Cymdeithas Hanes Lleol Llandyrnog and Llangwyfan Local History Society

THE annual summer visit of the society was a great success on Saturday, July 21, with good weather helping to make the day.

Thirty members, friends and family had an excellent meal at the White House, Rhuallt and then travelled on to Mostyn Hall, Mostyn, the historic seat and home of the Mostyn family for over 500 years.

The Mostyn Hall guides gave everyone a comprehensive tour around the hall, which has 114 rooms and is a Grade I-listed building which is Elizabethan / Jacobean in origin.

The hall is based around a 15th century great hall which was re-modelled in 1846-47 by architect Ambrose Poynter, commissioned by Edward Pryce Lloyd, the 1st Baron Mostyn, to provide additional living accommodation, new kitchens and a new library.

Mostyn Hall is home to one of the most complete family art collections in Wales.

The ancestor of the Mostyn line was Ieuan Fychan (d.1457).

Ieuan Fychan was related to Jasper Tudor, Earl of Pembroke. Ieuan's son Hywel ap Ieuan supported the Lancastrian cause in the Wars of the Roses.

Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond (later Henry VII) stayed at Mostyn Hall to plan his bid for the throne.

On one occasion, Richard III's soldiers forced their way in at the front door of the hall, looking for Tudor, but he managed to escape.

Hywel's son Richard led 1,600 men to fight for Henry at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485.

Henry was so grateful for Mostyn's support that he gave Richard the sword and belt he wore in the battle.

It was Richard's son Thomas who first adopted the family name of Mostyn.

The family estates were passed to Mostyn Estates Ltd, founded in 1925, which included 75 per cent of the freehold of Llandudno and 1,500 acres of land surrounding the town.

Gregory Phillip Roger Mostyn, 7th Baron Mostyn (b. 1984) is the present resident of Mostyn Hall.

There is always a warm welcome to all members and non members at Cymdeithas Hanes Llandyrnog and Llangwyfan Local History Society meetings at a cost of only £5 for the yearly programme of three meetings with tea / coffee and light refreshments served for all at the end of meetings.

Additionally, there is an annual visit arranged for members.

The next meeting will be the AGM in Llandyrnog Village Hall on October 17 (7.30pm).

The speaker Clwyd Wynne will be talking about 'The Great War - Denbigh a town that cared'.

It includes the use of Ystrad Isaf as an auxiliary military hospital from 1914 to 1921 and the contribution of the people of Denbigh and district to the well-being of the wounded soldiers who came there for rehabilitation.

For further details or to join the Cymdeithas Hanes Llandyrnog and Llangwyfan Local History Society, contact secretary Hazel Wright by e-mailing llangwyfanhistory@hotmail.com