of time And yet have they preserved their Native Language but with some corruption of various Dialects For the Description of Wales it was anciently bounded from England with the Rivers of Dee and Severn all the rest of it almost is bounded with the Irish Seas But Offa the Puissant King of the Mercians in England drave the Brettans from the Rivers aforesaid and forced them up to the Mountains of Wales where he caused them to be divided from England by a very great Ditch called by the English Offa's Dike at this day This was about the Year since Christ's Birth 760. and it began at the River Dee by Basing-werk between Chester and Ruthlan and so ran along the sides of the Hills to the South Sea a little from Bristow reaching near a hundred Miles in length and is in many places yet to be seen The Countrey between it and England is commonly called by the Welsh Y Mars though the greatest part of it be now inhabited with Welshmen namely in North-Wales which yet keepeth the ancient Limits to the River Dee or Dwy and in some Places over it Powell on the Welsh History pag. 5. According to Cambden it was divided into these sorts of Inhabitants in the time of the Romans and before But this was long before it had the Name of Wales Silures Herefordshire Radnorshire Brecknockshire Monmouthshire Glamorganshire Dimetae Caermardenshire Pembrokeshire Cardiganshire Ordovices Montgomeryshire Merionethshire North-Wales Caernarvanshire North-Wales Isle of Anglesey North-Wales Denbighshire North-Wales Flintshire North-Wales About the Year of Christ 870. Roderik the Great then Prince of Wales divided it into three Parts or Territories which they called Kingdoms North-Wales 1. Guinedh in Latin Venedotia which the English call North-Wales comprehending the Counties of Merioneth Caernarvan The Isle of Môn or Anglesey and the greatest parts of Denbighshire and Flintshire This had as it were the Sovereignty of the other two whose Chief Seat was Aberfraw in Anglesey which little Island the Welsh call Yir-Môn that is The Land of Môn This Part Roderik gave to Anarawd his eldest Son Powys 2. Mathraval or Powys-land This Territory containeth all the Country of Powys and the Land between Wye and Severn to wit the whole Counties as they be now called of Montgomery Radnor and all Shropshire from Severn towards Wales and the rest of Denbighshire and Flintshire The chiefest Towns herein are St. Asaph Shrewsbury and Matraval This Territory Roderik gave to Mervin his third Son South-Wales 3. Deheubarth in Latin Dimetia which the English call South-Wales contained the Counties as we now call them of Monmouth Glamorgan Pembroke Caermarden Cardigan and Brecknock The Chief Seat was Caermarden after removed to Denevowr-Castle The Chief Towns thereof Caermarden Monmouth Landaff and St. David's in Pembrokeshire so called from St. David sometime Archbishop thereof the Metropolitan of Wales who removed the See from Caer-Leon upon Usk to this Place St. Davids is by the Welsh called Mynyw whence in Latin it is termed Menevia And this Part Roderik gave to Cadelh his second Son who after the death of Mervin his Brother took Powys-Land also to himself Of these three Parts Roderik had North-Wales in right of his Mother Esylht and Powys in right of his Grandmother Nest Daughter of Cadelh Prince of Powys and South-Wales he had as some say by his Wife Daughter and Heir of Meyric Prince of Cardigan Powell on the Welsh History pag. 35. CHAP. II. THe Counties of Wales as they now stand divided were apppointed out as followeth 1 Glamoganshire 2 Caermarthenshire 3 Pembrokeshire 4 Cardiganshire 5 Flintshire 6 Caernarvonshire 7 Anglesey 8 Merionethshire These Shires were newly appointed out Anno Domini 1283. 11 Edw. 1. saith Stow. In which Year Wales was totally subdued by Edw. 1. who built two strong Castles there one at Conwey the other at Caernarvon and then newly divided Wales into Shires and Hundreds 9 Monmouthshire 10 Radnorshire 11 Brecknockshire 12 Montgomeryshire 13 Denbighshire These five were appointed by the Statute of 27 Hen. 8. ca. 26. and also divers Dominions and Lordships in the Marches of Wales were then also annexed to Shropshire Herefordshire and Glocestershire And by the Statute aforesaid of 27 Hen. 8. cap. 26. Anno Domini 1535. the Dominion of Wales is from henceforth incorporated united and annexed to the Realm of England In the Statute of 34 Hen. 8. cap. 26. they are called The Twelve Shires of Wales because Monmouth was by the other Statute of 27 H. 8. subjected to the Chancery of England and to the Kings Judges at Westminster and therefore accounted among the Counties of England and not among the Counties of Wales And by the Statute of 34 35 Hen. 8. cap. 26. there is a President and Council appointed to the Principality of those 12 Shires of Wales And that the Judge of Chester for the time being shall keep Sessions twice every Year in the Shires of Denbigh Flint and Montgomery And that there be a Judge of North-Wales to keep Sessions twice every Year in the several Shires of Caernarvan Merioneth and Anglesey And another Judge in like