Sir Francis Gwyn

Forde Abbey

• General Notes
  • 
    Possible born about 1655 at Llanasanor, Glamorgan, Wales and possibly died in about 1756 (IGI).
    Francis Gwyn Esq. of Llansanor, Glamorgan married Margaret Prideaux in 1690.
    
    Also known as Sir Francis Gwynne.
    Descended from the Herbert family, the Earls of Pembroke.
    Became Clerk of the Privy Council, and Under Secretary Of State to his cousin Edward, Earl of Conway, and Groom Of The Bedchamber to King Charles II.
    Under King James II was appointed Secretary Of The Treasury under Lawrence, Earl of Rochester, Lord Treasurer. 
    Sir Francis was appointed by King William and Queen Mary as Secretary and Privy Councillor in Ireland under the Earl of Rochester as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.
    Under Queen Anne he was appointed as one of the commissioners of trade and plantations.  He was subsequently appointed Secretary At War.
    For many years was Member of Parliament for Wells.
    
    The famous tapestries that hang in the Grand Saloon are copies of the cartoons drawn by Raphael for the Sistine Chapel.  Queen Anne presented them to Sir Francis Gwyn, who married Prideaux’s granddaughter, in recognition of his services as Secretary of State for War.
    Queen Anne also made Francis a knight in honour of these same  services.  He became known as "Squire Gwyn".
    Sir Francis came to own Forde abbey through his marriage to Margaret.