Plas Mawr
Encyclopedia
Plas Mawr is a historic house in Conwy
, north Wales
, dating from the 16th century. The house has been restored to its original appearance, with assistance from Cadw
, in whose care it is now. It is thought to be the best-preserved Elizabethan
town house in the United Kingdom.
The house was built between 1575 and 1586 for a merchant named Robert Wynne (or Wynn), who died in 1598, and is located near the centre of the town of Conwy. Wynne described the house as a "worthy, plentiful house". The ornamental plasterwork, which is the house's most striking feature, carries the initials of its owner - "R W" - in several places. The gardens have also been restored by Cadw.
Robert Wynne was the 3rd son of John Wynne (ap Meredith), d.1553, and was uncle to Sir John Wynne
of Gwydir
through his brother Morys. Not being the first son, and therefore not inheriting on his father's death, he travelled around Europe. He returned to Conwy, and married, but his first wife died a year after Plas Mawr was completed. Aged 66 he married Dorothy, and they had 7 children in the space of 6 years. In 1589 he became an MP for Caernarfon
. Following his death there was fierce arguing over his inheritance, and finally Robert Wynne, his grandson, inherited in 1616.
Members of the Wynne family used to stay at Plas Mawr until moving to Gwydir, near Llanrwst
, in 1564.
Conwy
Conwy is a walled market town and community in Conwy County Borough on the north coast of Wales. The town, which faces Deganwy across the River Conwy, formerly lay in Gwynedd and prior to that in Caernarfonshire. Conwy has a population of 14,208...
, north Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
, dating from the 16th century. The house has been restored to its original appearance, with assistance from Cadw
Cadw
-Conservation and Protection:Many of Wales's great castles and other monuments, such as bishop's palaces, historic houses, and ruined abbeys, are now in Cadw's care. Cadw does not own them but is responsible for their upkeep and for making them accessible to the public...
, in whose care it is now. It is thought to be the best-preserved Elizabethan
Elizabethan architecture
Elizabethan architecture is the term given to early Renaissance architecture in England, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Historically, the period corresponds to the Cinquecento in Italy, the Early Renaissance in France, and the Plateresque style in Spain...
town house in the United Kingdom.
The house was built between 1575 and 1586 for a merchant named Robert Wynne (or Wynn), who died in 1598, and is located near the centre of the town of Conwy. Wynne described the house as a "worthy, plentiful house". The ornamental plasterwork, which is the house's most striking feature, carries the initials of its owner - "R W" - in several places. The gardens have also been restored by Cadw.
Robert Wynne was the 3rd son of John Wynne (ap Meredith), d.1553, and was uncle to Sir John Wynne
Sir John Wynn, 1st Baronet
Sir John Wynn, 1st Baronet , Welsh baronet, Member of Parliament and antiquary, was the son of Morys Wynn ap John. He claimed to be directly descended from the princes of Gwynedd through Rhodri ab Owain son of Owain Gwynedd. However, this claim is disputed in a publication of 1884 entitled...
of Gwydir
Gwydir Castle
Gwydir Castle is situated in the Conwy valley, North Wales, a mile to the west of the ancient market town of Llanrwst and to the south of the large village of Trefriw...
through his brother Morys. Not being the first son, and therefore not inheriting on his father's death, he travelled around Europe. He returned to Conwy, and married, but his first wife died a year after Plas Mawr was completed. Aged 66 he married Dorothy, and they had 7 children in the space of 6 years. In 1589 he became an MP for Caernarfon
Caernarfon
Caernarfon is a Royal town, community and port in Gwynedd, Wales, with a population of 9,611. It lies along the A487 road, on the east banks of the Menai Straits, opposite the Isle of Anglesey. The city of Bangor is to the northeast, while Snowdonia fringes Caernarfon to the east and southeast...
. Following his death there was fierce arguing over his inheritance, and finally Robert Wynne, his grandson, inherited in 1616.
Members of the Wynne family used to stay at Plas Mawr until moving to Gwydir, near Llanrwst
Llanrwst
Llanrwst is a small town and community on the A470 road and the River Conwy in Conwy County Borough, Wales. It takes its name from the 5th century to 6th century Saint Grwst, and the original parish church in Cae Llan was replaced by the 12th-century church....
, in 1564.