manner for the Shires of Radnor Brecknock and Glamorgan And another Judge in like manner for the Shires of Caermarthen Pembroke and Cardigan It appears also by the same Statute that the King had lately granted Commissions out of the Chancery of England for the Limitations of the Hundreds lately made in the said Shires It is also to be remembred That by the Statute of 33 Hen. 8. cap. 13. the Honour of Hawarden-Castle with its Members to wit certain Villages in the Parish of Hawarden which formerly belonged to Broxton-Hundred in Cheshire were now laid to Flintshire by that Act of Parliament CHAP. III. THe Welshmen embraced the Reformation of Religion according to the Church of England in Doctrine Discipline and Worship the Liturgy whereof was by Queen Elizabeth's Command translated into the Welsh or British Tongue as the BIBLE also by an Act of Parliament 5 Eliz. 1563. But because that Church-Bible then set forth the Care whereof was committed to the Bishop of Hereford and the four Bishops of Wales was of a large Bulk it was reduced into a more portable Volume in the beginning of the Reign of King Charles the First at the Charge of Rowland Heylyn Alderman of London who caused also a Welsh Dictionary to be Printed Dr. Heylyn's Cosmography pag. 323. CHAP. IV. I Come now to the Ancient Descent of the Brettans and Welsh I have before spoken something hereunto concerning the Ancient Inhabitants of Brettaine when I treated of England cap. 1. sect 5. a Supra pag. 10. I have now to add That in the first place I must crave leave to note the ridiculous and fabulous Story and Descent of Brute with the long Series of Kings downwards from him to Cassibelaun to the number of 70 in a direct Line Which Brute these Brettans would have to live when Eli Judged the People
leaped Andragathius with his Men and forthwith slew Gratian. Cambden's Britannia pag. 57. But Maximus by his own Soldiers was taken and brought to Theodosius then Emperor of the Eastern Provinces who put him to death after he had worn the Purple Robes five Years Anno scilicèt 388. And Andragathius whose Condition was now desperate cast himself out of the Ship into the Sea And Victor the Son of Maximus was overcome in France by Valentinian and there taken and slain But those Brettans whom Maximus carried out of Brettaine forcibly invaded Armorica in France as some Writers deliver and there planted themselves Cambd. pag. 58. 44. Theodosius upon the Victory over Maximus restoreth to Valentinian II. Son of Valentinian the Emperor what Maximus took from him And Theodosius and Honorius his Son enter Rome in Triumph 45. Valentinian II. is strangled at Vienna by Arbogastes a great Courtier who not daring to Usurp himself sets up Eugenius a base Fellow who of a School-master became an Officer to the Emperor 46. Theodosius Emperor of the East defeateth Eugenius and Theodosius dies of a Dropsie at Millaine Anno 395. and Arcadius his eldest Son succeeds Emperor of the East and his Son Honorius succeeds Emperor of the West 47. Honorius Son of Theodosius a Child of ten Years of age succeeds Emperor of the West whose Tuition is commended to the care of Flavius Stilico who defended Brettaine now called England from the Invasions of the Picts Scots and Saxons Cambden's Britannia pag. 58. and Claudian the Poet lib. 2. de Laudibus Stiliconis etià m in Panegyri de quarto Consulatu Honorii Anno 398. The Roman Power now declining and the Brettans finding a necessity of some General or Commander to defend them from their Barbarous Neighbours fall to chusing of Emperors or Kings 48. Marcus is elected Emperor or Chief Ruler of Brettaine about 405. who was afterwards killed An. Chr. nati 407. 49. Gratianus Municeps was elected Emperor or Chief Governor of Brettaine whom after four Months they reject and take away his Life Anno 407. Bede de Hist Ang. cap. 11. Cambden's Britannia pag. 59. 50. Constantine a mean ordinary Soldier after the death of Gratian is chosen Emperor or Chief Governor of Brettaine by the Army for his Names sake hoping he would Rule happily as Constantine the Great had done Isaacson's Chronology and Cambden pag. 59. Bede de Hist Ang. cap. 11. Honorius associates Constantine the Usurper in the Empire Anno 409. Isaacson Gerontius Constantine's General creates Maximus one of his Servants Emperor at Arragon and killeth Constans Son of Constantine at Vienna where he intercepted him and Besieged Constantine himself at Arelate Constantius one sent by Honorius defeats Gerontius who cowardly running away the Soldiers beset his House and reduced him to such a strait that first he killeth his faithful Friend Alanus and then Nunnichia his Wife who desired to die with her Husband and last of all he killeth himself But Constantine after four Months Siege and the fourth Year of his Empire laying aside his Imperial Robes was made Priest and Arelate yielded up he was brought into Italy by Constantius unto Honorius who caused Constantine to be Beheaded with his two Sons Julian whom he stiled Nobilissimum that is Most Noble Julian and Sebastian the other Son Anno 410. And from this time Brettaine returned to the Government of Honorius Cambden pag. 59. 