN CRIER.
1857. " Resolved that Christopher Norton be appointedTown Crier, and that sufficient cloth be given him for making asuit of clothes being a Tailor he is to make them himself Beinginformed of this Resolution he states that in consequence of badnessof sight he is unable to make the clothes tidily himself and it wasthen further resolved that the Treasurer should get a suit of clothesmade for the Crier & that he should also be supplied with aHat The clothes to be plain without a coloured collar.
MUNICIPAL OFFICERS AND ROLL OF FREEMEN 67
ALE TASTERS.
1771. " Edward Hopkin and David John were appointedale Tasters and sworn accordingly."
THE ROLL OF FREEMEN.
The list as given here is by no means complete, as there arelacunae in the records from time to time from the latter half ofthe eighteenth century. My friend the Town Clerk has given mea list of some freemen of note, which I have been able to supplementfrom my own researches.
' f 1770. The Rev. Thomas Bruce, clerk, of Llanblethian, wasunanimously elected and sworn a Freeman of this Town.
1771. John Franklen Esq. of Llanmihangel.
1782. John Bassett Esq. of Bonvilstone.
1783. The Rev. John Walters the younger and John Perkinsgent.
1784. Mr. Daniel Walters (Headmaster of the GrammarSchool).
1802. Thomas Edmondes Esq. Since his time CanonEdmondes, Archdeacon Charles Edmondes, Archdeacon Fred.Edmondes, Charles Edmondes, Esq., and Thomas Edmondes, Esq.,have been sworn freemen of the Town.
1810. Dr Whitlock Nicholl of Cowbridge.
1817. Daniel Jones Esq. of Bewper, the Benefactor of CardiffHospital.
1818. Lord James Stuart M.P. for the Glam. Boroughs.1820. Josiah John Guest Esq. of Merthyr Tydfil, ancestor of
the Wimborne family.
1820. Walter Coffin Esq. afterwards M.P. for the UnitedBoroughs.
1820. William Crawshay Esq. of Merthyr Tydfil.
1828. Charles Williams of Jesus College, Oxford, gent.,afterwards Dr Williams, Principal of Jesus College.
There are obvious lacunae before this, as Thomas Williams,B.D., his grandfather, and William Williams, D.D., his father,were freemen of the Borough.
1830. C. R. M. Talbot Esqre. M.P.
1 831 . Benjamin Heath Malkin LL.D. the well-known historian,writer, and social-reformer.
1860. Robert Williams Howell, son of Rees Howell, clerk.In 1861 the list as revised by the Revising Barrister consistedof:
68 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
Ballard, James, Edward, Thomas, and James Simpson, all ofOowbridge.
Bassett, Richard, Bonvilstone.
Bevan, John, Cowbridge.
Bird, Nathaniel and William.
Bradley, Christopher, the elder and younger.
Davies, John Henry, of Cowbridge.
Edmondes, Thomas, Charles Gresford, and Frederic William.
Howell, Robert Williams, of Cowbridge.
Lewis, William, of Bridgend.
Llewellyn, Thomas, of Cowbridge.
Ockwill, John, of Welsh St. Donats.
Perkins, Chris., of Bridgend.
Samuel, John, of Newton House.
Samuel, David, of Bonvilstone.
Taynton, Francis, of Cowbridge.
Thomas, John, of Cowbridge.
Williams, William, of the Poplars.
1864. Dr. John Whitlock Nicholl Carne.
By 1902 the certified list had shrunk to five names :
Bassett, Ralph Thurstan.Edmondes, F. W.Lewis, J. W.Lewis, T. T.Llewellyn, John.
Of these, only Alderman John Llewellyn is with us to-day,to be succeeded in his freedomship, we hope, by his distinguishedson, Dr. Lister Llewellyn.
In our day there have been but two Honorary Freemen ofthe Borough :
Edward Henry Ebsworth, Esq., of Llandough Castle ; andthe Most Rev. Alfred George Edwards, D.D., D.C.L., LL.D.,Archbishop of Wales.
THE TOWN WALLS, GATES, AND DITCHES 69
IX.
THE TOWN WALLS, GATES, AND DITCHES.
&&
THE OLD TOWN WALL.
yndi saint da iawn a sydder kwyro,r, tref ar kaerydd
oi glan byrth gloywa ny bydoi hafon drwyddi hefyd
Dd. Benwyn
WE have now to trace what is known of the Wall, Gates, andDitches of the Town.
There are, as we have seen above, reasons for thinking thatthe Norman defences of Cowbridge were not the first, but werebuilt upon a pre-existing Roman camp, obliterating much of theRoman remains in so doing.
Some years ago, on the occasion of the building of the Institute,part of the foundations of the old town wall was exposed and areport thereon was furnished by Mr. John Ward, F.S.A., Curatorof the Cardiff Museum. The width of the wall was 7ft. Sins.,and Mr. Ward was of opinion that it was Mediaeval rather thanRoman on account of the batter of the outer face.
The Town Walls were apparently twenty-five feet high,having a batter outside, and a walk inside the battlements fourteen
70
HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
feet wide, parts of which still remain in the garden of the old Halland in the grounds of the Grammar School.
This work of the Normans took place, according to the oldWelsh chronicler, Caradoc of Llancarfan, in A.D. 1091 : " OedCrist 1091, gwalgylched y Bont Faen." (Myv. Arch. 700.)
THE OLD SOUTH GATE, COWBRIDGE.
The next references are in the ancient roll of the Borough :" 24 . . . That noe maner of person shall caste no duste, dounge,nor noe other fiithe in the streates nor in the Towne ditches, norwithin fortie feete of any the foure gates of the said Towne, orany p'te of the walls thereof, uppon payne of amcemente."
This proves that Cowbridge had four gates, as does also theSurvey of 1630. It is necessary to state this, as, somehow or other,Leland (1535-39) missed the North gate, for he says : " Thewaulle of Cowbridge is a 3. quarters of a mile about. There be3. gates in the waulle, the est, the west, and Porte Miline by thesouth."
Leland's informant gives him an interesting note :" Item est oppidum, moenibus et fossis circumdatum, cujus orientalis
THE TOWN WALLS, GATES, AND DITCHES 71
porta stat ad ripas rivi in occidental! plaga ejusdem rivi, et curritrivus per moenia dicti Pont vayn, reliquendo oppidum ob occidentaliet septentrionali plaga " (v. 240).
As the South gate still stands, we have to account for thedisappearance of the North, West, and East gates.
The first to fall was the North gate, shortly before 1630, forin the Survey of that year we read : " Richard Says Esquire somefew years past hath incroached on the common footway withinthe walls of the said Borough without of the high street thereofdid lead to the north gate of the said Burrough in erecting andnew building of one stable to the restraint hindrance and stoppingthe passengers of going to and fro the same way which formerlytime out of mind hath been a customablic used . . . and everpresented by the grand Jury of this Burrough to be a commonfootway and free for the Burgesses and Inhabitants thereof tohave ingress and regress."
The West and East gates fell about the same time, between1750 and 1775. The town walls had for some time been allowedto fall into decay, for Daniel Durell, the head master of the schoolabout this time, complained : " ye ruinous condition of ye TownWalls about us is no encouragement for gentlemen to send theirchildren here."
Of the West and East gates the former was the first to fall. Inthe presentment of 1748 we read : " We present Thomas WyndhamEsquire for not raising the wall by the West gate." Shortly afterthis, according to the story of Mrs. Edmondes, of the old Hall,the Edmondeses applied to Lord Windsor, as Lord of the Borough,for permission to take down the West gate on the ground that itinterfered with the traffic through the Town. At the first time ofasking the request was refused. Eventually, however, permissionwas granted. Mrs. Edmondes has kindly favoured me with acopy of a letter which must have been written in reply to onethanking his Lordship for the favour :"Sr.
I am glad twas in my power to oblige you without prejudiceto the Town of Cowbridge
I am your most
H.Ser'tNov'r 16/1754 Windsor "
Permission was given to take down the old West gate and touse the stones from the same provided Thomas Edmondes carriedthem away at his own expense. To all appearances he must havetaken what stones he wanted and have left the rest, for there isa minute of 29th August, 1805 : " Ordered that the old ruin near
72 HISTORY OF OLD GOWBRIDGE
the Academy be employed in building the said wall." Which wallwas that of the pig market, the Academy being the Eagle School,formerly the Spread Eagle Inn.
We can fix the time of the removal of the East gate within ayear or two.
Among the presentments in 1763 is one of Blanch Morgan," for continuing an Incroachment on the common Highway withinthe eastern gate of the said Town being a Pigstye . . . adjoiningthe close of Mr John Edmondes called Tree chwarter y carreggwyn."
It was apparently standing in 1768, for under 28th April ofthat year we have the record: "The Town House and Stableby the Eastern gate are let to Mr Thomas Thomas at six pounds
In 1775, however, the Eastern gate was a thing of the past,for in that year there is a conveyance to Mr. William Wathen withthe endorsement : " Of the Town House and Stable near wherethe Eastern gate lately stood."
The South or Mill gate fared better, apparently because itdid not impede the traffic through the Town. Indeed, in 1805,the Corporation actually repaired it, together with the ParishPound, which lay immediately within it on the West side thereof :" Ordered that the pound and the old arch near the Free schoolbe immediately repaired."
1862. " Resolved That the Agent of the Corporation do getthe Porch of the ancient South Gateway of the Town repaired."
THE TOWN DITCHES.
Nine yards of ground from the Town Wall round the Townwas held to be the free Liberty of the Borough, and outside thiswas the Town Ditch, which we must now endeavour to trace.
The first reference to it is in the ancient Ordinances of theBorough. By No. 24 no person was allowed to cast any filthin the town ditches. And by No. 39 no person was allowed todrive any beasts into the town ditch nor enclose the same nor tocut thorns there without licence of the Bailiffs, nor to meddle withthe banks of the same.
Among the possessions of the Corporation in 1630 were " theTown Ditch containing one acre ... & the little plot or parcel. . . called the Broad Shoorde containing about one quarter ofone acre." The sites indicated were connected, so it has beenconjectured, with the Roman occupation. Roman camps wereconstructed, so it is said, with a shallow ditch not more than
THE TOWN WALLS, GATES, AND DITCHES 73
three feet deep and a rampart not more than six feet high. Ithas been claimed that this exactly coincides with the appearanceof the Bowling Green, and the Roman fibula was found in whatis claimed to be the Western foss, extending at right angles tothis trench (Bovian. Nov. 1904). " A foss is also traceable passingacross the main road under Mr William James's house towardsthe town cricket field, towards the Broad shoard (broad foss).This is quite a 100 yards from the town wall, so that the Romanworks must have extended further West than the Norman town.It was in this foss that the fibula was found." (Bovian. June. 1904.)The writer appears to proceed upon the assumption that theNorman ditch was nearer the town walls, whereas in 1808 we havea reference to the filling in of the water course from the EagleLane to the Broad Shore.
We have now to trace the course of the Town Ditch round theTown from the documents.
1672. " Demise of : ' all that parcel of vacant ground inthe Towne Ditche . . . without the South Gate . . . the wayleading from the South gate towards the Bowling Greene on theSouth part.' '
1748. " We present Thomas Wyndham Esquire stoneing theWater Course and keeping the same clear opposite to John Long'spool."
1776. " Lease of ' the Broad George or Shord.' '
1776. " Lease . . . ' the main Gutter or shore on the Southside of the Town.' '
1779. " We present that there is an ancient Footway leadingfrom opposite the House of Correction by the West side of theTown Ditch to the Church of the sa : d Town."
1786. " Lease of ' the Piece of unenclosed ground lyingbetween the Town Ditch and the Old Town Wall by Lamb Innextending from the street to Wain y gar . . . '
1787. Lease of " . ... all that piece of uninclosed groundhaving the Town Ditch on the East, a certain meadow calledGwain y Gar on the South, the Town Wall and a certain Inn orAlehouse called the Lamb on the West and the street or commonhighway leading through the said Town on the North parts thereofcontaining forty yards or thereabouts in length from the street toGwain y Gar six yards in Breadth in front to the street andincluding the Town Ditch of the last mentioned Breadth to theTown Wall . . . ."
1791. Lease of " the broad shord."
1794. " Also we present that Mr Thos. Thomas has enfringedon the property of the Corporation by destroying the old Road
74 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
through Wain-y-gaer from the Eastern Gate of the said Town tothe Church & making Level the old Ditch that was formerly theBoundary of the said Corporation . . . '
1808. " They also present the road way or watercourse nowfenced & stopped up leading from the said Eagle Lane to a placecalled the Broad Shore is the property of the Corporation andbelongs to the said Town."
1813. " Ordered that the spot of ground from the new housenow erected by Mr Ed. Ballard Junr. & lying between the Bridewellgarden and the Town Ditch that separates Mr Taynton's meadowfrom the spot of ground lying at the north end of the Bridewellgarden called Botany Bay be let ..."
1832. " Ordered that the Town Ditch between the Bridgeleading to Mr Taynton's field and down by the Horse and Jockeygarden & to the new Market House to the Wain y Gair be cleansedat the Corporation expense."
THE COWBRIDGE FEVER.
Early in the fifties there was a great County Ball at the Bear,which was followed by an epidemic, causing a large number ofdeaths among both the members of the County families whoattended the ball and the inhabitants of the Town. It was knownas the Cowbridge fever. Investigations were made as to thecause of it, with the following results :" 2nd. Dec. 1853 :
A Report, signed by Geo. Paterson, M.D., Chas. Sylvester M.D.& Jno Llewellyn Surgeon, of the state of the Drainage of thepremises near to and belonging to the Bear Inn and of certcjnPublic property was put in & read."
Mr. Richard Sadler handed in a report, and it was read by theClerk, bearing date the 22nd December, 1852, on the sanitarystate of the Borough, and stating certain nuisances which existedin the Town. Resolved : " to employ a competent Engineer tosurvey the line of the Ditch forming the Northern boundary ofthe Town, that such Engineer be instructed to report to theCorporation the best method of correcting the nuisance createdby the existing state of the Ditch . . . ."
1854. " That the lowest level which can be taken commencingfrom the Foot Bridge at the back of Mr Taynton's premises shouldbe continued up to the Bear premises where the first drain appearsto fall into the Town Ditch and that an egg-shaped and coveredDrain be formed the whole distance according to the plan sentin by Mr Forrester ... a committee ... to carry out in detailthe plan ... for covering the Town Ditch."
COWBRIDGE AND THE WARS 75
1854. "... that the present Drain at the North side ofthe Town be made on what was formerly known as Town Moat& which has already been completed as far as the Bear Inn premisesbe carried on to opposite the Malt House & premises so thatadvantage may be taken of obtaining the refuse water from theMalt-house & Brew-house for flushing the Drain . . . '
X.
COWBRIDGE AND THE WARS.
THE neighbourhood . of Cowbridge has from time to time beenthe scene of a fight, and whenever in later history our nationalbattles have been fought on foreign soil the ancient Borough hasalways risen to the occasion and done its duty nobly and well.
In the mediaeval chronicle of Caradoc of Llancarfan, printedin Welsh in the Myvyrian Archaeology, we have an account of theBattles of Ystradowen and Llanquian in A.D. 1031, where weare told the Saxons came to Glamorgan and the Battle of Ystrad-owen took place, where Gwynan ab Seisyllt and all his sons wereslain. Then Rhotpert ap Seisyllt, the Lord of Maes Essyllt (theold name for old Bewper, or Beaupre) and the brother of Cynonab Seisyllt, came upon the scene, and after exhorting the Cymryby reminding them of their previous exploits they attacked theSaxons in the Battle of Llan Cwywan (Llanquian), and aftergaining a great victory took much spoil (p. 695). It is said thatthese Seisyllts were the ancestors of the great Cecil family.
Though we read in various ancient records that manyGlamorgan towns were burnt from time to time, there seems tobe no such record in connection with Cowbridge, whose fortificationsmust have been particularly good to ward off Welsh attacks.
A.D. 1226. " Combusserunt Walensis tres villas de Glamorganvillam scilicet de Sancto Nichaleo, villam de Novo Castello, etvillam de Lagelestune, nonnullosque homines occiderunt." (Ann.de Marg. p. 35.)
A.D. 1229. " The Welshmen led by Howel ap Moreduth in1229 destroyed the towns of St. Nicholas and St. Hilary." (Ibid. 37.)
A.D. 1231. " Llewellyn burnt the town and church of Caerleon& took Neath. Morgan Cam destroyed the town and itsinhabitants."
A.D. 1243. "Combusta est villa de Kenefig." (" Excheq.Chron. " in Arch. Cam. 1862. p. 279.)
76
A.D. 1257. " Guerra orta inter Anglos et Wallenses."(Welsh Annals. Harley MS. 838. f. 116. b.)
With all this happening round about, Cowbridge seems tohave escaped.
In the Kalendar of Patent Rolls we have a record of asoldier of Cowbridge in 1301. His name was John le Bakere," of Coubrigge," who received a pardon " by reason of his serviceon the coast of Scotland, for the death of Peter le Galeys & ofhis outlawry for the same."
The account of the Battle of Stalling Down comes to us froman old MS. which belonged to the Rev. " Thos. Basset of Lann-y-lai." This place was known to the Normans as Escalleurs orsteps, and on examining the road on the hard rock the formationcertainly suggests the appropriateness of the name.
In Mr. Clark's " Cartae " we are told that the sheriff's courtwas sometimes held there : " Court held occasionally ambulatory,as in 1245 at Escalleurs, Stalin, and St Nicholas." (iv. 649.)
In May, A.D. 1399, King Richard II passed through Cowbridgeon his unfortunate expedition to Ireland. Sir T. D. Hardy, inhis Preface to the Close Rolls (p. xv), gives the route followed bythe King as : *' Cardiff, May 8th and 9th. Cowbridge anduncertain, May 10th. Margam, May llth. Swansea, May 12th.Uncertain May 13th. Carmarthen, May 14th. Sailed for Ireland,May 29th."
After the great battle in 1400 the old Welsh called it BrynOwen, and it is known among the Welsh as such in our own day.In this account, which is printed in the lolo MSS. (p. 98), we aretold that Owen Glyndwr " broke " (torres) the castles of Penllin,Llandough, Talavan, Llanblethian, and several others, and thathe burned many villages and churches about them. The storygoes on to say that he burned the villages of Llanfrynach andAberthun also, because the men of those places would not joinhim.
However, many of the people of the land rose with oneaccord and demolished an innumerable number of castles andhouses and divided the spoils among the weak and the poor, inconsequence whereof the Magnates fled to England and placedthemselves under the King's protection. Then a fierce battle tookplace on Bryn-Owen mountain, near Cowbridge (ar fynydd Bryn-Owen wrth y Bont Faen), between Owen and his men and themen of the King. After eighteen hours' hard fighting the King'sforces were put to flight, and the story goes that at Pant-y-Wennol(swallow-hollow), which divides the two sides of the mountain,the blood was up to the horses' fetter-locks. The formation of the
COWBRIDGE AND THE WARS 77
ground here suggests a swallow in full flight, with the road as itsback and the rising . hills on either side for the out-stretchedwings.
Here on Stalling Down, from the fork of the great ash whichfell about the year 1740, Owen directed his forces, which probablyconsisted of French troops as well as Welsh, for the French recordsstate that an expedition was sent from France to help him. TheFrench troops disembarked in West Wales and marched eastwardto his assistance. lolo says that the pedestal of the Cross whichwas raised to commemorate the event was there quite recentlyand might well be there still.
The fight was also called the Battle of Llanquian, when theCastle of Llanquian was destroyed and a thousand of the King'smen were slain. All that remained of Aberthun was a solitarypine-end of a house, which could still be seen in lolo's day.
After the battle and its results only one house was left in thevillage of Llanfrynach, which might well be, as, no doubt, therewas a village there at one time.
It is said that he destroyed the Round Tower near Cowbridge." Torri'r Twr Crwn wrth y Bont faen," and as there was a roundtower at Llanquian probably it is meant to be that.
The tradition is that when his star declined Owen Glyndwilived the life of a recluse, under the name of Sion Good-Fellow, inthe wild district which stretches from Aberthun to Mynydd y Glew.It is a romantic region, and the place names are well suited to thetradition. Glew means a brave man, a hero. Coed-y-marchog, theknight's wood. Very near " The Hero's Mount " is Llwyn-rhyddid,the Bush of Freedom.
The last years of his life are wrapped in obscurity, and appar-ently there is nothing more than tradition to connect his endwith Monnington and Kentchurch, and no more evidence for itthan for that of the Cowbridge tradition. Indeed, when the localplace names are taken into account and the words of the oldchronicler, as recorded by Bradley in his " Owen Glyndwr "(p. 303), the evidence seems to be in favour of the Cowbridgetradition.
" In 1415," says one old chronicler, " Owen disappeared sothat neither sight nor tidings of him could be obtained in thecountry. It was rumoured that he escaped in the guise of areaper bearing a sickle, according to the tidings of the last whosaw and knew him, after which little or no information transpiredrespecting him nor of the place or name of his concealment. Theprevalent opinion was that he died in a wood in Glamorgan."
78 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
The wood in which he wandered is called Coed-y-marchog,otherwise known as " The Walk," near Aberthun, and Castell SionGood-Fellow is now known as Castell Coch.
Mr. William Roberts, of Llanblethian, who is ninety years ofage, and has lived all his life in the district, tells me that onMynydd Coch there is a cavity called Pwll Sion Goodfellow (withthe accent on " fellow ") of which no one knows the depth. Inthis wild and romantic region it is said that the Welsh hero spenthis last days and his body was buried under the sanctus bell (whichis fortunately in situ, as is only one other, I believe, in the dioceseof Llandaff) in the ancient church of Welsh St. Donats.
EGLWYS LLANDDUNWYD WELSH ST. DONAT'S CHURCH.
- < Yn ymguddio dan Enw Sion [good] fellow y mwynwr yngNhoed y Marchog lie bu farw ai gladdu dan yr un enw dan yGloch Aberth yn Llanddunwyd." (Llano ver MS. C. 42. P. 247.)
A local man was severely punished for his participation inthe rebellion, for in 1403 there is a grant (Kal. Pat. Rolls) " toThomas Thomas one of the grooms of the pantry, of the landslate of John Fleming in the town of Coubrigg, Penllyn & Landouto the value of 6 marks yearly forfeit because of his rebellionin adhering to Owen Glendowry."
During the Civil War of the seventeenth century the Boroughseems to have been a centre of Royalist activity. In 1647Sir Richard Bassett of Bewper, Sir Edward Thomas, Sir CharlesKemeys, Sir Thomas Not, the Stradlings, and others summonedall the Royalists of the county to Cowbridge, where they mustered1000 strong. (Phillips, " Civil War in Wales," p. 389.)
COWBRIDGE AND THE WARS 79
The activities of old Judge Jenkins in all these matters werevery great, and some account of him will be found below underthe History of Cowbridge Church.
There were meetings concerning the militia of the countyheld in Cowbridge in 1688, and the county troop mustered on theGolden Mile in 1695-6. (M.M. 34. 41.)
The Acts of the Corporation contain many references withregard to the American and the French Wars :
1776-7. "... It is agreed that the sum of ten pounds andten shillings be paid ... for the Relief of the soldiers in America,and of the widows and orphans of such as have fallen or mayfall in Defence of the Rights of the Mother Country."
A large number of American loyalists sought refuge in the oldcountry owing to the War of the American Revolution. Mr. E.Alfred Jones, M.A., has given us an interesting account of someof them in an article, " American Loyalists in South Wales,"published in Americana. (Vol. XIII. No. 2. Pp. 146-155.)
Several of these settled at Cowbridge.
" Selecting the names at random," says Mr. Jones, " the firstof the American Loyalist refugees in South Wales was SamuelMather, who chose as his abode the ancient borough of Cowbridge,in Glamorganshire." He was born in February, 1736-37, and wasthe eldest son of the Rev. Samuel Mather, of Boston, and, in thewords of his petition to the Commissioners of American Claimsin London, " descended from some of the most ancient and reputablesettlers " in the Province of Massachusetts Bay. He had servedin the war against the French in North America and was an officerin a provincial corps. He held many important appointmentsDeputy Commissary General in Quebec and Commissioner ofthe Court of the King's Bench. In 1771, or thereabouts, heremoved to Boston, his native place, and was appointed chiefclerk at the Customs.
By taking the Loyalist side in the War of the Revolution heincurred the displeasure of his reverend father and, in his ownwords, was " guilty of disobliging the best of fathers by refusinghis advice and commands to quit the service of His Most GraciousSovereign, and enter into that of the States of America." Hismother's brother was Thomas Hutchinson, Governor of Massachu-setts, and he chose to follow him into exile. In a letter which headdressed from Ilfracombe in 1782 to Councillor Price, of Cowbridge,he said that he intended to take a small cot with a bit of land ifhe received an allowance from the Government, and he sends hiscompliments to Miss Price, Miss Harris, and Mrs. Morgan atCowbridge.
80 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
He was paid 400 by the Government by way of compensationfor loss, together with a pension of 100, which was paid till hisdeath in 1813 at Boston, the place of his birth.
Mr. and Mrs. Murray were also American exiles at Cowbridgeand were visited in the ancient Borough by Governor Hutchinsonon 24th July, 1778.
In the little town there resided also an eminent MassachusettsLoyalist in the person of William Browne, of Salem, sometimerepresentative in the General Assembly and Judge of the SuperiorCourt. He was one of the two hundred and more Loyalists ofHavard College and a man of great estate, for his claim for hisreal estate in Connecticut and Massachusetts came to 32,256,and the final allowance was 7,658. His only son, William Browne,was educated at Winchester and gazetted to the 58th Regimentof Foot in 1779.
In the son's petition in 1780 he states that his father " is nowconcealed among the rugged mountains of Wales, subsisting witha family upon a salary of 200 a year."
William Browne, senior, lived at Cowbridge for over twoyears, and Governor Hutchinson called on him and his wife on24th July, 1778.
On 7th April, 1779, the Governor wrote to him at Cowbridgeasking him to send his son, who was about to be gazetted to hisregiment, to London, so that the Governor's tailor might makehis uniform. He invited the young subaltern to breakfast anddine with him during his visit to London, before embarking withhis regiment for Gibraltar.
Young Browne served throughout the siege of Gibraltar from1779 to 1782.
The father left Cowbridge on his appointment as Governor ofBermuda on 19th January, 1781. In Bermuda he remained tillhis retirement in 1788, when he returned to the old country anddied at the age of sixty-five in 1802, leaving, according to his will,two daughters, Catherine and Mary.
After the Fishguard Invasion some of the French prisonersof war, when they were taken through Cowbridge, were lodgedin the " Bear " stables.
Sir Goscombe John, whose father attended the Eagle Schoolat Cowbridge, and whose grandfather and great-grandfather wereCowbridge men, tells me that what stands out most clearly in hisrecollection of the stories his father related to him was the numberof old soldiers and sailors belonging to the district who had servedin the Napoleonic and other wars. His great 'grandfather died
COWBRIDGE AND THE WARS 81
in the Navy, and his grandfather, who was in the 43rd Regiment,served in America at the siege of New Orleans, and afterwardswent with his regiment to Belgium, reaching Waterloo the dayafter the battle, then going on to Paris.
His grandfather, who lived afterwards at Llantrithyd, had inhis employ a man who was on the ship " Bellerophon " that tookNapoleon to St. Helena. There was an old pensioner at Cowbridgewho, on his pay days, made a great noise by shouting when inhis cups, " You talk to me ! I who have been twice under thewalls of Badajoz" meaning, apparently, the two sieges.
There were many Cowbridge stories of the severity of Wellingtonwith those who misbehaved themselves.
The late Mrs. Charles Edmondes heard her father, JacobAemilius Irving, who served with the 3rd Light Dragoons (nowthe 13th Hussars) at Waterloo, and was wounded at the end ofthe day, say that if General Picton had lived the Duke would nothave been the great man he was.
The great general had close family connections with Cowbridge,and the church registers contain the following records :1789. Baptisms.
Feb 16th. Richard Turbervile, son of Richard Turbervile andElizabeth Picton.
Oct 22. Jerves Powel Picton, son of Richard Turbervile andElizabeth Picton.
This Richard Turbervile was the son of Thomas Picton, ofPoyston, Pern., and elder brother of General Picton. Hetook the name Turberville on his succession to the EwennyAbbey estates under the will of Richard Turberville, of EwennyPriory, who died without issue in 1771.
The devolution of this historic house is both complicated andinteresting.
On the dissolution of the Priory in 37 Henry VIII, it waspurchased by Sir Edward Carne, Knt., second son of Howel Carne,of Cowbridge and Nash, and descended to Jane Carne, the last ofthe Carnes to hold it.
She married Edward Turberville, of Sutton, who was sheriffin 1740, and had several children, who died without issue. Theirthird son, Richard Turberville, succeeded to the property, and onhis leaving no issue the property was willed by him to his father'sissue by his first wife, Cecil, daughter and co-heir of RichardLoughor, of Tythegston, by Cecil, daughter of Judge Jenkins, ofHensol. Richard Turberville's issue from Cecil Loughor was Cecil,who married the Rev. Edward Powel, of Llandow, and their issue,
82 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
Cecil Powel, was married in rather a romantic fashion in Reynold'sCave at Tresilian, near Llantwit Major, to Thomas Picton, ofPoyston, Pern., and they had : 1, Richard ; 2, General Sir ThomasPicton ; and 3, Rev. Edward Picton. This Richard is the fatherin the baptismal entries in the Cowbridge register in 1789, and bythis time had succeeded to the Ewenny Priory estate and takenthe name of Turberville thereupon, his wife, Elizabeth, retaininghis birth name. She was the eldest daughter and co-heir of theRev. Gervase Powel, the last male heir of the Powels of Llwydarthand Llanharan. They had : 1, Richard ; 2, Gervase Powel(baptized at Cowbridge) ; and 3, Elizabeth.
Local tradition says that the great General was driven fromEwenny Priory, his brother's seat, by a Cowbridge coachman whenhe set out for Waterloo, and we are glad to note that the Pictonconnection with the ancient Borough is still maintained in theperson of Mrs. Thomas Edmondes, who is a daughter of EwennyPriory.
1796. " In consequence of a Letter received from his Gracethe Duke of Portland in regard to the scarcity of wheat It isordained that the Town Clerk draw up resolutions in order forthe Inhabitants who think proper may agree that the consumptionof wheat in their Families may be reduced at least one third ofthe usual quantity consumed in ordinary times."
1798. " Ordered that the Treasurer pay Ten pounds . . .about one tenth of its annual income being a voluntary contributiontowards carrying on the war."
1814. " The Corporation subscribed Five guineas towards therelief of the sufferers by the war in Germany."
THE VOLUNTEERS.
From its inception the little town always took great interestin the volunteer movement.
1797. "... agreed that the sum of Twenty pounds shouldbe subscribed by the Corporation for the purpose of forming aVolunteer Military Association within the said Town."
lolo Morganwg, though there was much in the FrenchRevolution that appealed to him, for France was then regardedby us, just before the Revolution, as the most servile country in theworld, as Burke's speeches plainly show, was, however, greatlyopposed to the ambitious policy of Napoleon, and exhorted themen of Cowbridge to do their duty in his song for thevolunteers :
COWBRIDGE AND THE WARS 83
SONG FOR THE GLAMORGAN VOLUNTEERS.(Llanover MS. C2, pp. 259-266.)
(1) Whilst war pours around all its terrible storms,
And dangers appear in their numberless forms,We, mid the wild uproar that spreads its alarms,Volunteer'd for our Country, fly boldly to arms ;At Britain's loud call ev'ry soul is awake;We the field, to crush insolence, cheerfully take,And oppose the sharp steel, or the death-pinion 'd ball,To merciless foes that would Britons enthral.
One and all ;
One and all ;
At our dear Country's call,To (?) Vanquish all foes that would Britons enthral.
(2) We, sons of Glamorgan, of Britain's old race,
Eye with filial affection our dear Native place;No Nation before us this Region possess'd ;To this day 'tis our own, in its Plenty we're blest ;The Saxon, the Dane, and the Norman, in vain,Strove to bind our forefathers in Tyranny's chain,And if we one moment experienced a fall,Soon we sprung from his grasp that would Britons enthral.
One and all ;
One and all ;Never long in our fall,We sprung from his grasp that would Britons enthral.
(3) The Norman invader, a while with success,
Once trampled our Plains, dared their Natives oppress,But Ivor and Morgan, our Chiefs of renown,Assailed the fierce Despot, soon tumbled him down ;Their sons, undegenerate, form a strong band,To die, or repel every foe from our Land ;Whether faithless Batavian, or insolent Gaul,Death awaits every soul that would Briton enthral.
One and all ;
One and all ;
Whether Dutchman or Gaul,Death awaits every soul that would Britons enthral.
84 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
(4) Our Country to free from all grievous alarms,On the shores of Sabrina we meet under arms,Sprung from ancient Silurians, who gloriously bledIn Liberty's cause, by Caractacus led;
To his Standard how throng'd an invincible host,When Rome's mighty Legions insulted their coast ;In us they revive, to repulse the fierce Gaul,And all his Allies that would Britons enthral.
One and all ;
One and all ;
We'll repulse the proud Gaul,And all his Allies that would Britons enthral.
(5) From Rapine's mad soul what oppressions are hurl'd ?What huge depredations that deluge the World !
See, whelming wide Regions, the rancours of Hell!Haste ! grasp the keen blade ! and those furies repel !With all his high threats and his Gasconade boast,Let him dare set a foot on one inch of our coast !Before our bold onset th' Invader shall fall;We'll crush every foe that would Britons enthral.
One and all ;
One and all ;Each Invader must fall,Destruction his doom that would Britons enthral.
(6) For the Fair ones we love, for our Children and wives,For friends that have heighten 'd the joys of our Lives,We take up the sword, and with ardour advance
To humble the Pride of unprincipled France.
And rather than yield to her tyrant's control,
All the blood from our veins in one torrent shall roll ;
Like true British souls in the conflict we'll fall,
Or vanquish all foes that would Britons enthral.
One and all ;
One and all ;In the conflict we'll fall,Or vanquish all foes that would Britons enthral.
(7) Sweet Girls of Glamorgan, whose frowns we more fearThan the fiercest of foes, though their millions appear,We fly to the wars, bid all pleasures adieu,
British Rights to secure, and protection to you,
COWBRIDGE AND THE WARS 85
O ! smile on your Heroes who toil under arms,By nothing subdued but the force of your charms ;At your feet we cry quarter, tho' victors oer all,Those insolent foes that would Britons enthral.
One and all ;
One and all ;
At your feet we now fall,Though triumphant o'er foes that would Britons enthral,
(8) Return ! lovely Peace ! with thy banners unfurl'd,
And from our loved Isle, give thy Laws to the world ;O ! terminate ireful hostility's jars,Bid hide in their Hell the fomentors of Wars,May brutal resentments that hunger for blood,Domestic and foreign, be nip'd in the budWhilst Britain's true sons for this sentiment call," Confusion to those that would Britons enthral."One and all ;One and all ;
Fill the glass to their fall !Confusion to those that would Britons enthral.
1861. "... a donation of Ten pounds . . . to the CowbridgeRifle Corps."
1865. "... a donation of Ten pounds towards their newclothing."
1866. "... That a further grant of Ten pounds be madeto the Cowbridge Rifle Corps."
In the Great War of 1914-1918 Cowbridge responded verynobly in every way, and of her sons the following gave their livesfor their country :
THE PAROCHIAL ROLL
(For Cowbridge and Llanblethian Parishes.)
William Archer. Charles Lewis.
Noah Brakewell. Frank Lewis.
D. Robert Bond. Fred C. Lord.William Burley. M. J. Marsden.Cecil Chard. Arthur Miles.
E. Tom David. David Miles.Bassett Davies. Edward Miles.Frank Dunn. Aubrey Morgan.
86
J. C. Dunn.H. A. Dunn.
Tom Edwards.Owen Evans.David Fitzgerald.Albert Gibbs.Arthur Gibbs.Ralph S. Goulden.Sidney Hayward.William Howells.Morgan Jenkins.A. H. Jones.A. Wynne Jones.Willie Lane.
Richard Morgan.William H. Moynan.W. D. Owen.Alexander Pates.J. W. Payne.Arthur Stock wood.T. F. H. Torney.Edward Thomas.Tom Thomas.William Trew.Albert A. Turner.Ronald S. WaU.William Wilmot.Herbert D. Williams.
R. I. P.
XI.
THE AFFRAYS OF COWBRIDGE.
IOLO, in a characteristic note headed, " Freebooters in Glamorgan.14th, 15th, and 16th centuries," gives us some particulars of thestate of the County during those times, which could well beamplified. In his list we have : " Mansels, Matthews, Turbervilles,Jasper Tudors, Spencers, Breigam families, Senghenydd, Gowerians-in general, Cadwgan y fwyall, Glynrhodden, Bewper Bassetts,Rhys ap Sion o Lynn Nedd, Kil-y-bebyll family, were notentirely subdued until the time of Oliver Cromwell, CaptainCory's gang in Margam, patronised by the Mansel family, CaptainPwdin's Banditti supported by the Royalist party. Judge Nicol'sgang about the year 1690 or earlier. Toby Matthew's gang,Llewellyn Bren. Judge Nicol's gang was at least connived at bymany families, and even by the Judges of the Great Session beforewhom for trial he was brought several times but never convictedtho' the clearest evidence appeared against him. The HensolFamily were among his Patrons. During James ii. William, & Anne,Judge Nichols favoured the Pretender." (lolo MSS. xxvii. 191.)The town and neighbourhood of Cowbridge saw many scenesand dangerous fights between the great and powerful families ofGlamorgan with their bands of retainers, and the records of theStar Chamber and other courts have many a tale to tell of theirdoings.
THE AFFRAYS OF COWBRIDGE 87
It appears in the light of subsequent events that an oldOrdinance of Cowbridge was very necessary : " It'm ytt isordeyned That noe Burgesse nor Chencer shall weare noe gentlemanslyverye nor Conysaunce savinge the Lord of the fraunchise, upponpayne of discomynuninge, And fyne to the Lord."
In Edward Llwyd's " Parochialia," published as a supplementto the Archaeologia Cambrensis in 1911 (p. 133), we have someinformation bearing upon an affray that took place at Cowbridgeapparently early in the fifteenth century and the consequencesthat attended the same : " Llangynwyr, a parish church dedicatto a St. of y l name, within this parish upon ye Down call'dMynydd Llangynwir was fought a great skirmish between Glamorgan& Brecknock-shire men. After y* ye Breconians had slain JenkinMathew in Cowbridge and Riffled and spoiled Michaelmas fair thenkept in wenny being pursued to this place & there overtaken andafter a sharp encounter a great part of ye Breconians were thereslain among whom one Dd tew dwrky a valiant and a. mightyman being their leader was slayn & ye rest saved themselves byflight & on Dd ap Jenkin ap Jevan of Brich y Kymer who by hismother side descended out of Brecon carried with his oxen yedead carcases to Llangynwyr's churchyard & there caused themto be buried in a great heap yet to be seen in ye north part ofye church yard. Since this time ye fair was removed to St. bridesdown & was not kept since at wenny."
This Jenkin Mathew, who was killed at Cowbridge by theBrecon men, was a son of Sir David Mathew, of Llandaff Court,Standard-bearer to Edward IV, who was living in 1425.
They must have been rather a turbulent family, for Sir DavidMathew, the father, was slain by the Turbervilles in a riot at Neath,and Edmund, grandson of Sir David, was killed at Merthyr.
The retainers of the Carnes, the Herberts, and the Manselscame into conflict in Cowbridge on Feb. 1. 28 Henry viii. RiceMansel was charged by William Carne with sending his servantson that night to the house of David Thomas Lloyd in Cowbridgeto maltreat him. There are charges also of coming to the HundredCourt at Cowbridge with armed retainers in order to interferewith the due administration of justice.
At another time there was a fight between the Carnes andthe Herberts, when Roger Carne and a large number of the towns-men with swords and bows and arrows attacked the retainers ofthe Herberts. On this occasion the prison of the town was filledwith the combatants.
An Inquest was held at Cowbridge on 13th Sept., 32 Henry viii,touching the death of John Carne at Sully, done to death, so it
88 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
was alleged, by the Herbert gang, for which a Bill was filed inthe Star Chamber.
Sir William Herbert was charged at the instance of EdwardMathews, Esq., with the maladministration of justice at Cowbridge,in opening the Court and disposing of cases in which he waspersonally interested and closing the same before the proper time.
The foregoing are but a few instances of what was takingplace in the town from time to time. More will be found below.
There was a great combat in 1576, for the Margam MSS.contain a letter from William Herbert, of Swansea, to Sir EdwardMaunsell concerning witnesses to be examined in regard to arecent affray between the servants of Sir Edward and himself.
This document contains a list of persons, some marked " hurt,"arranged under the four columns of Stradlinge, Turberville, Mansell,and Bassett. It is dated at Cardiff, 3rd March, 1576.
XII.
IOLO MORGANWG AND COWBRIDGE.
IOLO seems to have come to live at Cowbridge in 1796, and hisresidence there is remembered more especially in connection withthe stories concerning the sugar and the Bible, and with his songon the Cowbridge Topers. The shop which he kept is, accordingto tradition, either that occupied by Mr. Bird, the ironmonger,or that of Mr. Phillips, the plumber the tradition varies.
Llanover MS. C. iv. p. 296 contains a letter from London,dated 1796, addressed to Mr. Ed. Williams, Mason, Cowbridge,and there is another elsewhere addressed to him as " Bookseller,Cowbridge."
In his horror of the slave trade he displayed sugar in hiswindow with the announcement, "East India sweets, uncontamina-ted with human gore."
The book called " The Rights of Man " was then banned,and lolo was supposed to sympathize with the French Revolution.Spies were on his track, and his movements and doings werewatched, particularly by two persons named Rich and Curtis, whoresided in the town. One day lolo placed in his window amongthe books for sale a volume labelled " The Rights of Man." Thespies now thought they had him. They went to the shop, askedfor the book and paid for it, but when they received it they dis-covered to their surprise that it was the Bible. They immediatelyasked for their money to be returned, but all they had from lolo
IOLO MORGANWG AND COWBRIDGE 89
was the answer : " No, Sir, I am no cheat. You will find in thatbook the best and dearest Rights of Man, and I am glad of theopportunity which has put the Bible into your hands, for oncein your life."
He seems to have been treated rather badly by some of thepeople, for in a note on " Mwynder Morganwg," written at Llan-gynwyd in 1796, he says : " The suavity of Glamorgan may stillbe retained with considerable propriety everywhere excepting afew of our Vale Towns, Cardiff, Cowbridge, &c., that, aping theyknow not what, have acquired much of the monkey characterwith a smack of the Fox, sly, cunning, & thievish, on a plan thatkeeps clear of the Law. I know their character well enough, butit is not worth enlarging upon trifles." (lolo MS. 28. p. 116.)
Amongst his papers there are . two documents which throwsome light on his life as a bookseller.
Llanover, C. 59, pp. 128-131 :
"Edward Williams, about the year 1798, sold books andstationery in Cowbridge, and for a monthly order for books fromLondon had the following from time to time amongst otherorders :
1. 2, or 3 Nos. of a Bible, no matter what Bible.
2. Dr. Buchan's Doctor Book.
3. History of England not to exceed Is. in price.
4. Reading made easy for a little Boy six feet high and 28years of age.
5. London Primer.
6. Guy of Warwick, a 2d. pamphlet.
7. The Devil and Dr. Foster.
8. A Psalm book.
9. A New Version Book.
10. A List of the Sporting Ladies.
11. A flute book.
12. A Farrier book for a rich farmer, qu ? by what authorD n Authas I hates urn all, I'll have no athar book.
13. Pilgrim's progress.
14. An Almanack that will do for every year.
15. Harry Staddles Master piece.
16. A Dream book.
17. A cyphering book.
18. A fishing book.
19. The History of the Devil.
20. A riddle book.
21. A fortune-telling Book.
22. A Christmas Carol book, Welsh and English.
90 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
23. A Freemason's book, or a book how to learn to be a free-mason.
24. A Play book (no author named).
25. The art of getting Pretty Children.
26. The House that Jack built.
27. A book to play cards.
28. Book about Robin hood.
29. A book to make one laugh (ordered by an old womanfor her grandson).
30. A book to learn Algibar, (a farmer for his son).
31. A book to make Cheese and butter (same farmer for hisDaughter).
32. A Book to feed Game Cocks for himself.
33. A book on the construction of mills and pumps and toenquire for the best author on this subject (a millwright).
34. A Doctor Book.
35. A High-story book, price 6d.
36. A Gardener book.
37. A Book about Bony part}'.
38. Parson Wesley's Doctor book.
39. A Horse Doctor book.
40. A farming book.
41. A complete set of Lock's works in wood, with leatherBacks gilt and lettered for the Pannels of a Library door (for arich Gentn. of 5000 per ann.).
42. Peter Pinder's book about the lice in the King's head ad n good thing.
43. A magazine book about going to the Americo.
44. A Cook book (for a rich farmer's eldest Daughter) (ablubber paunched wench).
45. The High-story of Jack the Giant Killer.
46. A book to make Sermons and Hymns (ordered by aCandidate for Methodistic Ordination).
47. A book about Oliver Cromwell.
48. A Book about Bony party and Tom Pain.
49. A sea song book.
50. A Fair book.
51. A book about gostisis and witchisis (ordered by a Cockneywho had retired into Wales).
52. A book to make elder wine and pickle cabbage.
53. Young Man's Best Companion.
54. A Ready Reckoner for the same person.
55. A book to play the fiddle.
56. A book to make a poitry.
IOLO MORGANWG AND COWBRIDGE 91
57. New Testament.
58. Entick's Dictionary.
59. Spelling book.
60. Young Man's Companion.
61. Ready reckoner.
62. Joe Miller's Jests.
63. A Queer Song book, and a Queer High-story book.
64. Complete Vermin killer.
65. A letter book, or book to write Letters.
66. Tablet of memory.
67. A Prayer book, and a Hymn Book.
68. Seven Champions of Christendom.
69. Robin the Cruser.
70. Tricky Songster.
71. A book of good fat songs.
72. Song book, no matter what (a young Lady).
73. A Juggling book.
74. The complete conjurer, and a book to tell by the planets.
75. A Bible."
These from 56 to 75 inclusive were ordered by the LlancarvanBook Society.
To the above may be added the following : The Revd MrJohn Walters had ordered the Church Wardens of St Mary Churchto get a good folio Church Bible, Wm Wms who acted for theilliterate Church Wardens and kept their accounts in a curiousway of his own would have persuaded them to order a familybible as the most proper.
PLAN FOR A CIRCULATING LIBRARY AT COWBRIDGE.To the Clergy of the Town and Neighbourhood of Cowbridge.Gentlemen,
Having lately attempted to establish a little circulatingLibrary at Cowbridge, several Clergymen have expressed a wishthat I would add to the number of my books the Six volumes ofTheological Tracts published not many years ago by our excellentBishop of Llandaff. I am extremely, desirous of obliging all myworthy customers as well as of rendering my little Library trulyuseful, by storing it with such a select assortment of books as mightbe deemed something superior to the trash too often found incirculating libraries, which however such is the depravity of publictaste everywhere cannot well be dispensed with, but I am notashamed to confess that circumstances and the exigencies of myfamily, are such, that I cannot afford to buy books of great price
92 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
that will never be read by a number of persons sufficient to defraythe expences of purchase in that reasonable time that every meansof subsistence by trade requires, on the ordinary terms of circulatingLibraries : yet wishing as much it may be in my power to accom-modate those who favour me with their custom, I submit thefollowing little plan to the consideration of such as may approveof it. the terms are as follows,
1. The Bp of Landaff's Theological Tracts to be Sent for as soonas Six gentlemen may be pleased to send their names assubscribers on the following conditions.
2. Each to Subscribe 4 s on notice of the arrival of the Books,for which every subscriber will be entitled to the reading ofthem keeping each volume one month at the end of whichtime or at an early opportunity after its expiration the volumeto be returned to the Library for the accommodation of thefirst subscriber that may in person, by verbal, or by writtenmessage call for it,
3. Tne B3oks shall not be lent to any one before the subscribershave had their exclusive opportunities of reading them.
4. The Volumes being independent of each other it is of noconsequence with which of the Volumes any subscriber begins,so that each subscriber can be accommodated with a volumeimmediately on their arrival. Thus each subscriber will beentitled to a volume a month during the first six months, atthe end of which term the books become free to be let outto any gentlemen that may wish to read them which will notbe done sooner without the unanimous consent of everysubscriber.
5. If an original subscriber should ever after the expiration ofthe first Six months wish to read any of these volumes, hisorder shall always be entitled to the privilege of priority oftime, and be obeyed immediately if the volume shall be inthe library, if not as soon as in due course it returns from
whoever may at the time have it in reading.
- On the above plan any number of Gent n may associate in
an easy subscription to be accommodated with the reading ofany other expensive work.
Any Gent n wishing to become a subscriber is humbly requestedto favour me with his name either in person or in writing andany secrecy that may be wished shall be inviolably observed, by
Gent n
Your Etc.
(Llanover C. Vol. II. Pages 142 and 143.)
IOLO MORGANWG AND COWBRIDGE 93
In A.D. 1800 he started on his expedition to North Wales :
1800. July 26 Cowbridge intended setting out for N.W.
but prevented by a G n who had lately seen my Bro'r, at Jamaica.
27. Sunday,
28, began my Journey, Bridgend, Bettws, search Bradford'spapers found nothing that I was not previously possess'd ofexcept his own poetry, & a few words . . .
In his notes for his contemplated History of Glamorgan,among other features of Cowbridge he notes : " no manu-factories no Bank, no waggons, Mail Coach daily, arrives ato'clock, best market in the County." (Llanover C. 2. P. 151.)In his notes on Fairs in Glamorgan (Llanover C. 71, p. 97)he gives :
Cowbridge.
Cattle of all sorts. Hogs day after the Cattle fair or the Generalfair, wherein Drapery, Cutlery, Flannels, Stockings, Turnery,Fruits, Earthen Ware, &c, are sold."
In a paper which bears no date, but which appears to beabout A.D. 1800, he counted the houses in Cowbridge and com-pared the population of the place with other towns or districtsin Glamorgan.
Houses in Cowbridge
from Great to Keys inclusive 6
from Coles to Masons Arms inclusive 8
Mr To 8 Williams att'y to Mrs Morgans 20
Dr. Walton to Bridwel 11
Blue Bell to Lamb 6
Spread Eagle to Gate 13
Sextons to Darren 12
Opposite Pwll y Butts 3
Church Street to Counsil tut & porth 14
Limes 4
East Village, North side to Gate 30
Do. South side to Gate 22
Without East Gate, North side 4
Do. South side 9
Bridge 3
166
(Llanover C. MS 36. p. 284.)
Population of Cardiff 1870
Neath 2502
94 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
Population of Cowbridge 759
Lantwit 729
Landaff 696
Lantrisent 1932
Swansea 6099Carfilly including Eglwysilan 1885
Bridgend 1064 Qu ?
Merthyr 7705
About 1803. (Llanover G. MS. 43. p. 230.)
The age in which he lived was an age when men drank hard,and the drunkards of the place must have felt the force of his satire,when men spoke more freely than we do to-day.
Llanover MS. G. 59. p. 371 (65) contains his suggested epitaph :
ON COWBRIDGE SEXTON.
Here lies inturr'd upon his backThe carcase of old surly JackFe dyngwys lawer tra fu fyw
Lie mae'r laith honno'n iaith y wlad."
What is omitted is better left unsaid.
I know not whether the Sexton and the Parish Clerk werethe same person or not, as they were both named John ; perhapsthey were. However, the character of the Parish Clerk may bejudged from the following resolution of the Vestry :
27 Nov : 1822" Resolved
That whereas it appears to this Vestry that the present parishclerk John Rosser having by repeated acts of drunkeness & othercrimes, so disgraced to himself and the office he holds in theChurch, as to render it improper that he should be allowed tocontinue any longer in the performance of the duties thereof thathe be deprived of the same. . . . '
His song on the Cowbridge Topers is well remembered in thetown to this day, but its character is such that no good purposewould be served by reproducing it here.
Some Cowbridge folk to this day quote his verse in Englishin connection with Penlline Castle and prognostics of the weather :
" When the hoarse waves of Severn are screaming aloud,And Penlline's lofty castle's involved in a cloud,If true the old proverb, a shower of rainIs brooding above, and will soon drench the plain."
CARLYLE AND COWBRIDGE 95
XIII.CARLYLE AND COWBRIDGE.
THE great prophet of national righteousness, Thomas Carlyle,spent many happy days in the neighbourhood of Cowbridge,especially at the Cottage, Llandough, with his Quaker-Attorneyfriend. Charles Redwood, " in the quiet village-household in thehollow of the Welsh mountains near the shore of the many sounding,everlasting sea." In his " Life of John Sterling " he gives us agood description of the district as it was in his time. EdwardSterling, the father of the subject of his biography, had heard ofan eligible cottage at Llanblethian and moved thither with hisfamily from the Isle of Bute in 1809.
" Llanblethian," wrote Carlyle, " hangs pleasantly, with itswhite cottages, and orchard and other trees, on the western slopeof a green hill ; looking far and wide over green meadows andlittle or bigger hills in the pleasant plain of Glamorgan ; a shortmile to the south of Cowbridge, to which smart little town it isproperly a kind of suburb." The Vale of Glamorgan he describesas " a very pleasant fruitful region : kind to the native, interestingto the visitor. A waving grassy region ; cut with innumerableragged lanes : dotted with sleepy unswept human hamlets, oldruinous castles with their ivy and their daws, gray sleepy churcheswith their ditto, ditto., for ivy abounds everywhere ; and generallya rank fragrant vegetation clothes all things, hanging in rudemany-coloured festoons and frigid odoriferous tapestries, on yourright and on your left, in every lane. A country kinder to thesluggard husbandman than any I have ever seen. . . . The nativepeasant village is not generally beautiful, though it might bewere it swept and trimmed ; it gives one rather the idea of sluttishstagnancy, an interesting peep into the Welsh Paradise of SleepyHollow. Stones, old kettles, naves of wheels, all kinds of brokenlitter, with live pigs and etceteras lie about the street : for as arule, no rubbish is removed, but waits patiently the action ofmere natural chemistry and accident ; if even a house is burntor falls, you will find it there after half a century, only cloakedby the ever-ready ivy. Sluggish man seems never to have stucka pick into it ; his new hut is built close-by on ground not encum-bered, and the old stones are still left lying. This is the ordinaryWelsh village ; but there are exceptions, where people of morecultivated tastes have been led to settle, and Llanblethian is oneof the most signal of these. A decidedly cheerful group of human
96 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
homes, the greater part of them indeed belonging to persons ofrefined habits ; trimness, shady shelter, whitewash, neither con-veniency nor decoration has been neglected here. Its effect fromthe distance on the eastward is very pretty ; you see it like a littlesleeping cataract of white houses, with trees overshadowing &fringing it ; and there the cataract hangs, & does not rush awayfrom vou."
LLANBLETHIAN (1)(from an old print).
Carlyle then goes on to state that Sterling spent his next fiveyears in this locality, which he afterwards described in one of theearliest of his printed pieces.
" My home," wrote Sterling, "was built upon the slope of ahill, with a little orchard stretching down before it, and a gardenrising behind. At a considerable distance beyond & beneath theorchard, a rivulet flowed through the meadows & turned a mill ;while above the garden the summit of the hill was crowned by afew gray rocks . . . beyond this streamlet and the little mill &bridge another slight eminence arose . . . crested by a ruinedcastle. ... I know that no landscape I have ever since beheld. . . -gave me half the impression of living heartfelt perfect beautywhich fills my mind when I think of that green valley, that sparklingrivulet, that broken fortress of dark antiquity, & that hill . . .from which I have so often looked over the broad stretch of verdurebeneath it, and the country-town, and church-tower, silent and
CARLYLE AND COWBRIDGE
97
white beyond. In that little town there was, and I believe is, aschool where the elements of human knowledge were communicatedto me. . . . The path to it lay across the rivulet & past the mill ;from which point we could either journey through the fields belowthe old castle ... or along a road on the other side of the ruin,close to the gate-way of which it passed. ... It took ... acertain solemn & mysterious interest from the ruin. The shadowof the archway, the discolorisations of time on all the walls, . . .
LLANBLETHIAN (2).
the dimness of the little thicket which encircled it, the traditionsof its immeasurable age, made St. Quintin's Castle a wonderfuland awful fabric in the imagination of a child ; and long afterI last saw its mouldering roughness, I never read of fortresses,or heights, or spectres, or banditti, without connecting them withthe one ruin of my childhood. ... At the entrance of the littletown stood an old gate-way, with a pointed arch and decayingbattlements. It gave admittance to the street which containedthe church & which terminated in another street, the principalone in the town of C . In this was situated the school towhich I daily wended. I cannot now recall to mind the face ofits good conductor. ... I have before me a strong general imageof the interior of his establishment. I remember the reverencewith which I was wont to carry to his seat a well-thumbed duo-decimo, the History of Greece by Oliver Goldsmith. . . . The long8
98
HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
desks covered from end to end with those painted masterpieces,the Life of Robinson Cruso, the Hunting of Chevy-Chase, theHistory of Jack the Giant-Killer . . . ' Such is John Sterling'sdelightful picture of the scenes of his childhood and of the oldEagle School.
Carlyle proceeds : " In Cowbridge is some sort of a freeschool, or grammar school, of a certain distinction ; & this to
THE SOUTH GATE AND THE TOLL GATE(copied from an old painting).
Captain Sterling was probably a motive for settling in the neigh-bourhood of it with his children. Of this, however, as it turnedout there was no use made : the Sterling family, during its con-tinuance in those parts, did not need more than a primary school.The worthy master . . . was an elderly Mr. Reece of Cowbridge. . . and is still remembered by his old pupils as a worthy,ingenious & kindly man, ' who wore drab breeches and whitestockings.' '
The old Eagle School, called " The Eagle Academy," tookits name from what was formerly the Spread Eagle Inn. It wasa noted school in its day and trained boys who became men ofdistinction in their several walks in life, such as Dean Howell,Judge Gwilym Williams, and Mr. D. T. Alexander. Many of the
MISCELLANEA 99
most substantial men in the County of Glamorgan received theirearly education at this institution. John Sterling left the schoolin 1815. " Somniferous green Llanblethian has suddenly beenblotted out ; . . . and the noises of paved Paris instead." (JohnSterling, ch. iii.)
There is a tradition amongst old scholars of the Eagle Schoolwho are still living that General Nott, who was in command of theArmy of Kandahar, which avenged the slaughter of the KhyberPass and took Kabul, was educated there. According to theDictionary of National Biography, he was born in 1782, his fatherlived at Neath, and young Nott was educated at a grammar schoolat Cowbridge. Later on his father removed to Carmarthen andbecame proprietor of the Ivy Bush Hotel.
XIV.
MISCELLANEA.THE PEOPLE'S FOOD.
As will be seen on reference to the old Laws of the Town, greatcare was taken as to the quantity, quality, and price of the people'sfood, and, it must be added, of their drink also. Most of themeasures used for the purpose are well known, but in " An Inventaryof measures &c belonging to the Toll House " are included . . ."... 1 sticklass, 3 Cypes . . . ."
The Assize of Bread seems to have been held with someregularity, and the following are two samples of such records inthe Acts of the Corporation :
" I, John Griffiths, one of the clerks of the markett for the saidTown Do certify upon Oath that the Price of wheat last markettday was from seventeen to eighteen shillings the Welsh Bushelcomputing two Winchester Bushels and six gallons to each Bushel,as witness my hand the 24th day of May 1769."
ASSIZE OF BREAD.
Set the 7th Day of December 1771 to take place the 9th.
Ib. oz. dr.
The Penny Loaf wheaten is to weigh 9 11.
The Penny Loaf Household is to weigh 13 1.
The two Penny Loaf wheaten is to weigh 136.
The two Penny Loaf Household is to weigh 1 10 1.
100 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
Ib. oz. dr.
The six Penny Loaf wheaten is to weigh 3 10 2.
The six Penny Loaf Household is to weigh 4 14 3.
The twelve Penny Loaf wheaten is to weigh 7 4 4.
The twelve Penny Loaf Household is to weigh 9 12 6.
The Eighteen Penny Loaf wheaten is to weigh 10 14 6.The Eighteen Penny Loaf Household is to weigh 14 10 9.
The three Penny Loaf wheaten is to weigh 1 13 1.
The three Penny Loaf Household is to weigh 272.
Jno. Walton. Thos. Thomas.
POOR LAW ADMINISTRATION.
Here and there are such items as the following, which illustratethe working of the Poor Law of the time :
1764. ... a Rate for the Relief of the Poor in the year 1764of 3/6 in the on Lands and 2/- in the on Houses . . .
1766. That Richard William is to have 2/6 weekly and theOverseers are to Procure him two Flannen shirts.
1770. Ordered that the several Poor Persons receiving relieffrom the Town be badged.
Is this custom the origin of the expression, " The badge ofpoverty " ?
1779. The Overseers of the Poor to provide two coarseDowlas shirts, & waistcoat & Breeches to be paid out of theOverseers Rate.
There were several workhouses at different times and ondifferent sites in the Town :
1787. . . . Rent of the five Houses or Cots by Pwll-y-Butsthree whereof are now annexed of the Workhouse. . . .
It was still there in 1812, when it was ordered that " boundarymarks be placed in the garden of the workhouse to mark out anddistinguish the quantity of ground that appertained to the cottagesnear the Butts and now taken in to the said garden and ThomasWilliams Esqre agent for James Maxe Esqre engages to attendon his Behalf as proprietor of the Remaining part of the garden& to see the same marks properly placed."
In 1830, however, it was removed, for we have an order inthat year " that a poor house or workhouse be built on some partof the old Bridewell garden."
In 1831 the cottage behind the Town Hall and adjoiningthe workhouse was put up to auction.
MISCELLANEA 101
In 1859 there was a request for " a Lease for 99 years of thepremises belonging to the Corporation in Church Street in thesaid Town known as the old work house, as a site for a CountyPolice Station."
THE UNFORTUNATE.
1765. Ordered that Mr Walton's Bill of 5-5-0 for curingsMary Tooley of a venereal complaint to be paid him by the Overseerof the poor.
1812. Ordered that Margaret David do quit the House nearthe Butts where she now lives she having continued to take inBastard children contrary to her promise and that if she refusesto quit the House quietly on the 19th of the present month thatthe Constables do turn her out.
THE CHARITIES.
These are too numerous to mention here. A number of themare set forth on the Boards in the church, and a good account ofthem all is given in the Charity Commissioners' Reports, whichare easily obtainable. Bread is still distributed every Sundaymorning in Cowbridge Church, and some of the recipients havebeen known to sell their loaves for money.
PARISH PUMPS.
1765. "... agreed that a Pump be erected in the Easternvillage at the expense of the Town and Mr Phillip Walton andOliver Richard undertake for the sum of thirteen pounds andthirteen shillings to erect the same."
1806. Ordered that the sum of one pound fifteen shillings andsix pence being the addition to five guineas for repairing the pumpopposite the Bear ... be paid.
THE PARISH POUND.
1852. Resolved that application be made to the Trustees ofthe Marquis of Bute, Lord of the Manor, for the removal of thePound from its present situation [which was immediately withinthe South gate on the West side] to a place on the Eastern sideof the Market Place, the Corporation undertaking to provide theground free of expense.
THE POST OFFICE.
1796. It is agreed that a petition be presented to the Repre-"sentatives of the County and this Borough requesting them to
102 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
apply to the General Post Master for the establishing a post officein this Town.
THE WINDOW TAX.
By the statutes 20 Geo. 2. c. 3, 42 and 21 Geo. 2. c. 10, ayearly tax was laid on every dwelling house inhabited of 2/-.If there were from 10 to 14 windows, 6d. a window ; if from 15to 19, I/- a window ; if 20 or more, then I/- a window besidesthe 2/-. The regulation of these Acts was under the directionof the Commissioners of the Land-tax, and in Cowbridge we havethis record in connection therewith :
1771. John Griffith and John Jenkin are appointed Assessorsof the Land and Window Tax for this year.
PARLIAMENTARY REPRESENTATION.
In 1820 a printed Bill was posted in the minutes of the Corpora-tion. It informs all and sundry that the Corporation will supportLord James Stuart against all comers as the representative of theBoroughs, and will " resist the pretentions of any stranger attemptedto be imposed on them by non-residents who are supposed to haveInfluence in some of the Boroughs."
A COWBRIDGE WELSH PEDIGREE IN THE TIME OFQUEEN ELIZABETH.
(Cardiff MS. 10 -= Ph. 94. 45b.)
" gr ap Siankyn or bont faen a fu varw heb ysyw ap 11 'n aplevan ap 11 'n du ap 11 'n fychan ap 11 'n ap rrys ap grono ap cradocap rhikart ap einion ap kollwyn ar mab hynaf y ll'n ap rrys apgrono oedd ll'n fychan, ag y mae thomas ap dd ap lewys gwynn
ap ll'n ap gr ap ll'n ychan ap ll'n ap rrys ap grono yn dal y tir si>
MICHAELMAS EVE.
1769. "It is agreed that the entertainment to the Burgesseson Michaelmas Eve shall not exceed one pound one shilling andthe Treasurer to keep an account of the Reckoning."
It does not appear as though this resolution was adhered to,for we have an interesting account of the expenses of an enter-tainment at Michaelmas in 1822 :
September 30th, 1822; To James Simpson.
20 Bottles of Brandy 9-0-0
14 Rum 4-4-0
MISCELLANEA 103
9 Bottles of Gin 2-0-6
Bowls of Punch 2-10-0
Tobacco 1-6
4 doz. Lemons 18-0
Nuts 10-4
Wallnuts 1-0-0
Lewis Walters 1-4
Mr Rosser, Pint of Gin 2-3
4 Pints of Rum sent out 15-0
Apples 1 - 6
2 Glasses of Brandy 1-6
2 Bottles of Porter 2-0
Sugar 12-0
Glasses Broken 3-0
22-6-5Waiter 5
22 -11 - 5Waiter additional 5-0
22 - 16- 5
Allowed by Ed. BallardJohn Bevan.
There is one pathetic reference here : " Lewis Walters 1 4."Lewis Wa'ters, as he was known by the natives, is said to havebeen a son of the learned John Walters, of Llandough Rectory,Prebendary of Llandaff, who, unlike his brothers, who rose todistinction, became a ne'er-do-well. He had the reputation ofbeing quite a learned man. who was patronised by the gentryaround.
There is a story that on Mrs. Bassett of Beaupre goingaway on one occasion she gave instructions that Lewis was tobe provided with his dinner, and on her return asked him how hehad fared. His reply was : "I would have enjoyed it betterhad they given it me on a whole plate."
The Misses 'Williams, of Cowbridge, have a picture of theOld Town Hall with a man in front of it, in knee breeches, withouta hat. That man is said to be Lewis Walters.
For what was he given Is. 4d. ? Was it for entertaining thecompany at the Michaelmas festivities ?
104 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
MARRIAGE OF THE PRINCE OF WALES.1863. 12th Feby.
" That two Balls should be given at the Town Hall at theExpense of the Corporation, one in the Evening of the day of theMarriage, as an invitation Ball, & the other the following Evening,the latter to be an open Ball . . .
" That Tea & Cake should be given to the Children of theNational & other Sunday Schools of all denominations in theTown at the Town Hall . . .
" That quarter of a pound of Tea and 1 Ib of Sugar be givenat the expense of the Corporation to such poor old persons in theTown as the Bailiffs may think proper . . .
" That there should be Bell-ringing at the expense of theCorporation on the Wedding day."
A VISITOR TO COWBRIDGE AND A ROMANCE.
Robert Morris was a friend of the great politician, JohnWilkes, of whom we read so much in Burke's speeches and in casesof Constitutional Law. He is mentioned in Mr. E. Alfred Jones'sarticle on " Two Welsh Correspondents of John Wilkes," in YCymmrodor for 1919.
He eloped with Miss Harford, natural daughter of LordBaltimore.
In a letter to John Wilkes, dated " South Wales Circuit,Apr. 6, 1770 " (p. 141), he asks Wilkes to inform him of certainmatters " by a line directed to Cowbridge," and in the next hewrites :
" Octbr. 9. 70.
I conceive by this time most of your great City business v chseem'd to detain you in town, is concluded, and, what is more,happily so. You have therefore nothing to do now, but to takea ramble with your friend in this part of Wales. I know manygood houses where you w d have as good's, welcome, but it is theCountry & the open air, that I imagine w d suit your taste thebest. If Mountains, Rivers, Seas can charm, here you may haveyour fill ; in short we have all sorts of prospects I think, and allsorts of animals to command, but women, for whom I shall saynothing. I don't know indeed, what conquests you may be ableto make, for you are certainly a great favorite with the Ladies.There is one, a very elegant creature & former acquaintance ofyours, Mrs Gomm, who dies to see you ; & you will have thisadvantage besides, that she has retired into the Country havingparted from her husband.
MISCELLANEA 105
I write this from Hanbury's at Pontipool, & am now going witha large Glamorganshire party to the Races at Monmouth ; fromthence I return to Cowbridge in Glamorganshire, whither if youform an early resolution, & write to me by the return of the Post,I sh d be most happy to meet an appointment from you to comeand conduct you from Bath, Bristol, or the Passage upon whateverSchemes & to whatever part of the Country you please.At least let me have the pleasure of learning some of your intentionsby as early a letter, as you can with, and I re [ . . . torn here].Direct to me at
J. Edmonds, Esq r at Cowbridge in Glamorganshire."
Robert Morris was the eldest son of Robert Morris, of Tredegar,and matriculated on 22nd May, 1760, at Oriel College, Oxford, atsixteen years of age. He was admitted to Lincoln's Inn in 1763,and was called to the bar in 1767.
THE FIRST PRINTING PRESS IN EAST GLAMORGAN ANDTHE STORY OF A DICTIONARY.
" Cadrawd " has told an interest ng story of both thesematters in an article on " John Walters and the First PrintingPress in Glamorganshire," which was published in the Journalof the Welsh Bibliographical Society for December, 1911. Hismaterials were taken from several sources letters between JohnWalters and Owen Myfyr in the British Museum, from the Journalof Daniel Walters, and other places.
In either 1769 or 1770 a printing press was set up at Cowbridgeby Rees Thomas, and Mr. Walters 's Dictionary was issued fromthat press in parts. By 1772, in November of that year therewere difficulties. There was no ink at the office, and the issue ofPart II was, therefore, delayed and the subscribers kept waiting.
In May, 1777, the bailiffs were in possession, and an appealwas made to Mr. Walters. The goods were appraised and hebought them. There were, however, constant difficulties Mr.Thomas's law -suit and the want of paper and ink. " I must askthe favour of you to get from Mr. Blackwell, in Wood's Close, acask of ink, of the value of 15/-, and send it down by the SwanseaCoach, directed to Mr Rees Thomas, Printer, Cowbridge."
