Cardiff Records, Volume II, Chapter I
NOTES ON THE MANORS OF THE CARDIFF DISTRICT

Transcribed by Pat Sewell 1995
email: pat.sewell@btopenworld.com
www: http://www.btinternet.com/~pat.sewell/

Last Modified: 9 April 1996

Note: Cartae = G. T. Clark's "Cartae et alia munimenta quae ad Dominium de Glamorgan pertinent"

MANOR OF WHITCHURCH

Whitchurch was called in Latin Album Monasterium ("Whitminster.") Its Welsh name is Eglwys-newydd (Newchurch). It is a parish adjoining that of Llandaff on the north, but was anciently only a chapelry under Llandaff. Most of the modern parish of Whitchurch is in Senghenydd Subtus, but a part is in Cibwr (Kibbor). The whole of the old "Album Monasterium" was in Senghenydd. The remains of the castle are near the old Church. Whitchurch is a member of the great Lordship of Senghenydd, and not strictly a manor of itself. Parts of the modern parish are in adjoining manors.

1295. Gilbert de Clare died seised of Whitchurch manor.

1307. In the Inquisition on the death of Joan de Clare, Whitchurch is referred to as a member of the Castle and Vill of Kayrfilli.

1314. In an official document Whitchurch tower is spoken of as a "forcellettum" called Blankminster, "in nullo edificatum," with a mill and other profits thereunto appurtenant. It stood close to the chapel. The name Album Monasterium points to an early monastic establishment. A little to the south-east of Whitchurch, in Llandaff parish, is a farmhouse called Mynachdy ("the monastery"). This place, however, seems to have belonged to Llantarnam Abbey, and it is very doubtful whether the name "Album Monasterium" was derived from it.

1316. Griffithsmoor (q.v.) was held under Whitchurch. An account of the possessions late of Gilbert de Clare includes a "Compotus de exitibus Albi Monasterii," in which is mentioned (inter alia ) "30s received from the pasturage of 60 acres of arable land in cultivation this year in Griffithesmor. And of 3s received from the pasturage of 5 and half acres of land in cultivation, beyond the water of Rempni. And of 6s received from the pasturage of a certain 'Hame' there" The same account shows that the Whitchurch mills were burnt in the war of Llewelyn Bren.

1440. The Castle and Manor of Whitminster otherwise Whitchurch, were in the hands of the Countess of Warwick. ( I.P.M.)

1550. The Particulars for the grant to Sir William Herbert mention, under the head of "Whitchurch," rents arising from a certain customary service called Commorth, , at 4s.1d., falling to our lord the king every other year to be paid by the tenants aforesaid." Cymorth was a Welsh custom, noticed in the introductory remarks.

1578. Rice Merrick says the old castle is so decayed "that scarce the Foundac'on and Rubbish appeareth. It is said that to it belonged a customary mannor in Whitchurch. But now, by what meanes I could not learn the certeinty, reputed a parcell of Seynghenith and annexed to it."

1596. Abbreviate. "Whitchurch . . . . . . butteth to thest p'ste of Pentirghe and hath free tenants and leases."

In this manor was Treoda (now destroyed), the seat of Yorath Mawr, a descendant of Iestyn ap Gwrgan. Gwaun Treoda is the Welsh name for Whitchurch Common.

Rice Merrick says Yorath left four daughters, between whom the estate was divided. It is said that it soon came entirely into the hands of one son-in-law, Morys Vychan, and continued in his line until the sons of Ieuan ap Robert ap Morys Vychan sold it to David ap Jenkyn ap Ieuan ap David ; whose sons parted with it to David ap Richard Gwyn, whose son Edward enjoyed the same in 1578. This account, however, is of doubtful authority.

For the last three centuries Whitchurch has been treated as a member of Senghenydd, of which the Marquess of Bute is the present Lord.