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© Courtesy of University Wales |
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Gregynog - Sisters' Bequest to a Nation |
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First mentioned in the 12th Century, Gregynog House was the seat of the Blayney family from the 15th Century, passing to the Hanbury Tracy family in 1795. The house was rebuilt in the late 1830's by Charles Hanbury Tracy, the amateur architect of Hampton Court, and later Lord Sudeley. The property then passed through many hands until the estate was split and sold off in 1914. The Davies family purchased the house and remaining lands until the Davies sisters bought the estate in their own right in 1920, and made it their permanent home in 1924.
© Courtesy of University of Wales
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Gregynog appears to be a tall timber Jacobean structure, but a closer look reveals the building's rectilinear shape and concrete casing. The relief 'black and white' rendering is in imitation of local timber-framed Border houses. It is unclear who was responsible for the design of the present building, but it is thought that Henry Hanbury Tracey - grandson to Charles - may have influenced the choice of concrete as a building material, as he was a keen enthusiast for the then 'new' substance.
Some of the elements of the original house were kept and reinstalled in the new property. The Blayney room hosts 17th Century dining parlour panels which are dated June 22nd 1636, and thought to be originated from Dutch carvers. The panels carry the family coat of arms with the motto 'Virtutis comes invidia' - 'Envy is the companion of virtue', and those of their Welsh princely forefathers.
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