It was not until May, 1793, that Mr. Walters was able tofinish his dictionary, and in that year writes to ask advice as tothe printing of the remainder of the work, as Rees Thomas hadpassed away.
The title page of the first number or part is : " Cowbridge :Printed to the Author by R. and D. Thomas, 1770." The title
106 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
page of the dictionary is : " London : Printed for the Author,1794." It took twenty-four years to print.
Cadrawd does not seem to have known of the subsequent historyof this press. It is to be found in the Bird Diaries at the CardiffFree Library, where, under date 6th February, 1791, we read :" For the trifling sum of Seventeen Guineas (for which I gavemy note to pay in six months) I have bought the Printing Pressand Types that was at Cowbridge. I asked Mr. H. his opinionprevious to the purchase, &c Capt n Richards and D r . Williamsexpress their approbation of such a thing being in the Town, asit was much wanted ; for nothing of that sort c d be had here, butat an extravagant rate for Carriage &c either from Bristol orSwansea. Your concerns have frequently met with a delay &inconvenience for the want of a Printing Press being in the Town.The greatest Temptation to me was that offered by the ownerof letting me have it & to pay as above."
So Cowbridge had its printing press before Cardiff, and thefirst press to be set up in Cardiff was bought from Cowbridge forthe sum of 17.
PAVEMENTS.
References to the pavements will be found in the Ordinancesand Presentments above.
1851. Resolved that to encoiirage parties to remove theslips on the pavement in different parts of the Town, half theexpense be borne by the Corporation.
THE RACES."COWBRIDGE RACES, GLAMORGAN, 1769.
" On Wednesday, the 4th of October, will be run on TheStalling Down a Purse of 50 Free for any 4 years old, bred inthe County of Glamorgan. Colts to carry 8st. 71bs. Fillies tocarry 8st 41bs. The best of three heats, once round the course.
" On Thursday, the 5th a Purse of 50 Give and Take, freeto any horse, mare or gelding bred in South Wales or Monmouthshire14 hands to carry 91b (higher or lower weight in proportion)allowing 71b for every year under 7. The best of 3 heats. Noweight to exceed 12 stone.
" On Friday, the 5th inst., a Purse of 50 Free for any horse,mare, or gelding bred in the County of Glamorgan, and that hasbeen in the actual Possession of a Farmer residing in the Countyat least six months before the day of running whose propertydoes not exceed 100 per annum, 5 yrs old to carry lOst, six yearsold list, aged 12st. The best of 3 heats.
MISCELLANEA 107
" A subscriber of 1 Guinea to pay One Guinea for each ofthe above purses, or double at the Post. A non Subscriber 3Guineas or double at the Post. Not less than 3 horses to start foreach Purse. If only one enters be allowed 5 Guineas, if two 7Guineas.
" No horse winning two heats shall be obliged to start again,but others not distanced to run a third heat for the Stakes
" Certificates of age for each horse etc to be produced at thetime of entrance under the hand of the breeders, with qualificationsunder the hand of owners.
" Horses etc. for the Purses to be shewn at The Spread EagleHotel in Cowbridge between the hour of ten in the morning and3 in the afternoon. Horses to stand at such Houses only as havesubscribed one Guinea to the fund. No Person to erect a boothor sell Liquors on the Course without subscribing a Guinea tothe fund. Winners of each day's purse to give two Guineas towardsscales, weights etc.
" To be run in all respects according to The King's PlateArticles.
" All Disputes to be determined by a majority of Subscribersthere present.
" Ordinaries and Balls as usual
" Walker.
" Stewards ( John Hanbury, Esqre.( Thos. Mathews, Esqre."
(St. James' Chronicle, or British Evening Post, Thurs., Sept. 7, 1769.)
1851. Resolved that the sum of Five pounds be contributedfrom the funds of the Corporation towards promoting the festivitiesof the approaching Hunt Week.
1852. Resolved that the sum of Ten guineas be contributedfrom the Funds of the Corporation towards the Cowbridge Racesduring the current year.
THE GLAMORGAN HOUNDS.
The Glamorgan Hounds were established by Mr. C. M. Talbotin 1872, who erected the present kennels and stables at Llandough.
Prior to this the Vale of Glamorgan was hunted by theCowbridge Harriers for some years under the mastership of Mr. J. R.Homfray, Penllyn Castle. Hunting in the neighbouring districts,which are now included in the area covered by the GlamorganHounds, was also carried on by private packs of hounds.
Mr. Talbot was master until 1876, the year of his death, dueto a fall while hunting. He was succeeded by Mr. J. S. Gibbon,
108 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
Newton House, from 1876 to 1886, when Mr. R. T. Bassett, ofCrossways, took on the office of M.F.H., which he held until 1897,when he handed over the mastership to the Mackintosh ofMackintosh.
The Mackintosh held command of the hounds until 1906,when Colonel H. R. Homfray, Penllyn Castle, became M.F.H.,continuing until 1914, when he was succeeded by the presentmaster, Mr. R. H. Williams, Bonvilston House.
GAS.
1854. A Deputation . . . explained that the Inhabitants ofthe Town in Vestry had agreed to light the Town with gas providedthe Corporation would supply the Lamp Pillars & Lamps.
THE INSTITUTE.
1862. Also that a grant of Five pounds be made in aid ofthe Funds of the Young Men's Literary Institution in the Town.
THE RAILWAY.
1867. July 14th. That a Public Breakfast be given by theCorporation on the occasion of the opening of the CowbridgeRailway for Passenger Traffic . . . not to exceed one hundredpounds. That the Freedom of the Town be presented to Dr NichollCarne as a slight acknowledgment of his indefatigible exertion inobtaining the Cowbridge Railway. . . .
Ten pounds towards paying for Thirty tons of Llantwit largecoals brought to Cowbridge by the Cowbridge Railway Co on the30th of last month (being the first Train of coal brought over theCowbridge Railway) for distribution amongst the Labouringclasses & Poor of the Town. . . .
THE INNS OF COWBRIDGE.
In 1787 the Clerks of the Market produced upon oath severalearthen pints and quarts in Court differing in measure and whichthey took from the following Inns : The Bear, Blue Bell, CrossKeys, Crown, Eagle, Half Moon, Horse and Jockey, Masons Arms,Pelican, Red Lion, Royal Oak, Tennis Court, White Hart, WhiteLion.
In 1833 there is a " List of persons obtaining certificates forkeeping inns, alehouses, etc.," wherein in addition to the foregoingare named : The Black Horse, Butchers Arms, Coach and Horses,Cowbridge Arms, Greyhound, Horse & Groom, Three Boars Heads,and The Three Tuns.
MISCELLANEA 109
By 1836 "The Black Horse" had disappeared as such, andthere are in addition : The Bush, Edmonds Arms, Eight Bells,Farmer's Arms, Ship Aground, and the Westgate.
Mrs. Thomas, late of " The Bear," says there are several lessinns now than there were when she was a girl the Red Lion,Cross Keys, Ship Aground, and the Green Dragon.
" The Globe " was a small house in the Butts, where Mr. Eddollsnow lives. It was an old thatched house and was afterwardsburnt down.
" The Ship Aground " was the third house from the bridgeproceeding West on the left-hand side and was, therefore, next tothe old Wesleyan Chapel, which lay between it and the " BlueBell." " The Coach and Horses " was still so called at the dateof the Tithe Commutation Apportionment in A.D. 1840, and isnumbered 178 therein. It is now known as the " Duke ofWellington."
The old " Druids " was where the office of Mr. Wybert Thomasnow is, and the licence was transferred to the new house at theStation Approach.
In connection with the new " Druids " there is extant anold conveyance dated the 15th July, 1668, wherein "Roger Praulfe. . . gent . . . conveys to Morgan Bassett . . . mercer, thatmessuage &c between the messuage & garden of Morgan Bassettof the East part, the messuage & garden of Roger Taylor of theWest part, the lands of Jenkin Williams, clerke, of the North partand the Towne Street on the South part."
The Greyhound was where Messrs. Hancock's Brewery Officenow is, opposite the "Duke," and the Cross Keys was a very oldhouse which stood in front of the street on the site where theWesleyan Chapel is built.
THE REVELS.
Mrs. Thomas, late of "The Bear," tells me : "I am now inmy eightieth year and went to Cowbridge School when I wasseven years old. The revels in Cowbridge I can recollect, thefairs also, and in every public house to finish up the fair therewas dancing held. As a child I saw the young people dancing.They came from most of the outlying villages. It was much thoughtof in those days."
GLAMORGAN COW.
" Mrs John Williams of St A than when managing the dairyof Dr. Bevan of Cowbridge, made from one Cow in one week14 Ib of butter, 12, 11, and 10 Ib for many weeks, 9 to 10 Ib the
110 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
average of the season for 3 months, 7 to 8 Ib per week she thinksmay be the general average of the Vale for the whole season of4 months, viz, from May 1 st to Sept. 1 st . The above was a largeand fine brown cow of the true Glamorgan breed." (Llano ver,C. 71. 106.)
POSTING RIVALS IN THE COACHING DAYS.1804. May 5. (The Cambrian Newspaper.}
" Cowbridge. Posting at one shilling per mile. ChristopherBradley Begs leave to return his sincere thanks to his Friendsand the Public for the liberal support he received during eighteenyears at the Bear Inn and since quitting it Begs to inform hisFriends and the Public that he continues the posting businessfrom his own house, the Post Office in Cowbridge, & has fitted upsome comfortable sitting-rooms for the accommodation of theLadies & Gentlemen who may please to honour him with theirfavours. Refreshment may be had while changing carriages orhorses. The Public are particularly informed that unless theygive directions to the Drivers, either from Cardiff or Pyle, to driveto Bradley 's, they will not be drove to his house, as the Inn-keepers do not approve of lowering the Price of Posting ; andC. B. is the only person in this part of the country who runsregularly for One Shilling a Mile. A Hearse kept and C. B. meansto have a mourning coach.
" N.B. Dealer in Wines & Spirituous Liquors. Beer and Porterin casks & bottles. Malt & hops. Auctioneering Business carriedon as usual."
The next week's Cambrian contained Bradley's advertisementand the following :1804. May 12 :
' Bear Inn, Cowbridge. Posting (as usual) at One Shillingper Mile. Michael Glover Begs leave to return his most gratefulthanks acknowledgments for the many favours conferred on himsince he has been in the above Inn, which is now fitted up withaccommodation so as to render it equal to any Inn in Wales. . . .He assures them that the price of Posting (from the above Inn)was REDUCED to ONE SHILLING per mile during his late Brother'stime, that hitherto he has charged no more, and that he stillcontinues posting at that price. He is authorised by the Landlordsof Pyle & Cardiff to say that their Post-boys shall always obeythe orders of the Company ; but they appeal to a Liberal publicfor their countenance & support of the Inns upon the road, asthey supported the Bear Inn whilst Mr C. Bradley was sufferedto keep it."
MISCELLANEA 111
A DEVELOPMENT IN JURISPRUDENCE.
On 30th June, 1804, tenders were invited by " Wood, Clerkof the Peace," for plans and estimates, " for the Repairs of thepresent House of Correction at Cowbridge, and Building additionsthereto in order to make the same a House of Industry and Labourfor Prisoners confined therein," to be sent in before the next QuarterSessions to be holden at Neath.
SHOPPING AT COWBRIDGE IN 1771, AND OTHER MATTERS.
An old account book of Geo. Williams, clerk, who was Parsonof Llansannor and Penlline, now in the possession of the MissesWilliams, of Cowbridge, begins with :
" An account of what was laid out by me Geo : Williamscommencing from 1st May 1771.
-S-D.
1st May 1771. Tobacco 1|
4th Cowbridge Fair, eating & drinking 9d a Book 2d
Cakes 1| 1 1
Spoons 2d. A Brush Id 6th To Llewelyn Be van for
meat 1-8-0. 183
To Christmas John for Hooper's work 2s. Window
Tax4s2d. 062
2 Loads of Coal Is 8d. The usual expenses at our club
lOd. 026
7th Cowbridge Market of Jo : Llewelyn Tea 012
Cabbage Plants 6d Thread 3d Ale 3d Bread 4d 014
lib | Hops at 16d. 2s 4d. Turnpike ld.$ 2 5|
9th of Joan Llewelyn Soap 8d Sugar 3d Oil
12th Ale at St Mary Hill 002
13th of J : Llewelyn Tea 1 2
Cowbridge Market 14th 2 Bushel Wheat 076
A Calf's Head 18d. A quarter & a neck of Veal 4s - 6d 060For 3 Pydyrens of Potatoes 2s 6d For 1 Do. 7d. 031
Lump Sugar 8d. Brown Do. 6d. 2 quire Paper 5d. 1 7
. . . for a pound of Candles 6
21st Cowbridge Market. 1 Peck of Wheat 039
... a Leg of Veal 18d. . . .
A ewenny Bason Id. Saucepan 4d. Brimstone Id.
To Wm. Thomas 2 Days Hire Is. Snuff d.
For a Letter 8d. Sweeping the little room Chimney 2d.
A Pint of Wine lOd. A pound of Soap 8d.
Salt 91b lOd. Landaff Visitation Exhibits 13s 6d
Spent 2s. Gloves 1-10. A sewsn 6d.
112 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
A Pint of Rum 9d. Cockles Id.
To Wm. Thomas for a Day's Labour 6d.
For Hatbands for the ChUdrens Hats Id.
A Load of Coal 3d. To the Barber for Combing my wig 6d.
Removing one of the Mare's Shoes Id.
42 Ib Beefe at 2df per pound. Two Salmons 2s/l .
To Thomas the Smith for Shoeing my Mare twice removing once
& two pence left unpaid him since the last payment 0-2-6.
For grinding 3 Razors 6d. A Quarter of Bohea Tea - 1 - 1 1.
To a Cobbler for tapping Amy's Shoes and mending mine 6.
My Dinner with the Clergy 18d. Spent for Liquor 6d
To Mr Walters for the 7th Number of his Dictionary - 2 - .
A Salmon 14 Ibs at H, Is 9d.
" A JOURNEY FROM COWBRIDGE TO BATH AND BACK." 1786. Jany. 31st. Paid for a chaise from Cowbridge toCardiff 12/-. Driver 1/6. Turnpike I/-. Feb. 1st. Boat 2/-.Ale to the Captain 3d. To Lamb's little Boy I/-. Bread atCaerdiff 3d. To the Maid & little girl 9d. 2nd, To eating Drinking& Bed at Bristol 3/6J. Chambermaid 3d. Coach from Bristolto Bath 5/-. Paid to a Guide at Bath 2d. 3rd. Bread 2|. Tea4d. Butter 6d. Coal 2s. A Fowl Is. 3d. Ale 4d. Oatmeal Id.4th. Soap 2d. Veal 41b.i 2/3. Tripe 3d. 4th. Bread 2d.Vinegar & Mustard Id. Bread 2d. Tea 4. Ib. Lump Sugar4d. Ib. of Butter 6. Ale 4d. To a guide to Mr. Jones Id.Milk with our Tea . 5th. Ale & Porter 4. 6. Bread Id. Baconld.f. Milk . Small Beer . Negus 9d. An orange Id.Dinners & Beer the day we came to Bath 1-6. Cheese 4d. Ale 2d.7th. Pint of Wine 1/1. Butter ld.|. Beer . Lodgings 5 nights4/-. Servants 2/-. Bread Id. Tobacco . 2-8-2.
" On OUR JOURNEY FROM BATH.
" 7th. Two Places in a Coach from Bath to Bristol 5/-.8th. A Basket 6d. 9th. Eating and drinking 5/6. Tobacco Id.10th. Eating & drinking 5/3. Paid for a small Tea Canister 6d.llth. Paid for eating & drinking in full 2/6. Lodgings 4 nights 2/-.Chambermaid 6d. % Pint of Rum 10$. Bread 2d. A cheese 91b|at 4d. 3/7$. Ale to the Sailors 3d. Ale to take on board 3d.13th. Ale on board 3d. Bread 2d. Oysters 2d. Boat to Cardiff2/-. To a boy for carrying our box 2d.
" 14th. Ale lOd. at Dinner at Cardiff for Self, Lamb & George.Wine 6d. To a sailor for bringing our bottles out of the boat 2d.To Lamb's little boy 1 /-. 1 5th. Bread & Snuff 1 1. At St. Nicholas5d. 4-0 -Hi"
MISCELLANEA 113
THE WAY OF THE CORPSE.
It is said that the road to the South of the old Town Hallwas very narrow and that most of the traffic passed on the Northside. On the occasion of funerals it was the custom when proceedingfrom the direction of the East Village, on the arrival at the bridge,to proceed on the North side of the street and to turn on to thepavement and continue on the pavement till the High Cross wasreached and the procession turned into Church Street. Even inmodern times a departure from this custom has caused commentand dissatisfaction, so Mr. Alfred James informs me.
THE LAST MARI LWYD.
Mr. John John, of Cowbridge, who is 80 years of age, theyoungest old man in the town, is the last person who has goneround " under the horse's head," as the Mari Lwyd, this old-world Christmas custom, has died out in the Borough. Mr. Johnhas sung his verses to me, and they are set down here phoneticallyexactly as they came from his mouth in his form of the Glamorgandialect :
Wei tyma ni'n dawad cymdogion diniwadI ofyn os cewn ganad i ganu nos heno.
Os na chewn ni ganad rhewch clywad ar ganiadA pwy yw'r [Here his memory failed him.]
Ni dethon parchedig bron ty gwr boneddigI roi tro wyl nadolig ych welad.
When the Mari Lwyd approached the house of visit thoseinside would secure the door and issue a challenging verse such as :
Os dos yma dynion all toru englynionRhewch attab yn dynion i'r bechgyn nos heno.
So they would keep up the challenge and response. If theparties inside failed to reply in verse admittance was looked uponas a right. Unfortunately, we have lost the Cowbridge challengingverses from the inside, but Mr. John remembers several of hisanswers :
Mae Mari Lwyd yma llawn sers a ribbanaMae wyrth i roi gola i welad nos heno.
114 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
We've got a fine Mary, she's dressed very prettyWith ribbons so plenty this Christmas.
She has won a bridle and likewise a saddle.Her name is Dame Tattle this Christmas.
If you are good nature, go down to the cellarAnd fill a jug over this Christmas.
From the inside :
Fi safa yn y baili spor cerrig yn pantuCyn ildai swd corgi a titha.
Reply :
Your missis is willing to give us a shillingWithout any grumbling this Christmas.
Fi gana ti ymhunan am punt ar y pentanA postio nhw mwn arian nos heno.
Ma genni dwy dyrna fel sleds yn y cwaraChaiff brwa dy drysa nos heno.
Fi gana am wthnos a phart o bythownosA mis os bydd achos nos heno.
If the parties inside were beaten by the rhymesters outsideadmittance was gained and the song continued :
Wei clirwch y menca a byrdydd a chadiraRhewch le i ni wara nos heno,
And at the end of the entertainment :
Ni geson ein parched dos siwr a croesewyddFferweloch y leni ni'n madal.
Some of the verses were never meant for ears polite, andMr. John very rightly would not repeat them. He, however,ventured as far as to repeat :
O Billy pen bwldog a doi clust scafarnogA dsiawl dwy wynebog a titha.
MISCELLANEA
115
The horse's head and its trappings and drapery are now atStallcourt, and the last time that Mari Lwyd went round Cowbridgewas about fifteen years ago.
For an account of the origin of the Mari Lwyd see ManuscriptN.L.W. 3125 C at the National Library of Wales.
ffTHE TOWN STOCKS.
COWBRIDGE STOCKS.
The old stocks of Cowbridge were described by Mr. John Ward,F.S.A., in the Archaeologia Cambrensis (1896. p. 77) :
"... They are of unusual form, . . . and ... in a fairstate of preservation, being nearly perfect. Their construction issimple. The two massive, iron-bound ' jaws,' hinged at one endand hasped at the other, so that they can be fastened together bymeans of a padlock, rest upon two beams, which in their turn aresupported upon four small wheels. . . . Across the beams, at oneend, is a stout plank, Sins, wide, to serve as a seat, & it is evidentthat the opposite end of these beams was similarly provided, foriron nails remain corresponding to those by which the existingseat is fastened down. . . . The whole apparatus is built of oak,& has abundance of red paint. . . . The last time they were usedwas about 1852, on which occasion they were drawn to the frontof the Hall, and a man charged with drunkenness was placed inthem. Wheeled stocks are very rare . . . "
THE GREAT OX.
" An Ox was Slautered 1762 at Cowbridge in Glamorganshirewhere it was bred, (notwithstanding the received notion that theWelsh cattle are Small) the four Quarters of w'ch weighed 1642 Ib.
116 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
his Hide 161 tallow 148. his Height six feet 3 inches ; his lengthfrom Head to the end of the Tail 17 feet seven inches and waspurchased for 20.
" Taken out of ye Chester paper of the 16. of Novemb'r 1762by Michael Hughes."
(Add. MS. 15. C. p. 121, at National Library of Wales.)
XV.
MISCELLANEOUS DEEDS AND DOCUMENTS.
CARNE.QUIT claim to Howel Carne. 1444. (Cartae ii. 152.)
Hoelus Carne de Coubrugge generosus. 1536. (Cartae ii.291. 467.)
Inquisition after the death of Edward Carne. 28 Hen. viii.(M.M.).
Indenture between Roger Carne of Cowbridge, gent, andEdward Stradlynge of Llantwit Esq. 1543. (Cartae ii. 300.)
Bond of Eliz. Herbert of Cowbridge . . . widow ... toThomas Maunsell of Margam . . . Esq ... to be void if Edw.Carne of Cowbridge, son of the said Eliz. shall happen to die before. . . 1593, and Anne Maunsell sister of the said Thomas, survivingthe said Edward (which said Anne the said Edward intends tomarry . . . (A.D. 1579). Witnesses Grimthe Williams, Edw.Carne, Robert ap William Glover, alderman, David Grant,alderman, &c.
Lease to Thomas Carne of Cowbridge Esq. 1632, for the livesof the said Thomas, Edward Carne, son of John Carne of Wenuand Joane Windham of Cowbridge.
SEYS.David ap Je van Seys de Cowbridge, generosus. 1532. (Cartae
ii. 260.)
Grant to David ap Jevan Sayce burgensi ville de Cowbrigge
mercatori. 1523. (Cartae ii. 261, 455.)
David ap Jevan Sais, alderman in 1524. (Cartae ii. 264.)Inquisition after the death of the same. 1 537. (Cartae ii. 294. )Jevan Says et Robertus Rice ville de Cowbridge. 1546.
(Cartae ii. 515.)
Deed of Feoff ment by Edw. Jones of Cowbridge, co. Glam.gentleman. 1580.
MISCELLANEOUS DEEDS AND DOCUMENTS 117
With Power of Attorney to William ap William of Cowbridge,3'eoman.
Bond of Edward Jones, and Jevan ap John of Cowbridge.1580. (M.M. 205.)
Valor or Extent of all manors etc of Sir Lewis Mansell . . .
Inquest taken at Cowbridge. 1632. (M.M. 8.)
Lease to Thomas Richards of Cowbridge, Cordiner. 1654/5.(Ibid. 15.)
Sale to Richard Walker of Cowbridge, glover. 1662. (Ibid. 17).
Lease to Edmond Jenkins of Cowbridge. (Ibid. 16.)
Lease to Mary Robert d. of Thomas Robert of Cowbridge.1667. (Ibid. 238.)
Quit-claim by William Williams of Cowbridge, alderman.1673.~ (M.M. ii. 87.)
Opinion upon legal points signed by J. Wyndham. Cowbridge.1676. (M.M. 46.)
1679-80. Christopher Turbervill gen', Howell Carne gen',. . . committed for refuseinge to take the Oathe of Supremacy,by the Court of the last gen 'all Sessions of the Peace held atCowbridge 29th of April last. (Gaol Calendar.)
Lease to Edward Powell of Cowbridge. 1701. (M.M. 57.)
Lease to Francis Rees of Cowbridge. 1708. (M.M. 66.)
Legal opinions by Jer. Griffiths of Cowbridge. 1720. (M.M. 73.)
A supersedeas ... to set at liberty William Cornish, ofCowbridge, apothecary, in custody on a capias ad respondendum,out of the Great Sessions, at the suit of Mary Wilder, widow,executrix of Peter Wilder, deed. 1723. (M.M. 84.)
1813. I am indebted to Lady Maxse (through Colonel Bradney)for the following particulars, which will explain who the JamesMaxse mentioned above (p. 100) was. In an abstract of Conveyanceof a close of land called the Hopyard at Cowbridge, between JamesMaxse and William Nicholl, the following is stated : " WalterWilliams late of the town of Cowbridge ... In a codicil datedJan. 16. 1796 . . . left his estates to his wife (Susanna) and afterher decease he devised the same ... to John Maxse son of JohnMaxse of the city of Bristol, merchant, and his heirs for ever,subject nevertheless to the payment of 600 and interest toThomas Villiams the natural son of Testator's late son ThomasWilliams. He also devised to the poor of Cowbridge the sum of4 yearly for ever to be paid out of the rents and profits of thesaid tenement of lands called the Pannock in the Western villageof Cowbridge. . . . John Maxse having died a minor in 1798, theCowbridge property descended to his brother James. In April,1813 James Maxse executed a Deed Poll with Thomas Williams
118 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
. . . whereby Thomas Williams in consideration of the sum of723 - 8 - 3 abandoned all claims on James Maxse . . . and inJuly 1813 the said William Nicholl bought the property for thesum of 650 from James Maxse. Walter Williams it is conjecturedwas either the grandfather or more likely the uncle of James Maxse,on his mother's side . . . '
The well-known and distinguished Maxse family of generals,admirals, and literary men all descend from Lewis Maxse ofCaerleon-on-Usk, mercer, and from the above-mentioned Williamsfamily of Cowbridge on the female side. Charlotte Williamsmarried John Maxse, who went to Bristol and made a great fortunein the mahogany trade with the West Indies, and his son James,who inherited the Williams lands in Cowbridge, made the distin-guished marriage with the Lady Caroline, daughter to Frederickfifth Earl of Berkeley, which brought the race into prominence.The present writer (descended from Jennett Maxse, his great-grandmother, who married Lewis James, of Eglwysilan, in 1800)is indebted to Colonel Bradney, the learned historian of Mon-mouthshire, for the verification of a tradition that was currentin his family as to the large fortune, the great marriage, and thefar-off Indies. The Maxses are now represented by the distin-guished soldier, General Sir Ivor Maxse, and by Mr. L. J. Maxse,the editor of the " National Review," both being sons of AdmiralMaxse. Sir Ivor married the Hon. Mary Wyndham, eldestdaughter of the second Baron Leconfield. The Glamorgan branchof the Wyndhams lived once upon a time in what is now known asWoodstock House, in Cowbridge, including the legal luminarySerjeant Wyndham.
There is another distinguished member of the Maxey familyin America, the well-known judge of Scranton, Penn.
The " Western Mail " for 28th August, 1922, contains a reportof the presentation made to the Prime Minister by the Welsh-Americans, headed by Judge George W. Maxey. In an interview,the learned judge says that the mining industry was first developedby Welsh miners. " The first miners were brought from Walesmore than a century ago for this purpose. Among them wasmy great-grandfather, William Maxey, who came from Glamorganand settled hi Carbondale, Penn., just about 100 years ago."
In the registers of Eglwysilan parish there is a record of amarriage in A.D. 1805 between William Maxe and Jane Jones, in.the presence of William James and Lewis James (who had marriedthe bridegroom's sister, Jennet Maxe, in 1800).
LAND MARKS AND PLACE NAMES 119
XVI.LAND MARKS AND PLACE NAMES.
" THE great suburbe of Coubridge is cis pontem . . . ' (Leland.1536-39.)
INQUISITION FOR THE LORDSHIP OF LLANBLETHIANTAKEN AT COWBRIDGE (1570). DEMESNE LANDS ANDFARM LANDS:
Griffith HoeU holds ... one close called NEWE. CLOSE . . .21 acres . . . three acres at FLETHIANS, and three roods ofland called WILL CROFTE . . .
John Wilkin & John Rees hold . . . WYNERDE DEVY, BEREFURLONG and The GRENE WEYE.
Philip Carter and. William Came hold ... 21 acres ... atWYNDE MYLL, 8 acres . . . called HALPENNY MEADE,2 acres 3 roods ... in HOOLEMEADE, and one way called theWYNDE MYLL GRENE and KAYR NEST.William Carne holds ... 2 roods in CARTER'S CROFTE 2acres . . . called PONDE MEADE, one close . . . called LOVER-LAKE containing one acre. 3 roods . . . called ABBERTHYN,one acre and a half of meadow . . . within Inner PIGEMERE,
5 acres. . . in BRYTTESLEY ... 2 acres . . . lately SOUTHSEXLAND, 5 acres ... in SOUTH OVER MEADE.
Jankyn William Hodge, William Gybon & William Wyllode hold21 acres at TOM WILLOD, 23 acres ... at WESTWALL and4 acres ... in DODDE MEADE . . .
William Gibon holds 20 acres ... at BLACK BUSHE, 9 acres. . . called BYRTHIN'S MEADE, near the ROAD called SOMER-WEY, 3 acres . . . called PIGMORE, 3 acres on the north sideof BRAMLINGES WALL.
Catherine Turbell holds ... 2 acres ... at ESTWALLS.James Graunt holds ... one hill called ROBERT GRAUNTESHILL & 8 acres of pasture lying under the hill aforesaid . . .John Kemys holds ... 1 acre . . . near ST FLETHIAN'SWELL, 7 acres ... at BERE FURLONGE, one acre of meadow
6 a parcel of land called BUMLIG WELL, one parcel of land nearthe Mill . . .
Robert ap Williams holds . . . The MILL FURLONG containing
7 acres & a half. Another close lying within the CASTELL BAYLY.. . . another parcel of land called GREATE ROCKES, another. . . called L1TELL ROCKES . . . John Llewellyn, William &Francis his son hold . . . the HEYWARD FIELD containing143 acres .
120 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
Amongst Mr. G. T. Clark's papers at the National Library ofWales is part of a survey of the Manor of Llanblethian in A.D.1630:
" And the other Commons is called by the name of ANGELLHILL otherwise called the Title containing about five acres. Andthey also say & present that there is within this Manor, one waycalled the LAKE WAY & that part thereof was heretofore inclosedby one Richard Bassett Esq r deceased and that all the said way isnow inclosed by William Bassett Esq. which said way called theLake Way sometimes hath been wast land or common (Time outof mind) open & free for Tenants of this Manor to use their Landslying thereabouts."
COURT BARON FOR THE MANOR OF COWBRIDGE.
At a Court Baron held on 1st August, 1638, Peter Shettlewoodwas admitted tenant (in accordance with the will of James Harris),of a moiety of a croft of land (3 acres), called " Hanchetto andholdenof the manor by the yearly rent of 3s. 4d. . . . ' (NationalLibrary ot Wales, Calendar of Deeds, p. 219.)
ABSTRACT of the TITLE of Thomas Wyndham Esqre tosundry closes of Lands near Cowbridge, 127fo's. Recites Indentures,1724, July 29th, & 30th, & therein :
All that the MANSION HOUSE wherein the said John Wyndhamserj't at Law formerly dwelt in the Town of Cowbridge . . . andall that . . . meadow ground called TOWN WALLS abbutting tothe Town of Cowbridge af's'd on the south p't and to the LordsLands on all other parts containing 7 acres of arable and pastureLand called SAITH ERW PONT Y BYCH heretobefore dividedinto three pieces abutt'g to the premises on the east part and to theHighway leading to Penlline on the south west part . . .
. . . pasture Land called LUBBER LAND being heretobeforedivided into 3 pieces abut'g to the premises on the south and northparts cont'g 7 acres . . .
. . . meadow Land called KAERYSKAWEN abut'g to the premiseson all parts cont'g 4 acres & 2 roods . . .
. . . pasture land called CAER CAMAES, CAE PENLLINEabut'g to the Lands of Mr Turberville on the north part and to thepremises on all other parts cont'g 5 acres.
LAND MARKS AND PLACE NAMES 121
. . . arable Land called the CAE NESS A YE SKYBOR abut'gto the River Thaw on the North part cont'g 4 acres and 2 Roods . . .
. . . Land being heretofore divided into three pieces called CAERMELLAN abut'g to the said River on the north part and to thepremises on all other parts cont'g 7 acres.
KAE-THRAPMANAN abut'g to the premises on all parts cont'g4 acres and 2 Roods.
. . . SAITH ERW LLANYRAVON abut'g to the said River onthe north part . . .
CAER Y FYNNON abut'g to the Lords Lands on all parts cont'g2 acres.
. . . meadow Land lying on the north side of the river Thawcalled GWAIN Y PANT abutting to the said River on the southpart cont'g 8 acres.
. . . Land called SAITH ERW LANYNAEN abut'g to the wayleading from Lanblethian to Penlline on the west and south partsand to the Lords Lands on the east part . . .
. . . Land lying on the north side of the Castle of Lanblethiancalled PORTH Y GREEN cont'g 2 acres . . .
. . . Lands called DAYZY WALLS . . . cont'g 2 acres.
. . . SAITH ERW PENTRE . . . SAITH ERW CAE STUMPIEabut'g to CAE STUMPIE on the east part and to the BROADWAYon the south part . . .
HEOLYVARLBORO . . . 22 acres . . . G WAYNE VAINE . . .14 acres , . . TYR LLANFRYNACH ... 19 acres . . .
Two parcels called DINNE abut'g to the Lands called ANGELHILL and CAE DAN Y COED on the south part cont'g 8 acres.
. . . TILLA ROSSER cont'g 3 acres . . .
. . one parcel of meadow and pasture called BOOM AN S WELLabut'g to the Mill there on the south east part and to the LordsLands on all other parts cont'g 3 acres.
Counter Part of a Lease ... to Olliver Richards of the Toll ofCattle &c for 21 years. Dated 10th Feb'y 1756 . . .
. . . with all that waste spot of ground lying before the SPREADEAGLE INN ... the Town Houses on the West part and that
122 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
piece of water and ground called pwll y Butts being the groundand property of Thomas Edmondes Esqre on the south part thereof. . . and from' thence to the Limits of the said Town leading tothe TOWN MILL and commonly called THE HORSE FAIRtogether with . . . THE BOWLING GREEN ... as also all thespot of ground Commonly called and known by the name ofCOUNCEL TUTT. . . .
1765. We present that the CAUSEWAY leading from theentrance into Church Street to the Dwelling House of the Rev'dDaniel Durel is ruinous. . . .
1765. We present the Rev'd Daniel Durel for obstructingPart of the King's Common Highway lying within the said Townby inclosing Part thereof with two walls adjoining to and lying inthe North side of his Dwelling House called the great House.
In a later Presentment, John Franklen, gent, is presented forthe same.
1768. ... an Incroachment . . . opposite to the gardenbelonging to the Dwelling House of Wm. Miles, clerk.
1779. In this year Anne Clement and Thomas Hopkin wereat separate times presented for an incroachment by inclosingpart of the ancient highway leading from Llanblethian to the2 acres Pen-y-Pentre leading to Stalling down, the woman forconverting the enclosure into a Rick yard and a Fold, and theman for making it his garden.
1780. We present that so much of the Causeway adjoiningthe Parrocks as leads from John Roberts' Barn to the WHITEWELL in the WESTERN VILLAGE is out of repair . . .
1784. We present the Road leading from the OLD FORGEin the EASTERN VILLAGE ... to the Liberty Stone on theAberthin Road ... to be out of Repair.
1794. ... the Dunghill near the SAWPIT in the HORSEFAIR is a nuisance.
1803. Ordered that a Bridge be made over the River nearCOUNCIL TUT. ... A reward of two guineas was promised toany person who would give information of the breaking down ofthe last bridge.
1805. The only place the Committee can recommend . . .for the removal of the pig market to is the void space of groundfrom the Pwll y Butts to the Turnpike road in front of the Academyformerly the Eagle Inn . . .
1808. They also present that the stile called Stickill Santshould be replaced in the situation it formerly stood . . .
1814. ... that the Town Clerk do apply to Thomas Markham
LAND MARKS AND PLACE NAMES 123
of Nash Esqr. for a sight & also a copy of an old survey that hehas relative to the Boundaries of the Town of Cowbridge.
1827. ... to consider the propriety of breaking up & makingthe road thro' Church Street on the plan of Mr Me Adam.
1837. . . . the House near the Church yard called the TownHouse . . . the House formerly called the School House . . . inChurch Street.
The " Town House " referred to here is called elsewhere theChurch House and an alms house. Dr. Malkin tells us that therewere a large number of such houses, at least fifty of them, in thedistrict. He says they were called Church Houses. " These hallsare large rooms, to which the ascent is by stairs from without.They are at present (1804) used as schoolrooms. . . . The ground-floor apartments under these halls are used as alms-houses for thepoor of the parish." (63. 64.) With this interpretation we can,perhaps, conclude that " the Church House," " the Town House,"and " the alms houses " are but different names for the samebuildings in Church Street.
TITHE ; COMMUTATION. 1840.COURTS OF COWBRIDGE.
On the Tithe Map there are two courts marked, which haveapparently lost the names they bore in 1840, just as Verity's Courtis developing into " Rose Cottages."
Tainters Court is marked between 59 and 60 on that map,No. 61 being the White Lion. It is, therefore, between the shopsnow occupied by Mr. Escott and Mr. Sanders.
Bollard's Court has also lost its name. Its situation on themap is between 201 and 202, between the shops now occupied byMrs. Mitchell and Mr. Davies, the painter, respectively.
PARISH OF LLANBLETHIAN.
Number on the
Tithe map. Place names. Extent.
a. r. p.
243. Cae Scallan 2 1 18
20. Winglands 5 10
21 . Cawsa Mace 414724. Langet 1 2
36. CaerCrurca 1 1 32
789. Slang 16
475. CaerGofion 4 1 20
124 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
Number on the
Tithe map. Place names. Extent.
a. r. p.
477. Dwy Erw Gros Wen 2 1 32
497. Mwnsellydd 1 1 34
766. CaeTyrClawdd 3 23
434. Waun Wydam 3 3
326. Manor Pound 4
878. Cae Cilybedda 11 30
169. CaeryDynny 9 2 13
408. Tower Walls 4 3 30
66. Caer Councillor 436
70. Caer Lockwick 4 3 33
399. Cae Cockced 1 3
558. Y Scallon 4 3 34
602. Soulton Ucha 5 2 15
287. Croft y main ucha 3 3 36
22. Vingland 3 1 32
162. Cae pantyfuch 1
545. Coed y Levan 1 37
347. Cae Rex 7 39
659. Caer Corran
536. Dwy Erw Sumcoll
101. Fingdor.
82. 83. 84. 91. 92. 93. Dyffryn Mailog.
362. Waun.
230. Erw Dellin.
494. Dwy pont y s.ell ...(?)
789. Cae Ty rital.
811. CaeEithin.
233. Cae Scaddan.
449. Gwain Ffynnon Swyo.
476. Erw Cross Wen.
172. Gribbs 3 2 10
174. Gribbs 3 10
756. Caer Lei.
462. Lacon.
457. Cae Gotle.
476. Dwy erw pont y much.
COWBRIDGE WILLS AND ADMINISTRATIONS 125
XVII.
COWBRIDGE WILLS AND ADMINISTRATIONS 1575-1799.A = Administration.
Evan ab Evan
1640
Clement, Wenllian A
1760
Joan, John
1704
Cornish, Ann A
1776
Adean, Alicia
1705
,, Pierce
1757
Allen, James
1700
Wm.
1726
May
1700
David, Griffin
1709
Aubrey, Eliz.
1625
Griffith
1731/2
Rich. A
1694
Griffith
1774
W r m.
1679
John
1747
Baker, Daniel John
1654
Rich. A
1729
,, David John
1654
Wm. (Lands)
1639
Bassett, al. Jenkins
1683/4
Wm.
1690
,, Cecil
1684
Wm.
1691
Tho. A
1695
Davies, Roger A
1752
Wm. A
1680
Deere, Ann
1747
Wm.
1705
,, Mary A
1760
Bates, Edw.
1711
Mathew
1679
Eliz.
1713
Pierce A
1710
Jennet A
1111
Pierce
1701
Rich.
1749
,, Wm. A
1720
Beaple, Wm.
1665
Math. A
1679
Bell, Francis
1669
Durell, Daniel
1766
Bo wen, al. Owen
Edwards, Thomas
1684
Eliz. A
1787
,, Thomas
1704
Buckley, Mary A
1702
,, Thomas
1719
Wm.
1686
Emmanuel, Mary A
1774
Bullock, Edw. A
1719/20
,, Thomas
1765
Cadogan, Ann
1792
Evans, Thos. A
1684
John
1775
Francis, Tho. A
1722
Carne, Ann
1753
Fream, Eliz. A
1705/6
Cath.
1737
Marg. A
1690
Chas. A
1772
Wm.
1696
Dorothy
1728
Wm.
Jane
1746
(Sequestration) 1704
John
1719
Wm. A
1705
John
1752
Gamage, Marg.
1779
Marg. A
1677
Gibbon, Wm. A
1680
Mary
1773
Griffith, David A
1761
Mary
1782
Griffiths, Hannah
1768
126
HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
Griffith, Lewis
1723
Gronow, al. Stradling
A 1702
Christopher
1669
,, Lewis
1671
Wm.
1641
Harry, Jennet
1671
Hensley, Jenet
1671
Herbert, Cath.
1679
Howell, Edw.
1734
James, Tho.
1688
Jellicoot, Mary
1728
Jenkins, Ann
1702
Cath. A
1758
Edw. A
1674
Edw. A
1678
Edw.
1793
Eliz.
1685
Eliz. A
1750
,, Evan
1643
Evan
1667
Francis A
1730
,, Florence
1767
Jane
1774
Joan. (Lands)
1643
Marg. A
1740
Phillip
1651
Tho.
1699
,, Wm. (Lands)
1598
Wm.
1679
John, Christopher
1730
David
1654
Howell
1728
Jane
1694
Jennet A
1734
Philip
1781
Rich. A
1715
Wenllian
1729/30
Wenllian
1746
Evan
1695
Joan
1724
John
1749/50
Maud, al. Ein.
1726
Tho.
1722
Jones, Edw.
1590
Keynton, Chas. 1729
Lewellin, Chris. 1688
Jennett 1773
Wm. 1740
Lewis, John 1779
Lloyd, John 1713
Lougher, Robt. 1763
Tho. 1785
Mathews, Humphrey 1749
Mary 1673
Miles, Joan 1724
Morgan, David 1756
Daniel 1740/41
James 1766
John 1768
John 1791
Margaret 1761
Nicholas 1768
Rice or Rees 1736
Thomas 1721
Wm. 1665
Cath. 1724
Francis 1729/30
Morris, John 1700
Nicholl, Daniel 1639
Nicholls, Jonathan A 1717
Pierce, Cath. 1707
Portrey, Cecil 1723
Powell, Ann 1707
David 1671
Jane 1703
John A 1706
Mary A 1691
Rich. 1661
Robt. 1671
Pranch, James (Lands) 1613
Price, John 1652
Reed, Wm. 1767
Rees, Evan 1729/30
Joan 1764
Wm. A 1724
Cath. 1791
Richards, Tho. A 1682/3
Roberts, Henry (Lands) 1649
COWBRIDGE WILLS AND ADMINISTRATIONS 127
Roberts,
1758
Walters, John 1790
John
1780
Watkin, John A 1714
Rich.
1712
Wilcock, Florence 1665
Tho.
1771
Williams, Alice A 1759
Robinson, al. Portry Joyce 1661
Cath. 1766
Rowland, Jenkin
1757
Cecil 1752
Ruttedge, Eliz.
1764
Christopher 1677
Sant, Geo.
1645
Christopher 1729
Stedeler or Stider, John
1737
Christopher 1767
Stock, Rimbron
1684
Edward 1635
Stradling, Ann
1702
Evan 1731/2
Thomas A
1764
,, Francis 1707
Tanner, Tho.
1688
James 1601
Taynton, Joan
1765
John 1677
Nath.
1755
John A 1731
Nath. A
1758
Margaret A 1687
Taylor, Roger
1671
Mary 1682
Thomas, Ann A
1738
al. Edmondes,
,, Anthony
1675
Mary (Laleston) 1748
Cath.
1686
Richard A 1709
Cath. A
1774
Robt. 1682
Edw. A
1668
Robt. 1715
Geo.
1711
Samuel 1669
Jennet
1707
Thomas 1653
,, Jennet A
1708
Thomas 1695
John
1685/6
Woodward (or Woodyard)
John
1764
Magdalen 1703
,, Mary
1720
Richard 1694
Tho.
1734
Wyndham, John A 1700
A/m A
1799
j j V V 111 . .
Tudor, Alex.
i / '
1715
Stradling, Edward, Bart.,
Valence, John A
1750
St. Donats A 4 Nov., 1686
The first bundle of wills preserved at Llandaff consists of thosefrom 1575 to 1600, and among them are the testaments of EdwardJones, of Cowbridge, in 1590, and William Jenkins, in 1598.
In Edward Jones's will there is nothing of interest except thenames of his sons and daughters.
William Jenkins owned considerable property in the Countyof Glamorgan. His will bears a seal of which only half remains,and on it is the Clare Shield with its three chevrons.
There is a section of the will cut out just at the beginning.He leaves legacies to several parishes for distribution amongst thepoor, and directs his body to be buried in St. Michael-upon-Avon.
128 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
To his son Jenkin William he leaves certain properties, andto his son David William " one water griste mill caled melineglidaghe,"
" to my nephew William Jenkin sone to Jenkin William mysone ... all that water griste mill caled meline [rh ?] eola."
"... to my said sone Jenkin Wiliam all that my farme orlease with all the tithe there . . . that I have and doe nowe holdatt Aberp'r'om [Aberpergwm] by the demise and graunte of lisonThomas Late abbote of the Late dissolved monasterie of Neathe... to my nephew leison george all that mesuage or mans'onhowse sett and beinge att Cowbridge afforesaid . . . nephewwiliam george, margaret george als Bassett my nease . . . neasebarbara george . . . nease elizabeth george . . . '
The witnesses to this will are Jenkin Williams, Robert button,J . . prainche and Edward Jones.
In the bundle 1600 to 1607 there is a nuncupative will in Latin(one of the very few at Llandaff). It is the testament of JamesWilliam " of Byrthin w't'hin the p'yshe of lanblethian."
The will of Jevan Jenkins, of Cowbridge, is dated in thenineteenth year of Charles I (1643), and therein are mentioned the" children of my only sonne William Jenkines deceased lawfullybegotten upon the body of Elizabeth Carne his wiffe being ffivesonnes."
Among the dispositions are " two acres of land called the lesserButte . . . situate . . . w'thout the west gate of the said Burroughof Cowbridge."
In the Charity Commissioners' Reports (p. 9) under " UnknownDonors," it is said : " Mr. Thomas Morgan of Colhugh Villa,Llantwit Major, Mr. S. D. Evans, draper, High Street, Cowbridge,and Miss Tutton, of High Street, Cowbridge, pay yearly twelveshillings each in connection with this charity, being the owners ofthe three houses mentioned in the Report of 1837."
This reference reads : " As far back as the imperfect stateof the parochial documents extend the sum of 12s. per annum hasbeen payable out of a house near the Cross in Cowbridge, now theproperty of Mrs. Powell ; 12s. out of a house near the Weighhouse,now the property of Mrs. Simpson, of Pyle ; and 12s. out of ahouse near the market-place, now the property of Mr. Llewellyn,and 4s. a-year has been also payable by the Corporation."
The report under Unknown Donors proceeds : " The Vicarand Churchwardens manage this Charity, and provide four loavesevery Sunday, which are brought into church after morning serviceand placed on a slab under one of the monuments, and are takenaway by poor persons attending church."
COWBRIDGE WILLS AND ADMINISTRATIONS 129
I am glad to have discovered one of these unknown donors.He was Henry Roberts, of Cowbridge, whose will, dated in 1649,contains the following provision : " Item I geve & bequeath as astocke to remayne towards the poor of the Sayde Towne of Cowbridgethe Sum'e of vli to be payd within two years next after my deceaseto the hande of Jenkin W's' clerke, John William, Richard Aubreye& Richard Walter gent as ffeoffees in trust to the use of the s'dpoor And the interest thereof to be by them devided into xij p'tes& everye last Sunday of everye month a xijth p'te to be bestowedin bred and to be brought to the church according to the usualmaner . . . ."
This proves that the custom of bringing the bread to thechurch in Cowbridge was in being before 1649, and it is continuedto this day.
He had a wife, Elizabeth, and a son, Robert. He disposes oflands in " celements Towne " to Johan, his daughter.
In the will of David Nicholl, of Cowbridge, yeoman, 1639,he leaves " to my sonne Henry Nicholls clerke my dwelling house."
10
II. THE CHURCH.
THE THAWE, " COUNSEL TUTT," AND THE CHURCH, FROM CAE REX(copied from an old print).
IT is quite possible that the ground on which the fine old Churchof Cowbridge stands was used for Divine worship long before theNormans came. The Churchyard is raised above the surroundingground and is bordered by " Counsel Tut " and " Waun-y-gaer."The " meadow of the camp " takes us back to the times of theRoman occupation, in all probability.
" Counsel Tut " is a place-name which we have never heard ofas existing elsewhere, " Tut " being pronounced as the Welsh" Twt." We first meet with it in the Survey of the Borough in1630 : " . . . there are within the said Borough some smalllittle plot or parcel of ground which ... do properly belong untoand to the use of the said Burgesses . . . whereof . . . are called. . . Counsel Tut containing about half one acre . . . ." Furtherreferences will be found on pp. 51, 93, etc.
Does this place-name take us back to a time which is anterioreven to that signified by "Waun-y-gaer," and to a religion whichexisted here even before Christianity ?
132 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
For those who would care to investigate the problem, apartfrom a survey on the spot itself, there are a-few things to be con-sidered from the topographical writers of the early part of thenineteenth century.
" The Church so singularly shaped that it appears at a distancelike the embattled turret of an old fortress. . . . Owain, son ofCyllin, held his court here. A large tumulus and the remains of adruidic temple in a field near the Church are the only remains ofits ancient importance." (Cambrian Travellers Guide. 1813.pp. 409-10.)
"... It possesses a fine old Church, with machicolated walls... a large tumulus and a Druidical Temple and altar are situatedclose by the Church." (Gorton's Topographical Dictionary. 1831.)
" The Church is ancient and has a South aisle to the nave,and a North one to the chancel ; looks, at a distance, like anembattled fortress ; & contains several handsome monuments. . . .Remains of a large tumulus, and traces of a Druidical temple,are in a neighbouring field. Pelagius and Judge Jeffreys werenatives." (Imperial Gazetteer.}
Isaac Taylor, in his " Words & Places," tells us : " Placescalled Tot Hill, Toot Hill, or Tooter Hill, are very numerous andmay possibly have been seats of Celtic worship." In support ofthis he refers us to several authorities (Davis Philolog. Trans, for1855, p. 219 ; Earths Druiden, p. 64 ; Thiery, Hist. Gaulois, vol. ii,p. 78 ; and Prichard, Researches, vol. iii, p. 185) ; and quotes fromLucan, " Teutates, horrensque fens altaribus Hesus,
Et Taranis Scythicae non mitior ara Dianae."
Teutates referred to here is, according to the learned Canon,the Celtic deity Taith. It is, however, remarkably like our " Tut "or " Tutt," for such was always the spelling of what we nowpronounce as " Twt."
The ground in the centre of Counsel Tut is raised and theelevation looks artificial. It is for those who are expert in suchmatters to investigate the subject.
Of " Counsel " many things can be made, and we cannotattach much importance to the various forms in which it is spelt.
The sense which best fits the connection in support of thetradition that Counsel Tut is a place of pagan worship is : Consul-turn A consultation or inquiring of a deity ; that deity here being" Tut." It is used of Oracles and divinations : " dum consultapetis." (Virgil.)
But were there Druidical remains in Counsel Tut ? Or havethese writers confused Cowbridge itself with Ystrad Owen, nearCowbridge ? That the latter hypothesis is possible is clear from
THE CHURCH 133
the following account in Rees's " Beauties of England and Wales " :" After the establishment of the Roman domination a period of con-siderable obscurity follows, during which little more is transmittedto us than the names of the native princes or reguli . . . Thefirst mentioned is Cyllin ... He lived towards the latter part ofthe first century. Cyllin was succeeded by Owen, his son. Thisprince removed his residence to the neighbourhood of Cowbridge,where the name is still preserved in Ystrad Owen. The site of hisdwelling is supposed to be indicated by a tumulus in a fieldadjoining the churchyard." (P. 559.)
A possible confusion of Cowbridge with Ystrad Owen does notput Counsel Tut out of court as a place of pre-Christian worship,and the writers referred to above might have had informationwhich has been lost to us.
There is an old Welsh saying, " Da yw'r maen gyda'r Efengyl "(" The stone is good with the Gospel "). The stone representsDruidism, and there is no doubt that the Church " took over " allthe best elements of the Pagan religions. We know also that itwas a common practice to build Christian Churches on the sitesof Pagan temples. It is quite possible that this was the case atCowbridge, and if the traditions connected with the name of thelocal native prince are true then it is highly probable, for thetradition is that Owen was the son of Cyllin the son of Caradoc.Cyllin was known as Cyllin the Saint, who is said to have become aChristian when he was at Rome with his father in the first centuryof the Christian era.
Dr. Fisher tells us, however, that there is no authority whateverfor including Cyllin ab Caradog ab Bran among the Welsh Saints,and that his name occurs as a genealogical link in a pedigree thatis purely apocryphal. (British Saints, ii. 218.)
There is one fact which, above all others, leads us to theconclusion that to all appearances the foregoing topographicalwriters have confused Ystradowen, near Cowbridge, with Cowbridgeitself.
lolo Morganwg was an enthusiast on everything connectedwith the Druids. He compiled lists of Druidical remains inGlamorgan. The place name " Counsil Tut " (p. 93 supra) was wellknown to him, but, while naming the places in the neighbourhoodwhere Druidical remains existed in his day, he makes no mentionof such connected with " Counsel Tut."
His lists are printed in the Appendix to this book, and inMS. 74, p. 227, dated 1811, he mentions, " 1. Carreg Gwynn yBontfaen " the White Stone of Cowbridge ; in M.S. 43, p. 252,under Druidical Monuments, where he names thirtv-one of them
134 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
in the County, we have as 29, Cowbridge, which is in all probabilitythe White Stone, as Gorseddgylch y Beggar's Bush, a symmudwydgan Dr. Walton, that is the Gorsedd circle removed by Dr. Walton(a subscriber to the Glamorgan Agricultural Society in 1783).
No. 63 appears in the same list as the White Stone in MS. 74.
Beggar's Bush is just outside Cowbridge on the LlandoughRoad.
It would appear, therefore, that " Y Garreg Wen " was theonly Druidical stone known to him in the Borough, and that therewas no tradition in his day that there were Druidical remains in" Counsel Tut."
" Y Garreg Wen " is now in two parts, on either side of" Rhoscelyn " in the Borough, and is of mountain limestone. Thelarger portion of it now stands about 5ft. 6in. above the ground,and the field in which it stood, whereon " Rhoscelyn " is nowbuilt, was called " Croft y Garreg Wen."
The local tradition is that the hole cut or worn in it was atrefoil, and that some thousands of years ago the young people ofthe place were married with Druidical rites by putting their armsthrough the hole in it ! So the late Mr. Alfred James informedme.
How can we account for what looks like a trefoil on thisMaenhir ? Perhaps we can find it in an incident in the Life ofSt. Samson, whom we claim to have lived here in the insula ofPiro.
His biographer records a visit which he paid to a columnarstone, so Prof. Hugh Williams recounts the story, on which St.Samson had traced the sign of the cross, which had purged it ofthe pollution of idol-worship to which it had been subjected, forsuch stones were Christianized by certain rites, which includedthe incision of the cross, and perhaps our Cowbridge stone is anexample of such.
The story is that St. Samson saw the people dance around themaenhir (lapidem stantem) in pagan fashion, that he disapprovedof this heathen habit, and " with his own hand, using an ironinstrument of some kind " (sua manu cum quodam ferro), carvedthe sign of the cross thereon to remove the reproach of heathenism.(C. in E.B., 321-378.)
Amid all that is dark and uncertain in the history of the placein pre-Norman times it seems clear enough, from the analogy ofthe surrounding parish churches, that the Christian religionhad been established in Cowbridge long before the Normanoccupation.
LLANBLETHIAN AND HER CHAPELS
135
LLANBLETHIAN AND HER CHAPELS.
Somewhere between the years 1153 and 1183 a charter wasexecuted by Nicholas, Bishop of Llandaff, in confirmation of thebenefices which were held by the Abbey of Tewkesbury in hisdiocese, of which the record is (as printed in Mr. Clark's Cartae) :
136 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
" Carta N : Land : Ep : Confirmantis S. M. Theok : Beneficia quaehabent in Episcopatu suo.
[Cott : M.S. Cleop : A. vii. 68].
de Landbleth cum capella Sti Donati capellam Sti Jacob! deLandcoman, capellam Ste Lenwarae de Lathawa cum reliquispertinentiis suis. Haec autem capella eo tenore dedicata est etsepeliendoram corporum permissio facta, ne cederet in dampnumecclesiae de Landbleth ad quam jure parochiali pertinet." (Cartae.i. 21.)
Here we have, to begin with, Llanblethian with the Chapelof St. Donats the present Welsh St. Donats.
" Capella Sti Jacobi de Landcoman " and " Capella SteLenwarae de Lathawa " remain for discussion.
" Landcoman " is the modern Llanquian : " Manerium deLlancovian, alius Llanquian, infra dominum de Llanblethian."Such is the endorsement of a deed in 31 Henry VI, 1452 (Cartae ii.169). In connection then with Llanquian we have a Chapel ofSt. James.
As far as I am aware, there are no remains of any ancientchapel at Llanquian, nor does there seem to be any documentaryevidence which would enable us to trace a Chapel of St. James atLlanquian, but there is a very curious fact, that part of CowbridgeChurch was called Llanquian Aisle till at least A.D. 1830, as theActs of the Vestries of Cowbridge show :
6th Jany, 1817. North Aisle . . .South Aisle . . .Lanquian Aisle
55. William Nicholl Esqre pd. 7-6
56. Miss Sarah Thomas pd. 7-619th June, 1817.
That the seat No 64 in the North Aisle and adjoiningMr Nicholl's seat and situate in the Bellfree . . .
1830.
Lanquian 55. Thomas Edmondes Eqre 7-6
Aisle 55 and 56. Miss Thomas 7-6
A Llanquian Aisle in Cowbridge Church would seem to suggest :
1. That there was once a chapel at Llanquian, but when itwas no longer used the inhabitants of Llanquian had a specialpart of Cowbridge Church allotted to them, and this seems to bethe most reasonable solution of the problem.
2. That the Chapel of St. James ot Llanquian was in CowbridgeChurch. Perhaps he was a local hermit at Llanquian. If this wasso it is quite possible that, on the disappearance of the chapel as
LLANBLETHIAN AND HER CHAPELS 137
such, the part of the building in which it was retained the nameand was known as Llanquian Aisle.
We have now to deal with " Capella Ste Lenwarae de Lathawa."From the fact that " the Church on the Thawe " was in subsequentdocuments identified with Llansannor it has been maintained thatthis St. Lenwara on the Thawe is Llansannor, and Dr. Green,now Lord Bishop of Monmouth (to whose learned work the presentwriter owes much), has suggested that under another spelling itmight have been " Sanctae Senwarae de la Thawa " (Notes onChurches in the Diocese of Llandaff, p. 125), and it appears thathis conjecture has proved to be correct, for the Keeper of theManuscripts in the British Museum has very kindly informed me,in reply to my inquiry, " In the Cleopatra M.S. the reading isundoubtedly Senwarae."
There are difficulties in identifying " Capella Sancte Senwaraede Lathawa " with Llansannor, though the balance of probabilityis decidedly in its favour.
In Dugdale's Monasticon the reading is : " . . . CapellamSanctae Lenwarae de Lathawa." (iii. 67. Num. v.)
Our greatest authority on the British Saints (Dr. Fisher) tellsme : " Llansannor was formerly Llansanwyr (Peniarth MS. 140,Llanstephan MS. 164, Jesus Coll. MS. 13, etc.), the Sanwyr of whichmight well enough represent Senewyr one of the sons of SeithenninFrenin of Maes Gwyddno, and brother to Tudno and others(Peniarth MSS. 16 and 45, Hafod MS. 16, etc.). ... But if thePatron of Llansannor is Senewyr the ' Capella Ste Senwarae deLathawa ' cannot well mean Llansannor, because the Saints' sexesdiffer. But for a possible confusion might be compared St. Athan's,dedicated to Sancta Tathana, and not as usually supposed to themale St. Tathan."
The identification of Llansannor with " Ecclesia de la Tawe "in later documents is clear, for in the " Valor Ecclesiasticus " ofA.D. 1535 it is described as " Llansannor alias Thawe."
In the thirteenth century " Estimate of Churches in theDeanery of Llandaff," we have :
" Landath. Ecclesia de la Tawe LX S vjd," while Llanblethianwith its chapels was in the Deanery of Groneath, or Gorwenydd.
" Gronyd. Estimatio ecclesiarum decanatus de Gronydtempore pacis facta per Thomam Vicarium de Landblethiandecanum . . . Ecclesia de Lanblethian cum capellis xviij, xxiiijs."
In the thirteenth century then, Llanblethian and Llansannorare in different deaneries, Llanblethian in that of Groneath andLlansannor in that of Llandaff. Further, Llanblethian, with itschapels, belonged to the Abbey of Tewkesbury, while Llansannor
138 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
Church belonged to the Lords of Glamorgan as early as A.D. 1295(Cartae iii. 581) and 1317 (Cartae iv. 69).
Further, the context requires the closest connection withLlanblethian : " This chapel [St Senwara on the Thawe] has beenconsecrated on the condition, and permission to bury has beengranted, that the Church of Llanblethian, to which it belongs byparochial right, be not damaged."
To sum up. Against the identification of " Capella SancteSenwarae de Lathawa " with Llansannor are the facts :
1. The sexes of the saints differ.
2. The mother church and the daughter chapel are in differentdeaneries in the thirteenth century.
3. The advowsons belonged to different persons as early asA.D. 1295.
The only other claimant to the name would be the Chapel ofCowbridge.
In favour of the identification with Llansannor :
1. " Ecclesia de la Tawe " was, in the thirteenth century,undoubtedly Llansannor.
2. Senwara is very like Senewyr, or Sannor.
ST. SENWARA ON THE THAWE.
In the Inquisition after the death of Gilbert de Clare, in1314-15, we can see how it was that Llansannor originally belongedto Llanblethian it was because of its being part of the Manor ofLlanblethian and we are told that originally parishes were co-terminous with the manors : " The Jurors say that he hath theadvowson of the Church of the Thawe, which belongeth to themanor of Llanblethian, and is worth yearly 5s ; also they say thathe hath the advowson of the Church of Llanhari, which belongethto the same manor, & it is worth yearly 5 marks ; also they saythat the Abbot & Convent of Tewkesbury holdeth the Church ofLlanblethian with the Chapel, to their own use, in pure andperpetual alms, which is worth yearly 40 marks . . . ' (Arch.Camb. 1889. 68-78.)
If the identification is correct, as we believe it to be, Llansannorwas a daughter chapel of the Church of Llanblethian betweenA.D. 1153 and 1183, and became an independent church detachedfrom the mother parish before A.D. 1295, and we cannot claimCapella Sancte Senwarae de Lathawa as Cowbridge Church.
The only saint's name that Dr. Fisher can find like it isSennara or Senara, in Breton Azenora a Breton by birth themother of St. Budoc. To her is dedicated the Church of Lennor in
SAINT ZENOR 139
West Cornwall, which appears in the fourteenth century EpiscopalRegisters as " Ecclesia Stae Senarae." As Budoc had a dedicationin Pembrokeshire so might his mother in Glamorgan.
SAINT ZENOR.
The compilers of the Lives of the British Saints tell us that thename of Azenor has undergone several transformations, as Alienor,Eleonore, Honore, and Honoree. The legends that have gatheredround her name are many, and it must be remembered when weread them that the original authors of the lives of the saints aimednot at biography or history but hagiology.
The story is that there was once a King of Brest, who had adaughter Azenor, who was a model of all the virtues. One day,when the King was out hunting, a monstrous serpent fasteneditself to his arm and could not be removed. What was to be done ?One of the King's wise men declared that nothing would relievethe King of the serpent but the counter attraction of a fair woman'sbreast. Whereupon Azenor presented her bosom to the monster,who fastened itself to her breast. Immediately she took a sharpknife, cut off her bosom, and threw it with the serpent into thefire, and Heaven, to reward her filial piety, restored her breastwhole.
Then she was married to a Count of Goe'lo, and about a yearafter her mother died and the King of Brest married again.
The new Queen, being anxious to be rid of her step-daughter,poisoned the mind of the King and made Azenor's husband suspiciousof his wife's fidelity. So the count had Azenor, his wife, tried, and,being condemned, she was put into a barrel and cast into the sea.
There she remained, tossed by the waves and fed by an angel,and there in the barrel St. Budoc was born. Eventually it waswashed ashore on the coast of Ireland, and an Irish peasant,supposing that it contained liquor, procured a gimlet and wouldhave tapped it had not the babe cried from within, " Do not hurtus ; I am a child desiring baptism."
The peasant rushed off to the nearest abbey and told the story,whereupon the abbot came and released them from the barrel,baptized Budoc, and educated him.
Then Azenor lived near the abbey and earned her living as awasher-woman.
Meanwhile the wicked step-mother, when at the point ofdeath, confessed that she had concocted the charges against Azenor,whereupon the count started off to find his wife.
140 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
As good luck would have it, he landed at the very place whereshe was, and there they both died.
Similar stories are to be found in the folk lore of many lands,and those who wish to investigate the subject further will findseveral references to guide them under the life of St. Budoc inBaring-Gould and Fisher's British Saints.
COWBRIDGE CHURCH.
WAUN-Y-GAER, COWBRIDGE CHURCH, AND THEGRAMMAR SCHOOL (1922).
The plan of Cow bridge Church has been described as comprisinga nave, a choir under the central tower (more 01 less a feature ofseveral churches in the Vale of Glamorgan), an aisle with an arcadeof five arches, extending the whole length of the South walls ofthe nave and choir, and a chancel, as we have already seen, witha North aisle to it. Which part of the church is the LlanquianAisle, and where in the church was the chantry ? The tower is ofa military type and is somewhat unique. The moulded capitalsand pointed arches of the interior indicate that it is Early Englishin style.
THE CONNECTION WITH LLANBLETHIAN, TEWKESBURY,AND GLOUCESTER.
As we have just seen above, Bishop Nicholas ap Gwrganconfirmed, about A.D. 1180, to the Abbey and Church of St. Maryof Tewkesbury and the monks, various benefices, including Llan-blethian with its chapels and all their belongings.
The parishioners of Llanblethian do not seem to have approvedof this, for some fifty years after there was great disturbance at
VILLA FRATRUS 141
Llanblethian in connection therewith. In A.D. 1231, Eustace,one of the monks of Tewkesbury, was sent to take seizin orpossession of Llanblethian Church, but on his arrival the keyswere removed to the hills, and he could only take seizin of theporch and enter his protest against those who opposed the rightsof his Abbey, especially as those rights had been confirmed by theBishop of Llandaff.
The only notice the parishioners took of his protest was toseize him on the road and carry him off to the hills, where he washeld prisoner for three days, whereupon the Bishop excommunicatedthem, and my Lord Abbot did the same with J. Grant and hisaccomplices who had done the deed. (Cartae iii. 104.)
The ecclesiastical authorities proved too much for the parish-ioners, and the parishes continued their connection with the Abbeytill it was dissolved in the time of Henry VIII. Out of its revenuesthe King founded the new See of Gloucester, and the rights whichthe Abbey of Tewkesbury had in the Church of Llanblethian withits Chapels of Cowbridge and Welsh St. Donats were transferredto the Dean and Chapter of Gloucester Cathedral, which arrange-ment continued in being from the sixteenth century to the nine-teenth. In A.D. 1835 the Patrons and Impropriators were stillthe Dean and Chapter of Gloucester. The Impropriation afterwardspassed to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners and the Patronage tothe Bishop of Llandaff.
VILLA FRATRUS.
About the time of the Norman Consecration of CowbridgeChurch there were " Fratres " at Aberthun, as the place wascalled Villa Fratrus in the Book of Llandaff. We shall deal morefully with this matter when we come to consider the originof the Grammar School.
THE CHANTRY.
There was also a chantry founded at Cowbridge early in thefourteenth century by William the Prior or William Pryor "forthe perpetual support of one priest celebrating in the service calledWilliam Pryor's Service in the Parish Church of Cowbridge." Itwill be more convenient to state and consider the details of thisendowment when we deal with the tradition that CowbridgeSchool was founded out of the endowments of a dissolved religiouscorporation.
142 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
THE HOLY CROSS OF COWBRIDGE.
The earliest reference, or indication rather, of the dedicationof Cowbridge Church to the Holy Cross is to be found in connectionwith the accounts of the Lord of the Borough, to which referencehas been made above (p. 21), where we find certain tolls had tobe paid ad festum inuencionis Sancte Crucis, at the Feast of theInvention, or the Finding of the Holy Cross.
The next is in an " Inspeximus " by Robert Thomas, VicarGeneral in Spirituals of the Diocese of Llandaff, of variousdeeds : " Datum . . . millesimo cccc xliij ... in capellaSancte Crucis de Coubrugge . . . '
Cowbridge was an ecclesiastical as well as a civil centre forthe transaction of the business of the County and of the Glamorganportion of the Diocese of Llandaff in those days.
There is a record of an Episcopal visitation here in A.D. 1516 :
" Eccl. Ste Crucis de Cowbridge
Decimo quarto Die Mensis ffebr. anno domini supradicto inEcclesia Sancte Crucis de Cowbridge &c."
The dedication of the Church to the Holy Rood found itsreflection in the name of the street (now called Church Street)which led to it.
In 1562, William Bassett, of Bewper, Esqre, demises half aburgage at Cowbridge " between the strete called the Rode Streteon the West, the Churchyard on the East, the alms house on theNorth and the land now in the hand of Francis Coley on theSouth." (Cartaeii.332.)
It is also referred to in the Conveyance of the Site of thepresent Grammar School in A.D. 1603 : " Que quidem premissaomnia jacent insimul inter cemetrium ibidem ex parte oriental!muros ville predicte ex parte australi et unam strateam ibidemvocatam Roode Street ex parte occidentali."
THE SOUTH AISLE.