51. Victorinus sent Governor into Brettaine by Honorius did repress the Excursions of the Picts and Scots with great Wisdom and Valour Honorius the Emperor dieth of a Dropsie Anno 423. and Valentinian the Third was Emperor of the West But after that Rome was taken by Alaricus King of the Gothes and Victorinus called back out of Brettaine by Honorius presently the Brettans take up Arms and provide for their own safety and also the Brettans of Armorica in France and other Provinces set up Governors of their own rejecting the Roman Governors And this was in the time of Constantine by whose sloth the Picts and Scots over-ran this Island But a little after the Brettans pray that Honorius would send them Aid to defend their Cities but sending no Forces he admonished them by Letters that they should have a care to defend themselves The Brettans upon these Letters take up Arms and finding themselves unable to resist their Barbarous Enemies they earnestly beseech Honorius to send a Legion hither for their safety and obtained it which upon their coming hither overthrew a great multitude of their Enemies and drove the rest out of the Borders of their Province and built a Mud-wall between Edenborough-Frith and Cluid which was of little use For after that Legion was called back to defend France the Picts and Scots easily broke over the Bounds and most miserably spoiled the Brettans on every side Again Messengers are sent with rent and torn Garments and their Heads covered with Sand thereon lamentably craving Aid from the Romans Whereupon Forces were assigned by the Command of Valentinian the Third under Gallio of Ravenna who valiantly beat back the Picts and Scots and did a little revive their wasted Province Miserable now and deplorable was the Face of Things The Roman Empire as it were expiring and the Church by reason of the great Turmoil of Wars much pestered with Heretiques Pelagius now taught in our Brettaine That we might attain to Perfect Righteousness by our own Works And one Timothy also impiously disputed among our Brettans against the Divine and Humane Nature of Christ Cambden's Britannia pag. 59 60. Now ended the Rule of the Romans in Brettaine being the four hundred seventy and sixth Year from Caesar's entrance into Brettaine so accounts Cambden But I take it to be from the first entrance of Caesar to the time of Valentinian III. 479 Years at least when in the time of Valentinian the Roman Forces under the Command of Gallio were called back to defend France and Brettaine left naked without Arms and deprived of their Prime Military Men and their Treasure exhausted without any Defence against the Cruelty of the Picts and Scots Besides those Brettans saith Cambden carried away by Maximus and the last Constantine by Ancient Inscriptions and the Book of the Provinces called Notitia Provinciarum it appears that these underwritten did serve the Romans in their Wars dispersed through the Provinces which also were from time to time supplied out of Brettaine Viz. Ala Britannica Milliaria Ala IV Britonum in Egypto Cohors Prima Aelia Britonum Cohors III Britonum Cohors VII Britonum Cohors XXVI Britonum in Armeniâ Britanniciani sub Magistro Peditum Invicti Juniores Britanniciani Inter Auxilia Palatina Exculcatores Jun. Britan. Inter Auxilia Palatina Britones cùm Magistro Equitum Galliarum Thus have I briefly run through the Romans in Brettaine with the Times when they ruled there as near as I can but sometimes I cannot trace them so exactly as I could wish because the Ancient Authors are
Scythians Celto Scythae ut habet Strabo omnes olìm ad occasum Populi dicti waxed strong in Ireland Orosius writes That in the time of Honorius and Arcadius Emperors Ireland was inhabited by the Scots about Anno Christi 400. These Scots came out of Spain into Ireland and part of them going again out of Ireland into the North of Brettain sub Duce Reudâ à quo Dal-Reudini vocantur Bede de Hist Ang. lib. 1. cap. 1. Seated themselves there and added a third Nation in Brettaine to the Picts and Brettans and afterwards from those Scots the whole North of Brettain was called Scotland even to this day And from those Scots inhabitng Ireland that Kingdom was by Isidore and Bede called Scotia Haec propriè Patria Scottorum est saith Bede of Ireland l. 1. de Hist Ang. c. 1. Anno Christi 684. Egfrid King of Northumberland wasted Ireland Bede ib. l. 4. c. 26. Anno Christi 838. the Norwegians under the Command of Turgesius for 30 Years miserably wasted Ireland but he being slain by Treachery the Inhabitants slew all the Norwegians Giraldus Topogram Hiberniae Distinct 3. cap. 37. These Norwegians without doubt were those Normans who as Rhegino saith in the Times of Charles the Great setting upon Ireland the Island of the Scots were put to flight by the Scots Afterwards the Oustmanni that is The Eastern Men came from the Sea-coast of Germany into Ireland under pretence of Merchandize and soon after raised a great War About the same time almost Edgar King of England