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Llanfachreth is a settlement some three miles north-east of Dolgellau (its post town) within the historic boundaries of Merionethshire ((ウェールズ語:Meirionnydd, Sir Feirionnydd)., Wales. The village is on the slopes of the valley of the river Mawddach and at the foot of Moel Orthrwm. To the south-west on another prominent hill, the Foel Cynwch, is the famous Precipice Walk. ==History and Nannau House== From the 12th century two families, the Nanneys and the Vaughans, controlled the area that formed the greater part of the parish of Llanfachreth. The estate was, and is, known as the Nannau estate.〔TP Ellis Tribal Laws and customs of the Middle Ages vol 1 p236〕 The history of Llanfachreth is inextricably intertwined with the fortunes of these families. Cadwgan, son of Bleddyn ap Cynfyn, Prince of Powys in the early 12th century, came into possession of large areas in Merioneth and built Nannau house, a mansion a mile south west of Llanfachreth, which Obert Vaughan of Hengwrt (1592? To 1667) later called the stateliest structure in North Wales.〔Notes on the house of Nanney 1649 Arch Cam 1863 p1300〕 Cadwgan founded a small colony of serfs at Llanfachreth 〔TPEllisThe Story of Two Parishes〕 and his free followers settled the lands surrounding the house. The settlements spread over the area of Llanfachreth and became arable holdings made up of 70 tyddynod. Cadwgan was killed at Welshpool in 1111 but his lands remained in his family until 1701.〔JE Griffiths pedigreesp200〕 Of the descendants of Cadwgan some are documented. His great great grandson, Ynyr Vychan, in the early 14th century cooperated with the Edwardian regime which ensured his family served in local offices where otherwise English were engaged. Despite a later colourful feud with the Owens of Llwyn family of Dolgellau the family held offices and bought land thus maintaining the estate. After provocation and a lawsuit in 1603 Huw Nanney marched from Nannau to Dolgellau, entered the church and destroyed the pew of the Owens family, a deadly insult. This and other acts such as cutting down thousands of (royal) oaks in an attempt to get himself out of financial difficulty actually landed him in prison but, after he petitioned a reduction of his fine from £1000 to £800 and paying it he then, at the age of over 60, in 1612 rebuilt Nannau to a staggeringly expensive standard. The house was rebuilt again in 1693 by colonel Huw Nanney but, after his death, the estate fell from direct male inheritance to the Vaughan family through Anne his second daughter’s daughter who had married her cousin William Vaughan. Robert Howell Vaughan was made a baronet in 1791. Robert Williams Vaughan, 1768 to 1843, the second baronet, ruled the surrounding countryside with benevolent autocracy for over 50 years.〔J E Griffith, Pedigrees, p200〕 He was affectionately known as “Yr Hen Syr Robert” and, during this golden age of the estate, he rebuilt Nannau between 1788 and 1796, was elected as MP for Merioneth in 1792, and subsequently re-elected thirteen times, sitting till 1836.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title= NANNEY ( NANNAU ) family, of Nannau, Mer )〕 He accomplished much for the area; along with the rebuilding of nearby Dolgellau he financed much renewal of cottages, enclosure walls, houses, roads, fencing and created the precipice walk on the estate. Much of this work was paid for by Robert to relieve unemployment after the Napoleonic wars. He built several roads from Nannau house and, a mile east of Llanfachreth across the Bontnewydd road, a striking arch called “Y Garreg Fawr” (the Great Stone) because of huge stone, brought from Harlech, that forms the span. Many of the cottages he had rebuilt in Llanfachreth are unusual architecturally. They include slate roofs curving over dormer windows, for instance, and porches with rounded brick pillars. The last he built was “Glasgoed” a mile north of Llanfachreth. The cottage should have been higher on the hill but his health was failing so he had it built where he could see it and oversee its construction from near Nannau House. He was appointed High Sheriff of Merionethshire for 1837–38. After his death in April 1843 he was buried in Llanfachreth churchyard and his descendants took little interest in the estate. This generous man had included meanest of villagers and servants at Bodyrgollan and Rhug, where he also had interests, in his will. Last to take an active role in the estate was John Vaughan, High Sheriff for 1880–81. He rebuilt farm cottages to a high quality. This, the building of the school and a rent rebate 10% made him very popular. He died in 1900, The estate was left to wife and, in 1917, divided between her sons, the bulk to army General John. It became loaned to the war office as convalescent home for shell shocked veterans between 1918–1921. During the Second World War it sheltered a girls' school from Kent. Gen Vaughan did not live on the estate until late in life. He rebuilt the cottages called Tai-Baldwin in Llanfachreth, improved Bryn Ywen near the church, and converted a barn opposite Hen Felin into an attractive house. High, post war government taxes made further benevolent improvement and maintenance of the estate difficult and the estate was gradually split up. After the General died 1956 there was no direct descendant and Nannau was sold in 1966. In 2013 it again stands empty and for sale. It is a grade II * listed building, one of the highest country houses in the UK. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Llanfachreth」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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