The re-building of Tenby’s town walls in 1457 - as depicted on one of the new painted cloths at Tudor Merchant’s House, Tenby.
A fascinating discovery by a well-known historian has revealed that a previously unknown silversmith was trading in Tenby in the 16th century.
Research commissioned by the National Trust about the Tudor Merchant’s House in the historic town led to the amazing find that a silversmith was trading in Tenby in the early 1500s - something that had not previously been suspected.
The research is being conducted to discover the name of the merchant who lived and traded at the Tudor Merchant’s House, which so far remains elusive, but in the process new and significant finds about the town’s history are being made.
Study of a will made by merchant Walter Rys in 1507 showed that he left to Davy Rys, his second son, ‘a slate mazer (a kind of bowl) bound with silver-gilt, which I bought in Tenby’, and ‘half a dozen spoons of the making of Tenby’, and to his daughter Agnes ‘a flat piece with a cover of parcel gilt, which I bought in Tenby’.
Dr. Charles Kightly, an expert on historic interiors and the preservation of ancient buildings, who has been undertaking the research in London, believes it has not generally been thought that there was a silversmith in Tenby around 1500 and hopes that further examination of the records will lead to a name.
Dr. Kightly commented: “We’ve been trying to discover the name of the merchant who lived and traded at the Tudor Merchant’s House. Although we’ve not been able to do that so far, it’s been fascinating to study the will of Walter Rys and unearth this story.”
Records show that merchant Walter Rys moved from Tenby to Bristol where he died in 1508, but he still owned several houses in Tenby, mostly in Frog Street, as well as a tannery outside the south gate (now known as the Five Arches) and two whole manors in the country.
The Tudor Merchant’s House on Tenby’s Quay Hill celebrates 75 years of National Trust ownership this year, and to mark this historic milestone a major project is underway to present the house as it may have looked in 1500 when Tenby was at its peak of trading prosperity.
The first-floor hall has been transformed for the new season when the house opens on tomorrow (Saturday). Visitors will see painted cloths depicting stories from Tenby’s past as well as a hand-painted frieze and colourful wall hangings.
Custodian Alyson Bush has been delighted with Dr. Kightly’s research, which will not only help her staff and volunteers tell the story of family life at that time, but also more about Tenby’s history.
Alyson said: “When we open on February 11, visitors to the Tudor Merchant’s House will be amazed by the transformation of the hall. We’re delighted that the work we’re doing is helping to improve our knowledge of Tenby’s past for the benefit of the whole community.”
Dr. Charles Kightly and custodian Alyson Bush alongside one of the painted cloths.