overcame a great part of Ireland and subjected it under his Dominion Cambden's Britannia pag. 731. But besides these there arose great Dissention among the Irish themselves which made way to the conquering of Ireland for the King of England Hen. II. taking notice of these Jars Treated seriously with his Nobles of England about the Year 1155. concerning the conquering of Ireland for the use of his Brother William of Angeau but by the Advice of his Mother Maude the Empress the Matter was at that time deferred Not many Years after Dermot Mac Morrog King of Leinster being driven out of his Kingdom by Rodoric King of Connaught and Monarch of Ireland implores the Aid of Hen. II. who condescending thereunto Dermot prevailed with Richard de Clare Earl of Pembroke sirnamed Strongbow Son of Gilbert de Clare Earl of Pembroke which Gilbert was a younger Son of Gilbert Earl of Clare in Suffolk to raise Forces for his Assistance Covenanting to make Strongbow his Successor in the Kingdom of Leinster and to give unto him Eva his Daughter in Marriage Hereupon Strongbow gathers an Army of select Soldiers in Wales and England accompanied with Fitz-Gerald Fitz-Stephen and other Gentlemen and in few Years obtained so great a part of Ireland that Hen. II. fearing his Power sends out his Proclamation in Anno 1171. That Strongbow and other his Associates should return back out of Ireland by Easter next or else be utterly Disinherited for ever Strongbow returns into England the King is pacified with him Conditionally that he surrender Dublin to the King with the Cantreds adjoyning and also all the Maritime Towns and Castles the residue of his Conquest he must acknowledge to hold from the King of England and his Heirs So Giraldus CHAP. II. Of the chief Persons in the Conquest of Ireland I. RIchard Strongbow Earl of Pembroke a Man much in Debt had large Possessions but had much lesned his Estate by his profuseness and therefore more easily drawn in to the getting of new Territories Chron. Joh. Brompton pag. 1069. Vir plus nominis hactenùs habens quam hominis plus senii quà m ingenii Giraldus Hib. Expug li. 1. cap. 12. Of a ruddy Complexion Freckled great Eyes a womanly Face a small Voice a short Neck Bountiful and of a mild Nature being fixed in Battel was a Standard for his Forces to resort unto not puffed up with a Victory nor dejected with a Defeat Giraldus Hib. Expug lib. 1. cap. 27. He was sirnamed Strongbow from the strong Bowe which he used to draw having Arms of an extraordinary length of whom it is reported that standing upright he could touch his own Knees with the Palms of his Hands Brooke in his Catalogue of Nobility Title Pembroke The King of England Hen. II. gave him what accrued unto him in Right of Eva his Wife and what he had got in War and gave him the Counties of Weshford Ossery Caterlogh and Kildare to hold of the Kings of England Cambd. Britan. pag. 731. Ireland He died An. Chr. 1176. and Dermot King of Leinster his Father-in-law died at Fernys about the Calends of May Anno 1171. full of Days Annales Hiberniae at the end of Camb. Britan. II. Hugh Lacy was also very instrumental in the Conquest of Ireland to whom Hen. II. gave all the Land of Meath in Ireland with the Apurtenances by Charter to hold of him and his Son John for the Service of 100 Knights Fees He gave him also in custody the City of Dublin with its Apurtenances and appointed these following to belong to the Service of Dublin all the Land of Offlan with its Apurtenances and Wilkechelon with its Apurtenances and the Service of Meath and the Service of four Knights Fees which Robert Poer ought to do for the Castle of Dunavet Hoveden pag. 528. 566. He was Descended of Walter Lacy a great Baron who Founded Lanthony-Abby in the Valley of Ewyas in the Borders of Monmouthshire to which Walter William Earl of Hereford gave great Possessions in those Parts Cambden in Monmouthshire This Hugh was of a black Complexion hollow Eyes the right side of his Face even to his Chin was disfigured by Burning which hapned in his Youth a short Neck a hairy Body strong Sinews of a little Stature and a deformed Shape firm to his Trust intent on his own Business and very vigilant in the Affairs of Government a good Soldier much trusted by his Prince who made him Lord Justice of Ireland 1172. Hoveden pag. 528. He Fortified Leinster and Meath with many Castles and had his Head chopt off with a Hatchet by an Irishman treacherously as he stooped down Anno 1186. at Dernath where he intended to have built a Castle Hoveden pag. 631. also Annales Hiberniae He left two Sons of great eminency in Ireland Walter de Lacy Lord of Meath and Hugh Lacy Earl of Ulster afterwards III. Robert Fitz-Stephen was the first of Strong-bow's Forces who entred Ireland with three Ships containing about 130 Soldiers of his Friends and Allies Landing at Banvan about May Anno 1167. besides 60 other Horse and 300 Foot Archers among whom Hervey de Mont-Morice The Day after Maurice de Prendergest followed with two Ships of Soldiers more raised out of Cardiganshire or thereabouts De Rosensi Walliae Demetiae Provinciâ These with 500 Soldiers more sent by Dermot out of his own Countrey under the Command of his Bastard Son Donwald Assaulted Weshford but were beaten
