said Justice had no jurisdiction in those patts and not being contented to get Timber there for building as well of Ruthlan as of other places but also destroyed the same Woods sold it and carried it into Ireland 4. Item Where the said David took certain Out-lawes and Rovers in the Woods and caused them to be hanged yet the said Justice accused David to the King for succouring and maintaining the Thieves aforesaid which was not like to be true seeing he caused them to be hanged 5. Item It is provided in the peace that all the Welshmen and their causes should be judged after the Lawes of Wales This was in no point observed with the said David and his people Of these aforesaid griefs the said David required often amends either according to the Laws and Customs of Wales or of special favour but he could never obtain any of them both at his hands Further the said David was warned in the Kings Court that as soon as Reginald Grey should come from the Court Good service ill requited the said David should be taken and spoiled of his Castle of Hope his Wood should be cut down and his Children taken for Pledges who seeing he had taken great pains and peril for the King in all his wars as well himself as his people both in England and Wales and had lost thereby the most part of the Nobility of his Countrey and yet nevertheless could obtain neither Justice Amends nor favour at his hands having such great wrongs offered unto him and fearing his own life and his Childrens or else perpetual prison being enforced as it were against his will began to defend himself and his people Griefs and Injuries offered by the King and his Officers to the men of Ros. 1. This is the Form of peace which the King of England did promise the men of Ros before they did him homage which he promised them to observe inviolably That is to say That the King should grant to every of them their Right and Jurisdiction as they had in time of King Henry according as the said men do report that they had in the time of King Henry 2. Item The Lord the King did promise the same men that they should have Justice in their Suites after granting of the which Articles the said men did homage unto the King And then the King promised them with his own mouth faithfully to observe the said Articles This notwithstanding a certain Nobleman passing by the Kings high way with his wife in the Kings peace met certain English Labourers and Masons going to Ruthlan where they did then work A notorious ouragious murther and iniustice committed against the Welsh who attempted by force to take away his wife from him and while he defended her as well as he could one of them killed his wife and he who killed her with his followers were taken and when the kindred of her who was slain required Law at the Justice of Chesters hands for their kinswoman they were put in prison and the murtherers delivered 3. Item A certain man killed a Gentleman who had killed the son of Grono ap Heilyn and was taken but when certain of the kindred required justice before the Justice of Chester certain of them were imprisoned and the Offender set at liberty and justice denied to the kindred A profitable Judge to himself but unjust to the oppressed 4. Item Certain Gentlemen claimed some lands and offered the King a great sum of money to have justice by the Verdict of good and lawful men of the Countrey then the lands being adjudged to the Claimers Reginald Grey took the same lands corn goods and all upon the ground so that they lost their lands money corn and cattel 5. Item It is our right That no stranger should cut our Woods without our leave yet this notwithstanding A hard case there was a Proclamation at Ruthlan That it should be lawful for all other men to cut down our Woods but to us it was forbidden 6. Item Where divers honest men had lands of the gift of the said David the Justice taketh the said mens lands away A slavery worse than Jewish 7. Item When any cometh to Ruthlan with Merchandize if he refuse whatsoever any Englishman offereth he is forthwith sent to the Castle to prison and the Buyer hath the things and the King hath the price then the Souldiers of the Castle first spoil and beat the party and then cause him to pay the Porter and let him go 8. Item If any Welshman buy any thing in Ruthland and any Englishman do meet him he will take it from him and give him less than he paid for it 9. Item The King contrary to his promise made to the men of Ros hath given the Territory of Maynan Penmayn and Lhysuayn 10. Item Certain Gentlemen of the Cantref of Ros bought certain Offices and paid their money for the same yet the Justice of Chester took the said Offices from them without cause 11. Item Grono ap Heilyn took to Farm of Godfrey Marliney the Territory of Maynan and Lhysuayn for the term of four years yet Robert de Cruquer with Horses and Armes and 24 Horsemen came to vex the said Grono so that he had no safe going neither to Ruthlan nor Chester without a great guard of his kindred and friends 12. Item Certain Gentlemen were arrested for trespasses done before the wars and imprisoned and could not be delivered until they had paid 16 Mark which was contrary to the peace concluded 13. Item Our causes ought to be decided after the custome of our Lawes but our men be compelled to swear against their Consciences else they be not suffered to swear Furthermore we spent 300 Marks in going to the King for justice in the aforesaid Articles Sr. Reginald Gâ—ey a cruel Tyrant over the Welsh And when we believed to recover full justice the King sent to our parties the Lord Reginald Grey to whom the King hath set all the land to farm to handle the men of the said Cantref as it pleaseth him who compelled us to * To swear by his hand whereas we should swear by the hand of the King swear in his name whereas we should swear in the Kings name and where the Kings Cross ought to be erected he caused his Cross to be erected in token that he is the very true Lord and the said Reginald at his first coming to those parts of Wales sold to certain servants of the King Offices for 60 Marks which the said servants bought before of the King for 24 Mark which Offices ought not to be sold at the choice of the Lord. 14. Item The King gave Meredyth ap Madoc a Captainship for his service Reginald Grey took it from him neither could he get any remedy at the Kings hand for the same 15. Item One of the Councel of the said Reginald Cynwric Vachan told us by mouth that as soon as the
people for County nor for gains do move war invading no mans lands but defending their own Lands Lawes and Liberties and that the King and his people of inveterated hatred and for covetuousnesse to get our Lands invading the same moved war We therefore see our defence is just and lawful and herein we trust God will help us and will turne his revenge upon destroyers of Churches who have rooted up and burned Churches and taken out both all sacraments and sacred things from them killing Priests Clerks Religious Lame Dumb Deaf Younglings Sucklings at their mothers paps Weak and Impotent both man and woman and committing all other enormities as partly it appeareth to your Holinesse Wherefore God forbid that your Holinesse should fulminate sentence against any but such as have done such things we who have suffered all those things at the Kings Officers hands do hope at your hands remedy and comfort and that you will punish such Church Robbers and killers who can defend themselves no wayes least their impunity be cause and example for others to do the like Very many in our Country do much marvel that you councelled us to leave our own land and to go to another mans Lands to live among our Enemies for seeing we cannot have peace in our own Land which is our own right much lesse should we be quiet in an other mans amongst our enemies and though it be hard to live in warr and peril harder it is to be utterly destroyed and brought to nothing especially for Christians seeking nothing else but to defend our own being by necessity driven thereunto and the greedy ambition of our enemies And your Holinesse told us that you had fulminated sentence against all that for hatred or gaines do hinder the peace and it appeareth evidently who do war for those causes the fear of death the fear of imprisonment the fear of perpetual prison the fear of disinheriting no keeping of promise Covenant Grant or Charter tyrannical Dominion and many more like compell us to be in war and this we shew to God and to your Lordship desiring your godly and charitable help Furthermore if any in England have offended the King as many do offend him yet none of them be dis-inherited so if any of us have offended the King let him be punished and make satisfaction as he may without exhereditating As we trust in you we pray you holy father to labour to this end if they lay to us that we break the peace it appeareth evidently that they and not we brake the same who never kept promise nor Covenant nor Order made any amends for Trespasses nor Remedy for our Complaints When the Archbishop could not conclude a peace he denounced the Prince and his Complices accursed then the King sent his army by sea to the Isle of Môn or Anglesey which they wan and slew such as resisted them for the chiefest men served the King as their oath was so they came over against Bangor where the arm of the sea called Mênath Spaniards Scots and Gescoynes Germans Normans and English all concurr against the Welsh Quantae molis erat Britannam perdere gentem Gramercy horse The Welsh rout their enemies which divideth the Isle from the main land is narrowest and the place called Moely Donn and there made a bridge of boats and planks over the water where before Julius Agricola did the like when he subdued the Isle to the Romans and not betwixt Man and Brittain as Polidore Virgil ignorantly affirmeth This bridge was accomplished so that threescore men might well passe over in a front VVilliam Latimer with a great number of the best Souldies and Lucas Thany Steward of Gascoine with his Gascoynes and Spaniards whereof a great number were come to serve the King passed over the bridge and there saw no appearance of enemies but as soon as the sea began to flow down came the VVelshmen from the hills and set upon them fiercely and either slew or chased them to the sea to drown themselves for the water was so high that they could not attain the bridge saving VVilliam Latimer alone whose horse carried him to the bridge and so he escaped There were slain and drowned at this time many worthy Souldiers and amongst others that famous Knight Sr. Lucas Thany Robert Clifford Sr. VVilliam Lindsey and two Gentlemen of good accompt that were brethren to Robert Burnel then Bishop of Bath There perished in all thirteen Knights Hol p. 791. Tho. Walsh p. 11. Chro. Dunst The K. of Eng. hard put to it by the valiant Welsh 17. young Gentlemen and to the number of 200 footmen which happened upon St. Leonards day Thomas Walsingham writeth that the King lost in this voyage a little before this 14 ensignes at which time the Lord William de Audley and the Lord Roger Clifford the younger and many other were slain and the King himself was driven to take the castle of Hope for his safeguard In the mean time was the E. of Glocester and Sr. Edmund Mortimer with an army in Southwales where were many that served the King and there sought with the Princes friends at Lhandeilo Vawr and gave them an overthrow wherein on the Kings side young William de Valence his cosen germane four Knights more were slain All this while the Prince destroyed the country of Caerdigan and all the lands of Rees ap Meredyth who served the King in all those wars But afterward the Prince separated himself from his army with a few and came to Buelht thinking to remain their quietly for a while and by chance as he came by the water Wy there were Edmund Mortimer and John Gifford with a great number of Soldiers and either party were abashed of other Edmund Mortimers men were of that Country for his father was Lord thereof Then the Prince departed from his men and went to the valley with his Esquire alone to talk with certain Lords of the Country who had promised to meet him there Then some of his men seeing the enemy come down from the hill kept the bridge called Pont Orewyn and defended the passage manfully till one declared to the Englishmen where a ford was a little below through the which they sent a number of their men with Helias VValwyn who suddainly fell upon them that defended the bridge in their backs and put them to flight The Princes Esquire told the Prince as he stood secretly expecting the comming of such as promised to meet him in a little grove that he heard a great noise cry at the bridge P. Lhewelyn slain with him the glory of Wales And the prince asked whether his men had taken the bridge and he said Yes then said the prince I passe not if all the power of England were upon the other side But suddainly behold the horsemen about the Grove and as he would have escaped unto his men they pursued him so hard that one Adam Francton ran him through with
they would send Letters and Ambassadors unto those barbarous people in their behalf They sent unto them three of the best and most honourable persons of the City all three of the house of the Fabians The Gauls received them very courteously because of the name of Rome and leaving to assault the City Brennus a Brittain King of the Gauls they gave them audience The Roman Ambassadors did ask them what injury the Clusians had done unto them that they came to make Wars with them Brennus King of the Gauls hearing this question smiled and answered them thus The Clusians do us wrong in this they being but few people together and not able to occupy much Land do notwithstanding possess much and will let us have no part with them that are strangers and out of our Country and stand in need of seat and habitation the like wrong was offered unto you Romans in old time by those of Alba by the Fidenates and Ardeates and the Volsci against whom ye have taken and do take Arms at all times and as oft as they will let you have no part of their goods ye imprison their persons rob and spoil their goods and destroy their Cities and in doing this you do them no wrong at all but follow the oldest Law that is in the world which ever leaveth unto the stronger that which the weaker cannot keep nor enjoy beginning with the gods and ending with beasts the which have this property in nature that the bigger and stronger have ever the advantage of the weaker and lesser therefore leave your pitty to see these Clusians besieged lest you teach us Gauls to take compassion also of those you have oppressed By this answer the Romans knew very well there was no way to make peace with King Brennus wherefore they entered into the City of Clusium and incouraged the Inhabitants to sally out with them upon these barbarous people either because they had a desire to prove the valiantness of the Gauls or else to shew their own manhood and valour so the Citizens went out and skirmished with them hard by the wals in which one of the Fabians called Quintus Fabius Ambustus being excellently well horsed and putting spurs to him did set upon a goodly big personage of the Gauls that had advanced himself far before all the Troop of his Companions he was not known at the first encounter as well for the sudden meeting and skirmishing together as for that his glistering armour dimmed the eyes of the enemies But after he had slain the Gaul and came to strip him Brennus then knew him and protested against him Brennus reproacheth Fabius for breaking the Law of Armes calling the Gods to witness how he had broken the Law of Arms that coming as an Ambassador he had taken upon him the form of an Enemy Hereupon Brennus forthwith left skirmishing and raising the Siege from Clusium marched with his Army to Rome gates And to the end that the Romans might know that the Gauls were not well pleased for the injury they had received to have an honest colour to begin war with the Romans he sent an Herald before to Rome to demand livery of the man that had offended him that he might punish him accordingly In the mean while he himself came marching after by small journeys to receive their answer The Senate hereupon assembled and many of the Senators blamed the rashness of the Fabians but most of all the Priests called the * Heralds very ancient Faeciales for they followed it very closely as a matter that concerned Religion and the honour of the Gods declaring how the Senate in discharge of all the residue of the City for the offence committed should lay the whole weight and burden of it upon him alone that only had done the Fact Numa Pompilius the wisest and most peaceable of all the Kings of Rome that had been was he that erected the Colledge of those * Heralds Faeciales and did ordain that they should be Keepers of Peace and Judges to hear and allow all the causes for the which they should justly begin any War Nevertheless the Senate in the end turned over the ordering of the whole matter to the Will and Judgement of the people before whom also the Faeciales or Heralds did accuse Fabius Ambustus The people made so little account of their propounded Religion and honour of the Gods in that case that instead of delivering this Fabius to the enemy they did choose him for one of the Tribunes of the Souldiers with his brothers The Gauls understanding this were so furious and angry thereat that they would no longer linger their journeys but marched with all speed to Rome The people that dwelt by the High-wayes where they should passe by were marvellously afraid to see the multitude of them and their brave and gallant Furniture beginning to doubt the fury of their rage they imagined that first of all they would destroy the Champion Countrey before them and afterwards would take the strong Cities They contrariwise did take nothing at all out of the Fields neither did any hurt or displeasure unto any body but passing by their Cities cryed out They went to Rome and would have no Wars but with the Romans and how otherwise they desired to be friends with all the world These barbarous people march on in this wise towards Rome the Tribunes of the Souldiers brought their Army to the Field to encounter them they were no lesse in number then the Gauls for they were 40000 Foot men howbeit most part of them were raw souldiers that had never served in the Wars before They were very carelesse of their Gods and dissolute in matters of Religion for they passed neither for good signes in their Sacrifices neither to ask councel of their Soothsayers which the Romans were religiously wont to doe before they gave any battel To make the matter worse the number of the Captains having Power and Authority alike did as much or more then the rest disorder and confound their doings for oft-times before in far lesse Matters and Dangers then these One Supreme better then Many they did use to choose special Officers that had sole and soveraign Authority which they called Dictators knowing very well of how great importance it is in dangerous times to have but one Head and General to command all to have supreme Authority of justice in his hands Monarchy and not to be bound to deliver account of his doings to any The injury also which they had too ungratefully done to Camillus brought great mischief then and inconvenience upon them for the Captains after him durst no more command the people roughly but ever after did flatter them much When their Armies were now brought into the Field they Encamped themselves by a little River called Allia about the eleventh stone from Rome and not far from the place where the same River falleth into Tiber thither came Brennus with his
