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Manuscripts, [late 12 cent.]-[early 20 cent.], formerly part of the library of the Mostyn family of Mostyn Hall, Flintshire, comprising transcripts and extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis, Geoffrey of Monmouth, Dares Phrygius, Nennius, Gildas, David Jenkins (Judge Jenkins), Sir John Wynn of Gwydir, Lydgate's 'Life of Our Lady', Leland's Itinerary, 'Chroniques de France', historical manuscripts such as Brut y Tywysiogion and Brut y Brenhinoedd, Welsh romances and the Mabinogion; collections of mainly Welsh poetry, among them the seventeenth-century volumes Llyfr Coch Nannau and Llyfr Gwyn Corsygedol, containing poems by Dafydd ap Gwilym, Guto'r Glyn, Tudur Aled, Siôn Cent and others; genealogies, pedigrees and histories; official papers relating to Caernarvonshire; catalogues of the Mostyn and Gloddaeth libraries, 1692-1842; etc.

A Descriptive Catalogue of the Gloddaeth Library, alphabetically arranged with numerous bibliographical notes, written in 1842 (watermark H. MILLS 1841) by Edward Parry of Chester (ff. 1-65). The catalogue is written on the rectos. Bibliographical notes have been added on the versos.
The manuscript also includes a Catalogue of the Gloddaeth Manuscripts at Mostyn 1842 (ff. 67-88), arranged as: Nos 1-36, English Manuscripts (ff. 68-75); Nos 37-56, Welsh Manuscripts (ff. 76-81); and Nos 57-87, Latin and French Manuscripts (ff. 82-88).

Pedigrees of some English families; 'The Pedigree of ye Griffiths of Llys y Penrhun in ... Llandygay ...'; and miscellaneous historical material relating mainly to Cheshire.

A volume of household and medical recipes written at various times from the mid-seventeenth to mid-eighteenth centuries. There are two mid-seventeenth century hands (A and B) with additions in many late seventeenth to mid-eighteenth century hands. Hand A runs from ff. 1-9, and hand B from ff. 9-12, 20-23 verso, 26-40, 73-74 verso, 77, 83 recto-verso, 87 verso-113 with additions on the paste-down on the inside of the front cover and ff. 1 verso, 6 verso, 8 recto-verso.
Papers found loose in the manuscript have been brought together at the end (ff. 118-125). These include a receipt (dated Mar. 26, 1753) to Mrs A. Hay for payment for a neglige cap, signed D. W. Healey (f. 123), and an undated letter from T. Knight addressed to Mrs Nancy Lloyd at Nanney (ff. 124-125).

'Cerdd Rhobin ab Huw a elwir ym mhlith y Beirdd Rhobin Ddu o Fôn, wedi ei 'sgrifennu ai Law ei hun wrth erchiad William Fychan Esq: Penllywydd yr Anrhydeddus Gymdeithas o Gymmrodorion 1772', being an autograph poem by Robert Hughes (Robin Ddu o Fôn) written at the instigation of William Vaughan of Corsygedol and Nannau, 1772.

A volume containing autograph poetry by Rhys Jones of Tyddyn Mawr and Y Blaenau, Llanfachreth (pp. 1-215), and the Historia of Taliessin (pp. 216-242). Written on page ix: 'Y Llyfr Gwyrdd pa un sy'n cynnwys Awdleu, Cywyddau, Englynion a Cherddi; Yn anrheg i'r godidawg a'r dilediaith Gymro Gwilym Fychan o gors y Gedol a Nannau Ysgr. Seneddwr a Chornor y Militia swydd Feirion; a Phenn Llywydd Cymdeithas y Cymmrodorion yn Llundain. O waith Rhys Jones o'r Tyddyn Mawr yn y Brynn Côch, o Blwyf Llan Fachreth; yn Ysgrifennedig a'i Law ei hûn, o bobtu Blwydd yr Arglwydd 1764'.

