52 HISTORY OF > 



During the civil wars in tlie reign of Charles I. 

 the importance of Conwy was duly esteemed, and 

 it again l)ecame the scene of contention. The 

 most conspicuous character in the history of the 

 town at this period was a native of the place, 

 namely the archbishop of York. He was born in 

 Aberconwy, on the twenty -fifth day of March, 

 1582. His father, Edmond Williams, Esq. of 

 this town, was the son of William Williams, Esq. 

 of Cochwillan, by Dorothy, the daughter of Sir 

 William Griffith of Penrliyn *, and he married the 

 daughter of Owen Wynn, Esq. by whom he had 

 five sons and two daughters ; of the sons, John 

 was the youngest. He received the earlier part of 

 his classical education at Rhuthin school, where 

 he gave, at an early age, promises of future dis- 

 tinction. His kinsman. Dr. Vaughan, afterwards 

 bishop of London, aware of his abilities, removed 

 him to Cambridge, where he was entered at St. 

 Jolm's College in 1598; then being in his six- 

 teenth year. His natural j)arts were so much 

 above the common level, that lie soon became dis- 

 tinguished in the university. His memory was 

 wonderfully (piick and retentive, and his diligence 

 and application were unbounded ; it is recorded 

 of him that from his youtli upwards he never re- 



