Denbigh was the chief stronghold of Dafydd ap Gruffydd. In 1282 after Dafydd's uprising and defeat by Edward I, the Lordship of Denbigh was created and granted to Henry de Lacy, the Earl of Lincoln. He had led some of Edward's troops into Wales along the Dee Valley in 1277 in the early stages of Edward's final campaign to take over Wales. As soon as it was granted to Henry, work began on the construction of the castle and town walls on the top of a limestone hill. Much of the castle, the town walls, the Burgess Gate and St Hillary's chapel still remain.
Henry de Lacy granted the new borough the first charter of privileges in 1285. At this time 65 burgages were listed. These would have been predominantly English people brought in to build up and control the town. In 1294 the town was attacked by Welsh rebels. A second charter was granted sometime between 1295 and 1305 and this only lists 45 burgages, presumably a reduced number of people following the attack. Even by this date the town was expanding outside the town walls. By 1305 there were 183 burgages were outside the town walls and only 52 inside. This pattern increased. By the time of John Speed's map, drawn in 1610 the modern street pattern outside of the medieval town walls was well established. The area outside the walls developed as the main market area for the town.
The castle and walls were substantially complete by 1305 as was St Hilary's Chapel. The main parish church for Denbigh however remained St Marcella's at nearby Whitchurch. All but the tower of St Hilary's chapel was demolished in the 1920s. In the late 13th century the Carmelite Friary was set up in the town. Remains can be seen of the Friary church close to the Town End crossroads.
In the 16th century Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, held the Castle and Lordship between 1563 until he died in 1588. During this time he began the building of Leicester's Church, at the top of Bull Lane. It is thought that he anticipated that the bishopric would be transferred from St Asaph to Denbigh. This never happened. The Market Hall (now the Library) was also built by Robert Dudley during this time.
your comments
Ann Phillips, Ponciau nr Wrexham
My grandmother, Catherine Jane Thomas, was born in Windmill Street, Denbigh. Can anyone tell me more about this street and if it still there?
Fri May 22 08:12:29 2009
Ann Smith, Lincoln
Hello Mair Williams, I am wondering if James Clarke boat builder (my g. g. grandfather) is your relative too. If so, I would appreciate any information you have of his earlier life. I can give you information of his family from 1851.
Thu Apr 30 08:33:25 2009
Joseph Reed Williams from Helena, Montana, USA
My g. grandfather, William Williams [1805-1890], was found guilty of poaching & assault, tried in Ruthin Assizes and sentenced to 14 years Transportation. He returned to Denbigh, Wales about 1880 after 47 years in Australia via the Suez Canal. I would like to access passenger lists of ships traveling from AU to England about 1880 to see if I can identify William on his return trip to Wales and perhaps learn where he lived in AU and to whom he marries there. Need some help in this respect. Can any reader provide guidance?
Mon Apr 27 09:06:47 2009
Ann Smith, Lincoln
Mair Williams, hello I am doing family research. My g.g. grandad Samuel Stansfield married Sarah Clarke and I have just got marriage certificate, it states her father James Clarke boat builder. I know she was born Denbighshire. Is this your relation? If so in 1851 he was living in Ancoats, Manchester.
Wed Apr 15 10:24:24 2009
Jospeh Williams, Helena, Montana, USA
Delighted to see a couple of cousins. Elizabeth Anne Williams, d/o of William Vaughan Williams, aka Uncle Bill, brother of my father, Armon Williams & Darryl Wilson from Durham with whom I have lost contact. Elizabeth Anne's father was named for his uncle, William Vaughan Williams, [1869-1899] who was murdered in the upper Green River valley in present Sublette Co., Wyoming. Billy (as he was known) was b. 25 Apr 1869 in Llanidan, Anglesey, Wales and d. a few weeks after his namesake was born. Darryl, consider further contact. Look for my address in either the Williams of Davis GenForum message board - just click on my name. TO: Sean Cahill, William Williams [1805-1890] returned to Denbigh about 1880 from AU and d.,11 May 1890. He is buried at Pentre Saron church yard, Denbighshire.
Fri Jan 9 07:49:54 2009
Ffoulkes, Brighton
My father's middle name was Stanley and I assume that this was his father's Christian name. The original spelling of the surname was with two small ffoulkes. My grandfather was mustard gassed and was invalided out of the army. He was given a white feather by a lady in Brighton and was so upset that he altered that surname to Foulkes. I understand from my brother - now deceased - he had a Welsh accent but I never knew him myself. My father died in 1965. Having visited the Somme area I would be interested if anything could be found out about my grandfather.