Welsh poetry relating for the most part to the families of Nannau and Cors y Gedol, together with a history of the Gwydir family, etc. Pages 1-184 and 197-213 were transcribed, [c. 1690], by 'John Davies, commonly called John David Laes, a family poet at Nannau' (pp. iii, 497); pp. 217-232 and 289-295 are in the autograph of the Rev. William Wynn (p. 295); and pp. i-vii, 497-498 are in the hand of Lewis Morris of Anglesey. The remainder of the manuscript seems to belong to the first quarter of the eighteenth century.

Catalogue of the books in the Mostyn Library, interleaved with a catalogue of the books in the Gloddaeth Library (ff. 2 verso-247). The Mostyn catalogue was written in a blank book sometime after 1727, with additions to 1733. The Gloddaeth catalogue, written not before 1733, with additions to 1745, was interleaved in the book by tipping in bifolia with paste and at the same time running thread inside the hinge of each bifolium and down the inside of the spine. The Mostyn catalogue is written on the rectos, leaving blank pages and space between entries for later additions; some later additions are also made on the versos. The Gloddaeth catalogue is closely written on rectos and versos. Both catalogues give titles with places and dates of publication. The Gloddaeth catalogue alone gives pressmarks. Both catalogues in the hand of Thomas Mostyn, 4th bart.
The arrangement is (1) by broad subjects, (2) according to size. The categories are as follows: Libri Theologici (ff. 3-21), Libri Juridici (ff. 25-41), Libri Medici (ff. 44-48), Poetae (ff. 49-50 verso, 63-65), Poetae Graeci (ff. 51, 56-57, 67-68), Poetae Latini (ff. 52-54, 58-61, 69-77), Poetae Italici (ff. 55, 62, 79 recto-verso), Poetae Britannici (ff. 55 verso, 61 verso), Poetae Gallici (ff. 62 verso, 80), Oratores et Epistolographi Graeci (ff. 82-84), Oratores et Epistolographi Latini (ff. 85-91), Oratores et Epistolographi Gallici (f. 92), Oratores et Epistolographi Italici (f. 93), Antiquarii (ff. 95-108), Historia Universalis, Chronologica et Geographica (ff. 110-115), Historia Judaica, Chaldaica, Babylonica (f. 116), Historia Graeca et Romana (ff. 117 verso-134), Historia Hispanica et Lusitanica (ff. 137-141), Historia Italica (ff. 142-146), Historia Gallica (ff. 147-157 verso), Historia Germanica et Regionum Septentrionalum (ff. 154, 159-160), Historia Belgica, Germanica, Danica, Suecica, Relvetica et Russica (ff. 155-157, 174-176), Historia Magnae Britanniae (ff. 161-173), Historia Asiatica, Africana et Americana (ff. 177-181), Historia Byzantina et Turcica (f. 182), Illustrium Virorum Vitae (ff. 185-187), Lexicographi et Grammatici (ff. 189-193), Bibliothecarli (ff. 194-196), Auctores Veteres Classicae Ordinis (ff. 198-207), Grammatici et Critici (ff. 208-213), Philologici et Miscellanei (ff. 217-235), Libri Manuscripti (5 items only) (f. 237), Itineraria (ff. 239-240 verso), Voyageurs (ff. 241-243), Appendix ad Historiam Gallicam (f. 244), Historia Naturalis (f. 245), Appendix ad Historiam Magnae Britanniae (f. 247).

A report submitted on 7 March 1729/30 to Francis Hare, bishop of St Asaph by J. Wynne, Garthmeilio [?rector of Corwen], on his visitation of Llanycil church and parish in 1729/30.

Notes, in Latin, on the Institutes of Justinian (ff. 1-44 verso), followed by a brief list of busts, statues, etc. (two leaves cut out between ff. 77 and 78, traces of writing on stubs) (f. 77 verso), and a catalogue of medallions [i.e. Roman and Greek coins] and of cameos and intaglios (f. 86, very brief) (ff. 86-88 verso). The medallions are described in some detail, in English and Latin. As the MS has been written from both ends this catalogue starts on f. 88 verso.
Inside the back cover there are two loose sheets (contemporary), one of scribblings and the other a short bill in French.