The South Aisle was built considerably later than the bodyof the church, for, in a Llanblethian register, under date 1721,we have this account of it :
" Anno 1473. Anne the second daughter and co-heire ofRichard Neville the Late Earl of Salisbury and Warwick wasmarried to Edward Prince of Wales son to King Henry the SixthShe was Late Lady of the Manor of Glamorgan and MorganwgBuilt this Tower the South part of Cowbridge Church and StJohn's Tower in Cardiff was also married to Richard Duke of
THE TOWER 143
Gloucester afterwards King of England by usurpation S r namedRichard Crookback he built the North Gate of Cardiff Town wherehis arms is now to be seen supported by two boars.
Thomas Wilkins
1721
Richard Lewis _,
T , *T7-i,- f Churchwardens.
John Williams )
When the South Aisle was built it appears that the firstsettling of the masonry in its green state soon after it was erectedand the state of the foundation yielding a little under the pressureof the walls caused the pillars to overhang, and gave them thatpeculiar appearance which they have to-day.
THE TOWER.
The Tower of Cowbridge Church possesses certain peculiararchitectural features of some importance, and should be dealtwith by someone who has more knowledge of church architecturethan I possess.
Mr. Prichard, the Diocesan Architect, who restored theChurch in 1848, in his report to the committee who were aboutto undertake the work, wrote : " Remote tho' the prospect maybe yet I hope to live to see the Tower crowned with a Spire suchas I have shown in my drawings There exists internal andexternal evidence sufficient to convince me in the absence of bothhistory and tradition that either such a feature did exist, or thatit was originally intended but abandoned perhaps for want ofmeans."
The tradition of which apparently Mr. Prichard had neverheard I am able to supply. It is contained in a MS. report onthe Tower, by lolo Morganwg, in the year 1810, and the originalis in the possession of the Rev. W. F. Evans, M.A., late Headmasterof the Grammar School. In his report to the churchwardens, lolosays : " In a manuscript ot Mr. Edward Lloyd of the AshmoleanMuseum at Oxford, consisting of notes which he had taken in hisItinerary thro' Wales, it is said that about the year 1480 theTower of Cowbridge was struck by lightning which burnt thespire, that consisted of a framing of wood covered with lead ;that there has been such a spire, or at least that the Tower wasintended for such a spire, is very obvious from the octagonalparapet still remaining on its Top. The cracks in the upper partof the Tower cannot rationally be accounted for but on the sup-position that they are the effects of a stroke of lightning, and theystrongly corroborate the historical anecdote of Mr Edward Lloyd."
144
HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
The same tradition is also recorded in Llano ver MS., C. 30 :" St. Quintine a wnaeth Gastell Llanleiddan, Eglwys Llanleiddan
THE TOWER, COWBRIDGE CHURCH.
&c &c Fitz hamon Gaerau Caerdyf , Cynffig, Caerau y Bont faenar Eglwys ar pigoni presadoddwyd gan luched yn y flwyddyn &c."(P. 50.)
THE ROYAL FOUNDATIONTHE ROYAL FOUNDATION.
145
SEAL OF RICHARD III AFFIXED TO THE CHARTER OFENDOWMENT OF COWBRIDGE CHURCH.
It was natural that, after the completion of the fine old church,with its Tower, South Aisle, and Chantry, steps should be takento make provision for a Chaplain to serve the same, in addition,apparently, to the Chantry Priest, and we find that in a few yearsafter the matter was carried through.
Richard, Duke of Gloucester, succeeded to the Lordship ofGlamorgan in 1471 in right of his wife, and in 1484 issued a Charteras King of England and as Lord of Glamorgan making provisionfor a chaplain to serve the Church or Chapel of the Holy Cross ofCow bridge.
" Richardus Dei Gracia Rex Anglic et Francie et DominusHibernie necnon Dominus Glamorgancie et Morgancie in partibusWallie reverendo in Christo patri domino Johanni eadem graciaepiscopo Landavensi salutem.
" Cum dilecti burgenses et tenentes nostri residentes etinhabitantes villam nostram sive burgum nostrum de Kowbryggefacere et procurare intendant quod unum capellanum idoneumdivina in ecclesia sive capella Sancte Crucis de Kowbrygge predictaeisdem inhabitantibus continue celebraturum atque sacramenta etsacramentalia quociens opus sit administraturum ex fructibus etpreventibus decimarum ac obvencionum ab ipsis inhabitantibusprovenciencium exhibitum et inventum habere valeant et ad id11
146 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
prcTperpetuo stabiliendum quamdam ordinacionem sive provisionemaliam quocunque nomine censeatur inter eosdem inhabitantes etresidentes et modernum vicarium de Llanblethean et successoressuos quoscunque vicarios futures ibidem vestro arbitrio siveauctoritate ordinaria semper valiturum fieri petant et exposcantnobis supplicantes ut quatenus ad id ut premittitur faciendumnostrum consensum et auxilium adhibere dignaremur.
" Nos vero pie considerantes devotam intencionem dictorumburgensium residencium et tenencium nostroram villam nostramsive burgum nostrum de Kowbrygge predictum inhabitancium addivini cultus augmentum et animarum eorundem salutem tenderejustis eorum desideriis annuendum f ore duximus atque ordinacionemhujusmodi per vos faciendum nostrum consensum in hiis scriptisgraciose impartimur.
" Vos nichilhominus requirens per presentes quatenus adperpetuam firmitatem dicte ordinacionis nichil quod in vobis estdeesse videatur quin ea celeritate qua poteritis vestrum pastoraleofficium et paternum favorem in premissis sicut nobis complacereintendetis indilate adhibere dignemini. Datum tarn sub signetonostro manuale quam sub signillo cancellarie nostre de Kaerdiffvicesimo septimo die Ffebruarii anno regni nostri primo." [21stFby., I, Rich. Ill, 1484. (Cartae ii. 225, from the Carne MSS.).]The charter is addressed to the Bishop of Llandaff , and recitesthat the burgesses of Cowbridge wanted a fully-qualified chaplainto celebrate divine service in the church or chapel of the HolyCross of Gowbridge, and to administer the sacraments, and pro-vision |made for his maintenance by the means specified. Inorder that this might be established in perpetuity it was requestedthat legal provision should be made by the Bishop between theinhabitants and the present Vicar of Llanblethian and all futureVicars of Llanblethian. To this the King graciously gives hisconsent.
'fcThe provision for the Chaplain of Holy Cross included thepayment "for every Person of age to communicate at Easteryearly, Three half pence, and at the same time for every Gardenfour pence, unless a Close is converted into a Garden, which inthat case is to pay agisments of its value ..." So we gatherfrom the Church Terrier of 1771, and it was a law of the Town,as we know from the old Roll of its Ordinances, that those withinits walls should " paie taskes, and tallages as well to the Lord asto the Churche."
THE ALTAR OF. ST. NICHOLAS 147
THE ALTAR OF ST. NICHOLAS.
Few people know the origin of the three golden balls whichthey see hung up as the sign of a pawnbroker's shop. It was fromthe Lombard family (the first great money-lenders in England)that the sign was appropriated by pawnbrokers.
A mortgage is but a pawn, and it appears that there was analtar of St. Nicholas in Holyrood Church at Cowbridge wherecertain solemnities were performed for the redemption of the same.We have certain indications here and there that, as Cowbridge wasa centre for the ecclesiastical and civil business of the County ofGlamorgan, so in the Church of Cowbridge a considerable portionof that business was carried on, no doubt to add solemnity to theproceedings. St. Nicholas stands for several things : he is thepatron of scholars and of those in distress, and the three balls arehis emblem. The legend is that he was both rich and generousand sought opportunities for doing kind actions with his money.
On one occasion a citizen was reduced to such utter wantthat he was on the point of selling his three young daughters tresfilias iam viro maturas non valens prae inopia matrimonio collocare,statuisset prostituere. When Nicholas heard of it one night he hidhimself and rolled a ball of gold into the house. He did the samethree nights, and the three balls of gold provided dowries for eachof the three daughters and enabled them to marry. From thisgolden deed he became the patron saint of all who were in troubleand distress.
The following is a record of a transaction which was to takeplace at his altar in Cowbridge Church : " William Bassett ofTreguff, in the Marches of Wales, gent, by deed indented, dated21. Nov. 8 Henry VIII (1516) conveyed to David ap Jevan Seys ofCowbridge, and William ap John of St Hilary, yeoman, in mortgage,half the manor of Eglwys-Brewis, and half the Rectory, for 100marks. The clause allowing redemption directs the money to berepaid in gold marks and groats, on the feast of St. Andrew (30November) 1526, in the Rood Church in Cowbridge, upon thealtar of St Nicholas, between the rising of the sun and the goingdown of the same. One half to be paid to Seys and one half toAp John. (Fonmon MSS.)." (Limbus Patrum., p. 353.)
VALOR ECCLESIASTICUS HEN. VIII.
Under the Parochial Church of " Llanblethyan " mention ismade of Cowbridge: " Capella Cubbryge 1 iiij s iiij d ."
148 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
LELAND.
When Leland passed through Cowbridge in 1535 he wroteof it : " There is a chirch in the town. But the saying is, thatLanlithan is the hed paroch chirch to Cowbridge."
RETURNS TO CANTERBURY.
Return by "Francis Godwin, Bishop of Llandaff, to JohnWhitgift, Archbishop of Canterbury, of the state of the County ofGlamorgan, Diocese of Llandaff : " Lanblethyan vie' cum capellisCowbridge Welsh St Donaddes. The impropriation held of AnthonyMaunsell Esquiour under the Chapter of Gloucester vol' xliij llper annum vie' val. xiij u vj s viii d ."
"ST. MARY'S."
How the Church ever came to be called " St. Mary's " is as yetan unsolved mystery, for there is no extant record either amongdocuments that belong to the Corporation or among those belongingto the Church in which the name is applied to Cowbridge Churchbefore the nineteenth century. The first reference known to meof the name " St. Mary's " being applied to Cowbridge Churchis in a document endorsed, " Sequestration of Llanblethian after thedecease of Robert Williams, clerk, 1835," wherein reference ismade to : "Thomas Lister and Thomas Lewis churchwardens ofthe parish of Saint Mary's Cowbridge."
To all appearances, it is a modern invention. The old andreal name of the Church fell into disuse probably on account of" Popish " associations, just as " Rood Street " was changed toChurch Street. Then, under the influence of the Oxford movement,the old dedication having been forgotten, the name of the LadyChapel was taken for the Church.
The very first record of the name " St. Mary's " in the Vestrybooks of the Church is in the handwriting of the Rev. J. HavardProtheroe, afterwards Archdeacon of Cardigan. It is dated9th October, 1884, and records that the Vestry "was held thisday in the Vestry of St. Mary's Church."
LEWYS MORGANWG.
At the Reformation epoch one of the greatest of the Welshbards, Lewys Morganwg, was, if the tradition is true, buriedin Cowbridge Church : " Lewys Morganwg, o Lanilltyd fawr, ymMorganwg, Bardd Siaspar larll Rhismwnt oedd ef, ac a gladdwyd
LEWIS MORGAN WG 149
501 y Bont faen . . . ' (Mangofion am amraefaelion feirdd oLyfr Sion Bradford. I.M. lolo MS. 73, pp. 193, 196.)
I believe the tradition to be true, for this reason. In LewisMorganwg's " Cywyd a wnaethbwyd i syr rys mawnsel pan oeddef yn jwerddon," or the poem which he made to Sir Rees Manselwhen he was in Ireland, we have these words :
" Awn at ddelw hwnt i ddylynAg ir gaer lie mae r grog wynnSef ar y groes vy wir grogSaf ag erchill dros varchog."
Here he speaks of going to an image, and to the fortified placewhere was the Holy Rood.
Cowbridge is one of the places, if not the place, where we havethis combination. Just outside the walls we have Waun-y-gaer,and in Dafydd Benwyn's poem in the time of Queen Elizabeththe fortified aspect of the place was a prominent feature :
" Ond da hefyd ond difostYmrig kaer ond mawr i kostyndi Saint da iawn a sydder kwyro, r, dref ar kaerydd
lantarn yw alont ir nailla chaerwyr drych i eraill."
Cowbridge is then " Y Gaer," taken in connection with thetradition and the prominent feature of the town, and, moreover,it is " Y Gaer " which has within it " Y Grog Wynn," for that isthe dedication of its Church of St. Cross or Holyrood.
Sir Rice would have a special connection with Cowbridge byvirtue of the fact that he married Eleanor, daughter and heir ofJames Bassett, of Beaupre. (Limbus Patrum. 495.)
The estate of Beaupre passed to him with this Bassett heiress,who died young, leaving no surviving issue. It went back againto the Bassett family by the marriage of Sir Rice's daughter (bya second wife) to William Bassett.
Further, the name of Lewis ap Richard (Lewis Morganwg'sname) appears as a Bailiff of the Town of Cowbridge in certainStar Chamber proceedings in which both Sir Rice Mansel andWilliam Bassett figured.
It is, of course, well known that Llewelyn and Lewis are twodifferent forms of the same name in Welsh, and that in the pedigrees
150 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
Lewis Morganwg's name is generally set down as Llewelyn apRissiart. In Peniarth MS., 178, p. 41, his name and pedigree aregiven thus :
" Lewys morganwc penkerdd ac athro kelvyddyd kerdd davawddrwy holl gymrv yr hwnn a Elwir 11 'n ap Rissiart morganwgprydydd a phenkerdd ap Rys brydydd penkerdd o gelvyddydkerdd davawd ap I. ap ho'l ap R : Vychan ap R. Voel ap Rys Gochap Rikert ap einion ap gollwyn ap Ednowain, &c."
William Carne charged Sir Rice Mansell with sending three ormore of his servants on the night of Thursday, 1st February, 28thHenry VIII, to " the house of Davyth Thomas Lloyd there to liein wait for the said Carne " with sundry other particulars. Theseservants waylaid Carne and committed an assault upon him.
" Ll'en ap Risiard," an alderman of Cowbridge, appeared onthe scene, and on Game's behalf requested Sir Rice to dismiss hisservants at once.
William Bassett, gentleman, son-in-law of Sir Rice, was alsocharged with assisting in the intimidation. There was anotheraffair in which Lewis ap Richard appeared.
On 28th October, in the 29th year of the reign of Henry VIII,George Herbert, with his armed attendants, was travelling fromAbergavenny to Swansea. When he arrived near Cowbridge heturned aside to visit his mother at Penmark Place, and sent eightof his servants on to lodge for the night at an inn in the Town ofCowbridge. Herbert himself called on Sir Rice Mansell and,finding he was at Mass, went into the church to " offer," and thenproceeded to Beaupre with Sir Rice.
When the servants arrived at the inn a great commotiontook place. There was Roger Carne and a great number oftownsmen, with swords drawn, attacking them. Arrows wereshot into the house and out of the house.
Lewis ap Richard, in whose hostelry this took place, was athis wits' end what to do, for he was one of the bailiffs of the Town.
The " Courte Balely House or Dungeon " was not large enoughfor all the prisoners.
Meanwhile, in Sir Rice's own words, " the bayliffes of Cowbridgeresorted unto " him, and desired him " to set an order in thematter," and, when he was told that the "Doungeon" could notproperly accommodate the prisoners, he suggested that they" should be bound over to appear on the morrow at the Castle ofCardiff, before the Chauncellor there ; and so the said bayliffeswere contentyd, and departed to the said Carne to desyre him tobe contentyd also."
But Roger Carne was not " contentyd."
THE ORNAMENTS OF THE CHURCH 151
Lewis ap Richard offered to become bail, but he would notconsent to it.
The walls of the town, he said, were hateful to this Herbert,who had offered the bailiffs money to have them broken down sothat he might more freely work his enmity upon him.
Such are the proceedings related in the Star Chamber casesof the time of Henry VIII, which are preserved at the PublicRecord Office under the head of " Carne," and related at muchgreater length in an interesting paper by David Jones, Esq., readat the Cowbridge Meeting of the Cambrian Archaeological Societyin August, 1888, and published in Arch. Camb. V. vii. pp. 81-104.
Further, the name of Lewis ap Richard occurs among theJury at the Inquisition of the Lordship of Llanblethian taken atCowbridge in 12th Elizabeth, and therein we have : " Lewis apRicherde holds 2 acres of customary land formerly in the tenure ofMadoc ap Hoell ap Philip and renders ll d ."
A comparison of this with the descent from Lewis Morganwgas recorded in Cardiff MS. 4, 213, shows that the date is not toolate for him, for his grand-daughter does not marry till 1620.
According to the pedigree referred to, Lewys Morganwg hada son Howel and a daughter Cicill. The descent from Cecill doesnot concern us.
" Howell m. a d. & h. of henman of . . ." and had Ann mWatkin Gr., Damagon, and Mary. " Mary d. & h. of Howell lewysap Rishard m. Nicholas Hawkins of Cardiff 1620."
Now, " Henman " is a very uncommon name, but there aretwo Henmans holding land in Llanblethian parish who werecontemporaries of Lewis ap Richard, for in the same Survey wehave :
" Richard Henneman holds 24 acres of customary land formerlyin the tenure of Jevan Henneman & renders to the lord 11 s ."
" John Jevan Henneman holds 2 customary cottages formerlyin the tenure of Jane Henneman 2 d ."
From what we have seen, there appears to be strong circum-stantial evidence to support the tradition that Lewys Morganwg'sbody lies buried in Cowbridge Church.
THE ORNAMENTS OF THE CHURCH.
In the Record Office we have an interesting list of the Orna-ments of the Church and of the Ministers thereof at the time ofthe Reformation.
Exch. K. R. Church Goods. Wales. C. Glamorgan. 12/14.8th paragraph. Edward VI.
152 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
Edward carne knight Robert gamege Williamherbert & william basset t esquiers comissyonersalloted to the hundred of Cowbridge in the w'challotem't william bassett was appoynted to recevethe money for the churche goods of the said hundredthen sold, and the said Robert gamege recevyd allthe plate that was to be receavyd by force of theforsaid comyssyon, the said Edward carne & wilTmherbert beinge p'sent at the sale thereof and alsoat the receving of the said plate accordirige to theforsaid comyssyon,
Itm the said will'm bassett receavyd for the churchegoods sold at Cowbrige for the said hundred theV 11 VJ 8 XI d . said Edward came Robert gamege & will'm herbertbeing p'sent at the sale thereof the some ofiiij 11 xvij s
Itm for Cxvj 11 mettell sold at that p'sent tyme toRandolphe pucell & Crystofer coke for ix 8 iij dw'ch remayned in thands of the said Randolphe &Cristofer till the day of this p'sent account.Some - V 11 vj 8 xj d . --
Itm all the plate that was receavyd wthin the saidhundred that came to thands of Robert gamege thesaid Robert redel . . yd the same & only pte thereofby vertue of the forsaid 1'res.
Exch. K. R. Church Goods. Wales. Co. Glamorgan. 12/17.
HONORED DE COWBRIDGE.
p'ochia de p'senter's syr John grante clerke vicar glim thomaslanblethian and thomas lewes chirche wardens who saye upontheir othes that syr edward carne knighte robartgamege & william bassett esquiers by force of theforseyd commission to them amongest othersaddressyd dyd by force thereof in the towne ofCowbridge a little before the deathe of King Edwardthe sixt take frome the p'ishe chirche foreseyd achesible of crimosin velet with thalbe a chesible ofpurple velet with an albe an olde cope of reddechamlet with flowers a laten crosse with the imagesof marye & John giltid a banner of grene silke ofa yarde long belonging to the same ij laten candle-sticks & a holy water potte whereof they saye thatthe p'ishe foreseyd by any man' of menes cowldeno restit'ion.
THE PEWS 153
eccl'ia s'ct'e p'senter's syr John grante clerke vicar there
crusis ville de Richard norfowke & John nicoll chirche wardens
Cowbridge who saye upon their othes that the commissionersforeseyd at the time & place foreseyd dyd takefromme the sayd chirche a cope a cheseble & twotunakilles of grene velet a chesible of purple veleta chesable of redde velet a cheseble of bliwe silkea cheseble of white saten a cope redde damaske andcrosse of laten gilte and the fote (?) of the crosse apeyre of candlesticks a sencer a basen & holy waterpotte of laten a dyaper napkin whereof they sayethere was no parte solde neither yette otherwiserestoryd to the sayde towne.
p'ochia de welsh saint donetts p'senter's syr John grante clerkevicar there John ap John and lewes wiliam chirchewardens who saye upon their othes that the commis-sioners foreseyd at the time and place foreseyd dydtake fromme the p'ishe chirche foreseyd a chesebleof bliwe velet & a laten crosse gilte whereof wasmade to the seyd p'ishe no man' of restit'ion."
THE PEWS.
In the early years of Queen Elizabeth the little town seems tohave been somewhat perturbed concerning the seating of theChurch, and an Ordinance of the Borough was accordingly passedto set at rest all doubts about what, from the precautionary natureof the enactment (No. 49, p. 37 above), was considered a somewhatweighty matter.
The seats were assigned to the houses in the town and wereunder the control of the Corporation.
In the Church safe there are some indignant letters which weresent from time to time complaining of some alleged injustice orother in their allocation.
THE BAILIFFS AND THE BURIALS.
Not only had the authorities of the Town jurisdiction overthe seats but also over the burials, as may be seen from theOrdinance printed on p. 37 above.
THE MONUMENTS.
The writer of " The Beaufort Progress through Wales " in1684, as we have seen above (p. 54), when his Grace was conductedto the Town Hall, turned aside to take a view of the Church, and,
154
HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
fortunately, we have preserved for us a most interesting descriptionof what he saw :
" COWBRIDGE Church. Its fairest Monument advanc'd againstthe South Wall represents 2 figures in kneeling posture, eachagainst a desk bearing a book open. The first of William Carneof Nash, in the County of Glamorgan, Esq., in armour ; and onthe other side his Lady. Underneath are also representations insmall of 3 sons and 3 daughters, with the Arms and Inscriptionsfollowing.
" All these quarterings upon this Monument are again impal'dwith Mansell.
" The first Coat of this quartering is Gules, a Pelican in hernest, with wings display'd, feeding of her young ones, Or, by thename of Carne of Nashe, in Glamorganshire. The same Arms arealso given by the same name of Wenney, in the said County ofGlamorgan. The Egyptian Priests (as Farnesius noteth) usedthe Pellican for an Hieroglyphick to express the 4 duties of a fathertowards his children. Whereof the 1st is generation ; the 2d theoffice of Education ; the 3d of training up or Instruction of learning ;the 4th and last is informing ye children's eyes with ye example ofhis vertuoits and honest life : for in the institution of civill beheviourthe eyes are more easily informed than the ears for the apprehensionof instruction.
" The 4th Coat quartered in the last shield is Gules, a Lionrampant regardant Or, by the name of ... which action . . .doth manifest an inward and degenerate perturbation of ye mind,which is meerly repugnant to the most couragious nature of the
THE MONUMENTS
155
Lion, Cnjus natura est imperterrita ; because of the saying, Leofortissimus bestiarvm ad nvllivs pave bit occvrsum.
" Memoriae Sacrum
" Willielmi Carne de Nashe in Comitatu Glamorgan armig qviex Elizabetha filia Willielmi armig liberos suscepit x qvorum ivTenelli obierunt reliqui vi filii tres praeclari domi forisque muneribusfuncti & filiae tres viris patriae
primoribus locatae Edward nuper receptor generalis Sovthwalliaeqvondam vnvs qvatuor numerat
orum ad scaccarium praesidet. Thomas militvm praefeet in obsidione OSTENDiensi fortissime pvgnando occubuitRicardus duello locvmteneris praefecti apvd Batavos fato cessit.Anna Willielmo Matthews Elizabetha Gabrieli Lewes MariaDavid Prichard armigeris conivgaetae
PATRI OPT. et charissimo
hoc pietatis et amorismonvmentum pos. Edward primogenit.Qvi lectissimam foeminam Annam filiam Edwardi Manselli de Morgan militis et Dominae lanaefilliae Henrici comitis WIGORNIAE habet in vxorem et ex ealiberos ix Thomam et alteram Thomam cvm lohanne qvi obiervntinfantes, ianam virginitatis
an xviii mortuam Willielmv natv maiorem lanaefiliae et heredi Willielmi Thomas de Lamulangiae arConnubio ivnctvm (qvibvs est proles Willielmus etAnna) Elizabetha Conivgem Willielmi lenkin deCOWBRIDGE generos CatherinamEdward et Mariam impvheres mense ivnii
MDCXXVL
" About a monument at the west end of the South Aisle of thisChurch belonging to St. Nicholas of St. Nicholas are these fourcoats following and an inscription which I had no time to write.
156 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
" The last shield being argent, three bugle-horns stringed andgarnished sable, I am informed to be by the name of ... Bassett... in the County of Glamorgan. It frequently carrieth in anescrowle underneath this British saying : Gwell angeu nachwilyed. Thus Englished : Better death than shame."
Behind the organ is a forgotten and neglected monument ofQuarella (Bridgend) stone, and it seems to have been painted overin red, and on the red paint here and there the gilt letters remain,but a large portion has been defaced, as the letters were not cutinto the stone.
From genealogical evidence we can reconstruct the inscription,using modern spelling for what has been obliterated :
N[ear t]h[is spot lieth the] body [of M]ary William [s] Doughter [of Jenkin] William [s] late of[Llantriddyd] one of ye Prebends of[Llan]da[ff] and grand doughter toH[ugh Lloyjd late Lord Bishopof [this Dijocess who departedt[his life] ye 4th day of March[1725]
ae : suae 76.
Ita mors interventu suo finitomnia, omnia temporal! a sunt ;. . . dua fluxa & transitura ex
et intereuntvirtus expers est sola sepulchri.
She was a daughter of Jenkin Williams, son of Jenkin Williams,of Cowbridge, ma trie. Jesus Coll., Oxford, 1627-8, aged 16, B.A.1631, M.A. 1634, Rector of Llantrithyd 1661, St. Nicholas 1663,Precentor of Llandaff Cathedral 1660.
The pedigree of the family was :
1. Jenkin Williams of Cowbridge, (from Gwyn of Llanishen,Limbus Patrum, p. 36) m. Wenllian.d. of Wm. Mathew of St.Brides-super-Ely and had
2. Jenkin Williams of Cowbridge m. Cecil, d. of AnthonyPowil of Tondu. They had
3. Jenkin Williams, precentor of Llandaff, m. Mary, d. ofHugh Lloyd, Bishop of Llandaff.
At page 537 (ibid.} Jenkin Williams is described as ofLlantriddyd and as having (a) John, (b) Cissil, (c) Mary, (d} RachelWilliams, but on page 36 only Jenkin Williams, who marrieda daughter of John Rumsey, of Wolf's Newton, is mentioned.
JUDGE JENKINS OF HENSOL 157
Jenkin Williams held some of the Chantry lands in Cowbridgein 1574, and the Manor of " Llancovian " (otherwise called St.Quintins Manor) in 1581.
In the 30th year of the reign of Elizabeth a Jenkin Williamswas one of the Bailiffs of Cowbridge.
It appears from a Survey of the Manor of Llanblethian in1650 that Jenkin Williams, of Cowbridge, gent., held it at that date.
The Bishops' transcripts for the period of the blanks in theOowbridge registers have the following entries concerning thefamily :
1731. Burial. Mr Jenkin Williams of Lanquian. July 1.1734. Baptism. Jenkin, son of Jenkin Williams, Sept. 28.1743. Baptism. Dec. 8. David Williams, son of Jenkin Williams.
JUDGE JENKINS OF HENSOL.
From the point of view of the antiquary and the historianthe most interesting grave in the church is that of old Judge Jenkinsof Hensol. His monument the first on the right hand as weenter the porch records his burial :
David Jenkins of Hensol Esq :One of the Justices of Wales
Died in the year 1664Cecill his wife died 14 Feb. 1671David Jenkins Esq. his son died 18th March 1696
Mary his wife died in Sep. 1667.Richard Jenkins Esq. grandson of the Judge
Died 16th July 1721.Katherine his wife died 19 June 1719And lie buried in this Church.
Underneath is his shield of arms the three cocks with themotto :
" Fe Dal Am Daro."
Richard Jenkins was the last male heir, and on his deceasehis sister inherited, married one of the Mathews family, and theirdaughter Cecil, the great-grand-daughter and heiress of the oldJudge, was married in 1708 to Charles, Baron Talbot of Hensol,Lord Chancellor of England. Their second son, William, was createdEarl Talbot in 1761, and Baron Dinevor in 1780, with remainderto his daughter, who married one of the Rices of Dinevor, in Carmar-thenshire, and transferred the title to that family.
He was the bravest of men, with a lion-heart, and, afterbeing taken prisoner by the Parliamentary forces at Hereford
158
HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
duiing the Civil Wars, was confined in Newgate. This, however, didnot daunt his spirit, for he wrote pamphlet after pamphlet underwhat must have been the most trying and difficult of circumstances.
JUDGE JENKINS (from an old painting).
Some of these were :
" Lex Terrae, Or, A briefe discourse of Law, whereby it isproved that the supreme power in this Kingdome is in the Kingonly, and not in the two Houses of Parliament. Whereunto areadded other Small Tracts of the like nature, (viz) A Vindication,Declaration, Cordiall, The Armies Indemnity, The inconvenience oflong continued Parliaments, and an Apology for the Army ; Togetherwith A Plea, Answer, and Remonstrance. ... By David Jenkins,Prisoner in Newgate. Plebs sine lege ruit . . . 1648."
" The Works of that Grave and Learned Lawyer JudgeJenkins, Prisoner in Newgate, upon Divers Statutes, Concerningthe Liberty, and Freedome of the Subject etc. . . . Portrait."
" The Cordiall of Judge Jenkins, For the good People ofLondon. ."
JUDGE JENKINS OF HENSOL 159
" Judge Jenkin's Plea delivered in to the Earle of Manchester,and the Speaker of the House ol Commons sitting in the Chanceryat Westminster. Which was read by their Command in OpenCourt, the 14. of February 1647. And there avowed, By DavidJenkins, Prisoner in Newgate.Printed in the Yeare, 1647."
" Judge Jenkins Remonstrance to the Lords and Commons ofthe two Houses of Parliament, at Westminster, the 21. of February,1647. By David Jenkins, Prisoner in Newgate. . . ."
" Rerum Judicatarum Centuriae. . . . 1661."
He whose dust lies in Cowbridge Church was brought beforethe Bar of the remnant House of Commons. He denied theirjurisdiction to try him and refused to answer the charges broughtagainst him, nor would he appear uncovered before them, as hedid not admit their Parliamentary status.
Eventually he was sent back to Wales to be tried for treasonat the Sessions in his own County.
It is said that he was sentenced to death, took it very bravely,and declared that he would ascend the scaffold with the Bibleunder one arm and Magna Charta under the other.
However, the sentence was never carried out and he livedto see the Restoration.
His family continued to hold property in Cowbridge for manyyears, passing through his female representatives to the LordsTalbot and then to the Dynevors. In 1784 the Corporation debatedcertain matters relating to the waste ground without the SouthGate, adjoining the Turnpike Road on the East and Lord Talbot'stwo acres on the West.
" Dynevor Cottage," without the South Gate, is still with usand reminds us of the long connection of the old Judge'srepresentatives with the Town.
Lord Dynevor tells me : " The Talbot property was left awayfrom The Dynevor Family some fifty years ago."
Anthony Wood says of him : " He died at Cowbridge inGlamorganshire the 6th day of December 1663, aged 81 or more,and was buried at the West end of the Church there." (AthenaeOxonienses. 1692. ii. 220-222.)
Beneath his portrait, which is here re-produced from thepublication above mentioned, are printed the words :
" Here Jenkins stands, who thundring from the TowerShook the bold Senat's Legislative Power :And of whose words twelve Reames of votes exceedAs mountaines mov'd by graines of mustard-seed :
160 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
Thus gasping Lawes were rescu'd from the snare,He that will save a Crowne must know and dare."
DR. MALKIN.
Dr. Malkin has a tablet erected to his memory in the chancelof the Church :
Sacred to the memory of
Benjamin Heath Malkin L.L.D
Born in London March 23rd 1776
Died at Cowbridge May 26th 1842
and of Charlotte his wife, daughter of Thomas
Williams B.D. Born at Cowbridge Jan. 2nd 1772.
Died at Cowbridge April 19. 1859.
Dr. Malkin, besides being a traveller and a writer of an attrac-tive description of South Wales, was also a social reformer andchairman of the Society for the Improvement of the WorkingPopulation in the County of Glamorgan. This society issued aseries of papers about A. D. 1831, called "Cowbridge Tracts," onvarious social questions affecting the labourers of Glamorgan.
His son, Sir Benjamin Heath Malkin, wrote a book onastronomy, and held high judicial office in India. There is a bustof him in the Old Hall at Cowbridge.
Dr. Malkin lived in the Old Hall, for Mrs. Charlotte Malkinis put down as the occupier thereof (No. 207 on the Tithe Map)in the Tithe Commutation apportionment of 1840.
NICHOLL.
There are several monuments to the Nicholl family besidesthe one mentioned in the " Beaufort Progress."
In memory of
William Nicholl, Esquire, Barrister at Law and Bencher of theHonourable Society of the middle Temple, who died the 5th dayof February 1828. Aged 76 years. He was the 5th son ofWhitlock Nicholl, of Ham, Esquire, and during many yearsMayor of this town.
Also
in memory of Frances the wife of the aforesaid William Nicholland daughter of William Cadogan M.D. She departed this lifethe 7th of Dec. 1819. Aged 72 years. Their remains lie depositedin the same grave in the South Eastern part of the Church Yardof this Parish.
ADMIRAL EDWARDES 161
Sacred to the Memory of
Jolin Be van of this Town, Esqre., who died the 8th of August1823 aged 63 years, Also of Susanna his wife, Daughter otWhitlock Nicholl of Ham in this County, Esqre, who died the27th of July 1841 aged 80 years, Also of their daughters, Anne,wife of Charles Dawson, Esqre, who died at Henley-on -Thames,Jan. 12. 1852, aged 51 years.
Susanna Mary, wife of the Revd. F. F. Edwards B.D. Rector& Lord of the Manor of Gileston, who died Nov. 5. 1869 aged68 years.
And of their only son John who died in Italy Jan. 7, 1897, aged93 years. His remains rest at Varese in Lombardy.
Sacred to the memories of the most indulgent Parents whoseremains are interred near this spot.
This monument of filial affection and gratitude is dutifully andPiously erected.
ADMIRAL EDWARDES.
Admiral David Edwardes of Rhyd-y-gors, near Carmarthen,departed this life on his way from Bath the twelfth of May 1788 :Aged seventy one years. Ann, wife of the above Admiral Edwardesdeparted this life on the sixth day of January 1810 aged eightytwo years.
" Hpw lov'd how valu'd once avails thee notTo whom related or by whom begot ;A heap of Dust alone remains of thee.Tis all thou art, tis all the Proud shall be.
EDMONDES.
Sacred to the memory of John Edmondes Esqre of Cowbridgewho died March iii, 1778, aged 38. His remains are interred inthe Parish Church of St. Hilary near this place.
Near this monument the remains of the following persons areinterred. Lydia Edmondes, Died 3rd of June 1812, aged 5 months& Charles Edmondes, Died 3rd of February 1816 aged 4 months,John Edmondes, who was drowned at Hensol, 30th of December1820, aged 16 years, Mary Harriet Edmondes, died 4th of September1833 aged 30 years.
Also of Thomas Edmondes Esqre, and of Mary his wife, parentsof the above : He died 12th of September 1845 aged 70 years,She died 17th April 1847, also aged 70 years.12
162 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
Sacred to the memory of Charlotte Lydia, and Louisa MariaEdmondes ; the former died on the 12th July 1887 Aged 73 years ;the latter on the 25th September 1886, aged 69 years. . . .
HARNESS.
In memory of Henry Drury Harness K.C.B., General and ColonelCommandant, Royal Engineers, Born April 29th 1804 ; DiedFeby 10th 1883, Also of Caroline Margaret, younger daughterof the above. Born Dec. 30th 1831. Died July 14th 1887.
Sacred to the memory of Caroline Susanna, the beloved wife ofHenry D. Harness Esqre of the Royal Engineers and seconddaughter of Thomas Edmondes Esqre of this place. Born 16thSeptember 1807, Died llth June 1838.
To the Memory of William Edmondes Harness, a Lieutenant inthe 51st Regiment of Light Infantry, eldest son of Major-GeneralSir Henry D. Harness, K.C.B. of the Royal Engineers, and grandsonof the late Thomas Edmondes, Esquire, of Cowbridge. He died20th July 1875. Erected by his brother officers as a mark ofesteem and regard.
RICH.
Memoriae Sacrum.
Roberti Rich, Armig, Filii R. Rich Baronetti Cui praestans et
ingenium capacissimum.
Peritia in bonis artibus.
Praesertim in musice.
Usus sermonis gentium exterarum.
Suavitas, et morum cultusque summa elegantia.
Ad primos reipublicae honores.
Iter aperire valuisserant ,[sic.]
Ni spes tarn delusae, et infortunia tamdura.
Animum ad ardua et honestissima tendentem.
Depresserant. Heu ! tandem victus dolore longo.
Anno aetatis suae 35 mo .
Immature immolatus Amicis, quibus charissimus vixit
Desideratissimus obiit 1799.
Moerens et conjux amantissima Hoc marmor posuit.
In the body of the Church there are mural tablets to thePowell, Bevan, Bates, Bradley, and other old families of Cowbridge,with several grave-stones to the memory of departed aldermenof bye-gone days.
THE CHURCH BELLS 163
The Taynton monuments, of which there are not a few, arein the Lady Chapel.
There are several other memorials, to which we shall referelsewhere.
THE CHURCH BELLS.
We have now to trace further the very close connection ofthe civil authorities of the Town with the affairs of the Churcha connection which can well in some respects be termed control.
We have already seen what the position was with regard tothe seating of the people and the interment of the dead, andwe shall now consider some other matters in their chronologicalorder.
We begin with the Bells in the Tower of the Church. Itappears from the old Roll that in the year 1721 the walls of theChurch Tower, the timber and the frames therein, were decayed andout of repair ; moreover, the four bells were " broke, crack 'd, andvery much out of repair." So, in order to avoid a new church-rate " for new casting the sd Bells and for adding Four New Bellsmore ... so as to have a Ring peal or sett of eight Bells," therevenues of the town were mortgaged to borrow 246 in order topay for what was required to be done. (See p. 38, supra.)
Cowbridge Holy Cross. 8 bells by Evan & William Evans, ofChepstow, 1722. All bear a medallion of the arms of Cowbridge,with motto encircling them. The old sanctus bell, now the firebell, of ancient shape, is without inscription, and rests at the topof the turret stair leading to the belfry.Inscriptions.(Treble). O EVAN EVANS WM EVANS BELL FOUNDERS
1722
(2). O RICHARD GREGORY RECTOR BENEFACTORDANL DURELL SCHOOL MASTER BENE-FACTOR 1722.
(3). O MRS MARGr. MATHEWS MRS HESTER WILKINSBENEFACTES
EE & WE & 1722.(4). O WM DAVIS IOHN STYDER ALDN. BENEFACTRS.
EE & WE A, 1722.
(5). O RICH : BATES THO : BATES ALDERMEN BENE-FACTRS EE & WE & 1722
(6). O ,THO : WILKINS IEN : WILLIAMS GENx.ALDERN BENEFACs EE A WE A 1722.
164 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
(7). O EDW:CARNEROG:WILKINSESQRS.BAYLIFFS
BENEFACTORS EE & WE & 1722.(8) O FRANCIS GWYN ESQR MAYOR EDW :STRADLING ESQR DEP. MAYOR BENE-FACTORS EE WE & 1722.The O is the medallion of the Arms of the Borough.The bells are mounted in old oak frames and with old oakwheels. The diameter of the tenor is 45f inches and its weightabout 15 cwt.
The whole ring is very interesting as the only ring of eightcast by the joint founders, Evan and Wm. Evans, and survivingto this day intact.
Llanblethian.
(1). THE REVD MR WM MILES VICAR TR 1769.CARR'S OF SMETHWICKRECAST ME
1907.
(2). MR EVAN IENKINS BENEFACTOR T & R. 1769.(3). WM THOMAS ESQR IOHN WILLIAMS WARDENS
T & R 1769.(4). PEACE AND GOOD NEIGHBOURHOOD EE & WE
1726. O
[O is the imprint of the obverse of a William III Crown.]
(5). NOAH NEAL NEWCOME VICAR IOHN THOMAS
CURATE IOHN WILLIAMS & IOHN THOMAS
CH : WARDENS W & E 1746.
(6). THIS BELL WAS GIVEN (1) (1) (2) ANNO DOM 1685
BY SR LEOLINE IENKINS[(1) is obv. and (2) rev. of William III crown.]
AND NOW MAINTAIN 'D BY HIS BROTHEREVAN. EVAN EVANS & & (3)[(3) is obverse of Charles II half-crown.]
(Firebell) probably a recast Sanctus bell, has inscription in twolines : EX DONO EV : IENKINS DE MAINDY (1)
GEN : QVI OB : 7 APRILIS 1702. (2)(1) and (2) are the obverse and reverse of a Queen AnneShilling.
Although the tenor bell bears the date 1685, it must obviouslybe of later date, for the William III Crown, of which it bears theimpression, was first struck in 1695.
Oowbridge Town Hall Bell. Is a small bell of eighteenthcentury date or later. It is without inscription.
THE TERRIER 165
Cowbridge Grammar School Bell bears the inscription :
JOHN TAYLOR & SONS LOUGHBOROUGHand was supplied in 1903.
Welsh St. Donats. One large bell, probably cast by T. Mearsand Son, of London, from the shape and lettering, but it bearsonly the date 1836.
In the chancel, suspended from a beam projecting from thecentre of the chancel arch, under the roof, is the original sacringor sanctus bell. It is without inscription, but has a hemisphericalhaunch and has three parallel lines on shoulder and four nearthe rim. It is one of very few pre-Reformation sanctus bells ofthe size about six inches diameter in existence.
There is another similar bell in a similar position, also unin-scribed, according to Messrs. Clarke, of Llandaft, at LlantrithydChurch, Glamorgan.
" 30th Oct 1766
" It is ordered - - the treasurer is to pay Thomas Rees theSexton five shillings for Ringing the six o'clock Bell from Lady dayto Michaelmas."
" 1819. Ordered that the allowance of one guinea annuallypaid by the Corporation to the Bell ringers for ringing on ChristmasEve and New Years Eve be henceforth discontinued."
What was known as the Curfew was rung at Cowbridge atthe expense of the old Corporation down to the time of its dissolutionin 1886.
THE TERRIER.
COWBRIDGE
JUNE, 1771
BISHOP BARRINGTON.
A TERRIER of the Parish of Cowbridge, heretofore consideredas a Chapel to Lanblethian, but of late there is a Question madewhether it be or not a Rectory independent of it in the Gift ofthe Crown.1st. NO Parsonage House
2d NO Glebe.
3d THERE is no Pension or Augmentation.
4th. THE Furniture consists of a Bible, Common-prayer
Book, One large silver Flaggon, inscribed The Gift of Margaret theWidow of Mathew Seys Bachelor of Divinity, and sole Daughter
166 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
and Heire of Lewis Bassett Alderman and often Bailiffe of theTowne of Cowbridge unto theyr Church and Inhabitants for theyrUse only at the Sacrament and to remain in the Custody of theyr
Church-wardens Successively for Ever Anno Domini 1680
One Chalice inscribed, J S, 76 One silver Plate inscribed, TheGift of Cissil Jenkins 1672 One silver Salver the Gift ofE. S. to the Church of Cowbridge. One small Salver the Gift ofMary Thomas Virgin, to Cowbridge Church One Brown VelvetPulpit Cloth and Cushion, Two Surplices, Eight Bells, and onelittle Ditto.
5th. THE PARISHIONERS are Chargeable with the Repairs ofthe Edifice and Churchyard Fenc2.
6th. THERE is due to the Incumbent for every Person of Ageto Communicate at Easter yearly, Three half pence and at thesame time is due from every Garden four pence, unless a Close isConverted into a Garden, which in that Case is to pay agismentsof its Value, and all other Tythes in kind.
7th THERE is due to Ditto for every Marriage Five
Shillings, for Publishing of Banns One Shilling, for every Burialin the Chancel thirteen shillings and four pence, for Ditto in theBody ol the Church for Outdwellers, Six shillings and Eight penceand Three Shillings and four pence from out dwellers for eachBurial in the Churchyard.
8th. THERE is due to the Sexton for Cleaning the
Church yearly One pound, and for every Marriage six pence, forevery Churching six pence, and for passing the knell One Shilling.
9th. THERE is due to the Clerk at Easter from every
House four pence, for giving out the Psalm before each CorpseOne Shilling, for every Churching Six pence, and for every MarriageSixpence.
Thomas Williams ^i Tho. Williams
Minister Jno. Walton
William Miles ) J. Edmondes Principal
Tho. Thomas Inhabitants.Tho. Lewis Wm. Thomas
[Churchwardens W . . . WilliamsRobert Taynton. /
On the Communion Flagon referred to is emblazoned theArms of Seys and Bassett, viz. :
" Arg. three spears' heads, their points imbrued in blood,proper, and a chevron, sable between them, two above and onebelow."
THE ORGANS AND ORGANISTS 167
The Seys gravestone, which is between the Font and the Westdoor, bears the inscription :
" Beeneath heere alsoe lieth interred the bodie of MargaretSeys, the relicte of the above named Mathew Seys who died the13th day of Aprill, An. Dom'i 1680. Her age 75."
THE ORGANS AND ORGANISTS.
There is a tradition recorded by lolo Morganwg in one ofhis MSS. at the National Library at Aberystwyth concerning thefirst organ in use in Cowbridge Church. It is in the form of amemoir found in the manuscript of Mr. Gamage, of St. Athan,to the effect that Jasper Tudor Earl of Pembroke gave an organto Cowbridge Church, as well as to the churches of Cardiff, Llandaff ,Llantwit Major, Llancarfan, St. Athan, Llangynwyd, Aberdare,Gelligaer, St. Pagans, and other places, and that all these organswere taken down in the time of Henry VIII and Edward VI, withthe exception of those at Cardiff and Llandaff :
" Mangoffeion o Lyfr Mr. Gamais o Landathan. Jasper larllPenfro a wnaeth glochdy Caerdydd, a chlochdy mawr Llandaf aga roddes glych i amryw blwyf au ym Morganwg ag organ i Gaerdydda Llandaf a Llanilltyd a'r Bont Faen a Llancarfan a Llandathana Llangynwyd ac Aberdar a Chelligaer a Llanffagan a llecedderaill. Y rhain bob un a dynnwyd i lawr yn amser Harri'r wythfedac Edward y chwechfed oddierth un Caer Dydd ac un Llan Daf."(Llanover MS. C. 74. P. 172.)
From the time of Jasper Tudor till almost the close of theeighteenth century there is a blank in our records concerningour organs. In 1798, however, we find the following recorded :
" 1798 : Ordered that the Treasurer pay annually by quarterlypayments the sum of 6- 6 - to Mr Edward Prichard Organistfor playing on the Organ in the parish Church of Cowbridge onevery Sunday and on Fasts and Festivals in which divine Serviceshall be performed Except such days as Friendly Clubs or Associa-tions shall go to Church.
The said Edward Prichard to keep the Organ now erected in thesaid parish church in repair and to suffer the Treasurer to deductFive shillings out of his salary for every day he shall neglect orabsent himself without finding a sufficient substitute.The said Edward Prichard to play a Voluntary Two Psalms goingout of church the first payment to commence on the Birth of ourLord Christ. The said Edward Prichard to .continue to playunless disapproved of from Misconduct. . . .
Also ordered that 6/- per annum be paid by the Treasurer for aperson blowing Wind to the Organ."
168 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
Ordered that Mr Prichard do attend twice a week in theChurch to instruct the children to sing.
1820. In consequence of the Revd. Mr Plumtre Vicar of theParish having proposed to make a present of the Organ now inthe Church to the parish on the parishioners agreeing to find aproper person to play the same, It is resolved by this Vestry thatthe Salary of the Organist be in future defrayed out of the Churchrate and that the Rev. Mr. Plumtre be empowered to engage anorganist at a yearly salary of twenty guineas.
1820. It was resolved that Mr Thomas Williams of theTown of Brecon be appointed Organist of this Church with ayearly salary of Twenty one pounds . . . that he do instruct thechildren of the Sunday School in singing, that he do give hisattendance in Church to play on the organ so often as it shall berequired by the Minister and Churchwardens. . . .
1820. Mr Thomas Williams released on his appointment toBrecon.
1821. . . . resolved that William Howe of this Town beappointed organist of this Town. . . .
1844. . . . application . . . made for a further contributionfrom the Corporation funds in aid of the subscription raised forthe erection of an Organ in the Church.
Resolved That the sum of Five pounds be granted as a Sub-scription from the Funds of the Corporation towards the reductionof the balance due on the account of the parish in erecting anOrgan in the parish Church.
1862. An application having been made to the Corporationfor a subscription towards the salary of the Church OrganistResolved that the Corporation do subscribe Two pounds annuallytowards such salary.
We have been unable to trace the succession of organists fromMr. Howe's appointment in 1821 till that of Miss Edmondes(afterwards Mrs. Haines). She was succeeded by Miss ParryThomas and Miss Mary Davies.
Mr. James Paul Marks was appointed organist in 1893, andhas discoursed sweet music to the people of Cowbridge for twenty-nine years.
THE REGISTERS.
The Registers of Cowbridge Church from 1718 to 1753 arevery imperfect, as there are no entries of baptisms 1725-34,1738-1742, 1746-1749 ; no burials from 1738-49 ; and no marriagesbefore 1754.
THE REGISTERS 169
There are, however, certain indications which would lead usto suppose that some, at any rate, of the entries concerning births,deaths, and marriages were recorded in the Llanblethian registerfrom 1661 to 1696, though here again several years are missing,1665-1673 for all entries, and for marriages in addition 1681-1682.Indeed, from the fact of the signature " John Grins Rector,"between 1662 and 1663, in the " Llanblethian " register, I aminclined to believe that it did duty for both Cowbridge and Llan-blethian. He was " Rector " of Cowbridge and " Vicar " ofLlanblethian. His burial is recorded in 1665 : " Johannes GriffisMag. Artium et Vicarius de Lanblethian fuit sepultus apudCowbridge vigesimo die februarii, A Domini 1665."
The Cowbridge registers begin with Baptisms in 1718, Burialsin 1735, and Marriages in 1745. We can give but a few entries :
BAPTISMS :
1719. Sarah, daughter of Jeremy Griffiths Counsellor atLaw . . .
1720. Mary daughter of John Seys and Kate his wife.
1721. Lodgwick son of Rich. Gregory clerk . . .
1722. Wm son of Mr Wm Cook, Rector of Lansannor . . .1724. Mary daughter of Mr Isaac Redwood . . .
BURIALS :
1736. Thomas the son of Dr Bates.
Mrs Carne of the Great House.Christened at Cowbridge in the year 1743. . . .
Mary daughter of Charles Redwood, clerk . . .
COWBRIDGE REGISTER, 1753 :
On the back of the cover :
Number of Inhabitants of Cowbridge Nov : 2nd 1781, 705viz settled inhabitants 611, lodgers 94.
No of houses 143.
No. of Families 157.
Quota to the triennial militia 3, and 15 out of 17 in a mixed... so the quota is nearly 4.
It is interesting to compare this with the information givtnin the Parliamentary Gazetteer : " Number of Electors registeredin 1832 was 105 ; 50 of whom were freemen and 55 householders.In 1837, 92, 45 of whom were freemen and 47 householders.Houses, 205.
Population in 1801 . . 7591831 . . 10971841 1080."
170 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
Morgan Thomas, Curate under Mr Miles 1753.
1757. Thomas son of Thomas Williams begotten on theBody of Wenllian Morgan Oct 12.
On the back of the cover at end of book, in hand of ThomasWilliams, clerk :
1766. The Roof of the North Isle in the Church being thisyear thoroughly repaired the expence whereof amounted to 150Pounds and upwards, and the Trees growing in the Church yardhaving been cut down (one excepted) and made use of for thatPurpose there were planted in the Church yard two Dozen youngAsh Trees for the future uses of the Church by
Thomas Williams gent ) ChurchNicholas Morgan ) Wardens
Thomas WilliamsMinister
Thomas Williams Gent : )Thomas Williams Clk f Baillffs of C^? 6
The first entry in the hand of " Thomas Williams, Minister,"who was head master of the Grammar School, is in 1764.
1765. Thomas and John sons of the Revd Thomas Williams
1766. Mary d. of Thomas Williams, Clerk . . .Thomas son of John Franklen by Susanna his wife.Charlotte d. of John Edmondes by Charlotte his wife.
Thos. Williams A. 1 Church-Nicholas Morgan / wardens
[The " A " is to distinguish Thomas Williams, the Attorney, fromThomas Williams, clerk, the Minister of the Town of Cowbridge.]
1767. John son of John Franklen by Susanna his wife.
1768. George son of John Talbot by Anne his wife.Eliz. d. of Thomas Williams clerk . . .
1769. Jane & Margaret Twin-daughters of Thomas Williams,
clerk.
1772. Charlotte d. of Thomas Williams, clerk . . .George Augustus Frederick (a Negro).Margaret d. of John Edmondes by Margaret his wife.
1774. John son of Thomas Williams clerk . . .Frances d. of John Edmondes . . .
1775. Catherine d. of Thomas Williams, clerk.Thomas, son of John Edmonds .-. .
1785. "J. Evans, Rector.'
Charlotte, d. of the Rev. Mr Evan Jones, Rector ofLandow by Charlotte his wife . . .
THE REGISTERS 171
1 789. Feb. 16. Richard Turbervile son of Richard Turbervile
and Eliz. Picton.
Oct. 22. Jerves Powel Picton son of Richard Turbervileand Eliz. Picton.
1793. William Williams, Minister.
1794. Jany. 14. Robert Son of William Williams, clerk,and Elizabeth his wife was admitted to the Congregation ; he hadbeen privately baptized on Nov. 3. 1793.
[This was the Robert Williams who became a Fellow of JesusCollege.]
1802. Feby. 4. Francis son of Francis and Jane Taynton(aged 2 years 5 months).
1803. Mary Harriet, d. of Thomas and Mary Edmondes.1805. Dec. 4. John son of Thomas & Mary Edmondes
(aged 13 months).
1810. June 6. Thomas son of Thomas & Mary Edmondes(born 30th June 1806).
Caroline Susannah daughter of Thomas & Mary
Edmondes (born 16th September 1807).William son ot Thomas & Mary Edmondes (born
24th Septr. 1809).Oliver son of Thomas & Mary Edmondes born 4th
Septr. 1810.
1759. Marriage solemnized by "W. Miles, Rector," witnessedby Wm Bruce.
1764. First marriage taken by " Thomas Williams, Minister."
1765. John Franklen of Llanmihangle Bachelor and SusannaDurel of this Town Spinster were married in this Church by Licencethis twelfth day of February 1765 by me
Thomas Williams Minister
BURIALS.
1762. James Ash a Cornish Schoolmaster . . .
1764. . . . Edward Seys -- Barber.
1765. Peter -- (a poor Highlander).
1766. Old Magdalen.
1767. Mary Pharoah.
1773. John Croslett, Bridewell.1775. William Miles. 86.
1782. May 4. Mary Barton '3. )
William Barton 2.
14. Margaret Barton Infant
1783. . The Revd Thomas Williams B.D. 52. Curate.
172 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
SIGNATURES.
1783. " John Walters, Curate."
1785. "J. Evans, Rector."BURIALS.
1786. . . . The Revd Mr Daniel Walters, Master of theFree Grammar School.
1789. . . . Ann David out of the House of Correction.
. . . Thomas Jones, Buried out of Ye House of
Correction.. . . Alice Barton, Buried out of the Workhouse.
1790. . . . John Walton Esqre. Bailif of Cowbridge.
1791. ... Mr Thos. Williams, attorney at law.
1792. . . . Benj. Roberts, Surgeon.
Mr Thomas quitted his Intrusion Octr. 13. 1792.
Wm Williams Minister.1797. Jany. 24. Maty Griffith Infant }
29. William Alexander. Infant, r pFeb. 10. Elizabeth Mac Conwyn Infant J1800. Jane Roberts (a black woman) 22.1807. April 6. Anne Morgan of the Small Pox. 10.
... 9. James Howell of the Small Pox. Infant.1810. Anne Holbein.
MARRIAGES.
No. 193. Edward Powell of the Parish of Lantwit MajorBachelor and Mary Thomas of this Parish Spinster were marriedin the dwelling house of Mrs Cecil Thomas in this Parish ofCowbridge by Special Licence from his Grace the Archbishop ofCanterbury this nineteenth Day of November in the year OneThousand eight Hundred and eight
By me
Wm Williams
MinisterThis Marriage was Solemnized between us
Edward Powel, Mary Thomas.In the Presence of Cecil Thomas, Elizabeth Wilkins.
THE COWBRIDGE LIBRARY.
Among the minutes of the Cowbridge Vestries is one whichwe venture to think will open the way to the discovery of somevaluable old editions of books which the inhabitants of Cowbridge,or at any rate the more learned of them, once read : " 8th May1848. The Parishioners present at the Vestry went to examinethe Library adjoining the Chancel with a view to adopting it for
THE COWBRIDGE LIBRARY 173
a Vestry Room : it was agreed that the Trustees of the Libraryshould be communicated with on the subject . . . ."
The books were evidently removed from the Lady Chapel,which had been used as a Library before 1848. Where they weretaken at the time we do not know, but the majority of them arenow stored in a room of a disused and decayed cottage whichbelongs to the Edmondes family.
The conditions of the place are such and the dust so deepthat it is unsafe, or at any rate most unpleasant, to handle themin their present condition. Fortunately, however, I discovered acatalogue of the Library, the first part of which was written before1763, for in that year there follows :
" Cowbridge Book Society 1763
New Books "
and most of the entries after 1763 are in the hand of the Rev.Thomas Williams, B.D.
These old books, could they speak, would have many a taleto tell of old Cowbridge and could clear up many a mystery forus. They are the most learned works of the time of their publi-cation in many departments of human learning. I select just afew in order to show the reader the character of the CowbridgeLibrary :
Suarez de Ltgibus.
lac. Usserii Annales.
Tho Aquinatis Summa.
Martins . . . Concilii Trident.
Polano Hist, of the Council of Trent.
Many volumes of Early Editions of the Fathers.
Nov. Testamentum Grace & Latin Theodor Beza
Interprete.
Luzancy Reflections on the Council of Trent.
H. Grotius de Veritate Religionis Christianae.
Catechismus ad Faroe : ex Decreto Concilii Trident :
Edmundi Richerii Historia Conciliorum Generalium.
Sanderson de Obligatio Conscientiae.
Cambrobrytannicae Linguae Institutiones p.
Johane David Rhaesum given by the Rev. T. Hancorn B.A.R. of St Donats -- .
Mr. Hancorne became Vicar of St. Donats in 1674, and wasCanon of Llandaff in 1718.
The foregoing are but a few examples of the character of theoldest part of the Library.
Then there follows : " Books bought by Subscription from1736 to 1746."
174 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
Here again we can only give a few items :Joannis Selden : opera omnia.Origines Britanicae. Stillingfleet.Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Antiquitates . . .Cambden's Britannia.Rhybuddion Crisnogawl.
N.B. The Books spoiled by the Rain falling into the Libraryand are wanting are as follow :
We can trace the Cowbridge library as far back as 1709with certainty, but I am of opinion from the nature and characterof some of the books that it goes back to an earlier period, and thatwhat happened in 1709 was but an augmentation of an institutionwhich was already in being.
In the first decade of the eighteenth century the Society forPromoting Christian Knowledge was active in establishing lendinglibraries, chiefly for the use of the Clergy, and it chose the principaltowns in each diocese as convenient centres for the situation ofsuch libraries.
Among its minutes for A.D. 1709 we have the followingrecords :
" Bangor Lending Library sent to Chester to be forwardedto Bangor. Valued at 60 - 5 - 2."
" Lending Libraries prepared by order of the Society. One sentto Cowbridge, diocese of Llandaf, valued at 66 - 12 - 0. Oneready to be sent to the city of St. Asaph, valued at 66 - 3 - 8."
From this record it would appear that Cowbridge was atthat date looked upon as the most convenient centre for theDiocese of Llandaff.
Mr. Shankland tells me that the gentry were asked to contributebooks towards these Diocesan Libraries, which accounts for thefact that a large number of the books at Cowbridge bear thesignatures of members of the principal Glamorgan families of theVale.
If, by the kind permission of the Edmondes family, the bookscould be brought out of their present grave into the sunlight anddusted, we venture to think that the lover of ancient editions wouldfind here many a treasure. The remains of the Library would,we think, repay examination by the authorities of the NationalLibrary of Wales, as would also the transcription of the catalogue,which is now deposited in the safe at Cowbridge Church.
STRUCTURE OF CHURCH BEFORE RESTORATION 175
THE STRUCTURE OF THE CHURCH BEFORE ITSRESTORATION, 1848-1853.
A committee was formed in September, 1848, for the purposeof taking in hand the restoration of the Church, which apparentlytook more than four years in being carried through, for in May,1853, a Vestry was held for the purpose " of laying the accounts. . . incurred in the restoration of the Interior of the Churchduring the last four years before the Parishioners." By resolutionof the 17th May, 1849, the Corporation contributed 50 " as aSubscription towards the Restoration of the Fabric and Re-arrangement of the sittings in the Parish Church of Cowbridge."
Mr. Prichard said that there were two windows in the Southwall of the Aisle and one in the East end of the Church that hadbeen destroyed, that there was another iu the North wall of theNave east of the Porch that required repair. He proposed toput a new window in the West end of the Nave. He recommendedalso that the whole of the walls should be picked and pointed withcoal ash mortar. It is a great pity that his recommendation asregards the roof was not carried out at the time : "As all theroofs require to be reslated, I would strongly urge the proprietyof repairing the timbers of the roofs at the same time, which consistentirely of Principal rafters with curved braces, every fourth orfifth being relieved by moulded ribs, which are intersected byseveral horizontal ribs. That such a good example of an ancientEcclesiastical timber roof should be concealed by a modeir plasterceiling is much to be regretted, more especially as it is actingprejudicially by depriving the timbers of that free circulation ofair so essential to their due preservation."
The specification relates to the reseating and repairing of theChurch, and from it we gather that the present screens date fromthis time :
" Frame, fix, and complete ... at the west archway of theTower a light screen half open and half solid, alike on either side,except where the backs ot the stalls are placed against it."
" Frame . . . two solid or closed screens, for the archwayswhich separate the Chancel from the adjoining North Chapel . . . ."
The whole of the paving in the Church was to be taken up andre laid, with the proviso : " All the grave stones are to be takenthe greatest care of, and replaced as nearly as possible in theirpresent position," and the floor of the Sacrarium was to be pavedwith Minton's Encaustic Tiles.
176
HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
ACTS OF THE CORPORATION AND THE VESTRIES,
WITH OTHER MATTERS.
1814-1892.
LEANING ARCHES AND PILLARS, COWBRIDGE CHURCH.
TOWN OF COWBRIDGE, Thomas Rees and Edward BallaidJuly 8th, 1810. Churchwardens.
This day a survey was made of the pillars and arches dividingthe nave of the church from the South aisle, which pillars andarches have for time immemorial overhung the foundation, so asto give occasion for suspecting that the said pillars and archeswere in danger of falling. In consequence of such suspicion asurvey was made by the above .said Churchwardens assisted byEdward Williams and Taliesin Williams, masons and David Jenkins,carpenter, and the observations were made on the four open pillars,the first or eastern pillar was found to over-hang as follows :
ACTS OF THE CORPORATION AND THE VESTRIES 177
inches. Parts.
The top of the wall overhangs the torus ot the base .... 8 1/6The shaft of the pillar one foot above the torus shaft .... 6 5/6
The overhangings of the second pillar Torus shaft 6 1/4
The third Torus 7 1/4
Shaft
The fourth Torus
Shalt
The plummet was fixed to the top of the wall, closely under thecornice, and directly over the southern angle of the plinth of thepillar. The dimensions of the overhanging were taken correctlyat two places on each pillar, one of them, the Torus of the basemoulding immediately over the angle ot the plinth, the other onefoot higher on the shaft of the pillar.
It does not appear that the overhangings have been occasionedby anything but the first settling of the masonry in its green state,soon after it had been erected, and the state of the foundationwhich yielded a little under the pressure of the walls, and fromall the present appearances there are no reasons for supposingthe said pillars and arches to be in any danger of falling or givingway ; on the other hand it is highly probable that they will standfirmly as they are at present for ages, and that there is not theleast occasion for any alarm.
Edward Williams.
(lolo MS. 2.)
" COWBRIDGE TOWN. ACTS OF VESTRIES. MAY 1ST, 1814."
There are in these Acts of Vestries accounts from time to timeof the letting of certain seats in Cowbridge and ot the conditionson which they are held. It will be sufficient to give just one asa specimen of many others which appear in the records :
Cowbridge Town. At a Vestry duly published & held in theChurch of the said Town on Saturday the 1st day of January 1814.The following seats numbered below were Let for the ensuingyear to the persons hereunder mentioned.
Number. Occupiers Name. Annual Rent.
N.A. 23. The Revd. Mr. Williams 6
24. The Revd. Mr. Williams 6
25 .Mr James Hiscox 6S.A. 46. Mr William Price 5
47. Mr William Williams 5
48 Morgan David 5
49 Mr James Reynold 5
26 John Roes13
178 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
Number. Occupiers Name. Annual Rent.
S.A. 27 Whitlock Nicholl Esq 5
28 Mr John Aubrey 6
29
45 John Thomas 4
L.A. 55. William Nicholl Esq 106
56. . Miss Sarah Thomas 7 6
[L.A. = ' Lanquian " Aisle. See Vestry 2nd Jan, 1815.N.A. = North Aisle. S.A. = South Aisle.]
All the entries show that five guineas had to be paid to thechurchwardens on taking possession of a seat, and an obligationto be entered into to keep such seat in repair.
1815. ... it will contribute to the general accommodationof the Inhabitants to have Divine Service performed in future inthis Church at 11 o'clock in the forenoon and 3 o'clock in theafternoon on each alternate Sunday.
Henry Sea wen Plumptre, Vicar.James Bird, Churchwarden.
1815. ... that the Burial Ground ... be enclosed in andthat there shall be a Nessesary Built near the Door of the WhiteHart Garden Door for the use of the Grammar School whichnessesary is to be built at the expence oi the said parish.
1817. ... Contract for the whitewashing of the Church andTower with John Edwards for Three pounds, he undertaking tofind all materials, except the white lime.
1822. Resolved that whereas it appears to this Vestry thatthe present parish clerk John Rosser having by repeated acts ofdninkeness & other crimes, so disgraced to himself and the officehe holds in the Church, as to render it improper that he should beallowed to continue any longer in the performance of the dutiesthereof that he be deprived of the same . . .
1824. Rees Howell, Minister.
1826. Ordered that the Treasurer do pa}' unto Messrs WilliamDavies and William Morris Churchwardens of the said Town thesum of Twenty five pounds towards the expenses of the ceilingof the church.
1826. Ordered that six octavo prayer Books be obtainedfrom the s. p. c. k. to be deposited in the Aldermen's seat in Church,& that David Jenkins be employed to make & fix a drawer in thesaid seat to keep the Books with a Lock to the same, the key tobe kept by the Sexton who is to lock & unlock the drawers even'Sunday.
ACTS OF THE CORPORATION AND THE VESTRIES 179
1832. Owen Jenkins, Curate.
1834. ... to perform such improvements in the churchyardas may be deemed necessary & proper.
1836. . . . ordered that the Church Porch be repaired andthat a double door be made into the porch.
Thomas Edmondes, Vicar.
Apportionment of the Rent-Charge in lieu of Tithes in theParish of Cowbridge.
Dated 5th Feby 1841
An Agreement . . . Between The Reverend Thomas EdmondesRector of the said Parish and as such owner of all the tithes thereofof the one part and the several Landowners ... of the other part.
It is hereby agreed that the annual sum of Seventeen pounds andthree shillings by way of Rent-charge (subject to the provisions ofthe said Act) shall be paid to the Reverend Thomas Edmondes assuch Rector and to his successors instead ot all the tithes of theland in the said Parish subject to tithes and instead ot all modusesand Compositions real and prescriptive and customary paymentspayable in respect of all the land of the said parish or the producethereof ....
In the " Schedule of the above Agreement " it is stated :The Parish of Cowbridge is estimated to contain eighty acresstatute measure which are now cultivated as under, that is to say :
a. r. p.Meadow and pasture . . . . . . 36
Gardens or potatoe grounds, including buildings, etc. 44
80
The whole ot which lands are subject to payment of tithes inkind except ancient gardens attached to dwelling-houses andcottages which are protected from render of tithes in kind bypayment of an annual modus of four pence for each garden andwhich gardens are estimated to contain thirty acres statute measure.The document gives us no help as to place names, nor doesthe map, except that the map has : " Mill Road or Promenade."
1847. John Powel, elk, signs next to Thos. Edmondes, Vicar.
2nd August, 1847. ... a communication was made to theParishioners that the Rev. Mr Harper Head Master of CowbridgeSchool had applied for the use of the Church for an additionalService on each Sunday exclusive of the holidays, especiallyintended for his Pupils, such Service being also available to any
180 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
of the Parishioners who might like to attend. ... A general wishwas expressed that the hour for such additional Service shouldbe 6 o'clock in the evening, ....
resolved that as Mr Harper proposes to shut up the present foot-way communicating between the Free school House & the Church-yard, the wall connecting the West-End of the Church with theChurchyard wall should be erased & the whole ground thrown 'open to the rest of the Churchyard :
it was also resolved that the style adjoining the En trance 'Gatesshould be removed & the vacancy walled up.
1852. . . . half the expense of covering in and insertingdraining Tiles in the ditch in the churchyard be borne by theCorporation.
1853. Resolved that the sum of Five Guineas be contributedfrom the Funds of the Corporation towards supplying the ParishChurch with gas fittings & also the further sum of Five Guineastowards the erection of a new Porch to the church.
1858-9. Re-building of the Church Porch.
Sept. 30th, 1859. . . . The Vicar stated that he had receivedan intimation from Mr Beever stating that in consequence of theincreasing work in connection with his school he was constrainedto come to the decision of discontinuing the Parish Service hithertodone by the Masters but that he should be happy to help shouldit seem good to the Parishioners to subscribe for another service . . .It was then proposed that a Committee should be formed for thepurpose of obtaining subscriptions from the Parishioners towardsdefraying the expense of obtaining assistance for the performanceof an alternate Morning & Evening Service.
6th Oct., 1859. The Churchwardens of the Parish of Cowbridgehaving applied to this Court for a subscription or grant towardsdefraying the expense of a second service in the Parish Church. . . resolved unanimously that the sum of Ten pounds a yearbe granted by the Corporation towards the expense of such secondservice.
