BIOGRAPHY
Sir Richard Herbert, of Ewyas, was born in Castell Raglan, Brynbuga, Cymru, the son of William Herbert and Maude ferch Adam ap Gwilym ap Hywel Grant. He was a gentleman usher to Henry VII and Constable and Porter of Abergavenny Castle. He married the widow of John Malefant, Margaret Cradock, daughter of Sir Matthew Cradock, of Swansea, and Alice Mansel.
Sir Richard Herbert died on 12 September 1510 in Ewyas Harold, Herefordshire, and was buried in Y Fenni, Gwent, Cymru. His widow married William Bawdrip.
"Morgans of Cydweli. These were the Morgans of Motlys-gwm (now corrupted into Muddlescombe), near Cydweli, a family of first rank in the county of Carmarthen before the Vaughans of Golden Grove had risen into notice. They were a branch of the Morgans of Tredegar, and are found to be zealous coadjutors with Sir Rhys ap Thomas of Dinefawr in the great effort made in these parts to assist the Earl of Richmond [Henry Tudor] to obtain the crown. In fact, Morgan of Cydweli, 'a discreet man, and a cabanett close friend to the said Rhys,' was the instrument used by the Tudor party to influence the powerful knight of Dinefawr, and bring him round in favour to the 'cause;' and when Sir Rhys sought counsel, and finally marched to join Henry at Milford Haven, Morgan was always the man nearest his side.
We are informed by Dwnn, who visited Cydweli A.D. 1596, when 'Henry Morgan' was at the head of the family, that they traced their descent from Cadifor Fawr, Lord of Blaen-Cych and Cilsant -- through Morgan ap Llywelyn ap Ifor, of Tredegar; moreover that 'the first principal man of that time who became possessor of the lands of Motlys-gwm was Trahaiarn Morgan, Esq., and he was High Steward over the three comots of Cydweli under Henry VII. and Henry VIII., steward of Pembroke under the same kings, and lieutenant under Sir Rhys ap Thomas, because he was a man of learning and standing in the law of England; and this Trahaiarn built the mansion at Llandeilo Abercowin.'
Trahaiarn was doubtless the 'Morgan of Cydweli' who figured so prominently as Sir Rhys ap Thomas's friend and coadjutor. He m. Janet, dau. and co-h. of Harrie Donne (or Dunn) of Picton, by whom he had a numerous family. The Henry Morgan above mentioned, Trahaiarn's gr. grandson, had but two daus.; the surviving one, Catherine, m. Francis Mansel, son of Sir Edward Mansel, Kt., whereby the name of Morgan of Cydweli ceased, and the estates passed to the Mansels."
...(from Nicholas).....Nicholas, T. "Annals and Antiquities of the Counties and County Familes of Wales, Vol. I," London: Longmans, Green, Reader, and Co., 1872; pp 267-268, accessed at Google Book Search.
Owain Dwnn was living at Muddlescombe in 1436. It passed to Trahaearn Morgan by his marriage to Jonet Dwnn. It then passed by direct descent to Henry Morgan (d. 1564), William Morgan, Henry Morgan. Henry's two daughters, Mary and Katherine, married two brothers, Anthony and Francis Mansell.