Official documents and other papers, 1675-1727, many of them addressed to the deputy lieutenants, etc. of Caernarvonshire and relating to the militia, musters, the confiscating of weapons in the possession of Papists, etc. Among the correspondents are Henry, 3rd marquis of Worcester and first duke of Beaufort, Lord President of the Council in the Marches of Wales, Col. Thomas Mostyn of Gloddaeth, John Wynne of Whitehall, mustermaster for Caernarvonshire, and Richard, 3rd baron Bulkeley of Baron Hill. The documents include a statement by Thomas Glynne relating to a 'conventicle' at the house of Ellis Owen, Llangybi, at which James Owen preached; a memoranandum by Thomas Mostyn relating to the refusal of William Wynne, sheriff of Flintshire, to read the proclamation of King George II at Holywell; and some papers of general North Wales interest.

A volume of awdlau, cywyddau, englynion, dyrïau, etc., written in 1725 by a certain John Jones at Mostyn: 'Myfi John Jones A sgrifenodd y Llyfr hwn. ym Mostyn, yn y Flwyddyn. 1725' (f. 119), and again 'John Jones ai sgrifenodd' (f. 4).
The first part of the MS, up to f. 94 verso, appears to have been copied from a MS called 'llyfr Cadwalader y gô' (f. 94 verso), and the poetry in this section of the MS corresponds to the greater part of the contents of Llanstephan MS 49 B which appears to represent the same source. There is nothing to suggest, however that Llanstephan 49 B is one and the same as 'llyfr Cadwalader y gô'. Leaves and end-papers bear a Pro Patria watermark. On ff. 119 verso-120 is a list of titles and page numbers.

Prologues and epilogues in Latin and English to Latin plays by Terence and Plautus and English plays by Otway ([The Cheats of] Scapin), Addison (Cato) and Shakespeare (Henry IV) (ff. 1-12 verso, 26 verso-27 verso, 32-33 verso, 47-47 verso). These prologues and epilogues appear to have been composed for performances of these plays by the pupils of Westminster school (where the scribe of this manuscript, Thomas Mostyn was a pupil, see A. H. Stenning and G. F. Russell Barker, The Record of Old Westminsters, London, 1928, p. 671), as a number of them are to be found in the volume Lusus Westmonasterienses, Westminster, 1734. One prologue (to the Eunuchus of Terence), bears the date 1709 (f. 5). The manuscript also contains Latin odes, apparently by Anthony Alsop (see ODNB, his poetical works, ed. Sir Francis Bernard, Antonii Alsopi Odarum libri duo (Londini, 1752) not at present available in NLW) (ff. 17-18, 43-46). Also included are English poems by Edward Littleton (see ODNB) - '[On] A Spider' and 'A Letter to Mr H. Archer at Eaton School from Cambridge 1717 by E. Littleton' (ff. 33 verso-34, 38 verso-41). These poems are printed in R. Dodsley (ed.), A Collection of Poems in six volumes ... (London, 1770) pp. 290-4, 295-9.
The remainder of the poems in this manuscript between f. 12 verso and f. 47 verso (the leaves are blank from f. 48 to f. 169) are almost exclusively in Latin, largely comprising short exercises on various themes, with some longer poems on subjects such as 'Atrium Peckwateriensel' (ff. 13 verso-15 verso) and 'In Inclytam Scholam Regiam Westmonasteriensem Authore Roberto South. AD. 1652.' (ff. 13-13 verso). There are also some shorter Latin pieces on contemporary subjects, such as a 'Copy of Verses upon Curl's being tost in a Blanket' (f. 42) and 'Mr Urry's Epitaph made by Himself' (ff. 46-46 verso), as well as two English poems: 'An Epitaph written upon Atterbury in Imitation of an Old one upon a Litigious Abbot of Rochester' (ff. 41 verso-42) and '... upon Bagshaw a Student's marrying Bicknall's Daughter, Who was Porter of Ch. Ch. back Gate, ... by J. Bramston' (f. 42 verso). An 'Index Thematum', arranged alphabetically, with incomplete list of prologues and epilogues, is on the back paste down (ff. 169 verso-178).

A collection of cywyddau, englynion and carols, compiled [c. 1669]-[early 18 cent], with the greater part appearing to be in the hand of John Davies (Siôn Dafydd Laes).
An index to the contents is on pp. xvii-xxvi.

