Sir Nicholas Kemeys, 1st Baronet
Encyclopedia
Sir Nicholas Kemeys, 1st Baronet (died 25 May 1648) was a Welsh
landowner and soldier during the English Civil War
in South Wales
and played a key part in events in the region during that conflict.
, in Monmouthshire
in the 1230s. A David Kemeys, the son of Ievan Kemeys of Began (near St Mellons
) married Cecil, a daughter of Llewelyn ab Evan ab Llewelyn ap Cynfig of Cefn Mably
in or around 1450.
David was succeeded by his son, Lewis Kemeys and his son and heir in turn was John Kemeys, succeeded by his son, also named David (possibly born 1564). David's eldest son Edward Kemeys, High Sheriff of Glamorganshire for 1574, died without issue and the estate passed to a nephew, another David Kemeys, the son of Rhys Kemeys of Llanvair Castle (Llanvair Discoed
), who also became Sheriff of Glamorgan for 1616. He was succeeded by his son Edward who had no issue and the estate therefore passed to Nicholas Kemeys, the second son of Rhys Kemeys.
1628 to 1629 and High Sheriff of Monmouthshire
for 1631 and Sheriff of Glamorganshire
for 1638. At the outbreak of the English Civil War
he was created a Baronet
by King Charles I of England.
He was a passionate supporter
of the King and monarchy and as Custos Rotulorum of Monmouthshire
played a leading and high profile part in Monmouthshire during the Civil War. He was appointed Governor of Cardiff castle. As an ally of Sir Trevor Williams, 1st Baronet
of Llangibby
, Sir Nicholas led the defence of Chepstow Castle
and was killed there in combat on 25 May 1648. The location, within the castle, is marked by a plaque erected by members of the Kemeys family in the 1930s.
He had married Jane, daughter of Sir Rowland Williams, Kt, of Llangibby Castle and left a son and heir, Sir Charles Kemeys, 2nd Baronet
who also played an active role during the remainder of the war.
Welsh people
The Welsh people are an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales and the Welsh language.John Davies argues that the origin of the "Welsh nation" can be traced to the late 4th and early 5th centuries, following the Roman departure from Britain, although Brythonic Celtic languages seem to have...
landowner and soldier during the English Civil War
English Civil War
The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
in South Wales
South Wales
South Wales is an area of Wales bordered by England and the Bristol Channel to the east and south, and Mid Wales and West Wales to the north and west. The most densely populated region in the south-west of the United Kingdom, it is home to around 2.1 million people and includes the capital city of...
and played a key part in events in the region during that conflict.
Lineage
The family claimed descent from a Stephen de Kemeys who held lands in the southern Welsh MarchesWelsh Marches
The Welsh Marches is a term which, in modern usage, denotes an imprecisely defined area along and around the border between England and Wales in the United Kingdom. The precise meaning of the term has varied at different periods...
, in Monmouthshire
Monmouthshire (historic)
Monmouthshire , also known as the County of Monmouth , is one of thirteen ancient counties of Wales and a former administrative county....
in the 1230s. A David Kemeys, the son of Ievan Kemeys of Began (near St Mellons
St Mellons
St Mellons is a district and suburb of eastern Cardiff, the capital city of Wales.-History:St Mellons began as a small commercial centre in the historic county of Monmouthshire, relying heavily on rural agriculture, farming and travel...
) married Cecil, a daughter of Llewelyn ab Evan ab Llewelyn ap Cynfig of Cefn Mably
Cefn Mably
The district of Cefn Mably makes up part of St Mellons, a small suburb on the east side of Cardiff.-External links:* information on the Kemeys-Tynte family...
in or around 1450.
David was succeeded by his son, Lewis Kemeys and his son and heir in turn was John Kemeys, succeeded by his son, also named David (possibly born 1564). David's eldest son Edward Kemeys, High Sheriff of Glamorganshire for 1574, died without issue and the estate passed to a nephew, another David Kemeys, the son of Rhys Kemeys of Llanvair Castle (Llanvair Discoed
Llanvair Discoed
Llanvair Discoed is a small village in Monmouthshire, south-east Wales, 6 miles west of Chepstow and 10 miles east of Newport.-History:The village is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 as 'Lamecare'. The name means Mary's church under the wood . The 'd' at the start of Discoed only appears...