Castle of Ridcors and other castles thereabouts seeing they could not have the upperhand of Howel ap Grono in open fight fell to their accustomed practice of treason and so obtained their purpose in this manner There was one Gwgan ap Meyric who had nursed a son to Howel ap Grono and therefore very well trusted and beloved of him as the Custome of Wales is An odious detestable treason This Traitour being corrupted by the Normans procured his Masters death inviting him one night to his house to make merry whether he came willingly Then Gwgan gave notice to the Garrisous of the Castles who in the dawning of the day entred the Town and coming about the house gave a great shout which awaked Howel who couragiously leaped out of his bed and sought his weapons but the Traitor Gwgan had conveyed them away when he was asleep Then he called for his men but they were all fled to save their lives and as he would have gotten away The Welshmen still overthrown by their own nation he was taken by Gwgan and his company and strangled which cut off his head and brought it to the Castle of Ridcors and this traiterous murder of the Kings Lieutenant was left unpunished for whatsoever fault the Normans committed was alwaies winked at and if the VVelshmen did never so little offend the Laws of the King it was thought a most heinous and unpardonable Crime which was the cause that afterward they rebelled against the King who sought nothing but their utter destruction About this time Meirick and Gruffith the sons of Trabern ap Caradoc Easie for an Enemy to overcome where the natives destroy one another were both slain by Owen ap Cadogan ap Blethyn and Meredith ap Blethyn brake the prison where he had been a long time and recovered again his own Inheritance which he enjoyed in peace and Tranquillity The year 1108. the Rage of the Sea did overflow and drown a great part of the Low-Countries of Flanders in such sort that the inhabitants were forced to seek new dwellings and places of abode who came to King Henry and desired him to give them some void place to remain in who being very liberal of that which was none of his own gave them the land of Ros in Dynet or VVestwales where Pembroke Tenby and Hanerford are now built and there they remain to this day as well may be perceived by their speech and conditions far differing from that of the Countrey At that time Gerald the Steward dyed who built again the Castle of Pembroke in a place called Congarth Vechan and brought thither all his householdstuff and other goods with his wife and children Then also Cadogan ap Blethyn made a great feast in Christmas Christmas observed in those dayes and invited all the Lords of his Countrey to his house in Dynet among whom came Owem his son who being at his Fathers house and hearing Nest the Wife of Gerald Steward of Pembroke praised above all the Weomen in the land he was inflamed with a desire to behold her And forasmuch as Gladis daughter of Rees ap Theodore or Tewdor and Mother to Nest was daughter to Rywalhon ap Convin and cozen Germane to Cadogan his Father he with a few under the colour of Friendship or cosenage went to see her and finding the truth to surmount the fame he came home wounded with Love and in that doting humour the same night returned thither again with a crew of wild companions or Hectors entred the castle privately and compassed the chamber about and set the house on fire which awaked Gerald and his wife who would have issued out to know the cause of the Noise but his wife fearing some Treason impeached him and advised him to go to the Prince where drawing up the board she helped him out that way which done she came to the Chamber door and said that there was no body but she and her children yet they forced in and sought round about but not finding him they seized on her and her two sons and a son and a daughter born by a Concubine to Gerald and carried them away to Powis and burning the Castle they spoyled all the Country When Cadogan understood this rumour he was much displeased fearing the Kings heavy displeasure and forthwith went to Powis and commanded his son to send to Gerald his Wife and Children with his goods but Owen by no means would depart with the Lady yet at her request he sent unto Gerald his Children again And when Richard Bishop of London The Welsh still made authors of their own ruine whom the King had appointed Warden of the Marshes being at Shrewsbury heard of this he was highly offended and sent for Ithel and Madoc the sons of Kyrid ap Blethyn to whom he promised rich gifts and great rewards besides the rule of the Country if they could take or kill Owen to revenge the dishonour that he had done to the King and to them he added Lhywarch the son of Traburne ap Caradoc whose two brethern Owen had slain and Vchtrid the son of Edwyn which four promised the Bishop to bring him Owen and his father either alive or dead and thereupon forthwith gathered their power to destroy the whole Country but Vchtryd sent word privately before that all such of the People as would have their lives saved should come to him And when the Country heard this some fled to Arustly some t◠Melienith and some to Stradtywy and some to Dynet where Gerald was destroying the Country And at that time Walter Bishop of Hereford gathered an army to defend Caermarthyn and met with such as fled to Arustly and Mehenyth and destroyed a great number of them Those that went to Stradtywy were gently received by Meredyth ap Rytherck and Vchtryd saved all such as came unto him and thus these four came with their powers to the Castle of Rydcors and thought best to have entered the Country by night for fear of Ambuscado and to take Cadogan and Owen unawares but Vchtryd disswaded them from that stratagem counselling them to enter by day with their men in good order In the mean time Cadogan and Owen got a ship at Aberystwyth which was lately come from Ireland and escaped away so that the day after when they entered the Land they found none of those whom they sought for laying all the fault upon Vchtryd therefore they burned and plundered all the Country except the Sanctuaries of Padam and Lhandhewi Breni yet they took divers men out of those places and carried them away Prisoners and thus returned to their Castles again Owen with such as had been with him at the rape of the Lady and firing the Castle fled for Ireland to King Murcard who received him with great expressions of joy for he had been there before in time of the war of the two Earles in Anglesey or Môn and had brought the King rich gifts from Wales but
the Altars We hope that your Fatherhood and the said Court of Rome will rather with pity lament our case than with rigor of punishment augment our sorrow Neither shall the Kingdom of England be in any wise disquieted or troubled by our means as is affirmed so that we may have the peace duely kept and observed towards us and our people Who they be that are delighted with blood-shed and war is manifestly apparent by their deeds and behaviour for we would live quietly upon our own if we might be suffered but the Englishmen coming to our Countrey did put all to the sword neither sparing sex age or sickness or any thing regarding Churches or sacred Places the like whereof the Welshmen never committed That one having paid his ransom was afterwards slain we are right sorry to hear of it neither do we maintain the offender who escaping our hands keepeth himself as an Out-law in the Woods and unknown places That some began the war in a time not meet or convenient that understood not we of till now and yet they who did the same do affirm that in case they had not done as they did at that time they had been slain or taken prisoners being not in safety in their own houses and forced continually for safeguard of their lives to keep themselves in Armour and therefore to deliver themselves from that fear they took that enterprise in hand Concerning those things which we commit against God with the assistance of his grace A true Christian resolution in Lhewelyn we will as it becometh Christians repent and turn unto him neither shall the war on our part be continued so that we be saved harmless and may live as we ought but before we be disinherited or slain we must defend our selves as well as we may Of all injuries and wrongs done by us we are most willing and ready upon the due examination and trial of the trespasses and wrong committed on both sides to make satisfaction to the utmost of our power so that the like on the Kings side be performed in like manner towards us and our people and to conclude and establish a peace we are most ready But what peace can be established when as the Kings Charter so solemnly confirmed is not kept and performed Our people are daily oppressed with new exactions We send unto you also a note in writing of the wrongs injuries which are done unto us contrary to that Form of the peace before made we have put our selves in Armour being driven thereunto by necessity for we and our people were so oppressed trodden under foot spoiled and brought to slavery by the Kings Officers contrary to the Form of peace concluded against justice none otherwise then if we were Saracens or Jewes whereof we have oftentimes complained unto the King and never could get any Redress but alwayes those Officers were afterwards more fierce and cruel against us and when those Officers through their ravine and extortion were enriched other more hungry than they were sent afresh to flea those whom the other had shorn before so that the people wished rather to dye than to live in such oppression And now it shall not be needful to leavy any Army to war upon us or move the Prelates of the Church against us so that the peace may be observed duely and truly as before is expressed Neither ought your holy fatherhood to give credit to all that our adversaries do alleadge against us for even as in their deeds they have and do oppress us so in their words they will not stick to slaunder us laying to our charge what liketh them best Therefore forasmuch as they are alwayes present with you and we absent from you they oppressing we oppressed we are to desire you even for his sake from whom nothing is hid not to credit mens words but to examine their deeds Thus we bid your Holiness farewell Dated at Garth Celyn in the Feast of Saint Martin Certain Griefs sent from Lhewelyn to the Archbishop translated word by word out of the Records of the said Archbishop Where that it is contained in the Form of Peace concluded as followeth 1. If the said Lhewelyn will claim any right in any lands occupied by any other then by the Lord the King without the said 4 Cantress the said Lord the King shall do him full justice according to the Laws and Customs of those quarters or parts where the said lands do lye Which Article was not observed in the lands of Frustly and betwixt the waters of Dyni and Dulas for that when the said Lhewelyn claimed the said lands before the Lord the King at Ruthlan and the King granted him the cause to be examined according to the Laws and Customs of Wales and the Advocates of the parties were brought in and the Judges which vulgarly they called Ynnayd before the King to judge of the said lands according to the Lawes of Wales and the Defendant appeared and answered so that the same day the cause ought to have been fully determined according to the appointment of our Lord the King who at his being at Glocester had assigned the parties the said day and though the same cause was in divers places often heard and examined before the Justice and the lands were in North Wales and never judged but by the Laws of Wales neither was it lawful for the King but according to the Laws of Wales to prorogue the cause All that notwithstanding he prorogued the day of his own motion contrary to the said Laws and at the last the said Lhewelyn was called to divers places whither he ought not to have been called neither could he obtain justice nor any judgement unless it were according to the Laws of England contrary to the said Article of peace and the same was done at Montgomery when the parties were present in judgement and a day appointed to hear the Sentence they prorogued the said day contrary to the aforesaid Laws and at the last the King himself at London denied him justice unless he would be judged according to the English Laws in the said matter 2. All Injuries Trespasses and Faults on either part done be clearly remitted unto this present day This Article was not kept for that as soon as the Lord Reginald Grey was made Justice he moved divers and innumerable accusations against the men of Tegengl and Ros for trespasses done in the time of King Henry when they bare rule in those parts whereby the said men dare not for fear keep their own houses 3. Whereas it was agreed That Rees Vachan ap Rees ap Maelgon shall enjoy his possessions with all the land which he now holdeth c. After the peace concluded he was spoiled of his lands in Geneurglyn which he then held with the men and cattel of the same 4. Also our Lord the King granteth That all Tenants holding lands in the 4 Cantrefs or in other places which the King holdeth in
all sorts of false Religion Superstition Idolatry Heresy and Schisme and such sins as do belong thereto The second is all sort of Injustice as Rapine Immoderate exactions Oppression of the poor effusion of innocent blood and calumniation or slander and such like for the which God punisheth Kingdoms and States at the Holy Ghost signifyeth in Ecclesiasticus saying Regnum de gente in gentem transferetur c. A kingdome is transferred from Nation to Nation for injustice injuries calumniations or slanders and divers deceits The third kind consisteth of Licentiousness Drunkenness and dissolutness of life and manners This Drunken King left after him three Sons Fulgenius Eldad and Androgeos who successively Reigned in this Kingdome FVLGENIVS FVLGENIVS the Eldest Son of Chirimus was Crowned King of Great Brittain but enjoyed his Kingdome only two years ELDRED or ELDREDVS ELDRED the second Son of Chirimus and brother to Fulgenius was Crowned King but enjoyed that honour but one year ANDROGEOS ANDROGEOS the third Son of Chirimus and brother to the two precedent Kings was Crowned but lived only one year after VRIANVS URIANVS the Son of Androgeos wholly gave himself to lust and the sin of the flesh homo saith Comes P. voluptati deditus more pecudum he was King only three years lust hath been the overthrow of many Countries and cause of much blood shed had not Paris seen Helena in the Isle of Cythera in the Temple of Venus whether this Lady out of curiosity to behold the Trojans under pretence of performing some vowes was come and Paris hearing of her presence and beauty entered into the Temple in all Princely bravery as they mutually beheld each other they became so enamoured with the scorching flames of unlawful love or rather lust that presently being now linked together in equal desires and haud caret effectu quod voluere duo they embark together which lustful act caused not onely a ten years siege but also the utter destruction and subvesion of Troy Hereunto I may add another notable example of the overthrow of the Lacedemonians and the losse of the Empire of Greece by the just judgement of God as both Diodorus Siculus and others affirm the story is this Two Lacedemonians passing over the plain of Leuctra were lodged and courteously entertained in the house of one Scadasus who had two handsome Women to his daughters and returning that way shortly after and finding the two young Women at home and their Father absent first ravisht one after kill'd them both their father at his return finding his daughters slain and understanding who had been the doers of it went to Lacedemon to crave justice against the Malefactors but so potent were they and their friends there that he could by no means obtain it whereupon after infinite maledictions poured forth in the sorrow of his heart against them and their state he went home and desperately kil'd himself upon the grave of his Daughters Not long after Wars growing between the Thebans and the Lacedemonians the soul of Scadasus appeared to Pelopidas one of the chief Captaines of the Thebans and encouraged him to give battel to the Lacedemonians in the plain of Leuctra where he and his daughters were buried telling him that their death should be there revenged and so afterwards it fell out for the Lacedemonians lost not only the battel but also the Empire of Greece we will omit the burning of Sodome and Gomorah for the sin of lust and also the rape which those of the town of Gabaa committed upon the wife of a Levit for which percussit eos Dominus in conspectu filiorum Israel who killed of them 25100 men that bore Armes But come a little nearer to our times concerning the punishment of the sins of the flesh we have a notable and fearful example thereof in the Kingdom of Spain conquered by the Moors and possessed by them 700 years for that offence For when the Kingdome had flourished as well in religion as power from the time of K. Recared the first Catholick King thereof the space of 120 years the wicked King Vitiza being a man like this our Vrianus given over to lust and carnality infected and corrupted all Spain not only with the bad example of his own dissolute life having divers Wives at once besides many Concubines but also with abominable Laws whereby he gave leave to all sorts of men to have as many Wives Concubines as they listed yea and forced Priests and such as would have lived chast to marry by which means all Spain became within a while to be no better then a common Stew or Brothel And although Almighty God according to his accustomed mercy expected their conversion and amendment all the time of that Kings Reign and laid onely the penalty thereof upon him whom he deprived both of his Crown and his eye-sight by the means of Roderick who succeedeed him in the Kingdome yet when the said Roderick followed his steps as well in his vicious life as in the maintenance of his abominable Laws it pleased God of his justice to permit him to give the occasion both of his own ruine and also of the overthrow of all Spain by the sin of the flesh wherewith the whole Kingdome was as it were overflowed For whereas King Roderick had sent a Kinsman of his own Count Julian Embassador into Affrick and in the mean time ravished his Daughter or as some write his wife the Count understanding it at his return was so incensed therewith against the King that in revenge thereof he practised with the Moores to bring them into Spain who with his assistance conquered it speedily and with such destruction of the people that the punishment of God was evidently seen therein For having first overthrown King Roderick whose body could never after the Battail be found they subdued almost all Spain in eight Months or in fourteen as some say and slew 700000 of all sorts of people besides great numbers of Captives which they sent Prisoners into Barbary and from that time forward remained in the possession of that Kingdome or of some part thereof for the space of 700 years ELIVD ELIVD Reigned five years he was a great Astronomer Astrologiae peritissimus Rex This vain study especially of judicial Astrology in these our dayes is much in request even amongst Troopers disbanded some of whom I know so ignorant that they cannot write true English nay scarce read The Professors of this Science especially such as would seem to be learned would make it very ancient fetching the Original from the Egyptians and Babylonians the most ancient of all Mortals Jactabant olim Astrologi Chaldaeos quadringinta septuaginta annorum millia in periclitandis experiendisque pueris quicunque nascerentur posuisse To have spent forty and seventy thousand years and yet the Chaldeans had their beginning at the destruction of the Tower of Babel And Picus Mirandulanus in his second Chapter of his 12. Book to
with his Countrymen by working their subversion to his own dishonour and advantage of a Forraign enemy His Father Imanentius having been sometime chief Ruler of the City of Trinobantes and well esteemed among them was slain by Cassibelin the present Governour against whom the Citizens desired Caesar to protect Mandubratius and to commit unto him the Government of that City which Caesar granted upon delivery of a certain number of Pledges and a sufficient proportion of Victuals for provision of his Army Hereupon divers petty states thereabout sent Embassadors and yielded themselves to Caesar who understood by them that Cassibelina his Town being well stored with Men and Cattle was not far from thence this Town was only a circuit of ground inclosed with wood and marshes or else entrenched with a Ranger of Earth about it Caesar coming with his Legion to this place which he found very strong as being fortifyed Naturally and also by the industry of man began to assail it on both sides The Brittains having expected a while the event of the enterprise and perceiving themselves unable to withstand the assault issued out at a back way where many of them being slain and some taken as they fled the Town it self and all the provisions within it were left as a spoil to the Romans while these things were doing among the Trinobants Cassabelin dispatched messengers into Kent or Cantium that lyes upon the Sea The Inhabitants of these parts were better furnished to make War then any other of the Isle the Country at that time was Governed by four Kings as Caesar himself calleth them either for that they had among them a kind of absolute Government in several or else for that being the Register of his own Acts he supposed it would be more for his glory to be reputed a Conqueror of Kings their names were Cingetorix Carvilius Taximugulus and Segonax whom Cassibelin then required to raise all the power they could make and on the sudden to assail the Roman Forces that Guarded their ships at the Sea side This was attempted accordingly but with ill successe for that the Romans having timely advertisement of their purpose prevented the execution thereof by setting upon them as they drew near the Roman Army and so after a great slaughter made of the Brittains Cingetorix a Noble Captain and one of the Princes being taking prisoner the Romans returned safe to their Camp Cassibelin hearing of the unhappy issue of his enterprize after so many losses sustained on his part his Country being wasted with War and himself in a manner forsaken by the revolt of the Cities round about which most of all discâ—uraged him sent Embassadors to Caesar by Comius of Arras offering to submit himself upon reasonable conditions Caesar determining to winter in Gallia the state of his affairs there requiring it and the summer being almost spent commanded that he should deliver certain pledges for assurance of his obedience and that he should offer no wrong nor give cause of offence to Mandubratius or the Troynobants whom he had taken into special protection and then having imposed a Tribute to be paid yearly by the Brittains to the people of Rome he marched towards the sea side where he embarked his Forces and arrived with them safely in the Continent Thus Caesar having rather shewed some part of Brittain to the Romans then made a Conquest of the whole supposed he had done sufficiently for his own glory in undertaking a matter so rare and difficult in those Times At his coming to Rome