'A Catalogue of ye Books at Mostyn' (ff. 2-12). The text in two columns is confined to the recto side of each folio. The verso side is blank except for additions on f. 6 verso. Only the surnames of authors and short titles of works are given. The works are arranged according to shelf and division. It was compiled not before 1713 (includes seven volumes of the Spectator). Folios 12 verso-80 are blank, and are followed by an incomplete 'Catalogue of Bookes att Gloddaith 1692' (f. 80 verso, inverted text), listing only thirteen items. The verso sides of ff. 76-79 are ruled. This was the first use of the book. There is an index to the MS on f. 1 verso.

History of the Gwydir Family, headed (f. i, different hand from text) 'A true Coppy of a manuscript written by Sr. jon. Wynne of Gwydir Knt. & Barrt. ut Creditur & patet. 1607' (ff. 1-27). This text varies slightly from that of the latest printed edition (The History of the Gwydir Family, ed. by J. Ballinger (Cardiff, 1927)) but corresponds to the texts in NLW MS 27B, NLW MS 16969B and NLW, Wynnstay MS 120, and like them it contains a few occasional notes, some of them by Humphrey Humphreys, bishop of Bangor (in Wynnstay MS 120 some of these notes have been added to the text in a hand apparently that of bishop Humphreys, see pp. 40, 81). This text of the History therefore appears to derive either directly or indirectly from bishop Humphreys' copy, or copies, one of which was in all probability Wynnstay MS 120. The manuscript also includes further notes concerning 'Meredyth Wynn ap Evan ap Robert', his later life and his progeny (the information concerning the latter is alleged to have been found in 'Sr Thomas ap William's book of pedigrees) (ff. 27 verso-28 verso). These notes are subscribed 'H Bangor 1700' (not an autograph) and correspond to the notes in NLW MS 27B, pp. 111-114, in NLW MS 16969B (at the end of the History of the Gwydir Family) and in NLW, Wynnstay MS 121, pp. 1-3.
Also included in the manuscript are notes on natives of Caernarvonshire 'such as by there own Industry have Advanced their fortunes and became Eminent, ---' (ff. 32-40). These are the notes published under the title of Memoirs in the 1927 edn. of the History of the Gwydir Family (pp. 61-75) with one major difference: the copy in our MS contains a preface (ff. 32-32 verso) which does not occur in the printed edition (or in its source, NLW MS 27B, pp. 5-27). This preface begins: 'Now haveing taken View and Survey of the Soile and Situation of the County of Carnarvon, It would be considered and remembred what Witts and Worthy Members to the Common Wealth from time to time this poor County brought forth, ---' (f. 32), suggesting that these notes were once part of, or intended to be part of, a larger work on Caernarvonshire. The circumstantial information in this preface appears to support the suggestion that Sir John Wynn of Gwydir was the author of these notes (Ballinger, op.cit., p. xiv). Also included are 'Notes to be observed before you let your Survey Pass your hands' (ff. 43-50 verso). These notes also occur in NLW MS 27B, pp.115-137, and were printed under the somewhat misleading title of An Ancient Survey, of Pen Maen Mawr, --- by J. O. Haliwell in 1659 and reprinted by W. Bezant Lowe in 1906.

A collection of Welsh medical texts, including tracts on blood-letting and uroscopy, medicinal recipes, and a lists of herbs in English, Welsh and Latin, all written in a seventeenth-century hand.

Three Welsh Grammars; The Dream of Maxen Wledig; Elucidarium; Commotes and Cantreds of Wales; Astronomi; etc., mainly in the hand of Thomas Williams before he began to sign himself 'Thomas ap Wiliam physicwr'. Pages 112-114 and 129-130 are in the autograph of Robert Vaughan of Hengwrt, 16th May 1656, and Darogan Beli (p. 216) appears to be written by D. Jones (?o Lanvair Dyffryn Clwyd).

A collection of vaticinatory poems and prose, mostly in Welsh, and mostly written between 1607 (p. 13) and 1623 (p. 602) by John Jones, Gellilyfdy (pp. 1-568, 575-640). Part of the volume is entitled 'Llyfr Sion ap Wiliam ap Sion o hen vrudieu yr hen veirdd' (p. 1).