Thu Nov 6 08:34:43 2008
Ted Helman
I was a 12 year old refugee in 1945, when Mr John Hooson took me in, spending several weeks in Denbigh. He taught me French at Westminster City School, London. He had one daughter, Betty, born about 1929(?). In London he lived on Frewin Road, but he grew up in Denbigh. His brother had a farm.
Tue Oct 28 10:14:40 2008
Mair Williams, Minera, Wrexham
I am seeking information regarding a relative - James Clarke, a boat builder who travelled around Denbigh in the 1800s. I believe he and his wife may have emigrated to Pennsylvania. My American cousins, of which there are many, would be most grateful for any knowledge of him. I appreciate this is a tall order. Thank you.
Mon Oct 20 08:34:08 2008
Gina Johnston
Does anyone have any information of the history of Lleweni? I know about the Salusburys etc. Does anyone know when the barns and stables were built and any information about them?
Fri Oct 17 08:57:58 2008
Helen Tudge from Malvern
Fowlkes/Ffoulkes/Foulkes. Ffoulkes is a name going back in my family (who all lived in the Denbighshire area) for a good many generations.There is quite a lot of variation in the spellings in different documents.
Mon Sep 1 09:30:29 2008
Jayne Cookson, Manchester
When my sister and I were young we used to go and stay with our Nain for 1 or 2 weeks in the summer holidays. Nain (Mrs Maggie Hughes) lived on Smithfield Road and then later on she moved up to Lon Llewllyn. I remember walking to the bottom of town to an open air swimming pool and I remember spending some really good days there. Does anybody else remember this and is it still there?
Wed Aug 27 08:06:49 2008
Llis from Wi
My mother was descended from Gabriel Fowlkes line. I have the line she descended from in Ne. back to Virginia and then Wales. If anyone is interested, you can email me.
Mon Aug 18 09:02:48 2008
Pam, N. Wales
Sadie Wilson. Hi Sadie, your Hugh, if I'm on the right track, came from Caernarvonshire. If it's the right one, Hugh's father moved from Caernarfon to Liverpool to Portsmouth where Elizabeth, his daughter, was born then to Wrexham with his brother, Edward, where both families eventually moved to Birmingham. I may have it a bit muddled as we haven't done that side of the family for a while but have just started it again. My husband is descended from the last 2 Dryhursts born in Denbigh, Mary who is his gt,gt,gt etc grandmother and her half sister, Elizabeth, who married Edward Roberts, butcher of Denbigh.
Tue May 13 09:01:55 2008
Robert Fowlkes, Amory, MS
Would like to know more on Gabriel Fowlkes' descendents. I am part of Capt. Fowlkes' kids who came to Monroe Cty MS, 1816.
Mon Apr 7 09:55:15 2008
Serena
My family has been doing a trail on the Fowlkes family for many years. I live in In. My father Eugene Fowlkes is from Sprotts Ala. Contact Janice Fowlkes who has met with the great great grand daughter of the slave owners of the Fowlkes family. She lived in DiersBurg Tn. She said we came from Germany and England to Virginia.
Wed Jan 9 10:20:56 2008
Paul Selfe, Leominster
Can any local historian in Denbigh tell me some details of Francis Vaughan Williams who was JP for Denbigh in 1898. He was living in my local Hereford village (Eardisland) at that time. Was he related to the musician?
Tue Jan 8 13:44:52 2008
John Idris Jones, Ruthin
Denbigh has scores of literary and cultural associations. Shakespeare was associated with John Salusbury of Lleweni. Wordsworth stayed in nearby Llangynhafal with his friend Robert Jones. Dr Johnson stayed there. G.M. Hopkins lived at nearby Tremeirchion at the Jesuit seminary, etc
Fri Sep 21 13:39:13 2007
Glenys Puxty, Kent
My gt.gt. grandfather Edward Jones, was born in Denbighshire 1804, and became a Master Scale Maker. He moved to London where his eldest son Thomas was born and continued in this trade...does anyone know where I could get info on apprentice scalemakers in Denbigh? I assume he was apprenticed there and not in London, but I don't have any other clues to his actual place of birth. Thanks for any help.
Thu Jun 14 14:47:30 2007
Jane Whitley
My great grandmother's brother from Denbigh, is recorded in the 1901 census as 'Coalwrighter in Wharf'. I am mystified by this, can anyone throw any light on it please?