he presented there certain Captives which he had taken in the Brittish Wars whose strangenesse of shape and behaviour filled the peoples eyes both with wonder and delight He offered also in the Temple of Venus Genetrix a Surcote embroidered with Brittish Pearl as a Trophy and spoil of the Ocean leaving to posterity a perpetual remembrance of his Enterprize in this Iland to the honour both of his own Name and of the Roman Nation After the death of Julius Caesar by reason of the civil Wars among the Romans the Isle of Brittain was for a time neglected and Augustus Caesar being setled in the Empire which was then grown to such greatness as it seemed even cumbred therewith accounted it good policy to contain the same within it known bounds Besides the attempt was like to prove dangerous and a matter of very great expence to send an Army so far off to make War with the Brittish Nation for desire of glory only no special cause besides moving thereto Howbeit as some Writers Report above Twenty years after Julius Caesar's first Entrance Augustus intended a Voyage hither in person alledging for pretence of the War the wrong offered to the Roman State by such Princes of the Isle as had for certaine years witheld the Tribute which Caesar his Praedecessor had imposed upon them intelligence whereof being got the Brittains sent over Embassadours who meeting the Emperour in a The Countrey between the Rivers Garony and Seinin France Gallia Celtica declared their submission and desired pardon And the better to win favour they had carried over certain gifts of good value to be presented as offerings in the Roman Capitol having already learned the Art to flatter for Advantage and to appease Princes by rewards Hereupon a conditional peace was granted them and the Emperour having pacifyed some troubles in Gallia returned to Rome then began the Ilanders to pay Tribute and Custome of all kind of Wares which they exchanged with the Gaules as namely Ivory boxes Iron chaines and other trinkets of Amber and Glasse which were Transported Too and Fro both out of Gallia and Brittain The year following the Brittains having failed in performance of Conditions he prepared for another expedition but being set forward on his Voyage the revolt of the b The Biscayans Cantabrians and c The Inhabitants between Gallicia and Portugal Assyrians stayed him from proceeding any further therein after which time the Brittains were left to themselves to enjoy their Liberty and use their own Laws without molestation of forraign Invaders for that the Romans having found the sweetnesse of peace after long civil Wars sought rather to keep in obedience such Provinces as had been before time brought under subjection then by attempting new Conquests to hazard the losse of that they had already gotten In those dayes the Countrey of the Troynobants in Brittain was Governed by Conobelin who kept his residence at a Malden in Essex Camalodunum he began first to reclaim the Brittains from their ill customes and to make his state more respected he afterwards caused his own Image to be stamped on his Coyne after the manner of the Romans a custome never used by the Brittains before his dayes and but then newly received by the Romans themselves for before that time the Brittains used Rings of Iron and little plates of Brasse of a certaine weight instead of Coyne During the time of his Government
Brute entered Brittain eleven hundred and thirty six After Alexander the Great near upon a eleven hundred and twenty five After the building of Rome seven hundred and twenty nine GVIDERIVS GVIDERIVS the first Son of Kimbeline was advanced to the Legal command of the Brittains who were under his Fathers subjection he was invested in the year of the world 5216. Anno Dom. 170. This King was potent and abounded in Treasure which indeed are the sinews of War and was alwaies a Prince of Haughty courage and where wealth and courage meet almost miracles may be wrought if the cause be good and guided by a celestial providence but self-Love Pride and Arrogancy often bringeth confusion Guiderius bolstered up with these supporters denies the covenanted Tribute to the Romans which if thus confirmed by Authors Expletis diebus vitae suae cessit gubernaculum Regni Guiderio Mr. Bro. fol. 23. 8. cum ergo Tributum quod appetebant Romani ipsis denegaret supervenit Claudius qui in Imperium subrogatus fuerat When Kimbeline was dead Guiderius succeeeded in the Kingdome therefore when he denied the Tribute the Roman Claudius came hither being then Emperor Mr. Br. 335. And I have read in a very good Author That in Claudius the Roman Emperors time he with his Romans brought the Orchades and after them Anglesey under the Roman subjection though this Act be commonly ascribed to Julius Agricola Fabian confirms my Authors Assertion saying Wherefore Claudius who was Uncle to Caius Caligula the Fourth Emperor of Rome arrived in Brittain with a great Army and not only as writeth Polychronican constrained the Inhabitants to pay the Tribute but also subjected to the Roman yoke the Iles of Orchades or Orkeys which are scituate beyond Scotland and at the end of six Months returned to his Imperial City In this Army as tells us the English Chronicle and Gaufride was a Captain called Hame or Hamo who to compasse his purpose against the Ilanders changed his Armour and Shield arming himself like a Brittain and in this Disguise did extreme Damage unto his Enemies and still pressing forward at length came to the very place where King Guiderius was fighting and by this unexpected Stratagem and Policy slew him which his Brother Arviragus perceiving used the like policy immediately investing himself in Princely Array that the Fall of the King was not perceived and thus personating a Soveraign in his Regal Ensignes he encouraged the Brittains and by his own Example Courage and Valour so animated them that they did Feats beyond belief insomuch that they put the Romans to flight Thus was Guiderius by the opinion of several Authors slain by Hamo after he had reigned the space of twenty eight years leaving his Brother Arviragus by reason that he had no Issue of his own to succeed him ARVIRAGVS ARviragus the youngest Son of Kimbeline and brothor to Guiderius was Crowned King of Great Brittain in the year of Christs Incarnation forty and four The English Chronicle calls him Armiger he was a Prince of a high Spirit and skilful in warlike Affairs maintaining with great resolution and prosperous successe his Wars against the invading Romans neither suffered he the death of his Brother to passe unrevenged For with his own hands he slew Hamo the Murderer of Guiderius near a Port or Haven which by reason of that Fact was called Hamons Haven and now with some alteration South-Hampton a Town populous rich and beautiful from which the whole Shire deriveth her Name most strongly walled with square stone containing in Circuit one thousand and two hundred Paces having seven Gates for entrance and twenty nine Towers for Defence two very stately Keyes for Ships arrivage and five fair Churches for God's divine Service besides an Hospital called God's House wherein the unfortunate Richard Earl of Cambridge beheaded for Treason lyeth inter'd On the West of this Town is mounted a beautiful Castle in form Circular and wall within wall the Foundation upon a hill so topped that it cannot be ascended but by stairs carrying a goodly prospect both by Land and Sea and in the East without the Walls a goodly Church sometimes stood called St Maries which was pulled down for that it gave the French direction of Course who with fire had greatly endangered the Town instead thereof is newly Erected a small and unfinisht Chappel In this place saith Learned Cambden stood the ancient Clausentium a Fort of the Romans whose Circuit on that side extended it self to the Sea this suffered many depredations by the Saxon Pirates and in Anno 980. was by the Danes almost quite overthrown In K. Ed. 3. time it was fired by the French under the conduct of the King of Sicills Son whom a Countryman encountred and struck down with his Club he crying Rancon that is Ransome but he neither understanding his Language nor the Law that arms doth allow laid on more soundly I know thee a Francon and therefore thou shalt die And in Richard the Seconds time it was somewhat removed and built in the place where now it is In this Clausentium Canute to evict his Flatterers made tryal of his Deity commanding the Seas to keep back from his Feet but being not obeyed acknowledged God to be the only supreme Governour and in a religious Devotion gave up his Crown to the rood at Winchester Earls of this Southampton have been 1067. 1 Bevis of Hampton that famous Souldier so much talked of Azure 3 Lyons passant gardant Or. 2 William Fitz-Williams Losenge arg and Gules 3 Thomas Wricthesley L. Ch. created E. by Ed. 6. and King at Arms. 4 Henry Wricthesley 5 Henry Wricthesley 6 Thomas Wricthesley 1641. Azure a Cross Or 4 fulcons closed argent Policr l. 4. c. 8. cited by Fabian fol. 41. After divers changes and alterations in War and Peace an Agreement was concluded between Claudius the Roman Emperor and Arviragus insomuch that the Emperor sent to Rome for his Daughter Genniss or Gennissa and espoused her to the Brittish King who had by her his Son and Heir Marius his Successor in the Kingdome This King Reigned in Brittain when St. Joseph came hither Mr. Bro. f. 22. who gave to him and his Followers a place of Residence in lateribus suae Regionis in the outside of K. Arviragus his Countrey in Regionis suae finibus saith the first Protestant Archbishop of Canterbury in the very end of his Dominion Math. Parker A late Writer speaking of King Arviragus saith Quidam Historici testantur ipse omnium Regum Brittannorum primus Joes Pitseus Rel. Hist in Arvirago Fidem Christi cum Sacramentis Christianis Christianus factus suscepit Some Historians witness that of all Brittish Kings he was the first that being made a Christian received the Faith of Christ with the Christian Sacraments Another thus plainly writeth of St. Joseph He converted to the Christian Faith Marius and Coillus Son and Nephew to Arviragus and John Harding is
now much worse then before the Saxons arrival that strangers under the colour of friendship robbed them of their goods and bereaved them of their lands that the secret practises of such as they trusted were no lesse to be feared then open Hostility and that if speedy order were not taken to expell them they would in short time root out the ancient Brittains and make themselves Lords of the whole Island But Vorteger whose affection to his wife and her Kindred weighed down all other respects whatsoever neglected their complaints till by his own experience he was taught what dangerous inconveniences proceed from wilful rashnesse and mis-government For the Brittains disdaining to be any longer commanded by such a Prince Vortiger despised by his own Subjects as had neither power to command his own affections nor care to provide for the safety of his Subjects declared him uncapable and by a general consent deprived him of all Regall Authority Vortimer Vortimer the Son of Vortiger a Man in disposition of mind much like his Father was declared King and renewed the war with the Saxons whom he encountered in a pitcht field near Alisford in Kent In that conflict Catigern his Brother and Horsa the Brother of Hengist fighting hand to hand were both slain whereby though the Saxons perished in greater number then the Brittains yet by the loss of the Generals on both sides the fortune of the Battail seemed in a manner to be equal On the part of the Brittains there died no man of name save only Catigern in remembrance of whose death there was afterwards a Sepulchre of stone erected where the battail was fought the like monument was also built by the Saxons for Horsa their Captain though time hath now defaced it howbeit the memory of the place it self if credit may be given to the inhabitants there iscontinued amongst them even to this day by a small village in East Kent yet bearing his name After this the Brittains made divers attempts upon their Enemies sometimes winning sometimes loosing and then recovering again that which they had lost when Vortimer the King ended his dayes either by a natural death or by the treachery of Rowen his Stepmother He was a Prince of great courage adorned with many morall vertues and as some writers have reported a favourer and professor of Christian religion Vortiger restored Now was Vortiger either by an hope that adversity had wrought upon him a reformation of mind Brittish Hist part second fol. 191. or else for fear least any civil discord should arise by the election of an other revoked with common consent of the Brittains and restored to his former Estate During his Sons reign as Histories report he lived a private life near Radnor in Wales where he bestowed much cost in building a Castle for defence as he vainly imagined against any suddain assault In the mean time the strength of the Saxons encreased by new supplies which came daily out of Germany and the Brittains doubted their own Estates so much the more by reason that the Picts and Scottish Men their ancient Enemies were dispersed in most parts of the Isle The Saxons also for their own advantage entering often times into secret conferences and mutual leagues with them But Hengist supposing that he could not with safety enjoy the possession of that Territory which Vortiger had assigned unto him so long as the chief and most valiant of the Brittish Nation remained alive The treachery of the Saxons devised by a cunning practice under pretence of hospitality and friendship to draw them together into one place and on the suddain to supprise them To this end he prepared a solemne banquet at which the King with divers noble personages as bidden guests were present suspecting nothing less then what was intended against them For the Brittains being warm with good cheer and wine whereof they had drunk immeasurably were scoft at by the Saxons Drunkenness the ruine of the Brittains the one provoking the other so far with reproachfull terms that in the end they fell from words to blowes in such furious manner as the Brittains being about 300 in number all un armed and surcharged with wine were slain in the place and Vortiger their King taken prisoner who soon after delivering for his ransome the whole Country of Kent with other Provinces thereto belonging and adjoyning into the Saxons hands fled to his Castle in Wales where supposing himself free from danger he continued his vitious and prophane manner of living till in the end both himself and his Castle as some writers affirm was by lighting from Heaven consumed to ashes Thus Vortiger the last King of the Brittish blood a Prince in manners dissolute and weak in actions was by strangers dispossessed of his Kingdom living to see the ruine of his Country whereof himself was the principal cause and dying in the end a strange and unnatural death which is commonly the issue of a disordered and infamous life The report goeth that this fatal meeting was held upon Salisbury-plains where not many years after Aurelius Ambrosius caused that strange building of stone now call'd Stone-hedge to be erected as a perpetual monument of so many worthy Brittains slain and buried there concerning which sundry conjectures have been made as being either framed according to mens particular conceits or grounded upon common reports received by tradition But by what means so ever they came thither they are accounted at this day one of the miracles of England in regard both of the stones themselves which are of a huge bigness as also of their position and order whereby they seem in a manner to be supported with their own weight in hanging one by an other considering withall that there are no stones for building to be found within many miles of that place Now were the Brittains driven from place to place some flying to the mountains others hiding themselves in Caves under ground where they either perished for want of food or coming abroad to seek for relief were cruelly murdered their Enemies in the mean time ranging up and down without resistance rafing their houses The wofull condition of the Brittains polluting the Altars in their Temples with the blood of their Priests burning the Temples themselves and committing all manner of sacriledge and outrage without regard of place or person For the Saxons as by little and little they planted themselves in the most wealthy and fruitfull parts of the Isle so they endeavoured to supplant the true Christian religion whereof they professed themselves open Enemies as men meerly addicted to heathenish superstition in worshipping divers Gods and Goddesses among whom the Images of Thor Woden Frea and Eoster were placed in their Temples as their chief Patrons they painted Thor with a Scepter in his hand after the same manner that the Poets used to describe the Image of Jupiter and him they reverenced as the commander and disposer of thunder and lightning
their memory with some worthy monument caused these stones to be set up in the place of their murther and burial the which stones had been first brought from Affrick into Ireland and had been placed on Mount Killare and from thence by the industrious means of Merlin were conveyed to this place to the foresaid end There are about this place certain little hills or banks under which are found sometimes bones of big men and pieces of armour also not far from thence remain old ruines of the manner of a fortress which the Romans most likely did build there in times past Such was the devotion of this time as we may gather by old Writers testifying that after the Pagan Saxons had destroyed the Churches and Abbeys in Brittain yet many still remained Will. Lamb. Peram of Kent p. 330. Mr. Broug fol. 601. Mat. West an 490. Idem an 498. Galf. Mon. hist Brit. l. 7. c. 16 and their Abbats were honoured and Will. Lamb. perambulation in Kent tells us In ancient time even the greatest personages held Monks and Nuns in such veneration and liking that they thought no Citty in case to flourish no house to have long continuance no castles sufficiently defenced where was not an Abbey Priory or Nunnery either placed within the walls or planted at hand or near adjoyning and numbred among our Nobles spiritual Lords before the temporal So it was in that great solemnity when Aurelius Ambrosius kept the feast of Penticost at Amesbury he had there many Bishops Abbots and many other Noble persons And after Brittain was more decayed by those Pagans yet there were still both Bishops and Abbats here and they buried the body of their King Aurelius Ambrosius in regall manner thus it was in all places and Provinces in this Kingdom where these Pagans reigned most London Winchester Lincolne York and other parts where they destroyed Churches and all holy monuments Mat. West an 462. martyred the Priests at the Altars burnt holy Scriptures defaced and obscured Martyrs tombs They found every where Religious persons who flying their persecution hid themselves in caves woody places and desart crags of hills and mountains Alla and his three sons Kymon Plineing and Cissa came into Brittain with three ships and landed with them in a place called Kimon shore Howe 's Brit. Saxon. fol. 53. and there slew many of the Brittains forcing the rest to take their flight into a wood called Andredsleage This Alla fighting with the Brittains in a place neer unto Macreds Boorn or Micreds Rilear slew many of them and put the rest to flight Alla and Cissa his sons after long seige brake into the Citty of Andredcester and slew the inhabitants Andredcester from the greatest to the smallest Port and his two sons Byda and Moegla arrived in Brittain with two ships in a place called Portesmouth Portsmouth and there slew a young Gentleman one of the Nobility of the Brittains and divers others The same year two Dukes to wit Cerdic and Kenric his son came into Brittain with five ships and arrived in a place called Cerdic shore the same day they fought with the Brittains and put them to flight Howes ut sup Cerdic and his son Kenrie slew Natanland King of the Brittains and 5000 men of whose name that countrey as far as Cerdicsford was called by the name of Natanleend I beseech Mr. Howe 's to give me leave to tell him that Port could not land at Portsmorth nor Cerdic at Cerdicshore being names at their arrivall utterly unknown and questionlesse had other Brittish names these nomenclations seemed to be taken from Port and Cerdic and therefore the Authour should better have given their first appellations Ambrosius Aurelianus or Aurelius being poysoned dyed when he had reigned thirty five years and was buryed at Stone-hedge then called Chorsa Gigantum It is strange to me that a Prince so much a Christian and a restaurator and repairer of Churches Monasteries and sacred places consecrated for the Sepulture of devout Christians and that both Bishops and Abbots should be present at the funerals and obsequies of so deserving a King and not afford him a Sepulcher in a Church he having repaired and re-edified so many Vter Pendragan After that Aurelius Ambrosius was dead his brother Vter Pendragon whom Harrison calleth Aurelius Vterîus Ambrosianus was made King in the year of our Lord 500. The cause why he was sirnamed Pendragon was for that Merlin the great Prophet likened him to a Dragons head that at the time of his nativity marveilously appeared in the Firmament Hollenshed Hist of Engl. fol. 127. Howes Stow Brittains and Saxons fol. 53 at the corner of a blazing star as is reported Others suppose that he was so called of his wisdome and serpentine subtilty or for that he gave the Dragons head for his arms This Vter hearing that the Saxons with their Captains Octa or Occa the Son of Hengist and his brother Osca had besieged the Citty of York hasted thither and giving them battail put them to flight and took Osca and Occa prisoners Hector Boetius in his Chronicle is of an other opinion for he saith Vter Pendragon at the death of his brother Aurelius was in Wales as not yet fully recovered of a dangerous sicknesse wherewith lately he had been extreemly molested yet the Lords of Brittain after the funerall of their last King came unto him and set the Diadem upon his head and though he was not able to go against the Saxons who by reason of Aurelius his death were very busy and more earnest in pursuing the war then before and army was yet prepared and sent forth with all convenient speed under the leading of one Nathaliod a man neither of ancient extraction nor skill in military affairs The Noble men were nothing pleased herewith and misliking altogether the lack of discretion in their new King they doubted much least in time to come he would have more delight to advance men of base lineage and degree then such as were descended of noble parentage yet because they would not put the state of the Land in danger through any mutiny they agreed to go forth with him in that journey Occa had advertisement given him by secreet letters sent to him by some close friends among the Brittains of the whole matter and therefore in hope of the better successe he made all possible speed to encounter the Brittains and thus the one army coming in fight of the other they prepare to the battail and shortly after the first onset the Brittains retreated and turned their backs by reason that one of their chiefest Commanders called Gothlois disdaining to be under Nathaliod got him up to the top of the next hill with such as were under his power and charge leaving the other Brittains in eminent danger which they perceiving began also to save themselves by flight There dyed no great number of the natives for Occa mistrusting what Gothlois
