and had a great Number of their Men slain After this nothing remarkable fell out for a considerable time unless it were that David being released out of Prison by Prince Lhewelyn his Brother most ungratefully forsook him and with all his might sided with his Enemies the English also Gruffydh ap Gwenwynwyn having taken the Castle of Mold demolished it to the ground During this quiet and unactive interval in Wales Meredith ap Owen the main Support and Defender of South-Wales died to the great disadvantage of the Affairs of that Country And now indeed the Welch were like to be A.D. 1268 made sensible of the Loss of so considerable a Person for King Henry was resolved once more to lead an Army into Wales and to see if he could have better Success than he had hitherto against the Welch But when he was prepared to undertake this Expedition Ottobonus Pope Clement's Legate in England interposed and mediated a Peace which was concluded upon at the Castle of Montgomery wherein it was articled that Prince Lhewelyn should give the King 30000 Marks and the King was to grant the Prince a Charter from thenceforth to receive Homage and Fealty of all the Nobility and Barons of Wales besides one so that they could hold their Lands of no other but himself and from thence forward he was to be lawfully stiled Prince of Wales This Charter being ratified and confirmed as well by the Authority of the Pope as the King's Seal Prince Lhewelyn desisted from any farther Acts of Hostility and punctually observed all the Articles of Agreement betwixt him and King Henry so that nothing more was outragiously transacted between the English and Welch during the remainder of this King's reign Within that space died Grono ap Ednyfed Fychan one of the Chief Lords of the Prince's Council and shortly after him Gruffydh Lord of Bromfield who lies buried at Vale-Crucis A.D. 1272 But the Death of King Henry put an end to the observations of the Peace betwixt the English and Welch who dying on the 16th day of November this year left this Kingdom to his Son Edward Prince Edward was then in the Holy-Land and very active against those Enemies of Christianity the Turks where he had already continued above a year but understanding of his Father's Death and that in his absence he was proclaimed King of England he made all haste to return to receive the Solemnity of Coronation But what by the tediousness of the Journey and what by being honourably detained at Princes Courts in his way it was two years before he could get into England then upon the 15th of August and in the year 1274. he was Crowned at Westminster Prince Lhewelyn was summoned to attend at his Coronation but he flatly refused to appear unless upon sure Terms of safe Conduct for having offended several of the English Nobility he could not in safety pass thro' their Country without the danger of exposing his Person to the inveterate Malice and acceptable Revenge of some of them And thâ—refore without the King's Brother the Earl of Glocester and Robert Burnell Lord Chief Justice of England were delivered up as Pledges for his safe Conduct he would not come up to do his Homage and Fealty at his Coronation according to the Writ directed to him And indeed seeing King Edward had broke the Peace lately concluded upon before the Pope's Legate and did receive and honourably entertain such Noblemen of Wales as for their disloyalty were banished by Prince Lhewelyn by whom he feared some treachery there was no reason that the Prince should pay him any subjection but by the breach of Peace was exempted from all Homage However Prince Lhewelyn to shew that it was not out of any stubborness or disrespect to the King of England that he refused to come sent up his Reasons by the Abbots of Ystratflur and Conwey to Robert Kilwarby Archbishop of Canterbury and the rest of the Bishops then sitting â—n Convocation in the New-Temple at London which were to this effect To the most Reverend Fathers in God Robert Archbishop of Canterbury and Metropolitan of all England the Archbishop of York and the rest of the Bishops in Convocation Lhewelyn Prince of Wales and Lord of Snowden sendeth Greeting WE would have your Lordships to understand that whereas formerly most terrible and incessant Wars were continually managed betwixt Henry King of England and our self the same were at last composed and all matters of Differences were adjusted by the means of his Excellency Cardinal Ottobonus the Pope's Legate who having drawn the Articles and Conditions of the Peace agreâ—d upon they were signed and swore to not only by the Kâ—ng but also the Prince his Son now King of England Among these Articles were comprehended that we and our Successors should hold of the King and his Successor the Principality of Wales so that all