2nd April, 1866. . . . The Vicar having presented to theVestry the Title deeds of Cottages & ground adjoining the Church-yard, and purchased and presented to the Parish by Wm. MorganEsq and William Lewis Esq at an expense of about 160 Poundsincluding the expense of enclosing and of erecting new Rails andGate, it was resolved ;
That the cordial thanks of the Parishioners be tendered to MrMorgan & Mr Lewis for their very munificent gift to the Parish.It was also resolved that the thanks of the Parishioners be given
THE CLERGY OF COWBRIDGE 181
to John Homfray Esq : for having supplied trees & shrubs & havingplanted this piece ot ground which was presented as above.
22nd April, 1867. . . . No other Parishioners being presentthe Vicar nominated Mr Morgan Williams and Mr Joseph Rogersas Churchwardens for the ensuing year.
1871. ... The Vicar then stated that he had been asked byMr Morson to apply for the use ot the Church for about an houron Sundays for the purpose of conducting a short service for hisboys
13th Feb., 1873. ... in future by reason of the objectionon the part of many parishioners to the payment of a church ratethe expenses for the Church be met by a monthly offertory in lieuof a church rate.
' 1875. The Vicar made some remarks on the reredos and thenew cushions at the Communion rails which had been presentedrecently to the Parish, the former at a cost of 80 / by anonomous(sic) friends & the latter by several Ladies of the Congregation.
April 2, 1883. This was the last time the Rev. ThomasEdmondes presided as Vicar.
April 14, 1884. Rev. J. H. B. Powell, Curate-in-charge.
May 8th, 1884. . . . resolved that the congratulations of thisVestry be offered to the Rev : Canon Edmondes on his appointmentto a Prebendal Stall in Llandaff Cathedral . . .
J. Havard Protheroe, Vicar.Chairman.
Dec. 6th, 1892. Vestry . . . to consider the following mattersin connection with the Parish Church.1. The removal of the Organ from the West Gallery and its
reconstruction in the East End of the South Aisle.
5. The removal of the Pulpit & Reading Desk, the erection of astone Pulpit on the site of the present Pulpit and of PrayerDesks within the screen.
THE CLERGY OF COWBRIDGE.
The list of the Clergy of Cowbridge so far as we have beenable to trace them before the Restoration will be found below :
From " Walker's Sufferings of the Clergy," published in 1714,we learn that the Incumbent of these parishes, whose name wasDavies, was ejected by the Puritans during the Civil War. Inall probability he is the person referred to in the Acts of the Bishop
182 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
of Llandaff on 7th January, 1662, where " Johannes Griffiths,clsrius, artium magister " was admitted " ad vicariam perpetuamecclesiae parochialis de Lanblethian . . . per amovendum legemEdwardi Davis, ultimi incumbentis." He was a dignitary of theCathedral, as we know from his declaration among the Bishop'srecords :" The 19th daye of August, 16621, Edward Davis,dark, master of arts, Prebend of Ye Church of Landaff and Vicarof Lanblethyan doe declare [etc.] Edward Davis."
In the " Llanblethian " Register, which begins with the year1661, we have : " John Grins Rector."
His incumbency was of brief duration, for the LlanblethianRegister thus records his burial at Cowbridge : ' Johannes GriffisMag. Artium et Vicarius de Lanblethian fuit sepultus apudGowbridge vigesimo die februarii, A Dom' 1665."
He was succeeded by Jonathan Nicholls, whose institution tothe Benefice is recorded in the Bishop's Register on the 17th May,1666.
There is some uncertainty as to his degree. The record ofhis institution has : " Jonathan Nicholls, clericus."
His subscription is :
" Decimo septimo die Maij, 1666.
Ego, Jonathan Nicholls, clericus et artium baccalaureus, advicariam parpetuam de Lanblethian admittendus, subscribe [etc.]
Jonathan Nicholls."
The record of his induction in the Parochial Register makeshim an M.A. : " Jonathan Nicholl A. M. fuit Induct . . . deLanblethian vigesimo nono die May A' dom' 1666."
In March, 1666, there was admitted to Priests' Orders bythe Bishop of Llandaff one Matthew Walter, Curate of Cowbridge." Presentantis peisonas quorundam Mathaei Walter, Curati deCowbridge ..." concerning whom there is a tale to tell.
" On the 4th of December A.D. 1671 in the Palace of theReverend Father & Lord in Christ, the Lord Francis by Divinepermission Bishop of Llandaff, before the reverend father and lord,att which time Mr Theo : Price did confesse that he had made aclandestine marriage betwixt Matthew Walters, cler', and ElinorPrice in the p'ish church of St. Athens, and the lord acceptedthat aforesaid confession, so far as by law, &c., and deferred sentenceto the 27th February, 1671, on account of the Christmas super-vening, and that he might consult others in so difficult a matter."
Matthew Walters himself was subject also to the sameproceedings.
However, it was decreed that both Matthew Walters andTheodore Price should be suspended from their clerical offices.
AN ABORTIVE MOVEMENT 183
On the 13th March following, Matthew Walter appeared personallyand humbly sought that he might be released from the suspensiondecreed against him : to which petition the aforesaid lord bishopdecreed as it was sought and released the same Matthew Walterfrom the aforesaid suspension.
Theodore Price, who was Vicar of St. John's, Cardiff, as wellas being Rector of St. Athan, was not let off too lightly, for hewas released from the suspension, " a caution being first givenabout celebrating morning & evening services (if he be well andat home) due daily in the parish Church of St John the Baptistin Cardiff according to the form of the English Liturgy, and notto commit such a crime in the future."
! AN ABORTIVE MOVEMENT.
An effort was made in 1762 to bring about the separation ofCowbridge from Llanblethian.
It is evident that the Corporation had some difficulty incarrying the matter through, and the obstacles appear to havebeen so great that their resolutions were rescinded on 26thFebruary, 1781 : " At a Court of Common Councel duely held atthe Guild Hall ... the eleventh Day of August 1762 ... It isagreed . . . that in case a separation be procured of the Rectoryof the said Town from the Mother Church of Llanblethian and thefuture presentation to the said Rectory be relinquished by theDean and Chapter of Gloucester and vested in this Corporationthat a Stipend of Six Pounds yearly chargeable on the Revenuesof the said Town shall be settled in perpetuity on the officiatingMinister of the said Town or the sum of two hundred Poundsshall be raised on the Credit thereof for procuring the Bountymoney appropriated by Queen Anne for the Augmentation ofpoor Livings. And it is further agreed that a Copy hereof shallbe forthwith transmitted to the Bishop of this Diocese andanother to the Dean and Chapter of Gloucester."
On 10th March, 1763, the resolution was re-affirmed, with theaddition, " a stipen (sic) 01 twelve pounds yearly instead of thatsix pounds."
In 1764 it was agreed that the Rev. Mr. Thomas Williamsshould be paid " for such Time as he continues in the care of thisLiving an annual stipend of twelve Pounds clear of all Deductions,"and such stipend was charged on the revenues of the Town.
Thomas Williams died in 1783, for the Burial Registersrecord : " June 25th. The Reverend Thomas Williams B.D.52. Curate."
184 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
The Corporation of the Town had now to consider what hissuccessor should be paid and apparently who he should be, for,in view of the protest of the Vicar of Llanblethian, it appears thatthey claimed the right of nominating him themselves. At allevents, they met " to consider whether any and what gratitudebe given to the Minister of the Town since the Decease of theReverend Thomas Williams the late Minister or Curate thereof."
It appears that a Thomas Evans was appointed, for there isa minute on 29th December, 1784 : " It is agreed that Ten poundsbe paid out of the Corporation money as a gratitude for the Per-formance of Divine Service in the Church of the said Town fromthe Death of the late Rev : Thomas Williams to the first day ofJanuary next."
He, however, did not remain long, for the services of the Rev.John Walters, the great lexicographer and Rector of Llandough,were secured, together with those of his son, for on 30th June,1785, it was "... unanimously agreed that the Treasurer . . .pay the Rev. Mr John Walters the sum of 18 as a gratitude fromthe Corporation for his and his son the Rev. John Walters the youngerofficiating as Ministers of this Town for one year and six monthssince the Decease of the late Rev : Thomas Williams which endedthe 24th December last."
This delay in payment, with apparently a claim for the nomina-tion of the Minister at Cowbridge without reference to the Vicarof Llanblethian, drew forth an indignant protest from that gentlemanin a letter which is preserved in the Church safe :" Gentlemen,
" Finding it very inconvenient to attend your Parish Meetingthis Day, I beg leave to trouble you with my sentiments in writing,which, I trust, will answer every purpose of my personal appearance.The artifices employed by certain members of your Corporationto Delay the Payment of their Donation to Mr Walters, & theextreme difficulty, notwithstanding the exertions of men ofProbity & Honour in their own Body, with which it was obtainedat last are circumstances that, for the credit of the Town, I wouldwish buried in oblivion. On this occasion I should study to spareyou the disagreeable Recollection of them, if I were not underthe necessity of stating my Reasons for requiring an explicitstipulation for the maintenance of Divine Service at your Churchin future ; of that service I mean which you have been for severalyears past in the habit of expecting.
" My reason is the Distrust I shall be always compelled toentertain of a set of People who could once deceive me.
AN ABORTIVE MO YEMENI 185
'The certain provision for the Duty of Cowbridge exceedsnot 9 per annum ; yet for that scanty & wretched Pittance Ican procure a supply to which no legal objection can be made.
" The afternoon Prayers may be dropped & the morningservice begun at whatever canonical hour the convenience of theCurate may determine.
" You will recollect that Cowbridge is not a Chapel of Ease,but a Parish of itself, distinct, depending on its own revenues,& entitled to no participation of the emoluments of Lanblethian,tho it be united in the same presentation. Far be it from me toview any disparagement of Divine ordinances with an eye ofIndifference ; whatever disgust the slovenly administration ofthem might excite in the minds of others, it would fall infinitelyshort of the horror I should feel myself if in any parish of mine Istood in the least degree answerable for an abuse of so very heinousa nature.
" Yet, I fear it will inevitably take place at Cowbridge unlessthe Corporation or the Parishioners at large enter into an engage-ment to secure a sufficient sum for the support of the Duty, whichperformed as it has been of late is far from . . . [torn].
" That sum cannot be less than thirty guineas per annumincluding the agisments and Easter offerings which I propose toassign to the Party who shall become responsible for the Paymentof the subscription, that I may receive the whole at two half-yearlyPayments. The Agisments & Easter Offerings of late years haveamounted to 16 upon an average, the additional sum requiredwill of course be 15 - 10 - only ten shillings more than Mr ThomasWilliams the Attorney informs me the corporation commonlygave the late Mr Williams. My past invariable attention to thewishes of my Parishioners ought surely to be considered as asufficient Pledge of its continuance ; for which reason I shall neverrecede from my right of nominating the Curate, a right whichfrom the whole tenor of my conduct as minister of your Parishought never to have been disputed especially as you will have theremedy in your hands, if ever it be exercised amiss. Your finalanswer to my proposals will be expected at a Vestry that I shallrequest may be holden on this Day Seven night when I will attendin Person to receive it.
" In the mean time, I am
" Your most humble servant
J. Evans' Pwllywrach
"llth August 1785."
186 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
In the Church safe there is a letter which bears the Cambridgepost-mark, and is addressed thus :
" Cambridge Jany thirty-first 1790Revd Mr Evans
Curate of
Cowbridge
Glamorganshire. ""R. Landaff."
" Curate of Cowbridge Glamorganshire " has been crossedout and " Hatherley, Gloucester " substituted for it.
Mr. Evans used the communication for the purpose of a draftand copy of his reply. The writing is of the worst kind and verydifficult to make out, but, with the exception of two or three wordswhich have been written over and are not readable, the followingis his reply :
On the inside there is the communication :
" The Bishop of Landaff desires Mr Evans to return the enclosedas soon as he has made the proper enquiries. The Bishop goes toLondon next week. Camb. Jany 31. 1790."
" The Parish is comprehended in the limits of the Town. Theonly glebe is the church yard which is of very small extent & islet for 10s a year. The Rectorial and Vicarial Tythes togethernever exceed nine Pounds per annum. The Rectorial Tythes aregathered in kind or annually compounded for. There is a settledcomposition for the Vicarial Tythes of Twenty Pence in the Poundwhich commonly amounts to seven Pounds per annum. Thevariation arises from that of the Produce of the Lands in differentyears - - The Tythes of Piggs (which is exclusive of the settledcomposition as they are bred by Inhabitants occupying no Land)amounts upon an average to fifteen shillings. The Easter Offeringsthat can be demanded amount to Fifty shillings. The gratuitousDonations to about 50 shillings more.
9
10
15 ,
2 10
2 10
15 5 0."
" The Parish is of so small extent as barely to comprehend theInclosures that immediately surround the Town.
" The ecclesiastical revenue is as follows :
HOW THE CHURCH WAS SERVED 187
Certain s D
Glebe of the Church yard let for 10
Vicarial Tythes at 1/8 in the Pound 7
Easter Offerings demanded 2 ,, 10 Q
Uncertain
Rectorial Tythes 1 10
Tythe of Pigs from Inhabitants occupying no Land 12 ,,
Easter Offerings super added gratuitous 2 ,, ,,
Surplus Fees 3 ,,
17 2
There was a Donation of 12 annually given by the Corporationfor a few years. But this was withdrawn upon the presentIncumbent's recovering out of the hands of that body the adminis-tration of a considerable charity, which, for a series of years, hadbeen grossly misapplied. They had gone so far as to sell it aspart of their own revenues.
" My Lord,
" The Queries respecting Cowbridge did not arrive at myhands till last week. Cowbridge is not a Perpetual Curacy asyour Lordship seems to have apprehended, but a Rectory unitedto Lanblethian. A Clergyman who served it a few years sincetaking advantage of my non-residence took much paynes about8 eight years since to separate it from the other & to invest it inthe Patronage of the Corporation of Cowbridge with whom hewas much connected having gone so far as to correspond on thesubject with the Patrons without my concession or privity.Ignorant at the time of the Length to which possible consequencesof such a Person's obtaining a nomination & license to the CuracyI chose to forego the advantage of appropriating immediately a. . . rather than incur what I conceived to be a Risk by nominatingthe clergyman my curate. But I have since found I was mistaken.'
HOW THE CHURCH WAS SERVED.
During the eighteenth century it looks as though the threechurches of the consolidated living of the ecclesiastical parishesand the Town Church were served by different clergy.
To all appearances the Incumbent was at times, perhapsmostly, non-resident, and either had other benefices to serve oracted as Curate to other parishes.
Daniel Durel, the head master of the School, was Rector ofCoychurch; the Rev. Thomas Williams, B.D., held several livings,
188 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
as we shall see below. Besides being head master of the GrammarSchool, he was Minister of the Town of Cow bridge from 1764 to 1782,while Dr. Williams was incumbent of a few parishes, prebendaryof Llandaff, head master of the Grammar School, and curate ofLlanblethian and Cowbridge, besides being very often a bailiff ofthe Town. During the latter half of the century William Milesseems to have been the only resident incumbent.
The following is a list of the officiating clergy in Cowbridgeand Llanblethian during a part of this period.
From the signatures to the Bishop's transcripts we are ableto trace the clergy of the parish for that period where the parishregisters are defective, viz., from 1721 to 1765.
Cowbridge. Llanblethian.
1721. Will : Cooke : Cur : there
1723. R d Gregory, Vicar.1725. Richard Gregory R r .
1727. Rees Davies, Cur :
1736. For some special reason Richard Gregory signs himself
" Curate " at Cowbridge and Llanblethian this year.
1738. R d Gregory R r . Rich. Gregory Vic.
1743. John Thomas, Curate.
1744. Charles Redwood, Curate. Charles Redwood, Curate.
1745. Jno. Thomas, Curate.
1746. John Thomas, Curate.
1748. William Miles, Rector. W m Miles, Vicar.
1755. William Miles, Vicar.
(From the parish registers from 1753 to 1812.)
c=Cowbridge Registers. L= Llanblethian Registers.Cowbridge. Llanblethian.
1753. Morgan Thomas, Curateunder Mr Miles.
1754. William Miles, Vicar (L).1759. W. Miles, Rector (c).
1764-1782. Thomas WilliamsMinister.1771 . Thomas Bruce, in the absence
of Mr Williams
There does not appear to be an entry by a Vicar of Llanblethianbetween 1771 and 1785.
1775. Thomas Beare Thomas Beare, Clerk.Curate of Llanblethian.
1776. Thomas Jones, Clerk.Jenkins, Cur. 1776. Addit. MS. 101. B., N.L.W.].
HOW THE CHURCH WAS SERVED 189
1777. Thomas Hopkins T. Hopkins, Curate.
Curate of Lanblethian.
1780. Daniel Morris, Curate.
1781. Evan Jones, Curate.1783. Evan Jones, clerk.
John Came, clerk.1783-5. John Walters, Curate.
1785. J. Evans, Rector. J. Evans, Vicar.
1786. Thomas Elias, Curate. Tho : Elias, Curate.1786-1799. No entries by the Incumbent.
1788. Francis Taynton, Minister. W m Williams of the Free
School, Cowbridge.
1789. William Williams, Minister.
1789. William Thomas, Curate.
1790. Jno. Morgan, of the Town
of Cowbridge.William Williams, Minister.
1792. W m Llewellin, Minister.
1793. Jno. Carne
1794. Richard Williams, Minister.
1795. W m Williams, Minister.
1798. W m Williams, Curate.
1799. John Morgan, Vicar
1801. W m Williams, Minister.
1804. John Morgan, clerk
1806. W m Williams, Minister
1812. W m Williams, Minister. W m Williams, Curate.
It will be noticed that there are no entries by Rectors ofCowbridge and Vicars of Llanblethian for fourteen years, 1771-1785,during the incumbency of J. Evans, who apparently lived atHatherley, in Gloucestershire (supra p. 186), and for thirteen years,from 1786 to 1799, during the incumbency of John Williams.
It will be noticed that Dr. Williams, head master of the GrammarSchool, signed himself generally as " Minister " at Cowbridge and" Curate " at Llanblethian.
Welsh St. Donats seems at times to be treated as a separateCure according to the Bishop's Acts :
Vol. Ill, p. 189. Aug. 27 [1703] :
" I, David Davies, being to be licenc'd to serve the cure ofWelsh St Donates, do willingly [etc.].
David Davis."
190 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
P. 191. Nov. 17, 1704:
" I Sam : Richards, being licenced to serve the cure of WelshSt Donetts, do willingly [etc.].
Sam : Richards."
It has generally been served by the " Curate," and the followingis a list of clergy officiating there from 1762 (excepting theincumbents) :
1762. George Williams, Curate.
David Griffiths, Curate.
1768. Tho : Rimbron, Curate.
1770. Morgan Morgan, Curate.
1773. Thomas Beare, Curate.
1776. Thomas Jones, Clerk.
1778. Thomas Hopkins, Curate.
1813. Thomas Thomas, Vicar of St Hilary.
1814. William James, Curate.
1815. Evan Jones, Curate.
1819. J. B. Williams, Curate.
1820. Thomas Stacey, Curate.
[Afterwards Rector of Gelligaer and Vicar of St. John's,
Cardiff.]
1822-49. John Powel, Curate.1850-68. T. H. Jones, Curate.1867 to 1922 (incomplete).John Evans.
E. Jenkins, Curate.O. B. Price.Daniel Jones.
W. R. Jenkins.Thomas Read.W. J. Williams.T. Cynon Davies.John H. C. Morson.
F. A. Binch.
G. M. W. T. Jenkins.R. J. B. Lewis.Gilbert Thomas.
J. Du Heaume.
D. N. Davies.
M. C. Gower Williams.
INCUMBENTS OF COWBRIDGE 191
INCUMBENTS OF COWBRIDGE.
The list is, of course, very imperfect ; there are many lacunae,and we are not quite sure of the particular status of all the personsmentioned. For some of the names I am indebted to Mrs. GeorgeJenkins, of St. Athan, who has made very extensive and industriousresearches in order to compile a list of the incumbents of the variousparishes in the diocese.
1208. THOMAS Vic. de Llanblethian et Decanus.1217. Magister Radulph Maelog.1226. THOMAS Vicarius de Lanblethian.1242. Quaere Roger Mayloc
Eustace the MonkThomas
1487. THOMAS WENLLOUG, Canonicus.1552 SIR JOHN GRANT.
See the Chantry Certificates below (Part III.)
In N.L.W. MS. 3740 D, we have : " 1552. John Grant,Vic. of Llanbleth s d for debt & 1563."
His pedigree is given in Peniarth MS. 178, p. 32 : " Syr Jhongrant mikar i lla' Vleiddan ar bont Vaen mab robert grant o dadi dad i syr gwrgi de grant marchog urddol a ddoeth gida bastartkwnkwerwr ir ynys honn o Jestin, Tewdwr, gwaithvoed ac o einion."
For the Grant family pedigree see Limbus Patrum (pp. 401-404).1565. PHILLIP ROBERT.1578. MORGAN BASSET
(Limbus Patrum. 355.)1589. ROBERT ROBINSON.
Jesus Coll. Ox. Matric. 1575, aged 20. B.A. 1576-7, M.A.1580-81.1621. EDWARD ROBINSON.
Edward Robinsonne of Glam. pleb. Matric. 1601 at St.Edmund Hall, Ox. Rector of Llansannor. 1613. (Alumni Oxon.)Instituted on the Presentation of the Bishop of Llandaff throughlapse. (N.L.W. Mr. G. T. Clark's MSS.)1638. EDWARD DAVIES, said to have been ejected by the Puritans.
Instituted on the Presentation of the Bishop of Llandaffthrough lapse. (Ibid.)
Quaere Mathew Seys B.D. (one of the Seyses of Boverton).He matriculated at Christ Church Ox. in 1627, aged 19. B.A.1627. M.A. 1630, & was Rector of Eglwys Brewis in 1629.(Alumni Ox.}
It is said by the Rev. Christopher Bassett, in his Researches,etc. (p. 18), that he was Vicar of Llanblethian and Cowbridge.
192 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
The inscription on his tombstone in Cowbridge Church iscertainly peculiar :
" Beeneath Lieth Interred the Bodie of Mathew Seys Esq.Bachelor of Div : Fifth son of Richard Seys of Boverton who diedthe 20 Day of Februerie An' Dom. 1655. His age 50 ... "
It seems strange that a Bachelor of Divinity should bedescribed as " Esquire " on his tombstone.
Mr. Christopher Bassett gives no authority for his statement,whereas we have the authority of the Liber Institutionum at theRecord Office for the Institution of Edward Davis to Llanblethianin 1638.
If he was Vicar of Llanblethian he must have been put in bythe Puritans, for Edward Davis, the lawful incumbent, was stillliving.1662. EDWARD DAVIS (restored), Canon of Llandaff.
" The 19th daye of August, 1662 , I, Edward Davis, clarke,master of arts, prebend of y e Church of Landaff and Vicar ofLanblethyan doe declare [etc.].
Edward Davis."(Llandaff Records, iii. 78.)1662. [Be it remembered that the year then ended on March 24.]
JOHN GRIFFITHS A.M.Institutio vicariae Septimo die mensis Januarii, anno domini
ecclesiae parochialisde Lanblethian,
millesimo sexcentesimo sexagesimo secundo,admissus fuit per reverendum patrem
Landavensi diocesi Hugonem, dominum episcopum, JohannesJ Griffiths, clericus, artium magister, ad
vicariam perpetuam ecclesiae parochialis de Lanblethian, Landavensidiocesi, per amovendum legem Edwardi Davis, ultimi incumbentis,ibidem vacantem ex presentatione Thomae Lewis, militis, pro hacvice vere dictae vicariae patroni, eidem reverendo patri presentatusfuit. Ipsumque vicarium ibidem institutum canonice cum suisjuribus, &c., curamque animarum, &c., et juratum obedientiacanonica, &c., mandatum fuit, &c. In presentia mea, Nicho : Johns,no 10 pub co . (Llandaff Records, ii. P. 34.)1665. JONATHAN NICHOLL.
B.A. Christchruch, Oxford, son of a Clergyman, " cler. fil."
He was made deacon Dec. 20, 1662, and ordained priest on
Mar. 15th, 1662. He also held St. Donats 1663-73, and St. Athan
1674 .
Institutio vicariae Decimo septimo die mensis Maij, anno
ecclesiae parochialis | domini millesimo sexcentesimo sexagesimo
de Lanblethian, (sexto, admissus fuit per reverendum patrem
Landavensi diocesi J Hugonem dominum Episcopum, Jonathan
INCUMBENTS OF COWBRIDGE 193
Nicholls, clericus, ad vicariam perpetuam ecclesiae parochialis deLanblethian, Landavensi diocesi, per mortem naturalem JohannisGriffith, clerici, artium magistri, ultimi incumbentis, ibidemvacantem, ex presentatione Thomae Lewis, militis, vere dictaevicariae pro hac vice patroni, eidem reverendo patri presentatusfuit. Ipsumque vicarium ibidem institutum canonice cum suisjuribus, &c., curamque animarum, &c., et juratum obedientiacanonica, &c., mendatum fuit, &c. In presentia mea, Nicho : Johns,no! pub>. (Llandaff Records. P. 59.)
1717. RICHARD GREGORY, M.A., son of Oliver Gregory of Gloucestercity, cler. Christchurch Ox. mat. 1697, aged 17. Vicar ofPenmark 1707-1744. He had a dispensation from theBishop " to not reside in Penmark. Commission to instituteRichard Gregory, M.A. to the Vicarage of Llanblethian withthe Chapels annexed." (Llandaff Records, iv. 37.)
Institution of Richard Gregory, M.A., to the Vicarage ofLlanblethian with the Chapels annexed 22nd March, 1717 : " Permortem naturalem Jonathanis Nicholls clerici ultimi incumbentis..." (Ibid.)
" John Kemeys e Coll. Jesu. Oxon, entitled by Rich d GregoryVicar of Penmark & Lanblithian com. Glamorgan," was madedeacon in 1731. (Ibid.)1744. NOAH NEALE NEWCOMBE, M.A.
Corpus Christi Coll. Camb. M.A. 1746. Oxford incorp. 1746.
Subscription of the Rev d Noah Neale Newcombe, 19th June,1744, on his institution to the Vicarage of Lamblethian with thecharge of Cowbridge and Welsh St. Donats annexed. (LlandaffRecords, v. P. 94.)1748. WILLIAM MILES, son of William Miles, of Llanblethian . . .
cler. Jesus Coll. matric. . . . 1737. Aged 18.
" Subscription of William Miles clerke batchelour of arts19 April 1748, being instituted in ye Vicarage of Lanblithian withye chapels annexed." (Ibid. P. 115.)
The following apparently refers to his father : " Miles,William, s. of John of Fort Kary (Porthkerry) co. Glam. clr. JesusColl. matric. 1713. Aged 15. B.A. 1716. M.A. 1719. Vicar ofSt Llythans 1721, & of Pendoylan 1721, and of Llantwit-Major(all co. Glam.). 1735. preb. of Llandaff 1737-48. & of Sarum.1741-8. See Foster Index Eccl." (Alumni Oxon.)1773. JAMES EVANS.
(See supra. P. 185.)
[19th March, 1773. Add. MS. 101. B., N.L.W.]
John Williams.14
194
HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
1808. WILLIAM GWINNETT HORNIDGE, M.A., son of W m GwinnettHornidge of Gloucester city. Pleb. Pern. Coll. Ox. matric.1784 aged 15. B.A. 1810., M.A. 1811.
REVEREND HENRY SCAWEN PLUMTRE, M.A.
1814. HENRY SCAWEN PLUMTRE, M.A. (son of Dean Plumtre ofGloucester ; an Etonian and brother of J. F. Plumtre,Provost of Eton), Merton Coll. Ox. matric. 1809, aged 19,M.A. 1816.
SOME LOCAL ROMAN CATHOLICS. 195
He married one of the Nicholls, and Miss Nicholl, of Woodford,Llantwit Major, has several of his letters in her possession. I amindebted to her for supplying the engraving from which the portraitfor this work has been taken.
Mr. G. T. Clark's papers at the National Library at Aberystwythsay that he was instituted 4th January, 1814, and "the same.8 Apr. 1819."1823. ROBERT WILLIAMS.
Instituted 9th May (G.T.C.).1835. THOMAS EDMONDES, M.A.
Jesus Coll. Oxon. Matric. 1825, aged 18.
J.P. Preb. of Llandaff, 1884.
Instituted, 21st July (G.T.C.).
He is described in the Tithe Commutation Apportionment as" Rector of Cowbridge."1884. JAMES HAVARD PROTHEROE, M.A.,
subsequently Vicar of St. Michael's, Aberystwyth, and
Archdeacon of Cardigan.1886. DAVID BOWEN, B.A. St. David's College, Lampeter,
subsequently Vicar of Bassaleg.
SOME LOCAL ROMAN CATHOLICS.
Edward Came. In Wood's Fasti Oxonienses he is describedas having been " Principal of Greek Hall in St Edward's ParishHe was the Son of How ell Came of Cowbridge . . . '
Wood says that he was a wise man, learned in the Civil Law,and afterwards knighted by the Emperor Charles V.
In 1530 he was the King's Orator at Rome to remonstrate tohis Holiness that the King was not bound by Law to make hisappearance either in person or by proxy in the Court of Romein the matter of the King's divorce from Queen Catherine.
In the reign of Queen Mary, with whom he was much infavour, he was Ambassador at Rome.
It was at this period apparently that Lewis Morganwg's" Cywydd " was written.
It is a poem praying God to send Sir Edward Came homefrom Rome, and it is probable that the phrase " erchi kadw mairmarchog karn," the petition that Mary would keep Carne theKnight, would not have been used in Elizabeth's reign exceptperhaps at the beginning.
He also represented Queen Elizabeth at the Papal Court tillthe Pope, on account of what was happening in England, com-manded him to resign his office of Ambassador and become
196 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
' Governor at the English Hospital at Rome. Wood then goes onto say : " Yet, as 'tis thought by some, this crafty old Knightdid voluntary chuse his Banishment, out of a burning zeal to theRoman Catholic Religion, and eagerly desired to continue there,(tho' sent for to come home by the Queen) rather than return tohis own Country which was then ready to be overspread withHeresy, as he called it."
He died at Rome, 14th February, 1561, and his body wasburied there at St. Gregory in Caelo, in the cloister of the Quadri-porticus before the Church. Above the monument erected tohis memory there is carved a figure of Our Lady, with the DivineRedeemer in her arms, and the inscription reads :
"D . . M .
" Edvardo Carno, Britanno.
" Eqviti avrato, ivrisconsvlto, oratori, svmmis de rebusBritanniae Regvm ad Imperatorem, ad Reges, bisqve ad Romanamet Apostolicam sedem, qvarvm in altera legatione, a PhilippeMariaqve piis Regibvs missis. Oborto deinde post mortem Mariaein Britannia schismate, sponte patria carens ad Catholicam fidem ;cvm magna integritatis veraeqve pietatis exisfcimatione decessit.Hoc monumentum Galfridvs Vachanvs et Thomas Fremannvsamici, ex testamento pos. Obiit ann-salvtis M.D. LXI. XIIICal. Febr."
The arms are defaced.
(From Notes and Quaeries. 29/3/1862. P. 259.)
He was the last Ambassador from England to the Pope till1687.
His Letters from Rome concerning (a) the Divorce of QueenCatherine and (b) Matters of State to Queen Mary are printedin Burnet's History of the Reformation.
John Nicholls is described in Athenae Oxonienses as a busy andforward Welshman, who, as Roman Catholics say, was born atCowbridge, from whence he went to White-hall, " where Jesus Coll.now stands," at 16 years of age, and then to Brasenose.
In 1577 he left the Church of England and proceeded toAntwerp, Rheims, and Rome, where he became a member of theEnglish College.
When he returned to England, after about two years, he wasimprisoned in the Tower of London.
After this he published several works, which are described byAnthony Wood (Ed. 1721).
SOME LOCAL ROMAN CATHOLICS 197
" His Pilgrimage, wherein is display'd the lives of the proudPopes, ambitious Cardinals, leacherous Bishops, fat bellied Monks,and hypocritical Jesuits. Lond. 1581. Oct."
" Declaration of his Recantation, wherein he desireth to bereconverted, and received as a Member into the true Church ofChrist in England. Lond. 1581. Oct."
"An oration and sermon made at Rome by command of thefour Cardinals and the Dominican Inquisitor &c. Lond. 1581. Oct."
This was answered by : " A discovery of Jo. Nicolls Minister,misrepresenting a Jesuit " in 1581.
He went on the Continent again, and when in Normandy wasimprisoned in 1582, where he recanted all that he had said againstthe Church of Rome in several works, the last apparently beingpublished in 1583 :
" Confessio publica Joh. Nicolai ; qua fatetur se multamendacia contra summum Pontificem, Cardinales, & CatholicosAnglos protulisse, eo tempore, quo in Anglia versabatur, &c."
Sir Leoline Jenkins was many times suspected of Popishtendencies in religion, probably on account of his being such a goodChurchman and of his strict observance of the Church's system ofFast and Festival, Daily Services, and frequent Communion.
His first cousin, William Rees, of Penllyn, became a RomanCatholic priest in France. (Limbus Patrum. P. 548.)
Sir Leoline's mother was Elizabeth, daughter of David ofPenllyn ; her brother was Rees David, of Penllyn, and William Rees,the Roman Catholic priest, was his elder son. The other and youngerson became chief agent to the Duke of Beaufort.
Roman Catholicism appears to have died hard at Penllyn,as its subsequent history shows.
Cowbridge, according to the Rev. Father Cronin (of St. Peters,Cardiff, secretary to His Grace the Archbishop of Cardiff), wasthe one and only centre in Glamorgan which had Roman Catholicsliving there and who were always served by, either priests whowere "on the run" or, in later times, by the itinerant clergy, who,in the middle of the eighteenth century, started the scheme ofserving the county periodically, with Cowbridge as the rallyingpoint.
I am indebted to Father Cronin for the following information :
There is a recusancy list in the Catholic Record Societyvolume Miscellanea xii. 1921.
The Llandaff list of 1577 contains the name oi Thomas Came.
In the list of 1680 there are the following :
198
" John Turbervill, Esqre of Penlyne ; estate /700.Mr Christopher Turbervill of Skeir ; 200.Mr Howel Came of NashMrs Margaret Gamadge of CoytieMary Thomas of Pettus."
During the persecutions, breaking out at intervals from 1576to 1680, the neighbourhood of Cowbridge supplied many victimsto the Penal laws, as may be seen in Vol. II of the Cardiff CityRecords. Among them were " Joan John ot Llysoroneth " (p. 159)and the Llancarvan recusants (160), with whom was one WilliamGriffith.
Father Cronin is of opinion that this William Griffith wentto live at the Cwm (Hereford). He, with another Glamorganman, Ambrose Griffith, had taken refuge there, where RomanCatholics were very strong and well served by their clerg}'.
" Dr. Griffiths, a physician, is a man who goeth much aboutto Gentlemen's howses,"
"Ambrose Griffith, a lawyer, etc."(Foley, Records of the Society of Jesus.}
The Llancarvan recusants were again in trouble in 1586.Lewis Turbervill (with many others) died in gaol for his recusancyand there were further persecutions in 1602, 1617, 1622, 1629 (agoodly number all around Cowbridge), in 1636, and 1661.
In the persecution of 1678-80, in connection with the TitusGates affair, there were two priests who seem to have laboured agood deal in Monmouthshire and Glamorgan. They were FatherJohn Lloyd, a secular priest who was eventually taken prisonerat Penllyn, and Father Philip Evans, S.J., who was captured inMr. Turberville's house at Sker. They were both victims of thebarbarous spirit of the times and were hanged, drawn, and quarteredat Cardiff in 1679. (Challoner's Lives of the Martyrs.}
" Christopher Turbervill, gent ; Howell Cornae [Carne] gen.Evan Thomas, Ed. Williams, Richard Thomas and GwillamThomas, committed for refusinge to take the Oath of Supremacy,by the Court of the last genall Sessions of the peace, held attCowbridge the 29th of April last." (Cardiff City Records , 177.)
In the Record Office Certificates of Recusants (1650) there arethe names " of such persons . . . whose estates are under seques-tration for Popish Recusancy. . . . Glamorganshire :
Anthony Tuburvile of Penllyn Esq.
Thomas Tuburvile of Skar Esq.
Jenkin Thomas, gent."
During the times of persecution Roman Catholic priestscontinued to serve Glamorgan, coming principally from Bristol.
SOME LOCAL ROMAN CATHOLICS 199
A Father Hall and Father Scudamore, S.J., served at Pyleand the neighbourhood before 1740.
Father Thomas Brewer used to come as far as Cowbridgethree or four times a year till his death in 1787. The Mission atSwansea was founded about this time, and in the baptismal registersof the Roman Catholic Church there are several entries of familiesbelonging to Cowbridge and the neighbourhood, especially in thetwenties of the nineteenth century, when Lewis and Bates werethe principal Roman Catholic families of the neighbourhood.
Some at any rate of the earlier Bateses were Protestants, forthe name frequently occurs in the registers of Cowbridge and inthe Bishops' transcripts for those years which are missing in theCowbridge registers.
The entries in such transcripts are :
Burial.1731. Maud ye wife of R d Bates Sen r . June 12.
1734. The transcripts for this year are signed
R. Gregory R r [Rector].Richard Bates,so Richard Bates was Churchwarden.
1735. Baptism.
Feb. 5. Thomas son of D r Richard Bates.Signed by :
1736. Richard BatesIsaac Redwood
1741. R d ye son of D r Bates. Aug. 28.
1748. Burial.
Richard Bates. Feb. 11.Cecil Carne. Feb. 23 rd .Signed by :
William Miles, Rector.
1749. Burial. March 7th D r Bates
Thomas Edmonds ) ,
Isaac Redwood i Churchwardens.
1 759. Marriage :
Edward Bates and Grace Gardner. May 27 th .
1760. Baptism:
Richard son of Edward Bates by Grace his wife.
The Bateses owned considerable property in Cowbridgeand Llanblethian, as may be seen in the Tithe Commutationapportionment of 1840.
< Churchwardens.
200 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
THE ORIGIN OF NONCONFORMITY IN COWBRIDGE.
Edward Davies, the incumbent, was expelled from his livingduring the Commonwealth by the Puritans, whose commissionersfor the place were Edward Gamage, Reece Powell, of Coytrehen,and Robert Thomas, of Tregroes. (Walker MSS. Bodleian.) It issaid that the Puritan minister of Cowbridge during this period wasSamuel Jones, of Llangynwyd. If so, he was probably non-resident,as he was Minister of Llangynwyd as well, and lived in Brynllowarchin that parish. He was an able man, being a Scholar, Bursar, M.A.,and Fellow of Jesus College, Oxford, and is said to have been atutor to Lord Mansel. His Nonconformity was not of a veryaggressive type, for the Llangwynyd registers show that he andhis wife and children received the sacraments and administrationsof the Church.
From the State Papers (Domestic E. 38A) we know where inCowbridge the first Nonconformist meetings of which we have anyrecord were held.
" A.D. 1672. License to Sam. Jones to be a P r Teacher atthe house of Eve Christopher at Cowbridge in Glamorganshire.September 30 th ."
The Rev. Samuel Jones, the first Nonconformist minister ofCowbridge of which we have any record, was also a Welsh bardof some eminence and universally respected. I am not aware thathis epitaph has ever appeared in print, but some years ago I cameacross it in the seventj'-first volume of lolo Morganwg's MSS. atthe 213th page :
" Reverendus Samuel Jonesde Bryn Llowarch Ministerlesu Christi doctrina etpietate clarus prudentiaepatientiae exemplumAdmondum insigneplenus fidei hie jacetdeploratusObit brisAnno Domini 1677
Aetatis 70 moFie re et neminere relictum est.
The epitaph was the work of the Rev. Rice Price, of Ty'ny Ton, father of the Rev. Dr. Richard Price, who was an oldalumnus of Cowbridge School.
THE METHODISTS 201
Calamy says that Dr. Lloyd, the Bishop of Llandaff, hadgreat respect for Samuel Jones, and describes him as " a greatphilosopher and very useful preacher. He was a Christian of theprimitive stamp, always meek, and humble, loving and peaceable."
The Bishop was anxious to ordain him and present him tolivings, but his conscience would not allow him to deny his formerPresbyterian ordination or take the necessary oaths.
The denomination which met in Mr. Evan Christopher's houseat Cowbridge was Presbyterian, according to the list of licencesgranted under Charles II 's " Declaration of Indulgence," as printedin Rees's History of Protestant Nonconformity in Wales (p. 178).
Those of our readers who would like to know more about thisgood and holy man, Samuel Jones, will find much informationconcerning him in Calamy, vol. ii, pp. 721-29 ; letters in the" Bridgend Chronicle " for September and October, 1858 ;Cadrawd's " History of Llangynwyd " ; and Rees's History ofProtestant Nonconformity in Wales, 230-42.
Carlyle had some very nice things to say about the " Metho-dists " at Llanblethian. He describes the peasantry as " muchgiven to Methodism when they have any character," and JohnSterling speaks of the religious awe wherewith he heard in thewarm twilight the psalm-singing around the house of the Methodistmiller. But in all probability " Methodist " as used by boththese writers is a generic term for Nonconformity, of which atthat period Methodism was the most predominant type.
Both Wesleyan and Calvinistic Methodism were established atCowbridge at an early date.
THE METHODISTS.
A good account of the origin of the Methodists (Calvinistic) atCowbridge will be found in Cylchgrawn Cymdeithas Hanes yMethodistiaid Calvinaidd for December, 1920, which the Rev.Emrys Davies has kindly brought to my notice.
The diaries of Howell Harris contain many references toAberthun, or "Burthyn," as he spells the name. In Diary 91 herecords under 10th July, 1742, that he rode from Llantrisanttowards Burthyn at 11 a.m., reading on the way Mr. Griffith Jones'sWelsh Piety for 1741, and blessing God for that great man's work.From 1 to 3 he discoursed at Burthyn and describes his feelingsand his prayer.
Diary 102. On Thursday evening, llth August, 1743, hepreached at Burthyn at 9 p.m., and again (Diary 104) on 4thNovember.
202 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
We have further references to his ministrations at Aberthunon 27th April, 1744, 26th April, 1745, and on 1st January, 1746.
On 24th April, 1747, he discoursed at Llantrisant at 2 p.m.,after which he rode to Penprysc, and after that reached Aberthunin the evening and began the several ministrations of the nextday there, completing his work in the evening at St. Nicholas.
On 16th November, 1746, and 6th October, 1747, he againministered there, and on Friday, 26th May, 1749, he went toCowbridge to hear Daniel Rowland, of Llangeitho, preach. Thefollowing day he went with Rowland to make arrangements aboutthe chapel at Aberthun (the meetings having been previously heldin a farm house), but they could not agree as to the form and cost.Thus the chapel at Aberthun was built in 1749.
There is preserved there an interesting hour glass the hourin those days being the recognised length of the sermon andsome pewter cups four inches deep with one handle each, whichwere used for the Communion.
The Rev. Emrys Davies tells me that in the " TreveccaDiaries " there is mention of several small " Societies " in theVale of Glamorgan as early as 1742, through the missionary effortsof Ho well Harris.
There is an account of one Thomas Williams having chargeof " Societies " comprising Llantrisant, Aberthyn, Aberddawen,St. Nicholas, and Dinas Powis.
There is no account of a Methodist Cause at Cowbridge untila chapel was built there in 1825. Land was secured for asite by William Howell, a maltster, at " the Limes," where "Sion "is built, though the chapel is not generally known by that name,for it is generally called " Limes Chapel."
Amongst those who officiated at the opening of the chapelwas the Rev. Rowland Hill, of London. It is said that he madea deep impression on those who were present. The Rev. WilliamGriffith, of Gower, the Rev. David Howell, of Swansea, and theRev. William Evans, of Tonyrefail, also took part.
The Communion cloth bears the inscription : " Sion Chapel,Gjwbridge, 1825."
William Howells (1818-1888) was born at Cowbridge andeducated either at the Eagle Academy or at the Grammar School.He entered Trevecca College in 1842 and was ordained in 1847.After holding several pastorates he was made Principal of TreveccaCollege in 1865.
Principal Howells was a nephew of the Rev. William Howells(Infra, p. 257).
THE WESLEYANS 203
THE WESLEYANS.
Councillor William Davies, of Cowbridge, has very kindlydrawn my attention to John Wesley's journal, which containsseveral interesting references to his visits to Cowbridge.
1743. Sat. Apr. 7. " I was desired to preach at Cowbridge.We came into the town about eleven ; and many people seemedvery desirous to hear for themselves concerning the way whichis everywhere spoken against ; but it could not be ; the sons ofBelial gathered themselves together, headed by one or two wretchescalled gentlemen ; and continued shouting, cursing, blaspheming,and throwing showers of stones, almost without intermission. Sothat after some time spent in prayer for them I judged it best todismiss the congregation."
His brother, Charles Wesley, wrote afterwards : -" I preachedin a large hall over against the place where my brother was stoned."
The scene of the riot was in front of the old Town Hall.
1758. Aug. 25. Friday. " I rode to Cowbridge & preachedat three in the afternoon in the new assembly room."
1764. Wed., Aug. 1. "It was with difficulty I reachedCowbridge about one, where the congregation was waiting."
1767. Wed., Sept. 9. " About twelve I preached to a largeand serious congregation in the Assembly Room at Cowbridge."
1768. Wed., Aug. 10. "At five I had the pleasure of hearingthe whole congregation at the room [in Neath] ' sing with the spiritand with the understanding also ' ; and again, at one in the after-noon, at Cowbridge, where I found uncommon liberty of speech,while I was explaining to many of the rich and gay, as well, as tothe poor, ' The Kingdom of God is within you '."
1769. Sat., Aug. 19. " About eight I preached at Neath ;about three, in the church at Bridge-End . . . and at seven, inthe Assembly- Room at Cowbridge, on, ' Lord, are there few thatbe saved ? ' I was enabled to make a close and pointed appli-cation, I believe not without effect."
Sun., 20. " I preached there again at eight to a congregationwho seemed to feel what was spoken. At eleven, the Vicar readprayers, and I preached on those words in the Lesson, ' Galliccared for none of these things.' Most of the hearers seemed moreawake than I expected, and a few appeared to be affected. Inthe evening I took my old stand on the steps of the castle atCardiff. ..."
It would appear from this that John Wesley preached atCowbridge Church on Sunday, 20th August, 1769, at the eleveno'clock service. The Vicar to whom he refers was the Reverend
204 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
William Miles, so that it cannot be said that the clergy at Cowbridgewere antagonistic to the labours of this apostolic man.
1771. Wed., Aug. 18. "About six I preached in the Town-hall at Cowbridge, to high and low, rich and poor . . . "
1772. Wed., Aug. 26. " I preached in Old-castle church, nearBridge-End, about noon,, on Wednesday, 26th ; and in the eveningat the assembly-room at Cowbridge, to an unusually seriouscongregation."
1773. Wed., Aug. 17. "At eleven I preached in the Town-hall at Cowbridge, the neatest place of the kind I have ever seen ;not only the floor, the walls, the ceiling, are kept exactly clean,but every pane of glass in the windows."
1777. Thur., July 24. " I preached to a large and seriouscongregation in the Town-hall at Cowbridge."
1779. Wed., Aug. 25. "I preached ... at six in the Town-hall at Cowbridge, much crowded, and hot enough. The heat madeit a little more difficult to speak ; but by the mercy of God, Iwas no more tired when I had done, than when I rose in themorning."
Thurs., 26. " I preached at five, and again at eleven. Ithink this was the happiest time of all. The poor and the richseemed to be equally affected. O how are the times changed atCowbridge, since the people compassed the house where I was,and poured in stones from every quarter ! But my strength wasthen according to my day ; and blessed be God, so it is still."
1781. Tues., May. 8. " About three I preached in thechurch near Bridgend, and at six in the Town -hall at Cowbridge."
Thurs., 10. " I preached in our room about ten, on ' I amnot ashamed of the Gospel of Christ.' May God deliver us fromthis evil disease, which eats out all the heart of religion ! "
If " our room " is the same place as the first Wesleyan Chapelin the Town of Cowbridge we can locate it.
On crossing the bridge over the Thaw, going West, the nexthouse to the Blue Bell Inn was the first Wesleyan Chapel, whichwas numbered 158 on the Tithe Map. It was the first of threesites.
1788. Friday, Aug. 29. " That they might not be offended,I went to Cowbridge. In half an hour's notice, we had a largecongregation in the Town-hall, to whom I showed the nature andpleasantness of religion, from Prov. iii. 17."
THE BAPTISTS.
If the saying, " Happy is the nation which has no history,"can be applied to religious denominations, the Brethren of the
THE BAPTISTS 205
Baptists in the Town of Cowbridge should be a happy folk, forthe records of Ramoth are but few and scanty. It appears thatin its earlier years no records were kept. I am, however, indebtedto the Rev. B. T. Roberts for allowing me to see the manuscriptof his address which he delivered at the Centenary Services ofRamoth Baptist Church on 19th May, 1920.
None of the brethren of Ramoth seem to know of any motherBaptist Church, and Mr. Roberts is of opinion that Ramoth wasformed from individuals who joined together for the purpose,and not as an offshoot of any particular church. These brethren,who were Welsh, met together and worshipped in some house inthe town before the chapel was built. The services were conductedin Welsh almost entirely till about a quarter of a century ago,then the English element gained ground, and now Welsh hasalmost entirely disappeared. It is not understood by the youngpeople.
Though there appears to be no local record of a Baptistmother church of Ramoth I find, from Mr. Roberts's address, thata claim to be the mother of the children of Ramoth has beenlodged, for he says : " Mr. James asks me sometimes when weare coming back to the old mother. But daughters after settingup a home don't go back to mother unless there is some tragedy.The old mother ought to be proud that she has a daughter 100years old in such a fine state of preservation."
The earliest record appears to be from the Seren Corner,which I quote from Mr. Roberts's free translation : " On Tuesday,May 2nd [1820], a church of Particular Baptists was formed atCowbridge Glam. One brother was elected for the diaconate, andalso the Brother John Roberts was chosen as pastor. At 10 o'clockthe service was introduced by the Rev. J. Davies Tredegar, afterwhich the Rev. D. Richards, Caerphilly, spoke on ' The Nature ofthe Christian Church.' The church was then formally incor-porated. The deacon was ordained by laying on of hands &prayer. The young minister then declared his ' Confession ofFaith ' and after satisfactory answering the usual questions thededicatory prayer was offered by the Rev. Mr. Richards. Thesermon to the minister was preached by the Rev. Mr. Saunders,Merthyr, 2 Tim. ii. 15 and to the church and deacon by ShonShenkin, Hengoed [Dr. Jenkins], Heb. xiii. 7. The service termi-nated with Prayer & Praise. May the Lord defend His glory inthis little portion of Mt. Zion."
" So John Roberts was the first pastor. The brother was alocal man a blacksmith, I think, by calling. He has left a recordof himself as a good minister of Jesus Christ."
206 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
As it is the intention of the present pastor to publish a shorthistory of his church in booklet form, it will be enough to recordthe succession of the ministers of Ramoth :
The Rev. John Roberts.
The Rev. D. Jones.
The Rev. Enoch Price.
The Rev. Daniel Da vies.
The Rev. John Evans.
The Rev. Timothy Thomas.
The Rev. William Thomas.
The Rev. Ivor Evans.
The Rev. Owen Jones.
The Rev. B. T. Roberts (1910).
On the grave-stone of the first minister of Ramoth, who diedin 1835, is inscribed the englyn :
Er brau oer boenau beunydd, daerfyd
A dirfawr flin gerydd
Digon [o] blaid fy enaid fydd
Bod yn Nuw mewn byd newydd.
Mr. William Roberts, of Llanblethian, possesses a fire-tongsof excellent workmanship made by him.
Thomas Thomas (1805-1881) was born at Cowbridge, andentered the Baptist College at Abergavenny. In 1824 he proceededto Stepney College, and in 1828 became pastor of the HenriettaStreet Baptist Chapel, Brunswick Square, London. In 1836 hewas appointed Principal of the Baptist College at Pontypool,and was given the degree of D.D. honoris causa by the FranklinCollege, U.S.A. On his retirement from the principalship in 1877he was presented with a testimonial of 2000 guineas.
OF WHAT DENOMINATION?
There was a building described as " Dissenting Chapel,"numbered 165A on the Cowbridge Tithe Map, and apparentlyon the site of the present skittle alley of the Royal Oak. As thesites of the Methodist (Calvinistic and Wesleyan) and BaptistChapels are known, it must have belonged to some otherdenomination.
III. THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
--fe? - .--
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL (1).
A recent writer (Mr. L. Stanley Knight, M.A., of Swansea),in an article on The Origin of the Welsh Grammar School, in YCymmrodor for 1921, traces it to the Mission of Ss. Germanus andLupus in A.D. 429. He maintains that the public or grammarschools established throughout the Roman Empire were dis-appearing with that Empire.
The monks fled from the world, but the Church, in order tomaintain her rule for Christ in the world, established schools.
She took from Pagan education and literature whatever wasgood and useful, and her schools were based on the later grammarschools of the Empire.
Christianity to the Welsh was clothed in the Latin language.The services of the church were in Latin the Holy Scriptures,the writings of most of the Fathers of the West, and all theecclesiastical books were also in that learned tongue.
Thus to be a Christian teacher it was essential to be instructedin that language, and the erection of churches brought of necessityin its wake the institution of grammar schools.
208 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
St. Germanus was sent to Wales from the Church of Gaulwith another Galilean bishop, St. Lupus, of Troyes (scholis adhibituset rhetorum studiis imbutus. Beda. H.E.G.A. i. c. 17).
The Welsh equivalent for Lupus is Blaidd.
St. Martin, who died about A.D. 400, had established a schoolat Tours with the object of preparing men for the priesthood, andsimilar institutions were founded in Lyons, Aries, Auxerre, andTroyes, and the Canons of the Church of Gaul contained theinjunction that " all clerics strong enough to work must learn atrade and litteras," which can, perhaps, be best rendered as Latingrammar.
Ss. Germanus and Lupus came to Britain from Auxerre andTroyes respectively about A.D. 430.
The Welsh tradition is that they founded the two collegesof Llantwit Major and Llancarfan. Cowbridge is more particularlyconcerned %vith St. Lupus, or Bleiddian as he is known in Welsh.
Dr. Fisher, in his Lives of the British Saints, tells us : "All thatthe Welsh authorities have to say about Bleiddian is to be foundin the lolo MSS. He is mentioned as a ' saint and bishop, whocame to this Island with S. Gannon in the time of CystenninFendigaid (or Llydaw) to renew Faith and Baptism.' One entrystates that the ' choirs ' of Llancarfan and S. Illtyd were foundedby Ss. Garmon and Bleiddan, whilst another states that S. Garmon' founded a choir near Caerworgorn (Llantwit Major) where heplaced Illtyd principal and S. Bleiddan chief bishop.' '
The learned doctor reminds us that the statements must beaccepted with caution.
In a world of much and increasing uncertainty, where all thingsin heaven and earth are doubted, we can be thankful that thereneed be no uncertainty in stating that Cowbridge was originallypart of the parish of Llanbleiddian, otherwise known as Llanfleiddian,Llanddyddan, and Llanlyddan, is still almost completely sur-rounded by it, and that Llanblethian, or Bleiddian 's Parish, is itsmother parish and his church its mother church.
Whether the Bleiddian of Llanblethian is St. Lupus of Troyesor a later saint of the Society of Illtyd, as Dr. Fisher conjectureshe was, need not trouble us. In either case there is a strongearly and later connection between the parishes of Llantwit Majorand Llanblethian, and there is not much doubt, it any at all,that Llanblethian is an offshoot of Llantwit Major.
The thesis I maintain is that, as the parish and church areoffshoots of Llantwit Major, so also is the school, which followedin the wake of the church from the very earliest times ; that forsome hundreds of years the mother school at Llantwit and the
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL 209
daughter school at Cowbridge continued side by side, till at lastthe school at Llantwit decayed, and eventually the olderinstitution became merged in the younger in the sixteenthcentury as a result of the dissolution of the religious foundationsat Llantwit Major consequent upon the Reformation changes.
Whether our Bleiddian was St. Lupus of Troyes or not, itcannot be doubted, as Mr. Knight points out, that towards theclose of the fifth century the Church in Wales was imbued witha new spirit, which showed itself in the foundation of churchesand the institution of grammar schools.
In the Life of St. Samson it is stated that the monasterium ofIlltyd was situated near an insula founded by Piro " non longe abhoc monasterio."
Where was this insula, and what was it ? Did St. Samson,when he betook himself to the insula of Piro, which is describedas " not far from " Illtyd's monastery, walk just across the roadto another institution in Llantwit Major, or did he sail miles awayto Caldy Island ?
Does not the four miles or so across country which separatesCowbridge from Llantwit Major seem a more natural situationfor Piro's insula, considering the term " non longe ab hocmonasterio ? "
Whether Mr. Knight is right in maintaining that monasteriumdoes not mean a monastic monastery but a clerical establishmentI know not, but I am fairly certain, after a very careful reading ofthe title, " Locatio Conductio," in the Digest of Justinian, thathe is wrong in attaching a purely technical meaning to insula,which he describes as " purely monastic establishments."
In plain English, he maintains that monasterium is not amonastery, but insula is.
In the Digest of Justinian insula is a word generallyused to describe a block of buildings, a very common andwell-known term, and an insula generally contained chambers.In my opinion, the grammar school subsisted from century tocentury under the very varied conditions of the times, and emergingfrom the darkness of antiquity as Chantry, Guild, and Free School,disestablished and disendowed as the result of the Reformation,re-established and re-endowed from time to time according totradition in the time of Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth accord-ing to documentary evidence by Sir Edward Stradling, Sir John
15
210 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
Stradling, Sir Leoline Jenkins, and in our own time by Jesus College,Oxford, and the County Council of Glamorgan.
It is to this day called " The College " by the people of theplace and the neighbourhood, though it has not been describedas such in any official documents known to me, and this, takenin conjunction with the fact that there were, as appears fromwitnesses to mediaeval documents, more clergy in Cowbridgethan were necessary for serving the chantry pure and simple,and the three parishes of the Cure of Souls, points to the con-clusion that there was here in the Middle Ages some collegiateinstitution of which we now know very little.
With the exception of what has been taken to be a gloss bya later editor in one of the lives of the Saints, the sphere of Illtyd'slabours has always been taken to be Llantwit Major, but ProfessorHugh Williams, in his erudite work on " Gildas," has argued fromthat gloss and from the Welsh name for Caldy Island (Ynys Pyr)and its close proximity to Manorbier (Maenor Pyr} that Illtyd'sestablishment was on Caldy Island and not at Llantwit Major.
The controversy depends somewhat if not altogether on theinterpretation of an extract from the Life of St. Samson : " Eratnon longe ab hoc monasterio (i.e. Hilduti) insula quaedam nuperfundata a quodam egregio viro ac sancto prebytero nomine Piro."Here we have a statement that near Illtyd's monastery was an" insula " called by the name of Piro a presbyter.
The other description is to be found in the Vita Pauli :" ... erat autem quaedam insula Pyrus nomine, Demetriarumin finibus sita," and this is certainly a different description fromthat given in the Vita. Samsonis, while the words Demetriarumin finibus sita describe this insula Pyrus nomine as on the borderof Dyfed.
In a learned work on " La Vie de Saint Samson," by M. RobertFawtier (Paris, 1912), the writer adduces several arguments againstidentifying Piro's institution with Caldy Island.
Giraldus Cambrensis, 'who knew the life of St. Samson andCaldy Island well, does not connect the Saint with the island atall. " Tout ce que Ton peut avaucer, c'est que Giraua de Barry,venant a parler de Caldy Island dans son Itinerarium Cambriae,ne fait aucune mention du sejour de Saint Samson, dont il connaissaitpourtant bien la vie. Si done Identification de Caldy Islandavec 1'lle de Piro precede^ d'une tradition, celle-ci est assurementpeu ancienne." (P. 4.)
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL 211
What Gerald does say is: "The castle called Maenor Pyrr,that is, the mansion of Pyrrus, who also possessed the island ofChaldey, which the Welsh call Inys Pyrr, or the island of Pyrrus,is distant about three miles from Penbroch."
On this, Mr. Llewelyn Williams, K.C., has the interestingcomment : " Our author has given a far-fetched etymology to thiscastle and the adjoining island in calling them the mansion andisland of Pyrrhus : a much more natural and congenial conjecturemay be made in supposing Maenor Pyrr to be derived from Maenor,a Manor, and Pyrr the plural of Por, a lord ; i.e. the Manor ofthe lords, and consequently, Inys Pyrr, the Island of the Lords."
It appears that there are philological objections also to theidentification of Inys Pyrr with the " Island of Piro," for M.- Fawtierwrites : " Pyr n'est pas la traduction galloise de Pirus mais dePorios nom que Ton retrouve dans une inscription du centre-galleset dans le Book of Llan-Dav, or Porios ne rend pas en latin Pirusmais Porius."
Further, it could not have been Caldy, for horses do not rideover seas.
" Les messagers envoyes par les voisins d'Aman arrivent acheval 1 et il n'est nullement question de passage par mer pourgagner le monastere du Saint." l " Equitatos " liv. I, O, 22.
The reference is : " Statim missos dirigunt equitatos, rogantesne pigeret eum visitare patrem suum jam in mortis confiniodecubantem et maxime sanitatem corporis et animae ab eo acciperedesiderantem."
M. Fawtier has another argument against identifying theInsula of Piro with Caldy, and that is the distance.
In the life of Saint Samson it is stated that the Insula of Pirowas not far from the Monastery of Illtud, whereas Caldy Islandis very far away.
" Caldy Island n'est pas non longe de Lantwit Major . . .II y a pres de 90 kilometres en ligne droite par mer de 1'un a lantre ;la voie de terre est infinment plus longue encore."
In order to combat this difficulty, Professor Hugh Williamsis forced to place Illtyd's Monastery on Caldy Island, and toconclude therefrom that Illtyd's connection with Llantwit Majorwas apparently an invention of the writers of the eleventh andtwelfth centuries, to whom his work on Caldy Island was unknown :" The original Llanilltud, on Caldy Island, being unknown, the
212 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
name of Lantwit Major may have led them (writers of the eleventhand twelfth centuries) and others after them to think of Glamorganas the County of Illtud. This seems to me, in lieu of better, aworkable hypothesis." (Gildas, ii, p. 334.)
For the reasons stated above I believe the professor's hypothesisto be fundamentally wrong and that the Vale of Glamorgan holdsthe traditional field of Illtyd's work, that here lived and labouredSs. Illtyd, Catwg, Samson, Paul de Leon, and Gildas ; that thescenes of their labours are grouped about and around the Thawand the Hodnant.
We have already seen (supra, p. 8.) that St. Paul de Leoncame from the old Welsh Hundred of Pen Ychen.
The Life of St. Illtyd is also centred round the Thaw beforehe went to Llantwit Major, for it is said that when he withdrewfrom the service of Paul, King of Penychen, he went to the banksof the Nadauan : " Exinde rege condolente, et regina et omnibusde sua recessione, venit tandem ad marginem Naudauani fiaminus,uxore consotiante et armigeris " (Vita Sancti Iltuti), and there, sothe story runs :
" mor a yrrawdd mor wroloi ffonn ef i ffo yn ollie ny ddoi y llanw i ddawonlie dodai phwys Illtyd ffonn " (Lewys Morganwg).
Which has been rendered :
" The sea did he so manfullyWith his staff compel to retreatThat the tide would not ascend the DawonWhere his staff had been placed,"
which I conjecture to have been the hagiographic way of sayingthat he made dykes to prevent inundation. Then from the Thaw,the district of Cowbridge, he went to the Hodnant, for the headingof 5 is :" De adventu ad peremitariam vitam in Valle Hodnant."
Then, according to Carte : " For the more effectual propaga-tion of the Gospel, & the advancement of Learning in South WalesSt. Germanus ordained Illtutus, then very young, a Presbyter,and consecrated Dubricius Archbishop of Llandaff, charging themwith the care of several schools or colleges."
According to Mr. Haddon (Remains, p. 214), ArchbishopUssher's book " is the most perfect specimen extant of an exhaustivecollection of the whole facts of a case intelligently handled," and
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL 213
from his book we learn much as to how, in the words of Dr.Hartwell- Jones, " The Welsh Schools of Glamorganshire shelteredlearning in turbulent times and furnished Brittany with teachers."(Y Cymmrodor, 1921. P. 41.)
The learned Archbishop of Armagh seems to have been drawnto this district, and some years after the publication of his booksojourned with the hospitable Stradlings at St. Donat's Castleduring the Puritan persecution.
Archbishop Ussher states that Illtyd was appointed to the placesubsequently called after him by Dubricius, Bishop of Llandaff :" A Dubricio Landavensi episcopi in loco qui ab illo Lan-iltut, idest Ecclesiae Iltuti accepit nomen et constitutus. Is locus,Morganiae prope mare, nee procul a Lancarvanensi Cadoci monas-terio ad Bovertonum positus, paulo contractius Lan-twit hodieappellatur." (Britan. Eccl. Antiquitates. 1639. P. 472.)
There were other schools in the neighbourhood, notablySt. Cadoc's at Llancarvan : " Cadocus autem monasterijNancarbanensis sive Lhancarvanensis (in Glamorgania tribuspassuum millibus a Cowbrigia positi ..." (Ibid. P. 464.)
It owes much of its fame to having had the great Gildas,the Jeremiah of the Celtic Church, as its teacher for some time.
" Cadoc, the Abbot of the Church of Nancarban requestedGildas the doctor to superintend the studies of his school for thespace of one year, and on being requested he superintended themmost advantageously receiving no pay from the scholars exceptthe prayers of the clergy and scholars." (Caradoc Lancarvan.Vit. Gild. Cap. 14).
Whether Llancarvan was an offshoot of Llantwit or not wedo not seem to know. There was another school, which I assumeto be in the place which bears its name. We know, however,that in the time of Illtyd the Insula of Piro had been latelyfounded (nuper fundata) not far from the monastery of Illtyd.
In Illtyd's school at Llantwit St. Samson had been educated." In schola egregij Britannorum magistri Iltuti educatus Samson."(Ussher, Britan. Eccl. Antiquitates. 1639. P. 531.)
As it seemed likely that Samson would succeed Illtyd, thejealous nephews of Illtyd tried to poison him, so Samson thoughtit wiser to depart and asked permission of Illtyd to betake himselfto an Insula lately founded by Piro, and there St. Samson betookhimself, and, after the death of Piro, who one night imbibed toofreely, he was elected to succeed him " ab ejus coenobio . . . subPiro abbate vixit, eique vita functo in monasterij regimine successit."
214 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
(Ibid. 531.) And there he is supposed to have ruled for threeyears and a half.
We must be careful in our inquiry as to how we are to treatthe word insula in the context under consideration. Human beingsdo not become the founders of geographical islands, but they dobecome founders of institutions, and the contexts require institutionsas the meaning and not islands as we use the term to-day. Withthis both Professor Williams and the editors of the AnalectaBollandiana agree, for the professor says in a note on Ineswitrin(p. 414) : " It is not improbable that Inis or Ynys had, in fact,no reference to any island, since a piece of dedicated land, especiallyin the case of monasteries, was in Britain called insula, or in theBritish tongue, inis (modern Welsh ynys) " ; while the editors, in anote on Insula, state : " Vox insula hie et alius pluribus locishujus opusculi non est accipienda stricto sensu, sed ita solum estut designet fundum sen regionem quolibetmodo a circumjacentibusterris separatam."
Even apart from literal islands in the modern sense, and apartfrom the use of the word for certain buildings in Roman Law andin Classical Latin, there are abundant indications in place namesall around us that Ynys in Welsh does not mean a literal islandonly but is very widely applied to what may be termed detachedpieces of land, and in this sense the situation of Cowbridge exactlysuits the meaning of Ynys, for its situation is thus described byDonovan: "The town of Cowbridge lies, apparently, in a deepbottom, rising in the midst of a small level plain, surrounded onevery side by higher lands, and sheltered by spacious widelysweeping hills. " (Descriptive. Excursions, etc., by E. Donovan, F.L.S.1805. P. 311.)
That insula was used in such a way we know from the VilaGildae : " Quae insula usque in hodiernum diem Lanna Hildutivocitatur."
Moreover, if the reading as given in the Liber Landavensis isthe correct one, and we have to deal with words which are notfound in the other reading, we have peculiar local circumstanceswhich suit the case equally well.
The reading in the Book of Llandaff is : " Erat autem nonlonge ab hoc coenobio insula quedam inqua monasterium eratconstructum a viro nomine piro." (Lib. Land. P. 12.)
Here the context requires that insula should be translated asa place rather than an institution, and if we take it to be in ProfessorWilliams's words : A piece of dedicated land, " since a piece ofdedicated land, especially in the case of monasteries, was in Britain
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL 215
called insula ..." (Gildas, p. 414), we have such a piece atCowbridge mentioned in the Survey of 1630, referred to above(p. 48) : " They say and present that one Edward Carne Esquireholdeth one little plot of ground called the little Island or ffishpondcontaining about half one quarter of an Acre of Land situate inthe East part of the Churchyard there & adjoining to the Orchardof the Mansion House of the said Edward Cam."
We have seen above (p. 187) that there was Glebe in the church-yard, for which 10s. a year was received by the parson in 1790.
We can identify this site. It is numbered 172 on the TitheMap, where the measurement is given as 34 poles, the landownerbeing Richard Franklen. It is described in an indenture of 25thMarch, 1833, in the context: ' . . . the Great House . . .Together with the Garden ground lying behind the same ANDALSO a certain piece or parcel of garden ground adjoining theretoon the West and lying between the Church yard wall and a certainpiece or parcel of Land demised by the said Richard Franklen tothe said Thomas Lewis by an Indenture of Lease dated the twenty-ninth day of May last and which said premises hereby demisedand the premises comprised in the said Indenture of Lease areadjoining to each other and have a wall lately erected by the saidThomas Lewis on the East the White Hart Public House and theGarden behind the same the High road leading through the saidTown of Cowbridge the Church yard and a certain close of Landcalled Waun y Gaer on all or most parts and sides thereof." Thefee simple of this Great House property, which passed from theCarnes to Preb. Durell, the headmaster of the Grammar School,and from him to his descendants the Franklens, is now by thegenerous gift of Sir Thomas Mansel Franklen to be conveyed tothe Glamorgan County Council upon trust to the use of CowbridgeGrammar School.
Whichever reading we take, whether " insula quaedam nuperfundata " or " insula quedam inqua monasterium erat constructum,"either context, when all the circumstances are considered, is moreapplicable to an insula in Cowbridge than to Caldy Island.
