Project Title: Projection and Perception: The Self-fashioning of Sir John Wynn of Gwydir
Supervised by: Dr Shaun Evans and Dr Euryn Roberts
This research explores the mechanisms of status projection in early modern Welsh culture through the experience and legacy of Sir John Wynn, Knight and baronet (1553-1627), who became the head of the house of Gwydir in 1580. The project considers how the prestige of the Wynns ancestral line was first developed and promoted to form a ‘brand identity’ before Sir John himself became a venerated ancestor.
Five main areas are considered:
- How the writing of Welsh and local history cemented the family’s lineage and authenticated their heraldic ties to Welsh royal and ancient noble families, both anchoring their pedigree in a traditional setting and demonstrating a cosmopolitan flair for antiquarian writing.
- Augmenting a strong lineage through prominent marriages, creating influential allies locally and at court, whilst large portions provided much needed cash injections for the estate.
- A display of wealth and status through the conspicuous consumption of luxury food, wine, textiles, and clothing.
- The commemoration of the ancestors through monuments and eulogy.
- The projection of status and power at Gwydir, the seat of the estate where Sir John extended the current plas and built a new house nearby to surpass what his forefathers had achieved.
The research explores how traditional Welsh values were balanced with the demands of the English court and considers how cultural, political, and religious change impacted Sir John’s methods of self-fashioning. His historic notoriety as a tyrannical litigator is also reviewed as personal correspondences reveal a humane side to the landowner and lawman; showing his vulnerability as a husband and father trying to make a living during times of war, famine and pestilence whilst finding his place in the Renaissance world.
Latest News:
Meinir has been involved in several talks at St Grwst Church in Llanrwst where the Wynn family of Gwydir are memorialised. This autumn she will also be giving a talk to the Llanrwst Historical Society and at the Women’s Archive Conference in Bangor.