bodies Josephus l. 1. antiq saith that Angels begat those Gyants Tertullian also lib. de hab itu muiebri holdeth the same errour and divers more otherwise good Authours But St. Cylril of Alexandria l. 1. c 9. adv Juli. St. Chrisost hom 22. in Gen. St. Ambrose de Noe a rca c. 4. St. Aug. l. 15. c. 23 de civit St. Hierome Tradit Hebraic and other most principal Doctours teach it to be untrue yea impossible that those Giants should have been begotten by any other creatures then men For that Angels and Devils are meer spirits without all Natural bodies And if they had airy bodies as they have not yet they could not have such generation for the power or force to engender belongeth to the vegitative soul whose proper operations are to turne nutriment into substance of the subject wherein it is and to engender new issue or offspring from the same as Aristotle sheweth l. 2. de anima textu 24. And in what body soever there is a vegitative soul it must needs be that the same was engendered and must sometime decay and die and so the devills should be mortall Moreover if they could have generation together with mankind then such issue should be a distinct species both from man and Divell as a mule differeth both from Horse and Asse and again if spirits had abused women in assumpted bodies and shapes of men yet they did not take them to wives as the Scripture saith they did who begat these giants Finally the holy Scripture expresly calleth the giants men These be the mighty ones famous men The modesty of Scripture terming them famous whom our common phrase would call infamous being more monstrous in wickedness of mind then in hugenesse of body For they were most insolent lascivious covetous cruel and in all kind of vices most impious And if Arthur had not been revoked home to resist his Cozen Mordred that was son to Loth King of Pictland that rebelled in his Country he had passed to Rome intending to make himself Emperour and afterwards to vanquish the other Emperour that then ruled the Empire but for so much as there is not any approved Authour doth speak of any such thing we will let it alone At his returne into Brittain he found that Mordred had caused himself to be made King and having allyed himself with Childrick a Saxon not him whom Gaufride as ye have heard supposeth to have been slain before was ready to have resisted his landing so that before he could come to shore he lost many of his men but yet at length he repulsed his enemies but not without great losse of his own men and at length landed at Sandwich and then joyned in battail with his enemies in this conflict was slain Gawin a noble Chieftain whose death he much lamented who was brother to Mordred who like a faithful Gentleman regarding more his honour and loyal truth then neernesse of blood chose rather to fight in the quarrel of his lawful King and loving master then to take part with his natural brother in an unjust cause and so there in that battail was slain together also with Auguisal to whom Arthur formerly had committed the government of Scotland Mordred fled from this battail and getting ships sailed Westward and finally landed in Cornwall King Arthur caused the corps of Gawin to be interred at Dover as some hold opinion but William of Malmsbury supposeth that he was buryed in Wales as after shall be shewed The dead body of Anguisall was conveyed into Scotland and there buryed After that Arthur had put his enemies to flight he had intelligence into what part Mordred was withdrawn with all speed he reenforced his army with new recruits called out of several places and with his whole puissance hasted forward not resting till he came neer to the place were Mordred was encamped with such an Army as he could assemble together from his friends and adherents Here as apeareth by John Leyland in his book entituled The assertion of Arthur it may be doubted in what place Mordred was encamped but Jeffry of Monmoth sheweth that after Arthur had discomfited Mordred in Kent at the first landing it chanced so that Mordred escaped and fled to Winchester whether Arthur followed and there giving him battail the second time did also put him to flight and following him from thence fought him after at a place called Camblan or Kemelene in Cornewall or as some Authours have it neer Glastenborough This battail was fought with such prowess and eagernesse on both sides that in conclusion Mordred was their slain with the most part of his whole army And Arthur receiving divers mortal wounds died of the same shortly after when he had reigned over the Brittains by the terme of twenty six years His Corps was buryed at Glastenbury in the Church yard betwixt two Pillars where it was found in the dayes of K. Henry the Second about the year of our Lord 1191. which was in the last year of the reign of the same K. Henry more then six of hundred years after the burial thereof He was laid sixteen foot deep under ground for doubt that his enemies the Saxons should have found him But those that digged into the ground there to find his body after they had entered about seven foot deep into the earth found a mighty broad stone with a leaden Crosse fastened to that part which lay downwards towards the Corps containing this inscription Hic jacet sepultus Inclitus Rex Arthurius in Insula Avelonia This inscription was graven on that side of the Crosse which was next to the stone so that till the Crosse was taken off it was not seen His body was found not inclosed within a Tomb of Marble or other stone curiously wrought but within a great tree made hallow like a trunk the which being found and digged up was opened and therein were found the Kings bones of such marveilous bigness that the shin bone of his leg being set on the ground reached up to the middle thigh of a right tall man as a Monk of that Abbey hath written Hapsfield exâ—b Alisto Aug. fol. 39. and Nic. Hapsfield saith the same in manner viz. Os tibiae procerissimam tum hominis tibiam adtrium digitorum longitudinem superaret the length of the shin bone exceeded in length the shin bone of the tallest man then living three fingers in length which lived in those dayes and saw it but Giraldus Cambressis which also lived in those dayes and spake with the Abbot of the place by whom the bones of Arthur were then found affirmeth that by the report of the same Abbot he learned that the shin bone of the said Arthur being set up by the leg of a very tall man the which the Abbat shewed to the said Giraldus came above the knee of the same man the length of three fingers breadth which is much more likely then the other The skull of his head was also of a
envying his prosperitie made war against him but he valiantly vanquished them with their Picts and Scots and at his pleasure appointed them a Governour named Anguisel whom the French Author of the book of the Knights of the round table printed at Lyons 1590. Le Roy Aquisant d' Escosse and sail H. portoit d' argent a un lyon de guenles The armes of Anguisel arme de sable un cordelire a l' entour he fought 12. battails against the Saxons and alwayes bare away the victory These battails saith Nennius were fought in these places following The first battail was fought in the mouth of the Well Gleyne or Gledy The Second Third Fourth and Fifth nigh unto the River Douglasie in the county of Lineux The sixt on the River Bassus The seventh in the wood Calidon or Coile Calidon The eighth beside the castle called Guinien The ninth at Caerleon in Wales The tenth by the Sea-side in a place called Trachenrith or Rithorwood The elventh upon a hill named Agule Cathegonien The twelfth at the hill or tower of Bath then named Bathenhill where many were slain by the force of Arthur for he alone saith Will. Malmes having the Image of our Lady sowed upon his armour set upon 900. of his Enemies and with an incredible slaughter put them to flight But now concerning this Bath before mentioned it is to be noted that Bath in Somerset-Shire standeth low compassed about with hills whereby it is evident that either it is removed from that place where it stood in Nennius his time or else the place which he called Mons Badonicus was not the town it self as Reyland and others conjecture but some other high place near which is not unlikely for at this day within a mile of it is a town called Bannardowne which is so called either corruptly for Bathendowne or else in memory of the banners displayed there Bannardowne as seemes to me both upon the sight of the place and report of such as have gathered caps full of mens teeth in following the plough there to be the same that Nennius or Bede meaneth though Polydore mistakes it for Blanchmere Thus much of Badon Hill now King Arthur having abated the rage of the Saxons Howe 's fol. 55. Arthurs round table he constituted the Order of the round table into which order he only entertained such of his Nobility as were most renowned for vertue and chevalry This round table he kept in severall places especially at Caerleon in Monmoth-Shire Winchester and Camilet in Somersetshire Camilet Castle one of the places of the round table This Camilet sometimes a famous Town or Castle standeth at the South end of the Church of South Gadburie The same is situate on a very high hill wonderfully strengthened by nature to the which be two enterings up by very steep wayes by North one and the other by South-VVest The very root of the hill whereon this fortress stood is more then a mile in compass In the upper part of the top of the hill above all the trenches The discription of Camilet as now is Magna Arca or Campus of twenty acres or more where in divers places men may see foundations or Rudera of walls there was much duskie blue stone that people of the village there by have carried away This Camilet within the upper wall being more then twenty Acres hath often been ploughed and born very good corn much gold silver and Copper of Roman coyne hath been found there in ploughing and likewise in the fields about the roots of the hill with many other Antick things especially by East Such another place is at Caerleon triple-trenched now called the lodge in the Park There was found in memory of Men a horse-shoe of silver at Camilet The coat of Lord of Earl Hungerford the people can tell nothing there but that they have heard say that Arthur much resorted to Camilet The old Lord Hungerford was owner of this Camilet who bore for his Coat of armes G. and V. indented per pale a cheveron Or since the right honourable the Lord Hastings Earl of Huntington from which family my wife is descended by her Grandmother Daughter to the Earl of Huntington and wife to the Earle of Worcester Elizabeth married to Edward Somerset Father and Mother to Henry Earl of Wigorne whose fourth Daughter Frances was married to William Morgan of Lantarna Esquire who left issue Sir Edward Morgan Baronet Henry Morgan and Winefred wife to Percy Enderby Gentleman Author of this book There is to be seen in Denbighshire in the parish of Lansanan in the side of a stone hill a place encompassed wherein be twenty four seats for men to sit in some less and some larger cut out of the main Rock by mans hands where children and young men coming to seek their cattel use to fit and play They commonly call it Arthurs round table The Order and Institution of the round table About the year of Christ 490. there reigned in England then called Brittain Sir William Segar King at armes a King named Arthur whose valour was so great and admirable that many men now living do hold the same rather fabulous then credible yet who so shall consider enterprises of later times atchieved by private persons may be easily induced to think that a great part of the praise written of that mighty Monarch may seasonably receive belief but omitting to speak of his prowess perhaps by others already over largely discoursed I say that this most famous King having expulsed out of England the Saxons conquered Norwey King Arthur crowned in Paris Scotland and the most part of France and was crowned in the City of Paris from whence returnd he erected a certain association a brotherhood of Knights who vowed to observe these articles following The Articles of the round table 1. First that every Knight should be well armed and furnished to undertake any enterprise wherein he was employed by Sea or Land on horse-back or a foot 2. That he should be ever prest to assail all tyrants or oppressours of the people 3. That he should protect widdowes and maids restore Children to their right repossess such persons as were without just cause exiled and with all his force maintain the Christian faith 4. That he should be a Champion for the weal publick and as a Lyon repulse the Enemies of his Country 5. That he should advance the reputation of honour and suppress all vice releive people afflicted by adverse fortune give aid to the holy Church and protect Pilgrims 6. That he should bury Souldiers that wanted Sepulture deliver prisoners ransome Captives and cure men hurt in service of their Country 7. That he should in all honourable actions adventure his person yet with respect to justice and truth and in all enterprises proceed sincerely never failing to use his uttermost force of body and labour of mind 8. That after the attaining of any enterprise he should cause
Brittain was imprisoned and Edwal Voel the Son of Anarawd and Elise his Brother were slain in a battel which they fought against the Danes and Englishmen This Edwal had six sons Meiric Janaf or Jenan Jago which is James Conan Edwal Vachan and Roderick after whose death Howel Dha his Cosin German ruled all VVales during his life Elise also had Issue Conan and a Daughter named Trawst which was Mother to Conan ap Sitsylht Gruffith ap Sitsylht and Blethin ap Covyn which two last were afterwards Princes of VVales Howel Dha This Howel Dha King or Prince of Southwales and of Powis long before this time after the death of Edwal Voel his cosin took upon him the rule and government of all VVales about the year of Christ 940. who notwithstanding the sons of Edwal did something murmur against him was for his godly behaviour discreet and just rule beloved of men This Howel constituted and made Laws to be kept through his Dominions which were used in Wales till such time as the Inhabitants received the laws of England in the time of King Edward the First and in some places thereof long after These laws are to be seen at this day both in VVelsh and Latine Howel Dha perceiving the laws and customes of his country to have grown unto great abuse sent for the Arch-Bishop of Menenia and all the other Bishops and chief of the Clergy A pious example for all Princes to the number of one hundred and forty Prelates and all the Barons and Nobles of VVales and caused six men of the wisest and best esteemed in every Comote to be called before him whom he commanded to meet altogether at his house called Y Tuy Gwyn Taf that is The white house upon the River Taf. Thither he came himself and there remained with those his Nobles Prelates and Subjects all the Lent in prayer and fasting craving the Assistance and direction of Gods holy Spirit that he might reform the Laws and Customes of the Country of VVales to the honour of God and quiet government of the people About the end of Lent he chose out of that company twelve men of the wisest gravest and of the greatest experience to whom he added one Clerk or Doctour of the lawes named Blegored a singular learned and perfect wise man These had in charge to examine the old lawes and customes of Wales and to gather of such as were meet for the government of the Country which they did retaining those that were wholesome and profitable expounding those that were doubtful and ambiguous and abrogating those that were superfluous and hurtful and so ordained three sorts of Laws The first for ordering of the King or Princes Houshold and his Court. The second of the affairs of the Country and Common-wealth The third of the special customes belonging to particular places and persons Of all the which being read allowed and proclamed he caused three severall books to be written one for his dayly use to follow his Court an other to lye in his Palace at Abersfrew and the third at Dinevour that all the three Provinces of Wales might have the use of the same when need required The King and Princes of Brittain much observant of the See Apostolike And for the better observation of these lawes he procured of the Archbishop of St. Davids to denounce sentence of excommunication against such of his Subjects as refused to obey the same whithin a while after Howel because he would omit nothing that could bring countenance and authority to his said laws went to Rome taking with him the Archbishop of St. Davids the Bishop of Bangor and Asaph and thirteen other of the learnedst and wisest men in VVales where the said lavves being recited before the Pope vvere by his authority confirmed then having finished his devoted pilgrimage he returned home again vvith his company 1. By these lawes they might not morgage their lands but to one of the same family or kindred which were de eadem Parentela 2. Every tenant holding of any other then his Prince or Lord of the Fee paid a fine pro defensione Regia which was called Arian Ardhel in Latine Advocarii 3. No Legacy of goods by Will was good otherwise then those which were given to the Church to the Lord of the Fee or for payment of debts 4. Every man might destrain as well for debts as for rent of Lands any goods or Cattel saving horses which were counted to serve for a mans necessary defence and were not destrainable without the Princes licence 5. Causes of Inheritance were not heard or determined but from the ninth of November till the ninth of February or from the ninth of May until the ninth of August the rest of the year was counted a time of vacation for sowing in the spring and reaping in the harvest This also is to be observed that all matters of inheritance of Land were determined and adjudged by the King or Prince in person or his special Deputy if he were sick or impotent and that upon the view of the said Land calling unto him the Freeholders of the same place two Elders of his Councel the Chief Justice attending alwaies in the Court the ordinary Judge of the Country where the Land lay and the Priest The manner of their proceeding was thus the King or Prince sat in his Judicial seat higher then the rest with an Elder on his right hand and an other on his left and the Freeholders on both sides next unto them which for this cause as I think were called Vchelwyr Before him directly a certain distance off and a little lower sat the Chief Justice having the Priest on his right hand and the ordinary Judg of that Countrey on the left The court being set the Plaintiff came in with his Advocate Champion and Rhyngyth and stood on the right side and last of all the Witnesses on both parties came which stood directly before the Chief Justice at the lower end of the Hall untill they were called up to testify the truth of their knowledge in the matter in varitance The figure of which I thought good here to lay down as ye see Vnderneath Uchelwyr An Elder The King An Elder Uchelwyr The Priest THE Chief Justice The Judge The Defendant  The Plaintiff Rhyngyth  Rhyngyth Advocate  Advocate Champion The VVitnesses Champion After the hearing of this book read the depositions of the witnesses and full pleading of the cause in open Court upon warning given by the Rhyngyth the chief Justice the Priest and the Ordinary Judge withdrew themselves for a while to consult of the matter and then secundum Allegata probata brought their verdict the Court sitting Whereupon the King or Prince after consultation had with the Elders or Seniors which sat by him gave definitive sentence except the matter was so obscure and intricate that right and truth appeared not in the which case it was tryed by the two Champions and so
