William ap Gruffydd, of Cochwillan

See Peter Bartrum, https://cadair.aber.ac.uk/dspace/bitstream/handle/2160/5158/OSBWRN%... (April 27, 2017; Anne Brannen, curator)

Please see Peter Bartrum: Iorwerth Goch (A); https://www.geni.com/documents/view?doc_id=6000000173409183982 & Marchudd 6 (D1); https://www.geni.com/documents/view?doc_id=6000000173426981925 [NOTE: Bartrum charts Margred ferch Thomas as a mistress of William ap Gruffudd, but that man died c.1500. She fits better as a partner of that man's son, also named William] (Steven Ferry, December 27, 2023.)

https://www.britainexpress.com/attractions.htm?attraction=659

History

Cochwillan was built around 1465 by William ap Gruffudd. William supported Henry Tudor in his bid for the English throne, and fought at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485. Henry rewarded ap Gruffudd for his support by naming him Sheriff of Caernarfonshire for life.

What is remarkable about the Old Hall is how much of the original 15th century building has remained intact. The most impressive feature is the hammerbeam roof of the hall, rising 30 feet high, and stretching over 3 open bays.

There are massive oak screens at both ends of the hall, creating a kitchen/dining area at one end and a bedroom at the other. Look for the carved numbers used by the master carpenter to create the screen and slot pieces together. Upstairs is a solar, with views towards Puffin Island and the Menai Strait. From other windows you can see Penrhyn Castle.

One unusual feature for the late 15th century is a fireplace set into the side wall. It was much more common to see fireplaces at one end of a hall, so inserting one in the side wall would have seemed quite unusual to contemporary visitors.

The Old Hall is let to a tenant, so it can only be visited by pre-arranged bookings through the Penrhyn estate. Or if you prefer, the North Wales Path long distance trail goes right past the property, so you can view it from outside without an appointment.

http://www.gutorglyn.net/gutoswales/tai.php

Rebuilding the old family home became very popular in fifteenth-century Wales. Following the damage caused during the Owain Glyndŵr Rebellion at the beginning of the century, much work was needed on many houses. Evidence for such rebuilding is provided by a technique called 'dendrochronology', a method of determining when the trees used to provide the timber for building were cut down. The rebuilt houses were highly visible symbols of the high status of the family, in terms of their architecture and construction, and the owners' wealth and tastes were also reflected in their choice of furniture, fireplaces and carpentry work. These features inspired the poets of the period as well.

Guto'r Glyn visited homes across Wales and over the border in England (see Map of houses). He composed poems to celebrate the rebuilding of some houses, namely Coldbrook, Abergavenny (poem 22), Vaynor, Berriew (poem 38), Moeliwrch, Llansilin (poem 90) and the home of the parson of Llandrinio parish (poem 85), and also describes some architectural details of abbeys.

The location of about twenty houses remains unknown to us today. Other houses were destroyed and rebuilt in later periods as farmhouses or manor houses, presumably on the same site as the ancient house. Therefore, since only a few of these medieval houses have survived, the descriptions in the work of Guto’r Glyn and his fellow poets are extremely important records of how they looked in their prime.

http://www.gutorglyn.net/gutorglyn/name-full/?n=nw03

Wiliam ap Gruffudd of Cochwillan, fl. c. 1466–m. 1500
Only one poem by Guto to Wiliam ap Gruffudd survived, a hymn of praise (poem 55). Five more poems for William were preserved in the manuscripts:

two hymns of praise by Lewys Môn, GLM poems XLII and XLIII;
a very fun poem by Dafydd Llwyd from Mathafarn thanking him for a horse, LDLl cedd 51;
poem by Ieuan Deulwyn to ask oxen from him and other nobles from Gwynedd (including Rhisiart Cyffin , dean of Bangor, and, possibly, Wiliam Fychan from the Peninsula) on behalf of Sir Rhys ap Tomas of Abermarlais, ID poem XXIV;
an elegy by Lewys Daron, GLD poem 8.

Lewys Môn sang an elegy for his first wife, Angharad daughter of Dafydd (GLM poem XLIV). His son, Wiliam, generously patronized the poets as well, and poems were secured for him by Ruffudd Hiraethog, Lewys ab Edward, Lewys Daron, Lewys Morgannwg, Siôn Brwynog, Siôn ap Hywel and Wiliam Llŷn. Further on the singing to William's ancestors, see below.

Achresi

The achresi below were based on WG1 'Bleddyn ap Cynfyn' 50, 51, 'Marchudd' 4, 5, 6, 'Osbwrn' 2; WG2 'Yarddur' 5E, 'Marchudd' 6 D1, D2, 'Osbwrn' 2 A1; GLM poem XLIV. The individuals named by Guto in the poem he sang to Wiliam are indicated in bold, and the names of other nobles who gave their patronage to Guto are underlined.

References

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cochwillan Cochwillan is a medieval hall house situated in the lower Ogwen Valley, south of the village of Talybont in the parish of Llanllechid, between Bethesda and Llandygai. It is designated by Cadw as a Grade I listed building.[1][2] Cochwillan was built around 1465 by William ap Gruffudd who for supporting Henry Tudor at the Battle of Bosworth was rewarded by being named Sheriff of Caernarvonshire. In the 17th century John Williams, Archbishop of York combined the hall with the Penrhyn estate. By 1969 it was in use as a barn when it was restored by Cadw and the Penhryn estate.[3]
2. https://coflein.gov.uk/en/site/26298/
3. Roberts, G., (1959). WILLIAMS family, of Cochwillan.. Dictionary of Welsh Biography. Retrieved 8 Oct 2024, from https://biography.wales/article/s1-WILL-COC-1389 WILLIAM AP GRIFFITH (died c. 1500), soldier and sheriff of Caernarfonshire Son of Griffith ap Robin. He was a firm supporter of the Tudors. He married Angharad, daughter of Dafydd ap Ieuan ap Einion the Lancastrian defender of Harlech between c. 1460-8. He is said to have brought a troop of horse to support Henry of Richmond at Bosworth, was appointed sheriff for life of Caernarvonshire in 1485, received letters of denization in 1486 and probably died 1500 (Breeze, Kalendars, 50; Cal. Pat. Rolls, 1485-94, 55).