divers others of the better sort of the Irish rebelled against the King of England Hoveden pag. 567. Joh. Bromton pag. 1128. The Princes of Ireland who submitted to the Rule of the King of England Henry the Second Anno 1172. Chartis subsignatis Romam transmissis Cambd. Britan. pag. 731. ROtheric O-Conor-Dun Fuscus Hiberniae Monarcha Dermot Mac-Carty King of Cork Donald O-Bren King of Limrick O-Carel King of Uriel Mac-Shaglin Rex Ophaliae O-Roric King of Meath O-Nele King of Ulster and the chief Noblemen of them all Now followeth a Catalogue of all the Lord Deputies of Ireland CHAP. III. A Catalogue of the Chief Governors of Ireland under the Sovereignty of the Kings of England since the Conquest thereof by Henry the Second to the Year 1670. Stiled sometimes Lord Justices sometimes Lord Lieutenants sometimes Lord Deputies of Ireland Ann. Dom. 1171 HEnry the Second King of England landed at Croch in Ireland eight Miles from Waterford the 17 of October 1171. and staid there till Easter following In which space the Princes of Ireland submit and swore Fealty to him Roderik King of Connaught being as it were the Chief Head and Monarch of Ireland Hoveden and Giraldus The Conquest of Ireland was before prepared for him Anno 1168. by Richard Strongbow who then entred Ireland with his Forces and very victoriously winning one Place after another Hoveden The King of Connaught agreeth to hold all his Lands under the King of England Ut Rodericus sit Rex sub Henrico paratus ad Servitium suum and to pay him Tribute as the words of the Deed run which you may see at large in Hoveden's History or Annals bearing date in the Octaves of St. Michael 1175. made at the Parliament at Windsor in England 1. Hugh Lacy Lord Justice of Ireland 2. Richard Strongbow Lord Justice Obiit 1176. Hoveden 3. William Fitz-Aldelme Justice of Ireland Hoveden But Giraldus Hiber Expug lib. 2. cap. 15. saith Reymund was elected Governor of Ireland while Messengers were sent to the King of England to certifie him of Strongbow's death who forthwith sent William Fitz-Aldelme Procuratorem in Hiberniam joyning with him John Curcy Robert Fitz-Stephen and Milo de Coggan in Commission 4. Hugh Lacy again made Generalis Hiberniae Procurator Robert le Poer the King's Marshal being joyned as an Assistant to him which Robert was then Governor both of Waterford and Weshford Giraldus 5. John Lacy Constable of Cheshire and Baron of Halton with Richard Peche Bishop of Chester were sent into Ireland about the Calends of May 1181. and made Governors of Dublin for the King had sent for Hugh Lacy as jealous of his Strength and Power in Ireland having now married the Daughter of Roderik King of Connaught without the King of England's Licence first obtained Hoveden 6. Hugh Lacy again in the Winter following eodem Anno Robert of Shrewsbury a Clergy-man being joyned with him 7. Philip of Worcester vir Dapsilis Militaris Hib. Expug lib. 2. cap. 24. called by Hoveden Philip de Breos sent Governor into Ireland about the Calends of September 8. John the King's Son afterwards King John went into Ireland but soon returned after he had appointed Justices and settled the Garrisons there Hoveden But who those Justices were he mentions not Hoveden saith That Anno 1176. the King of England gave Ireland to his Son John and then after at a Parliament at Oxford Anno 1177. the King did constitute him Regem in Hiberniâ Concessione Confirmatione Alexandri summi Pontificis And Anno 1185. 31 Hen. 2. the King Knighted him at Windsor the last day of March and sends him forthwith into Ireland where he staid not long indè eum Regem constituit Certain it is That this John after he became King of England assumed the Title of Dominus Hiberniae to his other Titles which also the succeeding Kings of England ever since retained until the Year 1542. 33 Hen. 8. at which time by a Parliament in Ireland King Henry the Eighth was declared King of Ireland as a Title of greater Majesty which Title of Rex Hiberniae the Kings of England have used ever since Probably when the King gave unto his Son John Dominium Hiberniae 1176 it was as much as King of Ireland in effect whereby the Supreme Power was implied and from thence we see he assumed the Title of Dominus Hiberniae afterwards But it is not probable that the King did create him Regem Hiberniae by Charter though possibly he might sometimes be so called for then he would have assumed the Title of Rex Hiberniae and not of Dominus Hiberniae which afterwards we find he assumed but never Rex Hiberniae Ann. Dom. 1211 9. John Grey Bishop of Norwich Lord Justice Matt. Paris King John went then into Ireland 10. Henry Londers Archbishop of Dublin Lord Justice Annales Hiberniae Sub Henrico Tertio 1224. The same Archbishop of Dublin Fuller's Eccles Hist lib. 3. pag. 58. 1230. 11. Geffrey de Maurice Lord Justice Matt. Paris These following are Collected out of the Annals of Ireland apud Cambdenum in Britannia sua to the Year 1420. 