Welsh Journals

The Dominican Priory of Rhuddlan BY The Rev. WALTER GUMBLEY. O.P. WE do not know the exact year of the foundation of this priory, the first mention we find of it being the appointment of its prior, Anian de Schonaw, "Y brawd du o Nanneu" (the blackfriar of Nanneu), as he was commonly called, to the see of St. Asaph in 1268. A certain friar, Kenrick, succeeded him as prior. Rhuddlan found itself in the midst of all the turmoil caused by Edward's Welsh war, and no doubt the inhabitants of the priory led no very peaceful existence during this period. However, we know nothing explicit. During the king's (Edward I.) stay at Rhuddlan, he probably, as was his custom elsewhere, partook of the friar's hospitality; we know that he bestowed on them abundant alms, and provided for various journey expenses. They were depositaries of a portion of the tenth gathered for Edward's projected crusade (which, however, went no further than project). No record remains of the burials at this convent, but from the many fragments remaining, we can safely conclude that the church possessed quite a good number of