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A newspaper extract, date unknown, followed by some links to objects made from the oak and the location etc.
-----------------------------------
The stuff of fright and fantasy
Mark Bourne tells of the violent history of Hywel Sele Lodge
<Photograph of the lodge>
(see http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/message/an/surnames.nanney/59 for some photographs)
It looks bewitching and
romantic. But, high above
Dolgellau, Hywel Sele Lodge has a
story of history and fantasy to match.
From arch to turret, mullion to label, it
commemorates one of the wildest
episodes of Welsh history.
Indeed, the surrounding deer-park of
Nannau was to stage an event which
sent glorious shivers through the
Gothic writers of the last century. For
squire of this vast estate four centuries
earlier had been Hywel Sele. In 1404
he was out hunting with his cousin, the
famed Owain Glyndwr. But Hywel
supported Lancaster; Owain York.
Without warning, Hywel turned his
bow on Owain. The response was
instant. Glyndwr drew his sword and
ran his cousin through. Realising the
repercussions, he hurriedly concealed
the body in the hollow of an ancient
oak tree.
Then, in true Glyndwr fashion, he
fired the mansion of Hywel Sele.
Hywel was to leave a two-year old
son, Meurig Vychan, who was to be
brought up by his uncle, Gruffydd
Derwas.
It was all the stuff of fright and fanta-
sy; a tale that would not die. The ever-
vigilant Pennant, writing in 1778, had
to inspect what had become the
Derwen Ceubren yr Ellyll - the hollow
oak of the demons. It was then 27ft
6ins in girth, but "in its last stages of
decay and pierced by age into the
form of a gothic arch."
That was enough for the romantic
writers. The oak was struck by light-
ning and brought down in 1813; at
which moment an artist was most
opportunely sketching. For what
should tumble from the stricken tree -
four centuries in arrears - but the body
of Hywel Sele. Fantasy had taken over
from history. Hywel was in fact laid to
rest, "nine robed monks in atten-
dance," in nearby Cymmer Abbey cen-
turies before, though no stone remains.
But Sir Walter Scott in "Marmion"
had to write of "the spirit's blasted
tree"; and Lord Lytton in his "Arthur"
of "the hollow oak of demonerie."
It was during this romantic era, of
Gothic fright and storm, that Nannau
had for squire Sir Robert Vaughan;
"Good Sir Robert". For in the depres-
sion after the Napoleonic Wars, he
gave work on his vast estate. Fine dry-
stone walls still crown the mountains
today. Then, whilst rebuilding Nannau
mansion, he also raised numerous
lodges and cottages, no two alike.
Some rise in arched and gabled whim-
sy: and none more so than the lodge of
Hywel Sele.
After being long empty, it now houses
most aptly, architect and artist. For ten
years Dennis Duncan has been putting
stone upon stone. laying floors from
estate elm and carving Gothic win-
dows from old bridge timber.
His partner, Maggie May, mother of
two, besides helping. paints, and noth-
ing more beautifully than - what else?
- those sprays of oak. Even these, you
notice, show the most lovely reds...as
if unwittingly they. too, wish to record
the blood of Hywel Sele. So where was
the famous oak?
Well, explains Maggie, a sundial once
recorded the spot. But that has gone,
too. But in the sward below the Lodge
there's a stone base ... so maybe? But
she's something to show you up the
hill. There, indeed. round the brow,
broods a great oak with knotted boss-
es. Further, inside it is hollow, com-
plete with "gothic arch". It stands
today in living facsimile of "the
Demon's Oak" or "Haunted Oak" of
Hywel Sele. From here the lone. lofty
mansion of Nannau rises across its
park, guarded by an almighty ha-ha, It
is the fifth house to be built on that
spot. But was that the site of Hywel
Sele's seat? "Good Sir Robert" was,
amongst other things a fine scholar.
So did Sir Robert site his Lodge upon
that spot? No ancient stones remain.
But in Sele's days houses were half-
timbered. But Dennis Duncan in his
labours has come across calcined earth
and stones far down. Perhaps here was
the hall that Glyndwr fired: and Hywel
Sete Lodge is more. much more, than
mere romantic name.
-----------------------------------
A piece of music listed on Amazon but not available: -
The Haunted Oak of Nannau.
Dramatic Cantata for Chorus and Orchestra,
poem by H. D. Rawnsley.
Vocal Score
by William Edwin Haesche
Publisher: G. Schirmer 1903
-----------------------------------
An item made from the oak for sale: -
http://www.countryantiqueswales.fsnet.co.uk/welshfolkart.htm
The same item sold at auction with other Nannau artefacts: -
http://www.finanandco.co.uk/October2002_f.htm
Books and other items from Nannau: -
http://www.finanandco.co.uk/April2002_f.htm
-----------------------------------
Note from "A Legend of Merioneth" (Originally Published Late 1800's)
http://www.oldandsold.com/articles31n/traditional-lore-3.shtml
"This oak, the terror of every peasant for miles round, remained
in its place till within these few years, when one morning, after
a very violent storm, it was discovered, to the great regret of
its worthy proprietor, blown to the ground, and its superannuated
vitality destroyed for ever. All that could be done with it was done.
Sir Robert had it manufactured into work-tables, cabinets,
drinking-vessels, and, to extend its circulation still further,
into snuff-boxes ; these are distributed among the Baronet's friends,
and highly are they valued by their fortunate possessors, not only as
the gifts of a gentleman almost idolized in Merionethshire, but as the
relics of so venerable and remarkable a parent.
-----------------------------------
The location of the tree
Go to this site: -
http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/getamap/
Select the "Get-a-Map" button
Enter the grid reference
SH742199
Although not marked, the tree is inbetween the words "Maes-y bryner" and "Tower"
Select "Historic Maps" in the bottom right hand corner.
When the map is loaded, zoom in by selecting magnification 1 - bottom left hand.
Although not very clear, you will see a cross and the text "Site of Ceubren yr Ellyll".
On a better quality printed map, the text next to the cross is "s.d." for sundial.
Selecting "Enlarged view", on the bottom row, will give a better view of the map
but can be slow to load. Hywel Sele Lodge is the Upper Lodge.
Go to this site: -
http://www.dolgellau.net
and select "Historic Dolgellau" and then click on
"The Gossiping Guide to Wales". On page 9 the location is described as
being in the "old gardens on Nannau, on the east of the Llanfacreth Road"
There is quite a lot of interesting information about the Dolgellau area
on the site.
There is also a link to the other Dolgellau site.
----------------------------------------------
Some photographs of the Precipice Walk, starting adjacent to Nannau
and other nearby walks.
http://www.southcotswoldramblers.org.uk/hol200504barmouth5.htm
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