Peniarth Manuscripts

The collection was originally assembled by Robert Vaughan (c. 1592–1667) of Hengwrt, Merionethshire.

In 1898 it was sold to Sir John Williams, who had himself acquired a large private library.

Subsequently a plan to establish a National Library of Wales emerged.

When it did so, Williams promised that he would donate the collection to the library on condition that it would be based in Aberystwyth.

This condition was met, and Sir John duly donated the collection to the National Library.