Former Gunter family mansion, 37-40 Cross Street, Abergavenny

button-theme-crimeLink to French translationbutton_lang_japanese

This building was once home to members of the influential Gunter family. Part of it dates from the 16th century. It was once the Parrott Inn. Today the ground floor is occupied by several shops. In 2015 archaeologists discovered a fragment of Roman road behind the building. The Romans had a fort nearby.

The photos show the building c.1900 and an ornate ceiling inside.

Photo of Gunter mansion, Abergavenny, c1900In the 17th century, Thomas Gunter kitted out the mansion’s attic as a Roman Catholic chapel. Two Jesuit priests, including Father David Lewis, performed mass there for local Catholics. Any Catholic at that time faced punishment, up to and including death, but Gunter refused to become a Protestant. Priest-hunter John Arnold told Parliament in 1678 that he had found a ‘mark of the Jesuits’ on the exterior of Gunter’s home.

Father David Lewis was based at the Gunter mansion when he administered to Catholics in Monmouthshire and Herefordshire. He was arrested while preparing for mass at Llantarnam in 1678. For the offence of being a Catholic and saying mass, he suffered an agonising death when he was hanged, drawn and quartered in 1679. He was buried – contrary to the law – in Usk churchyard. He was beatified in 1929, canonised in 1970 and is one of the 40 martyrs of Wales and England.

Photo of ornate ceiling in Gunter mansionJames Gunter became MP for Monmouthshire in 1554 but died in 1558. He had bought Abergavenny Priory. In February 1712 another James Gunter, who lived at the former priory, became MP for the same constituency, but died just six months later.

Walter Gunter was the last Gunter to live here. Anne Gunter, his sister, went to London. She married Domenico Negri and they set up a famous confectionery and ice cream business - mentioned by novelist Jane Austen – in Berkeley Square. She ran the business when Domenico died and later took a nephew, James Gunter, into partnership. He took over after her death and the business flourished until 1956.

In 2016 the Welsh Georgian Trust held a successful crowdfunding campaign and was subsequently awarded funding to buy the Gunter mansion by the National Heritage Memorial Fund and the Pilgrim Trust. The Plas Gunter Mansion Trust (as the trust was renamed) is applying for funds to restore and open the house to the public.

Postcode: NP7 9ER    View Location Map

Website of Plas Gunter Mansion restoration project

Website of Last Welsh Martyr blog

Law And Disroder Tour Label Navigation previous buttonNavigation next button
National Cycle Network Label Navigation previous buttonNavigation next button