Llyfr Achau Wiliam Cynwal

A manuscript of Welsh pedigrees, compiled by the sixteenth-century poet and transcriber, Wiliam Cynwal (dec. 1587) of Ysbyty Ifan. The hand of Wiliam Cynwal runs throughout the MS, there are however a few minor additions to the text by later hands scattered throughout the work. Each genealogy is preceded by a heading locating or naming the family seat; a bolder script is then employed at the beginning of the genealogy proper and sometimes subsequently when a sub-section is introduced. There is rubrication on ff. 5, 117 verso and 292 verso. The aim and scope of the MS is set out by the scribe in an introductory note on f. i, where it is said that the intention is to record the pedigrees of the gentry of Gwynedd, Powys and parts of the counties of Cheshire and Shropshire. He also states his intention of preparing a similar MS to include the pedigrees of the families of the seven counties of Deheubarth. Before the end of the present MS, however, the transcriber has diverted a significant portion of his MS to record details of South Wales families. This MS, like several of Cynwal's other genealogical MSS, concentrates on tracing the maternal ancestors of the families in question. Genealogical and heraldic MSS in his hand include: Bangor 5943, BM Harleian 1961 and Peniarth 128 and 183.
The MS opens with the following preface: 'Y llyfr hwnn a ddechrevais i Wiliam Kynwal pryd[ydd] hel i Iachav ai yscrivennv p[an] oedd oed Krist 1565 ac ynddo yr wyf yn Roi Iachav boneddicion gwynedd a ffowys a phart o sir gaer lleon ac o sir y mwythic a llyfr arall yr wyf yni wnevthvr o Iachav boneddicion saith sir dehevbarth y llyfr hwnn a yscrifenais o amafaelion (sic). lyfrav yn gowiraf ac ygellais drwy boen travael ac anhvnedd ac er hynny medd y ddihareb ni chair dim heb i vai velly o bydd neb ar vol Inav awypo yn sikr [fod] bai ar y llyfr hwnn adolw[yn] I ymendio ac yn gyntaf [ ]Kair y dabl [ ] ch [ym]ovynner [ ]' (f. i).

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

Christie's (Mostyn Sale); London; Purchased at auction, as part of lot 1504; 24 October 1974

The paper used in the MS bears various watermarks including a pot, a hand with star surmounted with a fleur-de-lis and the letter R, a shell (cf. Briquet, Les filigranes ... no. 4514), and grapes.

Preferred citation: NLW MS 21249B [RESTRICTED ACCESS].

Title based on contents.

A detailed list of the manuscript's contents may be found in NLW, Catalogue of Mostyn MSS Purchased in 1974 (1975), pp. 66-140, available at the Library.

Available on microfilm at the Library.

Six leaves are missing between ff. i and 1. Folios 218-221, 343- 346, and 348-349 are blank modern replacements of missing leaves. Many leaves, notably at the end of the book were imperfect and have been repaired. Folios missing from the volume include the genealogies of Plant howel Coetmor a Rhys gethin (f. 1), Caer Rhvn a rAelwyd vchaf ynhegeingl a llanfair fechan (f. 2), Doctor Elis prys (f. 3), Hiraethog y Keirnioge (f. 5), ar foelas (f. 6).

Among the names found among marginalia in the present MS, is the signature of the poet Huw Machno (fl. 1585-1637) (f. 180 verso). Other names include: Dauid Ellis, [XVII 2 c.] (f. 75 verso); Ieuan Evans, [late XVII c.] (f. 109); John Owen, [c. 1600] (f. 181); William ap Robert, [XVIII c.] (f. 193); John Janckin, 1612 (f. 228 verso); Jon: llwyd Register, [late XVII c.] (f. 278); William Vaughan Esqr Nanney, [XVIII c.] (f. 352 verso). Heraldic notes are added to genealogies on ff. 283 verso-285, in a late-seventeenth or early-eighteenth century hand and the source LD [?Lewys Dwnn] fol. 61 is quoted. A MS entitled 'William Cynwalls book of Pedegrees' is listed among the contents of Bishop Humphrey Humphreys of Bangor's library, dated 17 June 1696, in NLW MS 1565C, p. 96. The name 'William Vaughan Esqr. Nanney' on f. 352 verso, would suggest that the MS was at Nannau near Dolgellau during the mid-eighteenth century. William Vaughan (1707-1775) was succeeded by his brother Evan Lloyd Vaughan, on whose death in 1791, the Nannau, Corsygedol, and cognate estates, became the property of their niece, Margaret, the wife of Sir Roger Mostyn, bart, of Mostyn. The present MS therefore presumably came to Mostyn with the Corsygedol and Nannau libraries. Part of lot 1504 in the Mostyn sale at Christie’s, 24 Oct. 1974.

Published