PRICE, Arthur (c.1549-97), of Vaynor, Berriew, Mont.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1558-1603, ed. P.W. Hasler, 1981
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

Family and Education

b. c.1549, 2nd s. of Matthew Price of Newtown by his 2nd w. Joan or Joyce, da. of Evan Gwyn of Mynachdy, Rad.; bro. of John II. m. (1) Bridget, da. of John Bourchier, 2nd Earl of Bath, at least 1s.; (2) c.1587, Jane, da. of Randle Brereton of Malpas, Cheshire, wid. of Dr. Nicholas Robinson, bp. of Bangor, 2s. 2da.1

Offices Held

J.p. Mont. from c.1575, sheriff 1577-8.2

Biography

The Prices of Newtown were among the most ancient Montgomeryshire families. Arthur Price’s sister, Elizabeth, married the first gentleman of the county, Edward Herbert I, who frequently sat for Montgomeryshire. It must have been with Herbert’s goodwill that Price was returned for Montgomery Boroughs in 1571. In 1580 Price was arraigned in Star Chamber by Hywel ap David ap Ieuan Vychan or Vaughan on a charge of having abused his position as j.p. and his ‘great influence’ in the shire to seize houses and lands in the parish of Berriew (to which both litigants belonged) in face of the complainant’s clear title and hitherto undisturbed possession.3

At the county election of 1588 Price evidently determined to test the extent of this ‘great influence’. He was opposed, however, by a faction which at first adopted as candidate Rowland Pugh, who withdrew and stood for the Boroughs, and then persuaded the veteran Edward Herbert I to emerge from retirement. There followed a violent election in which the sheriff, another son-in-law of Herbert, secured Herbert’s return. Price subsequently brought a Star Chamber suit against the sheriff, the issue of which is unknown.4

Price died between 8 Aug. 1597, when he made his will, and 93 Sept., when it was proved. Some of his lands were already settled on his wife and elder son Edward. His younger son John was to have an annuity of £20 and a daughter, Elizabeth, the profits from lands mortgaged to Price in Llyvior and Doyriwe. The testator kept a ‘black book’ of debts owing to him; the will gives several entries from it, including £120 due from his son-in-law Griffith Pugh, and £20 from the head of the family, Arthur’s brother, John Price II of Newtown. The latter was to keep the £20 and a ‘standing cup’ which he had borrowed. The will also includes bequests of money to a number of servants, and of plate to various relatives. Price’s widow and son Edward were appointed executors and residuary legatees, and John Price and ‘my brother Thomas Brereton’ overseers.5

Ref Volumes: 1558-1603

Author: A.H.D.

Notes

  • 1. Burke, Extinct Baronetcies, 1838, p. 429 (but his 2nd w. was not sis. of Sir Randolph Brereton); C3/140/50; PCC 78 Cobham; Mont. Colls. iv. 389.
  • 2. St. Ch. 5/V6/29; C3/140/50; Flenley, Cal. Reg. Council, Marches of Wales, 212.
  • 3. Dwnn, Vis. Wales, i. 312; St. Ch. 5/V6/29; Flenley, loc. cit.
  • 4. DWB, 781-3; EHR, xlvi. 227 seq.; Neale, Commons, 99-110; St. Ch. 5/P25/34, 57/30, 67/2.
  • 5. PCC 78 Cobham; Mont. Colls. xxi. 203-6.