History

Historical overview

Plas Gunter Mansion played a central role in some of the most turbulent and divisive periods in British history. This Grade II listed building owes its existence to the dramatic land transformation begun in 1536 known as the Dissolution of the Monasteries. It later became a focal point in the religious struggles of the late 17th century following the Restoration of Charles II in 1660.

In the religiously turbulent times of the late 1600s, it was discovered that illegal Catholic masses were being said at a chapel in the attic of Plas Gunter Mansion. David Lewis and Phillip Evans, two local priests who regularly said mass in the chapel were arrested, tried and executed.

Boarded up for over two hundred years, the hidden chapel and a fine ornate plaster ceiling were uncovered in 1907. The painted altarpiece featuring the Adoration of the Magi and one of the original doors were taken to Abergavenny Museum while the ground floor was divided into retail units.

Today Plas Gunter Mansion is in a poor state of repair. Following a successful appeal, the Welsh Georgian Trust (now Plas Gunter Mansion Trust) bought the building in 2017. In the same year, the Friends of Plas Gunter Mansion was set up and embarked on a campaign to bring Gunter back to life.

Gunter history talks available

If you belong to a group you think would be interested in hearing about the history of Plas Gunter Mansion, Dr Gill Wakley would be very happy to come and tell you all about it.

As Chairman of Abergavenny Local History Society, and Historical Research Group lead for Plas Gunter Mansion, Gill is a wealth of information, and has wide experience of talking to groups of all sizes.

For more information, please email Gill at info@plasguntermansion.org.uk.