), who also became Sheriff of Glamorgan for 1616. He was succeeded by his son Edward who had no issue and the estate therefore passed to Nicholas Kemeys, the second son of Rhys Kemeys.
Biography
Nicholas Kemeys was MP for MonmouthshireMonmouthshire (UK Parliament constituency)
Monmouthshire was a county constituency of the House of Commons of Parliament of England from 1536 until 1707, of the Parliament of Great Britain from 1707 to 1801, and of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1801 to 1885...
1628 to 1629 and High Sheriff of Monmouthshire
High Sheriff of Monmouthshire
This is a list of High Sheriffs of Monmouthshire, which was created in 1536 but not fully settled until 1540. The shrievalty was finally abolished in 1974 when the county and shrievalty of Gwent was created.-List of Sheriffs:Served under Henry VIII:...
for 1631 and Sheriff of Glamorganshire
High Sheriff of Glamorgan
This page is a list of High Sheriffs of Glamorgan. Sheriffs of Glamorgan served under and were answerable to the independent Lords of Glamorgan until that lordship was merged into the crown. This is in contrast to sheriffs of the English shires who were from the earliest times officers of the crown...
for 1638. At the outbreak of the English Civil War
English Civil War
The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
he was created a Baronet
Baronet
A baronet or the rare female equivalent, a baronetess , is the holder of a hereditary baronetcy awarded by the British Crown...
by King Charles I of England.
He was a passionate supporter
Cavalier
Cavalier was the name used by Parliamentarians for a Royalist supporter of King Charles I and son Charles II during the English Civil War, the Interregnum, and the Restoration...
of the King and monarchy and as Custos Rotulorum of Monmouthshire
Custos Rotulorum of Monmouthshire
This is a list of people who have served as Custos Rotulorum of Monmouthshire.* Richard Morgan bef. 1544–1556* Thomas Somerset bef. 1558 – aft. 1562* Rowland Morgan bef. 1564 – aft. 1577* William Herbert bef. 1584–1593...
played a leading and high profile part in Monmouthshire during the Civil War. He was appointed Governor of Cardiff castle. As an ally of Sir Trevor Williams, 1st Baronet
Sir Trevor Williams, 1st Baronet
Sir Trevor Williams, 1st Baronet of Llangibby , Monmouthshire, was a Welsh politician, gentry landowner, military commander and rebel...
of Llangibby
Llangybi, Monmouthshire
Llangybi is a village in Monmouthshire, in south east Wales, United Kingdom. It is located 3 miles south of the town of Usk and 5 miles north of Caerleon, in the valley of the River Usk.- History and buildings :...
, Sir Nicholas led the defence of Chepstow Castle
Chepstow Castle
Chepstow Castle , located in Chepstow, Monmouthshire in Wales, on top of cliffs overlooking the River Wye, is the oldest surviving post-Roman stone fortification in Britain...
and was killed there in combat on 25 May 1648. The location, within the castle, is marked by a plaque erected by members of the Kemeys family in the 1930s.
He had married Jane, daughter of Sir Rowland Williams, Kt, of Llangibby Castle and left a son and heir, Sir Charles Kemeys, 2nd Baronet
Sir Charles Kemeys, 2nd Baronet
Sir Charles Kemeys, 2nd Baronet was the second of the Kemeys Baronets, a Welsh family of landowners in the county of Monmouthshire, Wales....
who also played an active role during the remainder of the war.
External links
- http://yba.llgc.org.uk/en/s-KEME-CEF-1234.html?query=Kemeys&field=contentNicholas Kemeys - National Library of Wales, Dictionary of Welsh BiographyDictionary of Welsh BiographyThe Dictionary of Welsh Biography is a dictionary of biographies of Welsh men and women who have made a unique contribution to Welsh life over seventeen centuries...
]