It is quite possible that this insula of Piro is the foundation ofCowbridge School, for the following reasons :
1. The place name " little Island " in the Town of Cowbridge." Insula nuper fundata a quodam egregio viro ac sanctopresbytero nomine Piro."
2. It is not far from the Monastery of Illtyd at LlantwitMajor. " Erat non longe ab hoc monasterio " (i.e. Hilduti).
216 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
3. The continuous tradition that Cowbridge School had itsorigin from Llantwit Major,
While these are the three main reasons for my claim, thereare others to support it :
4. Whether Bleiddian, after whom the mother church andParish of Cowbridge are called, was St. Lupus or not, it is admittedthat the church was founded from Llantwit Major.
5. Llanblethian and Llantwit Major always went together(I do not mean served by the same incumbent).
(a) In the Middle Ages they were taxed together.
(b) They belonged to the same religious house.
(c) The Advowson of the two churches has belonged to the
same juristic person from the Norman Conquest to theNineteenth Century.
I do not claim an unbroken life for the school from a Celticfoundation, for it has been the fate of the school to declineand revive, to die and rise again, and to be re-founded from timeto time.
With the Reformation, when a large number of the mediaevalgrammar schools were closed and the University of Oxford, as aresult of it, was " almost destitute of scholars," the tradition ofits origin was probably lost, though the saying that it hadits origin from Llantwit seems to have persisted throughout,and a new foundation at a transitional period, having a connectionwith Llantwit in several ways, would tend to mark that newfoundation as the connecting link, whereas in fact the foundationfrom Llantwit had existed long before Cowbridge was known byits modern name.
We have now to consider the tradition from the standpointof the Reformation changes.
Dr. Hardy, in his History of Jesus College, Oxford, with whichinstitution Cowbridge School has been so intimately connectedfor some centuries, writes : " It is stated, though I know not onwhat authority, that the original funds of the school were derivedfrom one of the very ancient local ecclesiastical colleges dissolvedby Henry VIII."
Amongst the Llanover MSS. at Aberystwyth there are at leasttwo transcripts of a MS. written in A.D. 1729 by the ReverendDavid Nichol, A.M., of Llantwit, and I know of another transcriptof the same which exists elsewhere.
There are two accounts as to how lolo came by it.
In one (MS. C. 27, p. 109) he says : " The late John NicholsEsq r of Lanmaes juxta Lantwit, lent me a MS account of the
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL 217
monastery of Iltutus ... by the Rev d David Nichols A.M., inJune 1729 ... Of the account from this ancient MS drawn upby the Rev d D. Nichols I took a Copy, a transcript of which Ihere subjoin. I have faithfully retained the Orthography andphraseology of my original."
There is another transcript of the same in Llanover MS. 66,p. 170, where lolo says : " Transcribed from a MS. of the aboveD. Nicholls that was lent me by the late John Nicholls of Lanmaesfather of the present D r Nicholls of the Commons by me EdwardWilliams."
That portion of it which concerns our subject I transcribedfrom Llanover MS. C. 27, beginning at page 110 :
"June 12th 1729." The Antiquities of Lantwit Major. Com. Glamorgan.
" The Abbots of Lantwit.
"It is agreed upon by all Antiquarians that mention Dubriciusand Iltutus that they came into Britain at the same time withSt Germanus and Lupus to convert the Britains from the VileHeresy of Pelagius, into which they had been deluded ; and inthe Liber Landavensis, which is a very old and valuable MS wefind it mentioned that Ildutus was by Dubricius made Abbot of achurch called from him Llanildut, so that this church is as earlyas any in the Diocese of Landaff which is older than any otherDiocess in Britain, and can be no less than 1300 years old. ForGermanus (as is agreed among the learned Antiquarians) foundedthe Church and monastery of Llanildut about the year 440, or atfarthest about 450, so that for long standing it should seem thatit surpasseth any other now known in Britain ; unless the ChurchEpiscopal of Landaff may contend for seniority, the certainty ofwhich does not appear ; on the contrary the grant of Lands to themonastery of Ildutus appears to be prior to that of Lands grantedto Landaff, for the grants to Laniltud appear to be from TeudricKing of Morganuc, (Glamorgan) and those to Landaff are by hisson Meuric.
" From the aforesaid Liber Landavensis I gather the accountsthat follow of the monastery and School of Ildutus, and the Abbotsthat governed it. I know not that I have given all their names,or their right succession, I am inclined to suppose that I have not,but I have done what I could.
" This School of Ildutus continued till the time of the NormanConquest at least in its entire state as from the beginning andafter that we find a good school of learning and languages untilthe time of the Reformation, though much decayed from whatit was at first : it had been time out of mind, and in it the latin
218 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
learning, the cannon and civil Law, as well as Logic were taught,about the tenth year of Queen Elizabeth this school was settledat Cowbridge, where it yet remains, much benefitted by goodSir Leoline Jenkins.
" This school while it was at Lantwit was maintained by a portionof the church profits till these were, by the proceedings of thetimes of King Henry the VIII, torn from the Church for ever.To it also belonged the Abbots rents that were sold to one of myancestors, and in whose family they still remain, when these andother incomes of Tythes and pastures were sold the school fellinto decay and soon ceased at Lantwit to the loss of the Placein honour and profit.
" Now as the old School of Ildutus was well-known and was veryfamous and was so well known to have continued till the Normanscame in and after ; and that we know no beginning cf the schoolthat we know very well came to nought at Lantwit in the time ofHenry the VIII, but that it had been from age to age, time outof mind, it may well be believed to have been the remains of theSchool of Iltutus, as the old reports of the place declare it to havebeen, and that when it became poor and little it was not muchtalked of by the learned, or much, if at all, noticed by Historio-graphers, it being so much below the great schools and Universitiesthat were at that time in England. And tho' some say that thebeginning of Cowbridge School was from Llantwit some forty yearsbefore it was settled there by Queen Elizabeth, yet I must be ofopinion that this is dark and uncertain, and tho' the school ofIltitus was for a number of ages the University as it were ofBritain we do not know as well as we might wish when it ceasedto be such or when as anything of a school it came to its decline.
The School of Ildutus is known in old writers by the name ofBovium. . . . '
Reference is made to the tradition in the Glamorgan Observerfor April, 1873 :
" lolo Fardd Glas in one of his works, page 70, speaking ofthe College, Llanilltyd Fawr, goes on stating, ' Robert ab Hamon,a'i dadymchwelodd hi agos yn hollawl, a rhoddodd y tir Perthynoliddi at wasanaeth Mynachlog Newydd, a seiliasai efe yn Tukesburyswydd Gaerloyw, ond gadawodd at Ysgol Llanilltyd Fawr, gymainto dir ag a gynnalai un Athraw a phedwar ysgolhaig ; a symudwydyr Athrofa ardderchog hon, dros ychydig i dref Befered ; acoddiyno i Bontyfon, o'r amser hyny hvd 1568, sef yn amser yFrenhines Elizabeth, pan y daeth yr Athrofa. i fwy o enwogrwyddetc.'
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL 219
"In another MS we find the following remarks relativethereto :
" The College of Llanilltyd under the auspices of St Germanus,and patronised by the King of Glamorgan. The last mention ofits being used as such is in the reign of Henry VIII., when havingbeen deprived of its endowments derived from the Revenues ofthe Church it fell into decay, and was removed to Cowbridge inthe 10th year of the reign of Elizabeth, afterwards permanentlyendowed by Sir Leoline Jenkins, Secretary of State, in the reignof Charles the II. Few institutions can boast of so honourableand ancient a pedigree as the College of Cowbridge."
Having recorded the traditions, we are now in a position toexamine them.
Even from the facts that are well known and most clearlyestablished, the foundation of the school is ascribed to variouspersons.
If we pick up a report of the Speech Day of 1874 it is :" Cowbridge School of the endowment of Sir Leoline Jenkins,Knight."
If we look at Sir Leoline 's will, he refers therein to the " FreeSchool there, lately purchased by me in the names of Trusteesfrom Sir Edward Stradling of St Donat's Castle . . . which yet Ido reckon as of his free gift to the said College & desire he maybe reputed their benefactor and donor thereof . . . '
Then again in Evan Seys's speech in 1618, Sir John Stradlingis addressed : " Can one of my youth attempt your praises, mostHonourable Founder."
We know that each one of these was a Benefactor of theSchool and each one in turn has been the reputed founder of theSchool.
We now have to add from the Nicholl tradition of 1729 thenames of Queen Elizabeth and Henry VIII as well, and shall referto the consideration of the same in its proper place below.
Cowbridge was quite an important place throughout theMiddle Ages, and it is quite unlikely that it had no school withinits walls till the time of Queen Elizabeth. We know again thatsoon after the Norman Conquest there was a religious communityof some sort at Aberthun.
In the ancient Book of Llandaff we find our Aberthun as :" Villa Fratrus super Nadauan," of which some of the boundariesare " Ebirthun . . . Aber epyrthun . . . ' (G.E. Edit. 260.)
It was called Villa Fratrus because " Fratres " were settledthere.
220 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
We have an account of the taxation of a religious communityin the thirteenth century. It comes under " Taxatio temporaliumreligiosorum " in this setting :
Priorissa de Uske xxxij 8 viij d
Fratres de Eberthyn xlix s iiij ob.
Prior Strugull xvjli vij s vj d .
Abbas Tynterne xxxviij li v s .
(Cartae. iii. p. 501.)
" Fratres " is a term which covers a very wide field, as isshown by Ducange, who quotes from the diptych of Bath Abbey :" Fratres interdum inde vocantur qui in ejusmodi Fraternistatemsive participationem orationum aliorumque bonorum spiritualiumsive monachorum sive aliarum Ecclesiarum et jam Cathedraliumadmissi errant, sive laici sive ecclesiastici."
The taxatio was written in the time of Edward I. There is,however, a difficulty here, for it will be noticed that Eberthyn isplaced in a Monmouthshire setting, between Usk and Chepstow,where there is another Aberthun, of which Colonel Bradneywrites : " Aberthyn is where the Berthyn brook enters theStavarney in the parish of Llanbadog near Usk town. Therewas some ecclesiastical foundation here of which I have no record."
There is another reference to these " fratres " in Dr.Gwenogvryn Evans's edition of the " Liber Landavensis " :" Kalendare seu Registrum de decima . . . quarum taxatioexcedit summam sex marcarum . . .
Usk.
ffratres de EVERBECHYN ..."
Dr. Evans gives a facsimile of this word which he writesEVERBECHYN, and it is of such a character that a mistakecould easily be made by a most careful scribe.
The setting in the Taxatio and the Kalendare certainly favoursthe Monmouthshire Aberthun, while the Villa Fratrus superNadauan in the twelfth century Gwysaney MS. of the " LiberLandavensis " favours the Cowbridge Aberthun.
The best solution of the difficulty seems to be that there were" Fratres " at Aberthyn, Cowbridge, and Aberthyn, Usk.
It is quite possible that the " Fratres " of Aberthyn lookedafter the education of the youth of Cowbridge and the neighbour-hood, or perhaps, on the other hand, the monks in the Priory atCowbridge succeeded the " Fratres " in the good work. Howeverthis may be, there are indications that a school was held in thePrior's Tower in the ancient Borough, and that it was connectedwith a religious foundation. After the dissolution of the religious
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL
221
corporations at the Reformation such a school would undergosome changes and would lose whatever religious endowments itpossessed unless a special grant were made.
It seems probable that in the time of Queen Elizabeth or oneof the Tudor monarchs it was re-established on a site whichbelonged to or had come into the hands of the Crown as the result
THE OLD TOWN HALL AND HIGH CROSS (2) (copied from an old painting).
of the dissolution of one of the local religious corporations, andwas re-endowed by Sir Edward Stradling, who had purchased thelands which once belonged to the Abbots at Llantwit Major.
The foregoing are conjectures as to the origin of the School,which is lost in the mists of antiquity, through which, however,we can see, as it were, some headland standing out here and there,but the vision becomes clearer with the dawn of the seventeenthcentury.
" Your Uncle," said Evan Seys, the Dux of the School in1618, to Sir John Stradling, "was determined to place this schoolin the very front & face of this town, that is in that lofty towerwhich is situated in the middle of the market place, and as it werein the passage of all those who come to this market."
222
The site of the market is given in the Cross-keeper's Oath(p. 42) ; the ingress and egress through the North Gate (Surveyof 1630, p. 48 above) and the description of the boundaries inthe grants, together with the position of the field called TowerWalls, being No. 408 on the Llanblethian Tithe Map, and measuring4 acres, 3 roods, and 30 perches, all confirm the position of thisTower as shown on the large-scale Ordnance Sheet.
The following is a copy of the grant of the Tower, dated the26th of Sept. 3 Hen. VII. [1487] :
" Sciant presentes et futuri quod nos dominus Thomas Wenllougcanonicus ecclesie cathedralis Landavensis diocesis ac vicarius deLaneblethiane Johannes West et Robertus Begane burgensis villede Cowbrigge nuper feoff atores Willelmi Pirioure burgenses predicteville de et in omnibus terns et tenementis burgagiis, et dimidiisburgagiis que nuper habuimus ex dono et feoffamento predictiWillelmi Prioure ut jacent in villa predicta tarn infra portas quamextra portas ville predicte quorum mete et bunde patent percartam feoffamenti inde nobis confectam unde nos predicti ThomasWenlloug canonicus Johannes West et Robertus Begane unanimoassensu et consensu dedimus concessimus et hac presenti cartanostra confirmavimus Johanni Thomas filio Johannis ap Jevanap Thomas unam turrem cum omnibus curtillagiis et muris sibispectantibus ut jacent infra muros ville predicte ac eciam unumcurtillagium jacens ex opposite domus modo in manibus RiceiPresent ut jacet proxime curtillagio predicte turns adjacente utjacet inter terram predicti Johannis in parte occidental! et terrampredicti Ricei Present in parte oriental! et altam viam ducentemper medium ejusdem ville in parte australi et muros dicte ville inparte boreali. Habendum et tenendum predictam turrem cumomnibus curtillagiis et muris sibi spectantibus ac eciam predictumcurtillaguim adjacens ut supra dictum est prefato Johanni Thomasheredibus suis et assignatis de capitali domino ville predicte perredditus et servicia prius inde debita et de jure consueta imper-petuum. Et nos vero predictus dominus Thomas Wenllougcanonicus Johannes West et Robertus Begane heredes et successoresnostri predictam turrem cum omnibus curtillagiis et muris sibispectantibus ac eciam predictum curtillagium adjacens ut supra-dictum est contra omnes gentes warantizabimus et imperpetuumdefendemus. In cujus rei testimonium huic presenti carte nostresigilla nostra apposuimus. Hiis testibus Ricardo Present JohanneCoole tune ballivis dicte ville Johanne Ever Willelmo Rogger tunesargientes ejusdem ville David ap Llewelyn Hoell Prenche JohannePeres et multis aliis.
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL 223
" Datum apud Cowbrigge vicesimo sexto die mensis Septembrisanno regni Regis Henrici Septimi post conquestum tercio."
Three seals, all gone. Deed poll.
Endorsed : " Carta le towre de Cowbrigge."(Cartae ii. 228.)
It is evidence of the conveyance by Thomas Wenlloug, Canonof Llandaff and Vicar of Llanblethian, John West, and RobertBegane, who are described as " feoff atores Willelmi Prioure "feoffees of William the Prior or William Prior.
The statutes of Mortmain, which forbade grants of lands toreligious corporations without licence from the Crown, were evadedby the establishment of " feoffees to uses," and, as we should saynowadays, certain persons were made trustees of the property,which vested in them they were the legal owners, if we may bepermitted to apply such a term to real property, and they paidover the proceeds " to the use " ad opus of the religious corpora-tion, which was forbidden by law to hold the property, but protectedby the Courts of Equity as to the benefits to be derived therefrom.
The grant is of one tower, with its curtilage, etc., and it liesbetween the high road which leads through the middle of thetown on the South and the walls of the town on the North.
As we are dealing with property subject to " uses," it issomewhat difficult to trace the true course of events.
In the next transaction of which we have notice it passes toSir Edward Stradling.
" Bond. ... to Edward Stradlinge of St. Donatts Knight . . .20 June. 28 Eliz. 1586.
" Condition. Edward Stradlinge or his assigns to hold one halfburgage called the Priors Towre with all houses etc thereon withinCowbridge town between the lands of the Queen on the East andthose of William Jenkin Esquire on the west the town wall on thenorth and the highway leading through the town on the Southwhich Edward Stradlinge of late purchased from Thomas Gloverof Cowbridge alderman without hindrance by Robert Thomas orJane his now wife or from others for them.
" Signed Robert Thomas
" Endorsed Sealed & delivered to Griffith Williams to the use,
of the worshipful Sir Edward Stradling . . .
" Signed Griffith Williams."(Cartae ii. 361.)
" The Prior's Towre " in this document would prima facie leadus to suppose that the person whom we are seeking to identifywould be William the Prior, an ecclesiastical person, and not alayman whose surname was Prior.
224 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
The lands of the Queen on the East came into the hands ofthe Crown either as a result of the dissolution of Neath Abbeyor of the Chantry of Cowbridge.
" And also they say that our lady the Queen has the rentsof all the other burgages in the town of Cowbridge aforesaidformerly granted to the Abbot of Neath in exchange by Gilbertde Clare, . . . ' (Survey. 12 Eliz.)
Some of these lands were exchanged with Lord Cheny.
I have not been in a position to trace all the documents con-nected with this exchange, and, therefore, there are lacunae in thehistory of it.
The first of them known to me is headed :
" Com' Glamorgan. Terr nup' excambiat p Will'm CountPembr' cum dno r nup' rege Edwardo Sexto ac quondam existenTerr cantar in com' p'd.Reddit et firm' infra villam de Cowbridge."
This document, which is in contracted Latin, is rather longand contains but few particulars which are to our purpose inserving to identify places and persons.
" Reddit sive ffirm' . . . domus ex' Jamiam orientalem . . .in tenure Joh'is Smith ac modo in tenure Je'nn hanney assign'Rob' Davy deput sup' visor d'ne Regine totius South Wall' . . .sub sigillo . . . apud Westm' dat. xxix die Julij Anno regni ma'iiij to ."
It recites the usual covenants in a lease of the period andincorporates in the Latin text the gist of the footnote, which isin English :
" M' d that excepcion be made in the graunt of the p'misses,of all Rents called Burgage rents and Abbots rents payable yerlyout of the lands above said to the Queene's maiesties Bailif of thepossessions of the late monastery of Neath."
There is reference therein to the " domus iuxta fontem . . .nup' in tenura dd payne ac modo in tenur' Jankin Will'ms assignati. . . Robti Davy . . . '
There is also a reference to certain houses or Burgages heldby " Hoell ap Richard."
It is dated xvij die Novembris 1574.
With the exception of the house without the East gate andthe house by the well, we have no other descriptions of the property,except the names of the tenants and the dates of the documentsunder which they were held.
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL 225
It appears that in 1575 there was an exchange of landsin Cowbridge between the Queen and a nobleman of greatestate. The particulars therefor are contained in the AugmentationOffice " Particulars for Grants," No. 2310, Mem. 42, where theconditions of the exchange are set forth.
It was a transaction of considerable magnitude, and theCowbridge property was but a small part " of the lands to bereceaved from the Quenes ma'tie in recompence of the landes ofthe said Lo. Cheny, to passe in the names of John Dudley and JohnAscough Esquiers."
There was to be " a Recognizaunce of ffoure thousand poundestaken by the Lo. Cheny."
The last membrane (No. 2311) contains further particulars of" The exchange betwene the Quene's Ma'tie and the lord Cheyneof Toddington to passe in the names of John Duddeley and JohnAscough Esquiers at the requeste of the said lord Cheyne."
It is dated in April, 1575.
" The value of the landes delyvered to her ma'tie by the saidLorde Cheyne per ann' cccxxxix H iiij B ix d ."
" Thereof there is assured to her ma'tie unto the said JohnDuddeley and John Ascoughe Esquiers by 1'res patents dated thexxx th day of January 1574 . . . '
Among these properties are : " Certen houses landes andten'tes in Cowbridge." (See Additions and Corrections.)
It would appear that the " Commons " of the Town ofCowbridge had some official connection with this trust of whichwe are tracing the origin, for in A.D. 1523 there is a Lease by the" Commons " of the Town of Cowbridge of " Priour is hill."
Several documents connected with William the Prior's trusthave been preserved, and among them are : " Indented Lease by theCommons of the town of Cowbridge to William Prenche ... of. . . land called Priour is hill with wood and meadow, adjacentto the stream called the Thaw on the W. the townlands on theE., Halfpenny mede and Halfpenny lake on the N., and the landof William Bassett, gentleman, now held by Res Mawncell, onthe S. for seventy years at a yearly rent of 20 sh." A.D. 1523.(M.M. vi. 4.)
There are other documents which enable us to identify theproperty and discover the nature of the Trust :
" Sale by Richard Butt and Richard Gwynne of London,
gentleman, to Sir John Carne of Ewenny, co. Glamorgan, Knt
of land called Prior's Hill and wood and meadows between the
stream called the Thawe, and the town of Cowbridge, to be held
16
226
HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
of the Crown as of the Manor of East Greenwich, for 48 and 20sh.rent." A.D. 1608. (M.M. iii. 147.)
" Counterpart of a Lease ... of lands 30 acr. in theparish of St Hilary, called Prior's-hill alias the Lake ..."A.D. 1691. (M.M. vi. 44.)
Prior's Hill is the Lake.
" Acquittances by William Richards, Collector, to the Hon:Sir Edward Mansell, Bart, for Chantry rents at Prior's hill, in theparish of St Hilary, due to the Crown. 1693 to 1700." (M.M. vi.45.)
So, then, Prior's hill is connected with a Chantry, and nowwe find what and where the Chantry was.
In the Record Office there are several documents which throwconsiderable light on the question before us.
Public Record Office. Aug n office. Chantry Certificates.Wales. No. 74. Page 5. Item 18.
f There be certeyne landes and]Ten'ts w'thin the sameparishe belonging to thes'rvice of will'am prior gy vento fynde a prest to say
18. masse for his soole xj " xv
The pishe of ( The yerely valew whereof
Cowbridge over and besides the Quyet whereofRentes as more playnelymay appere by a Rentallexhibeted unto the Court ofthe Augmentac amounteth to.the some of .
Rent Resolut
Stipende ofthe salarie prest
( In rent resolute by yere
vj'
In the stipend or wage of thesalarie prest there, being atall tymes removable by yere vj 11
Et valet ultra clar' p. ann' v 11 xv 8 v d .
The answer /"The said towne is a marketfor the Towne afforsaid I Towne and walled about I iij howselingw'th the nomber of j having iijc howselling people [people,howselling people [w'thin the same J
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL
227
Augmentation Office.Item. 9.
/ The re be wthinp'ishe
Chantry Certificates. Wales. No. 75.
one
11 xv 8 xj dwhereof
the saids'vice called
william prior his s'vicewhereunto there dotheThe p'ishe of / appertayne lands and ten'ts
Cowbrige given to theintent to fynd a
prest for ever and put inffeoffment to the same usebeing of the yerely valew
In the stipend of JohirLyngooe stipendary prestthere of the age ofyeres having none other)sp'uall promocons
penc'o
In the stypend of Ric. ElesClerke or stypendary prestliiij uther by the yere
pence 'o iiij 11
Record Office. Minister's Accounts. 1550 :" for that our Lord King Ed : VI. by his letters patent etc . . .granted unto William Herbert Knt all those messuages &c . . .situate, lying, & being in the town of Cowbridge &c . . . [whichwere] . . . for the perpetual support of one priest celebrating inthe service commonly called William Pryor's Service in the ParishChurch of Cowbridge."
We have proved that the Tower wherein the school was heldbelonged to the Cowbridge Chantry, and we have seen that theVicar of Llanblethian and the " Commons " of the Town hadsomething to do with this Chantry property.
Furthermore, the Chantry priests had something to do withthe education of the youth of the place, for apparently the followinginjunction was nothing new but a re-enactment of a previousobligation : " Item. That all Chauntery Priests shall exercisethemselves in teaching youth to read and write, and bring themup in good manners, and other vertuous exercises." (Injunctionsof Edward VI. 1547.)
It is a well-known fact that the Chantry priest in most placesacted as master of the grammar school.
228 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
Now, who was William Prior or William the Prior ? We findhim first of all as one of the jury in an Inquisitio post mortemon the possessions of Gilbert de Clare, under the name or description" William Pryor," in 1295, but, as I have not seen the original,I am not sure whether William Pryor is the modern equivalent forwhat is in the original, or whether it should be William the Prior.
Arch. Camb. V. vi., p. 69, does not help us as to the spellingor the description. We see him somewhat clearer in a documentdated at Llanblethian in A.D. 1305 : " Carta Nicholai Filii SimonisWaltero Filio Alani," which evidences a grant of lands and atenement in the fee of Llanblethian.
In the attestation we have : " Hiis testibus . . . Willielmole Prior Johanne Longo Ricardo le Nerberd Johanne Conyan etmultis aliis." (Cartae. i. 202.)
Here he is clearly William the Prior.
In the Inquisition concerning Gilbert de Clare's possessions inA.D. 1314 we have : " Alexander le Priour." (Arch. Camb. V.vi. P. 69.)
As this Alexander the Prior attests at Cowbridge in A.D. 1317," Hiis testibus Johanne Longo Alexandra dicto Priore Ricardofilio Stephani clerici Henrico le Nerberd Henrico le Machoun etaliis " (Cartae i. P. 250.), the natural inference is that Alexanderhad succeeded William.
Moreover, a comparison of the attestations shows that ourWilliam was an ecclesiastical person.
In the deed of 1305 William the Prior signs before John Long,and we see that in the deed of 1317 John Long, with Alexander,called Prior, and Richard, the son of Stephen, are described asclergy, and as in the first deed William the Prior signs before theclergyman John Long, prima facie he is a clergyman.
It seems that he has disappeared by A.D. 1317, for JohnLong goes up one and takes precedence of Alexander amongstthe clerical witnesses.
It is, therefore, probable that some time between A.D. 1305and A.D. 1317 there was an endowment established for a serviceat Cowbridge Church left by William the Prior, with a considerableresidue (nearly half), which there are reasons for thinking was heldand administered by the Ecclesiastical and Civic authorities of theTown for educational purposes.
I had some doubts whether a Prior could endow a Chantry,but my Right Reverend friend, Monsignor Hook, tells me therewas no reason why he should not, and that it would have beenlooked upon as a work of piety for him to do so.
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL 229
The Chantry was disendowed at the Reformation, and withit the residue mentioned, and it might well be that Sir EdwardStradling's re-endowment was to replace what had been takenaway.
As we have found two priors at Cowbridge, it would seem tobe not unreasonable to conclude that there was a priory here, andthat conclusion, arrived at independently, is supported by the factthat in the Llano ver MSS., where there are several lists of religioushouses in Glamorgan, that of Cowbridge is found among them.Those lists are printed in the Appendix to this work.
In Llano ver MS. c. 42, p. 527, under Remains of Abbeys andReligious Houses, we have " Cowbridge Priory."
In Llano ver MS. c. 30, p. 47, under Tai Cref_yddol, wheretliirty-one are named, we have :
"7. Y Bont faen priordy,'"and in MS. 43, p. 246, where twenty-five are named, we have :-=
" 17 Cowbridge."
To what Religious Order did it belong ?
On the analogy of Cardiff Priory, it would seem to havebelonged to the Benedictine Abbey of St. Mary of Tewkesbury,to whom the parish churches of the Cure appertained.
As they held Llanblethian, with its Chapels of Cowbridgeand Welsh St. Donats, as well as Llantwit Major with its chapel,it seems reasonable enough that they should place a few monksat Cowbridge to look after their interests and to help them todischarge their spiritual duties to the parishioners. They wereprobably withdrawn for the same reason that the monks at Cardiffwere recalled :
" Prioratus noster de Kerdif, vocatis domum monachis,traditur ad firmam, non tamen ad certum terminum." (Annal.Theokes. Rolls series. P. 65.)
" Our priory of Cardiff was let to farm but not for a termcertain, and the monks called home."
That event happened at Cardiff in 1221, but we find Alexanderthe Prior at Cowbridge as late as 1316 (see p. 228 supra).
Where was it situated ? I do not know.
There seems to be some mystery connected with a sitesomewhere between the West Wall of the Church and the SouthWall of the Town.
It is quite possible it was the site of the Priory, for inthe Charity Commissioners' Report (1897, p. 5) it is said :
230
HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
"... there seems some reason for the supposition that theschool is built upon the site of a monastery at Cowbridge, forthe foundations of cloisters can clearly be seen during a drysummer, defined on the grass of the garden between the schooland the old town wall."
THE SCHOOL AND THE SITE REFERRED TO.
I had arrived at the foregoing conclusions from a study ofthe documents connected with William the Prior's ChantryEndowment, and I am glad to find that the theory which I hadworked out independently is supported by a great authority onthe History of Education.
" Not only secondary but elementary education was providedin the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries in a much more generalway than ever before.
" An important and probably the most general class of thesewere the Chantry Schools. Chantry foundations the gift ofproperty to support a priest in return for prayers for the soulof the benefactor and of his family, or for certain stipulatedpurposes were the most common form of benefactions to theChurch during the later Middle Ages. Thus it happened thatfoundations for priests existed beyond all demand for parochialservice ; as the religious services required by the foundations
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL 231
could occupy but a small portion of time, it became customaryto stipulate that such priests should teach the children of thecommunity.
"... It no longer occurs that these schools are controlledby monastic teachers, for aside from the mendicant orders, themonks have largely ceased their general educational activities.
" With the coalescing of the guild organization and the earlymunicipal government, these schools along with many of theparish schools mentioned above, became in many communitiesthe burgher schools. Such schools were largely controlled andsupported by secular authorities. . . . They were often taughtby priests, though lay teachers became more and more numerous.. . . Clerical inspection was yet almost universal, and the Churchthrough the scholasticus or some other episcopal officer or eventhrough the parish priest, sought to extend its jurisdiction overboth these types of schools." (Monroe, A Text-Book in the Historyof Education, 337-339.)
With the coming of the Reformation the old school at Llantwitdeparted and the property from which it derived its sustenancewas sold to Edward Stradling. This property was called WestLantwit or Abbot's Lantwit, and was granted by the King toEdward Stradling and Elizabeth, his wife, for 183 13s. 9d. Itcomprised the Manor of Lantewyte, late parcel of the possessionsof the late monastery of Tewkesbury, tithes, woods, reversions,and rents. In the grant it is stated that " the grantees mayconvert to their own use the tithes of La Moyse and the WaterMill as the abbot had done and may hold Court leets, . . . andmay have fines, amerciaments, assize of bread, wine and beer,free warrens &c as the abbot had done . . .
" Witness the King at Walden. 30th Aug. (1543)."(Cartae iv. 502.)
We have the " Inquisitio post mortem " of Edward Stradlingein 1580 (Cartae iv. 549) and the grant of Livery to Edward Stradlinghis son, in 1584, with an annexed Indenture : " In possessione.Manerium de West Lanwytt alias Abbott Lanwyt cum suispertinentiis . . . ' (Cartae ii. 359.)
Now this Edward Stradlinge who inherits the Abbot's landsat Llantwit from his father (who had purchased them from theCrown) is the same person to whom the half-burgage called thePrior's Town in Cowbridge was conveyed in 1586, " which EdwardStradlinge of late purchased from Thomas Glover of Cowbridge,alderman."
232 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
The Stradlings did not take very kindly to the Reformation,and it might well be that Edward Stradling, as the inheritor ofthe monastic property at Llantwit, thought it was his duty tocarry on the educational work that had been done by themonks.
Moreover, he might have thought Cowbridge a more convenientcentre than Llantwit Major, especially if an old foundation atCowbridge, despoiled of its revenues by the dissolution of theChantries, had been allowed to fall into decay.
However, Sir John Stradling, his nephew, was not contentwith William the Prior's Tower, and resolved to remove the schoolto the place where it now stands, surrounded " on one side by theChurch & sanctuary of God Almighty, & on the other by thetown walls & ramparts."
The evidence of the Conveyance of the site is extant and isendorsed : " Coolye's deed upon the schole house to Antho. Gr.[I Regis Jacobi]."
" Sciant presentes et futuri quod ego Edmundus Coolye deLanblethean in comitatu Glamorgancie tailor pro certis pecuniariisconsiderationibus dedi concessi et hac presenti carta mea confirmaviAnthonio Griffithe de Cowbridge in comitatu Glamorgancie predictomercer totum ilium toftum jacens et existens infra villam deCowbridge predictam ac totam illam parcellam terre eidem toftoadjacentem continentem per estimationem dimidium unius acresive plus sive minus cum omnibus suis juribus et pertinentiis.
" Que quidem premissa omnia jacent insimul inter cemetriumibidem ex parte orientali muros ville predicte ex parte australi etunam strateam ibidem vocatam Roode Street ex parte occidentali.
" Habendum et tenendum predictum toftum et parcellamterre eidem tofto adjacentem predictam cum omnibus suis juribuset pertinentiis prefato Anthonio Griffithe heredibus et assignatissuis imperpetuum at propriun opus et usum ipsius Anthonieheredum et assignatorum suorum imperpetuum de capitali dominofoedi illius per redditus et servicio inde prius debita et de jureconsueta et per metas et bundas illic ab antique limitatas etcognitas.
" Et ego vero predictus Edmundus Coolye et he redes meipredictum toftum et predictam parcellam terre cum pertinenciisprefato Anthonio Griffithe heredibus et assignatis suis et formapredictis ad proprium opus et usum predicti Anthonie heredum etassignatorum suorum contra omnes homines warantizabimus acper presentes imperpetuum defendemus.
" Datum decimo septimo die Decembris anno regni domininostri Jacobi Dei gratia Anglie Scotie Francie et Hibernie Regis
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL 233
fidei defensoris &c. videlicet Anglic Francie et Hibernie primo etScotie tricesimo septimo.
" In cujus rei testimonium hiiic presenti carte mee ego predictusEdmundus Coolye sigillum meum apposui.
" Endorsed Sealed and delyvered and livery of seisin wasexecutid on the xxiiij th day of December in the presence of thesevidelicet Roger Button.
" Witnessed Christopher Corrocke, Griffith Grono, DavidPortre, Edward Bonvill, Thomas Proutinge." (Cartae ii. 378.)
Not many years after the school was established on its presentsite, Sir John Stradling visited it, and a Latin oration was deliveredby Evan Seys, then a boy at the school : " Haec oratio habitaest 23 d Sept. 1618 a Discipulo meo Evano Seys."
The Seyses, who were a very old Cowbridge and Bovertonfamily, sent many sons to Oxford. In the Alumni there are somefifteen of them between 1500 and 1714. Our Evan Seys is thereindescribed as of Glam. gent. Christ Church matric 1621 aged 17,of Boverton. Bencher of Lincoln's Inn 1652. Sergeant-at-law1649, recorder of Gloucester. M.P. for co. Glam. 1659. M.P. forGloucester 1661-81. His will was proved in 1682.
The Latin text of the speech is printed in full in the Arch-Camb. for 1854, and the copy, which was preserved at Codriglan.bears the words : " The oration is in the handwriting of Richardsof Coity the Lexico-grapher. J. M. T."
It will be sufficient to quote only that part which refers tothe site of the school from the original Latin. (Arch. Camb. II.v. 182-186), and from the English, version at greater length :
" Statuerat Avunculus tuus in ipsa hujus Urbeculae frontevultuque, hoc est, in Turre ilia sublimi, quae poene in Foro nedio,et quasi in ipso Transitu omnium ad mercatum hue advenientiumconstituta est, hunc Ludum Literarium collocasse . . .
" Tu, inquam, qui prae egregia tua in omnium Liberaliumartium studiis scientia Musas non amare sed odisse Celebritatem,scolas a coetu et Frequentia Hominum non solum abhorrere, sedetiam Recessum et solitudinem quaerere, tanquam unguiculos tuoscognovisti, scholam hanc nostram a medio Foro, in hunc tarnidoneum et opportunum Locum, ubi nos, hie a Dei Opt : Max :sanctuario, illinc a moenibus Urbis, undique propemodumcircumclusi esse videamur, non modo transtulisti et fundasti,sed . . . '
" If I though a youth were but master of so much eloquenceand could express myself in such a manner as were equal to the
234 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
joy and pleasure wherewith we the scholars of this school andthe whole body of the burgesses of this town have our heartsfilled upon your arrival here this day, most honoured Sir, andmost excellent Ladies, I dare presume I would acquit myself sohandsomely on this occasion as to make you confess that no manever made a more complete or eloquent speech, or one that wasmore pleasing and agreeable to you. . . . Can one of my youthattempt your praises, most Honourable Founder a gentleman inwhom all the endowments of nature, art, and virtue shine forthwith such a lustre, that no one hath such a vein of wit, noneabounds with such copiousness of expression as may seem ableto set forth the least part of your character suitably to yourdignity and merit. . . . 'Tis now ten years since Sir EdwardStradling, your uncle of blessed memory . . . had resolved tobuild a Free School in this town, and to endow it with a salary,to the end that youth might be better instructed in the rudimentsof grammar, being therein instructed that they might be moreeasily formed to good manners, being so formed might happilyimbibe the precepts of our holy religion. But before he hadfinished his intended work, he died, not without great advantage,as it happens, to this school.
" For when that most prudent old gentleman had, manyyears before, made you, by his last will, the heir of his whole estateand of his most large possessions, and had, but a few days beforehis decease, when he was lying sick abed, in words only, recom-mended to your care and trust the full finishing and ending otthis so holy and pious work, you, such is the frame of your mind,such your conscience, such your honesty and good disposition,have, to your praise and the eternal glory of your name, finishedand perfected that work which was begun, and left imperfect,and that you have done with greater care, attention, and diligencethan if you had been thereto firmly bound and obliged by deeds,bonds, obligations, and all kinds of instruments. Your unclewas determined to place this school in the very front and faceof this town, that is in that lofty tower which is situated almostin the middle of the market place, and as it were in the passageof all those who come to this market. But as ' no scholar wellcan learn, no master teach aright where noise rings in their earsboth day and night/ you who have dipped yourself all over inthe Castalian spring, and therefore well know that these sayingsof the poets, ' The muses solitude and ease do seek/ ' Studentslove lonely groves and shun the towns/ are no less true than ifthey were pronounced by an Oracle. You, I say, who for yoursingular knowledge and learning (For a proof of which I call
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL 235
to witness your own works first, your epigrams which are mostabundantly fraught with pleasantry, genteel and sprightly turns,smart touches, and witticisms, and all the graces and charms otpoetry, then that little book of yours concerning the Contempt ofLife and Death, which is indeed a manual that deserves to be ineverybody's hands, and which it becomes and behoves all goodChristians who are careful for their soul's salvation to read andstudy well by day and night ; lastly, your accurate and excellenttranslation of ' Justus Lipsius's Constantia,' which you made fromLatin into. English within the space of 35 days.) You, I say,who for your extraordinary knowledge in the studies of all theliberal arts, know perfectly well that the muses do not love, buthate to be where there is much company, and resort, and thatschools not only cannot endure a throng and multitude, but alsoseek retirement and solitude, have not only removed this schoolof yours into this convenient and commodious place where it isbuilt, where we seem to be encompassed in a manner on everyside,on one side by the Church and Sanctuary of God Almighty,and on the other by the town walls and ramparts, but also havebeautified and adorned it very greatly with all things necessaryto our studies, to wit with tables, books, Latin dictionaries,Greek lexicons, and also with a very large square field where wemay unbend our minds when tired with study, and refresh themwith honest bodily exercise and moreover have enriched andendowed it with a salary of 20 a year, and with a very pleasanthouse adjoining, designed for the master of this school.
" One thing I was like to have passed over in silence, whichit had been extreme folly and ingratitude to have omitted to wit,that you, after you had understood that our master was aboutto teach us, in the first class, ' Caius Julius Caesar's Commentariesof his Wars in Gaul,' did send hither to us, of your own accord,out of your own library, ' The Theatre of the World ' I meanAbraham Ortelius's Maps a very scarce book indeed, and whichcan hardly, if at all, be bought at the price of ten pounds : whichmaps if we had not had before our eyes, that we might see in them,as in a glass, the space and distance of places, the situation andposition of cities, mountains, rivers, and of other things whereofthere is mention made everywhere in the history, we could neverhave understood the true sense and meaning of the history, eventhough we had got the most curious and nice interpreter ; butnow, having Ortelius before us, we see and behold at one viewCaesar's Tripartite Gaul, the Belgic, Celtic, Aquitaine, and thebounds and divisions of each of them, and also all the exploitsand achievements of Caesar himself, as if we were actually present
236 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
upon the spot. These are some of your numberless benefactions,which I must forbear to recount one by one, since
' Through such a train of boons if I should run,The day would sooner than the tale be done.'
Wherefore, lest I should incur your displeasure by my tedioustalking, I shall act discreetly, and pass over the rest in silence. . . .
" Hear our master himself giving you thanks for thesewords, which I further add, are our master's, who by me thusaddresses your Honour
" As much thanks as a servant ought to give to his master,a vassal to his lord, a client to his patron, so much thanks for somany and so great kindnesses of yours to me do I your servant,your vassal, your client give you, most learned knight, nay, thehonour and ornament of knighthood and learning, my most kindmaster, my beneficent lord, my most indulgent patron, for asmuch as you have set me over this auditory, truly so called, andconferred on me the mastership of this school founded by younot long ago, and because you have been pleased to come andvisit this school of yours to-day, accompanied with such mostncble retinue."
SIR LEOLINE JENKINS.
Boys of Cowbridge School have for many generations beeninterested in the story of the most distinguished old boy of theSchool Sir Leoline Jenkins. His " Life," written by Wynne, andpublished in two volumes in 1724, is such a large work 1448pages that few would have the industry and patience to read it,and it deals chiefly with his career as a great public man.
The story of his life could be told from many points of view :Scholar, Principal, Jurist, Ambassador, and one of the greatestauthorities on the International Law of his day.
His letters in the Bodleian, on Education, would form alarge treatise on that subject.
In addition to the foregoing he was one of the most distinguishedstatesmen of his time and filled the high office of Secretary ofState.
Few men, indeed, have had such a varied, successful, and, wemay add, romantic career.
The tradition at Talygam is that he was born in a housecalled the Brachty. His father has been described as " an honest,
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL
237
prudent, industrious man of about 40 a year," which, perhaps,would represent ten times that amount in modern money, and,what is more, he was acute and intelligent enough to see thathis son, Llewelyn, or Leoline according to the Latinized andAnglicized form of the name, had the best education which itwas in his power to give him.
SIR LEOLINE JENKINS, KNT., LL.D.
It is related of young Leoline that in his morning walk toschool he would take off his shoes and stockings and walk bare-footed, washing his feet in the Croft Pool before putting them onagain. He would also rouse up the cattle in the fields on frostymornings in order to warm his feet in the place where they hadlain.
Such a method of foot-warming, so the Rev. W. F. Evanstells us, obtained among local lads at much later times, and is noevidence of his poverty, as some have taken it to be.
238 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
Of his school life we know but little, and what is told us byWynne is only this : " The first Essays and Foundation of Mr.Jenkins's future Learning was laid at Cowbridge School, very nearthe Place of his Birth, and even then no inconsiderable School.. . . Here it was that he laid the Foundation of that knowledgeand accuracy in the Latin and Greek Tongues, to which he after-wards arrived, and by his great Industry and Proficiency in allParts of Learning which that Place afforded, gave an early Assur-ance to his Friends of those excellent Fruits which he afterwardsbrought forth." (P. ii.)
Old Judge Jenkins, of Hensol, took an interest in this pro-mising boy, and in a letter which he wrote from Wallingf ord Castle,when confined there as a prisoner for his loyalty to the Royalcause, recommended him as a person worthy of his care to theprotection of Dr. Wilkins, at that time Warden of Wadham College,and afterwards Bishop of Chester.
But Leoline himself seems to have been of the opinion thathis advancement in life was not due to the patronage or favourof the great, for in the choice of his motto, Vigiliis et virtute, whichhas become the motto of the School, there is an indication that heregarded virtue of mind as the only true nobility, and that hewas beholden more to his own perseverance and industry thanto any favours he had received.
When he was sixteen years of age he proceeded to Oxford,and was admitted a member of Jesus College in 1641.
His career, like that of so many young men of our own time,was interrupted by the war, for Leoline went to fight for the King.
At the conclusion of his military service he returned toGlamorgan and was engaged as tutor to Sir John Aubrey's sonat Llantrithyd, which was a place of refuge for persecuted Royalists.Here he became acquainted with many eminent men of the timeDr. Frewyn, Archbishop of York, and Dr. Sheldon, afterwardsArchbishop of Canterbury.
He remained Dr. Sheldon's life-long friend, and was appointedby him to some of the most important offices in the Church.Sir Leoline drafted the Conveyance of the Sheldonian Theatre tothe University of Oxford, and, as the Archbishop's official, deliveredan important charge to the clergy of the Diocese of Canterbury,which is printed in Wynne's " Life," and is well worth reading.
There is in the Bodleian Library an account of some of theexciting things that happened to Leoline during his sojourn atLlantrithyd, in his own handwriting, so it is said. The " YoungMan " referred to therein is none other than Sir Leoline himself.
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL 239
The account centres round Dr. Mansell, Principal of JesusCollege, who was expelled therefrom by the Puritans. It statesthat he took up his residence at Llanthrithyd [We know thatDr. ManselTs brother was Anthony Mansell, "of lantrythed."Llano ver E. 4.], which " afforded him the conveniency of a moreprivate retirement and of having several young Gentlemen ofQuality, his kindred under his eye, while they were taught andbred up by a young man [Leoline Jenkins] of his College thathe had chosen for that employment.
But this retirement (which he was very well pleased with)lasted not long undisturbed by the Rebell Souldiery that quarteredupon the county under Major-General Buttler (as men then calledhim).
For the doctor's very grave and pious aspect, which shouldhave been a protection to him among salvages, was no other thana temptation to those (who reputed themselves saints) to act theirinsolencies upon him. Once meeting him in his walk, they tookhim for an old priest (as they called him) and searched his pockettfor letters ; another time they came to Llantrythyd House, and abarbarous crew of them, not contented to deride him openly tohis face for his Canonicall Habit (which he constantly wore) andfor his using the Liturgy in Publick twice a day, which he neveromitted, among the young Schollars in the House, they fell a-searching for Common-Prayer Books and finding about a dozenof them in the Parlour where he used to officiate, they pleasedthemselves hugely with making one blaze of fire of so many books ;but, which was yet more barbarous, they layd hands on hisperson, and one Clements a Farrier (by trade) but a Preacher byProfession, ript and toare his Canonical Cassock about him, thatit dangled from his girtle downwards in so many small threadsor thongs as made them greate sporte."
The MS. goes on to relate that they " carried away the YoungMan prisoner for the better dispersing of his Schollars, which wasa Reformation they principally aimed at in this affront upon theDoctor. And the Young Man being soon after endited at theQuarter Sessions 'for a seminary of rebellion and sedition,' hewas forced to forego his County, and at the Doctor's directionremoved with his Schollars to Oxford, where he settled at MrWhite's Town House. This was in May, 1651, and our Principallfollowed September after, partly out of a longing to be near hisbeloved College, and partly out of a regard to the Young Schollarswho settled at Mr White's."
It would be interesting to know more of what happenedwhen Sir Leoline was at Llanthrithyd.
240 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
There is a local tradition that degrees of the University ofOxford were conferred there after the Royalists were expelledfrom the University.
It seems to be an arguable proposition that Holy Orderswere conferred there, as it was one of the most important resortsof the persecuted bishops of the time.
Did Sir Leoline ever take Holy Orders ? The proposition isdiscussed by Wynne, who comes to a negative conclusion on anopinion expressed by Sir Leoline, that an Admiralty Judge mightbe required in -the execution of his office to hear and determinea capital charge and pass sentence of death, which a clergymancould not well do. But the wording of the opinion is not expressedin very positive terms, and in his opinion itself Sir Leoline showsthat clergymen had been appointed to Admiralty jurisdictionnotwithstanding the objection. The probability is that Sir Leolinein his judicial capacity was never called upon to pronounce sentenceof death, and if he were in Holy Orders and had been called uponto do so he would have resigned his office.
Though Wynne is of opinion that he never took Holy Orders,yet he says that it seems to have been his intention to do so, andhis inclinations were that way, but for some reason or other, perhapsowing to the distressful state of the clergy at the time, he didnot do so.
But from what we know of Sir Leoline 's character, I do notbelieve that such a motive would have deterred him ; he knew wellhow to endure hardship, and self-denial was certainly part of hisreligion.
There are two other points to be considered.
If the fact of his being in Holy Orders would handicap himfor his high office in the Admiralty, would not the fact of his notbeing in Holy Orders be quite as much of a handicap for hisFellowship and Principalship at Jesus College, especially as he wascareful to provide in his will that the fellowships founded by himshould only be filled by men in Holy Orders ?
Then again he bequeaths to Talygarn Chapel in his will thechalice which he used at Nimeguen when he was Ambassadorthere.
With regard to the Principalship, Sir Eubule Thelwall wasPrincipal (1621-1630). He was a Knight. I know not whetherhe ever took Holy Orders.
In my time at Cambridge (1893-96) the question was discussedas to whether a clergyman could be made a Knight, as he was" Sir " already. It arose out of the case of the Master of Caius,who was in Deacons' Orders and had been or was about to be
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL 241
knighted for his good work in connection with the Volunteermovement in the University.
Every Bachelor of Arts in the University of Cambridge isstill officially styled " Dominus," a relic, perhaps, of the timewhen, instead of John Jones in Holy Orders being described as theReverend John Jones, he would have been called Sir John Jones,from his being Dominus John Jones. Apart from this, severalclergymen in virtue of certain royal decorations are Knights,such as the Archbishop of Canterbury, ^C.C.V.O., though BishopRyle and Dean Inge are described as C.V.O.
The late Bishop Boyd Carpenter was a K.C.V.O.
There was a local knight whose career was in many respectslike that of Sir Leoline, for he, too, was a great Lawyer and anAmbassador. He, too, was knighted, arid if it were not for afamily document that has been preserved we should not haveknown that he was in Holy Orders. There is nothing to markthe fact in his epitaph any more than in that of Sir Leoline," Edwardo Carno . . . Equiti aurato, iurisconsulto, oratori . . . '
The document referred to is an indenture between Hoel Carneand certain feoffees for the settlement of the Carne Estate, and isdated 8 Aug. 28 Hen.' VIII. 1536.
' . . .Ac pro defectu . . . integre remaneant EdwardoCarne clerico et heredibus etc ... Et post decessum mei prefatiHoeli ad usum Richardi Carne filii mei senioris et heredibus, etc,in perpetuum. Et pro defectu, etc, ad usum Edwardi Carneclerici et heredibus, etc . . . ' (Cartae iv. P. 467.)
Such was Sir Edward Carne, of Ewenny, a Knight thougha Clerk, but not generally known to be such.
The fact of his being called Sir Leoline from receiving thehonour of knighthood is not at all decisive against his being inHoly Orders.
As for his chalice, perhaps Sir Leoline 's words do not necessarilyimply that he used it as priest or deacon.
Whether he was in Holy Orders or not must be left an openquestion, as the evidence is not decisive either way.
His charge to the Diocese of Canterbury reads as though hewere, but there are many things to be said on either side of thequestion, and Wynne is by no means decisive in his opinion thathe was not.
It was A.D. 1651 when Leoline Jenkins returned to Oxford,and there he was engaged in a confidential capacity oncommunications between the staunch Royalists.
It was, no doubt, on account of this that he was suspected bythe Puritan party and looked upon as a dangerous man, and when
17
242 . HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
his patron, Dr. Wilkins, left Wadham for Trinity College, Cambridge,Leoline considered that Oxford was no longer a safe place forhim, and took his pupils overseas.
He remained on the Continent for five years, travelling withhis pupils in France, Germany, and Holland, acquiring meanwhilea knowledge of several languages and devoting himself to thestudy of Civil Law.
Shortly after his return to Oxford he was elected Principalof Jesus College, and filled several important positions in theUniversity, and was moreover " like the celebrated Juris Consultiamong the Romans not only in his great knowledge of the law,but also like them freely and without reward gave his opinion inall cases put by the State."
He was sent to France in connection with the property ofQueen Henrietta Maria, and did his work so well that he receivedthe honour of knighthood for it from his sovereign, Charles II.
In 1670 he was one of the Commission to negotiate for Unionwith Scotland ; M.P. for Hythe, in Kent, in 1671 ; representedEngland at Cologne and other places ; Ambassador Extraordinaryat the Hague ; M.P. for Oxford University ; sworn a member ofthe Privy Council ; and became Secretary of State in 1680.
Sir Leoline showed such modesty in his speech and deportmentthat with those who knew no better it was sometimes taken tobe to his disadvantage. Thus, when he was in France, one ofthe French Courtiers, more forward and conceited than the rest,asked him in what place or county he was born. To which SirLeoline answered that he was a Cambro-Briton. But the French-man, still at a loss, wished to hear some of the language of theplace, so our countryman answered him (so Wynne prints it) :" Nid wrth y big mae adnabod Cyffylog : which is a Welch Proverb,signifying, that [the Goodness of] a Woodcock was not to be knownby his Bill." (P. Ivi.)
Once when he returned to visit the Vale after a long interval,he was invited by several gentlemen of great estate in the neigh-bourhood to take up his quarters at their houses, but he declinedall such offers and contented himself with a lodging, though buta humble one, in his father's own house.
Sir Leoline was a constant attendant at the daily servicesof the Church and strictly observed all the Fasts and Festivals.His learning and piety were such that on the death of his friend,Archbishop Sheldon, it was commonly reported that he was tobe the next Archbishop of Canterbury. This certainly favoursthe supposition that he was in Holy Orders.
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL 243
There is a pretty story told of him and Sir William Templeas illustrating his piety.
When they were together at the Hague, at the conclusion oftheir Embassy, Sir William sent a message to the Princess ofOrange asking leave to receive Holy Communion the next dayin her Chapel. Her Highness gave orders to her chaplains tomake all things ready. " For, though I am persuaded," she said," he does not intend it and by the morrow will bethink himselfof some business or excuse, yet my Lord Ambassador Jenkins, Idoubt not, will be there, though he has not sent so formally to me."
His body was embalmed and taken from his house at Hammer-smith to Oxford, where it was met by the principal membersand officers of the University and the City, and conducted to theSchools, where the Vice-Chancellor, the Bishop of the Diocese,and the whole body of the University were ready to receive itand placed it in the Divinity School.
Two days after, at a large gathering, his memory wassolemnized in a Latin oration by the Public Orator, and his bodywas deposited in the Area of Jesus College Chapel.
A marble stone was placed over his grave, with the followinginscription, supposed to be the words of his old friend, Dr. Fell,Bishop of Oxford and Dean of Christ Church.
DepositumIllustrissimi Viri Domini Leolini Jenkins,
L.L. Doctoris, & Equitis Aurati,
Admiralitatis Angliae, & Curiae Prerogativae Cantuariensis Judicis,
Ex Serenissimae Regiae Majestati a Sanctioribus Consiliis.
Ille Lantrissantia Silurum honesta familia natus,
Literis a prima juventute liberaliter imbutus,Et Collegio Jesu, in Universitate Oxoniensi admotus,
Egregia illic edidit optimae indolis specimina :
Donee ob fidem Regi praestitam, Democraticorum furoribus proscriptus,Solum vertere, & in Galliam secedere cogeretur.
Academia vero una cum Principe restituta,
Collegii Jesu Socius, mox Praefectus renunciabatur,
Deinde Legationes crebras, Augustissimi Regis Caroli nomine,
Feliciter administravit.Primum ad Regem Galliarum missus,
Postea Coloniae, nee non Neomagi, pacis Europae sequester,
Finitimorum undique Principum bella sopivit :
Nee minus domi quam foris utilis,
Secretarius Status Primarius,
Conjuratorum per Angliam molimina
Vigilu's suis detexit, consiliis dissipavit.
Demum missione honorifica ab indulgentissimo Principi donatus,
Secessum petiit, ut Deo & Aeternitati unice vacaret ;Viribusq ; quas in publica commoda impenderat, exhaustis ;
Et morbo divtino confectus,
Sanctissimam Animam Deo reddidit
Sept. 1. Anno M. DC. LXXXV. Aetat. LXII.
244 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
Tumulum sortitus, ubi prima Literarurn tyrocinia posuit,
Eo in Collegio, quod vivus patrocinio fovit,
Moriens vero haeredem scripsit,
Et tantum non denuo fundavit.
To Sir Leoline is due that very close connection of the Schoolwith Jesus College, Oxford, which has existed since his days andis principally owing to his generosity and munificence. There was,of course, some connection before his provision for the School.Jesus College had always been the Welsh College at Oxford sincethe time of its foundation, and Sir Leoline himself found his waythither.
In his will, dated the 20th June, 1685, he devised to theprincipal, fellows, and scholars of Jesus College, Oxford, a certainschool and school-house, with yards, garden, and orchard, in thetown of Cowbridge, commonly known by the name of the " Free-school," lately purchased by him of Sir Edward Stradling, ofSaint Donat's Castle, Baronet, which yet he reckoned of the freegift of Sir Edward to the college, and desired he might be reputedtheir benefactor and donor thereof.
There was a charge on his estates so that the master was tohave 10 per annum, besides the use of the School and School-houseand appurtenances free, he being appointed by the principal ofthe college and allowing five pensioners of the School their teachingand schooling gratis.
" ... To five scholars . . . pensioners in the said school6 a piece ... to be nominated by the schoolmaster and approvedby the principal. ... To three of such pensioners as were fitfor the University and settled in the said college, an exhibitionof 10 for four years, in case they were not in the mean timeelected to a scholarship of the house or fellowship in the saidcollege."
There was another 10 a year to the schoolmaster " for hisschooling and teaching of ten youths, the most towardly in hisschool, to be named and selected by him out of the said townof Cowbridge and the neighbouring parishes, being the childrenof such who are not well able to pay for their schooling."
Then there was an endowment for certain fellowships, scholar-ships, and an exhibition at Jesus College, where first respectshould be had caeteris paribus to those bred at Cowbridge School.
There are many other provisions, which are far too long toquote in a work of this character. To this day the School isdeeply indebted to its most distinguished son for his lovingforethought, care, and munificence.
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL 245
From time to time there have been fierce contentions as tothe due share which Cowbridge School should receive from hisendowment. In the Town Clerk's office there is a large file ofcorrespondence, in which the Rev. M. P. Williams, AldermanThomas Rees, Sir Hussey Vivian, Lord Selborne, Sir John Rhys,and Dr. Harper took part, besides reports of debates in Parliamentand leading articles in London newspapers, all dealing with thisquestion.
The records of the later religious controversy have beenliterally reduced to pulp.
All these now belong to
Far-off unhappy things and battles long ago ;
for the Grammar School has now become a grant-earning schoolunder the government of a Board which consists of membersnominated partly by Jesus College, Oxford, and partly by theGlamorgan County Council.
The present Governors of the School are :
Representing Jesus College, Oxford :Dr. Hardy, Principal of Jesus College.
Mr. G. H. Genner, M.A., Senior Tutor of Jesus College, Oxford.Rev. Canon D. T. Griffiths, M.A.Professor W. J. Gruffydd, M.A.
Representing the Glamorgan County Council :Sir Thomas Mansel Franklen, Knt., Hon. LL.D.Miss E. P. Hughes, M.A., Hon. LL.D.County Councillor Thomas Jenkins.Rev. G. M. Llewellyn, M.A., B.D.Mr. W. W. Leigh, J.P., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P.Rev. L. J. Hopkin James, M.A., LL.D., F.S.A.
Though it is helped very largely from public funds, everyeffort is being made to carry on its traditions and increase itsusefulness.
It is intended that its classical traditions arid its close con-nection with Jesus College, Oxford, should be maintained, aswas provided for by Sir Leoline's will.
It is said that the Jenkins family of Cowbridge, now repre-sented by Alderman Lewis Jenkins, are of the same stock as thegreat jurist, and there is a striking facial resemblance of someof their members to the painting of Sir Leoline which graces thestudy of the Headmaster of the School, and bears the inscription :
246 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
Effegies Leolini Jenkins Equitis Aurati,Restitutorisq : hujusce Scholae
Qui humili loco natusOb eximiam laudem et diligentiam Coll : Jes : apud Oxon :
Pauper Scholaris receptus est.
Mox cum fidelissimo quoque erga regem expulsus,
ibidemq : restitutus, non longo post magno omnium consensus
Principalis electus est.Deinde consiliarius Regis factus, Legatus Gennaniam missus,
Operam Reipublicae maximam navavit,
Ubi fato concessit, oratione publica Laudatus
Ab Universitate (quod raro contigit)
Publice Sepultus est,Calebs mortuus totam rem familiaremad Jes : Coll : denuo fundandum devovit.Hoeret mens pietatem doctrinam liberalitatemne viri maxime miretur
Requiescat in pace.Tu facito me a cum matura adoleverit oetas.
The School has in its possession an autograph letter of SirLeoline's.
It is addressed :
" A MonsieurMons r Le ChevalierBulstrode ResidentPour S M. de La GrandBretagne a la Cour de
Brusselles."Endorsed :
" L d Amb r Jenkyn. July14:
7b/'
and reads :
" Nimeguen T 4 4 July .76"Sir
This is onely to advise you of Sir W m Temple's arrivall hereon Sunday last ( T 2 ^) in the evening. How far this may quickenthe motion of yo r Plenepotentiaries this way, I know not. onelyI thought this little line of notice not improper together with theAssurance of my beingSir
Yo r most humble
faithfull servt
L. Jenkins."
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL 247
In the Llanblethian Registers there are two references toSir Leoline's memory :
" Sir Leoline Jenkins Knight D r of Lawes Judge of his MajestiesCourt of Admiralty and prerogative principal Secretary of StateTo King Charles ye 2 d and one of his majesties most HonourablePrivy Councell
Caused in his Life time a faire marble stone to be Layed overThe Bodies of his Deceased parents who lye Buried in This Churchyard of Lanblethian
He also gave y e tenor Bell belonging to this steeple And allsotwenty pounds per annum for ever first twenty-pounds everyfourth yeare to the severall parishes of Lantrisant Lanblethiantowne of Cowbridge and ye parish of YstradowenTo be Distributed amongst ye poore pf these severall parishes :by The schoolmaster of y e towne of Cowbridge as he shall think fitThe first advising with y e minister of those severall parishesconcerningBut ye Determining power to Remaine in him ye s d schoolmaster.
Blessed is the man that considereth the poore :The Lord will deliver him in time of troubleHe h?th dispersed abroad, he hath given to the poore,his Rightousness Endureth for ever.
Marke ye perfect, and behold ye upright, for ye end of y*man is peace. . . .done by Richard Lewis."
" In the Year 1764. A monument was erected in memoryof the Parents of Sir Leoline Jenkins at the Expence of JesusColledge and in gratefull Memorial of Benefits received fromSir Leoline. Thomas Pardo D.D. then Principal.
William Miles. Vicar of Lanblethian at that time."
In the porch of Llanblethian Church stands the gravestoneof Sir Leoline's father, with the lettering scaled :
Heere Lyeth
The Body of len
[KYN] LEWN. DEASEA
[SED] THE. XIX. DAY I
[of Januajry. IN ANNO
[DOMJINI 1666.
248 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
ME[WN H]eddwch yGo[rwedd]af. ag. yrH[unaf ca]nys Ti. AR[glwydd a wjney. imi[drigo me]wn[heddjwchEvan Edward : Mayson : Dec :The : IX : Dayof Dec : B
1676
LIFE IN COWBRIDGE SCHOOL IN THE EIGHTEENTH
CENTURY.
Sir Thomas Franklen, of St. Hilary, has in his possession anumber of MSS. written by his ancestor, the Rev. Daniel Durell,when Headmaster of Cowbridge School from 1721 to 1766. TheRev. W. F. Evans, late Headmaster, having perused them all,wrote two most interesting articles in the Bovian for June, 1917.The MSS. cover the period 1721-1763.
In 1730 the buildings were in a bad way " the end wall ofthe Schoolroom has given way one and a half foot, and we arenot very safe." Boarders were taken in by the townspeople at10 a year, and 13 was the inclusive fee for the School House.A gentlewoman, Mrs. Taynton, looked after the boys, but therewas no place for them to eat except in the kitchen, so Durell builta boys' room on the waste ground between the School and thetown wall, 24ft. by 14ft., with two chambers and a garret.
The holidays in the summer began at the end of May andlasted for four weeks, with another break at Christmas.
In 1730 he was annoyed at the attention paid by Jack Williams,son of the Rev. Thomas Williams, of Abercamlais, to Mrs. Carne'sdaughter, whereupon Master Jack confesses " that he had talkedwith her through the surgery window and had walked down tothe Mill and back with her, but had only talked on trifling mattersand nothing of love."
Charles Redwood, whose father kept a hatter's shop in thetown, gave the Headmaster much trouble. He had been dis-obedient, and as the Headmaster told the boys that he wouldhave reparation made equal to his insolence Master Redwoodtook the hint and did not return to School.
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL 249
From time to time stones rattled down the tiles and the boyswere in danger of having their brains knocked out. Redwood andyoung Powell, of Llandow, were seen breaking the School windows.
" I went to Dr. Bates, the Baily, to have Redwood boundover." All this was explained to Dr. Pardoe, the Principal, notto prevent his admitting Redwood to College but to frighten hima little by keeping him in suspense, and to have a good effect onthe boys, " who from the evil communications they have in thistown are in danger of being corrupted. They too are injured,it being a custom from time immemorial to spair the windows.Twice again stones rattled on the roof, but it was not Redwood'sdoing but that of the rascals of the Town."
The books read by the upper classes were the Iliad, Hesiod,Paterculus, Quintus Curtius Anacrean, Virgil, Horace, and Juvenal.There is no mention of mathematics.
In some years as many as nine boys went up to Oxford.
A Hebrew class was held on Sundays for the house boardersand any who chose to come. One afternoon two boys askedpermission to attend Divine Service at Llanblethian instead.They did not go, however, so they had as an imposition towrite the iv th Commandment, one into Greek verse and the otherinto Latin.
One of the Ushers, Mr. Jones, took the service at Coychurchas well, where Durell was Rector, but, of course, non-resident.Mr. Jones obtained the living of St. Hilary, and was replaced bya graduate, Mr. Hoare, probably the gentleman who afterwardsbecame Principal of Jesus College, Oxford.
On the death of his wife, in 1737, the Headmaster gave upkeeping boarders and sent " the Welch " to lodgings in the town.Those were the days when there were frequent visitations of thesmall pox and when no care seems to have been taken to isolatethe patients. It came to the Headmaster's house, and both hisdaughter and his nephew, Tommy Durell, had it.
Dr. Bates came frequently from Cardiff to Cowbridge in thosedays and his fee was a guinea a visit x a considerable sum at thattime.
Tommy's invalid time-table seems very quaint to us after alapse of nearly two centuries and some progress in therapeutics :"In ye morning about 7 o'clock Tommy drinks in bed half-a-pintof cow's milk as it comes warm from ye cow, mixed with half-a-pintof snail decoction & stays in bed about an hour. About 9 he eatsa Porringer of bread & milk. About half-an-hour after 10 hetakes his electuary with a glass of Spaw water. About 12 he ridesaccording as the weather permits. At dinner he eats pretty hearty
250 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
of veal or mutton, chicken, rabbit and pudding, drinking milkand water or a little red wine & water. About half-an-hour after4 in ye afternoon he again has his electuary and Spaw water.About 7 he drinks cow's milk & snail decoction. After 8 eats asmall bit of bread & cheese or butter. At 9 or a little after hegoes to bed after taking his Bolus and a small glass of Pearl julep.Between meals a bit of plain cake or a Cowbridge biskit. Now& then he hath a small glass of jelly made of ye calf's feet, witha shaving of Harts Horn."
The number of pupils at the School at this period was fromseventy-four to sixty they were gradually going down, one reasonbeing that the gentry complained that the boarders mingled withthe town boys.
The Headmaster appears to have been from time to timevery angry with " Ye Rascals of ye Town " who maltreated someof his boys. Moreover, the local folk, so he complains to thePrincipal of Jesus College, Oxford, sent their sons to schools inthe neighbourhood kept by curates who had seen neither Universityand did not know as much as boys in his second class.
The window tax referred to above (p. 102) seems to have givenhim some trouble. He writes to inquire whether Free Schoolsare liable, for, if so, he would have to pay for forty-five windows.
"THE GOLDEN BOOK" OF THE SCHOOL.
This old book, which contains some of the best contributionsof the boys of the School, was instituted by the Headmaster aboutA.D. 1723. The title on the cover is :
DelectusEpigram :Themat :
and on the first page inside is inscribed :
Ex Dono
Johannis Turbervil ArmigeriHujus Scholae olimScholaris, 1723.
John Turberville, Esq., the donor of the book, was the sonof Edward Turberville, Esq., of Llandow. He matriculated atJesus College, Oxford, in 1709, when seventeen years of age, anddied without issue.
The book contains the work of James Robotham, JohnPettingall, Alexander Purcell, William Edwards, Edward
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL 251
Humberstone, Peter Hopkins, Jo: Nicholls, William Harris, JohnRichard, William Morgan, Jestin Apgwrgan Williams, CharlesCarne, Dent Da vies, Matthew Gregory, John Lougher, Jos. Hoare,Robert Howells, John Alexander, John Jones, David Durel,Thomas Williams, Francis Taynton, and Carolus Clark, who isdescribed as " Scholae Bov. Dux. 1864."
Taken together, when we follow the careers of these boys,they show a record of which any school could be proud.
James Robotham was the son of John Robotham, of St. Mellons.Matriculated Jesus College, Oxford, B.A. 1728, and was Vicar ofBassaleg in 1729.
John Pettingall was the son of Francis Pettingall, who wasVicar of Christchurch, Mon., in 1713. He matriculated, JesusCollege, Oxford, 1724-5, aged 17. B.A. 1728, M.A. from Christ'sCollege, Camb., 1740. He was preacher at Duke Street, West-minster, Vicar of Christchurch, Mon., Prebendary of St. Paul's,London, 1757, and D.D. He died in 1781.
Alexander Pur cell was a son of Emanuel Purcell, of Cowbridge,pleb. Jesus College. Matriculated 1724-5. Aged 18. B.A. 1728.M.A. 1733. Rector of Stoke Wade and Handford, Dorset, 1742.The Bishops' transcripts have a record : " 1735. Burial. Feb. 1 1 .Mr. Emanuel Purcell."
William Edwards, son of Phil. " of Mich Stone y Veddow," co.Mon. cler. Jesus Coll. matric. 1723^t. Aged 18. B.A. 1727.M.A. 1730.
Edward Humberstone I have been unable to trace.
