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In 1882, the medieval church in Llandawke “resembled a barn more than a House of God”. It needed funds urgently, but how?
Enter Mrs Abra Hughes Wienholt ...
A thread for #WomensHistoryMonth
Enter Mrs Abra Hughes Wienholt ...
A thread for #WomensHistoryMonth
Born Mary Abra Hughes Skyrme (only child of the Portreeve of Laugharne & High Sheriff of Cardiganshire) she inherited her father's estate at a young age, becoming one of Laugharne's wealthiest residents. All of these properties and parcels of land were hers. (tithe map @NLWales)
Abra's accounts show that she once paid for a sedan chair to take her 100 yards down the road from her home, Island House, to the Globe Inn!
An independent woman of means, she stayed single until the age of 45, when she married local gentleman farmer and JP Frederick Wienholt.
An independent woman of means, she stayed single until the age of 45, when she married local gentleman farmer and JP Frederick Wienholt.
In 14th century Europe, young noblewomen often had just two life choices —
marriage vows or religious vows.
But at Llandawke in Carmarthenshire, knight's daughter Margaret Marloes had the opportunity to walk a different path.
A thread for #WomensHistoryMonth
marriage vows or religious vows.
But at Llandawke in Carmarthenshire, knight's daughter Margaret Marloes had the opportunity to walk a different path.
A thread for #WomensHistoryMonth
Margaret's uncle — Sir Guy de Bryenne, Lord Marcher of Laugharne — was wealthy but also devout. He founded St Martin's in Laugharne (pictured), now the burial place of Dylan Thomas.
And at Llandawke, Sir Guy built a small chapel for his niece, where she founded a beguinage ...
And at Llandawke, Sir Guy built a small chapel for his niece, where she founded a beguinage ...
That's a community of women who wanted to live a religious life but not to withdraw from the world.
The beguines lived, worked, worshipped and prayed together in the seclusion of this peaceful and leafy dell, but they weren't nuns, and they had freedom of movement.
The beguines lived, worked, worshipped and prayed together in the seclusion of this peaceful and leafy dell, but they weren't nuns, and they had freedom of movement.