the Welch Lords one Baron excepted should hold their Baronies and Estates in Capite of us and should pay their Homage and Fealty for the same to us we in like manner doing Homage to the King of England and his Successors And besides that the King and his Successors should never offer to receive and entertain any of our Enemies nor any such of our own Subjects as were lawfully banished and excluded our Dominions of Wales nor by any means defend and uphold such against us Contrary to which Articles King Edward has forcibly seized upon the Estates of certain Barons of Wales of which they and their Ancestors have been immemorably possessed of and detains a Barony which by the form of Peace should have been delivered to us and moreover has hitherto entertained David ap Gruffydh our Brother and Gruffydh ap Gwenwynwyn with several others of our Enemies who are Out-laws and Fugitives of our Country And tho' we have often exhibited our Grievances and Complaints against them for destroying and pillaging our Country yet we could never obtain of the King any relief or redress for the several Wrongs and Injuries we received at their hands but on the contrary they still persist to commit wastes and other outrages in our Dominions And for all this he summons us to do him Homage at a place which is altogether dangerous to our Person where our inveterate Enemies and which is worse our own unnatural Subjects bear the greatest sway and respect w th the King And tho' we have alledged several Reasons to the King and his Council why the place by him assigned is nâ—t safe and indifferent for us to come and desire him to appoint another whereto we might with more safety resort or else that he would send Commissioners to receive our Oath and Homage till he could more opportunely receive them in Person yet he would not assent to our just and reasonable Request nor be satisfied with the Reasons we exhibited for our non-appearance Therefore we desire your Lordships earnestly to weigh the dismal effects that will happen to the Subjects
in Northumberland and was with much rejoycing received by the Inhabitants But before he could secure himself in the Government he was shamefully banished the Country and so the Northumbrians elected one Hircius the Son of Harold for their King But to shew the Inconstancy of an unsettled Multitude they soon grew weary of Hircius and after Three Years space expelled him and voluntarily submitted themselves to Edred who after he had reigned eight Years dyed and was buried at Winchester To him succeeded Edwin the Son of Edmund a Man so immoderately given to Venety that he forcibly married another Man's Wife for which and other Irregularities his Subjects after four Years reign set up his Brother Edgar who was crowned in his stead with A.D. 958 grief of which he soon ended his days The Summer that same Year proved so immoderately hot that it caused a very dismal Plague in the following Spring which swept away a great number of People before which Gwgan the Son of Gwyriad the Son of Roderie dyed At this time Ievaf and Iago forcibly managed the Government of all Wales and acted according to their own good Pleasures no one daring to confront or resist them But for all their Power the Sons of Abloio King of Ireland ventured to land in Anglesey and having burnt Holyhead wasted the Country of Lhyn Also the Son of Edwyn the Son of Colhoyn destroyed and ravaged all the Country to A.D. 961 Towyn where they were intercepted and slain About the same time dyed Meyric the Son of Cadfan Rytherch Bishop of S. Davids and Cadwalhon ap Owen Not long after the Country of North-Wales was cruelly A.D. 965 wasted by the Army of Edgar King of England the occasion of which Invasion was the non-payment of the Tribute that the King of Aberffraw by the Laws of Howel Dha was obliged to pay to the King of London But at length a Peace was concluded upon these Conditions that the Prince of North-Wales instead of Money should pay to the King of England the Tribute of 300 Wolves yearly which Creature was then very pernicious and destructive to England and Wales This Tribure being duly performed for two Years the third Year there were none to be found in any part of the Island so that afterwards the Prince of North-Wales became exempt from paying any Acknowledgment to the King of England A.D. 966 The Terror apprehended from the English being by these means vanished there threatned another Cloud from Ireland for the Irish being animated by their late Expedition landed again in Anglesey and having slain Roderic the Son of Edwal Foel they destroyed Aboffraw And this danger being over Ievaf and A.D. 967 â—ago who had jointly and agreeably till now managed the Government of Wales from the death of Howel â—ha began to quarrel and disagree