the cause ended This shall be sufficient for this time Some Authors write that Lhewelin ap Sitsylht who was after Prince of Wales assisted Edmund a Saxon King and entered Cumberland taking the two sons of Dummaille King of the Province put out their eyes and then gave that Country to Malcolme to be holden of him with condition to keep the North part of the Realm from incursion of enemies the which condition was afterwards but slenderly peformed This Malcome was the son of Donald King of Scotland and was the next King after Constantine the third being in number the 76. In the year 942. died Hubert Bishop of St. Davids and the year following Marclois Bishop of Bangor and Vssa the son of Lhavyr died the year 944. the Englishmen entered Wales with a stronge army and spoyled Strad Clwid and returned home At which time Conan the son of Elise was put in danger of death by poyson and Everus Bishop of St. Davids died In the year 948 died Howel Dha the noble and worthy King or Prince of Wales whose death was much lamented by all men for he was a Prince that loved peace and good order and that feared God he left behind him four sons Owen Run Roderike and Edwin betwixt whom and the sons of Edwal there ensued great wars for the chief rule of Wales as shall appear in the history following After the death of Howel Dha his sons did divide Southwales and Powis betwixt them And Janaf and Jago the second and third sons of Edwal Voel ruled North VVales because their elder brother Meyric was not a man worthy to rule who coming of the elder house would have had the chief rule of all Wales which the sons of Howel Dha denyed them And thereupon Jago or James and Janaf entred Southwales with a great power against whom came Owen the son of Howel and his brethren and fought together at the hills of Carno where Jago and Janaf had the victory And the year following the said brethren did twice enter into Southwales and spoyled Dinet and slew Dwnwalhon Lord thereof And within a while after dyed Roderike one of the sons of Howel Dha year 952 In the year 952. the sons of Howel gathered their strength together against Janaf and Jago and entred their land at the river of Conwy where they fought a cruel battail at a place called Gurgustu or Lhanrwst as some think where a great number were slain upon either side as Anarawd the son of Gwyriad or Vriel the son of Roderike the great and Edwin the son of Howel Dha in the which battail were overthrown the sons of Howel whom Janaf Jago pursued to Caerdigan destroyed their Country vvith fire svvord About this time Yarthyr the son of Mervyn vvas drovvned In the year 958 was a wonderful hot summer when Gwyan the son of Gwiriad the son of Roderike dyed After the which heat there followed a great plague in March ensuing In those dayes Jago and Janaf by force and strength ruled all Wales as they thought good And yet for all their power Abloic King of Ireland landed in Môn and having burnt Holyhead spoyled the country of Lhyyn year 961 In the year 961 the sons of Edwin the son of Colhoyn were slain after they had destroyed all the country to Towyn About this time Meyric the son of Cadvan Rytherch Bishop of St. Davids and Cadwalhon ap Owen departed out of this transitory life Not long after the country of Northwales was exceedingly spoyled by the army of Edgar King of England The cause of this was the not payment of the tribute that the King of Abersfraw by the lawes of Howel Dha was to pay to the Kings of London in the end there was a peace concluded Jo. Cast Holl. pag. 232. Wolves destroyed by the Prince of W. for King Edgar understanding what hurt the Countrys of England and Wales received daily by reason of the great multitude of Wolves that then abounded especially in Wales which destroyed much sheep and otherwayes did great harme released the tribute of money appointed by the said lawes of Howel Dha and bound the Princes of Northwales to pay him yearly certain Wolves for his tribute so to be released of the other tribute in mony which the said Prince performed untill he had left never a Wolf in all Wales or England year 966 In the year 966. Roderike the son of Edwal Voel was slain by the Irishmen by whom Abersfraw was destroyed The next year after fell a great debate betwixt the two sons of Edwal Jago and Janaf which had ruled joyntly together from the death of Howel Dha till that time and shortly after Jago having taken his brother Janaf by force very cruelly kept him in prison a long time about the which time Eneon the son of Owen Prince of Southwales wan seised to himself the land of Gwyr And in the year â—69 Machis the son of Haroald with an army of Danes did enter into Anglesey and â—poyled 〈◊〉 year 969 Theâ—â— â—â—â—nes were suffered by Edgar to inhabit quietly through all England till they â—â—re as strong as the Englishmen and then they fell to such ryotousness and drinking that â—â—ch mischief ensued thereof A law against immoderate drinking whereupon Edgar made a law that every man should drink by measure and caused a certain mark to be set in every pot how deep they should drink and so by these means he somewhat stayed the immoderate ingurgation Not long after that Godfryd the son of Haroald did subdue to himself the whole Isle of Anglesey which he enâ—oyed not long year 972 King Edgar likewise in the year 972 did send a great army to Gaâ—â—â—â—on upon Vsk which shortly turned back without doing any notable act Caerleon upon Vsk The next year following Howel the son of Janaf raised a great power against his Uncle Jago for the deliverance of his father out of prison and overcame his Uncle in fight whom he chased out of the land and took his eldest Unckle Meyric the son of Edwal and put out both his eyes and kept him in prison where he dyed shortly after leaving behind him two sons Edwal and Jonaval of the which Edwal came afterwards the most worthy Princes of Wales Howel notwithstanding he had set his father at liberty yet took upon himself the whole rule of the land for his lifetime He had three brethren all men of great estimation Meyrich Janaf and Cadwallon whose lines shall ensue hereafter Howel Son of Janaf After that Howel the son of Janaf had expelled his Uncle from the land Dunwalhon goes to Rome he took the rule to himself And at that time Dwnwalhon Prince of Strad Cwlyd took his journey to Rome Then dyed Edwalhon the son of Owen year 976 The year 976 Eneon the son of Owen King of Southwales destroyed the land of Gwyr the second time the year ensuing Howel the son of Janaf with a great army both of Welshmen
and Englishmen made war against such as succoured and defended his Uncle Jago and spoyled the Countries of Lhyyn and Kelynnoc Vawr whereby shortly after Jago was taken by Howels men who enjoyed his part of the land peaceably year 979 About the year 979. Edwal Vachan the son of Edwal Voel was slain by his Nephew Howel At this time Custenym Dhu that is Constantine the black son to Jago which then was prisoner hired Godfryd the son of Haroald with his Danes against his Cosin and they both together destroyed Anglesey and Lhyyn whereupon Howel gathered his army together and setting upon them at a place called Gwath Hirbarth overthrew them where Constantine was slain year 981 The year 981. Godfryd the son of Haroald gathered a great army and entred West Wales where spoyling all the Land of Dynet with the Church of St. Davids he fought the battail of Lhanwanoc Likewise in the year next ensuing Duke Alfred with an army of Englishmen spoyled and destroyed Brechnock and great part of the lands of Owen Prince of Southwales against whom Eneon the son of the said Owen and Howel King of Northwales did raise all their power and overthrow them in battail where the greatest part of Alfreds army was slain and the rest put to flight The year following the Gentlemen of Gwentland rebelled against their Prince and cruelly slew Eneon the soâ— of Owen which came thither to appease them This Eneon was a worthy and noble Gentleman who did many notable acts in his fathers time and left behind two sons Edwin and Theodor or Tewdor Mawr of whom came afterwards the Kings and Princes of Southwales In the year 984. Howel the son of Janaf King of Wales entered England with an army where he was fought and slain valiantly fighting This Howel had no son but his brethren reigned in his place Cadwallon the Son of Janaf After the death of Howel his Brother Cadwallon the second Son of Janaf took in hand the government of Northwales and first made War with Jonaval his Cofin the Son of Meyric and right heir to the Land and slew him but Edwal the youngest Brother escaped away secretly The year following Meredyth the Son of Owen King or Prince of Southwales with all his People entred into Northwales and in fight slew Cadwallon the son of Janaf and Meyric his Brother and conquered the land to himself wherein a man may see how God punished the wrong which Jago and Janaf the Sons of Edwal Voel did to their eldest brother Meyrick who was first disinherited and afterwards his eys put out and one of his Sons slain for first Janaf was imprisoned by Jago then Jago with his Son Constantine by Howel the Son of Ianaf and afterward the said Howel with his brethren Cadwallon and Meyric were slain and spoiled of their Lands Meredyth the Son of ap Howel Dha year 986 This Meredyth ap Owen havingslain Cadwallon obtained the Rule and government of Northwales in the year 986. Godfrid the Son of Haroald the third time entring the isle of Anglesey where having taken Lywarck the Son of Owen with two thousand prisoners besides he cruelly put out his eys whereupon Meredyth the Prince with the rest escaped and fled to Cardigan and the same year there was a great murrain of cattel throughout all Wales year 987 In the year 987. dyed Ianaf the Son of Edwal who had lived many years a private life The same year also dyed Owen the son of Howel Dha prince of Southwales This Owen had three Sons Eneon which dyed in his Fathers life time Lhywarck which lost both his eyes and Meredyth which as â—â—fore is declared had won Northwales and after his Fathers death took also into his possession all Southwales having no respect to his Brother Eneon his Sons Edwin and Theodor or Tewdor About the same time the Danes sailed from Hampton alongst the Sea coast The Tribute of the black Army spoiled Devonshire and Cornwall and so at last landed in Southwales and destroyed Saint Davids Lanbadarn Lhanrystid and Lhandydock which were all places of Religion and did so much hurt in the country besides that to be rid of them Meredyth was fain to agree with them and to give them a penny for every man within his land which was called the Tribute of the black Army year 989 The year 989. Owen the son of Dyfnwal was slain within a year after Meredith King of Wales destroyed the Town of Radnor at which time his Nephew Edwin the son of Encon having to his aid Duke Adelf and a great army of Englishmen and Danes spoiled all the land of Meredith in Southwales as Caerdigan Dynet Gwyr Kydwch and Saint Davids where Edwin took pledges of the chief men of those Countries In the mean time this Meredith with his people did spoil Glamorgan so that no place was free from Sword and fire but at the last Meredith and Edwin fell to an agreement and were made Friends Soon after Cadwalhon the son of Meredith dyed Meredith being thus imployed had so much to do in Southwales that Northwales lay open for the enemy which thing when the Danes perceived they arrived in Anglisey and destroyed the whole Isle Matth. West pag. 383. Jâ—a Castor 992. whereupon the Inhabitants of that country received Edwal the son of Meyric the right heir of Northwales for their Prince in the year 992. After these great troubles there followed within a year after such famine and scarcity in Southwales that many perished for want of food Edwal ap Meyric the son of Meredith This Edwal being in possession of the principality of Northwales studied to keep and defend his people from injuries and wrongs But Meredith gathered together all his power intending to recover again Northwales with whom Edwal met at Lhagwm and overthrew him in plain battel where Theodor or Tewdor Manor Meredith his Nephew was slain who left behinde him two Sons Rees and Rytherck and a Daughter called Elen. A little after this Swain the son of Haroald destroyed the Isle of Man and entring into Northwales slew Edwal the prince thereof who left behinde him a son called Jago In the year of Christ 998. the Danes came again to Saint Davids destroying all before them and there they slew Morgency or rather Vrgency Bishop of that See the same year also dyed Meredith the son of Owen King or Prince of Wales leaving behinde him one only Daughter called Angharad which was married to Lewellin ap Sitsylht and after his death to Convyn Hirdref or as other do think to Convyn ap Gwerystan who had children by either of them which was the cause of much war and mischief in Wales as shall appear hereafter Aedan the Son of Blegored The death of both these Princes forsomuch as Meredith had no Issue male and Edwal left behinde him a childe within years not able to take the charge of a Common-wealth did cause much trouble to ensue for in Northwales divers did aspire
entered perforce and put many to the Sword and taking the rest razed the Castle to the ground which Victory did so please the Prince that he forgat his doleful accents and solitary retirement and fell to his accustomed pastimes About this time Cadelh Meredyth and Rees the sons of Gruffith ap Rees ap Theodore did conduct their forces against the Castle of Gwys which after they perceived they could not win they sent for Howel the son of Owen Prince of North-VVales to their aid who for his prowess and valour in the field and his discretion in consultation was esteemed the flower of Chivalry whose presence was thought also onely sufficient to overcome any Fortress He being desirous to purchase honour gathered his men and came to these Lords before the Castle of Gwys Granados not yet in request whom they received with general acclamations and great expressions of joy When he had viewed the place he caused Engines to be made to batter the Walls with force of men and others to cast great stones to their enemies The strong Castle of Gwyl taken by the Brittains thereby to disquiet the Garrison which preparations when they within beheld their hearts failed and forthwith they yielded the Fort which done Howell returned home with great honour Shortly after there fell a great dissension betwixt Howell and Conan Prince Owens sons and Cadwalader their Uncle whereupon they rallied their Forces and entred the Countrey of Merloneth which caused the people to fly to Sanctuary for security of their lives These two young Lords made Proclamation that no man should hurt such as would submit themselves whereupon the people which had fled returned to their houses without any dammage or hurt Thus they brought by fair means all the Countrey under their wished subjection and led their Army unto the Castle of Cynvael which Cadwalader had built and fortified wherein was the Abbot of Tuygwyn or Whitehouse to whom the Lord had committed the defence of the Castle A Crosier fitter for an Abbot than a Corslet Howell and Conan summoned the Fort with great threatnings but they within defied them whereupon Howell and Conan promised the Abbot Meruni great rewards to let them have the house But he like a faithful servant whom neither terrible menaces nor gilded promises could move to betray a trust continued faithful and denied them entrance chusing rather to dye with honour than to live with shame with which answer the young Lords were greatly offended that a Priest should stay their prosperous proceedings and thereupon gave an assault to the Castle so terrible that after they had beaten down the Walls they entred by force and slew and wounded all in the Garrison saving the Abbot who escaped privately by means of friends which he had in Howells Army In the year 1147. died Bohthred Bishop of Landaff Mr. Godwyn called him Vthryd and saith he had a daughter before he was Bishop married to Jorwerth ap Owen ap Caradoc Lord of Carleon upon Vsk a great and mighty man in those parts Godwin in Landaff fol. 426. but he affirmeth that he died 1141. Powell saith whom Nicholas ap Gurgant succeeded but Godwyn tells us that H. Jorwerth was his successor who died Anno 1153. In the year 1148. died Barnard Bishop of Davids or Menevia of this Barnard thus writeth Godwyn Barnard a Norman Chaplain unto K. Hen. I. and Chauncellour unto his Queen was consecrated by the Archbishop of Canterbury July the 12. 1115. Godwin Cat. Episco in Landaff fol. 418. not chosen by the Clergy of Wales as hitherto hath been accustomed but forced upon them by the King who had then newly conquered Wales This man being in great favour with the King and presuming upon the goodness of his cause began to take upon him the title of Archbishop and caused his Cross sometime in Wales to be carried before him After long sute and much money spent in this cause betwixt him and the Archbishop of Canterbury Barnard had prevailed at the last as Giraldus Camb. seemeth to perswade had not two suborned Witnesses deposed a flat untruth in the presence of the Pope Giraldus doubteth not confidently to pronounce that the power and wealth of the Archb. of Cant. hath out-born the poor Bishop of St. David in this matter without all right This Bishop saith Giraldus was a man in some other respect praise-worthy but unreasonable proud and ambitious as most of the English-men were in those times who were thrust into Bishopricks again he was a very ill husband to his Church alienating divers lands and letting others for the tenth penny of that his predecessors had made of them so thinking to make a way by gratifying of Courtiers unto some better Bishopricks in England he was deceived of his expectation having been Bishop of St. Davids about 33 years he died 1148. Of this old Menevia in succeeding times called St. David you may read before in this History but I think it not amiss to set down the Succession of that See having now fit opportunity according to Godwin Godwin fol. 413. in St. David The British Histories do all report that in this Island at the first planting of Christian Religion here there were established 28. Episcopal Sees Of these 28. three were Archbishopricks London York and Carlegion or Caerleon upon Vsh in Monmothshire At Caerleon which was then a great and populous City in the time of King Arthur sate Dubritius the son of Eurdila a Gentle-woman of great birth but who was her father it was never known He was a man of excellent learning and singular integrity in regard whereof when first he had taken great pains many years as well in teaching and reading unto his Schollars whereof he had a great number as in preaching unto the people he was appointed first Bishop of Landaff and having stayed there no long time was made Archbishop of all Wales by Germanus and Lupus two Bishops of France that were entreated by Aurelius Ambrosius King of Brittain to come over and yield their best help for the extinguishing of the Palagian heresie that had taken great root in this Countrey Aurelius Ambrosius being dead he crowned Vther Pendragon and afterwards that great Arthur King of this Iland and waxing old he resigned his Bishoprick unto David a Disciple of his he died and was buried in the I le of Enlhi now called Bardsey where he led a solitary life many years October 14. Ann. 612. his bones were after removed to Landaff by Vrbanus Bishop there May 7. 1120. 1. St. David David before named was Unkle unto K. Arthur and son of Xanthus a Prince of VVales begotten upon one Melearta a man very learned eloquent and of incredible austerity of life and conversation he was also very tall of stature and of a comely personage by his diligence Palagianisme was quite rooted out and many earnest professors of the same converted unto the Truth with the consent of K. Arthur he removed