1248. 12. Sir John Fitz-Geffrey Lord Justice 1255. 13. Alan de la Zouch Lord Justice 1259. 14. Stephen de Longspée Lord Justice See Vincent upon Brook pag. 447. 1259. 15. William Dene Lord Justice Obiit 1261. 1261. 16. Sir Richard de Capell Lord Justice 1267. 17. Sir David de Barry Lord Justice 1268. 18. Sir Robert de Ufford Lord Justice 1269. 19. Ricardus de Exoniis Lord Justice 1270. 20. Sir James Audley Lord Justice He was kill'd with a fall from his Horse in Toomond 1272. Sub Edwardo Primo 1272. 21. Maurice Fitz-Maurice Lord Justice 1273. 22. Sir Geffrey de Genevill Lord Justice 1276. 23. Sir Robert de Ufford Lord Justice But going to England Anno 1279. Robert de Fulborne Bishop of Waterford was put in his Place Ufford returns 1280. and is Lord Justice 1281. 24. Stephen de Fulborne Archiepiscopus Turonensis Lord Justice eodem Anno. Ufford goes into England and Fulborne dieth Anno 1287. 1287. 25. John Sampford Archbishop of Dublin Lord Justice ad Tempus 1291. 26. William Vescy Lord Justice 1294. 27. William D'oodyngzele Lord Justice Obiit 1298. 1295. 28. Sir Thomas Fitz-Maurice Lord Justice Obiit 1298. 1295. 29. John Wogan Lord Justice Sir Thomas Fitz-Maurice surrendring the Place to him Sub Edwardo Secundo Ann. Dom. 1312. 30. Sir Edmund le Butler is made Deputy to Sir John Wogan Both died 1321. 1314. 31. Sir Theobald de Verdon Lord Justice He came into Ireland the 20 of June 1314. 32. Sir Edmund le Butler Lord Justice He received his Commission on Friday after St. Matthew's day 1317. 33. Sir Roger de Mortimer Lord Justice but going into England to the King makes William Archiepiscopum Cassiliensem Custodem Hiberniae who was Lord Justice Chancellor and Archbishop all at a time 1318. And in Anno 1319. Sir Roger returns and is Lord Justice
Dux was slain in Battel against the Danes with many other Noblemen of England Florentius pag. 388. IV. Edric sirnamed Streon a most perfidious Man was made Duke or Governor of Mercia by King Ethelred Anno 1007. in which Year the King of England agreed to pay thirty six thousand Pounds Tribute-money to the Danes so as they would desist from their Rapines Florentius pag. 373. with whom also agrees Huntington Hoveden and Polychronicon Onely Westminster saith he was made Duke of Mercia Anno 1003. He was the Son of Egelricus of low Kindred and to whom nevertheless his eloquent Tongue and crafty Wit procured great Riches and Honor and for Envy Florentius pag. 373. Falshood Pride and Cruelty exceeded all Men at that time He had to his Brothers Brihtric Alfric Goda Agelwin Agelward and Agelmer See Hoveden pag. 450. Father of Wulnoth Father of Godwin Earl of the West-Saxons He married Edgitha Daughter of King Ethelred Hoveden pag. 430. Stow calls her Edina pag. 90. b. and had Issue Wulfege and Wegete two Sons His unworthy Acts Historians Record thus Anno 1006. he murthered Duke Alfhelme whom VVestminster calls Ethelstane by a Wile for having invited him to a Banquet at Shrewsbury about the third or fourth day of his Entertainment he took him along with him on Hunting and led him into a Wood where he had laid in ambush a Butcher of Shrewsbury called Godwin Porthund whom he had hired to kill Alfhelme This Godwin spying his opportunity when all the rest of the Company were busied in Hunting fell upon Alfhelme and murthered him And shortly after King Ethelred caused the Eyes of Edric's two Sons VVulfeage and VVegate to be put out at Cocham or Cosham where the King then lived Florentius pag. 372. Anno 1015. he guilefully got Sigeferth and Morcar Sons of Earngrime into his Chamber where he caused them to be killed secretly and also endeavored secretly to have slain Edmund Prince of England And not long after having gotten forty Ships well Manned with Danish Soldiers he revolted to Canutus King of the Danes Florentius pag. 382. Hoveden pag. 433. Sigeferth and Morcar are stiled Earls of Northumberland by VVestminster whose Lands the King seised as forfeited by their Treason To omit many other of his Treacheries Anno 1016. Edric most perfidiously caused King Edmund sirnamed Ironside to be murthered for he caused his Son to thrust a sharp Knife into the King's Fundament as he was at the House of Office exonerating himself And this was done when the King lodged at Oxford on the last day of November Matt. VVestminster pag. 401. But Malmesbury pag. 72. saith Edric corrupted two of the King's Bed-chamber to thrust an Iron Hook into his Fundament as he was exonerating himself so was the common Fame saith he Howbeit Florentius and Hoveden both tell us That King Edmund died at London about the Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle At last this Edric had a just Reward for all his Villanies for Anno 1017. Cnut the Danish King caused him to be Beheaded after he had told him what he had done to King Edmund and set his Head upon the Tower of London for he said he would make him higher than all the Noblemen of England Others say That for fear of Tumult he was privately strangled and his Body thrown into Thames So VVestminster pag. 