Hide

Rhuddlan

hide
Hide

"The mother parish comprises an area of 4110 acres in the ten townships of Crickin, Yscawen, Pentre, Brynbychan, Brynywal, Cefndy, Brynhedydd, Trellewelyn, Rhydorddwy and Rhyl ..... " [From The History of the Diocese of St. Asaph , Ven. D.R. Thomas, 1908]

Rhuddlan is one of the ancient parishes of Flintshire, featuring prominently in the Domesday book; at which time it was a stronghold of Robert, the nephew of Hugh Lupus, Earl of Chester.
On the 23rd May 1844, the townships of Rhyl and Brynhedydd were lost to the new parish of Rhyl; and more land was transferred from the parish of Rhuddlan to Rhyl shortly after the opening of the district church of St. Ann in 1896.

Hide
topup

Bibliography

  • Adgofion caredig am y diweddar Robert Hughes, Rhuddlan / gan 'Cyfaill', ynghyda crynodeb o'r bregeth angladdol gan y Parch E. Pan Jones, M.A., Ph.D., Mostyn.. Lerpwl : John Morris, 1887.
  • Area book and book of reference to the plan of the Parish of Rhuddlan, Flintshire, Hundreds of Prestatyn and Rhuddlan : Colonel A.C. Cooke, Director-General of the Ordnance Surveys. London : Eyre & Spottiswoode for H.M.S.O., 1882
  • Amos's presentation guide to Rhyl (with view of the town) Rhuddlan, St Asaph, Denbigh, Abergele, Pensarn and Prestatyn. Rhyl : Amos Brothers, 1887.
  • Bartley, Derek A. Clwyd, Foryd or port river of Rhuddlan Cymru a'r môr, 15 (1992), p. 51-73.
  • Bell, D. Rhuddlan (Writings by W.E.A. Members) 9 (1988), p. 37-9
  • Blythin, Howell and Peter Scarll. An evening walk round historic Rhuddlan Proceedings of the Dyserth and district field club, (2001), p. 39-40
  • Blockley, Kevin and Amelia Pannett. New work at Abbey Road Nurseries, Rhuddlan 2005/2006 Archaeology in Wales. 46 (2006), p. 128-135
  • Buck, S & N Ruins of the Dominican Friary, Rhuddlan Flintshire Historical Society journal, Vol.5 1915 Welsh Journals Online
  • Copy of the roll of the expenses of King Edward the First, at Rhuddlan Castle, A.D. 1281, and 1282. ... Society of Antiquaries?, 18--]
  • Easterling, Ruth C Anian of Nanneu OFP: Prior of Rhuddlan, Bishop of St Asaph, 126801293 Flintshire Historical Society journal, Vol.5 1915 Welsh Journals Online
  • Edwards, S. C. & M. C. A. Wynne. Historical guide to Rhuddlan Rhyl : D. Trehearn, [18--?]
  • Edwards, Thomas. Rhuddlan: 2nd ed Rhuddlan: M. J. Davis, [1916.]
  • Edwards, Thomas C. Rhuddlan Castle Rhuddlan: M. J. Davis, 1920. (& various dates)
  • Eisteddfod Frenhinol Rhuddlan, 1850. Cyfrol 1, Y cyfansoddiadau buddugol ar y testun cadeiriol sef yr adgyfodiad. Y bryddest / gan Evan Evans o Ince; yr awdl gan William Williams, Llanrwst.Llundain : Simpkin, Marshall and Co., [1850?]
  • Evidence of Mr. Henry Taylor ... given before the Municipal Corporation Commissioners, on the unreformed Flintshire corporations of Caergwrle, Caerwys, Overton, & Rhuddlan, etc. Flint : Thos. Jones, [1877.]
  • Frimston, T. Hanes Eglwys Fedyddiedig Rhuddlan Aberdar : Jenkin Howell, Argraffydd, 1885.
  • Gumbley, Walter Rev. Dominican Bishop of St Asaph Flintshire Historical Society journal, Vol.5 1915 Welsh Journals Online
  • Gumbley, Walter Rev. The Dominican Priory, Rhuddlan Flintshire Historical Society journal, Vol.5 1915 Welsh Journals Online
  • Gumbley, Walter Rev William Fresney, OP, Archbishop of Rages (Edessa) 1263-1290 Flintshire Historical Society journal, Vol.5 1915 Welsh Journals Online
  • Harris, D W. Maritime history of Rhyl and Rhuddlan [Prestatyn] : [Books Prints & Pictures], [1991]
  • Hodgkinson, Denise. Spotlight on Rhuddlan Country Quest 28/10 (1988), p. 42-4
