Llancaiach Fawr facts for kids
Llancaiach Fawr Manor is a historic house from the Tudor period. It is located near the village of Nelson in South Wales. This special house was built around 1530. It was designed to be easily defended, like a small fortress.
The manor is a very important Grade I listed building. It is famous for being the home of Colonel Edward Prichard. In 1645, King Charles I of England even visited him here. Today, Llancaiach Fawr Manor is a living history museum. This means you can visit and see what life was like hundreds of years ago!
Contents
The Prichard Family and the Civil War
The Prichard family lived at Llancaiach Fawr for many years. When the English Civil War began in 1642, Colonel Edward Prichard had to choose a side. He first supported King Charles I, who was called a "Royalist." Colonel Prichard helped the King by gathering men and money in Glamorganshire.
King Charles I visited Llancaiach Fawr on August 5, 1645. He hoped to get more support. Soon after this visit, Colonel Prichard and many other local leaders changed their minds. They decided to support Parliament instead. People who supported Parliament were called "Parliamentarians."
Later, Colonel Prichard became the leader of Cardiff Castle. In 1646, he bravely defended the castle against an attack. He was praised for his courage in battles like the one at St Fagans in 1648.
Building the Manor House
Llancaiach Fawr Manor was built to be strong and safe. Its first owner, Dafydd ap Richard, was in charge by 1549. The house had thick walls, about four feet wide. It also had spiral stone staircases and strong wooden doors with iron bolts. These features helped protect the family inside.
The house was designed so that if attackers got in, parts of it could still be sealed off. The inner east wing could become a safe place to hide.
Over time, the Prichard family became more successful. In 1628, David Prichard, Colonel Edward Prichard's father, made the house bigger. He added a grand staircase to make it easier to move between floors. Some rooms were decorated with beautiful oak panels. New windows with many small panes of glass, called Mullioned windows, were also added.
Life with Servants
Many servants lived and worked at Llancaiach Fawr Manor. When Colonel Prichard lived there, about 15 servants lived inside the house. Another 15 worked outside, helping with the farm and land.
Important jobs, like the housekeeper or the agent, often stayed in the same families for generations. Other jobs were filled by people who offered their skills at a special "hiring fair" each year. These workers were paid every three months.
The most important servant was the Steward. He was usually educated and spoke both Welsh and English. He also knew a lot about the law and the local people who rented land from the family. Many servants were young and unmarried. They often had many different skills for various tasks around the manor.
The Manor After 1645
After the Prichard family no longer owned it, Llancaiach Fawr was used as a farmhouse. In 1979, the local council bought the house. They decided to restore it and open it to the public.
In the early 1990s, it became a "living history" museum. This means that when you visit, people dressed in old clothes act like servants from 1645. They talk to visitors as if it's still the 17th century! They even pretend not to know about anything that happened after 1645.
Today, the house looks just as it would have in 1645. All the furniture and items are copies of things from that time. Some original items can be seen at the St Fagans National History Museum. The museum focuses on the year 1645, when King Charles I visited. This helps visitors understand the English Civil War and the choices people like Colonel Prichard had to make.
In 2013, the house received money to make improvements. They replaced the roof and added a lift for easier access. They also restored the attic, which used to be closed, to show how the servants lived. This project was finished in 2015. The goal is to welcome many visitors each year.
The artist Thomas Frederick Worrall painted the back of the manor in 1911 or 1912. This painting can be seen at the manor today.
Media and Events
Llancaiach Fawr Manor has been used in many TV shows and films. It appeared in Doctor Who and the Welsh children's show Dan Glo. The TV show Time Team also dug in the grounds. They found old coins and some pottery from the Bronze Age. The Urdd Eisteddfod, a big Welsh youth festival, was held here in 2015.
Spooky Stories
Some people believe that Llancaiach Fawr Manor is a haunted place. It is known among those who are interested in ghosts and spirits.
Images for kids
-
A robot icon, often used for children's content.