Thu Apr 19 10:43:57 2007
Glenys Brown, Liverpool
My great grandfather lived in Denbigh in a little street called Bwa Fflatt. His name was Robert Davies b1857. He became a journalist (1901 census). His grandfather Robert Davies b.1808, was a butcher and farmer. Are any of his relatives still living in Denbigh I wonder and does anyone know where 'Bwa Fflatt' was? Thanks for any help.
Wed Apr 18 08:11:33 2007
Diane L Jenkins Davies, Denbigh
I am the great grandaughter of William Hughes Davies born in 1853 in Kings Mills, Denbigh, Wales. My great grandmother was Clara Dixon. They had three children, my grandfather, Wm. Forest Davies, Annie Alma Davies and Edith Myvanney Davies. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Diane Jenkins
Wed Apr 18 08:11:07 2007
Will Fowlkes, Kennesaw, GA
I, too, am an ancestor of Gabriel Fowlkes from Wales. Please contact me - I wish to continue my research farther back than the Gabriel's trip to America.
Fri Mar 30 07:41:05 2007
Sadie Wilson, Nottingham
I have discovered that my family originated from Denbigh. They were the Dryhursts who moved to Birmingham in the 1800 via Liverpool. Is there anyone who could fill in the gaps? My grt grt grt grandfather was Hugh Dryhurst born in Liverpool 1801 but his father was Hugh Dryhurst and married Elizabeth Hall.
Mon Feb 26 09:33:29 2007
Nellie van der Bloemen, Peoria AZ
For William Asa Fowlkes in TN: I am also a descendant of Gabriel Fowlkes, thru his son Gabriel. Please contact me and we'll compare notes on the ancestors.
Thu Jan 25 08:03:01 2007
William Asa Fowlkes IV, Cookeville, TN, USA
I am looking for a connection to my 7th great-grandfather, Gabriel Fowlkes. By family tradition he was born in 1696 and immigrated to Virginia in the early 18th century. His eldest son John, my 6th great-grandfather, was born c.1720 in Amelia Co. VA. Does anyone have information about the Fowlkes family of Denbigh?
Tue Jan 2 11:08:49 2007
elizabeth anne williams
William Williams was my Great, Great Grandfather. When he grew to be a man, after marrying and having several children, he went to America. He searched for a group of Welshmen and found them in Greenbay Wisconsin where he worked as a master miller. He raised enough money to bring his family to the U.S. and they later landed in Kansas where he continued to work as a miller and had more children. I am not sure how many were born in Wales and how many in the U.S. When Oklahoma opened up their lands, my Grandfather, Joseph, settled here. The closest town near where he settled is Marshal Oklahoma. Joseph and his wife, Elizabeth Wykoff, had 6 children, 3 boys & 3 girls. All of them are gone now. My father, William (Bill) fought in WWI and WWII (he was born in 1899 and turned 56 the year that I was born). He married late, needless to say. From the 6 children of Joseph and Elizabeth, 11 children were born, of which I am the youngest of those 11 cousins (and am closer in age to their children and younger than a couple). I have many second cousins and many 3rd cousins now...so you have many cousins here in the US. I know that Gr.Gr. Grandfather Williams did return to Wales and is buried there. Although I did not answer your question specifically, I hope that you find this of interest as this is part of your family.
Mon Nov 27 11:56:15 2006
Keeley Cumming from Denbigh
This website helped a great deal with my geography settlement homework about home towns. It also made me realise that Denbigh isn't such a boring place after all!
Mon Nov 27 09:08:23 2006
toni armstrong, chessington, surrey
I was born in Denbigh but have only just found out how old my home is. I love Wales. I wish I were there now.
Fri Feb 3 16:48:50 2006
Sean Cahill - Abergele
William Williams of Denbighshire. Is William buried at St George near Abergele...as I remember going as a child with my uncle to the county Archives to get information about a long lost relative.
Thu Feb 2 23:16:49 2006
Darryl Wilson from County Durham
It is very interesting to see that my Gt Gt Gt Gt Grandfather William Williams of Denbighshire (Married to Alice Parry) was a convict and was sent to Australia for his crimes and stayed for almost 50 years, a bit harsh for a spot of poaching though !!!! Good on ya Gt x 4 Pops !!!! Thanks for the information....
Mon Jan 23 18:45:26 2006
We're no longer accepting comments on this page but we still want your stories and memories so get in touch.
