| Description | Series of interrogatories to be administered on behalf of the plaintiff which asked for facts bearing upon two indentures (20 and 26 August 1542 - PENRH/48 and PENRH/51) by which R.G. leased and re-leased the manor of Penrhyn to William Coetmor ["Coitmoon"] and David Moythey, clk.; depositions taken at Bangor (18 October 1577) before William, Lord Bishop of St. Asaph, Edward Thelwall, Moris Kyffin and William Vaughan. The only witnesses examined were David Moythey, one of the canons of Bangor, then on old man of 77 years, and one of the clerical family of Birkdale (Humphrey), who was 75. The outcome is not known. Accompanying this is a copy of the original release of 26 August 1542, which strongly suggests that Coetmor and Moythey were feofees in trust under the will of the third Sir William Griffith, since they proceed to arrange for the Penrhyn succession as if quoting from a will - first to Rees Griffith in default of heirs; then to Edward Griffith and his heirs male; in default, to Fulk Griffith, brother of Edward and his heirs male, described as of Tremorfa in the hundred of Isaf; in default, to John, brother of Rees; then to William, another brother; then to Roland, another brother; then to George; in default of heirs male to all these, then to the "right heirs of Rees Griffith for ever". |
| AdminHistory | This document opens up many difficulties that are not accounted for in Griffiths Pedigrees : Edward is not said to be brother of Rees, while Fulk is a brother of Edward. How could Edward succeed Rees if he is usually said to be his eldest brother? How would Edward figure in a release of 1542 if he was dead since 1540 (Arch. Comb, 1880, 81)? Up to the discovery of this document, the existence of Fulk was unknown. John [of Cichle] was a full brother of Rees; but William, Roland and George [Archdeacon of Anglesey], only half-brothers. At the foot of the document it is said that his deed was executed by livery of seisin [season] on 19 April, 35 Henry VIII [1544]. Why not sooner? Still another paper preserved dated the seisin by Humphrey Byrckdale and WIlliam Griffith ap Llywelyn ap Grono, much more reasonably as 20 May 1543. |