Welsh Journals

Lymore and Black Hall. By MARY NEWILL OWEN. Since the foregoing paper on Lymore, from the able pen of Mr. A. B. Waters was printed, certain documentary evidence has come to light, which may possibly elucidate, to some extent, the mystery which appears to shroud the origin of Lymore, and also throw some light upon the equal mystery surrounding the site of Black Hall, built in Tudor times by the grandfather of the first Lord Herbert of Chirbury, and which tradition asserts was destroyed by fire. This has been due to the discovery of a number of ancient documents relating to the family of Herbert of Montgomery, at present housed in the Welshpool Reference Library. Unfortunately many of these documents have been damaged, and although the date on the most important of all of them has disappeared, sufficient remain to permit a completely new theory to be advanced regarding the origin of the house and park, now known as Lymore. There is no clue to the actual date of this document except that it possesses the same water-mark as that of a deed relating to the grant of Stalloe, with its house, grounds and park in 1618, to Sir John Danvers and his wife, Dame Magdalen, by her son, Sir Edward Herbert, afterwards the first Lord Herbert of Chirbury. Although the date has gone, there can still be deciphered Montgomery. The Demesne Lands belonginge to Blacke hall." The deed appears to be particulars regarding the Montgomery Estates of Lord Herbert, and after the usual preamble goes on to relate Blacke hall, Gardens and Orchards £ 008 0 0" PENSPITCHELL pasture, 25 acres £ 016 13 4" Lower PENSPITCHELL Meadowe £ 010 00 0 Five Acres adjoining to the Barne £ 003 00 0" 41 CLOSE-Y-FYNON, 14 acres £ 009 6 8"