WYNN, Morris (by 1526-81), of Gwydir, Caern.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1509-1558, ed. S.T. Bindoff, 1982
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

Oct. 1553
Apr. 1554

Family and Education

b. by 1526, 1st s. of John Wynn ap Meredydd of Dolwyddelan and Gwydir by Ellen, da. of Morris ap John ap Meredydd of Clenennau; bro. of John Gwynne and Robert Wynn. m. (1) by Sept. 1551, Siân, da. of Sir Richard Bulkeley (d.1547) of Beaumaris, Anglesey, 3s. inc. Ellis and John 5da.; (2) Anne, da. of Edward Greville of Milcote, Warws., 1da.; (3) c.1570, Catherine (d. Aug. 1591), da. and h. of Tudor ap Robert of Berain, Denb. and Penmynydd, Anglesey, wid. of John Salusbury and Richard Clough of Bachegraig, Tremeirchion, Flints., 3s. 1da. suc. fa. 1559.1

Offices Held

Commr. goods of churches and fraternities, Caern. 1553, piracy 1565, subsidy 1570, victuals 1574, tanneries 1574; escheator 1553-4; sheriff 1554-5 1569-70, 1577-8; j.p. Caern., Merion. 1555-d., Denb. 1575; custos rot. Caern. by 1562-d.2

Biography

Morris Wynn was the first member of his family to stabilise its surname as Wynn. He was probably in his late twenties when he began to follow his father into public office, although as early as 1547 he had been one of the witnesses to the shire election and in 1551 he was charged by Sir Richard Bulkeley, then or soon to be his brother-in-law, to act in the name of the lord admiral with regard to a wreck off Harlech, Merioneth. His election as knight of the shire to the first two Marian Parliaments followed closely on his father’s discharge of that duty and his first shrievalty preceded his father’s second. He was not among those who in the Parliament of October 1553 ‘stood for the true religion’ against the initial measures of Catholic restoration. Brought on to the bench in Caernarvonshire and Merioneth in 1555 he made his first recorded appearance at the Caernarvonshire quarter sessions in 1558. It was probably the office of custos rotulorum for Merioneth which his brother Robert tried to secure for him during the vacancy in the lord chancellorship following the death of Gardiner, for their father continued to hold that office in Caernarvonshire until his death.3

Wynn did not attain the prestige enjoyed by his father, but after his death in 1581 his son Sir John Wynn of Gwydir was to bring fresh lustre to the family.4

Ref Volumes: 1509-1558

Author: P. S. Edwards

Notes

  • 1. Date of birth estimated from first reference. Dwnn, Vis. Wales, ii. 159; Griffith, Peds. 280-1; J. Wynn, Gwydir Fam. ed. Llwyd, table iii.
  • 2. CPR, 1553, p. 419; 1560-3, p. 446; 1563-6, p. 31; APC, viii. 286; E179/200/145; R. Flenley, Cal. Reg. Council, Marches of Wales, 109, 127, 132, 134-5.
  • 3. C219/19/109; Cal. Wynn (of Gwydir) Pprs. 1515-1690, pp. 3-4; Cal. Caern. Q. Sess. Recs. ed. Williams, 206.
  • 4. PCC 19 Darcy.