Chartist uprising
Owning such a vast estate came with its difficulties too, and in the 1830s, the Morgan family became the focus of the Chartist movement, a protest for increased political rights for the working classes.
The new owner of Tredegar House, Sir Charles Morgan, was the MP for Brecon and Monmouthshire at the time. In 1830, John Frost, one of the leaders of the Chartist movement, wrote a pamphlet entitled A Christmas Box for Sir Charles Morgan, which accused Charles of mistreating his tenants, and called for universal suffrage and a secret ballot.
The local favourite
The Morgan’s continued to have significant political influence throughout the years that followed, with many of Charles’ descendants following in his footsteps as Members of Parliament. His grandson, Godfrey, a conservative MP, inherited the House in 1875.
Godfrey is widely remembered for his kind heart. Not only did he give away parts of his land, including what is now Belle View Park and the Royal Gwent Hospital. He also widely reduced rent for his tenants and even let one widow live rent-free after the death of her husband.