Hughes of Gwerclas facts for kids
The Hughes of Gwerclas were an important Welsh family. They were known as a royal family. They came from Prince Owain Brogyntyn. He was the son of Prince Madog ap Maredudd. Madog was one of the last kings of Powys.
Owain's father gave him and his family control over two areas. These were the Cantref of Edeyrnion and the Lordship of Dinmael. These lands were far away and located between Powys and the growing Kingdom of Gwynedd. From the 1100s, these areas usually showed loyalty to Gwynedd.
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A Royal Welsh Family
The Hughes of Gwerclas family has a long history. They are linked to the ancient Welsh royal lines. Their story begins with Prince Owain Brogyntyn. He was a son of Madog ap Maredudd. Madog was a powerful ruler in the Kingdom of Powys.
Owain had three sons. The family known as the Barons of Cymmer yn Edeyrnion came from his youngest son, Iorwerth. In 1284, King Edward I of England confirmed that Iorwerth's son, Gruffudd, could keep his lands.
The Barons of Cymmer
The title "Baron of Kymmer yn Edernion" was first used in 1334. This was by Owain ap Dafydd. He lived at Plas Uchaf. The family started using the name "Hughes of Gwerclas" after 1546. This was for Humphrey Hughes.
Later, Thomas Hughes was known as the "Esquire of Gwerclas." He was a captain who fought for King Charles I. This was during a time of war in England. Thomas Hughes died in 1670.
Later Generations
Thomas Hughes had a son named John. John married a descendant of Ednyfed Fychan. After John, his brother Hugh took over. Then Hugh's son, Daniel, became the 15th Baron. Daniel married Catherine Wynn.
Daniel died in 1754. After this, the Hughes of Gwerclas family lived at Pen y Clawdd. This place is thought to be near Chirk in Flintshire.
The Family in the 1800s
In 1851, William Hughes was the 18th Baron. He was born in 1801 at Pen y Clawdd. He lived for a long time at Gayton Mansion. This was in Northamptonshire.
In the 1851 National Census, William Hughes was living in Twyford, Hampshire. He lived there with his family and servants. He was a lawyer and also studied old things.
William's only son was William O'Farrel Hughes. In 1911, he was a retired clergyman. He was 73 years old and had no children.
His cousin, Talbot de Bashall Hughes, joined the Cape Mounted Riflemen in the 1850s. He later disappeared from records. He might have died in South Africa during the Anglo-Zulu Wars.
Today, the title of Baron of Kymmer yn Edeirnion is not active. It is not known if there are any living family members of the Hughes of Gwerclas.
Images for kids
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Arms of William Hughes (b. 1801)
