Mathafarn facts for kids

Mathafarn is an old house and farm located near Llanwrin in Wales. It has a long and interesting history. The first house here was built a very long time ago, even before the year 1485! Mathafarn has played an important part in the history of both Wales and England.

A Look Back at Mathafarn's Past

Mathafarn and King Henry VII

The first time Mathafarn is mentioned in history books is in 1485. This was a very important year! Henry Tudor was traveling through Wales. He was on his way to fight King Richard III at the famous Battle of Bosworth Field.

Henry Tudor stopped at Mathafarn Hall. There, he met a poet named Dafydd Llwyd. Dafydd Llwyd lived at the hall. Henry Tudor won the battle, becoming King Henry VII. After his big victory, Dafydd Llwyd was given the title of an esquire. This was a special title given to gentlemen.

Mathafarn During the Civil War

Around the year 1600, Mathafarn was owned by Richard ap John ap Hugh. He was a descendant of the poet Dafydd Llwyd. Richard's son was named Rowland Pugh. Rowland Pugh became a very important person. He was the Lord of Meirionedd.

In 1624, Rowland Pugh was chosen to be a Member of Parliament (MP) for Cardigan. An MP is someone elected to represent people in the country's government. He was re-elected in 1625. That same year, he was also made High Sheriff of Montgomeryshire. A High Sheriff was a top official for a county.

In 1628, Rowland Pugh built a new house at Mathafarn. He supported the Royalist side during the English Civil War. The Royalists supported the King. On November 2, 1644, Sir Thomas Myddleton was marching through the Dyfi valley. He was part of the Parliamentarian army, who fought against the King.

Rowland Pugh's forces ambushed Sir Thomas Myddleton. In return for this attack, Myddleton's army burned down Mathafarn on November 29, 1644. Rowland Pugh died around Christmas 1644. His son, John Pugh, was later honored for his father's support of the King.

Later Owners of Mathafarn

Another house was built at Mathafarn near the end of the 1600s. This house was sold in 1752 to Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn. His son, Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn, 5th Baronet, built yet another new house at Mathafarn around the year 1800.

By 1859, the Williams-Wynn family had moved out of Mathafarn. They leased the house to a man named William Owen. In 1915, Edward Hughes owned Mathafarn. He was a county alderman and a magistrate in Montgomeryshire. An alderman is a local government official, and a magistrate is like a judge for less serious cases. The house built in 1800 is still standing today!

Where is Mathafarn?

Mathafarn is located about half a mile north-west of Cemmaes Road. It is also about the same distance east of Llanwrin. The house stands right where two rivers meet: the Afon Ceirig and the Afon Dyfi.