The pictures you see below were taken in August 2000 by Margaret Bannister, a fellow Gaines family researcher.

The manor home of Sir John Games (Gaines) of Brecon, Wales, was never the home of Sir David Gam as some researchers have come to believe, as it was not built until 1582 by Sir John Games.

It was built in beautiful surroundings with the Usk River almost at its gate.  It is surrounded by green rolling hills, on which the grounds of the Brecon Golf Course have been laid out.

 

The Gaines Manor as seen from across the Usk River

 

Side view, note sheep grazing in yard

This is the main entrance door. Note the door within a door

than can be opened separately, and served as additional

protection since the visitor would have to stoop over very

low in order to gain entry, giving the owner an advantage.

Cooking stove inside manor

The fireplace in the Great Hall is about 10 feet wide and six feet high

with a stone lintel.  On this stone is carved an inscription (in Welsh) showing the

ancestral line of Sir David Gam down to Sir James Gaines, John's father.

In the center of the lintel is the Gaines coat of arms.

JAMES GAMES, MAB AGETEYFEDD HENA, EDWARD GAMES AP JOHN AP

MORGAN AP EDWARD AP DAFYDD GAM

AR DDUW Y GYD - GAINES

(translation: ALL DEPENDS ON GOD - GAINES)

(it should be noted that the inscription, for some unknown reason, omits the name of

Morgan, son of Sir David Gam)

 

Well-worn stairs in Gaines Manor after

over 400 years of foot traffic.

The Great Hall is huge, a 50 by 20 feet room with very

high ceilings. There are two floor levels; the lord of the

manor and his family dined at tables set in the raised

portion, and the others at tables placed on the lower

level of the floor.  Near the ceiling and in the walls, are

openings behind which minstrels would play their instruments

for the enjoyment of the family and their guest.

 

The pictures you see below, were taken in 2009 by Mark Gaines Miles, of Jacksonville, FL another Gaines family researcher.

He is pictured standing in Brecon Cathedral, behind the Games Monument. This is the only remaining figure from a tomb which

was erected in the chancel in c. 1555.

The 'Games Monument' was erected in memory of the Games familiy of Aberbran and their wives.

 

 

 

Dafydd Gam is commemorated in this stained glass window, of unknown date,

at Llantilio Crossenny church, in the north wall. The inscription is in Latin

and the transcription reads;

'David Gam, golden haired knight, Lord of the manor of Llantilio Crossenny, killed on the field of Agincourt 1415'

 

The home of Sir David Gam was burned, however there are present day

photos of the moat which surrounded his manor.

Additional information on the Gaines family in Wales can be found at:

The website for Welsh heritage & culture