Welsh Journals

Thomas ap Gruffydd ap Nicholas and a daughter of the Duke of Burgundy, it has been suggested that Perrot's 'collection' may be based on or the result of Dwnn's handiwork. 45 J. Duncumb, A History of Herefordshire (7 vols, London, 1892), VII, 146. Duncumb is the sole authority for suggesting that Richard Perrot was still living in 1636 which, if true, would suggest a man in his mid-eighties. 46 The only qualification to this title is given by M. P. Siddons who lists the pedigree as 'Descendants of Gruffudd ap Nicolas'. Idem., Welsh Pedigree Rolls, 55. 47 It is instructive that the author of the roll alone should name Gruffydd's second wife Ales. Lewys Dwnn in his pedigree (1596) calls her Joan while Brooke's pedigree (1600) makes no reference either to a Perrot marriage or wife. Gruffydd's second wife was in fact not named Ales but Margaret but this error should not detract from the fact that the author was prepared to differ from the opinions of contemporary heralds whose works on the Rice family pedigrees he almost certainly consulted. The Dynevor Roll was compiled in 1600 for Walter Rice (d.1611) of Dinefwr by the herald Ralph Brooke and measures 223cm by 76cm. See F. Jones, 'The Dynevor Heraldic Pedigrees', Coat of Arms, Vol. XI, No. 83 (1970), 82-6. 1 should like to thank Mr. A. L. Jones for access to his notes on and transcription of Brooke's original Dynevor pedigree roll formerly on display at the Welsh Folk Museum, St. Fagans but recently removed (1996) to Newton House Dinefwr Park, Llandeilo. R.K. Turvey, The Perrot family and their circle in south-west Wales during the later Middle Ages (University of Wales [Swansea] Ph.D. thesis, 1988), 77-8, 545. 48 R.A. Griffiths, Sir Rhys ap Thomas, 76 and n.129. Sir Rhys ap Thomas testified that he had absolved James ap Meurig from paying the outstanding balance on the mortgage amounting to some £ 20. 49 James ap Meurig had evidently died intestate sometime in August 1522 when letters of administration were issued on the 22nd of that month to his sister and heir Margaret. H.W.R.O. (Hereford), Probate and Administration Acts 1407-1541 and Abstracts of Wills 1541-81 in the Court Books of the Bishop of Hereford, 522/4, 4x; 565/17x. 50 It is possible that both authors consulted the records of the Council of Wales, and thereafter made their copies of Sir Rhys ap Thomas's letters and certificates to the Council, independently of each other. The pedigree includes a number of depositions from witnesses connected with the case which do not appear in the Dynevor archive. On the other hand, the Dynevor records has a full transcription of a certificate made by Sir Rhys which does not figure in the pedigree. Carmarthen Record Office, Dynevor A 73. 51 R. A. Griffiths, Sir Rhys ap Thomas, 76 n.129. 52 Unless the first two membranes were discarded and the pedigree begun afresh though there is nothing to support this. 53 The original deed recording this transaction has not been located. The author's concern with the Meurig family extended as far as including a short note on the dorse explaining how James came to adopt the name of Meurig. His full name in true patronymic style would have been James ap Thomas ap John ap Thomas ap Gruffydd ap Nicholas. 54 Due to excessive wear a significant portion of the title has been permanently erased and, with the exception of the words 'Hereford' and 'Sexte', the remainder can only be made out under ultra-violet light. 57 The first to note this marriage was P. C. C. Evans in his thesis entitled 'Sir John Perrot' (University of Wales [Cardiff], M.A. thesis, 1940), 23. Mary Berkeley had married previously Thomas Perrot, esquire of Haroldston (d.1531) and Sir Thomas Jones of Abermarlais (d.1559). As a point of interest the village of Whitney is situated less than three miles from Winforton. 55 D. W.B., 749; P.W. Hasler, Hist. Parl.,1558-1603, III, 205; H. Wood (ed.), The Chronicle of Ireland 1584-1608 (Dublin, 1933).