Elusendai Price (Bryncastell, Berth-lwyd, Daron, Ty-Newydd and Hen Ysgoldy)

Cadw's description

Location

The almshouses lie 100m E of the church within the nucleated centre of Llangybi.

History

Built in 1660 for William Price. They were erected on behalf of Charles Jones, barrister, of Castellmarch, Abersoch who, in 1640, provided an endowment of £50 annually to assist 12 persons [dua decim pauperum qui Aetatis quinquagesimum sin labori a Liter. impares non excesserunt annum Morbis Vulneribus]. The execution of his will was delayed by the Civil War but was finally undertaken in 1660 by his nephew, William Price, knight of Rhiwlas, Bala, who according to the inscription over the central arch, placed there in 1760, dedicated them in humility. They were refaced in the C19 and renovated in 1982, and now comprise 5 dwellings.

Exterior

A symmetrical range of 6 almshouses built of rubble stone with slate roofs with tall stone stacks. The range has a gabled central block; a cobbled pathway leading to an arched through passage with access to Bryncastell on the left and Berth-lwyd on the right, recessed side wings with two windows and an end door against the projecting end wings. The left wing comprises two dwellings, Daron and Ty Newydd, and the right Hen Ysgoldy, incorporating the former Red Lion. Each house has a boarded door with a small glazed light and a plain overlight, and 12-paned sash windows, with two gabled raised dormers in the recessed sections. The right wing is of two full floors, giving a higher eaves, and has old grouted slates and clayware copings, the front gable rendered. The central arch has a boarded tympanum, probably a later alteration to extend the upper floor accommodation at the same level. The right wing has been extended to the rear. Over the central arch, a slate tablet inscribed in Latin was apparently placed there in 1760.

Interior

RCAHM reports that the only original roof is that over the E wing.

Reason for designation

Included as a remarkable late C17 almshouse group, of historical interest as a philanthropic gesture put in hand immediately following the Restoration, and representing an interesting and unusual example of its kind, in which the careful symmetry and consciously vernacular detail represent the appropriate expression of its original purpose.