Peter Hopkins, son of William Hopkins, of Cheriton, co. Glam.cler. Jesus Coll. Matric 1722. Aged 16. M.A. 1726.
John Nicholls. B.A. Jesus Coll. Oxford. Rector of Sully in1732, Rector of West Ham, Sussex, and was known as " ParsonNicholl or Black Jack."
William Harris, son of William Harris, of Loughor, cler. JesusColl. Matric. 1724-5. Aged 18. B.A. 1728.
John Richard was the son of William Richard of " GrandCaroan " (sic). This sounds like Llancarvan. " There is evidentlya mistake in the registers or in recording the same in AlumniOxonienses." The record proceeds : " co. Glam. pleb. JesusColl. Matric. 1723. Aged 18 : B.A. 1726."
There is, however, another John Richard, son of James Richard,of Llanblethian, pleb. Jesus Coll., matric 1732. Aged 24. B.C.L.1747. D.C.L. 1758.
Which is the John Richard of the " Golden Book " ?
Jestin ap Gwrgan Williams, by the sound of his name, seemsto have been a member of the Aberpergwm family.
252 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
Charles Came was a son of Edward Came, of Nash, andmatriculated Jesus Coll., Ox., 1724-5. B.A. 1728. M.A. 1733.Rector of St Athan in 1734 and of St Mary Church in the sameyear. Rector of Llanmaes 1740. Canon of Llandaff. JohnWesley said of him that he was well received everywhere exceptby the aristocratic Rector of St. Athan, the Rev. Mr. Carne.
Dent Davies was a son of Griffith Davis of Monmouthshire,pleb. Jesus Coll. Matric. 1730. Aged 17. B.A. 1733-4. M.A.1736.
Matthew Gregory, son of John Gregory of the Isle of Jamaica,arm. Christ Church matric. 1728-9. Aged 15. B.A. 1732.A Richard Gregory was Vicar of Llanblethian in 1717.Jos. Hoare was a son of Joseph Hoare of Cardiff . . . pleb.Jesus Coll. Matric 1726-7. Aged 18. B.A. 1730. M.A. 1733.B.D. 1741. D.D. 1768. Principal of Jesus College, Oxford, untilhis death.
Robert Howells was a son of Robert Howells of Newton co.Pern., gent. Matric Pembroke Coll. Oxford. 1729. Aged 18.B.A. 1733.
John Alexander, son of Amyce Alexander of the Isle of Jersey,pleb. Pembroke Coll. Ox. Matric 1737-8. Aged 19. B.A. 1741.David Durel was a nephew of the Headmaster : he ran awaytwice from School, had small pox, & gave his Uncle considerabletrouble. In spite of it all he attained a distinguished position,and his record is : " Son of Thomas Durel of the Isle of Jersey,arm. Pembroke Coll. Matric. 1747. Aged 17. B.A. 1750. M.A.1753. Hertford Coll. B.D. 1760. D.D. 1764. Principal ofHertford 1757-75. Vice Chancellor of the University 1765-8."
Thomas Williams we have already met with as Minister ofthe Town of Cow bridge, and we shall come across him again asHeadmaster of the School.
Francis Taynton was a son of Nathaniel Taynton, of Cowbridge,gent. Jesus CoU. Matric. 1748. Aged 18. B.A. 1753. M.A. 1756.Vicar of Farley, Kent, at his death in 1794.
The last entry to date in the " Golden Book " is the addressto the first Archbishop of Wales, which is printed in the " Itinerary "below, and the book, as it is in 1922, closes with the text of HisGrace's reply, recorded ir the excellent penmanship of A. L. Hopkin :
Archiepiscopus Cambrensis
Scholae BoviensisAlumnis Salutem Dicit Plurimam
Cum vestras acciperem litteras vel maxime gavisus sum, quippequi olim puer Scholam Boviensem cum admiratione intuerer
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL 253
nonnullosque Graeca Latinaque peritissimos scholae vestraealumnos et Collegii Jesu mecum commensales memoria meacustodiam.
Maxime autem me affecit laetitia quod ex litteris vestris nonminus peritos hodie inesse discipulos et studia liberalia apud vosadeo florere cognovi.
Vos ergo oramus ut quibuscumque eritis in terns vetustamfamam Scholae Boviensis semper servatam illustretis.
Magister vero vester, vir doctissimus, velim ferias nondimidiatas vobis bene merentibus benigne concedat.
A.D. VIII KAL. DEC. MDCCCCXXI.
THE SCHOOL AND THE WAR.
During my undergraduate days at Cambridge we used tosee a venerable and stately figure here and there in that seat oflearning. It was Mr. Latham, the Master of Trinity Hall, whowas supposed to be the best authority in the University on twosubjects which are not usually considered in the same connection,viz., the Angels, and Stocks and Shares.
Many of his sayings are current in the University, and oneof the best is that of advice to an undergraduate, " If you wantto make an ass of yourself always insist on acting on principle."
The principle I have before me in this work is as far as possibleto confine it to what is embraced by the term " Old Cowbridge,"but there must be a few exceptions.
Not the least among the traditions of the School will be theWar Service of its sons, who responded nobly to the call for theirvalour.
To the exertions of the late Headmaster, the Rev. W. F.Evans, M.A., is due the beautiful window erected in CowbridgeChurch to the memory of those who fell. The window was dedicatedby the Right Rev. Joshua Pritchard Hughes, D.D., Lord Bishopof Llandaff, who preached a sermon on the occasion which willbe remembered by all who were privileged to be there.
The mural tablet at the side of the window bears theinscription :
In Memoriam
Alumnorum Scholae Boviensis quiPro patria militantes morte praeclarissimain vitam sempiternam iniere
MCMXIV MCMXIX
254
HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
Henry J. BallingerEdgar A. BoucherMorgan DavidBasse tt J. Da viesCharles B. DaviesPercy R. DaviesFrancis W. DunnHugh A. DunnJohn C. DunnGuy W. EatonJames T. EdwardsMorton W. EvansCyril C. GriffithsHenry C. HumphreysJohn HybartRoy JenkinsDewi H. JohnRussell KeysWilliam LaneCharles E. Leyshon
Gwilym LougherWilliam MorganHarold O. MoynanHenry J. OwenDavid C. Parry DaviesRichard C. PhillipsRoland G. PopkinW. L. Tom RhysArthur RichardsArthur W. SavoursDevereux ScaleDavid R. SpencerJohn A. StockwoodThomas ThomasRonald WallJohn H. WattsMorgan A. WattsHerbert D. WilliamsJohn L. Williams
Hanc Tabulam et Fenestram juxta PositamStatue runt Amici.
SOME DISTINGUISHED SONS OF THE SCHOOL.
The records of the School were badly kept before the adventof Thomas Williams in 1863, and we have very little to guide usin an attempt to form a list of distinguished alumni.
Several such will be found in other sections of the book.
Had the masters preserved the names and some of the workof their best scholars, as Durel preserved them, for a period, inhis " Golden Book," we should have been able, perhaps, to followtheir careers.
Of Durel's scholars, as we have seen, not a few became dis-tinguished men in their generation, and there is no reason tosuppose that the boys of that generation were more brilliant thanof any other.
It gave such a training to its scholars that, in the words ofthe University Bidding Prayer, they became many of them menof eminence duly qualified to serve God in Church and State.
There is no record that the School has produced a Bishop,though one at least of its old boys has said Nolo Episcopari,
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL 255
or a theologian of eminence, though throughout its long historyit has always acted as a " feeder " to the ministry of the Church,and a great number of its scholars have become from time totune dignitaries of high standing in the Church.
It seems to have excelled in turning out boys who becamelearned in the law and jurists of eminence, many of whom heldhigh judicial office, amongst them Sir Leoline Jenkins, Evan Seys,and Sir John Nichol.
In my opinion we must add to these the names of Sir EdwardCarne, of Ewenny, Judge Jenkins, of Hensol, and FrancisGwynn, of Llansannor, Secretary of State to Queen Anne.
It has sent out many a boy who became, hi after life, headof a college at Oxford. Four at least of the Principals of JesusCollege have been connected with the School Sir Leoline Jenkins,Dr. Hoare, Dr. Charles Williams, and Dr. Harper.
David Durel became Principal of Hertford College in 1757and Vice-chancellor of the University in 1765.
There was a tradition that three Cowbridge boys were Headsof Houses and Contemporaries at the University. We are certainof two of them.
Charles Williams, third son of Dr. William Williams, Masterof Cowbridge School, Scholar of Jesus College, 1824, B.A. 1829,Fellow 1829-45. B.D. 1837. D.D. 1858. Principal of JesusCollege 1858, and Hon. Canon of Bangor 1857 until his death in1877.
Evan Evans, son of David Evans, of Cardiff, gent., matriculatedJesus College, Oxford, 1831, aged 18. Pembroke College B.A. 1835.M.A. 1838. D.D. 1878. Fellow of Pembroke 1843-64. Tutorand Senior Dean, Vicegerent 1851. Master of Pembroke 1864,Canon of Gloucester 1864, and Vice-Chancellor of the University1878-1882.
When Evans was elected Master the choice was supposed tolie between him and the other tutor, and a college wag on theoccasion wrote some bantering lines, of which the last were :" We won't have Evans at any price,And as for Price, O 'Eavens ! "
He used to be called when he was master, " The Eavensabove us."
The historian of Pembroke College says that he was verypopular with the undergraduates, who called him " the old man,"and that he was frequently to be seen in the cricket field and onthe college barge.
Prebendary G. L. Hodgkinson, a cricket " Blue," tells apretty story of him :
256 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
" In 1857 I was asked to play for Oxford, and was in for myviva voce in Smalls on the very day of the match. What was Ito do ? I consulted the Dean.
Evans : Well, ah have you, ah, a marriage in the family ?
Hodgkinson : No, Sir ; I am afraid not.
Evans : Surely you can arrange a christening ?
Hodgkinson : I am afraid not, Sir.
Evans : What, not even a funeral ?
Hodgkinson : No, Sir.
Evans : Well, then, I suppose we must tell the truth.Whereupon the Dean put on his gown, walked off to the Vice-Chancellor (Sewell of New College), told him the difficulty, got mepermission to go in first day for viva voce, and so I was able toplay. Ever after that Evans was my fast friend."
The fine Examination Schools at Oxford were built duringhis vice-chancellorship (1878-1882), and the scene sculptured onthe outside, that of a degree ceremony, preserves in the stone-work the features of Doctor Evans, the Vice-Chancellor. There isalso a portrait of him in Pembroke College.
He died at the age of 77 on 23rd November, 1891.
There was another Cowbridge boy who was Head of one ofthe Halls at Oxford, and it is said that Dr. Sewell, Warden of NewCollege, was also from the old School, though we know of noevidence to support the tradition.
Of the Fellows of Jesus College, most of them who came fromthe County of Glamorgan and of those there are some fifty or soin Dr. Hardy's book must have received their education atCowbridge School.
We have traces left of a few of them on mural tablets andgrave-stones in Cowbridge Church :
"... John Lewis B.D. late Fellow of Jesus College, Oxford,Son of Richard and Mary Lewis of this Town, died 29 Feb. 1814.Aged 44."
(See Gentleman's Magazine. Ob. notice of 25th Feb., 1814.)
John Cole, Fellow, 1818-1830. He matriculated Jesus College,Oxford, 1789. Aged 17. B.A. 1790. M.A. 1796. B.D. 1803,and was the son of John Cole, of Cowbridge, who died in June,1789. Aged 59.
John Walters, Junior, Fellow of Jesus 1783-1785, was a sonof John Walters, the lexicographer. He was born at Llandough,educated at Cowbridge School, matriculated at Oxford in 1779,was elected to a Scholarship at Jesus, appointed a Sub-Librarianat Bodley's Library in 1780, published a volume of poems, electedFellow of Jesus, appointed Headmaster of Ruthin, Rector of
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL 257
Efenechlyd. He published an edition " of Roger Ascham'sToxophihis and was Poet Laureate to the Society of Royal BritishBowmen. We have seen above (p. 184) that he acted for a shorttime as Curate of Cowbridge with his father after the death ofthe Rev. Thomas Williams, B.D.
William Thomas was also one of Durel's pupils and camefrom near Margam.
He proceeded to Oxford, in due course took his M.A., waselected Fellow of Pembroke College and Tutor later on. He wasa Celtic Scholar, learned in Oriental languages, Chaplain to LordVernon, and Chancellor of the Diocese of Llandaff.
There is some account of him in the Gentleman's Magazinefor 1800 (pt. 1, p. 489).
" Rev : Robert Williams, M.A., Fellow of Jesus . . . died atMadeira. 1822," eldest son of Dr. Williams, Master of theSchool.
"... Robert William Howell, M.A., Fellow of Jesus College,Oxford, son of the Rev. Rees Howell M.A. for some years Curatein Charge of this Parish, by Harriet Anne his wife daughter of theRev : William Williams D.D., bom at Llanblethian June 27, 1830,died at Llantrisant Rectory, Anglesey, Aug. 23, 1880."
Dr. Richard Price, the great philosopher of the eighteenthcentury, was an alumnus of the School.
The freedom of the City of London was conferred upon him.In 1769 the University of Aberdeen made him D.D. In 1763 hewas elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, and in 1783 the Universityof Yale honoured him with the degree of LL.D.
George Cadogan Morgan, a nephew of Dr. Price, was anotherdistinguished alumnus.
An account of this distinguished man of science will be foundin the Monthly Magazine for November, 1798. He contributedmuch to the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society.
Sir John Nicholl, D.C.L. 1785. M.P. 1802-33. King'sAdvocate General. Judge of the Prerogative Court of Canterburyand Dean of Arches 1 809-34. Judge of the High Court of Admiralty1833-8.
William Howells, or Howels, was the son of Samuel Howells,of Penlline, Glam., gent., and matriculated at Wadham College,Oxford, on 3rd April, 1800. Aged 19. He was born at LlwynHelyg and eventually became curate of Llangan during the rector-ship of the Rev. David Jones. There he continued till Mr. Jones'sdeath, 1811, when he removed to London and served as curate tothe Rev. W. Goode till 1816, when he became Incumbent ofLongacre Episcopal Chapel and a great preacher. His sermons18
258
HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
SIR JOHN NICHOLL, KNT., D.C.L.
became widely popular and a volume of them was published in1834. His remains were interred at Trinity Church, Islington,where there is a tablet to his memory.
His brother, Capt. Jonathan Howells, fought in the PeninsularWar.
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL 259
John Nichol, son of Whitlock Nichol, of the Ham. B.D.,Rector of Remersham, born 1743, ob. at Cowbridge 1830 ; m. MaryFlower, d. of Henry first Lord Ashbrook. (Limbus Patrum. 422.)
Iltyd Nichol, D.D., rector of Treddington, b. 1743, ob. 1787.(Limbus Patrum. P. 422.)
Iltyd Nichol was Fellow of Jesus 1765 to 1780. Son of JohnNichol, of Llanmaes. Jesus Coll. Matric 1756. B.A. 1770.M.A. 1773. He was " Senior Portioner."
Edward Thomas, Fellow of Jesus, son of John Thomas, ofPenllyne. (Limbus Patrum. 549.) Jesus Coll. Matric. 1758,aged 18. B.A. 1761. M.A. 1764. B.D. 1772.
Sir Lewis Morris, the poet ; John Griffith, Fellow and Tutorof Jesus College, a mathematician of European fame ; and D.Thomas, Fellow of Trinity, one of the most brilliant mathematiciansin the University, were old boys of the School.
Mr. C. M. Talbot, of Margam, took great interest in the School,as, according to his statement, nearly all the friends of his youth,the men of standing in the County of Glamorgan of their time,had been educated there men of the class represented by DeanBruce Knight, Mr. Bruce Price, of Duffryn (father of the first LordAberdare), the Nicholls and the Games, soldiers of the type ofGeneral Tyler and General Owen Jones, and commercial magnatessuch as the late Mr. Arthur Gilbertson.
Not least among the many distinguished clergymen who laida good foundation for their education in Cowbridge School werethe archdeacons well known to many of our readers, the brothersCharles and Frederick Edmondes, and Thomas Williams.
TWO NOTABLE BROTHERS.
Dr. John Owen, Bishop of St. Davids, has given us some interest-ing character sketches in a series of articles which were publishedin Welsh in " Y Llan and Church News," in 1921, and among themappears one under the title, Two Notable Brothers those brothersbeing two old boys of the School Charles and Frederic Edmondes.
Charles G. Edmondes was Professor of Latin at Lampeterwhen the Bishop went there in 1879, and was a son of CanonThomas Edmondes, Incumbent of Cowbridge, and his motherwas a sister of Dr. Charles Williams, Principal of Jesus College.
Charles was one of the best classical scholars of his day andcame second for the Hertford Scholarship, which was consideredto be the blue ribbon of the University for Latin. When at Oxfordhe was a bosom friend of Dr. Jowett and Lord Bryce, two men whowere eminent for their learning.
260 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
In 1873 the Bishop placed himself under the tuition ofMr. Robert Howell (an old boy of the School and step-brother toCharles Edmondes) at Llanerchymedd, and this fact, combinedwith the kindness of his uncle, Dr. Charles Williams, perhapsaccounted for the warm welcome which John Owen received fromCharles Edmondes to Lampeter College, and resulted in a friendshipwhich the Bishop describes as a great privilege.
The Bishop described him as princely in manners and deport-ment, manifesting in all his doings refinement of spirit, never inhaste to state his opinions, which always carried with them greatweight.
As a disciplinarian he was quiet and strong, but the studentsrecognized the greatness and tenderness of his heart, and therewas nothing they enjoyed more than an invitation to spend anevening at his house, where his geniality was seen at its best.
He was a loyal Welshman. At a dinner party where therewere some distinguished guests certain disparaging remarks weremade about Welsh characteristics. He said nothing, but arose,and in a becoming manner bowed his head, to show that he sharedthe reproach.
In 1882 he accepted the living of Boughrood, in Radnorshire,but he had not been there long before Bishop Basil Jones, whoknew his worth, persuaded him to become Archdeacon of St.Davids in place of Bishop Lewis, who had been appointed to theSee of Llandaff.
So he moved to the Parish of Warren, in Pembrokeshire, wherehe remained till he was recalled to Lampeter as Principal of theCollege on the resignation of Bishop Ryle.
It was a great loss to the College when, for reasons of health,Principal Edmondes had to resign his office in 1892 and take thecountry living of Stackpole Elidor, in Pembrokeshire. He wasnot there for long, for his health failed, and he fell asleepcomparatively a young man.
The Bishop describes him as one of the finest sons of Walesof the last century.
His body was laid to rest in Cowbridge Churchyard withthose of his fathers.
Of Frederic Edmondes the Bishop has very little to say,except that he often sat on Church Committees with him andrespected his judgment greatly on every matter.
For years he was a pillar of the Church in the Diocese ofLlandaff, and possessed the fullest confidence of both BishopLewis and Bishop Hughes.
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL 261
His counsel was always greatly appreciated by clergy andlaity alike.
There are monuments to the two brothers on either side ofthe Madonna Window in the Chancel of Cowbridge Church.
" In memory of Charles Gresford Edmondes, M.A., J.P.,Archdeacon of St. David's and Principal of St. David's College,Lampeter. Born 8th December 1838. Died 18th July, 1893.Eldest son of the Revd. Thomas Edmondes M.A. Honorary Canonof Llandaff. Also of his only son Charles Gresford Irving EdmondesJ.P. Major in the Glamorgan Yeomanry. Born 15th January 1870.Died 24th February 1911."
" In thankful and loving memory of Frederic WilliamEdmondes, second son of Canon Thomas Edmondes of this placeand Harriet Anne his wife, formerly Rector of Coity and Archdeaconof Llandaff, who died aged 78 on Nov. 10th 1918. Hemarried Constance Sarah Knight of Nottage Court. Thistablet is erected by their daughter Constance Mary Clay andgrand- children Constance and Frederic Hood."
The Edmondes family is now represented by Mr. ThomasEdmondes, of Old Hall, Cowbridge, a graduate of Christ's College,Cambridge, grandson of Archdeacon Charles Edmondes, while theclerical traditions of the family are being ably and worthilymaintained in the person of the Reverend Frederic Hood, Librarianof Pusey House, Oxford, and Examining Chaplain to the LordBishop of Monmouth.
ARCHDEACON THOMAS WILLIAMS.
Thomas Williams was both a native of the Town and an oldboy of the School. From the School, where he was Dux, hisscholastic attainments won him the position of a Demy of MagdaleneCollege, Oxford a Demy being a " superior " sort of scholarhalf a Fellow.
He was a courteous and cultured gentleman and eventuallybecame Archdeacon of Merioneth.
When he passed away in A.D. 1906 his old friend, Sir T.Marchant Williams, wrote the following beautiful verses to hismemory :
Ni fu erioed ar ddaear hiwrRhagorach gwr na'r hwn sy 'nawr
Fan yma'n huno.Os ceisiodd Angau cyn ei bryd,Fe wyddom oil mai Gwyn ei fyd :
Ni raid in' wvlo.
262 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
Nid taflu'r arfau 'lawr a wnaethA ffoi, gan adael cledd a saeth
Yn nwylo'r gelyn.
Diflannu wnaeth y nerth o'r fraich,Ac yntau syrthiodd dan ei faich
Yw hyn i'w erbyn ?
Ei gofio 'rwyf ar lannau DawSy'n troelli'r ffordd i'r m6r gerllaw
Rhwng dolydd breisionA thrwy y dref ddidwrf, ddidro,Sydd linyn aur ar fynwes Bro
Morganwg, dirion. '
'Run oedd ef ym moreu'i oes,Cyn iddo deimlo pwys y Groes
Ar ei ysgwyddau,
A'r 'ffeiriad gerddai'r ffordd i'r Ne',Heb droi i'r aswy nac i'r dde,
I ochel rhwystrau.
Nid lliw y wisg, ac nid ei llunA'i denodd ef, ond Duw Ei Hun
I'r maes ysprydolOs enwog oedd fel Person plwyf,Yn enwog oedd am yni a nwyf,
A naws crefyddol.
Ei ddysg oedd eang, dwfn, a choeth ;'Roedd ynddo ddefnydd Esgob doeth,
A phe gallasai
Gydnabod hawl uchelwyr gwladI uwch-reoli " Ty ei Dad,"
Esgobaeth gawsai.
Cymerodd groesffordd at y beddYn or-awyddus oedd am hedd
Y byd tragwyddol.Dinoethwn ben na farnwn efNid ydyw agoriadau'r Nef
Mewn dwylaw dynol.
I
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL 263
HEADMASTERS OF COWBRIDGE SCHOOL.
There were many Headmasters of Cowbridge School beforethe Restoration of Charles II, and it would be very interesting toknow who were the headmasters of Evan Seys and Sir LeolineJenkins.
From 1662, however, we have the succession almost if notquite complete.
In an Act Book of the Bishop of Llandaff (found after thepublication of the others) we have a declaration :
" Eode' die Augusti 1662.
I David Lloyd clerke Master of Artes and Rector of Newton Nottageand Schoole master of Cowbridge doe declare that it is not Lawfullupon any pretense whatsoever to take armes against the Kingand that I do abhorre that traiterouse position of takeing armesby his authority against his person or against those that arecommissionated by him, and that I will conforme to the liturgyof the church of England as it is now by law established, & I doedeclare that I doe hold there his noe obligation upon me or anyother person from the oath commonly called the Solemne Leagueand Covenant to endeavour any change or alteration of Governmenteither in church or state, and that the same in itself e was anunlawfull oath and impose upon the subject of this realme againstthe knowne laws and liberties of this Kingdome.
Dav : Lloyd."
1662. David Lloyd. Matriculated in 1651 at Jesus College,Oxford, B.A. 1654, M.A. 1659. (Alumni Oxon.)
1669. David Watkins. Jesus Coll. matric. 1664. Aged 18.B.A. 1667. M.A. 1676.
Vicesimo tertio die Aug. 1669, Ego, David Watkins, A.B.,admittendus ludimagister in Villa Cowbridgia, subscribo [&c.].
David Watkins.Admitted Deacon 1670.Priests' Orders 1670.Rector of Llanmihangel 1670.(Llandaff Records hi. 32, 42, 43, 44.)
Writing of the School in August, 1684, he said : " There havegone out of the Schule yearly for these 12 years past half-dozenScholars, for a private Country Schule compleatly instructed :I doubt not with God's blessing but it may continue to send outthe same or greater number for the tune to come." (Hardy.Jesus College.)
264 HISTORY OF OLD COWBR1DGE
He continued Master till at least 1698, for in the Ash. MSS.,1817, b.f 203 in the Bodleian, there is a letter from David Watkinsfrom Cowbridge to Ed. Llwyd, dated Jan. 4. 1697/98.
1703. Thomas Richards. 8. 8 bris. 1703. Ego, ThomasRichards, jam admittendus ad exercendum officium ludimagistriintra villam de Cowbridge, subscribe [&c.]. T. Richards(Llandaff Records iii. 205.)
1704. Robert Powell. Jesus Coll. Matric. 1696-7. Aged 16.B.A. 1700. Fellow of Jesus 1702-1707. 30 mo 9 bris. Ego RobertusPowell, clericus, A.B., jam admittendus ad exercendum ofnciumludimagistri intra villam de Cowbridge, subscribe [&c.]. RobertusPowell. (Ibid. iii. 207.)
He was a son of Edward Powell, of Llysworney, and JoanMiles, his wife. He married Susan, daughter of Robert Williams,of Llantwit Major.
Rector of Sully 1711. Vicar of Llantwit Major 1721.
1721. Daniel Durel, son of Tho. Durell, of Jersey, gent.Pembroke Coll. Ox. matric. 1711. Aged 17. B.A. 1715. M.A.1718. Fellow of Jesus 1718-1722. Rector of Coychurch co.Glam. 1724. Preb. of Clyro (St. David's Diocese) 1730. Canonof Llandaff 1743. (See Foster's Index Eccl. and AlumniOxon.)
He married Susan Powell, heir of Llysworney, at Flemingston.Their daughter and heir, Susan, married John Franklen, whosedescendant, Sir Thomas Mansel Franklen, Knt., LL.D., possessesa number of Durel MSS. Amongst the Durel MSS. is what purportsto be a copy of a petition to be sent to Dr. Pardoe, Principal ofJesus College, concerning the Headmaster's conduct. It showshow, in the time of the late Master, Mr. Powell, there were fromsixty to 100 boys at the School, who brought to the town by wayof boarding and clothing over 1000 a year, but now, owing toMr. Durel's infirmity, the numbers were reduced to ... [blank].It was alleged that he treated the boys in a childish, whimsical,and capricious fashion and had forfeited their respect.
Although a clergyman, he is charged with not having beento church for years except on one occasion when the Bishop visitedthe town, but at the time of Divine Service went out " a airing,"used bad language, not only to the boys but on other occasions,and treated the sons of rich parents with more consideration thanthose of the poor, giving to them the exhibitions held in the School.It concludes with the formula, " Your petitioners then beg," &c.Then there follows a note at the foot : " Sir, this is sent youby a well-wisher, who thinks it will be more prudent for you toresign and prevent this remonstrance being signed by the inhabitants
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL 265
of the town and neighbourhood, and being sent up to the Collegeand your whole behaviour inquired into."
It was, however, not signed, and was probably sent merelyto frighten the old man.
Durel died in A.D. 1766.
A large number of Durel's scholars appear to have gone toPembroke College, Oxford, where there were considerable advan-tages for natives of the Isle of Jersey, of whom Durel, himself aJersey man, had always some with him at Cowbridge, thoughwe find some of his Welsh boys proceeding thither also.
King Charles the First had established Fellowships at Pembroke,Exeter, and Jesus for natives of Guernsey and Jersey, and Dr.Morley, Bishop of Winchester (in whose diocese the ChannelIslands were), founded five scholarships in 1678 at PembrokeCollege for such natives, to be nominated by the Dean, Bailiff,and Jurats of either isle.
In all probability many of these scholarships at Pembrokewere held from time to time by those Jersey boys whom Durelhad educated at Cowbridge School.
One of the most brilliant of these was David Durrel, theHeadmaster's nephew, who proceeded from Cowbridge to PembrokeCollege, where he obtained a Fellowship, became an Orientalscholar and Biblical critic, and in 1757 Principal of HertfordCollege. During his Vice-Chancellorship he expelled six Methodiststudents of St. Edmund's Hall. When at Pembroke he had ashis contemporaries Jonathan Williams, a learned Welsh divine andantiquary, William Newcome, afterwards Archbishop of Armagh,and John Moore, who became Archbishop of Canterbury.
Gentry in all parts of South Wales sent their sons to CowbridgeSchool, and in the Bishop's transcripts we have two entries in1729 of some misfortunes which befel them :" Burials
Mr Roger Prosser son of Mr Prosser of Breconsh. a scholarof Cowbridge School. Oct : 10.
W m ye son of Mr Rice of Caermarthensh [one of the Dinevorfamily] Scholar of this School. Feb. 22."
1766. Thomas Williams, son of John Williams of Llan-blethian, co. Glam. pleb. Jesus Coll. matric. 20 Feb. 1748-9.Aged 17. B.A., 1752. M.A. 1755. B.D. 1763. Fellow of JesusColl. Oxford 1758-1765. Vicar of St. Donats 1759. Vicar ofColwinston 1766. Rector of Bishopston in Gower. Minister ofthe Town of Cowbridge 1764-1782.
The Llanblethian Transcripts for the Bishop contain theentries :
266 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
" 1721. John Williams & Mary Jenkins were married byLicense on ye 30 th of November 1721."
And in 1755 the Churchwardens were :
W m Bruce (ancestor of the first Lord Aberdare), andJohn Williams.
He was of the same paternal stock as lolo Morganwg, and hadan interesting pedigree, which is recorded in lolo MS. 25, p. 184,in lolo's writing :
" 1754. The following Pedigree was abstracted by my fatherfrom my grandfather's manuscript book :
William Cogan, Esq., Coroner for the County of Glamorgan in1500, who sold little Cogan in the said County in the time of KingHenry the Seventh . . . had issue :
W m Cogan, Esq, his son, George Cogan his son, James Coganhis son, Wm James his son, George William his son, Henry Williamhis son, Henry Williams his son, [my grandfather, an Attorneyat Law is the second H. Wm. or Wms., lolo Morganwg.].John Williams his third and youngest son.1757 The Rev. Thomas Williams, A.M. [Master of the Free
Grammar School, Cowbridge]
Jenkin Williams his Brother, Quebec.1800 John Williams (the Rev.), Sevenoaks, Kent, son of the
above Thomas Williams.
The arms of the Cogan family are Gules 3 fig leaves argent. Creston a wreath of the Colour (viz Argent and Gules) a Lion's headerased and cloved with mullets of the six points or.The above arms sketched out as adjoined were had from the officeof Heraldry, Doctors Commons 8 th July 1754.
Thomas Williams."
There is an interesting article in the Bovian (No. 9, p. 3)from the pen of the Rev. Thomas Williams, at one time Head-master, entitled, " Some Notes on Life at Cowbridge School in1766." It deals almost entirely with the memories of John Bowenfrom Swansea, who went to Cowbridge School, as he says, " atthat time considered the first in South Wales in point of reputation."His friends at the School were Beere, Derke, Tay, W. Morgan,G. Morgan, J. Powell, T. Powell, W. Williams, Bassett Hopkin,and Wat. Morgan.
Bowen presented the Duke of Beaufort with Latin verses atSwansea, and the Duke, on hearing that he was from CowbridgeSchool, gave him the Beaufort Exhibition at Oriel College.
Both Beere and Bowen went to Oxford. Bowen afterwardsbecame Prebendary of Wells, and held several livings.
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL 267
Thomas Beare, who was curate of Llanblethian, served asassistant at the School to Thomas Williams, for in Addit. MS. 101B (at the National Library), described as the Llandaff DioceseBook, we have :
" Cowbridge School. Thomas Williams, B.D. 1765.Thomas Beare, July 5 th 1774."
William Morgan (1750-1833) and G. Morgan (1754-1798)were brothers who were natives of Bridgend and nephews ofDr. Richard Price, who was himself an old boy. We have seensomething of G. Morgan already (supra p. 257).
William rose to fame as an actuary and published severalworks " The Doctrine of Annuities " and " The Probabilities ofSurvivorship." For the last-mentioned work he won the GoldMedal of the Royal Society and was made a Fellow of the same.His other works include, " A Comparative View of the PublicFinances," " A Review of Price's Writings on the Subject ofFinances," " Memoirs of the Life of Richard Price, D.D.," etc.
During the Headship of Thomas Williams, B.D., theCorporation resolved on 18th May, 1769 :
" That a Lease be granted to Mr Thomas Lewis of Half aBurgage of Land leading from the South Gate towards CouncelTut for 21 years at 6 d yearly rent. In trust for the Master of theFree School and his Successors."
His monument in the Chancel of the Church bears theinscription : " Near this place is buried the Revd Thomas Williams,B.D. Rector of Bishopston in Gower, Vicar of St Donats, & Masterof the Grammar School in this Town. Who after a life employedwith equal advantage to the public & credit to himself died the24 th of June 1783, aged 52.
Near the same place also is buried his eldest daughter Mary whodied four days before him aged 17.
The afflicted widow & mother caused this tablet to be erected totheir memory.
Underneath are deposited the remains of Elizabeth Williams,Relict of the above named Rev d Thomas Williams . . . Shedeparted this Life July the 30 th 1798 in the 65 th year of her age.Also of Charlotte Jane Williams, Daughter of the Rev* 1 JohnWilliams of Plaxtol in Kent, and of Elizabeth Caroline, his wifeand Grand-daughter of the above Thomas Williams. She diedat Cowbridge the 8 th of June 1823. Aged 17 years."Quaere, John Walters, Senior.
"... John Walters . . . was master of Cowbridge School,and compiled a Dictionary of the Welsh language. . . . ' (Rees'sBeauties, etc., 1815, p. 673.)
268 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
Quaere, John Walters, Junior.
" Bu yn gyntaf yn athraw Ysgol Pont y Fon, Morganwg,ac yn 1784 penodwyd ef yn brif athraw Ysgol Rhuthyn." (Lfyfr-yddiaeth y Cymry, p. 602.)
In this work on the Bibliography of the Welsh it is said thatJohn Walters, junior, was Master of Cowbridge School till hisappointment to Ruthin in 1784.
The same publication states that " John Walters, B.A.,Scholar of Jesus College, Oxford, 1780," wrote " Llewelyn andhis Bards " when he was but twenty-one years of age, that hepublished Letters to Dr. Priestly, wrote the Introduction to" Relics of the Welsh Bards " and other works ; that he died in1789 when only thirty years old, and was buried in " Y Fynechdid,"near Ruthin, where there is a tombstone with a Latin inscriptionof his father's composition.
As Thomas Williams had died in 1782, and Daniel Waltersonly matriculated at Oxford in 1780, it is highly probable thatThomas Williams was succeeded by either John Walters, senior,or John Walters, junior. We know that they both acted asministers of the Town of Cowbridge. John Walters, senior, hadhis own benefices of Llandough and St. Hilary, but what hadJohn Walters, junior, to do ?
As he was a young man of great ability and there is no recordof any other Headmaster of the School between Thomas Williamsand Daniel Walters, it is highly probable that John Walters,junior, was the Headmaster. There is a possible alternativethat the Headmastership was put into commission, John Walters,senior, and John Walters, junior, exercising the office till DanielWalters had finished at Oxford and was prepared to take on thework.
Daniel Walters was a son of the Rev. John Walters, Rectorof Llandough, and for a short time Curate of Cowbridge.
He matriculated at Oxford (Jesus College) in 1780 when18 years of age.
In the Glamorgan Observer for April, 1873, we have a descrip-tive poem in praise of Llandough, which he wrote when seventeenyears of age, being at the time the dux of the School. The poemis rather long 125 lines.
Ye frolic Nymphs who leave the desert hills,Charmed by the murmurs of descending rills,Where fair Landough enjoys her rural reignAnd smiles the loveliest village on the plain ;
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL 269
Whose whisper'd voice so oft your poet leadsIn fairy dreams thro' Thaw's elysian meads ;Be present, Nymphs : your beauteous groves I singGreen in the breathing bloom of tender spring ;To you these groves, these pictur'd meads belong,Thrice copious subjects of my youthful song.
O say, ye swains so blest, ye favour'd few,To bounteous Heaven what grateful praise is due,That thus from envy free, from low-born strife,From all the cares of fame pursuing life,Ours is the empire of these halcyon plains,Where still to smile ambrosial Flora deigns,And olive-scepter'd Peace, and joyful plenty reigns !
This too the haunt of many a virgin Muse,Tho' all too coy they still my vows refuse,And here perchance some happier bard shall riseCrown'd with their fairest wreath, their amplest prize,.Who oft beneath yon elm at evening laidShall call them round to celebrate the shade.
Vain were the toil to tempt the stormy mainFor Arcady or Tempe's velvet plain,Or aught the genial land of Asia yields,Or blest Arabia's aromatic fields :Lo here, rich west of Nature's dedal loom,On their soft beds the flowers spontaneous bloom ;Here, as in Canaan's blissful land of yore,Flows milk, and virgin honey's balmy store ;Here, useful lesson to unthinking man,The painful bee pursues her frugal planIn cultur'd gardens builds her fragrant cell,Or loves in haunts of ancient oaks to dwell,And roves, with ceaseless buzz, from flower to flower,And sips ambrosial dews from every woodbine bower.
The pasture's marge where deep Davona laves,And imitates Meander's winding waves,Pleased with the scene each Naiad's steps are slow,And ev'n the flood forgets awhile to flow :Along those broider'd banks full oft I roveBeneath the glooms of yon umbrageous grove,While muse-taught raptures animate my heartAnd pensive pleasures to my soul impart.
270 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
Nor lies Landough one long continued plainSmooth as the surface of the Severn main,Nor one vast mount, like Snowdon steep and high,That boldly bids defiance to the sky ;But here with ever new delight we seeThe endless charms of rich variety,At times ascend yon shrubby hill to viewOur prospect's distant bound of mountains blue ;Thence, when the shades grow short and noonbeams glow,Seek the cool shelter of the vales below ;Vales, where so oft, as eve's late phantom flee,The sylvan Nymphs I've seen, or seemed to see :" Stay, Nymphs " but, ah ! each transient trace is gone,They fly, they leave me in the glades alone,Fleet as the winds that shake their leafy woods,Or the swift currents of their native floods.
Nor seldom, wrapt in fancy's fairest theme,I trace the marge of clear Calviga's stream,While nodding groves their dews nocturnal shed,And brood with silent horror o'er my head :While, piercing thro' the trees their lucid way,On the pure stream the pale-eyed Moonbeams play,And Philomel, from Crable's towering height,Charms with her plaints the sacred noon of night.
Lo these the lawns, along whose gladsome green,Where taught to toil our frequent steps are seen,We blend with life's dull cares each harmless joy,In rural games our vacant hours employ ;Early to brakes and furzy fields repair,And chase with eager hounds the timorous hare ;Or from his den the felon Reynard force,Defeat his wiles, arrest his onward course ;The false decoy and meshy net prepare,And make the birds our captives in the snare ;Or with the baited hook's too tempting foodAllure the scaly offspring of the flood.
Tho' here inventive Jones, great son of fame,Hath deign'd to mark no marble with his name,Tho' here no cloud-envelop'd structure standThat rose to heaven at Wren's sublime command ;
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL 271
Yet all around in glad surprise we viewWhat tasks the sons of industry pursue,View the neat charms of every pleasing partThat boast a grace beyond the reach of art :Witness ye tufted groves, umbrageous bowers,Irriguous meads, and banks of fragrant flowers,Ye rich enclosures, and luxuriant plains,And cots, the palaces of peaceful swains.On these sweet scenes might Genius ever gaze,And lose in rapture all the power of praise,Might mark the landscape with amaze, and thenDrop from his hand the pencil and the pen.
On yon proud eminence our Castle stands,And towers superior o'er the subject lands,Here sees the lawns, and there the lofty woodThat frowns from high at Thaw's meandring flood :Hence vales, and plains, and villages we view,The widening prospect hills on hills renew :Here Art, in Nature's dress, delights to pleaseWith all her charms of elegance and ease ;The walls, the groves, the gardens, all declareChaste beauty, void of pomp's superfluous glare,Where Skill accomplish'*! with a master's handWhat taste directed, and what Genius plann'd.
Let nervous Denham's magic numbers stillRehearse the praises of his Cooper's Hill,Let muse-led Pope his Windsor Forest singIn all the pride of autumn and of spring :Immortal bards, I envy not your strainsWhile my young Muse can range her native plains :Tho' hopeless to increase their due renown,And ev'n unanxious to exalt her own ;Yet did my verse like stronger Denham's glow,Or smoother Pope's harmonious numbers flow ;Then should no other daring Muse invadeThe honours of this song-deserving shade,Then should no sylvan seat more brightly shine,No fabled grove be dearer to the Nine ;Thy stream, Landough, in song should ever flow,And thy own laurels bind thy bard's immortal brow.
272 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
1786. 9th March. " It is agreed that a Lease be grantedto the Rev : Mr: Daniel Walters of the Piece of uninclosed Ground. . . without the South Gate and adjoining the new house andgarden belonging to the Free School . . . In Trust for the use ofMr Walters and his succeeding Masters of the said School ..."
1786. 14th December. " That five guineas be paid ... tothe Rev : Mr. Daniel Walters as the subscription of the Corporationtowards the Additions and Improvements made in the FreeSchool . . . '
1787. " Lease for 99 years to the Rev : John Walters of... all that Piece of uninclosed Ground lying without the SouthGate . . . and adjoining the new House and Garden belonging tothe Free School there, and extending from the South Gate of thesaid Town to the Eastern end of the said free School Gardencontaining fifty seven yards and one foot in Length and fourteenyards & a half in Breadth at the same Town Gate and seven yards& a Foot in Breadth at the Eastern end of the said Garden . . .Easements reserved . . . from the messuage or Cottage calledSt Kitts otherwise Councel Tut and the Closes or Pieces of Landcalled Councel Tut. ... In Trust to permit and suffer the saidReverend Daniel Walters his son the present Master of the saidSchool to enjoy the same Premises during such Time as he shallcontinue Master of the said School. ... In Trust for his successoror successors Master or Masters of the said School."
The deed is endorsed : " Now included in the Lease grantedto W m Williams D.D."
The mural tablet erected in the Chancel of Cowbridge Churchbears the inscription :
" Subtus conduntur reliquiae Rev'di Danielis GwalteriiScholae Boviensis, quam fama Praeceptoris reddiderat frequentissi-mam, Archididascali, ob singularem rerum docendarum prudentiamlaudatissimi ; qui, dum se studiis disci pulorum adjuvandis ;animis excolendis, Gymnasio ornando, atque aedibus amplificandistotum dabat, haemoptysi proh dolor ! Corruptus, et tabe comitanteconfectus, tandem annum agens vicesimum quintum, 24 dieAugusti, A.D. 1787, magno sui desiderio apud omnes relicto, mortisuccubit.
Si numeras annos, juvenis jacet ecce ! sepulchre ;Si studia, et mores, et benefacta, senex."
William Williams, son of Robert Williams, of Dolgelley.Jesus Coll. mat. 1784 aged 19. M.A. 1792. D.D. 1814. Preb. ofLlandaff 1797. Rector of St Mary Hill 1810. Rector of Pendoylan1814. Vicar of Llantillio Crossenny 1814.
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL 273
We are not responsible for the correctness of the descriptions,but set them down as we find them in Alumni Oxonienses andother sources. There are some particulars concerning him in theGentleman's Magazine 1847, i, 663.
His monument in Cowbridge Church bears the inscription :" Sacred to the Memory of William Williams, D.D., Prebendary ofLlandaff and during fifty nine years Master of the Grammar Schoolin this town. He was born in the Parish of Dolgelley Merioneth-shire Jan. 14. 1765, and died at Cowbridge Jan. 16. 1847. Alsoof Elizabeth his wife, daughter of the Rev. Thomas Williams,formerly Master of Cowbridge School. She departed this lifeDec. 4. 1814, aged forty six years.
Also of their eldest son the Rev : Robert Williams M.A. Fellow ofJesus College Oxford, who died at Madeira Oct. 2. 1822.Also of their son Thomas William Williams, midshipman in theRoyal Navy, who was drowned with the rest of the Crew of H.M.Brig Jasper in Plymouth Sound in a great storm Jan. 20. 1817.Also of their children Thomas, Elizabeth, and Mary, who died intheir infancy."
" In pious and loving memory of Harriet Anne Edmondes daughterof the Rev : William Williams D.D. Prebendary of Llandaff. Shemarried first the Rev : Rees Howell M.A., Vicar of Llancarvan,and secondly the Rev : Thomas Edmondes M.A. Honorary Canonof Llandaff, and for 48 years Vicar of these parishes. She wasbora 24 October 1804, and died 17 November 1885.Also the above Thomas Edmondes, Born at Cowbridge 30 June 1806Died at Cowbridge 2 June 1892."
During Dr. Williams 's time the tradition is that the Schoolexisted purely for the teaching of Classics. Mr. Lewis Thomas, ofLlanmihangel, who died in A.D. 1875, at the age of 99, told theRev. W. F. Evans that Grammar School boys used to go to theEagle Academy, when he was a schoolboy there, to learn writing,and, strange to say, the Master of the Eagle Academy also taughtarithmetic in a Girls' School in the Town.
1847. Hugo Daniel Harper was born at Pontardawe in theSwansea Valley and baptized at Cilybebyll. Fellow of JesusCollege, Oxford, 1845. Headmaster of Cowbridge 1847. Principalof Jesus College, Oxford, 1877.
A volume, entitled " Memoirs of Hugo Daniel Harper," waswritten by Mr. L. V. Lester.
It is said that the present School buildings, designed byMr. Pritchard, of Llandaff, were built " as a wedding present forMrs Harper " !19
274 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
There is a brass tablet to her memory in the Chancel ofCowbridge Church : " Sacred to the memory of Mary Charlotte,the beloved wife of the Revd. H. D. Harper D.D. Principal of JesusCollege, Oxford, and elder daughter of General Sir Henry DruryHarness, K.C.B., Born 16th May 1829, Died 25th of Feby.1908."
A publication on the part of the School, entitled " ProlusionesLiterariae, Praemiis Annuis Dignatae, et in Schola Bovienirecitatae Comitiis Maximis A.D. mdccclviii," marked the adventof the new buildings of the School.
1850. William Holt Beever. Fellow of Jesus Coll. Oxford1849-1853. Vicar of St Hilary 1854. He farmed Crossways andwas a great authority on Shorthorns.
During Mr. Beever's time the Corporation resolved upon" negotiating with the Bursar of Jesus Coll. Oxford and the Head-master of the Grammar School . . . with a view of affecting anexchange of the aforesaid piece of ground for a portion of groundattached to the Grammar School and bounded on either side by theChurch yard and Church Street."
Mr. Beever gave evidence before the Welsh Education Com-mission, wherein he testified to the inadequate endowment of theSchool. " In my time the Master could barely pay his way." . . ."The Headmastership is sadly inadequate. It was what droveDr. Harper away, and it is what every Master has felt since. . . .The School never paid its way, and my successor said it cost him500 a year to keep it up at all."
He resigned in 1864 and went to live in Herefordshire.
During his Headmastership Canon Beever produced a brilliantmathematician, the Rev David Thomas, M.A., Rector ofGrassington, Oxon, and a former Fellow of Trinity, first in Mathe-matical Moderations and Finals and Johnson Gold Medallist.Mr. Thomas acted as junior master at the School for a short timeand taught mathematics to Major-General Robert Owen Jones andto the distinguished engineer, Mr. Richard Jonathan Jones, whohad charge of all the alterations of the Great Eastern S.S. in 1864-65for the first Atlantic cables.
1863 or 1864. Thomas Williams. He was a son of theHeadmaster of Abergavenny Grammar School, Fellow of JesusCollege, Oxford, 1846-1853, and for some time Vice-Principal ofSt Mark's College, Chelsea.
During his Headmastership day-boys were encouraged tocome to the School, and the property across the road was bought
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL 275
by Jesus College and the cottages fitted up as classrooms andstudies, and the boarding-out system was allowed.
He resigned in 1870 and died as Rector of Aston Clinton, nearTring.
" Peter Lombard," writing in the Church Times on his death,said of him : " I knew him slightly when he went to St Mark'sin 1852 and intimately from Christmas 1856 for the rest of his life,& I believe that I have never known a holier, truer man. He knewmore about Welsh history than any other man living, & his notebooks were filled with the fruits of his research. And yet all hislearning sat lightly upon him, for his late parishioners & all hisfriends will not think of that as they remember his gentle lovingheart & his beautiful life."
1 870. /. C. F. M or son, first son of James Morson of London ,Arm. Jesus Coll. Matric. 1861. Aged 18. Scholar 1861-6. B.A.1865. M.A. 1870. He had been an Assistant Master at theSchool in 1865. During his too short reign of office the Schoolreached a very high point of efficiency in classics and mathematics,some twenty-six boys passing on to Oxford, and open scholarshipswere taken at seven different colleges in the University.
His services in Cowbridge Church for the boys were verymuch appreciated, and a volume of the sermons which he preachedto them was published.
After his death a window was erected to his memory, now theSouth window in the Sacrarium : " In Memory of the Rev : JamesColin Francis Morson M.A., Head Master of Cowbridge Schoolwho fell asleep in Jesus April 26 th 1875, this window was erectedby the past & present boys."
The Archbishop of Wales, who, in his young days, was offeredan appointment under Mr. Morson, paid a high tribute to hisefficiency and stated that when he became Headmaster of LlandoveryCollege he was glad to copy many of Mr. Morson 's methods.
Morris Price Williams, son of the Rev. Morris Williams(" Nicander ") (1809-1874), who made extensive contributions bothin prose and poetry to the literature of Wales, and brother of theRev. William Glynn Williams, M.A., for many years Headmasterof the Friars' School, Bangor, North Wales. The Rev. M. P.Williams : Matriculated Jesus Coll. Ox. 1863. Scholar 1864.Goldsmith's Exhibitioner. First Class Classical Mods. 1865.Second Class Lit. Hum. 1867. B.A. 1867. Assistant Master St.Andrew's College, Bradfield, 1871-74. Headmaster of CowbridgeSchool 1875-90. Perpetual Curate of Talygam 1884-90.Ex-Officio Fellow of Jesus Coll Ox. Rector of Rotherfield Peppard,
276 HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
Henley-on-Thames Oxon 1890-1900. Died aged 57 Nov. 15,1900.
He married in 1880 Rosaline, eldest daughter of ThomasHowells, and left two sons and a daughter.
His second son, Morris Meredith, an old boy of the School,has already distinguished himself in the world of art.
Mr. Morris Meredith Williams has exhibited in the RoyalAcademy, the International Society, and other places for someyears, and three of his pictures have been acquired for the per-manent collection in the Walker Art Gallery at Liverpool. Heserved in the Army from April, 1915, to August, 1919, in Franceand Flanders, and is now one of the Official Artists.
If to be a partaker of chastisement is an evidence of truesonship, as we are told by the best authority it is, then the writerof these lines can lay claim to that honour. Morris Price Williams,though he had a reputation for severity, was much respected byhis boys, and the present writer regards his memory with affectionand gratitude.
1890. William Franklen Evans. An old boy of the School.Scholar of Jes. CoU. Ox. 3rd cl. Mod. 1875. B.A. (1st cl. Nat. Sc.)1877. M.A. 1880. Assistant Master Felstead 1878-90. Fellow ofJes. Coll. Ox. Perpetual Curate of Talygarn 1890-1910. Rectorof St. Andrews Minor.
Mr. Evans built the block of buildings adjoining the Church-yard wall, removed the three old houses on the West side ofChurch Street, and made a play-ground for the School on the site.
Two at least of Mr. Evans's boys have distinguished themselvesin the world of science.
Dr. Lister Llewellyn has become the great authority onNystagmus, or miner's blindness.
Mr. Illtyd Buller Pole Evans, M.A. (Cantab), B.Sc. (Wales),F.L.S., was awarded the C.M.G. for his scientific work, and isChief of the Division of Botany and Plant Pathology in the Unionof South Africa.
Mr. W. F. Evans enjoys his well-earned retirement in"Somniferous green Llanblethian," and, though his songs are notquite a thousand and five, he continues to delight his friendswith many a wise saying and well-chosen quotation, and in atwentieth century manner speaks of the modern and localequivalents " of trees from the cedar that is in Lebanon evenunto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall."
The School took possession of the row of houses opposite itin 1867. The quaint old buildings are depicted in severalpaintings. Our illustration, printed on page 277, copied from a
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL
277
painting in possession of the School, shows their porches anddormer windows, together with the old parish pound, which stoodin the corner near the archway. The house nearest to the OldHall garden was quite a commodious dwelling and had beenoccupied in the past by folk of the professional classes. Theother was more of a cottage and was occupied by some servant ofthe School. Then there was a large stable.
COWBRIDGE OLD FREE (GRAMMAR) SCHOOL, SOUTH GATE, AND POUND
(from an old painting).
About the year 1874 some of the rooms were used as dormitories,but with the changing fortunes of the School the buildings becameless used and more abused until the ruins were at length all clearedaway.
Richard Williams, the first lay Headmaster, is a son of an oldboy, Mr. Samson Williams, of Solva, Co. Pern., who was at theSchool when Mr. Beever was Headmaster.
Mr. Williams has a distinguished Academic record : B.A.Wales (2nd Class Hons. Greek, 1901 ; 1st Class Hon. Latin, 1902) ;Jesus Coll. Oxford (Scholar) ; 1st Class Classical Mods., 1903 ;1st Class Lit. Hum. 1905. B.A. Oxon. M.A. Oxon.
He served in the War as an officer in the Artillery and wasawarded the M.C. for gallantry under fire.
Under his able guidance the old School continues not onlyto flourish but to advance.
FLOREAT SCHOLA BOVIENSIS.
278
HISTORY OF OLD COWBRIDGE
THE REV. DR. DUREL(from a portrait in the possession of Sir Thomas Mansel Franklen).
This portrait has on the back: "Dr. Durel, my great grandfather," inthe hand of Sir Thomas Mansel Franklen' s father.
APPENDIX.
A.THE HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS.
Though the High School for Girls does not belong to the History ofOld Cowbridge, we feel it would not be right to pass over the circumstanceswhich led to its foundation, and have been so productive of good resultsto the Town and District.
It owes its foundation to the exertions of Mr. John Bevan, and fromsome letters in the Town Clerk's Office we are able to state the principleswhich led him to undertake the good work. He wrote from France in1890:
" My desire is chiefly to promote the education of girls, who in the pasthave been for the most part sacrificed to boys." He states that he wasprepared to give a sum of money as a nucleus for a hostel or a small hallfor the reception of girls, or for exhibitions -to encourage their progress atschool, and mentions that an adequate supply of female students woulddepend on those coming from a distance.
" I have thought," said he, " that Aberdare Hall and the South WalesUniversity College afford an example of what may be done at Cowbridgeon a more humble scale. . . .
" The elements of Latin are now often taught in public high schools forgirls, as not only useful for their own further education and formation ofmind, and especially as a key to other cognate languages, but to enablethem, as mothers or teachers, to instruct young boys, and so keep themlonger with their parents under the restraints of home life."
His desire was to diminish the cost of board, and, by school exhibitionsand prizes in addition, to attract pupils from distant places owing to thesparseness of the population in the immediate neighbourhood.
By the aid of Mr. Bevan 's generosity, in several ways, and the exertionsof Alderman Edward John, the School eventually came into being, and, underthe supervision of its most efficient head mistress, Mrs. Forrester, is one ofthe most successful of girls' schools in the Principality.
B. (1).TRADITIONS CONCERNING OWEN GLYNDWR.
Llanover MS. C. 42, p. 247.
Traddodiadau Morganwg am Owain Glyn Dwr.
Ymladdfa Bryn Owain (Stallingdown).
Owain o Fforch yr Onnen fawr yn cyfarwyddo ei gad.
Torri Castell Llanquian, a phentref Aberthin.
Talcarn Ty yn sefyll fyth yn y pentref a'r unig tammaid o wal a gafoddsefyll gantho.
Torri Castell Tal y Fann, Pentre Llanfrynach, Castell Nerber, CastellLlanfleiddian, Castell Noris o Benllin, Castell Llandocheu, cadarnhau CastellCaermli, torri Castell Trefflemin a Chastell Malffawnt Llanfaes, Llawer oDai Llanilltyd ar Eglwys yno, ymgadarnhau yn y Castell Coch, Torri *r TwrCrwn wrth y Bontfaen,
Cynnal Parlament ynghaerdydd, ac un yn Llanilltyd, Torri Caerdydd
Torri Cestyll Llandaf, a St. lorys,
280 APPENDIX continued.
yn ymguddio dan enw Sion [Good] fellow y mwynwr yng Nghoed yMarchog lie bu farw ai gladdu dan yr un enw dan y Gloch Aberth ynLlanddunwyd,
yng Nghastell Bercrols, a'r hyn a fu ryngtho a Syr Lawrens Bercrols.
Gwyr Morgan wg yn ei gyhoeddi'n Frenin dan osteg a rhybudd undydda blwyddyn.
Stradlingiaid San Dunwyd yn estyn drwy'r twll iddo felly AbadauMargam a Glyn Nedd, a holl wyr y Blaenau o'i blaid ef.
B. (2).Llanover MS. C. 42, p. 269.
Hen Onnen Bryn Owen, al Twyn Owen.
... a dorrwyd i lawr cylch 1 740, neu a chwy thwyd gan y gwynt i lawr.Onnen fawr anghyffredin oedd hi meddai Dafydd Rhisiart y Saer o Landocheua'i gwelodd, ac un fforchog oedd hi. Yn ei fforch, ac weithiau ar ei phenyr oedd Owain Glyndwr yn gorolygu ei wyr ym Mrwydr Llan Cwyan pandorrasant y Castell a lladd mil o Wyr y Brenin. Yr oedd Troedfaen y groesa godwyd yno hyd yn ddiweddar iawn, a geill yn hawdd ddigon ei bod ynofyth.
Yr un amser y carneddwyd holl Dai Aberthin oddieithr un hen Bennwncadarn a welir fyth yno. Dinistrwyd Pentref Llanfrynach hefyd yn 11 wyr,oddieithr un Ty Dehenydd hwnnw fyth [Wastad ?].
B. (3).Llanover C., Vol. II, p. 131.
"... north of the road about a mile is a Down called Mynydd y Glewor the Hero's Down, on which are many large natural ponds or rather lakeswell stored with Tench, Carp, Trout, and other fish, they are supplied bynatural springs and have a communication one with another and supply alarge stream that runs from them, on which are two or three windmills,westward of this down is a large wood where according to some old accountsas well as Traditions the famous Owen Glyndwr lived the life of an anchoritein the ruins of an ancient Castle by the name of John Goodfellow. He washere it is said well supplied by his friends with all the necessaries andComforts of Life, and after it was well known to the King (Henry 5th) whothis John Goodfellow was, it is said he chose to wink at him as the Countyof Glamorgan was then very strongly attached to Owen and disaffected tothe King who it is said had endeavoured to Subvert the Regal Jurisdictionof the Lords of the County who practised Jura Regalia. 1 1 miles fromCardiff and one eastward of Cowbridge is Stallion down in its bowels aremany caverns that are stored with great quantities of good galena Lead,at the North Corner of this down stands the neat village of Aberthin, theyshew here an end wall of a house said to be the only one that escaped thedestruction of Owen Glyndowr who on this Down gave King Henry's armya great overthrow, the village was burnt and destroyed by the King's armywhich greatly irritated the Country, a mile below this down Southward inthe Parish of St. Hilary stands Bewper Castle a fine old Seat built by Sir
Phillip Basset Lord Chancelor in the reign of and till very
lately the seat of his descendants it was repaired by William Twrch in theyear 1600 who added a fine frontispiece of the Doric, Ionic and Corinthianorders enriched with abundance of very fine sculpture and is undoubtedlythe best little specimen of Grecian Architecture in South Wales."
C. (1).GLAMORGAN CASTLES.
In the Llanover MSS. at the National Library there are in the handwritingof lolo Morganwg three separate lists of Glamorgan Castles, which I shalldescribe as A, B, and C, A being in English, B and C in Welsh.
APPENDIX continued 281
A=Uanover MS. 43, p. 245. B=MS. 30, p. 48. C=MS 59, p. 453.
In A and C, 82 castles are named, while B accounts for 63 only, but hasthe addition of the names of the supposed founders.
I shall print list A as lolo has it, with the additions and variationsIrom B and C.
CASTLES IN GLAMORGAN.
1. Cardiff. B has : 1. Castell y Ty Gwyn Caerdydd a wnaethpwyd
gan Owain ab Morgan ag a aeth i law Robert Fitzhamon,a Robert larll Caerloyw ai tynnodd i lawr i wnaethurCastell faerdy. 2. Castell Caerdydd. Robert larllCaerloyw.
2. C : Coch. B : Ivor Bach.
3. Caerffili. B : Einion ab Collwyn.
4. Treoda. C : Treodof.
5. C : Y ddraenen.
6. Gelligaer.
7. Morlais. B : Einion ab Collwyn.
8. St. Pagan. B: Malfaunt.
9. St. Georges. B : Fleming.
10. Llanbedr. C : " ar Fro."
11. Courtville. C: Cwrt y Fil.
12. Cogston. C : Cogan. B : Castell Caston. Herbertiaid.
13. Sully. B : Sill. C : Abersili.
14. Barry.
15. Dinas Powys. B : lestin ab Gwrgan.
16. Porthceri. B : Porth Cerig.
17. West orchard. / B : St. Athan. Yr hen Berkrol.
St. Athan newydd. Berkrol.
18. East orchard. 1 C : 42. Llandathari. 43. Llandathan.
V 44. Llandathan.
19. Castleton. B : Castle Town. Adamiaid.
20. Fonmon. B : St. John.
21. Penmark. B: Humffrevil.
22. Molton.
23. Castell Moel.
24. Llanquian. C : Llangwyan.
25. Tal y fann. B: Syward.
26. Llantrisant. B : Y Bwrdeiriaid.
27. Wrinston. B : Gwrinston.
28. Wenvoe. B : Gwaenfo. C : Gwen Fo.
29. Cottrel.
30. Flimston. B : Treffieming. Fleming.
31. Llandough. C : Llandocheu.
32. Lanblethian. B : Llanddeiddan. Quintin. C : Llanfleiddan.
33. Llygod. B : arall y Llygod. C : Castell y Llogawd.
34. Penllin. C : Pen Llin.
35. Landaff, Bp. ( B : 4. Castell yr Esgob yno gan Escob Llandaf .
3. Castell Mathew yn Llandaf. Y Mathiaid.
36. Landaff, Arch. (C : 2. Llan Daf. 3. Llandaf.
37. King's Castle. B : 5. Castell Breiniol. Ithel ab Owain.
38. Beaupre. B : Bewpur. Seisyllt. C : Maes Essyllt.
39. Cowbridge.
40. Boverton. B : Tref Beferad. Fitzhamon. C : Trebefred.
41. Caerworgorn. C: 47. Llanilltud fawr. B: Llanilltyd. Howel Dda ?
42. Hays. C : 48. Llanilltud fawr.
43. Lanmaes. B : Llanfaes.
44. St. Donats. B : St. Dunwyd. Stradling.
45. Marcross. B : 32. Mairgroes. 33. arall.
C: 50. Marcross. 51. Marcross.
282 APPENDIX continue^
46. Dunraven. B : Y Dwnryfan. Bwtleriaid.
C : Dindryfan.
47. Ogmore. B : Aberogwr. Londres.
48. C : Alain. B : Castell ar alain. Do.
C. Castell ar alain.
49. Y Wenni.
50. Coetty. B: Twrbil.
51. Casnewydd. B : Y Cas Newydd pen y bont.
52. Hengastell. C : Hengastell Pen y Bont.
53. Llangynwyd.
54. Cynffig. B: Y Bwrdeiriaid.
55. Aberafon. C : Aberafan.
56. Baglan.
57. Neath. B : Castell Nedd.
58. Soflen.
59. Clun. C: Clyn.
60. Trecastell. B: Llant Hari.
61. Castell Meneich. B : Meneich Llanylltyd.
62. Hensol.
63. Pentyrch.
64. Brocastell.
65. Castell y Marchog. B : 63. Castell Sion Goodfellow ynghoed ymarchog wrth y Byrthin.
66. Tregawntlo. B : Cantelupe. C : Tregawnllo.
67. Rhuthyn. B : Ruthyn. Madoc ab lestyn.
68. Breigan.
69. Llangyfelach.
70. Llychwr.
71. Llandeilo gwyr.
72. Llandeilo Tal y bont.
73. Abertawy. B : Abertawe. larll Warwig.
74. Ystym llwynarth.
75. Penarth.
76. Penrhys. B : Manselaid.
77. Oxwich.
78. Llanddewi.
79. Gweblai.
80. Llandimor.
81. Gnol Castle.
82. Llwydarth.
lolo said there were mora castles in Glamorgan than in all the rest ofWales.
In addition to the foregoing eighty-two castles named in list A, thereare others in lists B and C, some of which I cannot identify, and it is possiblethat they are given under another name in list A.B : 8. Castell yr Adur. lestyn ab Gwrgan.
9. Castell Gallt fawr daf Morgan Hen. C : Cawrdaf.
[Perhaps there is a mistake in the transcribing here.]C : 10. Y Fann.
5. Cefn Onn.27. Rhiw Saeson.
79. Llancarfan.
B: 61. Aberthawan. Fitshamon.C : 15. Caer Warm.
49. Llanwerydd.
67. Castell y Gwryd.
77. Trehir.
80. Moeldwyn.
30. Aberbernant. [?]21. Llansanffraid ar Lai.17. Llan[-]felwyn .
APPENDIX continued 283
C (2).ANCIENT REMAINS IN GLAMORGAN.
lolo's MSS. contain at least three lists of these. For purposes of referenceI shall describe them as A, B, C, and D respectively.
A = Llanover MS. C. 74, p. 227. [A.D.] 1811, where there is a listof seventy-eight items headed, " Hen gromlechau, crymau, kistfeini, gorseddau, twmpathau, beddfeini. etc., ym Morganwg."
B = Llanover MS. C. 72, pp. 38 and 39, " Druidical Altars in Glamorgan."
C = MS. 43, p. 252, " Druidical Monuments."
D = MS. 43, p. 251, " British and Roman Camps."
Here follows A, with additions or variations from B, C, and D wheresuch occur.
1. Carreg Gwynn y Bont faen. C : 27. Cowbridge.
2. Trimaen llwydon, Plwyf Llancarvan.
3. Maen bir, Celligaer. B : Mynydd Gelligaer. C : 13. CappelGwladys. D : Gelli-gaer.
4. Brenin a'r Frenhines, Ystradywain.
5. Twmpath Ystradywain.
6. Twmpath Eglwys newydd.
7. Cernydd llwydon. Eglwys Ilan. B : Mynydd Eglwys Ilan.
8. Maen Chwyf, Coed Pen main.
9. Coetten Arthur, Llandidwg.
10. Kist faen, Bryncoch, ib. C : 23. Red Hill.
1 1 . Ty . . . mynydd y Drenewydd. C : Newton down.
12. Meini Llythyrenog, Meithyr Mawr.
13. Maen llythyrog, Margam.
14. Maen llythyrog, Heol Cynffig.
15. Maen llythyrog, Cwrt y Dsfaid.
16. Maen llythyrog, yn y Pentref.
17. Eraill yn y Fonwent.
18. Hn Eglwys, Llangewydd.
19. Twmpath neu Gaer Llanilyi.
20. Castell Ceri, Llanilyd.
21. Dwy Cromlech y Dyffryn olwg.
22. Maen mawr gyferbyn o'r Cottrell.
23. Maen Cetti ar gyfar y brynn.
24. Gorsedd y Stout-hall. B : 23. Browyr (near Stout hall).
25. Croes Llanridian.
26. Llech wenn, mynydd Celystyn. B : 40. Cefn Celystyn. C : Llechgelysten.
27. Carn Lechart, Llangyfelach.
28. Arall yno.
29. Y Crwn ogofog yno.
30. Cylch, yn Langiwg.
31. Maen Penwaun Byrddin, yn awr yn ngardd y gnol.
32. Caer y Castell, Llancarfan.
33. Castell Moel, Llancarvan.
34. Caerau'r Tringle . . . Llancarvan.
35. Caerau sef Plwyf y Cacrau.
36. Caerau Treiwbwb.
37. Gwaen Trodau.
38. Caerau'r mynydd bychan.
39. Caerau Coed Rhyglan.
40. Caerau Pare y Cottrel. C : Breach-Cottrel.
41. Caerau'r gaer, Tresimon.
42. Cil bwrw ar fynydd Aberthyn. B : ar Frynn Owain.
43. Caerau Trefbeferad. D : Boverton.
44. Caerau Col Huw.
45. Caer Worgorn.
284 APPEXDIX continued,
46. Yr Haes [North ?]. Llanfaes [Plwyf Llanilltyd].
47. Rhiw Saeson, Llantrisant.
48. Meini Llythyrog, Llanilltyd.
49. Arall, Llangrallo.
50. Arall, Llanganna.
51. Arall, Plwyf Llanwynno.
53. Meini gobaith, amryw fannau.
54. Croesau'r Croesheolydd, ami iawn.
- . ? "|S } - -* <*-
57. Castell Llanfihangel Afan.
58. Maen hir y Drymman.
59. Caerau, mynydd y Caeniu, Glyn Nedd.
60. Caerau, mynydd y gaer, Llangrallo.
61. Caerau 'r Dindryfan.
62. Caerau Forth Ceri.
63. Gorsedd gylch y Beggar's Bush, a symmudwyd gan Dr. Walton.
64. Twmpathau Garth, Llanilltyd Faerdre.
65. Garth Maelog. Tri thwmpath.
66. Tonn Traethwg.
67. Twmpathau 'r Wig.
68. Twmpathau Llanilltud Vawr.
69. Twmpath y W T issmil, St. Athan, Lie cafwyd bwyall bres.
70. Twmpath Llangwyan, lie cafwyd arfau efydd.
71. Twmpath daear.
72. Gwal y filast gerllaw yno.
73. Maen llythrog Llandocheu Penarth.
74. Caerau Crwn Marcroes.
75. Hen Eglwys Marcroes.
76. Gwaen Hilys gerllaw'r Twmpath daear.
77. Pen cae'r clawdd a Phentre'r caste 11 ar fynydd y . . . lie mae . . .a Chastell Nedd yn ymgyfarfod.
78. Pen y Castell, Cefn Cribwr.
Gwal-y-filast has already been mentioned, but in C. lolo groups underDyffryn Goluch 1. Maen Llwyd and Gwal y filast. He has also 31. Gwal yfilast and underneath it y filltir aur.