  • Hoy, Tracey Lee. Rhuddlan Bloomington, Ind. ; Milton Keynes : AuthorHouse, 2006
  • James, J W. Rhuddlan and its church [Rhuddlan] : Rhuddlan Parochial Church Council, 1991. (& 1968)
  • Jones, Arthur A Fifteenth Century Document of Rhuddlan Flintshire Historical Society journal, Vol.5 1915 Welsh Journals Online
  • Lawson, Philip H On an early 17th century sepulchral slab in Rhuddlan churchyard Flintshire Historical Society journal, Vol.6 1917 Welsh Journals Online
  • Manley, John. Salvage excavations at Lôn Hylas, Rhuddlan, Clwyd Archaeologia Cambrensis, Vol. 134 (1985), p. 230-235
  • Messham, J E Henry Conewey, Knight: Constable of the castle of Rhuddlan, 1390-1407 Flintshire Historical Society journal, Vol. 35 1999 Welsh Journals Online
  • Morfa Rhuddlan, or, the Battle of Rhuddlan Marsh : by Alfred. Ruthin : Isaac Clarke, 1862.
  • Owen, Hywel Wyn. Rhai enwau lleoedd yng nghymydau Prestatyn a Rhuddlan Bangor : Ysgol y Gymraeg, Prifysgol Bangor, 2007.
  • Owen, R M. St Mary's Church, Rhuddlan Denbigh and its past 9 (1994), p. 4-8
  • Phillips, Joe. Rhyl - Rhuddlan - Rhyl Proceedings of the Dyserth and district field club, (2001), p. 72-73
  • Pollitt, P. Afon Clwyd from Rhuddlan to Kinmel Bay Proceedings of the Dyserth and district field club, (1992), p. 27-8
  • Poole, J. Gleanings of the histories of Holywell, Flint, Saint Asaph, and Rhuddlan Holywell : J. Davies, 1831.
  • Programme of the Eisteddfod Gadeiriol Rhuddlan which will be held (by kind permission of Capt. Rowley Conwy), in a spacious marquee on Friday, August 21, 1896. Rhyl : Pearce and Jones, [1896?]
  • Programme [of] the third annual tea meeting in connection with the Wesleyan Chapel, to be held at the Town Hall, Rhuddlan on Thursday, 21st, March, 1901. Rhyl : Amos Bros., [1901?]
  • Rhuddlan throughout the ages / [Rhuddlan Parochial Church Council]. [Rhuddlan] : [Rhuddlan Parochial Church Council], [1991]
  • Quinnell, Henrietta ... [et al]. Excavations at Rhuddlan, Clwyd York : Council for British Archaeology, 1994.
  • Roberts, Enid Seven John Conways [pedigree] Flintshire Historical Society journal, Vol. 18 1960 Welsh Journals Online
  • Roberts, Raymond. The St. Asaph and Rhuddlan six [Connah's Quay] : [Raymond Roberts], 1992.
  • Scourfield, Elfyn John Williams & son, Phoenix iron works, Rhuddlan Briggs, Stephen Flintshire Historical Society journal, Vol. 28 1977/78 Welsh Journals Online
  • St. Asaph, Rhuddlan, Dyserth and district : 4th ed. Cheltenham ; London : Ed. J. Burrow. & Co. Ltd., [n.d.]
  • Taylor, Arnold. Rhuddlan Castle 4th rev. ed. Cardiff : Cadw: Welsh Historic Monuments, 1987.
  • Taylor, A J Rhuddlan Cathedral: 'a might have been' of Flintshire history Flintshire Historical Society journal, Vol.15 1954/5 Welsh Journals Online
  • Taylor, A J. A shipwreck near Rhuddlan in 1310 Flintshire Historical Society journal, Vol. 31 1983/4 Welsh Journals Online
  • Taylor, Henry A Flintshire Royal Princess Flintshire Historical Society journal, Vol.5 1915 Welsh Journals Online
  • Thomas, Harry. Rhyl & Rhuddlan Chorley, Lancs. : Countryside Publications, c1985.
  • Tucker, Norman Bodrhyddan and the families of Conwy, Shipley-Conwy, and Rowley-Conwy Flintshire Historical Society journal, Vol. 19 1961 Welsh Journals Online and Part II Flintshire Historical Society journal, Vol. 20 1962 Welsh Journals Online
topup

Church History

Ordnance Survey reference SJ 021781.
The earliest recorded mention of the church at Rhuddlan dates from the end of the Eighth Century. It features prominently in the Domesday book (AD 1086).
The church was extensively restored in 1870.