402. Vide Ingulphum pag. 892. By Edric's Counsel Cnut banished Edwine Brother to Edmund Ironside and also Edward and Edmund Sons to King Edmund Ironside V. Leofric is the next Governor of Mercia I meet with He is the first that I find stiled Earl of Chester in express words Henry Huntington lib. 6. pag. 366. Leofricus Consul Nobilissimus Cestriae He is also stiled Earl of Leycester by Ingulphus pag. 891. Howbeit in truth he was now Earl of all Mercia whereof those Counties were Members or Branches and was one of the Primest Counsellors among all the Nobles of England and very gracious with his Prince He lived in the several Reigns of King Cnut Harald sirnamed Harefoot Hardy-Cnut and Edward sirnamed The Confessor But give me leave here by way of Digression to explain the Title of Earl which we give unto them for hitherto before this Leofric they have most usually by ancient Authors been stiled Duces Merciae But from Leofric downwards they are usually stiled Comites Merciae Wherefore it is to be observed That under the Saxons the subordinate Titles of Temporal Honour were those of Ethelinge Ealdorman and Thane or Theigne The Thanes were answerable to our Barons The Ealdormen usually stiled Aldermanni in the old Latin Translations of the Saxon Laws were such as had Provinces or Counties under their Government and signifies as much as Senior or Senator in Latin expressed sometimes by Subregulus Regulus Patricius Princeps Dux and in Saxon by Heretoga sometimes by Comes and Consul Selden's Tit. Hon. pag. 605. Ethelinge was a Title attributed to those of the Blood-Royal Sons and Brothers to the King and signifies as much as Nobly Born which in the times of the Saxons was in Latin expressed Clyto from the Greek Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies Famous Noble or Eminent About King Ethelstan's Reign the Word Earl was received in England as a Syncnima to Etheling and so denoted the Sons or Brothers of the King and not an Earl as at this day it is used for a Special Dignity Selden Tit. Hon. pag. 604. The word Earl coming into England with the Danes in whose Language Erlig at this day signifies as much as Noble or Honourable And after the Danish Power encreased in England under King Cnut the Name of Earl was fixed on those who before were by the Saxons called Ealdormen and the Saxon Title Ethelinge no more expressed by the word Earl The Title of Ealdorman continued until about the Year 1020. expressed by these words in Latin Duces Principes Comites c. Selden Tit. Hon. pag. 609. But from the Norman Conquest Earl and Comes most usually have translated each other And therefore because these Governors of Mercia first stiled Duces were also afterwards stiled Comites and Consules I give them the Title of Earls Howbeit in truth the Titles of Dux and Comes used by the ancient Historians of our Nation and also frequently found in old Latin Charters under our Saxon Kings about 800 Years after Christ did then signifie with us no other than Chief Governors of Provinces and Counties under the King and promiscuously used in that Age for the same Title So were also Consul and Subregulus But though Dux and Comes were promiscuously used by Florentius Huntington Hoveden and other old Authors yet I find in Latin Chartes of those Ages many stiled Duces and others Comites in the same Charters as we find in Ingulphus Nay you may observe in the Subscriptions of those Ages this Order First Bishops then Abbots then Duces then Comites then Minister which in those Chartes denotes a Thane or Lord
Cornwall in Cook 's Reports lib. 8. was Printed by his Majesty's special Command 1613. 11 Jacobi where it is set forth That by the Advice of the Privy Council it was clearly and absolutely Resolved that Prince Charles now the King 's eldest Son was in Right and by virtue of the Statute of 11 Edw. 3. ought to be Duke of Cornwall and therefore his Majesty commanded that Prince Charles his Son should have and enjoy the Honor and Stile of Duke of Cornwall which he presently had and enjoyed accordingly Vincent upon Brook pag. 146 147. And on the third of November 1616. 14 Jacobi he was also created Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester and was afterwards King of England by the Name of King Charles the First A summary Collection of the Earls of Chester contained in this second Part. 1. GHerbod a Nobleman of Flanders had the Earldom of Chester given him by the Conqueror about the Year of Christ 1068. but going into Flanders was there taken Prisoner And then did William the Conqueror give the Earldom of Chester to Hugh sirnamed Lupus Anno Domini 1070. 2. Hugh sirnamed Lupus Earl of Auranches in Normandy was made Earl of Chester Anno 1070. He died July 27. 