Some of the following are probably included in the above list underanother name :
B: 1. Tyle'r gawl. 2. Maes y felin. 5. Coed y Dryw.11. Bryn Morlais. 14. Glyn Ogwr. 22. Cefn Onn.28. Garth Pen Tyrch. 29. [Morgeilan ?].33. Ynys y Bwl. 34. Glynn Rhoddni.35. Gawlog. 36. Uchelolau. 39. Gelli Onnen.
44. Tonn Gwynn [Llangewyn ?].
45. Maen mawr yn wern [du ?] Dre Pen-y-Bont.
46. Mynydd [Llanguir ?].
48. Maen chwyf gerllaw Aberafan.
B, C : Y filltir aur. D : Crack.C : 10. [Penriwtin ?]. 15. Tre Brynn.
18. Cefn Lingoed. 19. [Llanganwr ?] Mountain.24. Mr. Knight's farm. 25. ditto. 27. Cefn Brynn.28. Twmpath White-church.D : 5. Caer gaer. 7. Castell Moel. 12. Caer Mead. 17. Mynydd y
Gaw.[?]
20. Coed y Castell. 21. Brynn Cynan. 22. Mynydd Boedan.23. Ogmore Down.
APPENDIX continued 285
C (3).RELIGIOUS HOUSES IN GLAMORGAN.
The lolo MSS. contain three lists of these. A = Llanover MSS. C. 43246. B = MS. 42, p. 527. C = M.S 30, p. 47.
1. Llancarvan, old. C : Cadoc mab Cynlas.
2. Llanilldud, old. C : Illtud.
3. Llangyngar, old. B : Landough super Ely.
4. Llanedern, old. C : Monachlog [...?] ar Ian rhymni.
2. Llanedeyrn.
5. Gallt Cawrdaf, old.
6. Llandaf, old. B : Mynachdy Priory at Llandaff. C : Monachlog
Llandaf lie Symudwyd hwynt o'r mynychdy Llanfabon. 1.Llandaf. Dying.
7. Monachd. Llanwynno, old. B : Llanweno Mynachdy, Priory.
8. Llangewydd, old. C : Llangewydd ymro Wyr, Cewydd.
9. Sainghenydd, old.
10. Merthyr Mawr, old.
11. St. Pagan, old.
12. Penrhys, old. B : Penrhys Abbey. C : Penrys Dyfodwg.
13. Chantry Lantwit.
14. Cardiff White friars.
15. Cardiff Black friars.
16. Cardiff Austin friars.
17. Cowbridge. B : Cowbridge priory. C : 7. Y Bont faen priordy.
18. Seintwar Templars. C : Tresimon Priordy.
19. Wenni. B : Eweny Abbey. C : Y Weni.
20. Margam.
21. Eglwys Nynni.
22. Cattwg nedd, Glynnedd. B : Cadoxton Juxta Neath.
23. Swansea White friars. C : Abertawe.
24. Swansea. C : Abertawe arall.
25. Friars, White ? Merthyr Tydfil.B : Neath Abbey.
C : 4. Llanfeithin priordy.
8. Mynachdy Llanfabon pan orfu ar fonachod Llanilltyd ffo achosy Normanaid.
17. Llanfaes, St. Fagan.
18. Llanfair, St. Fagan.
19. Llangrallo Priordy.
20. Yr Aes priordy.
22. Tresegin. Segenus hen fonachod.
23. Aberddawon priordy 4 Monach S* Lawrence Berkrols.
24. Ynys Barri hen fonachod.
25. Ynys Echain Gwalch.
27. Llandathan. Tathan, hen fonachod.
28. Llaneurgain ymhlwyf Llanilltyd a berthyuai i fonachlog fawrLlanilltyd, ag Edgar Brenin Lloegr a losgodd y Lie ag ei difethodd.
31. Llan Isan. Isan.
C (4).RUINED CHAPELS IN GLAMORGAN.
(Llanover MS. C. 66, p. 290.)
4. In St. Athan : East Orchard, West Orchard, Castleton, andAberthaw.
3. Penmark : East Aberthaw, Rhoose, Cwmcidi.
4. Llancarvan : Llanfeithin, Carn-Llwyd, Llancadle. Molton.
286 APPENDIX continued:
4 or 5. Llantwit Major.
2. St. Ffagans : Llanfair, Capel Ffagan.
1. Cogan : Cwrt y Fil.
1. Gelli gaer : Capel Gwladys.
D (1).COWBRIDGE AND THE WELSH POETS.
British Museum MS. 20 addl. 141, 871, p. 310, 324b.Co. i Howel Prains o'r Bont Faen ym Morgannwg.
Bryssio mae'r byd a'r bressen *o dir y wlad i'r wal wenA brau issod y brysiaf
fbroesio gwin Cwbris a gaf fTo Broach
Yn y bont faen mae blaenawr
o'r mars hwnt mae marsiant mawr Cowbridge ywhowel prains ni ochel pryd tre'r Bont faen
ni ochel win a iechyd ym Morganwg.
Addas ydyw ei oddefo dir y iarll ar y dref
O'r pransiaid huw yw'r prins doeth Huw ye sameac lo ievanck o gyfoeth with Hywel.
Ai geraint un faint ar fwydoil yn genedl llangynwydPwy a gafas fob gyfiawnpwy oedd well ei hap a'i ddawnO'i rodd iawn a'i rwyddinebo'i ras i huw yr a'r SiebA fu un yn y Venisbyw yn y wal na bai'n isCannings ieuangk a enwirneu whidintwn ydyw'n tirA gair yn fyw gwr yn folmwy or byd mor wybodolGofyn ym a'r gyfenw iauheb daring oedd baderauCyrchu i'r siop ceirch o ras hafcnau o aur arw'n arafCymer can dy baderaucyfrif yn ddigrif bob ddauFy mryd yn benyd cyn beddroi fy mes ar fy myseddFy llaw'n eu teimlaw'm hebtufy mysedd i fam lessuPadereu gemau duw gwynpellenau helpu llinynPer a'i gwaith ym mhob rhyw gorpeleu Mair fal plu marworAfalau rhag gofeiliaintoreins owydd wyr hen saintlloereu ar yr allor yntlleuadau fy Haw ydyntMes a ddwg fy myssedd imae or fawd ym rifedideg nod a gai newidiawo'r bibell aur ar bob Haw
APPENDIX continued
287
Enwi Ave Mariaac i dduw'n ddegau oedd ddadeg a'i rhif yn deg yw'r rhaina thegach yw saith ugainswrn o gnau sirian y gwnaidac yn ser fain gwns euraidSer a roddes o riddaursipris gwaith siop o wrysg aur
fewn y Bont faen y byddbanck llawn o bynkeu llonyddhowel praens yn helpu'r iaithhowel alont hael eilwaith
01 law y cad deg pader
a dau sydd fal dwy o serI howel mi a heafbaderau hoff bedwar hafEi baderau sy fau fii'r marsiant goramersi
Lewys Glynn Kothi a'i K.
D (2).i howel prainche o'r Bontfaen.
Hael iefank o'r hil ufuddhowel prains el hap iw ruddMair a lessu i'r marsianta ro oes hen lorus santMae'r gwr yn gymro geirwirmarsiant ail Emrys ein tir
. . . o'r naws y ddl
huw o Cowbris a Gabriel
Brig y dref foneddigaidd
yn nhir y iarll y mae'r hen wraidd
Fob rhyw win a'r pupur einym
howel prains hael a'i pair ym
hwyr ym oedd fal yn nhir Mon
hael nag o golennigion
Brig pob kelennig lonydd
yn y bont vaen yn bunt fydd
cyfrif paderau Eu cyfrif yn ddigrif dda
yn fammod a wnaf ymaPaderau 'r nef a gefaiso gnau a ser nid gan saisA gwin gwynn o gan gwanega gweinart aur gan cor teg
Gweinart seems Gweinart a sug o winwydd
to be a Poniard ac ami sioch gron y syddAi llafn yn gyllell hefydac aur hardd ac ar ei hydMae ei charn iegis darn o danmewn ser a mynwes arianY mae yn deg er mwyn dyngorun moel ar gam melynY fernais a fu arnawYty w aur drud y tir drawHew o aur sydd ger llaw'r saidtu arall griffwnt eureidlliw nyf yw'r gyllell nefolllafn ni ad lief yn ei ol
Xyfheavens
288 APPENDIX continued.
Mae'n deg euraid ei gwegil
mae'n aur coeth o'r min ir cil
A llythr oil aeth ar y wain Llythr pro
da yw eurllythr iw darllain Llythrennau
honn yw'r honn a henwir rhwyll
ac a ennyn y ganwyll
Fal cwrel o fely carreg
y tan a dynn etto'n deg
dur owchus yw o *drichwart * 3/4
da yw'r dur i dorri dart
seidyn yn garn felyn fydd
seren nen assur newydd
Anrhec fal un o'r egin
ia neu wydr yw yn y drin
Ffiled yn gyfled a gwayw
fflaim yn dwyn fflam neu danvayw
Mwy yw wrsib y marsiant
huw Prains
Mwy'r galon no mo'r golas
mwy erioed no dim ei ras
Ni bo llai oi wyneb lion
na'i aur golau no'r galon
Ni wyppo'r glynn yn neppell
eisiau huw prains pa wr well
Lewys Glynn Kothi a'i K.
D (3).
Jesus College MS. 13, p. 63.K. i ganmol tre'r bont vaen.
Arferais oil ar vawr waithor map o mwndi air maithyny llyfr hwnn oil hefydi deall bardd dyll y byda ffob gwlad a phawb a glywai hynaif a fflei henywar dyll sydd ar drefydd droso gylch y ddaear agos
rhain i gyd a rhoen gaisaur ddyll ar a deallais
y Bont vaen am vrytaen vrauolwyrwedd yw ail orau
01 lie teg dai llywiwyd honnoi daeoni ai dynnion
oi dyir oil da vu erioed
ai thai wingost ai thangoed
oi fferllannau diau dwys
oi brodir yn Baradwys
oi chyfrauthau gorau gwyr
yw rhylan ai rhiolwyr
oi gwyr ogylch ai gwregedd
oi meibion mwynion ai medd
oi merched teg ywr egin
oi gwailch ai gwenith ai gwin
oi bonedd egleirwedd glod
oi da ddynion diddannod
oi glan byrth gloywa ny byd
oi hafon drwyddi hefyd
APPENDIX continued 289
Addawon yw dda yn wyroi didwyll ffrwyth i dwedirglan yw sytt gloyw yno syddyr haelion ar heolyddoi marchnad yn dda i gadanar neweiddau gorau ganoi hyd bumrhyw ai hadaili pasio na pwy syn ailos am drefydd rhydd ywr hwnna sy iawn air i soniwnnoi chig bob rhyw ai chogionnyn wir hwnt mae, n, orau honnoi had newyddiad naddwaithi maen od yma yn iaithglan ywr gwaith glainiau ywr gwyra thirion ywr gwnaethurwyryw dda ogylch o ddiwgadyw Ian ynghenol y wladbyldo, n, wych bai ail dan nefbyth windraul i bath wendrefond da hefyd ond difostymrig kaer ond mawr i kostyndi saint da iawn a sydder kwyro, r, dref ar kaeryddpwy na ddawe pwy, n, ddiwaelarno chwant ai iawnwych haeli nerthu yn bu yn bortha gwiw amod oi gymorthawn yno oil yn un airawn yw kofio yn kyfairor radd uchaf vwynaf voesir rhadd isaf rwydd eisioesy marchogion a sonnianta rhwydd iawn oil rhoddi wnanta ffawb o wrsib hoff yntar iawnwedd a rhon yddynty bonedd a ffawb enwira sydd o iemen ny sirda rho n i rhoddion wrth rhaiddinag ar kyffrediniaida meibion gwychion i gwedda rhy yno rhianedda rhydd i gwelir y rhainie charwyr a chowrainawn bawb yno o bellan kymorth heb yn kymellawn os awn unais enydawn ac aur yno'i gydyno i gwnair o dair bob darnenwog ydiw yn gadarnyn dref ail i Bablon drawar dynion ny hordainiawninife ail ne nef ynnywr deinas a ordeinynnam i ffryd mwy yw i ffrisyn a ffywrach no Pharisail ywr bont vaen is maenawrod ar vil i Droya vawrglan iawn ynt gleiniau ynwyrwiwddawn oes i ddinaswyr20
290 APPENDIX continued
lantarn yw alont ir naill
a chaerwyr drych i eraill
iach yn rhai iawn wych wraidd
edrych ar y dref wydraidd
a rhoddir aur ai addef
ac arian beth dreth ir dref
ynn y nef i ninnau, n, wir
eto ailwaith i kelir.
Dafydd Benwyn
ai kant.E.
LLANFRYNACH CHURCH.A SERMON PREACHED IN AID OF ITS RESTORATION.
...
mSiS$x 4
8P 1
ff, - "?'*;*. w."
LLANFRYNACH CHURCH_(!) j!922.Isaiah, LI, i, 3, R.V.
" Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek theLord : look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pitwhence ye are digged. . . . For the Lord shall comfort Zion, he will comfortall her waste places ; and he will make her wilderness like Eden and herdesert like the garden of the Lord ; j oy and gladness shall be found therein,thanksgiving, and the voice of melody."
The text is, I think, singularly appropriate for the occasion, for reasonswhich will hereafter appear. It says : " He will comfort all her wasteplaces, he will make her wilderness like Eden and her desert like the gardenof the Lord."
A traveller who passed this way four years ago on a journey fromLondon to Barry Dock, under the name of Gregory Kean, recorded hisimpressions in the " Cardigan and Tivy-Side Advertiser " for 19th October,
APPENDIX continued
291
1917, in the Welsh language. And this is what he said : " I went to seeLlanfrynach Church. There is a service held there once a year, but thechurch is nearly tumbling down and falling to ruin under the weight ofmany centuries, and no one seems to care. It has seen better days, butnow its churchyard is a desert and its paths a wilderness. I did not seethe inside, for the door was locked, and the spider had spun its web overthe key- hole." I doubt whether the journalist appreciated the difficulties.The old church is far away from the population, and has, along the lanes,what must be in winter a very dirty approach, though along the fields,with the double stiles and the rests for the bier between them, there is afeature which is somewhat unique and peculiar. It seems to show that the
LLANFRYNACH CHURCH (2) A.D. 1848(from Dr. Salmon's Appeal).]
parishioners made their way to] Church) across [the fields and not along thelanes. There is another difficulty : the population is small and the onechurch in its midst suffices for its needs. The church should be where thepeople are, and perhaps at one time the centre of gravity of the populationwas at this end of the parish. Now, however, this is not so, for it is else-where, and the services are held where they are best attended. The spiritualtemple is, after all, a more important matter than the material fabric, con-secrated though it is by many centuries of Christian worship. Still, hereit stands as a WITNESS, and for that alone it is the wish and care of theparishioners that it should not fall into decay.
From time to time efforts have been made to preserve the fabric. Onebig effort was made some scores of years ago by Dr Salmon, and I rememberbeing shown by Miss Nicholl, of Woodford, an appeal for its restorationand rather a fine engraving of the old fabric and the churchyard. Furtherefforts have been made from time to time, and those chiefly concerned arenow most anxious to do what they can to " comfort all her waste places,"to " make her wilderness like Eden and her desert like the garden of theLord."
So parishioners and neighbours and friends have all come here to-nightto show that joy and gladness is still found herein, thanksgiving also andthe voice of melody.
This old temple of the Living God is worth preserving if only for itssilent witness that His truth endureth to all generations. It has manythings to teach us Antiquity, Stability, Continuity, Strength. Continuity
292 APPENDIX continued
with the past under changing conditions evolution not innovationJesus Christ the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever.
To-night I want you to accept the prophet's invitation and look atthe rock whence ye were hewn, at the quarry from which you living stonescome which build up God's spiritual temple. In other words, to let thepast speak to us, to listen to a tale which this old church has to tell, a storyof well-nigh 1400 years, of many epochs in the world's history, and of greatmovements which have left their mark on the progress of mankind. Bearwith me patiently for the nonce, for what little is known of the old churchand parish cannot be told in as many minutes as are the number of thecenturies of its records in human history.
The church whose walls enclose us bears the name of Brynach, andthat takes us back some 1350 years, for he migrated to the heavenly regions,after much travelling on earth, on the 7th of April somewhere about the year570. Most of what is known about him is connected with West Wales.His " Life " says that he was a son of Israel, which means that he was ofthe true Israel of God, that is of a Christian family. The old Welsh calledhim " Brynach Wyddel," that is, Brynach the Irishman. He was " soul-friend " to Brychan, the Irish conqueror of Brecknock, came with him toBritain, married his daughter, who bore him three children. He visitedthe tombs of the Apostles at Rome, on a pilgrimage, travelled much inBritanny, founded Llanfrynach in Pembrokeshire, and the church andparish of the same name in Breconshire. Many are the tales told of him,tales which would interest you were there time to tell them. Suffice it tosay that they reflect the spirit of his age, an age when men saw visions anddreamed dreams, a great missionary age, an age which planted the crossin all our old parishes in the Vale, which first gave us our parish churchesand laid in our midst the foundations of that faith wherein we stand to-day.He gave his name to your parish church, but apparently not to your parish.The names of our old Welsh churches are generally called after their founders,and so are our parishes, but here the name of the parish was determined bya geographical feature, for the witness of a whole string of documents fromthe thirteenth century to the seventeenth is constant, as far as my researchesgo, that the name of the parish is Penllyn and not Llanfrynach. The firstreference to the parish iu any extant document known to me is in the NorwichTaxation of 1254, when Ecclesia de Pendlin was put down for four marks.The mediaeval scribes always had a difficulty with our Welsh " 11 " andrepresented it by dl as here, by thl, or by a single 1.
The parish comprised the manor of Penllyn, and the manor was worth15 a. year in 1262, when it was held by John le Norries. It is difficult towork out the relative values in money, but you can get somewhere near iton the calculation that a pair of gentleman's gloves then cost about onepenny ; we know this from certain rents of the time due to Margam Abbey,where the tenant had to pay either a pair of gloves or a penny.
Then came the age of the growth of the monasteries at the expense ofthe parish churches. Your church was appropriated by the Abbot andmonks of Margam, as ours was at Llanblethian by the Abbot of Tewkesburyin 1242, and we had to surrender to the monks a hundred years before youdid. The old people of Penllyn took the surrender lying down not so,however, at Llanblethian. When Eustace, the monk, was sent from Tewkes-bury to be inducted, the keys of Llanblethian Church were removed to thehills, the parishioners stopped him on the highway and held him prisonerfor three days in the hills, whereupon they were excommunicated by myLord Bishop, and those who did the deed, a certain J. Grant and his accom-plices, by my Lord Abbot, and were probably none the worse for it. Thenthe Abbot of Tewkesbury himself came to Llanblethian on 25th July, 1242,to receive the " mission " of our church. It was the Lord of Glamorganwho gave us away, and a hundred years later the Bishop of Llandaft didthe same with you, for somewhere between 1361 and 1382 Roger Cradock,Bishop of Llandaff, with the consent of his chapter, " for ever united, annexed,and incorporated " the parish church of Penllyn with the Abbey of Margam.
APPENDIX continued. 293
The monks were very good lawyers, they left nothing to chance, buttook the precaution of obtaining a " Bull " from the Pope, and a RoyalLicence from the King, to confirm the transaction, in 1384. The Pope's" Bull " so called from the leaden seal attached to the document reciteswhy Penllyn Church was annexed to Margam Abbey, and the reasons theregiven are as follows :
i. The universal hospitality of the Abbey, which was too much evenfor its rich endowments without further help.
ii. Because of the incursions of the sea on the Abbey lands.
iii. Numerous and expensive law-suits,
iv. Constant wars and troubled times.
v. Heavy debts,
vi. Pestilence, which had carried off so many of its men.
Such were the reasons given why your predecessors had to pay theirtithes io Margam Abbey instead of for the use of their parish church. Therewas, however, the following reservation : " Saving a fit portion to beassigned for the sustenance of a perpetual Vicar to be institued by us inthe same," and a pension of 40s. which Margam had to pay annually toLlandaff as an indemnity for the church. This continued till another Bishopof Llandaff disputed the Abbot's right in 1413, when apparently there wasa big law suit, which had been carried to the Papal Court at Rome, aboutthe rectorial tithes of Penllyn. In this document, which can be seen in theBritish Museum among the Harleian Charters, we have in Latin the followingrecitation by Nicholas de Transaquis, doctor of decrees and chaplain of ourLord the Pope, " that he has been deputed by the Pope to deal with thecomplaint of John, Abbot, &c., of Margam, against the Reverend Fatherthe Lord John, Bishop of Llandaff, for molesting the Abbot in respect of thetithe of the parish church of Penllyn." He inhibits the Bishop from inter-fering and summons the parties to appear before him at Rome. It is datedthe 24th of March, 1413.
There are many ecclesiastical documents of this period, and in all ofthem the parish is called Penllyn and never Llanfrynach.
At length Margam itself fell, and a local poet, Lleision Cradoc, ofColwinston, wiote two Welsh englynion in consternation at the great blow,which seemed to have left them lifeless. The garden of faith, said he, wasdevastated by this act of high-handed oppression, when the saints wereturned out, and the ruthless act would prove to be the end of all learning.So your tithes were no longer paid to the monks. After the dissolution of themonasteries Gierfield Peers had them, and Katherine Thomas, widow, bygrant of the King, and since that day they have followed the fluctuatingfortunes of human society. Then came the Reformation, followed by theDeformation, when all the old works of art in the church all the carvedwork thereof were broken down with axes and hammers, and the old churchbecame as much like a barn as human ingenuity could make it.
Then came the Civil War, when the parish priest was turned out andthe Puritan preacher put in, and it is probable that at this period the stainedglass windows were all smashed and the old churchyard cross destroyed.
Church and King came back to their own in 1660, and with them a parishpriest of this old church, who, if he could preach as well as he could compose ,must have been an inspiration to his people during his long ministry ofthirty-six years within these hallowed walls. The Llandaff Records tellus that David Williams, of Penllyne, was made deacon on 13th January,1660, and ordained priest on the 3rd of March following : " That he wasinstituted to the perpetual vicarage of the parish church of Penlyne aliasLanfrynach on the presentation of Anthony Turbervill, gent., on the 24th ofSeptr. 1662." Known throughout Wales as Dafydd o'r Nant, he was oneof the greatest poets of his age, and with his institution appears for thefirst time, in the many records searched, the name of Llanfrynach. Further,in all the old lists of Welsh parishes in our oldest MSS. the name Penllynappears but not Llanfrynach. Dafydd o'r Nant, your old Restoration
294 APPENDIX continued
Vicar, not only preached the Gospel within these walls, but by his poems heliterally sang it to the people of Wales.
His " Can Tad yn Athraw ei Blentyn " a father's advice to his sonwas very popular. It is rather long and the metre is almost an impossibleone to reproduce in English, because the canons of English and Welsh prosodyare so different. I shall give you just two verses out of the eleven, the firstand the last, in another metre, just to show you the drift of the old Vicar'sthoughts :
" Give ear, my son, thy father speaks to theeAs suits thy years. Now list to me.Lest thoughtless in temptation's paths you tread,Seek always sense to keep your head.And first, of all the things I have to say,God's laws remember and obey.To virtue God's own promise standeth sureTo those who work and faint not, but endure.
Be wise, at peace with all thy neighbours be,And Christ's reflection let them see in thee.Love thou thy Church, its reverence share.The road that leads to Paradise is there.Know well thyself, and in thy mindLet no foul thought a lodgment find.Be law on heart and members set.Thy father's counsel ne'er forget."
His elegy to John Powell, of Maesteg not then a busy mining com-munity but a country house of that old Powell family now represented inour county by the Turbervilles, the Trahernes, the Franklens, and, perhaps,by some others in this church to-night is one of the finest elegies in theWelsh language.
Most originals lose in translation, but it is worth the risk just to quotea few lines :
" Warm, patriotic, true, in heart and zeal,Service he gave to King and Common-weal.To friend he was most faithful found and trueHe loved, and never pride within him grew.
And thou the generous both in deed and word,Gallant and true, art with the Lord,In glory and in peace, endowed with grace.By God's own hand set in a heavenly place.Farewell, my friend a friend thou wast to me.Farewell, I'm overwhelmed with grief for thee.The love I found with thee, my heart doth show.Farewell ! no more find I such love below.Dwell thou in glory in the mansions blest,With God the Lord, a saint in perfect rest.With the angelic host thy companyAnd heaven at last a home for thee."
The old Vicar had preached his last sermon and had sung his last songbefore 1695, for Book III of the Acts of the Bishops of Llandaff records :" On the 14th of Septr. 1694 the institution of Christopher Portrey, clerk,M.A., on the presentation of Humphrey Edwin, Knt, to the vicarage of theparish church of Penllyne, vacant by the death of David Williams the lastincumbent thereof."
We have travelled a long road this evening. We have seen many sightsand heard many voices. If that old yew tree outside, with its eight hundredyears of growth, could speak, it could tell us of many a talk it had heard ofthe things of which I have been speaking to you to-night.
APPENDIX continued: 295
Here, thirteen hundred years ago, Brynach planted the Cross and hereits message is proclaimed to-day.
What a fine pageant the old fathers of your parish would make !Across the grass we have trodden on our way to this old shrine walked thewild and mystic Celt. Here came the Norman baron and his men. Herestood tonsured monk and gallant knight. And here as God's family withvillein and churl they partook of the same heavenly food and were fed withthe same word of life. And here we stand to-day, the heirs of the agesand the sons of them all. From each, if we would live out the life that'sin us, we have something to learn from the Celt his holy vision and hismystic thought, from the Norman his genius for organization, from themonk his self-sacrifice, from the knight his chivalry, from the Cavalier hisloyalty, from the Puritan his zeal. All these qualities we need to-day ifwe would carry on their work till we, in our turn, have gone our way.
Go on then with this work, good neighbours of Penllyn a work worthdoing, a work worth helping we wish you good luck in the name of theLord. Repair, restore, adorn, here a little and there a little, as you areable, as others have done before you, as your children will do after you.
Look at the fine old tower. Here it stands in all its solid and silentdignity, yet it speaks with a voice of mighty eloquence of that strengthwhich we all need and of that eternity to which we all go. " Stand fastin the faith," it seems to say to us, " quit you like men, be strong." Stillthe ivy clings to the tower, speaking to us of a love which is stronger thandeath, of Him who has promised, " I will never leave thee nor forsakethee."
NOTE. Since the time of Dr. Salmon's Restoration the Old Church andChuichyard have been periodically attended to by Colonel Homfray, ofPenllyn Castle, and the Coffin Stiles repaired when necessary. Thispeculiar feature can be seen from the Bridgend road.
In 1919 the Vicar of Penllyn, the Rev. F. R. Williams, M.A., andColonel and Mrs. Homfray collected some money for the restoration.Lord Dunraven, the Lay Rector, gave a donation. Well- attended serviceswere held in the summers of 1921 and 1922, to which the congregationgave liberally, and so enabled a substantial fund to be collected, whichwas materially increased by a bazaar held in the grounds of Penllyn Castlelast July.
Colonel Homfray tells me : " We claim now that the Church isabsolutely watertight, the tower has been cemented where required, andall the windows in it will soon be covered with wire guards to keep outthe owls and hawks, and incidentally I hope this will remove the tempta-tion to the rising generation in the locality to break into the Church toget the eggs.
" The chancel floor has been levelled, and also that of the tower,and lately new seats have been provided, copies of the few old ones thatweie there.
" We hope that now it will be impossible for anyone to break intothe Church and sleep there, although several attempts are still made todo so.
" The remaking of the churchyard is now in hand, which entails agreat deal of work, and removing the rubbish of ages. There is a greataccumulation of soil round the walls of the Church, which I hope to getremoved and bring the ground to its original level, and, if funds permit,a broad path will be made all round the Church, besides those that arebeing now remade on the original lines.
" I cannot speak too highly of the great assistance of Mr. WybertThomas. His expert knowledge, besides his practical experience as abuilder, has been freely given, and you yourself consecrated the pulpithe was kind enough to give."
The Rev. F. R. Williams tells me that Mr. William Vaughan, ofTewgoed, has also rendered valuable assistance.
296 APPENDIX continued
" This is practically an account of all that has been done, but, nodoubt, later on, if we can maintain interest in the Church, other matterswill suggest themselves, and we shall pass on the old Church to oursuccessors in a somewhat better condition than we found it."
F.THE ITINERARY OF THE ARCHBISHOP GALFRIDUS
On the 15th day of November, 1921, having parted from the indefatigableFranciscus de don de Margam, we passed the cross of Gerald my predecessor,and so took our leave of the City of Teilo, as Baldwin and the Archdeaconhad done so many centuries before. As soon as we had completed thebusiness we had in hand in the City of Kaerdif we departed therefrom withour host Sidney Dominus de Byass, a deputy of the Gustos Rotulorum, aman of stately bearing, a great benefactor of the Church and a prince inour Israel, at whose castle we were to spend the night. We had with usDavid the Canon, who, besides being a man of weight in the diocese and muchrespected therein, is of a nimble wit and excellent company withal. OUT-journey was along the Roman road called in earlier times than ours " yePorte wave," which leadeth to the Roman station of Bovium throughBonvilston, at one time a fee of the Knights Templars, called by the Welsh" Tresimon," from Simon de Bonville, the Lord thereof. In the countrythrough which we passed, " ton " so-called of the English taketh the placeof the Welsh " tre " which is rendered " villa " in the antient Book ofLlandaff.
Many were the places of interest through which we passed whereof wecan mention but a few.
COTTRELL where dwelt Rice Merrick who wrote of the antiquitiesof Glamorgan, now the seat of the highland chieftain called the Macintosh.
STALLING DOWN called by the Normans ESCALIERS where theVicecomes did sometimes hold court. Thereon standeth a tree with a branchfor a gibbet where was exercised the lord's right of " pren a phwll " withthe antient penalty for felony, videlicet, escheat to the Lord with " the sireto the bough and the son to the plough."
We arrived with Sidney the Lord of the fee at the antient castle ofLlandough so called from the saint Docguinnus as the Welsh do name himbut Cyngar of the English. The professor Rhys doth say that Cwwo-carosis the Goedelic form of the name and that ~Do-chun is derived therefrom.Here lived the divine and lexicographer Johannes Walter and a Bishopsurnamed Copleston sometime propositus of the college of Oriel in theUniversity of Oxford and Bishop of the see of Landavia. The writer Thomasde Carlyle hath described the beauties of this place. After we had refreshedourselves we proceeded to Villa de Kowbrvgge, through " ye greate suburbe,"now called the eastern village of the same, without the gates. On ourarrival we were greeted by Laomedon the Chaplain of Holyrood, Wybertusthe Mayor and Willielmus le Blanch the Recorder. Then with Sidney theLord of Llandough in his robes as Propositus of Talbot his port, andFredericus de Worsley the Warden of the School of the Tribes of the Saints,we ascended the dais where the Archbishop received a warm greeting fromthe Aldermen, the Councillors, Chenceis, Reciants, tenants and burgesses ofthe antient ville, as also from the clergy and many of the do mini capi talesand their ladies with some hundreds more who had come together to witnessthe bestowal of the freedom of the Burgh on the Archbishop. This freedomdoth carry with it a privilege of antient time of imprisonment in the upperprison of the Guild Hall if needs be so and his Grace may henceforth goabroad at night in the Borough and in the liberties thereof after nine ofthe clock without fire in his hand, but it restraineth him from going to anywedding-ale without the Borough. After he had taken the oath to be civilto the Aldermen of the Town, Wybertus Propositus de Kowbrvgge conferred
APPENDIX continued 297
the honour on the Lord Galfridus as a distinguished son of Wales amid theapplause of the assembled people. The Archbishop spoke of the old times,of Agriculture and the Schools, and by his geniality, his warmth of heart,his simplicity and grace, did put the people at their ease. This ville takethprecedence of all others in being the first to confer its highest honour on theArchbishop of the people of Wales.
Then to the church of this walled town we went, named Capella deSancte Crucis de Kowbrvgge. It seateth 650 of the people but thereinwere 800 to greet the Archbishop.
When he had robed him in his cope and mitre the boys of the GrammarSchool did present the Venerable Father with an address which readeththus from the copy of the same :
" NOS ALUMNI SCHOLAE BOVIENSIS, SCHOLAR APUD SILURESANTIQUISSIMAE, NEQUE ADEO FAMAE IGNOTAE, AMOREQUEECCLESIAE NULL! CEDENTIS, HUMILITER AC REVERENTER TIBI,reverendissimo patri in CHRISTO providentia divina Domino ARCHI-EPISCOPO CAMBRENSI. nunc primum hoc municipium BOVIUM visenti,salutem plurimam dicimus.
" In te haec schola, ad gloriam DEI et ECCLESIAE condita, caputnostrum in rebus spiritualibus, lumen atque decus Ecclesiae nostrae, virumintegritate, gravitate, doctrina laudatum, iam tot saeculis interiectis similidignitate praeditum ac ille DAVID SANCTUS, nostiae patriae propriuscustos atque pater, salutare summaque observantia honorare gaudet.
" Quod inter alumnos suos te schola nostra non potest numerare, dolariquidem est, at tamen duobus vinculis te nobis coniunctissimum habemus.Audivimus enim te puerum, multos annos haud procul his muris egisse ;item, quod COLLEGIUM JESU tibi alma mater est, id nobis custos atquebenefactor semper fuit.
" Quibus de causis, nee non ut cognoscas studia liberalia apud nosnon omnino neglecta neque amorem erga Ecclcsiam sanctam diminutum,tibi hanc epistulam salutem ferentem mittimus, sperare ausi earn tibi noningratam fore. Sin vero, hoc municipium iterum visens, Scholam nostramingredi digneris atque nos ipsos, qua es sapientia, qua facilitate adhortari,beneficiis nos cumulare videaris, gratiasque maximas semper et habeamuset agamus."
Then when the representatives of the boys had departed to their placesthe cross of the church moved forward, borne aloft by Cunobolinus the sonof Laomedon and sc a stately procession wended its way into the church,the choir of the Grammar school, the like of the church, full two score of thelectors and clergy, Bedel, Ricardus Ludimagister, Servientes ad cla', thePropositus of Talbot his port, the Recorder of Kowbrvgge, the Mayorthereof, the Wardens of ye hed paroch chirche of Lanlithan, the same ofHolyrood, Nicholas the presbyter, Laomedan the dean of Penychen, thecross cf the Province of Wales borne by Magister Willielmus Franklyn,the Archbishop his grace, his chaplains Griffin Landavie decanus andcapallanus to the Vicecomes, Ricardus of the College of Iltutus, and Davidof St. Leonard (called by the Welsh Lidnerth) de Novo Castello, two of thedeans of Gorwenydd.
Words of grace were they which proceeded from the Archbishop's lipsand words of wit withal. De cursu the parishes had already sent in theirquota. He did plead without pleading. Great was the inspiration of theservice. The Church in Bro Morgan wg will long remembei with gratitudeand pride the visit of the first Archbishop of Wales to the " Cathedral ofthe Vale."
Early in the morning of the next day the Archbishop celebrated theMysteries of our faith at the altar of Docha assisted by the priest of thatplace one Johannes de Londres, a priest with a big voice whom we had seenmarshalling the piocession at Kowbivgge the night before, and who we weretold excelled in manly sports in the days of his youth. It is said too that hedid excel at the gathering of the clans which in their speech they do callthe Eisteddfod.
21
298 APPENDIX continued
In the forenoon of the same day the Archbishop called at the Rectory ofLlandow, which standeth for Llanddew, and proceeded to the church thereofwhere he was received by Leolinus the Rector, and Thomas the Lector.Here he did not put on his canonical apparel as it was an unofficial visit toa parish of which he had very tender memories. A very simple servicein a small country church. A few inspiring and wise words. Llandow of60 years ago. The good lord of the place of whom they were all afraid/ witha future Archbishop among them. The good lady his daughter, a saintin her way, with daily visits to the village school, with her goodness andkindness to all. The Archbishop's kindly words to the young, a distincttrait in his character, as at Kowbrvgge, feeding the lambs. Silent prayerat the altar. A keen interest in everything in the church, old stones withinthe altar rails. A keen antiquary. Kind words to the old village grannyof fourscore. Something private. Memories. A parting talk with Laomedonon the antiquities of the Vale. Quota cf Llandow. The lord Galfridus aman of a very versatile character. His good lady, modesty and sweetnessitself.
Then like our predecessors Baldwin and Giraldus having started fromLlandaff " we immediately pursued our journey by the little cell of Ewenith "where we rested, and then preached our crusade at the Old Castle now calledBridgend. In the evening of the same day we went on a long journey tothe Cymmer of the two Rhonddas where the Archbishop again addressedthe people.
Llandough, Llandow, Ewenny, Bridgend, Cymmer. Llandaff, all inone day.
Such is the activity of Galfridus our Archbishop at the age of 73, aman who even in the days of his youth was an anax andrwn, and after thealloted span. an inspiring personality, of untiring energy, of courtly bearingand graceful speech. In the morning he sowed his seed and in the eveninghe withholds not his hand
The rest of the manuscript cannot be traced, but it is known that on the1 8th of November he presided at a meeting of the Electoral College at Newport,when Dr. Green was elected the first Bishop of Monmouth.
G.INSCRIPTIONS.
(1) NORMAN INSCRIPTION IN LLANBLETHIAN CHURCH.
DAME : EME . . T : LA : FEMME :WATER : TORIG : GIST : ICI : D[IEU]
- (O)EI : ALME : EIT : MERCI.
(2) INSCRIPTION AT COWBRIDGE.
This inscription is given in MS. 185 (Llanstephan) = Phillips 2159 atthe National Library of Wales, which is a note book by Edward Llwyd.
The date of the MS. is apparently A.D. 1698.
On p. 41 there is the heading : " on y e cross in Cowbridge Churchyard,"with a drawing of the Cross and a mystical inscription of about six letterswhich I cannot decipher.
lolo refers to it in Llanover MS. 68, p. 182, where he gives two drawingsof it, the first of which he took from "E. Llwyd 's MS. in Mr Nichol's possession,&c., &c." (p. 171), the second implies that he had seen the cross, for hewrites underneath it, " The pedestal more correct : E.W." He gives theinscription, but the letters were undecipherable to him also.
The cross in all probability still remains in the churchyard, or was,perhaps, taken into the church at its restoration.
No Cowbridge person seems to know anything about it to-day.
APPENDIX continued 299
H.
ELEMENTARY EDUCATION.
1787. Counterpart Lease ... to William Lewis, of the School House. . . All that one Messuage and Curtilege one garden and stable thereuntobelonging commonly called the School House with the Appertenances situatelying & being in Church Street. . . .
1836. 21st July. Ordered that this Court do stand adjourned to thisday week to take into consideration the grant of a piece of ground for thepurpose of building a National School Room thereon.
1836. 28th July. On the motion of Dr. Williams, seconded by Mr.Bradly, Bailiffs of the Town, Resolved that the Corporation concur withMr. Daniel Jones in a grant of a piece of unoccupied ground in the parishof Cowbridge lying between Mr. Jones's lands near the Quarry Barn andthe Road leading from the East Gate in the said Town to Lanblethian forthe purpose of erecting a National School Room thereon for the Unitedparishes of Cowbridge, Lanblethian, and Welsh St. Donats. That a Clausebe inserted in the Deed restricting the grant to the purposes of such School.
1839. 8th February. A Letter from the Rev : Thomas Edmondesthe Incumbent of Cowbridge requesting a contribution from the funds ofthe Corporation towards the future maintenance of a School for the educationof the poor of the said Town in the principles of the Established Churchwas taken into consideration.
Resolved that the Corporation give a sum of Five pounds annually forthe above purpose.
1845. llth December. John Frauncis Gwyn of Ford Abbey in theParish of Thorncombe in the County of Devon Esquire by his Will of thisdate has made the following Bequest : I give and bequeath unto the Ministerand Churchwardens for the time being of the Parish of Cowbridge in theCounty of Glamorgan the sum of Two Hundred Pounds in trust to investthe same in their Names in the Public Funds of Great Britain and applythe Dividends and annual proceeds thereof in such manner as they shallthink proper for the Benefit of the National School for Boys of the threeConsolidated Parishes of Cowbridge, Llanblethian, and Welsh St Donats inthe said County of Glamorgan. (A paper in the Church safe.)
1864. 28th April. The Reverend Thomas Edmondes the Vicar of theParishes of Cowbridge and Lanblethian . . . applied for a grant or Leaseof a piece of Land near the East Gate of the said Town of Cowbridge . . .as a site for a National School for the said Parishes."
THE BLUE-BOOK REPORT ON THE STATE OF EDUCATION IN WALES
IN 1847.
COWBRIDGE.
Under the " Hundred of Cowbridge, Parochial Notes," the reply to thequestion, " Are the Children of Farmers and Labourers educated together ? "from the majority of the parishes is, " No : fanners send their childrento Cowbridge."
The Informant for Llanblethian, Cowbridge, and Welsh St. Donats isThomas Edmondes, who is described as Vicar of Cowbridge.
" Is there a resident clergyman ? No. Yes ; all one, the same incum-bency." " No," being the reply for Llanblethian, and " Yes " for Cowbridge.
" What is the prevailing kind of Employment, and rate of wages ?Agricultural 10s. to 12s. per week on their finding ; if they work by the day,2s. per day."
" What is the Moral Character of the Population ? Neither very goodnor bad. There is a strict observance of the Sabbath."
" Are the Children of Farmers and Labourers educated together ? Thechildren of some smaller farmers are at the National School ; others send theirchildren to the Eagle School."
300 APPENDIX continued'
" Can the children of Churchmen and Dissenters be educated together ?
Yes, I could have no doubt of it. They are so at present. The majority
of children who go to the National School are more of Dissenting parents."
In the Assistant Inspector's Report we have some information as to
the Schools of Cowbridge in addition to the Grammar School.
" A private establishment, called the Eagle School, enjoys a veryextensive reputation as a commercial school, but is beyond the reach ofthe poor.
National School. . . I found the room neat and the children orderly ;there was no apparatus beyond the master's desk, and desks and benchesfor the scholars ; the room is stone-floored and the door in bad repair. . . .The master told me the attendance was most irregular ; many did not cometo school more than two days in the week. . . .
Mrs. Burton's School. . . was held in the dame's house. Children wereonly taught reading & spelling, & the girls a little sewing . . .
Miss Harris's School. . . . was (what the dame termed) a preparatoryschool, & kept in a small room in her house ; she seemed a superior person :her scholars were farmers, tradesmen, and mechanics' children. There wasonly one labourer's child in the school & this one of the better class ; theyspent most of their time in sewing. . . .
Mrs. James's School. . . It scarcely deserves the name of a school. WhenI first entered the house the dame had gone to church to supply the placeof her husband, who is sexton, and was at work elsewhere. The next timeshe was out when I entered, but came with a baby in her arms. . . .
Sunday Schools. Church School. It was held in a room in Mrs. Burton's(the school -mistress's) house, who is the only constant teacher, thoughsometimes she is assisted by ladies from the town. . . .
Ramoth School. . . . During the winter-time it is held in the vestry-room.When I entered the room the children and the form teachers were all seatedround the fire, & the place presented anything but the appearance of aschool. . . .
Calvinistic Methodist School. . . It had very little the appearance of aschool, but more as if a few had met together to read. The teacher of eachclass read alternate verses with them. They did not seem to be under anydiscipline whatever, but did just what they pleased, & when they pleased. . . .
Wesley an School. . They could all read Welsh with tolerable ease. . . .The teachers did not question them at all upon what they read, but merely-read the chapters through.
St. Donats (Welsh) Parish. . . I called on the Rev : John Powell, curateof St. Donats. He informed me that the parish contained no school of anydescription, either day or Sunday. A great part of the children attendedCowbridge National School."
THE CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL.
13th January, 1892. " I Thomas Edmondes . . . clerk ... do ...grant ... to The Reverend David Bowen Clerk Rector of the Rectory ofCowbridge aforesaid . . . and David Tilley and David Thomas Church-wardens . . . ' the Cowbridge Church Sunday School ' . . . formerly calledor known as ' the National School ' . . .
TO HOLD unto and to the use of the said Rector and Churchwardens andtheir respective successors Rectors and Churchwardens for the time beingof the Rectory and parish of Cowbridge aforesaid for the purpose of thesaid Act and to be applied as a Site for a School for the education of poorpersons and in the parish of Cowbridge aforesaid or otherwise for the educationof such poor persons in religious and useful knowledge and for no otherpurpose whatever Such school to be under the management of the parsonwho being Rector or Curate o the parish of Cowbridge aforesaid shall havethe care of the said parish for the time being ..."
'APPENDIX continued 301
I.AN ADDRESS
To the Boys of Cowbridge School at the Unveiling of the School Tabletin Cowbridge Church.
(Printed in the Bovian at the request of the present Headmaster andnow re-printed at the suggestion of the late Headmaster.)
Eccles. iv, 28 : " Strive for the truth unto death, and the Lord Godshall fight for thee."
What could be more fitting " than these words, which you heard readto you this morning, for such an occasion as this the unveiling of theTablet erected to the memory of the old boys of the School who fell in theGreat War !
To-day, however, is not our great day of remembrance, that is yet tocome, when the beautiful window which will be erected in this Church in whichthey worshipped, as you are worshipping to-day, is unveiled to their proudand loving memory. On that occasion we shall probably have our Bishopamongst us, and no doubt the Mayor and Corporation of this ancient boroughwill come to this House of God to do honour to the memory of the old boysof the School.
The occasion of the unveiling cf the tablet is, however, too heartfeltfor an old boy of the School to pass ovei it with just a " tag " to his sermon .
I was asked by one whose wishes with me are almost a command torefer to the Tablet this morning, but I must do more, and, therefore, it isto you boys that I want to speak to-day face to face, and not in the pulpitwith my back to you, as I generally have to do.
Whoever is privileged to occupy the pulpit when the window is unveiledwill probably speak of those old boys to their parents, to their friends, andto all who love our ancient and honoured School, but it is to the boys whoare here to-day that I want to speak.
" If you don't stand up to it in front, you deserve tc get it behind,"that is one of the qualities which a public school has to teach, and it is thesame thing that is said, though of course in more literary and polite language,in the words that immediately precede the text, " Lay not thyself down fora fool to tread upon, and accept not the person of one that is mighty." Itis what we were asked to do when the fool who boasted of his shining armour,of his mailed fist, and of his rattling sabre came upon us, and was met bythose who " Strove for the truth unto death," and among them the oldboys of our School whose monument is unveiled to-day, at my request,by one* who taught them, loved them, and for many years watched overtheir welfare.
Thirty-three years ago I sat where you sit to-day, and when I returnedafter thirty years and saw the School sitting in the same seats it seemedto me as though I were a sort of Rip Van Winkle who had been to sleepin this Chutch and, after thirty years, had awaked and found the sameSchool in the same seats, and 1 felt, well, emotional Welshman that I am,I shall not tell you what I felt.
Where are the boys who sat with me when we were you ? We haveall gone our ways, some have gone to their long home by natural causes,others long before their time, some are with us still, living lives of usefulnessto God and man, others are parasites and drcnes of society.
And yet when we came here what splendid opportunities were beforeus ? We were all taught the first elementary lesson that a school of thiskind has to teach, what, indeed, you boys teach each other, never to be asneak, what a horrible thing it was to be a cad, to stick,u> our friends, to
- The Rev. W. F. Evans, the late Headmaster.
302 APPENDIX continued
be true to our pals, and to stand up to it in front. There were traditionsto be maintained, there was the spirit of the School which bound us togetherwhile we were here, and there was the feeling of Auld Lang Syne when weleft it. Those were the qualities which the School had to teach us, howeverimperfectly we learnt them, that the first thing in life was to be a man. Ifyou can be a scholar and a man so much the better. Those qualities whichthe School had to teach us, which the School is teaching you to-day, whichyou are teaching each other, are the qualities which go to make a soldierand a man, qualities which those old boys whose names are on the tablettook with them to the War when they strove for the truth unto death.
They, being dead, or rather " living unto Him " (who has uses for themthat we know not of), yet speak to us speak to us of love for the old School,which leads to and produces so many other things, speak to us of friendshipswhich we form, like David and Jonathan, friendships of our School andcollege days. They tell us how sacred is the name of friend. They speakto us of privileges won by the faith and trust and devotion of others, ofthe " greater love " which lays down its life for its friend, of the " betterresurrection " which awaits the children of God, of the glories of the eternalcity whose maker and builder is God, that we must each do his part to bringthis City of God down to earth and make this world in which we live morelike to heaven. They speak to us that we have no right to live to ourselvesand for ourselves, for our own pleasure and our own enjoyment, that it isnot enough to eat and sleep and sport and die ; that all our money, all ourdistinctions, all our offices are as nothing worth unless we play the game.
They speak to you dear boys that NOW is the time to prepare for whatlies in front of you (for the world is saved by its youth), by developing healthyminds in healthy bodies, by careful preparation for every task, by learningnever to get into slip-shod habits, by seeing that the foundation is trueand firmly laid.
THOSE boys of Cowbridge School fought for the State, fell for the State,and died like men. See to it, dear boys, that from this solemn moment youresolve that their example, as far as you are concerned, will not be in vain,that you will live like men, with no cause to be ashamed when, in a newand better world, you will meet the old boys of Cowbridge School, whoonce sat where you sit to-day, whose boyish hearts like yours saw visionsand dreamt dreams, who wonde-ed with the wonder of boyhood what thefuture would bring forth. Little did they dream of their coming martyrdomand their baptism of blood for a world that was cut of joint, for humanjealousy and selfishness and greed, for vaunting ambition and the lust for power.These are the things which have cost the world thirty million lives, the thingswhich make wars and destitution, misery, and death. These are the thingswhich you must learn to fight, to stand up to, to kill, or you betray thecause for which they died.
No drowsiness, no slackness, no laziness, no sloppy methods.
Buck up, boys, play the game, fight the good fight, and cheerio.
J-THE JUDICIOUS EDMONDES.
A Sermon preached in Cowbridge Town Church.
Hebrews xiii, 7 and 8 (R.V.) : " Remember them that bare the ruleover you, which spake unto you the Word of God : and considering theissue of their life, imitate their faith.
" Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and to-day, yea, and for ever."
This is but one of many instances where the R.V. gives us a truer render-ing, in our tongue, of what the authors of the Sacred Scriptures really meantand wrote than we find in the A.V.
APPENDIX continued 303
There we have : " Remember them that have the rule over you,"which is obviously wrongly rendered, for the reference is to departed leaders.The word comes from the Greek verb which means, to go before, toshow the way, to guide, and do, to command or rule, therefore, " guides "or " leaders " is as good a translation as any. " Blaenoriaid," which couldwell be rendered " leading men," is the Welsh version.
" Remember your former leaders " is the translation given in " TheNew Testament in Modern Speech." It is, then, an Apostolic injunction toremember our guides, leaders, and rulers, who spake to us the word of God,who have passed away leaving a faith to be followed, and a manner of life,the end or issue of which is to be considered, and it is to the fulfilment of thisduty that I have to call you this morning.
This locality, very picturesquely described by a great writer as " a mostpleasant, fruitful region : kind to the native, interesting to the visitor. Awaving, grassy region, cut with innumerable ragged lanes : dotted withsleepy unswept human hamlets, old ruined castles with their ivy and theirdaws, gray sleepy churches with their ditto, ditto," has had during the lastquarter of a century more Archdeacons connected with it than perhapsany other locality in Wales.
During the period Mr. Prothero, who succeeded Canon Edmondes asVicar of Llanblethian with Cowbridge and Welsh St. Donats, became sub-sequently Archdeacon of Cardigan.
Thomas Williams, a native of this place, and an old boy of the GrammarSchool, attained the 'dignity of Archdeacon of Merioneth.
William Conybeare Bruce, late Archdeacon of Monmouth, is happilystill with us, and in a letter which I shall always cherish wrote when I wascalled to this place : " Your acceptance of Cowbridge opens the way to arescuirg cf a slackened but not dropped thread. . . . Cowbridge is, to me,one of the cherished spots of my old Vale of Glamorgan boyhood, and Llan-blethian . . . has many old family associations of mine ..." In the GreatHouse lived his grandfather, the father of the first Lord Aberdare. Withinalmost a stone's throw, on a slight eminence that arises, ".divided into greenfields, tufted and bordered with copsewood, and crested by a ruined castle,"stands St. Quintin's Cottage, and there, amid a scene of what John Sterlingcalls living, heartfelt, perfect beauty, with the green valley, the sparklingrivulet, the broken fortress of dark antiquity, the broad stretch of verdurebeneath, the County town and church tower silent and white beyond, wereborn to Thomas Edmondes and Harriet Anne, his wife, three sons whobecame leaders of men.
Charles Gresford developed into a fine and cultured scholar, and becamePrincipal of St. David's College, Lampeter, and Archdeacon of St. Davids.
Frederic William became Archdeacon of Llandaff, and refused theBishopric.
Francis Quintin served God as a soldier and attained high rank in theArmy.
It is of Frederic William, so lately taken from us, that, standing in thisplace to-day, with which he was so intimately and affectionately connected,I am in duty bound to speak.
The Rev. Thomas Edmondes, Vicar of these parishes, with lu's increasinfamily, found St. Quintin's, smaller then than it is to-day, too strait forthem, and moved within the old gateway of the town, with its pointed archand decaying battlements, to the old Hall of Cowbridge, and there the truestand strongest feelings were bound up in the remembrances of home.
As you look at the strong old-time house you will find inscribed thereona motto and a text which the sons who were bred therein were proud toown and up tc which they tried to live.
Like house, like motto, like men, true and strong and somewhat stern .
Frederic William Edmondes was a cultured and dignified clergyman ofthe old school, and I believe that the trying to live up to that motto wasthe guiding inspiration of his character, the secret of his strength, and themainstay of his manner of life.
304 . APPENDIX continued
Many of us see it as we pass that old world house, but few perhaps knowthat it is a text from the Latin version of that part of the Bible which weread for example of life ana instruction of manners.
It takes us back to the Court of an Eastern King, where three youngmen of the King's bodyguard strove to prove what was the strongest thingin the world.
The first said Wine, the second the King, and the third Woman, butabove all things Truth beareth away the Victory.
Vincit Veritas.Gwirionedd a orchfyga.
Frederic William Edmondes, whatever his faults were, was a goodman and true, a man of transparent honesty and singleness of purpose, andthe life of such a man has always something to teach us.
You have only to look at the tablets in the Chancel of this Church andat the inscribed stones in the choir to see that through several strains ofbirth he came of a stock which had seen and done much service in Churchand State.
His father was the parish priest of this place, and he could claim botha grandfather and a great grandfather as Headmasters of Cowbridge GrammarSchool.
On his mother's side the Glamorgan Williamses numbered among themmany distinguished men.
He always took a very kindly interest in this parish of which he wasa native, and in this town of which he was a freeman. Here in this Churchhe worshipped as a boy. In the Grammar School hard by he received hisearly education, and from it he won a Scholarship at Jesus College, Oxford,with which our School has had for centuries an ancient and honourableconnection .
After he took Holy Orders, with the exception of a short period inScotland, he spent all the years of a busy life and an active ministry' in hisnative County cf Glamorgan. In his time, apart from the diligent performanceof his spiritual duties as a parish priest, he filled many public offices, in whichhe showed an expert knowledge of procedure, where he was always a sticklerfor method, constitution, and order, as well as for " redeeming the time."It was never his fault if in any meeting under his chairmanship there wasany unnecessary verbiage.
For many years he represented his brother clergy as their proctor inthe Convocation of Canterbury, and he was for a long period the HonorarySecretary of the Llandaff Diocesan Conference.
As Secretary of the Llandaff Diocesan Society the Church owes muchto his loving care and oversight in the work of building and adorning Churchesin the Diocese.
During the tenure of his office as Archdeacon he showed much administra-tive ability at the meetings of the Llandaff Church Extension Society, wherehis very intimate knowledge and understanding of the various parishes inhis Archdeaconry effected considerable economy and better distribution ofDiocesan funds. His Visitation charges were full of sound advice and commonsense, clothed in chaste English, simply and clearly expressed, wherein hehad always a kind and feeling word to say of those who had done their day'swork and had been called to rest. At his Visitations he was most hospitable,and the after-gatherings were very cheerful functions, for at such timesthe Archdeacon was an admirable host and most enjoyable speaker, full ofquaint and dry humour, though it is said that it was at the Cowbridge OldBoys' dinner that he always unbent the most and was seen at his best. Forour School he had great affection, and many a Cowbridge boy has receivedhis education at reduced fees by virtue of his generosity. He was a cheerfulbut unostentatious giver, and to the knowledge of some of us he gave awaythousands of pounds without the public knowing anything about it.
During the closing years of the Episcopate of Bishop Lewis, the Arch-deacon was his administrative mainstay in the County of Glamorgan, and so,
APPENDIX continued 305
when the late Bishop was called to his rest, it came as no surprise to theDiocese that he was called upon to succeed him in his office . To but fewis given the opportunity, strength of character, and grace to say NoloEpiscopari, " I do not wish to be a Bishop."
For reasons best known to himself, and kept to himself, he refused theoffer and continued to serve the Church in a humbler sphere, though whenthe call came he was a tried man as an administrator and ruler, alwaysunostentatious, retiring, and reserved, and in many ways resemblingArchbishop Temple in his character and disposition.
In his Churchmanship, which was always of a robust kind, he followedthe Anglican ideal of sweet reasonableness, neither inclining to Geneva onthe one hand nor to Rome on the other, but pursuing the even tenor of hisway along the lines laid down by our great divines in the past. Thoughholding firmly to this ideal he was, however, very tolerant of the views ofothers, appreciating their work even where he disagreed with their methods.
It would be hard, indeed, to know who respected him most, the clergyof the Diocese, the leading laymen of the County, or the humble men of theVale, amongst whom he lived as an honoured neighbour for seventy yearsand more.
To all of these classes he was a wise counsellor and a faithful friend.He rightly divined the word of truth, and was a faithful steward of themysteries of God, for his sermons were models of careful thought and work,based upon sound and ripe scholarship, clothed in classic English, and deliveredwith clearness and sincerity. In his quietness and confidence was his strength.
His gifts were more of the Judicial and Administrative than of theProphetic or Priestly order of the Church. He was more of a Moses thanan Aaron, stronger in deed than word, and his best and visible rhetoric wasthe power of his personality. His memory will always be to me that ofThe Judicious Edmondes.
And now comes the end or issue of the life, which the Apostolic writerwould have us consider.
He lived his day and did not outstay any stage of his work.
The evening of his life was marked with a retirement by stages. Whenhe felt his energy no longer equal to the strain of parish work together withthat of his Archdeaconry, he retired from his parochial charge and retainedhis Archdeaconry, and when that proved too heavy a task for his advancingyears he made a further retirement to the less onerous work of Rural Dean,which he held to the last.
Surrounded by every token of respect from all classes of the community,all that was mortal of Frederic William Edmondes was laid to rest under theshadow of that beautiful Church which stands to the glory of God, and is amonument of his love and care.
One who was present at the funeral said there was nothing morbid aboutit. Why should there be ? In the morning he sowed his seed, and in theevening withheld not his hand.
A good and long day's work, careful preparation in the early hours,a manly bearing of the burden and heat of the day, a gradual relaxation ofwork as the day wears on and the evening shadows fall, then retirementto rest, " The end of a perfect day," a refreshing sleep, and then a wakingup to a new and more perfect dawn.
Another said there was a feeling of something strange about it, it wasa funeral but the body of the Archdeacon did not seem to be there.
As we stood around in the Church which he had planned and executed,and brought into being, the spirit of the Archdeacon seemed to hover overthe whole place, in the building, in the atmosphere, and amongst his friends.There was no thought of a body to be buried. It was an end which did notseem to be an end because it ended in Him the Eternal, Who is the sameyesterday, to-day, and for ever.COWBRIDGE,
24th Nov., 1918.
306 APPENDIX continued
K.BOROUGH, CHURCH, AND SCHOOL.
A Sermon on their connection preached before the Mayor and Corporationon Mayor's Sunday, 1921.
Psalm xlviii, 11, 13 ; cxxii, 6 9: " Walk about Sion, and go roundabout her : and tell the towers thereof. Mark well her bulwarks, set upher houses : that ye may tell them that come after. For this God is ourGod for ever and ever : he shall be our guide unto death. . . .
O pray for the peace of Jerusalem : they shall prosper that love thee.Peace be within thy walls : and plenteousness within thy palaces. Formy brethren and companions' sakes : I will wish thee prosperity. Yea,because of the house of the Lord our God : I will seek to do thee good."
Wonderful was the love of the Jew for the ancient city, which was tohim at first a garrison city and a walled town, containing therein the Templeof his God and the schools of his native land.
" If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning."Such love is worthy of remembrance and imitation, and occasionally wecatch some glimmer of its light and are cheered by its warmth. LastWednesday it was a pleasure to see some reflection of it, as the members ofthe Corporation of this old town, in a most natural and unaffected manner,one after another expressed their affection for Old Cowbridge, and I am surethat the sentiments in all their hearts were those of the Psalmist not onlyfor their brethren and companions' sake, but for the sake of the old townitself, " I will seek to do thee good." Old Cowbridge the House of theLord our God, let these be the subjects of our meditation to-day as we thinkof her towers and her bulwarks that we may tell those that come after.
" A tower of strength " has become an idiom of the English language,and the familiar passage of Scripture reminds us that it is such from theface of our enemies.
Look at the tower of this old Church, with its battlements. It tells ofan age when such were built not for ornament but for use. Around it andperhaps within it gathered the retainers of the Norman lord to hold thisspot and defend this settlement from the incursions and onslaughts of thefierce Cymric tribes, as in an earlier age those who held the fort inWaun-y-gaer hard by had done before them.
The walls of tliis town, built, according to the mediaeval chronicler,Caradoc of Llancarfan, in 1091, were not built for ornament but for pro-tection, and that such protection was needed is evident from the old lawsof the Borough, which from internal evidence itself and corroborative evidencefrom the archives of other ancient boroughs take us back to Normantimes.
" Item ytt is ordeyned, That ev'y burgesse, tenante, reciants, andinhabitants of the said Towne, shall have a defencible weapon & harnes,to stand by the Bailliffs, Aldermen, and other officers of the said towne,for the defence and good order of the same, uppon payne of am'cementeat ev'y tyme that they or any of them shalbe found faultie."
They tell of a time of suspicion and distrust, when this little settlementtook great care that every man within its walls should be known and marked,especially in the hours of darkness, when the deeds that cannot stand thelight of day are done.
" Item ytt is ordeyned, That noe stranger shall walke by nyghte, alterIX of the clocke, without a reasonable cause, or fire in his hand, upon payneof am'cemente of xij d. & his bodie to prison."
The Norman character of its inhabitants may be gathered from oneof the earliest of Cowbridge deeds a grant of a tenement by Amicie LeNevelestar, of which the witnesses are . . . Roger le Poleter, Nicholas deMora, and others, in 1310.
APPENDIX continued 307
This old Norman town contains two most ancient institutions, itsChurch and its Corporation, and two very old men, its Mayor and its Chaplain,and whether of the twain is the older is beyond my ken.
The first reference to the Bailiffs is that of a quit-rent of xijd due fromthem to the lord of the town in A.D. 1281, and to the chief municipal officerin 1305, when he is described as Johannes propositus, or provost, deCoubrigge.
That there has been a church here ever since there has been a townis clear from the mediaeval documents, and the steps by which we arrive atthe conclusion may present some features which may be of interest to you.
The history of the Grammar School tells of another tower, from whichhas sprung a condition of things of which this little town may be well andjustly proud, for what Dr. Malkin wrote of Cowbridge at the dawn of thenineteenth century is true to-day in the first quarter of the twentieth. " Iquestion whether there be any town in Great Britain, better provided, inproportion to its extent, with the means of instruction, both vernacular andscholastic."
" Walk about Sion, and go round about her, and tell the towers thereof."We have been to one, and now I must take you to the other. Great was thepreparation which was made at Cowbridge School for the Speech Day on23rd September in the year of grace 1618, for the visit of its Patron, Sir JohnStradling, himself one of the most accomplished scholars of his day. Whenthe great man appears, to the head boy, Evan Seys, who afterwards becameAttorney- General for Wales, was given the honour of making the Latinoration of the day, and from this quaint and delightful speech we find thetower and many other things as well.
" Your Uncle," said he, addressing Sir John, " was determined to placethis school in the very front and face of this town, that is in the lofty towerwhich is situated almost in the middle of the market place, and as it werein the passage of all who come to this market . . . You . . . have . . .removed this school of yours into this convenient and commodious placewhere it is built, where we seem to be encompassed in a manner on everyside, on one side by the Church and Sanctuary of God Almighty, and on theother by the town walls and ramparts."
Now, there is extant a Conveyance of this tower in the year 1487. Itis conveyed, or rather is evidence of the conveyance, by Thomas Wenlloug,Canon of the Cathedral Church of Llandaff, and Vicar of Llanblethian, andothers, who are described as " feoff a tores Willelmi Priouie." In otherwords, as feoffees of William the Prior.
The grant is of one tower with its curtilage, etc., and it lies between thehigh road which leads through the middle of the town on the south and thewalls of the town on the north. The Bailiffs of the town and the sergeantsof the same, with many others, witness the document, which indicates thatit is a municipal affair, for the Vicar and the municipal executive take partin it. In 1 586 it was conveyed to Sir Edward Stradlinge, and the descriptionis, " the Prior's Towre, etc.," within Cowbridge, with the same boundaries.
Your predecessors, gentlemen of the Corporation, were intimatelyconnected with this trust, for in 1523 there is a Lease by the " Commons "of the Town of Cowbridge of " Priour is hill " adjacent to the stream calledthe Thawe on the west, and the townlands on the east, and succeeding deedshelp us to identify the property, for there is a sale in 1608 of Prior's Hill,and a lease in 1691 of lands, thirty acres, in the parish of St. Hilary, calledthe Prior's Hill, alias the Lake, and in 1693 an acquittance for chantry rentsat Prior's Hill.
So, then, Prior's Hill is connected with a chantry. We have next to findwhat and where the chantry was.
In the Record Office there is a chantry certificate which explains thewhole thing. It tells us that in connection with Cowbridge there werecertain lands and tenements belonging to the service of William Pryor, givento find a priest to say masses for his soul, of the yearly value of 11 /5s, andthat out of this the stipend of the salaried priest was 6.
308 APPENDIX continued
As only half of the endowment was used " for the perpetual support ofone priest celebrating in the service called William Pryor's service in theParish Church of Cowbridge," according to the Ministers Accounts in 1550,and the Corporation grants a lease of the property, it may well be that beforethe Church and parish were disendowed of William the Prior's endowment,the balance of 55s, which was a considerable sum in those days, was usedby the town for educational purposes and that for Cowbridge School heldin William the Prior's tower, and further that the re-endowment by theStradlings and Sir Leoline Jenkins was to replace what had thus been takenaway.
Now. who was William the Prior ? His name occurs as a witness to adocument dated at Llanblethian in 1305 Willielms le Prior, Johannes Long.To all appearances he was dead before 1317, for in that year there signs thesame Johannes Long, with the addition of Alexander called the Prior, andRichard the son of Stephen, who are all described as of the clergy.
So we have established the fact that somewhere between 1305 and 1317there was an endowment for a service in Cowbridge Church, with a considerableresidue, which there are reasons for thinking was held and administered bythe Corporation, and in all probability for educational purposes.
But Cowbridge Church has a more venerable antiquity than even this,for just fifty or sixty years after the town walls were built there is a charterby Nicholas, Bishop of Llandaff, between 1153 and 1183, confirming to theAbbey of Tewkesbury Llanblethian Church, with the Chapel of St. Donats,the Chapel of St. James of Llanquian, and the Chapel of St. Senwara on theThawe. Here, then, is the mother church of Llanblethian, with three chapels.Welsh St. Donats we know there is a mysterious Llanquian aisle inCowbridge Church, and St. Senwara on the Thawe.
In 1443 there was a dispute about the boundaries of Llangynwyd andKenfig and the tithes due to Margam Abbey, and the Court to decide thematter was held " in capella Sancte Crucis de Coubrugge," in the chapel ofthe Holy Cross of Cowbridge.
There is some evidence to show that Cowbridge Church was called HolyCross before 1281. In the account of the property of the Lord of Glamorganin that year, the rent for Cowbridge had to be paid by the feast of St. Johnthe Baptist (the dedication of Llanblethian) and the tolls of the market ofCowbridge " ad festum invencionis sancte crucis," at the feast of the Inventionor the finding of the Holy Cross.
The south aisle of the Church was built before 1473 by the good ladyof this town, the Lady Anne of Warwick, and it appears that there was amovement on foot amongst the inhabitants of the town for a more indepen-dent status in the relation of the chapel of the Holy Cross to the mother churchof Llanblethian. It bore fruit in a royal charter by Richard III as Lord ofGlamorgan in right of his wife. It is dated 1484, and the gist of it is :" Forasmuch as our beloved burgesses . . . may be able to have a fullyqualified chaplain to celebrate divine service in the church or chapel of theHoly Cross of Cowbridge . . . provided and found out of the fruits andrevenues of the tithes and incomes from the same inhabitants : and in orderto establish that in perpetuity, ask that an ordinance . . . shall be madebetween the same inhabitants . . . and the present Vicar of Llanblethianand his successors, all future Vicars there ... we ... have thought thattheir just desires should be assented unto and graciously by these writingsgrant our consent for an ordinance of this sort to be made by you."
This royal grant marks the peculiar status of Cowbridge Church, whoseincumbent is not and never has been Vicar of Cowbridge in sober truth.He is Vicar of Llanblethian, but as regards Cowbridge he has but two names,Chaplain of Holy Cross, or Rector of Cowbridge.
From the time of this royal charter, Cowbridge Church has been somethingmore than a chapel of Llanblethian, and it has always held a unique positionin relation to the Corporation of the Town.
On a previous occasion I have shown you how, in the time of QueenElizabeth, no one could erect a seat or pew in this church without the
APPENDIX continued So 9
authority of the Bailiffs of the town and certain other members of theCorporation, and no one could open a grave in this church without theirconsent. All the records show that it was essentially the Town Church andindependent and self-governing, though not separate from the mother churchof Llanblethian.
From 1762 to 1781 there was a strong desire on the part of the Corporationto bring about a separation. It began with a resolution in a Couit of CommonCouncil in 1762, whereby it was agreed " that in case a separation be procuredof the Rectory of the said Town from the mother church of Lanblethian andthe future presentation to the said Rectory be relinquished by the Deanand Chapter of Gloucester and vested in the Corporation that a stipend ofsix pounds yearly chargeable on the Revenues of the said Town shall besettled in perpetuity on the officiating minister of the said Town." However,it failed to fructify, and in 1781 was dropped.
Nevertheless, the Corporation continued to pay the stipend of theMinister of the Town of Cowbridge. They paid the Rev. T. Williams, B.D.,Headmaster of the Grammar School, they paid John Walters, the learnedRector of Llandough, who acted as Minister of the Town, and several others.
