Footprints - Union & Annexation
The Tudors left their mark on Wrexham. Margaret Beaufort, the mother of Henry Tudor, sponsored the building of a new chancel and tower to St Giles's Parish church. Henry VII abolished the restrictive rules on the Welsh people introduced after the Glyndŵr uprising and curtailed the Marcher lords.
Stained glass window, c.1500, Gresford Parish church.
© Wrexham Heritage Services & The Vicar of Gresford
Stained glass window, c.1500, Gresford Parish church.
© Wrexham Heritage Services & The Vicar of Gresford
Stained glass window, c.1500, Gresford Parish church.
© Wrexham Heritage Services & The Vicar of Gresford
Henry VIII's 'Acts of Union' effectively absorbed Wales's Marcher lordships into the kingdom of England. Welsh people locally could once again hold official jobs, as long as they spoke English. Ambitious members of the Welsh gentry gave their allegiance to the Crown. Some local gentry contributed to the community: William Myddelton (1556-1621) translated the Psalms into Welsh, while in the early 17th century Valentine Broughton and Thomas Nevitt founded, respectively, Wrexham and Ruabon Grammar Schools.
The Reformation transformed daily life as the Crown imposed a new religion on its people. During the reign of Henry VIII, Valle Crucis abbey was dissolved and its estates sold off. Religious persecution was state policy under Mary Tudor and Elizabeth I. In 1584 Richard Gwyn, a Catholic convert, was imprisoned in the Black Chamber next to Wrexham Town Hall. He was taken to near the Beast Market and hung, drawn and quartered for his faith.
Reconstruction drawing of Nos.5-7, Town Hill, Wrexham, James Negus.
©National Monuments Record of Wales
Wrexham, treuly caullid Wrightelsham, is the only market towne of Walsch Maylor. There be sum merchauntes and good bokeler makers. There commith a broke caullid Wenbro through the toune.
Rayse yearely for ever the some of sixe poundes thirteen shillings four pence for the education of youthe in good erudicion and learnynge in the towne of Wrixham.
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