Semy 17 VVilliam Herbert 18 VVilliam Herbert Party per pale B. and G. 3 Lyons Ramp Arg. 19. Edward Prince of VVales son of K. Edw. IV. Quarterly France and England a Label Arg. 20 Anne Bullen Marchioness of Pemb. wife to Hen. 8. Arg. a Cheveren G. between 3 Bulls heads coupe Sable 21 VVilliam Herber created Earle by Edw. 6. 22 Henry Herbert 23 VVilliam Herbert Lord Steward and Chancellour of Oxford 24 Philip Herbert Earle of Pembroke and Montgomery 25 Philip Herbert now living Quarterly Band G 3 Lions Ramp Arg. a border Gotone of the second and Or besants this border is now laid aside Lex Talionis This Earle hearing that Lhewelin had taken his Castles and put his men to the sword returned from Ireland with all speed and recovering his forts used the same courtesy towards Lhewelins men as he had shewed to his and then entring further into the Princes Country destroyed all before him as he went Mat. Paâ—is 423 who saith that the Earl had the victory and â—hat there were slain â—000 persons These tidings coming to Lhewelins ear did much vex him whereupon he sent Gruffith his son with a power of men to impeach the Earl from passing further Griffith went to Cyeweli and understanding that the Burgesses of the town meant to betray him burned the town churches and all to the ground Then VVilliam Marshal passed the River Tywy at Caermardhyn where Gruffith met with him and gave him battail which was long time doubtful and endured until night and then either party withdrew themselves and the River betwixt and after they had abode so for certain dayes Gruffith for lack of victuals for his men were about 9000 persons returned back Cilgerran Castle built and the Earle went to Cilgerran and began to build there a very strong castle but receiving letters from the King to come speak with him he went to the Court by sea and left his army to continue the work which he had begun The King and the Archbishop being at Ludlow sent for the Prince and would gladly have composed matters between him and the Earl but it would not be and so they departed And when the Earle would have passed to Pembrock by land with the strength of the Earle of Derby and Henry Pigot Lord of Ewyas the prince sent his son to keep the passage at Carnwylhion and he himself came as farr as Mabedryd which when the Earle understood He retreated back to England and the prince bent his course for North VVales year 1226 The year 1226. Rees Vachan son of Rees Gryc took his father prisoner and would not set him at liberty till he had delivered him the Castle of Lhanymdhfry At this time Meredyth Archdeacon of Caerdigan son to prince Rees was interred by his father at St. Davids The year following K. Henry the III. now King of England came with a great army into Wales as far as Ceri and encamped there K. Henry 3. of England Mat. Paris p. 463. and on the other side Lhewelyn called to him all the power of VVales encamped not far off and there passed divers great skirmishes and chiefly upon one day the most part of both armies was in the field and many of the Kings men at which time William de Bruse son to Reynalt was taken prisoner who offered for his ransom the Country of Buelht P. Lhewelin a worthy prince and a great summe of money beside Then was a peace concluded between the King and the prince whereupon the Prince came and did honour unto the King but not as his King and Lord and every party returned home Mr Powel fol. 282. This History saith Mr. Powel is somewhat otherwaies set down by Matt. Paris which I have thus translated out of the same Author About the same time those Souldies which lay in Garrison in the Castle of Montgomery went out with some of their Neighbours to amend a certain passage in the highway leading through a great wood thereby where the Welshmen were wont to rob and slay such as traveled that way and coming to the place with their axes and other weapons began to fell trees and to cut down the bushes whereby the way might be enlarged which thing when the Welshmen understood they came with a great power and setting upon their enemies compelled them to take the Castle for their defence certain being slain on both sides and then casting a trench about the same laid siege to it The Castle honour of Mâ—ntgâ—mery given to Hubert de Bâ—â—g This being speedily carried to Hubert de Burge Chief Justice of England to whom a little before the same castle and honour was given The King himself with convenient speed coming raised the siege and when his whole army came unto him for few Souldiers came with him thither he went to the said wood which was very large being five miles in length and by reason of the thick growth of the same very hard to be mooted howbeit the King caused the same with great diligence and travail to be asserted and consumed with fire King Henry causeth â—â—â—d a Abbey to be burnt Then leading his army further into the Country he came to an Abbey of white Monks called Cridia being a refuge for the Welsh to fly unto which he caused to be burnt to Ashes where Hubert de Burg to whom the place seemed very fit for fortification having the assent of the King caused a castle to be built but eâ—e the work could be finished many were slain on both sides and Will de Bruse a valiant Souldier and Chieftain who went out to make provision for the army was taken by the Welshmen and secured and divers others went out for the like purpose whereof one being Knighted a few dayes before seeing some of his fellows in danger like to be distressed rushed boldly into the midst of his enemies killing many about him yet in the end with many others of the Kings men was slain several also of the Kings men being confederates with P. Lhewelyn did very remisly defend themselves his cause with whome they came thither whereupon the King wanting necessary provision and perceiving the double dealing of some of his own men was constrained to conclude a dishonourable peace with the Welshmen giving his assent that the Castle which with so great expences of men and money was almost finished should be razed at his own charges An ignoble peace to the English taking of P. Lhewelin 3000 pound toward the same the peace being thus confirmed both parties went homewards Thus the King of England after he had bestowed three moneths in the building of the said Castle and disbursed an incredible some of mony in vain leaving William de Bruse one of his nobles in the Prince his prison returned home with great stain of honour The name also which Hubert the Chief Justice had given to the Castle viz. Huberts folly Stulitia Huberti
Convenit inter Dominum Hen. 3. regem Anglorum illustrem ex una parte Senenam uxorem Griffini filii Leolini quondam Principis North-walliae quem David frater ejus tenet carceri mancipation cum Owino silio sao nomine ejusdem Gruffini ex altera c. Articles of Agreement between Hen. 3. King of Eng. on the one party and Senena the wife of Gruffith the son of Lhewelyn sometimes Prince of North-wales whom David his brother detaineth in Prison with Owen his son in the name of the said Gruffith on the other party I. Inprimis The said Senena undertaketh that the said Gruffith her huâ—band will give unto the King six hundred Marks upon condition that the King do cause the said Griffith and Owen his son to be delivered from prison wherein they are kept and will stand at the Judgement of the Kings Court whether by Law he ought to be imprisoned or no. II. Item The said Gruffith and his heirs will stand to the Judgement of the Kings Court for and concerning that portion of the Inheritance of the said Lhewelyn his father which of right ought to pertain unto him III. Item The said Senena undertaketh for the said Gruffith and his heirs that the said Gruffith and his heirs shall yield and pay yearly to the King for the same lands the sum of 300 hundred Marks whereof the first third part to be paid in money the second in kine and the third in horses by the estimation of indifferent men and the same to be paid yearly at Michael-Mass and Easter by even portions by the hands of the Sheriff of the County of Salop for the time being IV. Item The said Senena undertaketh further for the said Gruffith and his heirs that they and every of them shall observe the peace against the said David and suffer him quietly to enjoy such portion of his fathers inheritance as to him shall be found to be due V. Item The said Senena doth further undertake for the said Gruffith her husband his heirs that in case any Welshmen hereafter shall happen to rebel against the King that they at their own costs and charges shall compel the said Offender to make satisfaction to the King for his disobedience VI. Item For the performance of the Premises the said Senena will deliver unto the Lord the King David and Roderike her sons for Pledges who promise that if the said Gruffith and Owen or either of them shall happen to dye before their delivery out of prison it shall be lawful for the said Senena to have one of her sons released the other remaining with the King for Pledge VII Item The said Senena hath sworn upon the holy Evangelists that the said Gruffith her husband and his heirs and every of them shall accomplish and perform all the Premises on their behalf and further undertaketh that the said Gruffith her husband upon his delivery out of prison shall take the same Oath VIII Item The said Senena in the name of the said Gruffith her husband submitteth her self concerning the observation of the Premises unto the jurisdiction of the reverend fathers the Bishops of Hereford and Liechfield so that the said Bishops or either of them at the Kings request shall compel the said Gruffith and his heirs to observe all and singular the Premises on their behalf by sentence of excommunication upon their persons and interdiction upon their lands IX and lastly The said Senena doth undertake promise bona fide to see procure the full performance of all the Premises and that the said Gruffith her husband and his heirs shall allow and perform the same and thereof shall deliver his instrument in writing to the King in form aforesaid to this Charter both parties put their Seal Gruffith and Senena to that part which remained with the King and the King to that part which remained with Senena Moreover for the sure performance of these Arricles the said Senena for and in the name of her husband put in for Pledges the aforesaid noble men to wit Ralph Mortimer Walter Clifford Roger de Monte Alto c. who bound themselves by their several writings obligatory to the King in manner and form as followeth Omnibus hoc scriptum visaris Rogerus de Monte Alto Senescallus Cestriae salutem c. To all and singular to whom this writing shall come Roger de Monte Alto Steward of Chester sendeth greeting Know ye that I have constituted myself pledge for Senena the wife of Gruffith the son of Lhewelin sometimes Prince of Northwales and have undertaken for her to our Soveraign Lord King Henry of England that the said Senena shall accomplish and perform all and singular those Covenants and Articles agreed upon between our said Soveraign Lord and the said Senena for and concerning the Deliverance of the said Gruffith her huâ—band and Owen his son out of the prison of David his brother and the portion of Inheritance due unto the said Gruffith which the said David keepeth from him by force In Witnesse whereof to this present writing I have put to my seal Dated at Salop the Munday before the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the 25 year of the Reigne of the said King The like Charters were made by every one of the other Noble men Pledges who bound themselves with the like words further such of the said Lords as favoured Gruffiths cause were out among themselves and were now made Friends as Morgan ap Howel Lord of Kery and Sr. Ralph Mortimer who before were at variance whereupon David being driven to extremities having most of the Nobility against him especially Gruffith ap Madoc Lord of Bromfield favoured him not who being a man of great wisdom and power was entirely beloved of the King again the sentence of excommunication and the interdiction of his Land did not a little vex him But the Kings presence with so puissant an army did so move his spirits that he could not be quiet till he had sent to the King to desire peace with this submission following The Charter of the Articles of Davids submission to the King Omnibus Christi fidelibus ad quos praesentes literae pervenerint David filius Leolini salutem c. To all Christian People to whom these present Letters shall come David the Son of Lhewelin sendeth greeting Know ye that I have granted and promised to deliver unto Lord Henry the Noble King of England Gruffith my Brother with his Son and Heir whom I keep in in prison and all other Prisoners who by occasion of the said Gruffith lie in durance Item I shall stand to the judgment of the Kings Court as well in that case whether the said Gruffith ought to be detained prisoner or No as also for and concerning the part of the Inheritance of the said Lhewelin my father claimed by the said Gruffith according to the custome of Wales so that the peace be maintained between me and the
said Gruffith Item I and the said Gruffith and either of us shall hold our portions of Land of our said Soveraign Lord the King in Capite acknowleging him Chief Lord thereof Item I shall restore unto Roger de Monte Alto Steward of Chester his land of Montalt or Mould with the appurtenances Item I shall also restore to all other Barons all such Lands Lordships and Castles as were taken from them since the beginning of the wars between the Lord John King of England and the said Lhewelin Prince of VVales my father saving the right of all covenants and Grants by writing to be reserved unto the judgment and determination of the Kings Court. Item I shall give and restore unto our Soveraign Lord the King all his charges in this present voyage laid out Item I shall make satisfaction for all dammages and injuries done by me or any of my Subjects unto the King or his according to the consideration of the Kings Court and shall deliver such as shall be malefactors in that behalf Item I shall restore unto the said Lord the King all the said homages which the late King John his father had and which the said Lord the King of right ought to have especially of all the noblemen of Wales and if the King shall set at liberty any of his captives the possessions of that man shall remain to the King Item the Land of Elsmere with the appurtenances shall remain to the Lord the King and his heirs for ever Item I shall not receive or suffer to be received within any Countrey of Wales any of the Subjects of England outlawed or banished by the said Lord the King or his Barons of Mercia Item For confirmation and performance of all and singular the premises on my behalf I shall provide by bonds and pledges and all other waies and means as the said Lord the King shall award and will accomplish the commandement of the said King and will obey his laws In witnesse whereof to this present writing I have put to my Seal Dated at Alnet by the River of Elwey in the feast of the dedication of St. John Baptist in the 25 year of the reign of the said King Mr. Powel fol. 306. For the Observation of these Articles the said Prince David and Ednivet Vachan were sworn Upon these atonements David sent privately unto the King Justice done not for Justice sake but for self ends to desire him that he would suffer him being his Nephew and the lawful heir of Lhewelin his father to enjoy the principality of Wales rather then Gruffith who was but a Bastard though some account him legitimate and nothing of kin unto the King giving him withal to understand that in case he did set Gruffith at liberty he should be sure to have the war renewed whereupon the King knowing those things to be true and understanding also that Gruffith was a valiant stout man and had many friends and favourers of his cause inclined rather to assent unto Davids request then otherwise to be in danger of further troubles and therefore willingly granted the same Shortly after David sent his brother Gruffith unto the King and other pledges for himself for the performance of the said Articles M. Paris p. 765 From prison to prison like a fish out of the frying pan into the fire which the King sent forthwith to the Tower of London there to be safely kept allowing to Gruffith a Noble dayly for his maintenance And within few dayes after Michaelmas P. David came to the K. Court and did him homage and swore fealty who for so doing and because he was the Kings Nephew was sent home again in peace When Gruffith saw how all things went and that he was not like to be set at liberty he began to devise means how to escape out of prison Wherefore deceiving the Watch one night he made a long line of hangings An unfortunate end of a desperate attempt coverings and sheets and having got out of a window let down himself by the same from the top of the Tower but by reason that he was a mighty personage and full of flesh the line brake with the weight of his body and so falling down headlong from a great height his neck and head was driven into his body with the fall whose miserable Carkass being found the morrow after was a pittiful spectacle to the beholders The King being certified hereof commanded his son to be better looked unto and punished the Officers for their negligence About this time the King fortified the Castle of Dyserth in Flintshire and gave to Gruffith son to Gwenwynwyn Lord of Powis his inheritance and to the sons of Conan ap Owen Gwyneth their Lands in Merionith The Bishop of Bangor a constant friend to that party came to the Court to sue for the deliverance of Gruffith son to Lhewelin the Prince but the King knowing him to be a man of great courage would in no wise grant his liberty About this time Maelgon Vachan fortified the Castle of Garthgrugin John de Mynoc also fortified the Castle of Buelht and Roger Mortimer the Castle of Melienyth The summer following the King began to vex the Welsh extremely and take their Lands by force without just title or rightful cause and now died Rees Mechylh son to Rees Gryc of South Wales During these transactions Varium mutabile semper David gathered all his strength to be revenged of all the wrongs which the Earls of Clare and Hereford which John d◠Monurch and Roger de Alto Monte and other Merebers did to his people whom all the Lords of VVales obeyed and took for their Soveraign saving Gruffith son to Gwenwynwyn and Morgan ap Howel which two also were shortly compelled to obey and then the Prince entered the March Lands spoyling and destroying a great part thereof with whom the said Earles fought divers battails and sometimes the one and sometimes the other had the victory 300 Welshmen slain neer Montgomery M. Par. p. 884. English put to flight K. Hen. 3. nothing fortunate against the Welsh The year ensuing the Marchers and the VVelshmen met not far from Montgomery where was a cruel fight and 300 of the VVelshmen slain and a great number of the English among whom was a noble Knight called Hubert Fitz Matthew whereupon the King being weary of his domestical troubles gathered a vast army of English and Gascoynes and entred Northwales intending to destroy the Country but the prince met with his people in a straight and fought with them and put them to flight There the King lost a great number of his most worthy Soldiers and Nobility and most part of the Gascoines and now seeing he could do no good he sent for the Irishmen who landed in the Isle of Môn or Anglesey and spoyled a great part thereof till the Inhabitants of the Isle gathered themselves together and met with them being loaden with plunder whom they
