Discover Medieval Chester

John of Ewloe, Mayor in 1405

The Welshman John of Ewloe rose to become an important figure in Chester, though his connections with Wales still drew suspicion.

Bridge Street was the centre of much of the Welsh community in medieval Chester, including the successful gentleman John of Ewloe, who came from a Welsh migrant family. John lived in a grand house with extensive gardens on the west side of Bridge Street, and many of his associates, servants, tenants and debtors were Welsh. John was elected mayor in 1405, even whilst the Glyndŵr rebellion was still causing tensions with Wales, and re-elected in the following four years. In August 1409, however, John was temporarily suspended from office because he was allegedly ‘tampering with the rebels’ and his loyalty was suspect.