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Home » Religion and Belief » The Church » Effigies

Displaying results 1 to 6 out of 6

Page 1

  • This military effigy of Meurig ab Ynyr Fychan lies within the church of St. Mary, Dolgellau. Meurig ab Ynyr Fychan was an ancestor of the Nannau and Hengwrt families. He served as 'rhaglaw' or lieutenant of the commote of Tal-y-bont, Merionethshire, from 1332-c.1339/40, following in the footsteps of his father, Ynyr Fychan, who reputedly captured Madog ap Llywelyn in 1295. The inscription around the shield reads: HIC IACET / MEVRIC FILIVS / YNYR UYCHAN ('Here lies Meurig son of Ynyr Fychan'.) Source: Andrew Davidson, 'Parish Churches' in J. Beverley Smith and Llinos Beverley Smith (eds.), 'History of Merioneth Volume II - The Middle Ages' (Cardiff, 2001), pp. 337-8.
Effigy of Meurig ab Ynyr Fychan (Nannau) in Dolgellau Church
  • This is the only remaining figure from a tomb which was erected in the chancel of Brecon Cathedral c. 1555. The 'Games Monument' was erected in memory of the Games familiy of Aberbran and their wives. The other figures are reputed to have been burned by Cromwell's soldiers during the Civil War. The effigy represents either Anne, daughter of Sir William Vaughan of Porthaml, Miss Bodenham of Rotherwas or Miss Morgan of Pen-y-Crug, the wives respectively of John, William and Thomas Games. The 'Games' family were descended from Dafydd Gam, a Welsh soldier killed at the battle of Agincourt in 1415. He was one of those killed on the English side but not, according to popular legend, before he had saved the life of Henry V and been knighted on the field. His reputation as a warrior in the King's cause was also one of the reasons for Owain Glyn Dwr's failure to win the allegiance of parts of south-east Wales. According to tradition, Dafydd Gam sought to assassinate Owain in 1404. In 1410, or later, Dafydd fell into Owain's hands and was ransomed by the Seneschal of Brecon. He was called 'Dafydd Gam' ('Crooked Dafydd') because he squinted or had only one eye.
Brecon Cathedral: Games Monument c. 1555
  • This page describes the effigies which are to be found at Llandaff Cathedral.
Extract from J. L. Brewer, 'Landaf Cathedral: history and antiquities of the Cathedral Church and see of Landaff' (1816) [page 34]
  • Engraving of the Chapter House, Llandaff Cathedral.
Extract from J. L. Brewer, 'Landaf Cathedral: history and antiquities of the Cathedral Church and see of Landaff' (1816) [Plate 8]
  • Vignette of Dolgellau Church by J. Harris. Thomas Pennant describes the town of Dolgellau and its church as follows (p. 97): 'The town takes its name from its being placed in a dale abundant in hazels. It has nothing in it remarkable but the church, which, notwithstanding it is pew-less, is a good building. Within is the monument of Meiric Vychan ap Ynyr Vychan; of the neighbouring house of 'Nanney', fifth in descent from prince 'Cadwgan', son of 'Bleyddyn ap Cynryn', who resided there, and in whose posterity it continues to this time. He is armed in a close mail helmet and neck-guard, sword in hand, and with a short mantle over the rest of his armours.'
Thomas Pennant, 'The Journey to Snowdon' (London, 1781), page 97 [image 11 of 22]
Scrapbook of Henry Thomas Payne, containing notes, sketches, plans, and copies of inscriptions relating to Powys, early 19th century, cover [image 1 of 91]