Welsh Journals

and the History of the Diocese of St Asaph The only way to introduce a survey of sources for a history of the diocese of St Asaph is to examine the two editions of D R Thomas's A History of the Diocese of St Asaph, General, Cathedral and Parochial. The first edition published in 1874 is a one volume work of eight hundred and eighty nine pages. The second edition was published in three volumes between 1908 and 1913 and is of thirteen hundred and eighty pages. It contained nearly three hundred illustrations of the cathedral, parish churches and their furnishings, and the bishops of the diocese. The History is a massive collection of factual information skilfully arranged. In the Epilogue to his life's work, written in 1913, Thomas wrote, it is with no little satisfaction that I now bring to a close the work of practically, half a century, which for conception and completeness presents an ecclesiastical record such as no other diocese in the kingdom can boast of. It is not only a History of the Diocese of St Asaph, but an epitome and object lesson on the story of the Welsh Church as shown in one of her four dioceses." D R Thomas was born in 1833 in the parish of Llanfechain in the county of Montgomery. In 1846 he entered Ruthin School and was influenced by the headmaster, the Revd E L Barnwell, a prominent member of the Cambrian Archaelogical Association. From Ruthin Thomas went as an exhibitioner to Jesus College, Oxford, graduating with classical honours in 1856. The young man was fortunate in making the early acquaintance of his diocesan, Bishop Vowler Short, who in 1864 presented him to the living of St Mary's, Cefn Meiriadog, Dembighshire, as the first incumbent. It was the habit of Bishop Vowler Short to present each incumbent with a log book at the time of their Institution and in the book we find the entry: "1869 Feb 9 D R Thomas began to write out for the press his History of the Diocese of St Asaph." Maybe it was the influence of his headmaster Barnwell who kindled his interest in the study of history but it was Bishop Short who inspired him, 1 D R Thomas, History of the Diocese of St Asaph, (2nd ed, Oswestry, 1908- 13) [HDSA], preface volume 3. Resource File: Archdeacon D R- Thomas T W Pritchard