Brecon Cathedral: Games Monument c. 1555
Description
This is the only remaining figure from a tomb which was erected in the chancel of Brecon Cathedral c. 1555. The 'Games Monument' was erected in memory of the Games familiy of Aberbran and their wives. The other figures are reputed to have been burned by Cromwell's soldiers during the Civil War. The effigy represents either Anne, daughter of Sir William Vaughan of Porthaml, Miss Bodenham of Rotherwas or Miss Morgan of Pen-y-Crug, the wives respectively of John, William and Thomas Games.
The 'Games' family were descended from Dafydd Gam, a Welsh soldier killed at the battle of Agincourt in 1415. He was one of those killed on the English side but not, according to popular legend, before he had saved the life of Henry V and been knighted on the field. His reputation as a warrior in the King's cause was also one of the reasons for Owain Glyn Dwr's failure to win the allegiance of parts of south-east Wales. According to tradition, Dafydd Gam sought to assassinate Owain in 1404. In 1410, or later, Dafydd fell into Owain's hands and was ransomed by the Seneschal of Brecon. He was called 'Dafydd Gam' ('Crooked Dafydd') because he squinted or had only one eye.
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