affairs of the holy Land should be neglected that it would please you also to help with your Councel with the Lord and King that he would use us and order us according to the peace agreed upon the which we will no way infringe And if he will not hearken to your Counsel therein which God forbid that you will hold us excused for we will no waies as much as lieth in us procure the trouble and disquietness of the Realm And if it may please you to give credit to our messengers which we do send to the King at the day by him to us appointed to alledge our lawful excuses in those things which they by mouth shall on our part shew unto You resting to do Your will and pleasure if it please You to write again Dated at Talybont the eight Day of October Anno 1275. year 1277 Shortly after the King came to Chester Thom. Walsh fol. 6. Mar. West p. 364. willing the Prince to come thither and do him homage which when the prince detracted to do the King gathered an army to compel him thereto The year following the Countesse of Leicester wife to Simon Montfort which remained at a Nunnery in France sent her daughter to Wales to marry the prince as it was ' agreed betwixt them in her Fathers time and with her came her brother Admerike and a courtly company who fearing the coast of England bent their voyage to the Isle of Sylly whereby chance they met with four ships of Bristol which set upon and took them and brought them to the King who entertains the Lady houourably sending her brother to be kept prisoner in the castle of Corff from whence he was removed to the castle of Sherburne Then the King prepared two armies A prodigious Omen to Wales whereof the one he conducted himself to Northwales as far as Ruthlan and fortified the castle and the other he sent with Paganis de Camurtiis a worthy Souldier to Westwales they burned and destroyed a great part of the Country and this year itrained blood in divers places of Wales The year ensuing the Lords of Southwales came to the Kings peace The jangling of the Welsh among themselves their utter overthrow and did him homage and delivered the Castle of Stratywy unto the K. Lieutenant Paganus de Camurtli if his sirname be not mistaken for de Cadurcis it is the family of Chaworth in Notinghamshire This Prince understanding this and seeing that his own people had forsaken him sent to the King for peace which was agreed upon these conditions 1. First that all such as the Prince kept prisoners of the Kings and for his cause should be set at liberty 2. Item That the Prince should pay to the King for his favour and good will 50000 marks to be paid at the Kings pleasure 3 Item That four Cantreds should reman to the King and his heirs for ever which Cantreds I think were these cantref Ros where the Kings Castle of Teganny stood cantref Rynivioc where Denbigh cantref Tegengl where Ruthlan standeth and cantref Dyffryn Clwd where Ruthin is 4 Item That the Lords Merchers should quietly enjoy all the Lands that they had conquered within Wales 5. Item That the Prince should pay yearly for the Isle of Môn or Anglesey 1000 marks which payment should begin at Michaelmas then next ensuing and that also he should pay 5000 marks out of hand and if the prince dyed without issue the Isle should remain to the King and his heirs 6 Item That the Prince should come to England every Christmas to do the King homage for his lands 7. Item That all the Barons in Wales should hold their lands of the King except 5. in Snowden who should ackowledg the Prince to be their Lord. 8. Items that he should for his lifetime enjoy the name of Prime and none of his heirs after him so that after his death the foresaid five Barons should hold of the King and none other 9. Item that for the performance of the Articles the prince should deliver for hostages ten of the best in Wales without imprisonining disinheriting or time of deliverance determined and also the King to choose twenty within Northwales that should take their oathes with the prince for performance of these Articles and if the Prince should swerve from any of them and being thereof admonished would not amend and redresse the same Th. Walsh p. 7 they should forsake him and become his enemies The prince was also bound to let his brethren enjoy their lands in Wales of whom David had long served the King whom the King had made Knight contrary to the manner of Wales and had given him in marriage the daughter of the Earle of Derby whose first husband was lately deceased to whom the King gave Denbigh in Northwales and 1000l lands therewith And his other brother Roderike was lately fled to England out of prison and Owen the third was delivered at this composition This peace was concluded in the Kings absence who appointed one his Commissioners Mr. Trinet Sol p. 787. to wit the Lord Ripiost to take an oath of him and authorised the said Robert Antonio Becke and William de Southampton Prior Provincial of the Friers predicant Commissioners appointed on his behalf to receive the like oath of the said Lhewelyn for whose part Theodor or Tudor ap Ednivet and Grono ap Heilin were Commissioners At this time the King builded a Castle at Aberystwyth returned into Eng. with much honour unto whom the people granted a subsidy of the twentieth part of their goods towards his charges in this war The year following the marriage was celebrated at Worcester betwixt Elianor daughter to Simon Montfort and prince Lhewelin where the King Queen and the most part of the Nobility of England were present Also the year after Roger Mortimer set up at Killingworth a round table for a hundred Knights to be exercised in the feats of arms The Kof Scots sucâ—ouâ—eth against the Welsh and thither resorted many Knights from divers Countries At this time the King of Scots did homage to K. Edward and obtained the Kings letters that his succours in the last wars of Wales were not done by the name of service but good will The peace concluded betwixt the prince of Wales and the King of England did not long continue by reason of the severe and strict dealing of such Officers as the King appointed rulers in the Marshes and the Inland country of Wales who hunting after their own gains oppressed the Inhabitants burdening them with new exactions contrary to the custom of the country and also shewing themselves too much affectionate and partial in matters of controversy betwixt party party especially when any Englishman had to do in the matter which poling and partiality did altogether alienate the hearts of the people from the King of England so that they had rather die then live in such thraldom whereupon assembling
his own hands shall hold and enjoy the same as freely as they did before the time of the wars and shall use the same liberties and customs which they used before contrary to this Article the Lord Reginald Grey hath brought many new customs against the Form of peace aforesaid 5. All Controversies moved or to be moved betwixt the Prince and any other shall be decided after the Law of the Marches if they have their beginning in the Marches and after the Laws of Wales such as in Wales have their beginning contrary to this Article the King doth and sendeth Justices to Anglesey who presume to judge there the men and subjects of the Prince setting fines upon them contrary to the Lawes of Wales seeing neither this nor any like was ever heard of in times past imprisoning some out-lawing others when the Prince is at all times ready to do justice to all men that complain upon any of his men 6. Where it is in the peace That Gruffith Vachan should do homage for the land in Yale and to the Prince for the land in Ederneon The Kings Justices brought the Lady of Maylor into the said land of Ederneon The knowledge of which cause onely pertained to the Prince and not to the said Justices and yet for peace sake the said Prince tollerated all this being at all times ready to minister justice to the said Lady 7. And though the said Prince submitted himself unto us and our will yet we nevertheless will and grant that our will in no case go further than is contained in those Articles Contrary to this Article Gold was exacted for the Queens works at every payment made to the King which Gold was never demanded in the time of King Henry or any other King of England which Gold yet for quietness sake the Prince paid though it were not spoken of or mentioned in the peace And now further it is exacted for the old Queen the Kings mother that now is for the peace concluded with King Henry 2000 Marks and a half and unless it be paid the King threatneth to occupy the goods and lands of Lhewelyn and his people which he could find in his Realm and sell men and beasts till the sum were paid 8. When the King invited the Prince at his Feast at Worcester promising with very fair words that he would give his kinswoman to him for wife and enrich him with much honour nevertheless when he came thither the self same day they should be married before Mass the King required a Bill to be sealed by the Prince containing amongst other things That he would never keep man against the Kings will nor never maintain any whereby it might come to pass That all the Princes forces should be called from him the which Letter sealed he delivered the King by just fear which might move any constant man yet was not this contained in the peace whereas the conclusion of peace was That the King should require nothing that was not contained in the same 9. Where in the peace all Customs be confirmed to the said Prince as his ancestors of long and daily observed Custom have received to their own use all Wrecks hapning upon his own lands The Justice of Chester took a distress of the Prince for goods of Shipwrack received by him before the wars contrary to the Form of the said peace by the which all trespasses on either side were remitted and contrary to the Customs aforesaid and if in case it were forfeited yet he took such a distress 15 pounds of honey and many horses and imprisoned his men and this he took of the Princes own proper goods And further took booties of Bagiers which came to Lyrpool with Marchandize and never delivered the same until he had taken so much money for the same as it pleased him 10. When certain men of Geneurglyn had taken certain goods of some of their Neighbours of Geneurglyn when they were in the Dominion of the Prince in Meyreon the Kings men of Lhanbadarn did take away the said goods out of the said Dominion of the Prince and when the Princes men came thither and asked the cause why they took the said prey the Kings men killed one of them and wounded others and the rest they did imprison neither could the Prince get any justice for the said goods to this day 11. And where it is contained in the peace That all things committed in the Marches shall be redressed in the Marches yet the Kings men would no where hear the Princes men but put them in the Castle of Lhanbadarn which is against the peace aforesaid In these Articles and divers others the King standeth sworn to the Prince and his people And although the Prince as well by himself as by his people have often requested the King to cause the said peace to be kept yet was it in no point kept but daily the Kings Justices did more and more heap injuries and griefs upon the people of those parts So that it cannot be blamed if the Prince did assent to them that first began the wars seeing the Oath which the Lord Robert Typtoft sware unto the King was kept in no point and chiefly seeing the Prince was forewarned that he should be taken as soon as the King came to Ruthlan as he had been indeed if the King had come thither after Christmas as he purposed These Griefs following were done by the King and his Officers to the Lord David ap Gruffith 1. When the said David came to the Lord Edward then Earl of Chester and did him homage the said Lord Edw. did give by his Letters Patents to the said David two Cantrefs Dyffryn Cluyd and Crinmeyrch with all the appurtenances afterwards when he was made King he confirmed the said gift to the said David and gave him possession of them After when Gwenlhian Lacy died who held some Towns in the said Cantrefs for term of life which after her decease appertained to David by force of the aforesaid grant which Towns yet the King took from him contrary to his Letters Patents 2. Item When the said David did hold of the Lord the King the Villages of Hope and Eston in Wales of the which he ought to answer no man but according to the Laws of Wales yet the Justice of Chester caused the said David to be called to Chester at the suite of one William Venable an Englishman to answer for the Title of the said Villages and although the said David did often and instantly desire him the said justice not to proceed against him injuriously in the County of Chester where he was not bound to answer by the form of the peace yet he plainly denied him to be judged either in Wales or after the Laws of Wales 3. Item The said Justice of Chester to the injury of the said David did cut down his Wood of Lhyweny and his Woods at Hope as well by the Dwellers of Ruthlan as others and yet the
for the said Oxe 3 s. 4 d. 6. Item Two servants of one named YBongan were spoiled of 2 l. for that they took a Thief that robbed them by night and yet the Thief was delivered 7. Item Eneon ap Ithel was taken beaten and spoiled of two Oxen price 24 s. and 2 d. for this cause onely That the said Oxen went from one street to another in the Town 8. Item Guyan Maystran was spoiled of his money because a certain Merchant of Ardudwy owed them certain things and yet the said Merchant was not of their Baliwicke The Griefs of Grono ap Heilyn 1. A Tenant of Grono ap Heilyn was called to the Kings Court without any cause Then Grono came at the day appointed to defend his Tenant and demanded justice for him or the Law which the men of his Countrey did use All this being denied the said Tenant was condemned in 27 l. 1 d. ob which caused the said Grono to go to London for justice which was promised him but he could never have any where he spent in his journy 15 marks 2. A certain Gentleman was slain who had fostered the son of Grono ap Heilyn and he that killed him was taken and brought to Ruthlan Castle then the said Grono and the kindred of him that was slain asked justice but some of them were imprisoned and the Killer discharged Then Grono went again to London for justice which the King did promise him but he never had any but spent 20 Marks 3. The third time Grono was fain to go to London for justice in the premises where he spent 18 Marks 6 s. 6 d. And then likewise the King promised him that he should have justice but when he certainly believed to have justice Reginald Grey came into the Countrey and said openly that he had all doings in that Countrey by the Kings Charters and took away all the Baliwikes which the King had given to the said Grono and sold them at his pleasure Then the said Grono asked justice of the said Reginald but he could not be heard 4. The said Grono took to Farm for 4 years of Godfrey Marliney Maynan and Lhyffayn then Robert Cruquer came with his Horses and Armes to get the said land by force and for that Grono would not suffer him to have the said lands before his years were out he was called to the Law and then the said Reginald Grey came with 24 Horses to take the said Grono And for that that day they could not have their purpose they called Grono the next day to Ruthlan and then Grono had councel not to go to Ruthlan Then they called him again to answer at Caerwys but the said Grono durst not go thither but by the conduct of the Bishop of St. Asaph for that Reginald Grey was there and his men in Harness 5. For these griefs for the which he could get no justice but labour and expences of 54 Marks and more and for that he durst not in his own person go to the Court he sent Letters one to the King another to his brother Lhewelyn to signifie to the King that he should lose all the favour of the Countrey if he kept no promise with them and so it came to pass because the men of Ros and Englefield could get no justice the King neglecting the correction of these things lost the whole Countrey Humbly sheweth to your Holiness Lord Archbishop of Canterbury Primate of England the Noblemen of Tegengl That when the said Noblemen did their Homage to the Lord Edward King of England the said King promised them to defend them and their Goods and that they should use all kind of Right Priviledge and Jurisdiction which they did use in the time of King Henry by the Grant of the said King whereof they were after spoiled First they were spoiled of their Right and Priviledges and Customs of the Countrey and were compelled to be judged by the Lawes of England whereas the Tenure of that their priviledge was to be judged according to the Laws of Wales at Tref Edwyn at Ruthlan and at Caerwys and the best men of the Countrey were taken because they desired to be judged at Tref Edwyn according to the Tenure of their priviledges by the Laws of Wales 2. Whatsoever one Justice doth his successor doth reverse the same for in Davids case Reginald Grey revoked that which his predecessor confirmed and allowed 3. If he do take any Gentleman of that Countrey he will not let him go upon security which he ought to do 4. If any Gentleman be brought to the Castle of Flint upon a small accusation and his cattel withal they can neither be delivered or have delay until they give the Constable an Oxe and until they pay 3 l. fees to Cynwrick for having of the delay 5. Reginald Grey gave the lands of the men of Merton to the Abbot and Covent of Basingwerk against the Laws of Wales and Custom of the Countrey and contrary to the Form of peace betwixt Lhewelyn and the King that is to say 16 Caratatas terrae 6. The Noble and Best of the Countrey be injured for that the King builded the Castle of Flint upon their ground and the King commanded the Justices to give the men as much good ground or the price but they are spoiled of their lands and have neither other lands nor their money 7. Reginald Grey will not suffer men to cut their own Wood until he have both money and reward and until they pay for it also but permitteth others to cut it down freely which they ought not to do by the Laws and Customs of Wales 8. When the men of Cyrchynan Covenant with the King to give the King half a Meadow upon condition the King should not suffer the Woods to be cut down Howel ap Gruffith being present yet Reginald Grey hath broken the same permitting every man to cut their Woods and spoil them also of their Meadow 9. The same Cynwric ap Grono was taken at Ruthlan and put in prison without any cause at all neither would the Kings Officers deliver him unless he would redeem the gage of a certain woman for the which he was constrained to pay much more than the pawn lay for 10. When the Bailiff of Ruthlan was at a Feast Hicken Lemaile wounded a Gentleman cruelly in the presence of the said Bailiff by occasion of which wound Hicken was condemned in 8 l. and when he which was hurt would have demanded the 8 l. he was put in prison by Hicken 11. The messengers of Reginald Grey attempted an absurdity not heard of and requiring the people of the Countrey to plough his ground and sowe the same and the messengers were Cynwric Says and Hicken Lemayl and the said Cynwric swore openly before the whole company that unless all men should plough Reginald Greys ground they should shortly repent it then the people feared much as in that case any constant man would fear 12. The heirs of
Tegengl bought their Offices for 30 Marks of the King but afterward Reginald Grey spoiled them of their Offices and money contrary to the Laws and Customs of England 13. Seven Gentlemen were wrongfully killed by the Englishmen but as yet the Parents of the Gentlemen can have no amends and though the offenders were taken yet the said Constable let them go without punishment 14. The Constable of Ruthlan kept two of the Kings souldiers in prison for that they took an Englishman who had wounded a man All these things contained in these Articles are contrary to the priviledge liberty and right of the said men and contrary to the Laws and Customs of Wales neither dare the Inhabitants send their Complaints to the King for fear of Reginald Grey which fear any constant man might have because the said Reginald said openly that if he could come by any such their messengers he would cut off their heads as it is certainly told us by one of his Councel further neither tongue can tell nor pen write how cruelly the men of Tegengl have been ordered Humbly complaineth to your Lordship my Lord Archbishop of Canterbury Primate of all England Lhewelyn ap Gruffith ap Madoc of the Constable of Oswalds Cross the King and of the men of that Town who have spoiled the said Lhewelyn of the third part of a Town called Lhedrot and his fathers house without any Law or Right or Custom of the Countrey Further the said Constable and his Complices have against the Laws and Customs of the Countrey spoiled the said Lhewelyn of his Common and Pasture which he and his predecessors have used time out of mind and further condemned the said Lhewelyn for the said Pasture in 70 Marks And further the King of England granted certain Letters to a Bastard called Gruffith Vachan of Cynlhaeth to law with the said Lhewelyn for his whole Lordship and possessions by the occasion of the which Letters the said Lhewelyn hath spent 200 l. of good money Also the said Constable compelled the said Lhewelyn to send two Gentlemen to him whom when they came to him he caused to be hanged which Gentlemen ought not by right to have been hanged whose parents had rather have given him 300l Afterward the said Constable imprisoned 60. of the Men of the said Lhewelyn no cause alledged but that a certain Page spake a word who could not be delivered out of prison untill every one of them paid 10 s. When the Men of the said Lhewelyn came to the said Town to sell their Oxen the said Constable would cause the beast to be driven to the Castle neither would he restore the beasts nor mony for them Further the said Constable and his men took away the Cattle of the said Lhewelyn from his own ground and did their will with them Further the Kings Justices compelled the said Lhewelyn contrary to the law and custome of Wales to deliver to the Sons of Eneon ap Gruffith a certain Town which both he and his Ancestors ever had held The said Constable took the horse of Lhewelyns Baliffe when the said Baliffe owed him nothing who could never get his horse again nor any satisfaction for it Furthermore when the said Lhewelyn should have gone to a Town called Caerlheon to appear there as he was appointed the Sons of Gruffith ap Gwenwynwyn and the Soldiers of Robert Strange by the Councel of the said Roger took the said Lhewelyn and his Men and imprisoned them to their great damage which the said Lhewelyn would not for 300 l. starling who could by no means be delivered untill they had found sufficient sureties The Archbishop receiving these and other Articles came to the King and requested him to consider these wrongs and to cause amends to be made or at the least excuse the Welshmen having so just cause of grief who answered that the Welshmen were to be excused yet he said he was ever ready to do Justice to all them that complained Whereupon the Archbishop besought the King again that the Welshmen might have free access to his Grace to declare their griefs and to seek remedy the King answered they should freely come and depart if it should seem that by Justice they deserved to depart The Archbishop hearing this went and came to the Prince of Wales in Snowdon that he might move him and his Brother David and the other company to submit themselves whereby he might incline the King to admit them to which after much talke and conference with the Archbishop the Prince answered that he was ready to submit to the King reserving two things that is to say his conscience which he ought to have for the rule and safe-guard of his people and also the decency of his State and calling which answer the Archbishop brought and reported to the King At the which the King said that he would not any other treaty of peace then that the Prince and his people should simply submit themselves But the Archbishop knowing well that the Welshmen would not submit themselves but in form aforesaid or in other form to them tolerable and of them liked requested the King that he might have conference in this matter with all the Noble Englishmen then present who after much conference agreed to all these Articles following The which Articles the Archbishop did send in writing to the Prince by John Wallensis These are to be said to the Prince before his Councel 1. First that the four Cantreds and the Lands by the King given to his Nobles and the Isle of Anglesey we will have no treaty of 2 Item Of the Tenants of the four Cantreds if they will submit themselves he purposeth to do as becometh a Kings Majesty and we verily believe he will deal with them mercifully and to that end we will labour and trust to obtain 3. As touching the Lord Lhewelyn we can have none other answer but that he shall submit himself simply to the King and we believe certainly he will deal mercifully with him and to that end we travail all we can and verily believe to be heard The following are to be said to the Prince in secret 1. First that the Nobility of England have conceived this form of a favourable peace That the Lord Lhewelyn should submit himself to the King and the King should honourably provide for him 1000l starling and some honourable County in England so that the said Lhewelyn would put the King in quiet possession of Snowdon Durum telum necessitas and the King will provide honourably for the daughter of Lhewelyn according to the State and condition of his own blood and to these they hope to perswade the King 2. Item if it happen that Lhewelyn marry a wife and so have by her any heir Male they trust to intreat the King that the same heir Male and his heirs for ever shall have the same 1000l and County 3. Item to the people subject to the said Lhewelyn the
