Robert Roberts was a north-Walian quarryman. His death on 23 April 1888 resulted in a churchyard break-in by candlelight, an illicit burial, and the rise of a Prime Minister.

All because his final wish was to be buried beside his daughter at their local churchyard.

#thread

The problem was Robert Roberts wasn’t a member of the Established Church of England – he was a Non-Conformist.

You see, in 1864, the churchyard at Llanfrothen was full, so a neighbour, Mrs Catherine Owen, donated part of her land to provide an extension.

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No formal agreement was made and the extension was not consecrated, but nonetheless burials began.

In 1881, Mrs Owen made a conveyance that burials in her field were only to take place in accordance with the rites of the Established Church.

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So, in 1888, the vicar, Rev’d Richard Jones refused Roberts to be buried in his desired plot.

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Enter newly qualified local solicitor, David Lloyd George. Aged just 25, he took up the case and advised the family to defy Rev’d Jones. Together they broke open the gate and by the light of candles and lanterns, they buried Roberts where he wished to lie.

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Rev’d Jones brought a complaint against the Roberts family - for trespass, damage, and burying a corpse without proper authority. The case hinged on whether Mrs Owen had the right to execute the conveyance of the land 17yrs after she had given it for the churchyard extension.
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Controversy continued. The judge ruled in favour of Mrs Owen. Lloyd George appealed, and, in the High Court, the verdict was overturned.

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The verdict propelled Lloyd George to prominence. The rest, as they say, is history. He went on to become one of the most famous Liberal politicians in British history, a key figure in reform, laying the foundation for the welfare state; he was Prime Minister 1916-1922.

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Robert Roberts now lies buried peacefully in the churchyard at Llanfrothen, next to his daughter. When you visit Llanfrothen seek out his grave, and consider the impact of local direct action on the politics, church and people of Wales and beyond.

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You can read the full blog here: https://friendsoffriendlesschurches.org.uk/the-curious-tale-of-robert-roberts-of-llanfrothen/