{"id":331,"date":"2025-07-15T14:03:52","date_gmt":"2025-07-15T13:03:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.matthewshouse.org.uk\/greenhillgardens\/?page_id=331"},"modified":"2025-09-16T12:02:22","modified_gmt":"2025-09-16T11:02:22","slug":"deep-dive-resurrection","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.matthewshouse.org.uk\/greenhillgardens\/trail7\/deep-dive-resurrection\/","title":{"rendered":"The Swansea Resurrection"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” bg_color=”#FFD768″ scene_position=”center” top_padding=”5%” constrain_group_1=”yes” bottom_padding=”5%” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” 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The Swansea Resurrection<\/h2>\n

The True Tale of William Cragh \u2013 The Hanged Man Who Lived Again<\/em><\/h3>\n

In the shadow of modern-day Matthew\u2019s House stands a story of faith, justice, and miraculous survival that continues to captivate historians and theologians alike. This is the story of William Cragh<\/strong> (also known as William ap Rhys or “scabby William”), a young man hanged on the gallows of Swansea in 1290<\/strong>, who was later reported to have returned to life \u2014 a tale intimately tied to the graveyard and former chapel of St John\u2019s<\/strong>, now known as St Matthew\u2019s Church<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Background: Rebellion and Retribution<\/h3>\n

In 1287<\/strong>, a Welsh nobleman named Rhys ap Maredudd<\/strong>, lord of Dryslwyn Castle, launched a revolt against the English Crown’s authorities in Carmarthenshire<\/strong>. He crossed the River Loughor into the Lordship of Gower, where discontented locals, including the 20-year-old William Cragh from Llanrhidian<\/strong>, joined him. William was poor and landless, claiming his lands had been unjustly taken by the local Norman lord, William de Braose<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Cragh had a reputation as a vagabond and rogue. During the revolt, he took part in the burning of Oystermouth Castle<\/strong> and attacks in Swansea<\/strong>, where the castle was damaged and people killed. The rebellion was crushed by early 1288<\/strong>, but punishment followed in the years after.<\/p>\n

In autumn 1290<\/strong>, William Cragh and a fellow rebel, Trahaearn ap Hywel<\/strong>, were publicly executed<\/strong> on North Hill<\/strong>. The gallows, a simple timber structure of two forked uprights and a crossbar, had weathered Swansea\u2019s elements. Cragh was hanged first. When Trahaearn, a larger man, was lifted, the beam broke<\/strong>, causing both bodies to fall. They were presumed dead but were rehanged<\/strong> on the uprights.<\/p>\n

Lady Mary\u2019s Mercy and the Unexpected Return<\/h3>\n

Following the execution, Lady Mary de Braose<\/strong>, wife of William de Braose, pleaded for the body of William Cragh. Though often speculated to have romantic motives, there was no relationship; she spoke Norman French<\/strong> and was from eastern England, while Cragh was a Welsh-speaking local. Like many noblewomen of the time, she was known to support the poor and disempowered.<\/p>\n

Initially denied, she was eventually granted permission to retrieve Cragh\u2019s body. Trahaearn ap Hywel<\/strong> was buried near the gallows, but Cragh\u2019s body was transported, laid across a wooden wheel<\/strong>, first to St John\u2019s Chapel<\/strong> \u2014 on the site of today\u2019s St Matthew\u2019s Church<\/strong> \u2014 then to the home of Thomas Matthew<\/strong>, near St Mary\u2019s Church<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

There, prayers were said by Lady Mary and her household, specifically invoking Thomas de Cantilupe<\/strong>, a Bishop of Hereford whose sanctity was revered. To the shock of all present, Cragh began to move, breathe, and eventually speak<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The Canonisation Process and Witness Testimony<\/h3>\n

Cragh\u2019s recovery became part of the canonisation process for St Thomas de Cantilupe<\/strong>. In 1307<\/strong>, nearly 17 years after the event, the Vatican launched a formal inquiry. Evidence was taken from nine witnesses<\/strong>:<\/p>\n