Plas Uchaf
Encyclopedia
Plas Uchaf is a 15th century cruck-and-aisle-truss hall house, 1.5 miles (2.4 km) south-west of Corwen
, Denbighshire
, Wales
and 1 miles (1.6 km) north of Cynwyd
. Its excellent workmanship indicates a house originally of considerable importance; it has been described as "of palatial significance".
The roof structure is substantial, of paired cruck
beams with additional horizontal, vertical and diagonal bracing. One unusual feature is that the truss between the cross-passage and hall is an aisle
truss, a form normally only found in much larger buildings such as barns and churches. This suggests the use of English craftsmen and is an indication of the status of the original inhabitants.
The walls are of stone rubble but were originally half-timbered.
. This is thought to be consistent with its use as the seat of the barons of Cymmer-yn-Edeirnion
.
In the 16th century the hall was divided horizontally by the addition of an inserted floor supported by moulded
cross beams.
as late as 1707 but was later split into two or three labourers' cottages. The house was occupied until at least 1933, but by 1964 the inserted floor and panelling had been removed, the building had been abandoned and was falling into ruin.
Peter Smith and Ffrangcon Lloyd drew attention to the building in 1964, and it was listed grade II and eventually taken on and restored by the Landmark Trust
. The building is now maintained using income from its use as holiday accommodation.
Corwen
Corwen is a town and community in the county of Denbighshire in Wales; it was previously part of the county of Meirionnydd). Corwen stands on the banks of the River Dee beneath the Berwyn mountains. The town is situated west of Llangollen and south of Ruthin...
, Denbighshire
Denbighshire
Denbighshire is a county in north-east Wales. It is named after the historic county of Denbighshire, but has substantially different borders. Denbighshire has the distinction of being the oldest inhabited part of Wales. Pontnewydd Palaeolithic site has remains of Neanderthals from 225,000 years...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
and 1 miles (1.6 km) north of Cynwyd
Cynwyd
Cynwyd is a small village and community in the Edeirnion area of Denbighshire in Wales, located about south west of the town of Corwen. It had a population of 528 in 2001, and is home to a large factory, run by Ifor Williams Trailers....
. Its excellent workmanship indicates a house originally of considerable importance; it has been described as "of palatial significance".
Construction
The house consists of a long rectangle divided by a cross passage. The west end is a large hall some 25 feet (7.6 m) high. The east end consists of smaller rooms on two floors.The roof structure is substantial, of paired cruck
Cruck
A cruck or crook frame is a curved timber, one of a pair, which supports the roof of a building, used particularly in England. This type of timber framing consists of long, generally bent, timber beams that lean inwards and form the ridge of the roof. These posts are then generally secured by a...
beams with additional horizontal, vertical and diagonal bracing. One unusual feature is that the truss between the cross-passage and hall is an aisle
Aisle
An aisle is, in general, a space for walking with rows of seats on both sides or with rows of seats on one side and a wall on the other...
truss, a form normally only found in much larger buildings such as barns and churches. This suggests the use of English craftsmen and is an indication of the status of the original inhabitants.
The walls are of stone rubble but were originally half-timbered.
Early history
The early history of the building is not documented. The original construction was thought to date from the late 14th or early 15th century, but part of the structure has been dated to 1435 by tree-ring datingDendrochronology
Dendrochronology or tree-ring dating is the scientific method of dating based on the analysis of patterns of tree-rings. Dendrochronology can date the time at which tree rings were formed, in many types of wood, to the exact calendar year...
. This is thought to be consistent with its use as the seat of the barons of Cymmer-yn-Edeirnion
Baron of Cymmer-yn-Edeirnion
Baron of Cymmer-yn-Edeirnion was the title used by the Hughes of Gwerclas family, the descendants of Owain Brogyntyn youngest son of Madog ap Maredudd king of Powys. In the fifteenth century their principal residence was Plas Uchaf....
.
In the 16th century the hall was divided horizontally by the addition of an inserted floor supported by moulded
Molding (decorative)
Molding or moulding is a strip of material with various profiles used to cover transitions between surfaces or for decoration. It is traditionally made from solid milled wood or plaster but may be made from plastic or reformed wood...
cross beams.
Decline and restoration
The house was listed as a house of the gentryGentry
Gentry denotes "well-born and well-bred people" of high social class, especially in the past....
as late as 1707 but was later split into two or three labourers' cottages. The house was occupied until at least 1933, but by 1964 the inserted floor and panelling had been removed, the building had been abandoned and was falling into ruin.
Peter Smith and Ffrangcon Lloyd drew attention to the building in 1964, and it was listed grade II and eventually taken on and restored by the Landmark Trust
Landmark Trust
The Landmark Trust is a British building conservation charity, founded in 1965 by Sir John and Lady Smith, that rescues buildings of historic interest or architectural merit and then gives them a new life by making them available for holiday rental...
. The building is now maintained using income from its use as holiday accommodation.
External links
- Plas Uchaf at the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of WalesRoyal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of WalesThe Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales is a Welsh Government sponsored body based in Aberystwyth, Wales. It was founded in August 1908...
- Plas Uchaf at the Landmark Trust