Remarkable monuments in Gwydir Chapel, including the stone coffin of Llywelyn the Great.
It is said that the beautiful church of St Grwst in Llanrwst owes its existence to a terrible crime. Legend has is that while out hunting, a Welsh nobleman named Nefydd Hardd murdered Idwal, a son of Owain Gwynedd. Nefydd’s son Rhun had a church built on this site in 1170, in atonement for his father’s sin. It was dedicated to Grwst, a saint who had set up a church nearby in the 6th century.
The original building suffered extensive damage during the uprising of Owain Glyndŵr at the beginning of the 15th century, and it was completely destroyed in 1468 during the Wars of the Roses. The church that you see today was built two years later.
Inside, look out for the rood screen – a partition between the chancel and the main body of the church, which is designed to support a large cross. This remarkable piece of wood carving is thought to have been brought here from nearby Maenan Abbey in 1537. It is the Gwydir Chapel, however, built on to the main body of the church in 1633, that arguably holds St Grwst’s greatest attraction. For here lies the stone coffin of Llywelyn the Great himself.
Llywelyn died and was buried in 1240 at Aberconwy Abbey, but his mortal remains were not allowed to rest. In 1283 Edward I forced the monks of Aberconwy to relocate to Maenan Abbey, north of Llanrwst, and they took Llywelyn’s body with them. When Maenan was suppressed by Henry VIII, the coffin – minus the body – was bought to St Grwst’s.
The lid is missing, but the elaborate carving around the sides suggests that the original whole was once an impressive work of art. Today the ancient flag of Gwynedd, with its four lions, often lies in or near the coffin.
A beautiful place to reflect upon the life of Gwynedd’s greatest prince.
Free Entry
Church Street leads off Bridge St, the A470, in the centre of Llanrwst.
½ mile from Llanrwst railway station.
Several buses stop in Llanrwst. Call Traveline on 0871 200 2233 or go online at http://www.traveline-cymru.info for the latest public transport information.
Church Street leads off Bridge St, the A470, in the centre of Llanrwst.
Church Street leads off Bridge St, the A470, in the centre of Llanrwst.
Easy. No dogs allowed.
Full Figure Grid Reference: NGR SH79746161 Coordinates for Garmin satnav users: -3.799319, 53.138070 OS explorer map sheet: OL17