Not only did the Corporation pay for the clergy, but they also paid forthe bells, and in 1721 mortgaged the revenues of the town for the purpose.
They paid for ringing them also. They paid the organist, dictated hisduties, and contributed most liberally towards everything that was neededin connection with the Town Church.
In an age when my predecessors Vicars of Llanblethian were oftennon-resident, drawing their stipends as Rectors of Cowbridge (very little itis true), and never ministering in this church and town, it was the Corporationof Cowbridge who provided the funds for carrying on the work by a suc-cession, at one period at least, of most able and learned men.
Base, indeed, would be the ingratitude of the Churchmen of Cowbridgeand of the chaplain of Holy Cross and rector of this town if we did notacknowledge with thankfulness all the good things which the Corporationof this town have done for this church. We live under new and changedconditions, but they do not expunge the debt.
Whatever be the views of the separate members of your body you willalways be welcome here in this old church, for which your fathers andpredecessors have done so much.
Dear old Corporation which you are, you have had many hard thingssaid of you from time to time, but the chaplain of Holy Cross, who is as oldas you are, can never forget that for eight hundred years or so we have walkedinto this House of God as friends.
To-day we have walked about our Sion and have told the towers thereof,we have marked her bulwarks and set up her houses, and within these hoarywalls have worshipped Him who is our God for ever and ever and our guideunto death. Let us not leave these hallowed courts, consecrated by theprayers of thirty generations of Cowbridge folk, without a prayer and apurpose, and a lesolve to do all we can for the peace and prosperity of dearold Cowbridge. For my brethren and companions' sake I will wish theeprosperity. Yea, because of the house of the Lord our God : I will seekto do thee good.
ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS.
Page 9, line i.PEN ,YCHEN = ICAPUT BOUM.
See the folk-lore of the V 'chain Bannog and the Avainc, in " The Valeof Glamorgan ; Scenes and Tales among the Welsh," pp. 247-252. (Tendon :1839.)
The Ychain bannog were said to be wild oxen with enormous hornswho ravaged the country round, and the Avainc something like a crocodile.
Page 9, line 3.PEN OHEN > PEN PCHEN > PEN YCHEN.
Mr. Owen Williams, of Crossways, says that there is a place near Pwllhelicalled to-day Pen Ychain, and that the older form known to the natives isPen Ochain. As the natives were unaware that Ochain was the old formfor Ychain, some of them conjectured that it was derived from ochain, " togroan," and that it referred to the ocheneidio the sighing of the sea !
The interchange of O and Y is still to ! be found in the varyingpronunciations of the name Owen.
Page 10.ROMAN |CoiNS IN COWBRIDGE.
The latest find of a Roman coin in Cowbridge was by Mr. Evan Hopkinwhen excavating in the High Street of the town, in A.D. 1922.It bears the inscription on the obverse :
" DOMITIAN AUG .... COS X . ..."
He was Emperor A.D. 81-96, and assumed the name of Germanicus.All that can be made out of the reverse are the letters :
S.C., S., and the word JAUGV ....with what looks like a triumphal arch in the centre.
Page 24.Y LLYGOD.
Compare the curious place-name Mousiad, now generally known asMoorshead.
" I recollect well hearing old Anthony, whom nobody doubted, saythat when he was a young man he lived as farm-servant at Wilton ; andthat the narrow lane, near there, leading from Mousiad to Lisworneycrossways, was haunted by a Gwyllgi, or Spectre-dog." (The Vale ofGlamorgan, p. 40.)
Page 62.HERALDRY ON 'THE MACE.
Mr. Iltyd Nicholl, F.S.A., is of opinion from the heraldry on the maces,together with the date, A.D. 1606, that they were given to the Town ofCowbridge by the Lady of the Borough, Mary, Countess Dowager ofPembroke, renowned for her birth, beauty, wit, learning, gracious manners,kindness of heart and piety.
312 ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS continued
Her epitaph is well known :
" Underneath this sable hearse,Lies the subject of all verse,Sidney's sister, Pembroke's mother :Death, ere thou hast slain another,Learn 'd, and fair, and good as she,Time shall throw a dart at thee ! "
The finest portrait of her is said to be at Penshurst. The Marquis ofBute is descended from her.
Page 78.TRADITIONS CONCERNING OWEN GLYNDWR.
What lolo calls Coed y Marchog is now known as Sir John's Walks.
There is a lane marked on the map, from Primrose Hill to Aberthun,which is now called Heol y Mwynwr.
A fairly large stone, with a socket as for a shaft, near the clump of treesopposite the seat and adjoining one of the telegraph poles, may still beseen on Stalling Down.
This, in my opinion, is the pedestal of the Cross to which lolo refers.
There is still a solitary pine-end, covered with ivy, to be seen in thevillage of Aberthun.
Page 155.
ST. NICHOLAS OF ST. NICHOLAS.Mr. Htyd Nicholl writes :
' ' St. Nicholas of St. Nicholas ' does certainly appear to be incorrect.But we can picture Dingley hurriedly making notes in the church on thatAugust afternoon in 1684 and having to leave to accompany Sir RichardBassett of Beaupre and the Duke of Beaufort on a further stage of their' Progress ' before he had finished.
" The ' St. Nicholas ' has nothing to do with the Nicholl family. Thetomb or monument, now no longer to be seen, must have been erected byor to the memory of Meyrick of Cottrell, possibly by the antiquarian, RiceMeyrick."
Pages 48, 214, 215.LITTLE ISLAND.
There seems to be some confusion in the Life of St. Samson, the Lifeof St. Paul de Leon, and the Life of Gildas between the Insula of Illtydand the Insula of Piro.
The term Insulula, "Little Island," is applied to both in the lives ofthese Saints. With the Insulula at Cowbridge we have to consider thecombination of the tradition that Gildas was educated at " Ichen," accordingto Carte. (History of England, p. 303.)
The Insulula at Cowbridge may, perhaps, in the words of Gildas, bedescribed as " in quadam arta et angusta insulula," and probably as squalida.
Page 225.THE PROPERTY OF THE COWBRIDGE CHANTRY.
The document which contains the fullest description of the CowbridgeChantry property is to be found at the Record Office, under " Aug : Office.Particulars for Grants. No. 2311," being the last membrane but one. Itis, like the others, in Latin, of which almost every other word is contracted.
ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS continued 313
From a photostat of the document I am able to give the reader, notquite a word for word translation, but nearly a complete description, ofwhat is contained in the original :
" County of Glamorgan.
" Parcel of Lands lately exchanged by William late Earl of Pembrokewith our late Lord King Edward the Sixth and which formerly formed partof the Chantry [property or lands] in the County aforesaid.
" Rents and farm within the Town of Cowbridge."
[The word farm Redd etffirmva. this connection is but another descriptionfor what we now call rent. Blackstone says that farm is an old wordsignifying provisions, used for rent or render, because rents were formerlypaid in kind.]
"6) The rent or farm of a certain house or burgage situated outsidethe East Gate, with two closes of land adjoining the mill, containing sevenburgages lately in the tenure of Jenkin Williams by an Indenture made byRoger Carne for a term of seventy years beginning from the Feast of theAnnunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the 27th year of the late KingHenry the VIHth by demise of the churchwardens subject to a rent-chargeto be paid at the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel and at the Annunciationof the Blessed Virgin Mary by equal portions, per annum, x d.
" 7) Rent or farm of a certain close called Prior's hill lately in thetenure of Richard Knap by an Indenture made by Rece Williams for aterm of 90 years beginning from the Feast of the Nativity of Christ in thetwenty first year of Henry the VIHth paying at the terms appointed, perannum, xxiij s iiij d.
" 8) Rent or farm of a house or burgage situated outside the WestGate lately in the tenure of John Cooke by an Indenture made by WilliamCooke for a term of 99 years dating from the Feast of Michael in the thirdyear of Henry the Eighth subject to a rent charge, paying at the termsaforesaid per annum iii 5 iiii d.
" 1) Rent or farm of a vacant space of land containing four burgageslying between the house of John Pierce in the aforesaid town and the wallsof the same town, within the Eastern Gate of the same, lately in the tenureof the said John Pierce the assignee of Robert davy by letters patent ofher present Majesty the Lady Elizabeth given at Westminster the 29th dayof July in the fourth year of Her Majesty's reign, by which she demisedthose lands with their appurtenances for a term of sixty years from theFeast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary rendering for thesame per annum - iij d.
2. [As this is the present site of the Grammar School I shall quote theoriginal.]
" Redd sive ffirm Urn* pcell terre cum ptinen in vico vocat Roodestret ubi quoddam horreum et Burgag vocat Gate house edificat fuer modoin tenura ffrancisci Culley assignat dn Rob'ti davy, virtute dimissionis p'd.... solvend ad ffest p'd p Annum, xvj d.
" One parcel of land with its appurtenances in a street called RoodeStret where a certain granary and a burgage called Gate house had beenerected now in the tenure of Francis Culley the assignee of Sir Robert davy,by virtue of the demise aforesaid . . . paying at the aforesaid feast, perannum xvj d.
" 3. Rent or farm of two houses or burgages without the East gateor the site [scit] and parcel of land with its appurtenances where two houseshad lately been erected of which one was lately in the tenure of Gitto hullin,the others in the tenure of John mann both of them being in the tenure ofJohn Smith the assignee of Sir Robert davy by virtue of the demise abovesaid. . . paying at the feast aforesaid per annum xij d.
314 ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS continued
"4. Rent or farm of a site for houses containing half a burgage adjoiningthe house of Llewelyn ap Richard [this I take to be Lewys Morganwg, thegreat Welsh poet of the Tudor period] lately in the tenure of hoell ap Richardthe assignee of Sir Robert davy by virtue of the demise aforesaid, payingat the feast aforesaid for the site aforesaid [p scitu p'd] per annum, iiij d,
"5. Rent or farm of three rods of arable land to wit [Rod terre arr'scil't (Roda terrae, a measure of 16i ft. long, scil't scilicet)] three burgagesbeneath the close [cl'm] of William Carne lately in the tenure of John Oliveras assignee of Sir Robert davy by virtue of the above mentioned demisepaying at the aforesaid feast per annum, ix d."
The sum of the rents is given in the right hand margin as xl s with theremark: "The Tenure is Socage."
At the bottom is the following in English, but part of it has been obliterated :" M d there be certain other Rents and dewties called Burgage Rentsand Abbotts Rents yerly paid out of the p'misses to the Queenes maiestiesBailief of the possessions of Neath . . . this valew, and therfor to be exceptedin graunting the fee simple of the . . .
xxix die Januarii . . . ."
Page 286.
COWBRIDGE AND THE WELSH POEIS.
We can identify Howel Prains the Cowbridge merchant, to whom thetwo poems are addressed.
He is one of the witnesses to the Conveyance of William the Prior'sTower in A.D. 1487. (See page 222 above.}
Appendix G. (3).LLANBLETHIAN DEDICATION CROSS.
The Dedication Cross anointed by the Bishop in the consecration servicewas found built up in a Norman window in the chancel.
It is a pre-Norman relic, eleven inches square and four inches thick, andshows some kind of appropriation on the part of the Norman masons.
LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS.
No. of
copiss.
MR. HUBERT ALEXANDER, The Croft, Sully, nr. Cardiff . . . . 1
MESSIEURS EDW. G. ALLEN AND SON, LTD., Library Agents, 12 and 14,
Grape Street, Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W.C. 2MR. W. T. ANTHONY, B.A., Cowbridge Grammar School, "Dynevor,"
Cowbridge . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Miss ELSIE M. ARNOTT, 42, Eastgate Street, Cowbridge . . . . 1
Miss ANNIE AUBREY, 60, Eastgate Street, Cowbridge . . . . 1
B.
Miss M. A. BADEN, Cowbridge High School, " Preswylfa," Cowbndge
MR. D. P. BARNETT, Baltic House, Cardiff
MR. P. T. B. BASSET (dec.), " Beaupre," Cowbridge
Miss CHRISTINA M. BAUSOR, Llanblethian Vicarage, Cowbridge
MR. J. BAVERSTOCK, Mardy Ccttage, Llanblethian, Cowbridge
MR. B. S. BIRD, Cowbridge
MR. R. N. BIRD, Cowbridge
MR. W. BLACKMORE, New House, Llanblethian
REV. D. BOWEN, B.A. (sometime Rector of Cowbridge), Bassaleg Vicarage,
Newport, Mon.
MR. ALBERT BOWN, Llandough Cottage, CowbridgeMiss A. M. BRADDY, The High School, CowbridgeMR. HERBERT BRADLEY (dec.), Bitton Grange, nr. BristolMR. W. H. CECIL BRADLEY, Messrs. Wm. Bradley & Son, Solicitors,
CardiffCOLONEL JOSEPH A. BRADNEY, C.B., D.L., M.A., F.S.A., Talycoed.
Monmouth
MR. DAVID BROWN, Caxton House, CowbridgeTHE MOST NOBLE THE MARQUIS OF BUTE, per Mr. A. P. Jones, Bute
Estate Office, CardiffMR. S. H. BYASS, D.L., Llandough Castle, Cowbridge
C.
MR. W. J. CANTON, " Highfield," Penybryn, Merthyr Tydfil .. 1
THE MOST REVEREND THE ARCHBISHOP OF CARDIFF, Archbishop's House,
Cardiff .. .. .. .. 1
MR. GILBERT STRADLING NICHOLL-CARNE, J.P., Llanmaes House,
Llantwit Major
MRS. CHAPPELL, Glamorgan Hunt Stable, CowbridgeMRS. E. E. CHEDZOY, Llanblethian
MR. ARTHUR IORWERTH CLARK, 56, Conway Road, CardiffMRS. STANLEY CLAY, Rose Hill, SevenoaksMR. CHARLES E. CLEEVES, J.P., " Heddfan," Sketty, Glam.MAJOR W. COPE, M.P., M.A., Nash Manor, CowbridgeMR. E. W. M. CORBETT, J.P., Castle Street, CardiffMR. GEORGE Cox, Broadway Farm, Llanblethian . .MRS. P. Cox, 7, York Place, BrightonMiss CROSS, Mason's Arms, CowbridgeMRS. CASE, Eastgate Street, Cowbridge . .LADY CORY, Coryton, Cardiff
316 LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS continued
D.
No. ojcopies.REV. A. P. DANIELS, M.A., Clare College, Cambridge, Mission, 139,
Jamaica Road, S.E. 16, London . . . . . . 1
MESSIEURS DAVID BROTHERS, Foundry, Pencoed . . . . . . 1
MR. RICHARD S. DAVID, " Danygraig," Llanblethian .. .. 1
M tss MARY DAVID, The General Hospital, Swansea . . . . 1
MR. MORGAN DAVID, " Danygraig," Llanblethian . . . . 1
MAS. D. DAVID, Factory Road, Llanblethian .. .. ..1
MR. T. W. DAVID, J.P., Ely Rise, Cardiff .. .. ..1
THE RIGHT REVEREND THE LORD BISHOP OF ST. DAVIDS, The Palace,
Abergwili, S.O., Carmarthenshire . . . . . . 1
MR. CHARLES MORGAN DAVIES, M.S. A., 112, High Street, Merthyr
Tydfil, Architect . . . . . . . . . . 1
COUNCILLOR C. M. DAVIES, 30, High Street, Cowbridge . . . . 1
THE REV. CANON DAVIES, M.A., 1, High Street, Llandaff .. ..1
MR. DAVID HOPKIN DAVIES, 79, High Street, Cowbridge . . . . 1
Rr.v. D. N. DAVIES, Cowbridge . . . . . . . . . . 1
REV. D. W. DAVIES, B.A., The Vicarage, Aberavon . . . . 1
RF v. EMRYS J. DAVIES, Llanblethian . . . . . . 1
MR. HOWARD DAVIES, M.R.C.S., L.S.A., The Ash Grove, Pontypridd.. 1PRINCIPAL J. H. DAVIES, M.A., Cwm Cynfelyn, Aberystwyth (Principal
of the University College of Wales) . . . . . . 1
MR. JOHN MORGAN DAVIES (" J.M."), " Preswylfa," dyne, Neath .. 1
DR. J. P. H. DAVIES, " Fedwhir," Ystrad-Rhondda, Glam... .. 1
MR. MATTHIAS J. DAVIES, 34, Westgate Street, Cowbridge . . 2
MR. SELWYN DAVIES, 22, Arlington Street, St. James's . . . . 1
SIR WILLIAM DAVIES, Kt., 19, Cathedral Road, Cardiff (Editor of the
" Western Mail ") . . . . . . . . 1
COUNCILLOR WM. DAVIES, 16, High Street, Cowbridge . . . . 1
MRS. DAWSON, Hartlington Hall, Skiptcn . . . . . . 1
Miss ALICE DELAHAY, 43, Acland Road, Bridgend . . . . 1
MR. STANLEY H DORN, Barclays Bank, Ltd., Dorking, Surrey . . 1
MR. ERNEST LOVETT DORNFORD, The Grey House, Llanblethian . . 1MR. F. E. P. DUNN (Churchwarden of Llanr.ethian), " Plas Newydd,"
Cowbridge . . 1
E.
Miss M. EDDOLLS, 1, The Butts, Cowbridge .. .. ..1
MRS. D. C. EDMONDES, J.P., O.B.E., " Cartrefle," Bridgend .. 2
MR. C. T. EDMONDES, B.A., Old Hall, Cowbridge . . . . . . 2
Miss EDMONDES, Llandaff . . . . . . . . 1
MR. DANIEL ENOCH, J.P., " Brynawel," Tonyrefail, Glam. . . . . 1
MR. J. ESCOTT, 51, Eastgate Street, Cowbridge .. .. .. 1
MR. A. S. EVANS, " Eastfield," Cowbridge
MRS. A. S. EVANS, " Eastfield," Cowbridge . . . . 1
MR. D. J. EVANS, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., Cowbridge .. .. ..1
SIR E. VINCENT EVANS, Knt., LL.D., F.S.A., F.R.Hist.S., Chancery
Lane, London, W.C. 2 . . . . . . . . . . 1
MR. FRED EVANS, 39, High Street, Cowbridge
MR. HARRY D. EVANS, Pretoria Cottage, Llanblethian .. .. 1
THF- VEN. ARCHDEACON OWEN EVANS, Llanfaethlu Rectory, Valley,
Anglesey
MR. PEPYAT EVANS, 6, King's Bench Walk, Temple, London, E.G. 4
MRS. RICE- EVANS, " Eaglesbush," Neath . . . . . . . . 1
THE REV. W. F. EVANS, M.A., "St. Quintins," Llanblethian
MR. W. J. EVANS, Chemist, Great House, Cowbridge . . . . 1
THIC REV. M. EVANSON, B.Sc., Merthyr Mawr Rectory, Bridgend .. 1
LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS continued 317
F.
No. ofcopies .
THE REV. CANON J. FISHER, Litt.D., B.D., Cefn Rectory, St. Asaph.. 1MRS. E. E. FORRESTER, B.A., The High School, Cowbridge . . 1
SIR THOMAS MANSEL FRANKLEN, Knt., LL.D., St. Hilary, Owbridge . . 1
G.
MR. ERNEST E. GEORGE, The Oxford Hotel, Cardiff
MR. F. WILLIAM GIBBINS, J.P., " Garthmor," Neath
MR. FRED GOULDEN, "Hill Brow," Cowbridge
MR. AUSTIN L. GREEN, "Cefn Coed," Penarth
MR. J. A. GRIFFITH, Clovelly House, Bush Street, Pembroke Dock . .
THE REV. CANON D. T. GRIFFITHS, M.A., The Vicarage, Llantrisant, Glam.
THE REV. J. A. S. GRIFFITHS, M.A., Grewelthorpe Vicarage, Ripon . .
MR. J. J. GRIFFITH, 45, High Street, Cowbridge
MR. L. E. H. GRIFFITH, M.A., 5, Carlton Terrace, New North Road, Exeter
THE REV. T. S. P. GRIFFITH, M.A., The Vicarage, Knighton, Radnorshire
THE REV. T. E. GRIFFITHS. B.A., R.D., Hendre, Ynysybwl, Glam. . .
PROFESSOR W. J. GRUFFYDD, 'M.A., University College, Cardiff
Miss M. GUNTER, B.A., Cowbridge High School, "Plas-hen," Cowbridge
MR. ARTHUR W. GWYN, Solicitor, "Hillside," Cowbridge .. .. 1
MR. WM. THOS. GWYN, Town Clerk, Cowbridge . . . . . . 1
MR. J. W. HALL, J.P., Hill House. Llanblethian
MR. W. B. HALLOWES, The Cross, Llanblethian
MRS. A. M. HAWKINS, " Sherborne," Cowbridge
MR. D. HAWKINS, Head Master, Higher Elementary School, Tonypandy
MRS. FRANK HAWKINS, 3, Aubrey Terrace, Cowbridge
CAPTAIN J. G. R. HOMFRAY, 8, Grand Avenue Mansions,- Hove . . 1
COLONEL H. R. HOMFRAY, D.L., Penllyn Castle, Cowbridge . . 1
THE REV. FREDERIC HOOD, M.A., Pusey House, Oxford . . . . 1
THE RIGHT REV. MONSIGNOR PAUL HOOK, Ph.D., The Presbytery,
Aberystwyth . . . . . . . . . . 1
MR. RICHARD HOPKIN, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., Great House, Llangadock,
Carmarthenshire . . . . . . . . . . 1
COUNCILLOR E. T. HOPKIN, " The Shield," Cowbridge . . . . 1
MR. JACOB O. HOPKINS, Marshwood, Lackawanna Co., Pennsylvania,
U.S.A... .. .. .. .. .. .. 1
MR. DUDLEY T. HOWE, Barry, Glam. . . . . . . . . 1
MR. WILLIAM C. HOWE, Barrister-at-Law, 36, Windsor Place, Cardiff . . 1MR. A. G. HOWELL, Diocesan Registry, Cardiff . . . . . . 1
MRS. A. D. HUGHES, Beaumont, Deal . . . . . . 1
MR. A. J. HYBART, 26, Conway Road, Cardiff .. .. 1
I. J.
DR. MIHANGEL AP IWAN, Medical Practitioner, Junin F.C.P., Argentina 1MR. AARON JAMES, 3, Courtland Place, Port Talbot . . . . 1
MR. A. W. JAMES, B.Sc., H.M. Inspector of Taxes, Durham 1st District,
40, Bath Terrace, Gosforth, Newcastle-upon-Tyne . . 1
MR. S. E. JAMES, at Controller of Stamps and Stores Office, Somerset
House, London, W.C. 2. .. .. .. .. 1
DR. JOHN JAMES, Ph.D., M.A., B.Sc., Director of Education, Radyr,
Glam. . 1
318 LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS continued
No. ofcopies.MR W. P. JAMES, B.A., Barrister- at- Law, " The Lindens " Canton,
Cardiff . . . . . . . . . . 1
MRS. HOPKIN JAMES, Llanblethian Vicarage, Cowbridge . . 2
THE REV. DAVID HOPKIN JAMES, B.A., Rhymney, Mon. . . . . 2
MR. EDWARD HOPKIN JAMES, B.A., Medical School, Cardiff . . 2
MR. GRIFFITH HOPKIN JAMES, Jesus College, Oxford . . . . 2
Miss NANO HOPKIN JAMES, Maynard's School, Exeter .. ..2
Miss JENKINS, *' Min-y-Don," Penarth .. .. .. ..2
MR. ANTHONY MATHEW JENKINS, 22, Ferndale Road, Sufton Park,
Liverpool . . . . . . . . . . 1
MR. BASIL JENKINS, 40, Victoria Road, Penarth . . . . . . 1
MRS. D. JENKINS, 3, The Butts, Cowbridge . . . . 1
THE REV. DAVID JENKINS, B.A., The Reptory, St. Brides-super-Ely,
Cardiff . . . . . . . . . . 1
THE REV. G. JENKINS, St. Athan Rectory, Cardiff . . 1
MR. GEORGE EDWARD JENKINS, 87, Tynewydd Road, Barry . . 1THE REV. JOHN JENKINS (" Gwili "), M.A., B.Litt., Salesbury Librarian,
University College, Cardiff . . . . . . 1
ALDERMAN LEWIS JENKINS, Cowbridge . . . . . . 1
MR. RICHARD JONATHAN JENKINS, J.P., F.I.D., C.E., " Westville,"
9, Linden Road, Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex . . . . . . 1
COUNCILLOR THOMAS JENKINS, " Mynwoocl," Pontyclun .. .. 1
MR. WILLIAM JENKINS, T.P., " Westhide." Hereford .. .. 1
COUNCILLOR W. L. JENKINS, J.P. (Mayor of Cowbridge four times),
Cambrian House, Cowbridge (Churchwarden of Cowbridge) . . 1MR. J. LEWIS JENKINS (Indian Police), Narayanganj, Dacca, E. Bengal,
India . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
MR. W. R. JENKINS, 7, Eastgate Street, Cowbridge . . . . 1
MR. ARTHUR JOHN, High Street, Cowbridge . . . . 1
MR. EDW. T." JOHN, Llanidan Hall, Llanfair P.G., Anglesey . . 2
MR. JOHN JOHN. Rood Street, Cowbridge.. .. .. .. 1
MRS. MARY JOHN, " Preswylfa," Cowbridge .. .. .. 1
MR. S. JOHN, Slade Farm, Cowbridge . . . . . . 1
MR. S. W. JOHN, Slade Farm, Cowbridge . . . . . . 1
MR. THOMAS JOHN, Solicitor, " Verlands," Cowbridge .. .. 1
MR. THOS. JOHN. 83, Main Street, Cadoxton- Barry . . . . 1
MR. WM. JOHN, " Marlbro' Grange," Cowbridge .. .. .. 1
MR. W. ALLEN JOHN, Barclays Bank, Ltd., Pontypool .. .. 1
MR. ALLEN JOHN, Barclays Bank, Ltd., Pontypool . . . . 1
SIR W. GOSCOMBE JOHN, Knt., R.A., LL.D., 24, Gieville Road, St.
John's Wood, London, N.W 6 . . . . . . 1
LADY HILL-JOHNES, " Dolaucothi," Llanwrda, S. Wales .. .. 1
THE REV. CHANCELLOR JONES, Bryn Road, Lampeter . . . . 1
Miss D. M. JONES, The High School, Cowbridge .. 1
MRS. JONES, " Belgrave," Llanblethian .. .. .. ..1
SIR EVAN D. JONES, Bart., M.P., D.L., " Pentower," Fishguard . . 1MR. EVAN J. JONES, M.A., University College, Cardiff, and 16, Graig
Terrace, Ferndale, Glam. . . . . . . . . 1
Miss E. M. JONES, " Ty-Newydd," Argoed. Mon. . . . . 1
MAJOR JNO. GRIFFITH JONES, " Brynhyfryd," Pontypridd .. .. 1
COLONEL JOHN J. JONES, D.L., V.D., " Fronheulog," Cefn Coed . . 1
THE REV. J. R. JONES, St. Michael's College, Llandaff . . 1MR. MYDDLETON PENNANT JONES, The Tower House, The Green,
Llandaff . . . . . . . . . . 1
MR. RHYS JONES, " Godiecoed," Neath .. .. .. ..1
THE REV. T. W. JONES, Llanilid Rectory, Bridgend, Glam. . . 1
MR. W. BELL JONES, F.S.A., Hawarden, Chester . . . . . . 1
MR. WILLIAM EDWIN JONES, " Pentwyn," Ccwbridge .. .. 1
THE REV. DR. ALBERT JORDAN, D.D., LL.D., M.A., The Rectory,
Llanbadarn-fawr, Penybont, Radnorshire . . . . . . 1
LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS continued 319
No. of
copies.
MR. C. KESTALL (dec.), The Bear Hotel, Cowbridge .. ..2
MR. J. LIPTROTT, Manager, The Bear Hotel . . . . . . 1
THE BEAR HOTEL, Cowbridge ... . . . . . . 1
MR. FRED KNAPTON, Town Hall Square, Cowbridge . . 2
L.
MRS. LANE, " Eagleson," Cowbridge .. .. .. 1
MR. JOHN W. LANGSTAFF, 1 1 . Syr David Avenue, Cardiff . . . . 1
THE REV. J. F. W. LEIGH, M.A., Newton House, Cowbridge.. .. 1
MR. W. W. LEIGH, J.P., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., L.S.A., Llansannor House,
Cowbridge . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
MRS. D. LEWIS, " Sunnyside," Cowbridge.. .. .. .. 1
THE REV. H. ELVET LEWIS, M.A., 37, Highbury New Road, London, N. 5 1MR. J. LEWIS, Postmaster, Cowbridge . . . . . . 1
MR. WILLIAM LEWIS, Broadway, Llanblethian . . . . . . 1
MR. WM. HY. LEWIS, 69, Eastgate Street, Cowbridge . . . . 1
MR. W. MORGAN LEWIS, J.P., " Elsinore," Llanishen, nr. Cardiff .. 1THE REV. CANON THOMAS LL. LISTER, M.A., 3f, Fields Road, Newport 1THE RIGHT REVEREND THE LORD BISHOP OF LLANDAFF, The Palace,
Llandaff .. .. .. .. .. 1
THE MISSES LLEWELLYN, " The Armoury," Cowbridge
Miss G. H. D. LLEWELYN, Penllegaer, Swansea
THE REV. G. M. LLEWELLYN, M.A., B.D., The Rectory, Llandow, Glam.
MR. JAMES LLEWELLYN, Moorland Farm, Penllyn, nr. Cowbridge
Miss JANE LLEWELLYN, "The Causeway," Llanblethian
ALDERMAN JOHN LLEWELLYN, 38, High Street, Cowbridge
MR. L. L. LLEWELYN, Duke of Wellington, Cowbridge
DR. T. L. LLEWELLYN, 35, London Road, Newcastle, Staffs.
MR. V. D. LLEWELLYN, Kingscombe Terrace, Llanblethian
MR. WILLIAM W. LLEWELLIN, 13, Calvert Terrace, Swansea
MR. ELLIS LLOYD, " Dty burgh," Cowbridge Road, Bridgend, Glam...
MR. E. T. LLOYD, West House, Llantwit Major
MR. F. P. JONES- LLOYD, M.B.E., Solicitor, Romilly Road, Barry, Glam.
THE REV. J. S. LONGDON, M.A., Llandough Rectory, Cowbridge
LIBRARIES AND INSTITUTIONS.
BANGOR : Welsh Library, University College of North Wales, Bangor,
per the Rev. T. Shankland, M.A., Librarian .. .. 1
CARDIFF : The Library, University College, Cathays Park, per Mr. S. O.
Moffet, Librarian . . . . . . . . . . 1
City of Cardiff Public Libraries, per Mr. Harry Fair, Librarian . . 2CARMARTHENSHIRE ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY, 5, Quay Street, Carmarthen,
per Mr. Geo. Eyre Evans, Hon. SecretaryCOWBRIDGE SCHOOL LIBRARYCOWBRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARYCOWBRIDGE COUNCIL SCHOOL (Mixed Department)GLAMORGAN EDUCATION COMMITTEE, County Hall, CardiffJESUS COLLEGE, OXFORD (Meyrick Library), per Mr. J. G. Edwards . . 1LAMPETER : St. David's College, The Welsh Librarian . . . . 1
LLANDAFF : The Chapter of Llandaff Cathedral, per Mr. J. E. Gladstone,
Chapter Clerk, Herbeit Chambers, Cardiff . . . . 1
LLANDAFF : St. Michael's College . . . . . . . . 1
MANCHESTER PUBLIC LIBRARIES, per Mr. L. Stanley Jast, Librarian,
Piccadilly, Manchester . . . . . . . . 1
320 LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS continued
No. ofcopies.FORTH (Glam.) : Library of the Girls' County School, per Miss E. M.
Harris, B.A. . . . . . . . . . . 1
PORT TALBOT : Carnegie Free Library, per Mr. David L. J. Hughes,
Librarian . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
PONTYCYMMER : The Ffaldau Workmen's Institute.. .. .. 1
SWANSEA : The Royal Institution of South Wales, per Mr. W. H. Jones,
Librarian and Director . . . . . . . . 1
TORONTO, Canada : Public Library, per Mr. George H. Locke, Chief
Librarian of Public Library, Toronto, Canada . . . . 1WALES : The National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, per Mr. John
Ballinger, M.A., Librarian . . . . . . 1
The National Museum of Wales, per Dr. Hoyle, the Director . . 1
COPYRIGHT LIBRARIES.
THE BRITISH MUSEUM, London . . . . . . . . 1
THE BODLEIAN LIBRARY, Oxford . . . . . . 1
THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY, Cambridge . . . . . . 1
THE ADVOCATES' LIBRARY, Edinburgh . . . . . . 1
THE LIBRARY OF TRINITY COLLEGE, Dublin . . . . 1
THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF WALES, Aberystwyth . . . . . . 1
M.
MR. W. R. McADAM, M.A., Cowbridge Grammar School. . . 1
MRS. MACKINTOSH OF MACKINTOSH, " Cottrell," Cardiff . . . . 1
THE REV. J. HUMPHRYS-MANUEL, Presbyterian Church, Cadoxton- Barry 1MR. JAMES PAUL MARKS, Organist of Cowbridge Church, 16, Eastgate
Street, Cowbridge . . . . . . . . 1
MR. O. B. MARTYN, 2, Temple Gardens, London, E.G. 4 . . . . 1
JUDGE GEORGE W. MAXEY, 45th Judicial District Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, Judges' Chambers, Scranton, Pa. . . 2THE REV. DR. IVAN M. MERLINJONES, D.D., 163, Oakwood Avenue,
Syracuse, N.Y., U.S.A.
MRS. MILES, Malt House, Llanblethian . . . . . . . . 1
MR. E. W. MILES, Solicitor, 23, High Street, Cowbridge . . 3
MR. GEORGE MILLMAN, Manchester House, Cowbridge . . . . 1
COUNCILLOR ARTHUR T. MILLS, 44, High Street, Cowbridge . . 1
THE RIGHT REVEREND THE LORD BISHOP OF MONMOUTH, Newport, Mon. 1
MRS. MORGAN, Woolcombe, Wellington, Somerset . . . . . . 1
MESSRS. MORGAN AND HIGGS, Booksellers, etc., 18, Heathfield Street,
Swansea . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
MRS. E. A. MORGAN, " Cusop," Llanblethian . . . . . . 2
MR. GOMER S. MORGAN, J.P., " Lanelay Fach," Pontyclun, Glam. .. 1
MR. THOMAS MORGAN, Newton Hotel, Newton, Porthcawl . . . . 1
THE REV. HENRY MORRIS, Llanmaes Rectory, Llantwit Major . . 1
MR. J. C. F. MORSON, B.A., Christ's Hospital, Horsham, Sussex . . 1
N.
MR. W. JAMES NASH, 1, St. James's Gardens, Swansea .. .. 1
Miss C. E. NEWMAN, 27, Elmgrove Road, Dinas Powis . . . . 1
Miss NICHOLL ; Woodford House, Llantwit Major, Glam. . . . . 1
MR. ILLTYD BOND NICHOLL, J.P., F.S.A., Wellington Club, 1, Grosvenor
Place, London S.W. 1. .. .. .. .. ..4
COLONEL JOHN I. D. NICHOLL, D.L., Merthyr Mawr, Bridgend . . 2
MR. LEWIS D. NICHOLL, Laleston.. Bridgend . . . . 1
MR. W. C. NORTON, Broadway House, Llanblethian . . . . 1
LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS continued 321
0.
No. ofcopies.
MR. S. OAKLEY, 20, Eastgate Street, Cowbridge . . . . 1
MR. J. D. OWEN, B.Sc., Cowbridge Grammar School . . 1
P.
MR. PALFREY, Cowbridge . . . . . . . . 1
THE REVEREND CANON A. W. PARRY, D.Sc., M.A., Principal of the
Training College, Carmarthen . . . . . . 1
MR. JOHN STUART PARSONS, Barclays Bank, Ltd., Canton, Cardiff . . 1
DR. D. R. PATERSON, M.D., 15, St. Andrew's Crescent, Cardiff . . 1
MR. CHAS. J. PHILLIPS, " Green Lawn," nr. Pontypool, Solicitor . . 1
THE REV. DAVID PHILLIPS, M.A., Radyr Rectory, Cardiff . . . . 1
THE REV. DAVID PHILLIPS, B.A., R.D., Newcastle Vicarage, Bridgend 1THE REV. DR. J. L. PHILLIPS, D.D., M.A., Headmaster Christ College,
Brecon . . . . . . . . . . 1
MR. OWEN PHILLIPS, Adpar House, Cowbridge . . . . 1
MR. W. A. PHILLIPS (Churchwarden of Cowbridge), Broad Shord,
Cowbridge . . . . . . . . . . 2
MR. W. PICKARD, Estate Offices, Cowbndge . . . . 1
MRS. G. T. PILCHER, Treen, Godalming . . . . . . 1
THE RIGHT HON. THE EARL OF PLYMOUTH, G.B.E., C.B., P.C., M.A.,
Lord-Lieutenant of Glamorgan, St. Pagan's Castle, Cardiff . . 1
MR. T. .L. POWELL, The Lake, Cowbridge . . . . 1MR. WALTER WILLIS POWEIL, c/o Miss M. A. Hayter, No. 9, Eastgate
Street, Cowbridge . . . . . . . . 1
MR. WYNDHAM N. POWELL, 15, Court Road, Barry Docks . . 1MASTER HUBERT DE BURGH PRICHARD, " Pwllywrach," Cowbndge (at
the request of Mis. G. S. Nicholl-Carne) . . . . . . 1
MR. T. P. PRICHARD, Solicitor, 3, Edward Terrace, Cardiff . . I
THE REV. D. H. PUGH, New Bury Vicarage, Farnworth SO. . . 1
Miss K. PUNTER, Maendy House, Llanblethian . . . . . . 1
R.
MR. W. IVOR RADCLIFFE, M.A., Barrister- at- Law, Druidstone, St.
Mellons, Cardiff . . . . . . . . 1
MR. H. I. RANDALL, LL.B., " Heol Gam," Bridgend .. .. 1
Miss HILDA M. RAW, Glamorgan Training College, Barry . . . . 1
MR. ALFRED REES, J.P., L.R.C.P., M.R.C.S., L.S.A., 29, Cathedral
Road, Cardiff . . . . . . . . . . 1
MR. EVAN J. REES, Box 1051, Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.A., c/o Guaranty
Bank and Trust Co. . . . . . . . . 1
MR. T. PRITCHARD REES, " St. Donat's," Nmian Road, Caidiff
MR. THOMAS REES, "The Darren," Cowbridge
Miss H. E. REEVE, 16, Chester Terrace, Regent's Park, London, N.W.
MR. E. A. REID, B.A., Grammar School, Cowbridge
MR. J. W. REYNOLDS, Great House, and 32, High Street, Cowbridge
MR. THOS. RICHARDS, M.A., 16. Neath Road, Maesteg, G]am.
MR. ROBERT RICKARDS, F.S.A. The Priory, Usk, Mon.
Miss A. ROBERTS, High School, Cowbridge
THE REV. B. T. ROBERTS, The Baptist Manse, Cowbridge
MR. F. ROBERTS, 35, High Street, Cowbridge
MR.. J. M. ROBERTS, Council School, Cowbridge
MR. J. V. M. ROBERTS, " Ty-Hen," Cowbridge
COLONEL W. R. ROBERTS (dec.), Hamilton House, Milford Haven . .
322 LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS continued
No. ofcopies.
MR. JAMES ROBINSON, C.B.E., L.R.C.P., L.R.C.P.S., L.M., " Hillside,"
Penylan, Cardiff . . . . . . . . . . 1
MR. N. V. ROBINSON, M.C., 802, Lexington Avenue, Ashland, Kentucky 1
S.
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE SANKEY, 14, Deans Yard, Westminster
Abbey, London, S.W. 1 . . . . . . I
MR. E. JOHN SAUNDERS. M.A., Secondary School, Pontycymmer . . 1
CAPTAIN D. S. SAVOURS, Rhoose, nr. Cardiff . . . . 2
THE REV. T. SHANKLAND M.A., " Bryn Awelon," 44, College Road,
Bangor, N. Wales . . . . . . . . . . 1
MRS. WILBERFORCE SHEPERD, " Dynevor," Cowbridge . . . . 1
MRS. G. C. SHEPHERD, 59, Eastgate Street, Cowbridge . . . . 1
MR. ARTHUR E. SHORE, Llanblethian . . . . . . 1
MR. B. B. SKIRROW, M.A., B.Sc., H.M.I., 4, The Grove, Swansea . . 1
MR. H. C. SLOMAN, Headmaster, Council School, Cowbridge . . 1MESSIEURS HENRY SOTHERAN&CO., Booksellers, 43, Piccadilly, London,
W. 1. .. .. .. .. .. 1
MR. A. T. SPENCER, F'emingston House, Whitchurch, Glam. .. 1
MR. GILEAD SPENCER, Brook House, Llanblethian . . . . 1
MESSIEURS STEVENS & BROWN, American Literary Agency, 4, Trafalgar
Square, London, W.C. . . . . . . . . 1
MR. FRED STIBBS, 16, Y Groes, Rhiwbina, Cardiff . . . . 1
MR. S. H. STOCKWOOD, Magistrates' Clerk, " Westfield," Bridgend . . i
THE REV. ARTHUR STURDY, B.A., Vicar of St. David's, Ton Pentre . . 1
MR. F. HARRISON TETLEY, L.R.C.P., L.R.C.S., " Raikesfield," Old
Raikes Road, Skipton, Yorkshire . . . . . . 1
MRS. THOMAS, " Kymin," Newton, Porthcawl . . . . 1
MRS. THOMAS, 1, Grove Place, Whitchurch, Cardiff .. ..1
MR. ARTHUR THOMAS, Oakley House, Cowbridge . . . . 1
MR. BRINLEY THOMAS, 37, Eastgate Street, Cowbridge . . . . 1
MRS. DAVID THOMAS, 19, Gaen Street, Barry . . . . . . 1
ALDERMAN DAVID THOMAS, Cross House, Cowbridge . . . . 1
COUNCILLOR DANIEL THOMAS, " Rhoscelyn," Cowbridge .. .. 1
DR. ELLIS RAE THOMAS, M.D., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., Kyiton House,
Gillingham, Kent . . . . . . . . . . 1
COUNCILLOR EVAN THOMAS, J.P., Bridge House, Cowbridge . . 1
THK REV. GILBERT THOMAS, Lie. Div., The Vicarage, Bonvilston, nr.
Cardiff .. .. .. .. .. .. 1
INSPECTOR JAMES THOMAS, Police Station, Mountain Ash . . . . 1
THE REV. J. LL. THOMAS, M.A., Vicar of Aberpergwm, Pont-Neath
Vaughan, Neath
MR. LEWIS D. THOMAS, 69, Lewis Road, NeathMR. MORGAN THOMAS, Glen Cottage, Cowbridge . . . . . . 2
MR. MOSES THOMAS, Town Clerk, Aberavon
MR. ROBERT THOMAS, London Joint City and Midland Bank, Cowbridge
THE REV. R. CURRE THOMAS, M.A , Colwinstone Vicarage, Cowbridge
MR. SIDNEY THOMAS, Cowbridge
MR. THOMAS THOMAS, " Stallcourt," Cowbridge
MR. TREVOR THOMAS, " Cartref," Aberthin, Cowbndge
MR. T. R. THOMAS, Newport House, Llantwit Major
DR. W. E. THOMAS, " Llysygraig," Ystrad-Rhondda
COUNCILLOR WYBERT THOMAS, J.P. (Mayor of Cowbridge, 1922)
MRS. WYBERT THOMAS, " St. Crispin's," Cowbridge . . . . 1
LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS continued 323
No. ofcopies.
THE REV. WM. THOMAS, Bethesda Villas, Blaengarw, nr. Bridgend, Glam. 1MR. WILLIAM THOMAS, Forest Farm, Brynsadler, Pontyclun . . 1
MR. WILLIAM THOMAS, Barclays Bank, Ltd., Swansea . . . . 1
MR. W. JONES THOMAS, J.P., 33, Victoria Avenue, Porthcawl . . 1
COUNCILLOR DAVID TILLEY, Cowbridge . . . . . . . . 1
MR. HASTINGS TORNEY, M.B., Cowbridge . . . . . . 1
MRS. HAROLD LOFTUS TOTTENHAM, c/o Agents Strathsomers Estate,
Kirkwood, Sunday River, Cape Colony . . . . . . 1
THE RIGHT HON. LORD TREDEGAR, F.S.A., Tredegar Park, Newport, Mon. 1MR. ILLTYD THOMAS, J.P., " Maesylai," Ely. Cardiff .. .. 1
Mr. D. LLEWELLYN TREHARNE, Pentre House, Pcntre, Glam. . . 1
MRS. MARIE TREVELYAN, " Ffynondy," Llantwit Major . . ... 1
MR. L. R. TURNBULL, Ham, Llantwit Major . . . . . . 1
MRS. TREVOR TYLER, Llantnthyd, Cowbridge .. .. ..1
V.
MR. W r . VAUGHAN, " Tewgoed," Penllyn, Cowbridge. . . . . . 1
MR. GRAHAM VERITY, " PenJlwyn," Bridgend .. .. .. 1
W.
MR. T. J. WADDINGHAM, M.A., D.L., Hafod, Devil's Bridge, Aberystwyth 1THE MOST REVEREND THE LORD ARCHBISHOP OF WALES, The Palace,
St. Asaph, N. Wales . . . . . . . . 1
MRS. WALKER. Bush Inn, Cowbridge . . . . . . 1
MR. L. FORESTIER WALKER, M.P., " Rhiwderin," Monmouthshire .. 1MR. J. L. W. WARD, J.P., L.R.C.P., L.M., M.R.C.S., Aelybryn,
Merthyr TydfilMR. WARREN, CowbridgeCOUNCILLOR WATKINS, Cowbridge
MAJOR H. S. WATSON, M.A., Llansannor Court, Cowbridge..MR. D. C. WATTS, West House. CowbridgeMR. HENRY WEBB, 69. High Street, CowbridgeMR. A. L WHAPHAM, 4. Parade, Mumbles, SwanseaMR. E. A. WHITFIELD, St. Mary Hill Court, BndgendMR ERNEST WHONE, 1, Aubrey Terrace, CowbridgeTHE MISSSES WILLIAMS, East Villa, CowbndgeMR. BENJAMIN WILLIAMS Piccadilly, Llanbiethian . .MRS. CHAS. WILLIAMS, 246, Moorlands Terrace, Killingha?! Road,
Bradford, Yorkshire
MR. D. WILLIAMS, " The Greenfield," LlanbiethianTHE REV. ALDERMAN D. H. WILLIAMS, M.A., " Brynmair," Romilly
Road, Barry
COUNCILLOR E. WILLIAMS (Station Master), Ash Cottage, CowbridgeMR. E. I. WILLIAMS, Maesycoed School, PontypriddTHE REV. FREDERICK R. WILLIAMS, M A., Llansannor Rectory,
Cowbridge
MR. FRED. WILLIAMS, Great House, Penllyn
MR. G. J. WILLIAMS, M.A., University College, Cathays Park, CardiffALDERMAN JOHN WILLIAMS, London House, CowbndgeMR. ILLTYD WILLIAMS, J.P., Castleton, St. AthanMiss MAI WILLIAMS, 126, E. Noble Street, Nanticoche, Penn., U.S.A.Miss M. E. WILLIAMS, B.A., The High School, CowbridgeMRS. M. P. WILLIAMS, Little Garth, Peppard Common, Oxon.MR. OWEN WILLIAMS, J.P., Crossways, CowbridgeMRS. OWEN WILLIAMS (Churchwarden of Llanbiethian)COLONEL SIR RHYS WILLIAMS, Bart., D.S.O., K.C., D.L., Miskin
Manor, Pontyclun . . . . . . . . . . 1
324 LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS continued
No. ofcopies.MR. R. WILLIAMS, M.C., M.A., Headmaster, The Grammar School,
Cowbridge . . . . . . . . . . 1
MR. S. T. WILLIAMS, Solva, Pern. . . . . . . 1
MR. THOS. WILLIAMS, " Caercady," Cowbridge . . . . 1
MR. T. WILLIAMS, Victoria Hotel, Barry Docks . . . . 1
MR. T. RHYS WILLIAMS, " Tresegyn," Aberporth, Newcastle Emlyn 1
MR. W. WILLIAMS, " The Cairns," Llanblethian . . . . 2
Miss G. MAY WILLIE, B.A., " The Glen," Ilton Road, Penylan, Cardiff 1
Miss R. WILLIS, Llanblethian Vicarage, Cowbridge
COLONEL CECIL WILSON (Inspector of Dilapidations, The Diocese of 1
Llandaff), " Garnhill," Dinas Powis, Glam. . . . . 1
THE REV. CANON WORSLEY, B.D., M.A., St. Michael's College, Llandaff 1MR. ARTHUR WRIGHT, B.Sc., " Elmsleigh," Gwerthonor Road, Pengam,
via Cardiff . . 1
Y.
MR. D. M. YORWERTH, J.P., Barclays Bank, Wrexham, N. Wales . . 1CAPTAIN T. J. YORWERTH, M.B.E., High Street, Cowbridge . . 1
INDEX.
The Index, by Miss Gunter, B.A., does not purport to be full orexhaustive, but of a general character. Where there is difficulty in findingany particular matter, reference should be made to the Table of Contents,or the List of Illustrations, or the Maps.
The Appendix, together with the Additions and Corrections, has notbeen indexed. The heads of the matters contained in the Appendix willbe found under the Table of Contents.
With the three-fold division of the work under (1) Borough, (2) Church,and (3) School, the industrious reader, with the General Index and theTable of Contents to guide him, should not have much difficulty in findingthe place of any desired matter referred to in the book.
Add. = Additions and Corrections.
Aberthyn, 12, 76, 77, 201, 219.
4pp.
Academy, Eagle, 72.Additions and Corrections, 311.American Wars, 79.Angel Hill, 17, 24, 120.
bailiffs, 63.
Baptists, 204.
Bates, 199, 249.
Bannockburn, 15.
Bear Hotel, 80, 110.
Beaufort, Duke of, 54.
Beggar's Bush, 134.
bells, Church, 38, 39, 163, 164.
Benwyn, Dafydd, 6, 7, 12, 69.
App.Bewper, 5, 48, 75, 78, 86, 103, 149.
App.
Black Prince, 14.Book of Llandaff, 12, 14.Book Society, 173.Boverton, 3, 8, 9.Bovium, Bomium, 3, 7, 8, 10, 11,
218.
Bowling Green, 50, 73.bread, price of 99.Bridewell, 93, 100.Broadshoorde, 48, 50, 72-74.Brut y Tywysogion, 13.Bryn Owain, 6, 76. App.burgages, 20. Add.Butts, 48.
Caerleon, 10.
Caldy, 209.
Caradoc, 133.
Caradog of Llancarfan, 6, 13, 75.
Carlyle, 95, 201.
Carmarthen, 10.
App. = Appendix.
Carnes, 45, 48, 49, 65, 87, 116, 150
seq., 195, 241. Add.Chantry, 141, 226. App. Add.Chantry schools, 230. App.charities, 101, 128.Charters, 18, 19, 26, 47, 49, 140.Chencer, 27, 30, 46.Cheyne, 225.Church, Cowbridge, 130 seq., 140
seq. App.Civil War, 78, 181.Clark,Mr. G. T., 8, 13, 14, 16, 76, 120.clergy, Cowbridge, 181, 188. App.Clerks, Town, 66.Codrington, 10.Coaching, 110.
Coed y Marchog, 77, 78. App. A dd.Constable of Cardiff Castle, 47, 61.Cooper's Arms, 60.Counsel Twt, 11, 48, 51, 122, 130-3.cucking-stool, 33.curfew, 165.Cyllin, 133.
With much respect,
Yours sincerely and dutifully,
L. J. HOPKIN-JAMES.
Llanblethian Vicarage,Cowbridge.
All Saints' Day, 1922.
PREFACE.
A work of this character involves thanks at every turn forinformation received, as the details of the narrative come frombooks and papers, deeds and documents, men and women, andfrom the silent world around, whose stones and earthworks speakto us in their way, and tell the story of the past.
If I were to say to whom I am grateful I should have togive a very long list of all to whom I owe letters, or reminiscences,or advice and most of their names will be found in the text ofthe work.
I am especially indebted to the lady whose illustrations haveadded greatly to the value of the book Mrs. Adelaide Williams,of the Cairns, Llanblethian.
Miss Maud Gunter, B.A., of the High School, Cowbridge,has helped me much by her work in providing an Index andthe maps.
There are many others to whom my thanks are due.
The Rev. W. F. Evans, M.A., late Headmaster of CowbridgeGrammar School, and Fellow of Jesus College, Oxford, hasthroughout the progress of the work given me the benefit ofcounsel, advice, and criticism from his wide and extensive reading,long experience, and great knowledge of the district of Cowbridge.
My friend has also read the proof sheets with the Rev. D. N.Da vies.
Mrs. Augusta Jenkins, of the Rectory, St. Athan, Glam., hasgiven assistance by her researches at the Record Office. Herreferences have made it possible to have photographs takenof the originals, which have enabled me to make the transcriptsat home.
My son, the Rev. D. Hopkin James, B.A., now of Rhymney,Mon., has typed several MSS. for the work.
Colonel Homfray, D.L., of Penllyn Castle, contributed informa-tion concerning the Glamorgan Hounds and the present reparationof Llanfrynach Church and Churchyard.
Mr. Harris, Mr. Arthur Gwyn, Mr. W. L. Jenkins, andMr. David Tilley have lent me papers.
vi PREFACE continued
The Mayor and Corporation of Cowbridge most readily gavepermission to inspect all their deeds and documents, books, andpapers.
The Town Clerk, Mr. W. T. Gwyn, as custodian of themuniments of the Corporation, has shown me every possiblekindness and consideration in allowing that inspection to be madeunder the most time-saving conditions.
I must say the same of Mr. R. Williams, M.C., M.A., theHeadmaster, with regard to the treasures of the Grammar School.
Lady Mansel Franklen, and Miss Nicholl of Woodford, havelent me portraits and engravings.
The select library of Welsh Ecclesiastical books possessed byMonsignor Paul Hook, Ph.D., was of great assistance during thesummer holidays at Aberystwyth, as was also the loan of booksby Dr. Diverres on the same occasion.
Thanks are also due to his_ Grace the Archbishop of Cardiff ;to Mr. Harris, of the Bute Estate, and Mr. Morgan ; to the Keeperof the MSS. at the British Museum ; to Dr. Hardy, Principal ofJesus College, Oxford ; to Bodley's Librarian and his staff ; toMr. John Ballinger, M.A., Dr. Diverres, his assistant, and themost efficient staff at the National Library of Wales ; to Mr. HarryFarr, of the Cardiff Free Library ; to Mr. Jones, Director andLibrarian of the Royal Institution of South Wales, at Swansea ;to the Rev. John Jenkins, M.A., B.Litt. (Gwili) ; to ProfessorGruffydd, M.A. ; to Mr. Griffith Williams, M.A., and Mr. E. J.Jones, M.A. ; to Sir Goscombe John ; to Dr. Fisher, Canon ofSt. Asaph ; to the Rev. T. Shankland, M.A. ; to the Rev. H. ElvetLewis, M.A. ; to Mr. A. G. Howell, Registrar of Llandaff Diocese ;to the authorities at the Probate Office at Llandaff ; to theVen. A. O. Evans, Archdeacon of Bangor ; to Mr. Arthur Wright,B.Sc., of Pengam, Glam., whose knowledge of the Bells of theDiocese of Llandaff is second to none, and who has furnished thiswork with his survey of the Bells of Cowbridge, Llanblethian,and Welsh St. Donats.
I have also to thank Mr. Iltyd B. Nicholl, F.S.A., and ColonelBradney.
The people of the place have been most ready to give thebenefit of whatever local knowledge they possess, in a courteousand kindly manner.
PREFACE continued vii
Mr. Short, of the Educational Publishing Company, hasobliged me by the benefit of his advice and experience in allmatters connected with the production of the book, and has donehis best to make publishing a pleasure from the author's pointof view.
My obligations to others, no less because they are notmentioned here, will be found in the text. If I have forgottenany I ask their pardon.
I beg to thank my Lords the Archbishops of Wales andCardiff ; the Bishops of St. Davids, Llandaff, and Monmouth ;the Marquis of Bute, the Earl of Plymouth, and Lord Tredegar,for their kind patronage of the work, and the 400 subscribers ofall grades of society who have made its publication possible.
SOME ABBREVIATED REFERENCES.
Arch. Camb. = " Archaeologia Cambrensis."
Cartae = Mr. G. T. Clark's " Cartae et Munimenta de Glamorgan." infour volumes. A few corrections were made from the new edition, insix volumes, as the work was going through the press.
C. in E. B. = " Christianity in Early Britain," by Dr. Hugh Williams.(Clarendon Press. 1912.)
Limbus Patrum = The alternative title of Mr. G. T. Clark's " The Genealogiesof Morgan and Glamorgan," published by Wyman and Sons, London,A.D. 1886.
M.M. = "A Descriptive Catalogue of the Penrice and Mar gam AbbeyManuscripts, etc.," by Dr. Walter de Gray Birch, F.S.A. In six volumes.
Myv. Arch. = The Myvyrian Archaiology of Wales.N.L.W. = The National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth.P.R.O. = Tl-e Public Record Office, London.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Page
DEDICATION. .. .. .. .. .. .. iii
PREFACE. v
SOME ABBREVIATED REFERENCES. ix
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS .. .. .. .. . . xv
LIST OF MAPS .. .. .. .. .. .. xv
PART I. THE BOROUGH.
I. THE BOROUGH . . . . . . . . . . 1
II. THE ROMAN BOVIUM AND THE WELSH PEN YCHEN . . 7
III. FROM THE ROMAN OCCUPATION TO THE NORMAN CONQUEST 11
IV. NORMAN COWB RIDGE . . . . . . . . . . 13
V. THE LAWS OF COWBRIDGE . . . . . . . . 25
VI. SURVEYS, CHARTERS, AND PRESENTMENTS . . . . 45
VII. THE GUILD AND TOWN HALL . . . . . . . . 53
VIII. MUNICIPAL OFFICERS AND THE ROLL OF FREEMEN . . 61
IX. THE TOWN WALLS, GATES, AND DITCHES . . . . 69
X. COWBRIDGE AND THE WARS . . . . . . . . 75
XI. THE AFFRAYS OF COWBRIDGE . . . . . . . . 86
XII. lOLO MORGANWG AND COWBRIDGE . . . . . . 88
XIII. CARLYLE AND COWBRIDGE . . . . . . . . 95
XIV. MISCELLANEA . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
THE PEOPLE'S FOOD . . . . . . . . 99
POOR LAW ADMINISTRATION . . . . . . 100
THE UNFORTUNATE .. .. .. .. 101
THE CHARITIES .. ., .. ..101
PARISH PUMPS .. .. .. .. 101
THE PARISH POUND .. .. .. ..101
THE POST OFFICE .. .. .. ..101
THE WINDOW TAX . . . . . . 102
PARLIAMENTARY REPRESENTATION . . . . 102
A PEDIGREE . . . . . . . . . . 102
MICHAELMAS EVE . . . . . . . . 102
MARRIAGE OF THE PRINCE OF WALES . . . . 104
A VISITOR TO COWBRIDGE AND A ROMANCE . . 104
THE FIRST PRINTING PRESS IN EAST GLAMORGAN
AND THE STORY OF A DICTIONARY . . . . 105
PAVEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . 106
THE RACES . . . . . . . . 106
THE GLAMORGAN HOUNDS 107
xii TABLE OF CONTENTS continued
XIV. MISCELLANEA continued : Page
GAS .. .. .. .. ..108
THE INSTITUTE . . . . . . . . 108
THE RAILWAY . . . . . . . . 108
THE INNS OF COWBRIDGE . . . . . . 108
THE REVELS . . . . . . 109
THE GLAMORGAN Cow . . . . . . 109
POSTING RIVALS . . . . . . ..110
A DEVELOPMENT IN JURISPRUDENCE . . . . Ill
SHOPPING AT COWBRIDGE .. .. .. Ill
A JOURNEY TO BATH .. .. .. 112
THE WAY OF THE CORPSE .. .. .. 113
THE LAST MARI LWYD .. .. .. 113
THE TOWN STOCKS .. .. .. ..115
THE GREAT Ox .. .. .. ..115
XV. MISCELLANEOUS DEEDS AND DOCUMENTS .. .. 116
XVI. LAND MARKS AND PLACE NAMES .. .. .. 119
XVII. COWBRIDGE WILLS AND ADMINISTRATIONS .. .. 125
PART H. THE CHURCH.
THE CHURCH . . . . . . . . . . 131
LLANBLETHIAN AND HER CHAPELS . . . . . . . . 135
ST. SENWARA ON THE THAWE . . . . . . . . 138
SAINT ZENOR . . . . . . . . . . 139
COWBRIDGE CHURCH . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
THE CONNECTION WITH LLANBLETHIAN, TEWKESBURY, AND GLOUCESTER 140
VILLA FRATRUS . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
THE CHANTRY .. .. .. .. .. .. 141
THE HOLY CROSS OF COWBRIDGE . . . . . . . . 142
THE SOUTH AISLE . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
THE TOWER . . . . . . . . . . 143
THE ROYAL FOUNDATION . . . . . . . . 145
THE ALTAR OF ST. NICHOLAS . . . . . . . . . . 147
VALOR ECCLESIASTICUS . . . . . . . . . . 147
LELAND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
RETURNS TO CANTERBURY . . . . . . . . 148
" ST. MARY'S" .. .. .. .. .. ..148
LEWYS MORGANWG . . . . . . . . . . 148
THE ORNAMENTS OF THE CHURCH . . . . . . . . 151
THE PEWS . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
THE BAILIFFS AND THE BURIALS . . . . . . . . 153
THE MONUMENTS .. .. .. .. .. 153
JUDGE JENKINS OF HENSOL . . . . . . . . . . 157
DR. MALKIN . , 160
TABLE OF CONTENTS continued xiii
Pase
NICHOLL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
ADMIRAL EDWARDES . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
EDMONDES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
HARNESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
RICH .. .. .. .. .. .. ..162
THE CHURCH BELLS . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
THE TERRIER . . . . . . . . . . 165
THE ORGANS AND ORGANISTS . . . . . . . . 167
THE REGISTERS . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
THE COWBRIDGE LIBRARY . . . . . . . . . . 172
THE STRUCTURE OF THE CHURCH .. .. .. .. 175
ACTS OF THE CORPORATION AND THE VESTRIES, ETC. . . . . 176
THE CLERGY OF COWBRIDGE .. .. .. .. .. 181
AN ABORTIVE MOVEMENT .. .. .. .. ..183
How THE CHURCH WAS SERVED .. .. .. .. 187
INCUMBENTS OF COWBRIDGE . . 191
SOME LOCAL ROMAN CATHOLICS .. .. .. 195
THE ORIGIN OF NONCONFORMITY IN COWBRIDGE.. .. .. 200
THE METHODISTS .. .. .. .. 201
THE WESLEYANS . . . . . . . . 203
THE BAPTISTS . . . . . . . . 204
OF WHAT DENOMINATION ? . . . . . . 206
PART III. THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL :
AN ESSAY ON ITS ORIGIN . . . . . . 207
SIR LEOLINE JENKINS . . . . . . 236
LIFE IN COWBRIDGE SCHOOL IN THE EIGHTEENTH
CENTURY . . . . . . . . 248
" THE GOLDEN BOOK " OF THE SCHOOL . . 250
THE SCHOOL AND THE WAR . . . . . . 253
SOME DISTINGUISHED SONS OF THE SCHOOL . . 254
Two NOTABLE BROTHERS . . . . . . 259
ARCHDEACON T. WILLIAMS . . . . 261
HEADMASTERS OF COWBRIDGE SCHOOL . . . . 263
APPENDIX.
A.
THE HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS . . . . . . . . . . 279
B.
TRADITIONS CONCERNING OWEN GLYNDWR 279
xiv TABLE OF CONTENTS continued
PageC.
(1). GLAMORGAN CASTLES . . . . . . . . ... 280
(2). ANCIENT REMAINS IN GLAMORGAN . . . . . . 283
(3). RELIGIOUS HOUSES IN GLAMORGAN . . . . . . 285
(4). RUINED CHAPELS IN GLAMORGAN . . . . . . . . 285
D.
COWBRIDGE AND THE WELSH POETS . . . . . . . . 286
E.
Darren, 5, 93.
Ddaw, 6, 12. App.
Despenser, 14.
Ditch, Town, 11, 48, 70, 72-75.
Druid, remains, 132-3. App.
Dynevor, 159.
Eagle Inn and School, 72, 98, 99,
107, 121, 273.
Edmondes, 161, 181, 259. App.Escalleurs, 76.Estrateur, 11, 42.Ewenny Priory, 81. App.
fairs, 48, 93, 109.fever, Cowbridge, 74.
326
INDEX continued
fibula, 10, 73.
Fishguard invasion, 80.
Fishpond, 48.
Fitzhamon, Robert, 14, 144.
Franklen, Sir Thomas Mansel, 215,
248, 264.Freebooters, 86.Freemen, 67.Froissart, 14.
Gates, Town, 70-72.Garreg Wen, Y, 134. App.Gilbert de Clare, 15, 19, 21, 22, 23,
46, 138.
Gildas, 213. Add.Globe, 187, 215.Golden Book, 250.Golden Mile, 79. App.Grammar School, 70, 98, 217 (?)
seq. App. Add.Great War, 85, 253.Guild Hall, see Town Hall.Gwyn, Francis, 62.
Hangman's Hill, 5.
Haverfield, Prof., 10.
Herberts, 16, 18, 61, 87.
Holy Cross, 142. App.
Hopkin, Lewis, 3.
House of Correction, 55, 57, 58, 111.
hunting, 107.
lestyn ap Gwrgan, 13.
lolo Morganwg, 88, 266 et passim.
App. Add.inns, 108-109.Incumbents of Cowbridge, 191.
App.Institute, Town, 108.
Jenkins, Judge, 78, 81, 157, 238.Jenkins, Sir Leoline, 197, 218, 219,
236 seq.
Jesus College, 244.John, Sir Goscombe, 80.Julia Strata, 11.
Kenfig, 12, 23 seq., 47, 75.
Lake Way, 120.
Laws of Cowbridge, 25 seq.
Leland, 18, 70, 119.
Lewis Morganwg, 148-151. Add.
Library, Church, 173.
Limekiln, 52.
Limes, 50.
Little Island, 4, 8, 215. Add.
Llanblethian, 4, 5, 14, 15, 23, 24, 25,
48, 49, 76, 95, 135 seq., 247.
App. Add.
Llancarfan, 12, 213.Llandough, 268.Llanfrynach, 76. App.Llanharry, 18, 138.Llanquian, 75, 77, 136. App.Llanquian aisle, 136, 178. App.Llansannor, 12, 137. App.Llantrithyd, 165, 238.Llantwit Major, 12, 208, 217.Llwynrhyddid, 77.Long, John, 20, 21, 52, 228.Lord's Tucking Mill, 48.Loughor, 10.Llygod, 16, 17, 24. Add.
maces, 62. Add.Malkin, Dr., 160.Mari Lwyd, 113-115.Maxse, 117.mayors, 47, 61.Methodists, 201.Meurig, 13.Mille furlong, 48.monuments, 153 seq. Add.Morris, Robert, 104.Morson, 275.Mynydd y Glew, 77. App.
Napoleon, 82.
Neath, Nidium, 9, 10, 16.
Neath Abbey, 23, 75, 224.
Nicholl, 160, 258-9. Add.
Nonconformity, 200.
Norman town, 15, 69, 73. App.
organ, Church, 167.
Owen Glyndwr, 76-77. App.
Pant y Wennol, 76.Parish, Cowbridge, 183 seq.Penllyn, 16, 48, 76, 94. App.Penrees, 4.Pentre Meyrick, 12.Penychen, 7, 8, 9, 11. Add.persecutions, 198, 213.Picton, General, 81.place-names, 119, 124-5. App.
Add.
Poitiers, 14.Pont f aen, 6 et passim.Pontybwch, 3, 5.Pontyfon, 3, 4, 5, 6.Poor Law, 100.population, 169.posting, 110.Post Office, 101, 110.Pound, 72, 101, 277.Presbyterianism, 201.printing-press, 105.Prior's Hill, 120, 225. Add.
INDEX continued
327
Prior's Tower, 220, 222.Priory, 229.
Punctuobice, 3, 4, 10, 11.pumps, 101.Puritans, 200, 239, 241.Pwll y Buttes, 50, 100.Pyle, 24.
App.
Races, 106.
Railway, Cowbridge, 108.
Ravenna, 23.
Recorders, 66.
Reformation, 216, 221, 231. App.
registers, Church, 169.
Rhys ap Tewdwr, 13.
Roman Catholics, 195.
Roman Occupation, 2, 69, 72.
Roode St., 142. Add.
seals, 145.
Seisyllts, 75.
Sessions, Great, 54, 55, 86.
Sessions, Quarter, 61.
Seys, 165, 219, 233, 255.
Sheldon, 238, 242.
Sion Goodfellow, 17, 77, 78. App.
Add.
Stonebridge, 5, 54.Stradling, 213, 219, 221, 231-3.
App.
Stalling Down, 58, 76. App.stocks, 57, 58, 115.Sterling, 95, 201.Stickill Sant, 122.St. Bleddian, 24, 208.St. Germanus, 208, 217.St. Hilary, 14, 75.St. Illtyd, 212, 217. Add.St. Lupus, 208, 217.
St. Lythans, 25.
St. Nicholas, 75, 147. Add.
St. Quentin, Robert, 14, 15, 17.
St. Quintin's Castle, 15, 16, 17, 18.
St. Samson, 134, 209, 213. Add.
St. Zenor, 139.
Talyfan, 8, 16, 18, 50, 76.Talygarn, 238, 240.Taynton, 165.Terrier (1771), 165.Tewkesbury, 140, 141.Thaw, see Ddaw.Tithe-maps, 123, 124.Town Hall, 53-56, 59, 61.Town house, 123.travel, 112.Turberville, 81 et passim.
Vestries, 177 seq.Villa Fratrus, 141.Volunteers, 82.
Walls, 69, 70, 120.Walters, 3, 4, 184, 257, 268.Walters, Lewis, 103.WaunyGaer, 10, 11, 73, 130, 215.Welsh St. Donats, 78, 153, 165, 189.Wesleyans, 203.Widdowes, 11.wills, Cowbridge, 125-129.Williams, Jenkin, 156.William the Prior, 223 (seq.).Wilkes, 104.window-tax, 102, 250.Woodstock House, 118.Workhouses, 100.
Ystradowen, 75.
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