3-016-778 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Burning of Pengwern Hall, near St. Asaph [in Wales], the seat of Lord Mostyn, 1864. 'This mansion, one of the noblest in the Vale of Clwyd, was the residence of the late Lord Mostyn, but has, since his death, been occupied by his brother, the Hon. T. P. Lloyd. It was built, in 1787...The house was partly of Corinthian architecture, but with a certain originality in the design of its front. It contained not only a great deal of costly furniture, plate, and jewels, but many choice paintings - Dutch, Italian, and English - besides the rare and valuable library of Welsh records and MSS. known as the Mostyn Collection. Fortunately, these treasures are for the most part saved. The fire having broken out at four or five o'clock in the afternoon, hundreds of people soon hastened to help in putting it out, or in getting out whatever they could, and a lady of the family, Miss Lloyd, of Cefn...is said to have shown extraordinary courage, by entering the burning house over and over again to fetch some cherished heirlooms of the house of Lloyd. The Hon. Mr. Lloyd and Miss Lloyd are much esteemed in the neighbourhood for their benevolence, and this fire is lamented as a public calamity throughout the Vale of Clwyd'. From "Illustrated London News", 1864.