among themselves and Iago having forcibly laid hands upon his Brother 〈◊〉 confined him to perpetual Imprisonment These Heats and Animosities between the two Brothers A.D. 968 gave occasion and opportunity to Owen Prince of South-Wales to carve for himself who presently â—eized to his hands the Country of Gwyr And to A.D. 969 â—ugment the Miseries of the Welch at this time Mactus the Son of Harold with an Army of Danes â—ntered the Isle of Anglescy and spoiled Penmon King Edgar was so indulgent to these Danes that he permitted them to inhabit through all England insoâ—uch that at length they became to be as numerous â—nd as strong as the English themselves and fell into â—uch lewd courses of Debauchery and such horrid Drinking that very great Mischief ensued thereupon The King to reform this immoderate Sottishness enacted a Law that very one should drink by measure and so stamped a Mark upon every Vessel how â—â—at it should be filled But Harold having taken Pennon A.D. 970 made subject to himself the whole Isle of Anglesey which however he did not keep long being forced to quit the same and to return home as did the Fleet of King Alfred which he had sent to subâ—ue Caâ—rlheon upon Vsc And now being rid of the A.D. 971 English and Danes the Welch begin to raise Commotions among themselves Ievaf continued still in Prison A.D. 972 to rescue whom his Son Howel raised his Power and marched against his Uncle Iago who being vanquished in sight was forced to quit the Country to â—ave himself Howel having won the day took his eldest Uncle Meyric the Son of Edwal Prisoner and pulled out both his Eyes clapt him in Prison where in a woful condition he shortly dyed leaving behind him two Sons Edwal and Ionafal the first of which lived to be afterwards Prince of Wales and to revenge upon the Posterity of Howel that unnatural Barbarity shewed to his Father But though Howel delivered his Father from his long and tedious Imprisonment yet he did not think fit to restore him to his Principality for whether by Age or Infirmity he was incapable Howel took upon him the sole Government of Wales which he kept and maintained for his life-time but afterwards it descended to his Brethren For Ievaf had Issue besides this Howel Meyric Iâ—vaf and Cadwalhan all three Men of great Repuâ—â— and Esteem About this time dyed Morgan Hên in his younger days called Morgan Mawr being an Hundred Yearâ— old having lived Fifty Years after the death of hâ—â— Wife Elen Daughter of Roderic the Great by whoâ— he had one Son called Owen Morgan was a valiant anâ— a victorious Prince and well beloved of his Subjects 〈◊〉 but sometime before his death Owen the Son oâ— Prince Howel Dha laid claim to Ystradwy and Eâ—y called the two Sleeves of Gwent Vwchcoed being thâ— Right of Morgan and seized upon them to his owâ— use But the matter through the mediation of the Clergy and Nobility being by both Parties referred to the decision of Edgar King of England it was by him adjudged that the said Lands did of right belong to Morgan and to the Diocess of Lhandaff and that Owen ap Howel Dha had wrongfully possessed himself of them The Charter of the said Award waâ— made before the Archbishops Bishops Earls and Barons of England and Wales at may be seen at Lhandaff in an old Manuscript called y Cwtta Cyfarwydd 〈◊〉 Forgannwg And there is somewhat to the same purpose in the old Book of Lhandaff only the mistake in both is that they make Howel Dha the Intruder into the said Lands who had been dead at least Twenty Years before King Edgar began his Reign Howel ap Ievaf HOwel after that he had expelled his Uncle Iago and forced him to quit his own Dominions â—â—ok upon himself the Government of Wales in â—â—ght of his Father who tho alive yet by reason of â—â—s Years was willing to decline it About the same 〈◊〉 Dwnwalhon Prince of Stradclwyd took his Jourâ—â—y for Rome and Edwalhon Son of Owen Prince â—f South-Wales died But the English received a â—â—eater Blow by the Death of King Edgar who was Prince of
leaving his Estate to Gwenwynwyn his Son 217. Owen Glendwr his Family Education and Employment 315. opposed by the Lord Ruthyn without Redress takes up Arms and makes him Prisoner 316. prevails takes the Earl of March Prisoner 317. retakes Aberystwyth Castle 319. Summons a Parliament at Machynlleth 320. Secures David Gam upon a suspicion of a design he had to murder him 321. burnt his House and his Verse upon it ibid. P. PAtent of Lands granted in Wales to the Earl of Portland 302. Commons address upon it 303. King's Answer 304. Peckham John Archbishop of Canterbury endeavours a Reconciliation of Prince Llewelyn and his Brother with the King 286. his Remonstrance to the Prince and People 287 288 289 290. Solicites the King on behalf of the Welch 291. Sends