Civil War coin hoard 'goes home'

Metal detector enthusiast Roy Lewis uncovered the 500 coins dating back to the 1640s at Tregwynt Mansion near Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, in 1996.

They are going on display for the first time in the county as a centrepiece of an exhibition at Scolton Manor Museum.

The coins were bought by National Museum Wales with a heritage lottery grant for an undisclosed fee.

Initially local legend had it that buried treasure connected to a French landing nearby on 22 February 1797, lay in the grounds of Tregwynt Mansion.

It was said worried guests attending a ball, frightened by the news that the French had landed at Carreg Wastad, buried their valuables in the grounds before departing.

The invasion entered Welsh folklore as it was said local women dressed in a black-and-red traditional costumes, led by Jemima Nicholas, tricked French troops into surrendering as the French thought they were soldiers.

Although the story of guests burying their valuables was well known, nothing was ever found to suggest it was true.

Rebellion

Then in 1996 Mr Lewis uncovered the hoard of gold and silver coins.

However, they proved not to be from 1797, but dated back to the English Civil War of the 1640s.

Shards of pottery and a fine gold "posy" ring were also found at the site.

It was thought the collection was most likely to have been buried in 1648, the year of a rebellion in Pembrokeshire.

The governor of Pembroke Castle, John Poyer, who had served Parliament loyally through the first English Civil War, rebelled when told he was to be replaced.

The brief uprising was put down at St Fagans, near Cardiff, and Oliver Cromwell chased the rebels back to Pembrokeshire and laid siege to Pembroke Castle.

The exhibition at Scolton Manor, which was being officially opened by Welsh heritage Minister Rhodri Glyn Thomas on Friday, runs until 31 October.

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Scolton Manor Museum
The 'legendary' treasure of Tregwynt
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