1101. after he had held the Earldom of Chester 31 Years 3. Richard the onely Child of Hugh Lupus by his Wife was but seven Years old when his Father died He was drowned with many others as he was Sailing from Normandy towards England Anno 1120. after he had been Earl 18 Years but had no Issue 4. Randle de Mecinis or Meschines Son of Maud Sister to Hugh Lupus succeeded Earl of Chester as Cosin and next Heir to Richard And he died Anno 1128. having been Earl eight Years 5. Randle the Second sirnamed Gernouns Son of Randle de Meschines succeeded his Father He died Anno Domini 1153 having been Earl 25 Years 6. Hugh the Second sirnamed Cyveliok Son of Randle the Second succeeded his Father And he died Anno Domini 1181. having been Earl 28 Years 7. Randle the Third sirnamed Blundevill Son of Hugh the Second succeeded his Father in the Earldom of Chester He was also made Earl of Lincoln 1217. and died at Wallingford in the latter end of October Anno Domini 1232. without Issue and was Earl of Chester 51 Years 8. John sirnamed The Scot Earl of Huntingdon Son of Maud eldest Sister and Coheir to Randle the Third sirnamed Blundevill succeeded Earl of Chester and died at Dernhale Abbey without Issue June 7. 1237. having been Earl of Chester almost five Years from which time this Earldom was seized to the Crown of England Finis Partis Secundae The Third Part Treating of the ancient Barons to the Earls of Chester with several Catalogues of all the Bishops Deans Chamberlains Judges Sheriffs and Escheators of Cheshire and also of the Recorders of the City of Chester CHAP. I. Of the ancient Barons to the Earls of Chester I. COncerning the ancient Barons to the Earls of Chester of whom I promised before to speak in this third Part of my Book these things I have principally to Discuss and Illustrate the true notion of their Title the time of their Institution their Office Place and number II. For the true notion of their Title Selden tells us in his Titles of Honour pag. 688. that the noblest and greatest Tenants to the greater sort of Subjects had anciently the Appellation of Barons ascribed to them especially those to the Earls of Chester Spelman in his Glossary deriveth the word Baro from the old English-Saxon Per or Wer and of later Times written Par Francis Antiquis Ber signifying the same with the Latine word Vir Glossarium Latino-Gallicum Ber Bara Vir so that the Latine word Vir seems to be the original Fountain whence it springs And both these words Baro by some written Varo and Vir do agree in their several significations sometimes for a Man barely and absolutely sometimes for a Man of Worth Power or Prowess sometimes for a Husband For the notion of the word here it denotes as much as Magnates or Optimates where we may observe That Noblemen or Barons seem to be a necessary Supplement as essential to the Royalty of a Count Palatine for the Earl of Chester having Royal Authority within himself we may not unfitly stile him a petty King And that the Majesty of his Palace may be answerable to a King he must have Noblemen about him in imitation of the Barons of the Kingdom Hence also the Earls of Chester subtuted Offices making the Baron of Halton Constable in Cheshire in Fee in imitation of the Lord High-Constable of England and making the Baron of Montalt Steward of Cheshire in Fee after the example of the Lord High-Steward of England These Barons under the Earl Ruled and Governed the County and from their great Power and Sway had the Appellation of Barons III. As to the time of their first Institution I find the Great Men of Cheshire about the Earl stiled Barons in the time of Hugh Lupus In the Charter of his Foundation of the Monastery of St. Werburge in Chester Anno 1093. 6 Willielmi Rufi in the conclusion thereof it is said Ego Comes Hugo mei Barones confirmavimus ista omnia corà m Anselmo Archiepiscopo c. Neither must we fondly imagine or expect any formal Creation of them either by Patent for such are of later Times by much or any solemn Investure But as I conceive upon the conferring of the Earldom of Chester on Hugh Lupus by the Conqueror Anno Domini 1070. the principal Gentlemen and Commanders under Earl Hugh being called to advise and assist the said Earl either in any time of imminent danger or in regulating and ordering the more weighty Affairs of the County were of course so stiled and thus I conceive they retained the Name of Barons by little and little after the manner of the Great Nobles of the Realm IV. And hence may we guesse their Office Adesse Comiti in Concilio as Cambden hath it to assist the Earl in Council upon all grand Designs and Affairs V. Concerning their Place of Precedence and Dignity we must consider them either in relation to others or among themselves In relation to others out of the County I conceive them inferior to the rank of the Barons of our Realm for these are but titularly or analogically Barons as I may so speak to those of the Kingdom nay in Place beneath all Knights but they were the greatest Men in the County under the Earl for Power and Estate Their Priority or Dignity among themselves we shall trace as exactly as we can in so remote and obscure a Path. Some would have the Baron of Malpas to be the prime Baron forasmuch as Robert Fitz-Hugh who was Baron of Malpas under Hugh Lupus in the Conqueror's time hath for the most part the preeminence in the Subscription of old Charts of those ancient Times as also in the Record of