Articles to the Welch 292. Excommunicates the Prince of Wales and his Adherents 297. Peace in general between England and Wales except with Prince Rhys who was forced to comply with the King 176. Vnjustly dealt with 177. Powis Prince of removes his Seat from Pengwern to Mathraval 20. An account of it while a Principality and a Lordship with the several Divisions and Possessors thereof whether of British or English Blood 175 to 185. R. REbellion in the North caused by Earl Tosty's Insolence 97. Appeased 98. Rhydderch seizes upon South-Wales 82. Rhydderch and Rhys the Sons of Rhydderch ap Iestyn put in their Claim to South-Wales 88. Rhys Brother to Prince Gruffydh taken by the English and put to death at Bulendun 91. Rhys ap Owen and Rhydderch ap Caradoc joyntly govern South-Wales 105. The latter dies 106. A Rebellion against the other ibid. Invaded also from North-Wales flies pursued and slain 187. Rhys ap Theodor allowed Prince of South-Wales as lawful Heir 107. A Rebellion formed against him flies into Ireland returns and defeats his Enemy 110. Suppresses another Rebellion 111. Slain near Brecknock in a Fight against the invading Normans and his own rebellious Subjects 112. Rhys ap Gruffydh Prince of South-Wales takes Llanymddyfri Castle 177. Subdues Cardigan 178. Gives Henry II. Hostages to observe the Peace made between them ib. Besieges Carmarthen then forced to quit it 179. Possessed himself of divers Lands belonging to Foreigners in Wales as did others according to his Example 189. Takes Aberteifi Castle and razes it 191. Subdues Owen Cyfeilioc 197. Brings the Lords of South-Wales at Enmity with K. Henry to do him Homage 203. Makes a great Feast at Christmas at Aberteifi where the Bards of North-Wales and South-Wales strive for the Mastery 205 206. Takes advantage upon King Henry's death to enlarge his Country 209. His Family diminishes 210. Made Prisoner by his own Sons 211. Escapes 212. Takes two of his Sons Prisoners 214. Enlarges his Conquest and defeats the English and Normans 214 215. Dies his Character and Issue 216. Rhys Fychan takes Lhanymdhysri Castle 227. Rhys ap Gruffydh ap Rhys prevails in South-Wales 239. Does Homage to Henry III. 145. Dies 147. Rhys ap Meredith unfaithful to his Country 304. Knighted by King Edward revolts â—05 Defeated taken Prisoner and executed 306. Rhythmarch Archbishop of S. David dies 122. Richard King of England's feasts in the Holy Land 210. Taken Prisoner in Austria ibid. Died of his Wounds received at Chalons in France 219. Richard of Bourdeaux created Prince of Wales 315. Robert Cyrthois rebels against his Father in Normandy 110. Robert Earl of Salop rebels against Henry I. 122. Engages the Welch in the Quarrel 123. Seeks Aid of Magnus Harold's Son and fails banished with his Brother Arnulph into Normandy 124. Robert de Belissimo a great Disturber of the Welch committed to perpetual imprisonment by King Henry 139. Roderic Molwynoc succeeded Ifor Anno 720.15 Driven by the Saxons out of the Western Countries to his Inheritance in North-Wales 17. dyed soon after 18. Roderic the Great Prince of VVales 27. Beats the Danes out of his Country â—3 Fightâ— the English anâ— with his Brother Gwyriad it slain 34. His Pedigreâ— and Division of Wales between iâ—â—â— three Sons ibid his Imprudence herein 36. S. SAxons their Answer to the British Message 5. They first repel the Scots and Picts 6. Enter into League with the Scots ib. They incroacâ— upon the Britains 19â— Scots and Picts invade Britain 1. Sâ—ward Earl his Saying upon his Sons being slain in Battel 19. His soldierly Temper at his â—earâ— 92. South Wales invaded twice in one Year by Ieâ—af and 〈◊〉 Princes of North-Wales â—5 They quarres and 〈◊〉 Consequence of it 57. Embroyled 〈◊〉 between Rhyâ— ap Gruffydh and Rhys Fychan and the former supported by the English 235 236. Stephen King of England agrees with the King of Scotâ— 157. Ravages Scotland 160. Suppresses Injurie â—â—ons at home and â—ouâ—s the Scots by his Lieutenants 161. Besieges Arundel Castle in vain 162. Takes Lincoln is defeated and taken Prisoner ibid. Exchanged for Earl Robert and overthrown a second time at Wilton 163. Wins the Battel of Farendon agrees with Henry the Empress's Son and dies 172. Stewards the Family and their Original 91 92. Sulien Archb shop of S. Davids dies 111. Sulien a learned Man of Llanbadarn dies 165. Swane the Dane wasts the Isle of Man Lands in North-Wales 68. Kills Edwal Prince of the Country ib. His Success in England and esteemed King hereof 74 75. Swane King of Denmark invades England and takes York 102. forced to fly ibid. T. TRahern Fychan strangely hanged 217. Trahern ap Caradoc made Prince of North-Wales 105. His Country invaded from Ireland by Gruffydh ap Conan the right Heir ibid. They fight and Trahern