HUGHES, WILLIAM (d. 1600), bishop of S. Asaph;
b. in Caernarvonshire, he was the son of Hugh ap Cynwric. Entering Queens’ College, Cambridge, in Nov. 1554, he became B.A. 1556-7, Fellow of Christ's College 1557, M.A. 1560, B.D. and Lady Margaret preacher 1565, and D.D. 1569. He was a chaplain to the duke of Norfolk, and caused great controversy by a sermon which he preached at Leicester in 1567. He became rector of Llysfaen, Caerns., and of Dennington, before being consecrated bishop 13 Dec. 1573. Under archiepiscopal licence, he held ‘in commendam’ livings up to the annual value of £150, having sixteen at various times, but not simultaneously. Reputed to have been guilty of gross negligence, extortion, and nepotism, in his management of the diocese, it is to his credit that he assisted William Morgan (q.v.), translator of the Bible into Welsh, patronized the bards, and, in 1585, refused to institute a rector for insufficient knowledge of Welsh. He d. 18 Nov. 1600, leaving a considerable fortune to his daughter, wife of the heir of the Mostyn family.
Bibliography:
- D.N.B.;
- Athen. Cant., ii, 289-90;
- Thomas, S. Asaph, i, 96-100; ibid., ii, 225-6;
- F. O. White, Eliz. Bishops;
- Flenley, Register;
- Edwards, Star Chamber Proceedings, 54, 56, 58, 94.
Author:
Sir Glanmor Williams, M.A., Swansea
