Bachegraig (1776)
| Bachegraig, near Denbigh,
North Wales, was built by Sir Richard Clough (d. 1570),
Knight of the Holy Sepulchre, and second husband of Katherine Tudor of Berain. Sir Richard was apparently so
rich that the expression 'he has become a Clough'
(meaning 'he has become wealthy') passed into common
usage in North Wales. 'Pennant gives the following account of Bachegraig as it then stood:- "Not far from Tremeirchion, lies, half-buried in the woods, the singular house of Bachegraig; it rises into six wonderful stories, and forms the figure of a pyramid. In the windows are several pieces of painted glass - the arms of the knights of the Holy Sepulchre, with a heart, including:- |
| 1567 R. C. C. |
| his own and his wife's
initials; and beneath, 'Cor unum, via una;' the arms of
Elystan Glodrudd; and those of Sir Thomas Gresham, and of
several kingdoms with which these munifcent merchants
traded. There are, besides, some broken wheels, with a
sword, the usual emblems of St. Catherine. By his Order,
he probably was a Roman Catholic, and might pay
particular respect to that saint. The bricks are
admirable, and appear to have been either made in
Holland, or by Dutchmen on the spot, for, in pits; near
the house, are to be seen specimens of a similar
sort." Pennant, says of Bachegraig, elsewhere, "The model of the house was, probably, brought from Flanders, &c. The country people say that it was built by the devil, in one night, and that the architect still preserves an apartment in it. But Sir Richard Clough, an eminent merchant in the reign of Elizabeth, seems to have a better title to the honour. The initials of his name are in iron on the front, with the date of 1567; and on the gate-way that of 1569." Our author is not, however, correctly versed in the popular tradition to which he alludes. It is not said that his Satanic Majesty was the architect, but merely the contractor, who supplied the bricks and other materials; the clay for the former having been, as is supposed, dug from the bottomless pit, and baked in his own kiln, in the nether regions; the ambitious builder consenting to consign his soul to him, as payment, in case any human eye should see them when in conference together at midnight, in the room alluded to, which had no window. It is also said that Satan only supplied at once the daily quota, and that when the workmen had used up all the materials each evening, they always found a fresh supply in the morning. But, at last, the builder' lady, wondering that her lord should always retire to this dark room at midnight, with that curiosity which is natural, if not peculiar to ladies, one night peeped slyly through the key-hole, and having caught a glimpse of Satan's person and hidious physiognomy, set up a scream, in her fright; and at that instant, the devil snatched away her lord through the wall, carrying a large portion of the brickwork along with him, in his hurry to secure his prey. To account for this legend, it is said that Sir Richard was a great astronomer, that he had an observatory at the top of the house, where he used to spend nights together taking observations of the heavens; and while he was thus engaged, and, perhaps, "devoutly looking up from nature to nature's God," the ignorant peasantry thought he was seeking divination, and holding conference with evil spirits. Dr. Johnson visited Bachegraig in 1774.' Quoted from 'Ancient and Modern Denbigh' by John Williams.
Bachecraig in 2003. |