King will provide as becometh their Estates and condition and to that the King is well enclined These are to be said to David Brother to Lhewelyn in secret A specious banishment First That if for the honour of God Juxta debitum crucis assumptae he will go to the holy land he shall be provided for according to his degree so that he do not return unless he be called by the King and we trust to intreat the King to provide for his child 2. And these things we tell our selves to the Welshmen that a great deal greater peril do hang over them then we told them by mouth when we were with them These things which we write seem grievous but it is a great deal more grievous to be oppressed with armes and finally to be rooted out because every day more and more their danger doth increase One of Jobs comforters 3. Item It is more hard to be alwayes in war in anguish of mind and danger of body alwayes sought and beseiged and so to dye in deadly sin and continual rancor and malice 4. Item We fear whereof we be sorry unless you do agree to peace we must certainly aggravate the sentence Ecclesiastical against you for your faults of the which you cannot excuse your selves whereas you shall find both grace and mercy if you will come to peace And send us your answer of these in writings To the most Reverend Father in Christ the Lord John by Gods grace Archbishop of Canterbury and Primate of all England his Obedient Son Lhewelyn Prince of Wales and Lord of Snowdon sendeth greeting Most heartily with all Reverence and Honour we are content and ready holy Father as you have committed us to submit our selves unto the Kings grace so it be in that form that shall be safe and honest for us But because the form of submission contained in the Articles which were sent unto us is neither safe nor honest as we and our Councel do think at the which Articles all men do marvail tending rather to the destruction of us and our people then any security or honest dealing we may in no wise yield our assent unto it and if we should so do our Nobles and People would not agree to the same knowing the mischiefs and inconvenience that is like to ensue thereof Nevertheless we beseech your holy Father-hood that for the reformation of a decent honest and firm peace for the which you have taken so great pains you do circumspectly provide having respect unto the Articles which we send unto you in writing It is more honourable for the King more agreable to reason that we should hold our Lands in the County where we do dwell then that we should be dis-inherited and our Land given to other Men. Dated at Carth Celyn The Answer of the Welshmen First though the Lord the King will have no treaty of the four Cantreds the Lands that he gave to his Nobles The right of lands derived from Camber nor the Isle of Anglesey yet the Princes Councel will no peace be made unless treaty be had of them For that the four Cantreds be of the mere Tenure of the Prince whereas the Princes of Wales had more right since the time of Camber Son of Brute so that they be of the principality of VVales The confirmation of the which the Prince obtained by Otobanus the Popes Legate in England by the consent of the King and his Father As it doth appear by the Letters Patentes And more just and equal it is that our heirs do hold the said Cantreds of the King for mony The P. of Wales justly taxeth the K. of England and used service then the same to be given to strangers which abuse the people by force and power 2. All the Tenents of all the Cantreds of VVales altogether do say that they dare not submit themselves to the King to do his pleasure first for that the King kept neither covenant nor oath nor grant by charter from the beginning to the Prince or his people Secondly that the Kings men do cruelly exercise Tyranny towards the Church and Churchmen Thirdly that they be not bound to any such matter seeing they be the Princes Tenants who is ready to do used and accustomed service and to obey the King with and by the said service 3. To that which is said that the Prince should simply commit himself to the Kings will it is answered that none of us will dare come to the King for the cause aforesaid we altogether will not suffer our Prince to come in that manner 4. Item where the great Men of England would procure a provision of a 1000l per annum in England let it be answered that such provision is not to be accepted for it that is procured by them who go about to disinherit the Prince to have his Lands in VVales 5. Item The Prince ought not to dismiss his inheritance which his predecessours held in VVales since the time of Brutus and confirmed by the See Apostolick and to take lands in England where he knoweth neither tongue manners lawes nor customes wherein he shall be soon entrapped by his neighbours the Englishmen his old malicious enemies whereby he should lose land also 6. Item Seeing the King goeth about to deprive him of his ancient inheritance it is not like that he would suffer him to possesse Lands in England where he claimeth no right seeing that the Princes Lands in VVales of his own inheritance is but barren and untilled it is lesse like the King would suffer him to enjoy good fertile land in England 7. Item The Prince should give the King possession of Snowdon for ever Let it be answered that seeing that Snowdon is of the appurtenances of the principality of VVales which the Prince and his predecessours hold since the time of Brute His Councell will not suffer him to renounce that place and to take a place in England lesse due unto him 8. Item The people of Snowdon do say that although the prince would give the King possession of it yet they would never do homage to strangers of whose tongue Manners Lawes they should be ignorant for so they should be for ever Captives and as cruelly handled as the Cantreds have been by the Kings Bayliffs and other the Kings men handled more cruelly then Saracens as it doth well appear by the notes of their griefs which the men of the Cantreds sent to you holy Father These are to be Answered For David the Kings Brother When he is disposed to see the Holy Land will do it for Gods sake voluntarily not by such inforcement against his will for he intendeth not to go on pilgrimage in that sort because he knoweth enforced service not to please God and if he hereafter shall for devotion see the holy land that it is no cause for ever to disinherit his Ofspring but rather to reward them And for that neither the Prince nor his
great credit and favour between whom and the Lord Grey of Ruthin happen some discord about a piece of Commons lying between the Lordship of Ruthin and the Lordship of Glyndourdwy whereof Owen was owner and thereof took the sirname of Glindour during the reign of K. Richard Owen was too hard for the Lord Grey being then a servitour in court with K. Rich. with whom he was at the time of his taking in the castle of Flint by the Duke of Lancaster but after that K. Richard was put down the Lord Grey being now better friended then Owen entred upon the said Commons whereupon Owen having many friends and followers in his country as those that be great with princes commonly have put himself in armour against the Lord Grey whom he meeting in the field overcame and took prisoner The Welsh ever addicted to believe prophesies This was the very beginning and cause Owens rising and attempts upon the taking of the Lord Grey and spoyling of his Lordship of Ruthin many resorted to Owen from all parts of Wales some thinking that he was now as well in favour as in K. Richards time some other putting in his head that now the time was come wherein the Brittains through his means might recover again the honour and liberty of their ancestours A caveat for Mr. Pugh and such as are over credulous in prophesies These things being laid before Owen by such as were very cunning in Merlins prophesies and the interpretations of the same for there were in those dayes as I fear there be now some singular men which are deeply overseen in those mysteries and hope one day to mete velvet upon London bridge with their bowes brought him into such a fools paradice that he never considering what title he might pretend or what right he had proceeded and made war upon the Earle of March who was the the right Inheritor as well to the principality of Wales as appeareth formerly as to the Crown of England after the death of K. Rich. being descended from the elder brother next to Edw. Prince of Wales father of K. Rich. of which insurrection rebellion there ensued much mischief unto the Welshmen for the King conceiving great hatred against them shewed himself a manifest opressour of all that nation making rigorous lawes against them whereby he took in a manner all the liberties of subjects from them Cruel Lawes against the Welsh probibiting all Welshmen from purchasing lands or to be chosen or received Citizens or Burgesses in any City Burrough or market towns or to be receied or accepted to any office of Maior Bailiffe Chamberlain Constable or Keeper of the gates or of the goale or to be of the Councel of any City Burrough or Town or to bear any manner of armour within any City c. And if any suit happened between a Welshman an Englishman it was by law ordained that the Englishman should not be convict unlesse it were by the judgment of English Judges and by the verdict of the whole English Burgesses or by Inquests of English Burroughs and Towns of the signiories where the suit lay also that all Englishmen that married Welshwomen should be disfranchized of their liberty no congregation or meetings in councel was permitted to Welshmen but by licence of the chief Officers of the said signiory and in the presence of the same Officers That no victualls nor armour should be brought into Wales without the special licence of the King or his Councel That no Welshman should have any Castle Fortresse or house defensive of his own or of any other mans to keep no Welshman to be made Justice Chamberlain Chancellour Treasurer Sheriff Steward Constable of Castle Receiver Eschetor Coronor nor chief Forrester nor other Officer nor Keeper of Records nor Lieutenant in any of the said Offices in no part of Wales nor of the councel of any English Lord notwithstanding any patent or licence made to the contrary That no Englishman which in the time to come shall marry any Welshwoman be put in any Office in VVales or in the Marches of the same These with other lawes both unreasonable and unconcionable such as no prince among the Heathen ever offered to his subjects were ordained and severely executed against them Neither was it any reason that for the offence of one man his complices all the whole nation should be so persecuted whereby not only they that lived in that time but also their children and posterity should be brought to perpetual thraldom and misery A law more cruel then that Julian the Apostate for these lawes were not ordained for their Reformation but of meer purpose to work their utter ruine and destruction which doth evidently appear in that they were forbidden to keep their children at learning or to put them to be apprentises to any occupation in any Town or Burrough in this realme Let any indifferent man therefore judge and consider whether this extremity of law where Justice it self is meer injury and cruelty be not a cause and matter sufficient to withdraw any people from civility to barbarisme 〈…〉 This Hen. dyed in the 10th year of his reign leaving a son behind him being an infant of ten moneths who by reason of his tender age was not as by any word extent can be proved ever created prince but was proclaimed King immediately after the death of his father by the name of Henry the Sixt. Edward of Westminster Henry the sixt by the advice of his Lords Spiritual and Temporal given to him in his Parliament holden in the 31 year of his reign did afterwards by his charter bearing date 15 day of March 32. Regni created Edward his son born at Westminster by one and the self same patent to be both prince of Wales and Earle of Chester and invested him therein His Creation with the usual Ensignes of that dignity as had been in former time accustomed TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said dignities to him and his heirs Kings of England Sr. J. Dodridge which Charter is recited in the Act of Parliament holden at Westminster 9. Julii anno 33. regni In the which Act of Parliament is also recited another Charter likewise confirmed by the said Parliament whereby the said King did give unto the said Prince the said principality of Wales together with all the Lordships and lands Castles and Tenements by speciall names above mentioned and all in the former Charters granted and conveied to the former Princes and the said Fee Farms and Rents of 113 l. 13 s. ob out of the Lordship and Town of Buelht and the said 56l 13s 4d out of the Lordship Castle and Town of Montgomery likewise mentioned in the Charters of the former Prince To have and to hold to him and his heirs Kings of England By the same Act of Parliament also it was enacted because the said prince was then of tender years and there was assigned unto him a certain
them were created Princes of Wales or whereby any of the Revenues of the said principality were given or conferred unto any of them so that it seemeth they were princes generally by their birth and not princes of Wales by any creation or investure for in a record of an account of the Duke of Cornwal in the time of the said Edward he is called by the name of prince of England and not by the name of prince of Wales And thus much touching the succession or ranks of the princes of Wales which I have drawn in an Historical though in a plain and homely manner thereby the better to take the harshnesse of the particularities of records intermingled therewith which of themselves although they offer profitable knowledg yet they do carry with them small delight but also for that the variety of things in those succeeding ages in the sundry occurrences and accidents thereof do yield good matter of observance and worthy memory representing as it were the English state for the time of more then 200 years Now therefore do rest nevertheless three things concerning the said principality to be further considered of First in what manner and order the said principality and Marches of Wales were governed and directed under the said prince Secondly what Officers as well Domestical as others the said princes had about them and their Fees as far forth as I could come to any certain knowledge thereof And thirdly an abstract of the Revenues of the said principality as they lately stood Whereby it may be perceived what in time past the said Revenues have been The manner of Government of the Principality of Wales The said principality being under the government of the princes of the Welsh blood whose ancient patrimony yet remained untill the conquest thereof by K. Ed. I. as hath allready been shewed was guided governed and directed by their own municipal lawes and the customs of the country most of which had their commencement from the constitutions of one of their ancient Princes called Howel Dha as their Historians report but being reduced under the yoak of the said King Edward he divided certain parts of that Territory into Shires he caused the Welsh Lawes to be perused some whereof he did allow and approve some others he did abbrogate and disanul and in their place appointed new altogether according to the English manner of executing Justice He caused to be devised certain briefs writs or formula juris and he instituted their manner of processe pleadings and course of their judicial proceedings All which things do manifestly appear by the Act of Parliament made at Ruthlan in Wales called therefore Statutum Walliae and when they want a writ of form to serve the present case then use they the writ of Quod ei deforciat which supplieth that defect and although the Principality of Wales as hath appeared by some of the Records were devided into 3 Provinces Northwales Southwales and VVestwales for so in some of the former patents they are mentioned yet for the Jurisdiction thereof it was divided into two parts Northwales and Southwales for a great part of VVestwales was comprehended within the Shire of Pembrock which is a very ancient Shire of Wales and the territory thereof conquered by the English in the time of William Rufus long time before the general conquest of Wales by Richard Strongbow being English and the Earle thereof and called also by some Earle of Strigulia or Chepstow or rather Strigul Castle was the first that attempted the conquest of Ireland in the dayes of Hen. II. The Province of Northwales and Southwales were governed by law in this manner The Prince had and used to hold a Chancery and a Court of Exchequer in the Castle of Gaernarvon for Northwales and had a Judge or Justice which ministred Justice there to all the inhabitants of Northwales and therefore was called the Justice of Northwales The like Courts of Chancery and Exchequer he held in the Castle of Caermardhyn for Southwales where he had a Justice likewise called the Justice of Southwales 3. Ed. 3. â—9 in le novel prin 63. a 7. Hen. 35 6. and the Courts of the Justices or Judges so held within the several Provinces were called the great Sessions of those Provinces and sometimes those Justices were Itenerant and sat in every of the several Counties of his province In those great Sessions the causes of greatest moment real personal and mixt and pleas of the Crown concerning life and members were heard and determined Ministers accompts 18. H 7. In these great Courts also upon creation of every new Prince there were granted by the people of that Province unto the Prince nomine recognitionis ad primum adventum principis certain summes of money as it were in acknowledgement or relief of the new Prince which summes of money are called by them Mises these mises or summes of money were granted by the people unto the prince for his allowance of their lawes and antient customes and a general pardon of their offences sinable or punishable by the prince and that summe of those mises for the Shire of Caermardhyn only amounted unto 800. marks and for the Shire of Cardigan the total summe of the mises amounted unto 600 marks as by sundry Records doth appear these summes of money were paid at certain dayes by several portions such as were appointed and in the said Sessions agreed upon Also in every Shire of every the said provinces there were holden certain Inferiour Courts called therefore County Courts and Shire Courts and Tourns after the manner of England and which by some were also called the petty Sessions and there were also Courts inferiour in sundry Counties for ending of causes of lesse moment and importance and if any wrong Judgment were given in any of those leferiour Courts 19. H 6. 12. b. 21. H. 7. 33. a. the same was redressed by a writ of false Judgement in the Court Superiour And if any erroneous judgment were given in the great Sessions which was the supreme Court of Justice that error was either redressed by the judgment of penal Justices Itenerant or else in Parliament and not otherwise in any the Courts of Justice now at Westminster A noble policy of William Conq. good for himself but destructive to the Welsh As touching the government of the Marches of Wales it appeareth by divers ancient monuments that the Counquerour after he had conquered the English placed divers of his Norman Nobility upon the Confines and Borders towards Wales and erected the Earldom of Chester being upon the borders of Northwales to a Palatinate and gave power unto the the said persons thus placed upon those borders to make such conquest upon the Welsh as they by their strengh could accomplish holding it a very good policy thereby not only to encourage them to be more willing to serve him but also to provide for them at other mens costs And hereupon further