with his Cosins worsted and all slain 108. Tâ—â—bute paid by the Prince of Wales to the Kings of England 48. Tudor Vaughan ap Grono his Family would be sâ—◠〈◊〉 Knight and his Reasons for it to King Edward III. who confirmed the Honour of it 314. V. VOrtigern invites the Saxons into Britain 5. Vortimer repels the Saxons 7. W. WAles wasted by the Merciâ—â—s 24. by King Egbert ibid. Divided into three Provinces 27. Invaded by the English 52. Forcibly managed by Ievaf and Iago Princes of North-Wales only 56. Afflicted by the Danes and a Murrain 65. Gives Hostages to pay the antient Tribute 95. Seldom governed by the right Heir 109. Wasted by the English as far as Anglesey 121. Embroiled with Civil Divisions 151. Item 153 154. In great scarcity 276. annnext to the Crown of England 300. Walwey King Arthur's Nephew his Tomb found whose Body was of a prodigious length 110. Welch quarrel amongst themselves 22. Ibid. 23. They defeat the Mercians at Conwey and call it Dial Rhodri 38. Disable the Danes and English that invaded them then fall out among themselves 61. Too late see the folly of foreign Aid 114. Miserably slaughter'd 130 131. Being at peace from abroad they fall to their wonted Method of destroying one another 208. Complain to their Prince of their Oppression from the English 272. Beaten by the English 279. Worst the English 297 298. Beaten in Buelht ibid. Revolt because of an heavy Tax from Edward I. every where 306. Beat the English 307. Take the King's Carriages ibid. Routed by the Earl of Warwick 308. Beat the Marchers but are at last overcome and their Leader Madoc made Prisoner 309. Welch Minstrels reformed whereof were three sorts 159. William Duke of Normandy claims the Crown of England 98. Lands at Hastings and defeats the English 100. William I. goes with an Army on Pilgrimage to S. Davids 100. William Rufus invades the Welch without Success 118. Item 120. Killed 122. FINIS BOOKS Printed for and sold by ROBERT CLAVâ—â—â— THE plausible Arguments of a Roman Catholick answered by an English Protestant in the Welch Tongue Price 4 d. The Church-History clear'd from the Roman Forgeries and Corruptions found in the Councils and Baronius in Four Parts from the beginning of Christianity to the end of the Fifth General Council By Thomas Comber D. D. Dean of Durham 40. An Historical Vindication of the Diviâ—◠〈◊〉 of Tythes from Scripture Reaso◠〈◊〉 Opinion and Practice of Jews Goâ—◠〈◊〉 Christians in all Ages to which is added a Discourse concerning Excommunication By Tho. Comber D. D. Dean of Durham 40.
Promise Then he declared to them the Pretence he had to Claim the Crown of England that Edward had given him formerly an absolute Promise in Normandy that if ever he enjoyed the English Crown William should be his Heir which Title tho' in it self weak and insignificant served William's purpose well enough to make an Expedition against an Intruder Duke William's Pretence seemed plausible enough to the Norman Nobility but the Difficulty of the Undertaking and the Danger of this Expedition was something perplexive and made them less inclinable to encourage so precipitous an Undertaking which they the more disliked upon the persuasion of William Fitzosbert the Duke's Sewer whom they pitched upon to deliver their thoughts as to the Expedition unto the Duke But he instead of disswading him from this Voyage politickly declared that himself with all his Power were ready to live and die with him in this Expedition which the rest hearing could not but offer the Duke their Service in the same manner and so all things were prepared for an Invasion of England In the mean while Tosty full of Indignation at his Brother's advancement to the Crown entered the River Humber with forty Sail but meeting with Earl Edwyn who came to oppose him he was forced after a considerable Encounter to bear off and secure himself by flight But meeting with Harold King of Norway upon the Coast of Scotland coming for England with 300 Sail he joined his Forces with Harold and so both together entring the Humber they landed their Army and marched to York where the Earls Edwyn and Marcher unsuccessfully gave them Battel Having pillaged and destroyed that City they passed on to Stamford-Bridge and there met with King Harold who with a well disciplined Army was come to stop their farther carreer After a long and a terrible Fight and much blood-shed on both sides the Norwegians began at last to give back which the English perceiving sell on so manfully that few or none escaped with their Lives Harold and Tosty being also slain upon the spot One of the Norwegians is deservedly recorded for his incomparable Exploits performed in this Battel who with incredible Valour maintaining the Bridge against the whole Strength of the English Army for above