Plas Gwyn, The Vicarage, The Old Vicarage, The Old Manor and, currently, Dyserth Care Hotel
Several names for one building across the river from the New Inn car park in lower Dyserth,
home of Bishop William Morgan from 1601 to 1604.
The same building in the early 20th century. The Rev. J. Evans Jones and his wife can just about be seen in the doorway.
Slate plaque set into the wall of St Dogfan’s church, Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant
A very important figure in the history of the Welsh Language was Bishop William Morgan, who translated the Bible into Welsh. The bible was published in 1588 while he was vicar of Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant.
The upper plaque says that the building was ordered by W.H. (William Hughes), Bishop of St Asaph and also Archdeacon of the same place, in 1584.
The lower plaque dates from 1824 and says Ludovicus Bagot restored this part in 1799. It also says Vicar Georgius Strong completed it at his own expense in 1824 to celebrate a 25th anniversary - of what is not clear, possibly 25 years service or perhaps of marriage.
Bishop Richard Parry, who revised Morgan’s bible in 1621, also lived in this house.
A very brief biography of William Morgan
Born at Ty Mawr, Wybrnant, Near Penmachno around 1545
He was the son of a tenant, neighbour and friend of the Wynns of Gwydir Castle. He was educated by them and went on to St John’s College, Cambridge from 1565 to 1571. One of his friends there was the William Hughes mentioned above.
1572 Appointed vicar in the parish of Llanbadarn Fawr near Aberystwyth.
1575 Helped by William Hughes, then Bishop of St Asaph, to become vicar of Welshpool. Hughes also enabled him to obtain the livings of Denbigh, Llanfyllin and Pennant Melangell.
1578 Bishop Hughes appointed him the the vicarage of Llanrhaeadr-yn-Mochnant where he lived from 1578 to 1595 and there he translated the Bible into Welsh. Published in 1588 it made him famous.
1595 Ordained Bishop of Llandaff.
1600 William Hughes died. Morgan was enthroned as Bishop of St Asaph in 1601 and moved to Dyserth. He held the office of Archdeacon as well as Bishop so he had two incomes, though he died almost penniless on September 10th 1604.
Ty Mawr, Wybrnant - birthplace
of William Morgan.
Owned by The National Trust and open to the public, click here for details.
In 1601 he was ordained as Bishop of St Asaph and, as the Bishop’s Palace there was in ruins, he and his wife came to live at the Archdeacon’s house - Plas Gwyn - in Dyserth. (He also held the office of Archdeacon). His friend and predecessor Bishop William Hughes had lived there until his death in 1600.
This plaque on the wall on the end of the building includes the initials WH - those of Bishop William Hughes.
William Morgan’s Bible. A copy is kept in St Asaph Cathedral
All colour photographs Copyright © Peter J Robinson. All rights reserved
For more about William Morgan see an article at the National Library here