"The Church, dedicated to St. Mary, is an ancient structure, partly in the early style of English architecture, consisting of a nave, chancel, and north aisle; and containing some interesting monuments to the family of Bodryddan, especially one of white marble, erected to the memory of the Very Rev. W.D. Shipley, Dean of St. Asaph, who was buried in an elegant mausoleum adjoining, which was erected by himself during his life."
[From Handbook for the Vale of Clwyd, William Davis, 1856]

The Clwyd FHS website has a photograph of the church.

Nonconformist Churches

"Welsh Church Commission - County of Flint - The Statistics of the Nonconformist Churches for 1905" lists the following nonconformist places of worship in the Civil parish of Rhuddlan :

Name of ChapelDenominationNumber of "adherents"
Seion - WelshBaptist120
EbenezerCalvinistic Methodist340
Goshen - WelshCongregational34
Tabernacle - WelshWesleyan99
topup

Church Records

  • The following nonconformist registers for the Rhuddlan area are held at the Public Record Office, Kew.
    They may be viewed on microfilm at LDS Family History Centres; and at the Flintshire Record Office and the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth.
    Seion and Ebeneser, but not Gosen, have also been incorporated into the I.G.I., as part of an "official extraction" programme :
Name of ChapelDenominationType of RecordYears CoveredI.G.I. Batch Number
SeionBaptistBirths1826 - 1827C098601
EbeneserCalvinistic MethodistBirths and Baptisms1815 - 1837C101211
GosenPresbyterian / CongregationalBirths and Baptisms1810 - 1837?
  • The following nonconformist registers for the Rhuddlan area are held at the Flintshire Record Office, Hawarden.
    They have not been filmed; and they have not been incorporated into the I.G.I. :
Name of ChapelDenominationType of RecordYears Covered
TabernacleWesleyanBirths and Baptisms1860 - 1900
topup

Civil Registration

When Civil Registration was introduced (on 1 July 1837), the parish of Rhuddlan was assigned to the No. 1 ("St. Asaph") sub-district of the St. Asaph Registration District, which was co-extensive with the St. Asaph poor law Union.

In the GRO indexes to civil registration, entries for Rhuddlan are found under:

  • Years 1837 - 1851: St. Asaph XXVII. nnn
  • Years 1852 - 1946: St. Asaph 11b. nnn

(GRO index references have no relevance at the local Superintendent Registrar's Office)

topup

Description & Travel

Rhuddlan - on wikipedia

Rhuddlan Castle - on Castle Wales

'Rhuddlan Castle' by Moses Griffith, c. 1770-1800 (watercolour) on the People's Collection Wales site

Various landscapes  on the People's Collection Wales site

You can see pictures of Rhuddlan which are provided by:

topup

Gazetteers

The transcription of the section for this place from the National Gazetteer (1868), provided by Colin Hinson.

topup

Maps

"North-East Wales Churches and Ancient Parish Boundaries" produced by Clwyd Record Office in 1994, published by Genuki with the permission of Flintshire Record Office and Denbighshire Archives

Kain, R.J.P., Oliver, R.R., Historic Parishes of England and Wales: an Electronic Map of Boundaries before 1850 with a Gazetteer and Metadata [computer file]. Colchester, Essex: History Data Service, UK Data Archive [distributor], 17 May 2001. SN: 4348. Here is a gazetteer/finding aid plus a set of overview maps to accurately identify the position of parishes within the county

A map of Rhyddlan parish in the County of Flint on the People's Collection Wales site

You can see maps centred on OS grid reference SJ022796 (Lat/Lon: 53.304586, -3.468804), Rhuddlan which are provided by:

topup

Occupations

Ammunition workers at Rhuddlan Foundry, c. 1916 on the People's Collection Wales site

topup

Population

  • In 1831- the population was 1506.
  • In 1901- the population was 1151.
    [ Royal Commission on the Welsh Church - October 1907]
topup

Statistics

Archdeacon Thomas (1911) gives the area of the parish as 4000 acres.