History of the Gwydir family,

Scope and Content

A volume containing a copy, 1669, in the hand of Thomas Rowlands, clerk, of 'History of the Gwydir Family' by Sir John Wynn (1553-1627), Gwydir, Caernarvonshire (ff. 2-84 verso). It is the earliest known dated copy of a recension of the work represented by thirteen other copies (see below). It is probably the manuscript belonging in 1674 to Morris Parry, rector of Llaneilian-yn-Rhos, Denbighshire, from which the copy in NLW MS 3075D was made, and the manuscript described by Angharad Llwyd as 'a quarto volume of Syr John Wynn's History of Gwydyr, Ancient, and in good preservation' which in 1828 was in the possession of Richard Lloyd Williams of Hafodwryd, Penmachno, Caernarvonshire, then residing at Llwyn, Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant, Denbighshire (see Transactions of the Cymmrodorion or Metropolitan Cambrian Institution, 2 (London, 1828), 44). Bound together are pedigrees and memoranda in several early-eighteenth century hands, including notes copied 'out of Penbedw MS' (NLW MS 3075D, p. 90), being transcripts of marginalia from 'Dr Humphreys's Copy' (Brogyntyn I.13, ff. 62 verso-3, 76) (ff. 85-6); a note on Meredith Wynn ap Evan ap Robert and his descendants (see also NLW MSS 27B, pp. 111-114, 16969B, pp. 128-132 and 21253D, ff. 27 verso-28 verso, where 'H. Bangor 1700' is given as the source) (ff. 89-91); pedigrees of the Wynn family of Gwydir and its collateral branches (ff. 86 verso-91, 95-98 verso); and 'Arfau pump brenhinllwyth Cymru' (f. 121 verso, inverted text).

Access Information

Access to the original manuscript by authorised permission only. Readers are directed to use surrogate copies.

Acquisition Information

Miles K. Wynn Cato; London; Purchase; 1994

Note

Title based on contents.

Preferred citation: NLW MS 23289B [RESTRICTED ACCESS].

Other Finding Aids

The contents of NLW MSS 22853-23691 are indexed in greater detail in Handlist of Manuscripts in the National Library of Wales, vol. 9 (Aberystwyth, 2003).

Alternative Form Available

Online version available on the Library's website https://www.llgc.org.uk/discover/digital-gallery/manuscripts/early-modern-period/history-of-the-gwydir-family/ (viewed April 2016).

Physical Characteristics and/or Technical Requirements

Eleven leaves excised after f. 93.

Archivist's Note

March 2009 & August 2011.

Description compiled by Bethan Ifan for the retrospective conversion project of NLW MSS, and revised by Bethan Ifan;

Conditions Governing Use

Usual copyright laws apply.

Custodial History

'Written by Thomas Rowlands, Clr, 1669' (f. 84 verso); 'Maurice Wynne of Llwyn in Llanrhaiadr his Booke Anno Domini 1718' (f. 1); 'O Wynne', [early 18 cent.] (f. 122).

Related Material

For the 'thirteen other copies' of this text see Bodewryd MS 11D, Brogyntyn MS I.13, NLW MSS 27B, 2025B, 2035B, 3061D, 3075D, 12854D, 16969B, 21253D, NLW Minor Deposit MS 1206, Peniarth MS 120, and Wynnstay MS 120 (NLW, Llanfair and Brynodol MS 2 and NLW MS 8427B are probably copies of Cardiff MS 4.101 (previously Cardiff Free Library MS 83, see Report on Manuscripts in the Welsh Language, 2 vols (London, 1898-1910), II, pp. 783-789) in the hand of Sir John Wynn).

Bibliography

The History of the Gwydir Family..., ed, by John Ballinger (Cardiff, 1927)

The History of the Gwydir Family and Memoirs, ed. by J. Gwynfor Jones (Llandysul, 1990)

Additional Information

Published

Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru = The National Library of Wales