David Holbache

Dafydd ab Ieuan ( 1350 – 1422/23 ), better known by his English name David Holbache, was a Welsh politician, best known for founding Oswestry School in 1407.

Family background

Dafydd, was born in the mid-14th century to Ieuan "Gôch" ap Dafydd ab Iorwerth and Angharad ferch Iorwerth ap Griffri "Fychan". His father's family had been seated at Pentrehylin, Dudleston, near Ellesmere, Shropshire since the early 13th century.

Oswestry School

In 1407, David and his wife, Gwenhwyfar ferch Ieuan, entrusted some of their lands situated in the Oswestry lordship to pay the wages of a schoolmaster, establishing what was to become Oswestry School. The school premises were a half-timbered building within the grounds of St. Oswald's Parish Church. The building still stands today and is the location of a heritage centre.

Due to poor record keeping, little written documentation survives for the school up until relatively recent times. The headmasters of the school are unknown for the first 154 years of the school's history. Documentation relating to the school increases slightly after the unification of England with Wales under the English crown.

Marriage, issue and legacy

At around the turn of the 14th century he married Gwenhwyfar ferch Ieuan ab John (in English, Guinevere), of Sweeney, in Oswestry Parish, who brought with her lands in Sweeney, Treflach and Maesbury. By this marriage or by another women of the same name he is attributed a daughter, Gwensi, who is said to have married Robert Salter, of Oswestry. However, this is believed to be an invention, Holbache being recorded as dying without issue. His will, which was made 10 September 1421, was proved on 7 April 1423, but is no longer extant.