Is about one mile from the village of Chirk, and is the ancient seat of
the noble family of the Trevors, as I find in an authentic genealogical
table, of which the following is a short extract:—“In the reign of King
Richard II. there was a noble peer, by name Geofry Lord Trevor, and also
John Trevor, Bishop of St. Asaph, and Chancellor of Chester. He
continued in the bishoprick to the sixth year of King Henry IV. And in
the reign of King Henry VI. (1421) lived two brothers descended of this
honourable family, namely, John and Richard. John, the eldest brother,
was seated at Brynkinallt. He married Agnes, daughter and heiress of
Peter Chambre, of Pool, Esq. by whom he had issue five sons, who laid the
foundation of many noble branches. Robert, the eldest, succeeded his
father at Brynkinallt. He married Catherine, daughter and heiress of
Llewellen Ap Howel De Mould, and had issue. From Edward, the second son,
by Amy, daughter of James Ryffin, Esq. descended Mark Trevor, from whom
descended the Viscount Dungannon in Ireland.” From him the nobleman who
at present inherits the title, and the residence of Brynkinallt, is a
lineal descendant; and under his auspices, aided by the exquisite taste
of his Countess, this superb edifice has attained the acme of beauty.
To rush at once into this charming labyrinth of delight would fill the
mind with confusion; and the beholder would be at a loss in what
direction to commence his observations, where every part claims his
admiration. I therefore beg my readers will accompany me about two miles
on the Oswestry road, to Bryn y Gwyla Lodge, a beautiful triumphal
arch-like entrance into Bryn y Gwyla Park, through which a new road is
now forming to Brynkinallt. This part of the domain is in Shropshire;
the interesting stream of the Ceiriog dividing Shropshire from
Denbighshire at this place.
As you proceed towards the river, whose sides are charmingly clothed with
forest trees, and whose banks are fringed with shrubs to the water edge,
the eye is caught by some of the pinnacles of Brynkinallt, and by the
blue smoke arising from the mansion, which seems playfully to linger
among the lofty summits of the luxuriant trees that adorn it. Proceeding
on the highest road, called the Green Drive, which runs along the top of
the Hanging Wood, whose majestic and venerable timber seems to continue
the luxuriant line of wavy branches to the very mansion, through one of
the natural vistas which here and there present themselves, Brynkinallt
bursts upon the sight in all its beauty, embosomed in the softened and
variously tinted foliage of the plantations which surround it. From this
spot the most interesting and picturesque view of the place is obtained;
and I believe it is the point from whence an artist of some celebrity has
designed a picture of the mansion.
At the termination of this drive the murmuring Ceiriog is crossed by an
ornamental stone bridge, at the foot of which, on the bank of the river,
stands a simple rustic cottage, richly clothed with ivy, and formed of
unhewn pebble stones. At this lodge is kept a key of the bridge gate;
and a bell attached to the gate procures attendance. Crossing the bridge
into Denbighshire, the elegant taste of the inheritor of the place begins
to display itself. New beauties appear at every step, as you approach
the house; pheasants feed in numbers on the smooth verdant lawn before
the windows, and seem to give an earnest of the quiet and security of the
domain.
This beautiful place is thus mentioned by Mr. Pennant:—“From Chirk (he
says) I made an excursion to Brynkinallt about a mile below the village:
this had been the seat of the Trevors. The house is of brick, built in
1619.” {20} Nor can I find more attention bestowed on this charming
place by any of the numerous tourists who have given an account of their
excursions to the public; and I am at a loss to account why this, the
most unique and beautiful spot in the neighbourhood, should thus long
have escaped attention.
The house is undoubtedly the work of Inigo Jones, and was built on the
site of a former mansion of brick, either in the latter part of the reign
of Queen Elizabeth, or early in the reign of James I. The additions made
by the present worthy possessor are ornamental and useful, and are formed
so judiciously, and so strictly in character with the old part, as not to
be distinguished from the original design. I should call the style
demi-gothic; it is now cased over with mastic or Roman cement, and has
all the appearance of well hewn stone; and some think it will have equal
durability.
The house is formed with a noble mansion-like centre, decorated with
minarets and pinnacles, and flanked by two low retiring wings, making
altogether a very beautiful and ornamental front. The grand entrance is
through a conservatory and viranda, elegantly decorated with choice
flowers and exotic plants. Over the inner entrance door are the arms of
the Marquis of Wellesley, Viceroy of Ireland, emblazoned upon glass,
occupying the whole width of the doorway, and bearing an inscription,
likewise painted on the glass, signifying that the Marquis presented this
painted glass as a mark of his esteem to his dear friend and relation,
Lord Viscount Dungannon. The execution is good, and does great credit to
the Irish artist.
Advancing a few steps into the interior, the eye is arrested by the
brilliancy of the scene which breaks upon the sight. Immediately in
front, through the spacious hall, is a grand flight of stairs, terminated
by a richly stained glass window, and leading to a gallery that surrounds
the hall, and which is decorated with the busts of much distinguished and
eminent persons, as the King, the Duke of York, the Duke of Wellington,
&c. Up the passage to the left hand, the view is bounded by the superb
dining room; and on the right it terminates in a charming conservatory,
through which is a way to the pleasure grounds and gardens. From the
dining room on the extreme left, to the conservatory on the right, it is
about one hundred and sixty feet.
To particularize or to give an adequate idea of the superb and very
tasteful decorations of every room in this elegant mansion is far beyond
my power of description; and therefore I dare not make the attempt.
Suffice it to say, that every nook seems decorated by the hand of taste,
guided by the most correct judgment; all is elegantly superb, and
chastely grand. In some of the windows is much old painted glass,
particularly in the library, where there are some very excellent
specimens.
Here is also a valuable collection of china; and in one of the rooms are
some beautiful vases of that fragile material.
The mansion is adorned throughout with valuable pictures by the old
masters, some of which his Lordship selected in Italy. There is a
landscape near the fire-place, in the same room where the china vases
stand, painted by Claude Lorraine, which is a most beautiful production
of that great master. In short,
“Whatever in this worldly state
Is sweet and pleasing unto living sense,
Or that may daintiest fantasie aggrate,
Is poured forth with plentiful dispense,
And made there to abound with lavish affluence.”