Elys ap Gruff, Scrivener

Elys ap Gruff came to Chester from Wales to pursue a career as a scrivener, but it didn't quite work out...

Chester’s scriveners congregated in St John’s Lane, close to the archdeacon’s court which provided them with so much business. In the late 1430s Elys ap Gruff arrived from Wales, intending to further his education. However, things don’t seem to have worked out as he intended: he soon moved on, leaving behind debts to a scrivener for instruction and to a townsman for his board.