THE NERQUIS HALL/ WHITE ROSE CYCLE CLUB PORTRAIT PRINCE CHARLES EDWARD STUART oil on canvas, within gilt frame, the profile bust within feigned oval, showing Prince Charles in armour with Order of the Garter Sash and Order of The Thistle pendant 24.5cm x 20cm Provenance: Nerquis Hall by descent Edward Williams (Cycle Club member from 1735) Robert Hyde (Cycle Club member from 1746) Reverend Maurice Wynne (Cycle Club member from 1815) By descent to Noel Lloyd Fletcher Wynne-Tringham, last Mr L Buckleyower of Nerquis Hall Gift to Mr Leonard W Buckley, 1963 Sold directly to current owner, 1997 Note: Nerquis Hall was built in 1637-38 on the order of John Wynn. A staunch Catholic family their support of the Stuart cause started from an early period. While a direct connection to the Wynn's of Nerquis Hall and Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn who started the Cycle Club have not been found, it seems highly likely there was a close family tie. Indeed, there are various members of the family who are recorded in the membership rolls of the White Rose Cycle Club. Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn was amongst the most prominent Jacobites south of the border and certainly the staunchest supporter in Wales. He is credited with setting up the Cycle Club, perhaps the most active and well known of the numerous Jacobite clubs/ societies. Founded on 19th June 1710, the anniversary of the Old Pretenders birthday, the club would continue for over 150 years. Termed the Cycle Club as the meetings were held alternately in members' houses and undoubtedly at Nerquis Hall, Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn's home, Wynnstay, seems to have been for general and anniversary meetings. The club's rules and regulations are well known and the burden to attend meetings was key, all members having to attend each three-weekly meeting or give written notice as to why not. The members presumably had to supply their own glasses, which would explain the various patterns, style and engravers noted to those examples still surviving. As with all clubs, these glasses would have been used for communal toast and songs. The Cycle Club are one of the few societies which can claim an active part in the uprising of the '45. They marched to meet Charles' army in England with men, money and supplies but by the time they reached Derby the Highland army was on retreat. In quick succession, they returned to Wales where the incriminating plans and papers were destroyed, although the club continued.