an hour with his single Resistance delayed their Victory and having slain a great number of his Enemies he seemed invincible till in the end no one daring to grapple with him fairly he was run through with a Spear from under the Bridge and so by his fall a Passage was opened for pursuit to compleat the Victory King Harold over-joyed with this Success triumphantly entered into York and whilst he was making merry with his Nobles at a sumptuous Feast News came that Duke William of Normandy was safely landed at and began to Fortify himself in Hastings with which Tidings being no way dashed as fearing nothing after his late Victory he forthwith marched towards him and as soon as he was arrived in Sussex without any consideration of the Fatigue his Army had underwent in their March bid William Battel The Duke dividing his Army into five Battalions made a long harangue to his Soldiers wherein he repeated and commended the Noble Acts of their Ancestors the Danes and Norwegians who had perpetually vanquished the English and French and other Nations as many as they had to do with how that themselves being well Horsed and Armed were now to engage with a People void of both who had no other Defence to trust to than the nimbleness and swiftness of their Heels Both Armies being joyned upon the 14th of October Duke William after some hours Engaging ordered his Army so to retire as if they seemed to fly which the English perceiving broke their Ranks in haste of pursuing the supposed Chase which falling out according to the Duke's expectation he sent in a fresh supply of Normans who falling upon the confused Battalions of the English easily overcame them and Harold receiving first a Wound by an Arrow was at length slain and then both the Field and the Victory was left to the Normans The day being thus won William from this time called the Conqueror went strait to London where he was received with all possible Formality and upon Christmas-Day solemnly Crowned King of England This change and Alteration in England was afore prognosticated by a Comet which appeared in the Spring of this Year upon which a certain Poet made the following Verses Anno milleno sexageno quoque seno Anglorum metae stammas censere Cometae King William having established himself in the A.D. 1067 Crown of England passed over the next Year to Normandy so to settle Affairs there as afterwards they might have no need of his presence In the mean while Edgar Edeling taking Avantage of his absence returned from Scotland to York being declared King by the Inhabitants of that Country who had already slain Robert upon whom William had bestowed that Earldom with 900 of his Men. But the King upon his return from Normandy presently marched to the North and having sufficiently revenged himself upon the Inhabitants by wasting and destroying their Country chased Edgar to Scotland again The like Advantage Edric Sylvaticus the Son of Alfric Earl of Mercia embraced who refusing to own any Submission to the Conqueror took the opportunity of his departure to Normandy to fall foul upon such as were appointed Vicegerents and Governours of the Kingdom in his absence Whereupon Richard Fitzscrope Governor of the Castle of Hereford with the Forces under his Command so bitterly gauled him by wasting and consuming his Lands and carrying off the Goods of his Tenants that he was compelled to desire Aid of Blethyn and Rywalhon Princes of Wales by whose help to recompence the Loss he had received he passed into Hereford and after that he had over-run and pillaged the Country to Wyebridge returned back with exceeding great Booty But no sooner were Blethyn and Rywalhon arrived in North-Wales but they received News of a Rebellion raised against them by Meredith and Ithel the Sons of Gruffydh ap Lhewelyn who had drawn together a considerable number of Men upon pretence of recovering the Principality of North-Wales which they said was fraudulently detained from them Blethyn and Rywalhon did not delay to march to find the Enemies and meeting with them at a place called Mechain without any farther Ceremonies set upon the Rebels who behaved themselves so gallantly that after a Fight of several hours they wanted nothing but Number to compleat the Victory There fell in this Battel on the one side Prince Rywalhon and on the other Ithel who being slain Meredith was forced to give Ground and endeavour to save himself by flight which could not secure him he being narrowly pursued by Blethyn that in fine he was glad to escape to the Mountains where for want of Victuals and other Necessaries he quickly perished leaving Blethyn ap Confyn sole Prince of North-Wales and Powis During these Welch
apprehension of his former Miscarriages that he endured Penance for the expiation of former Guilts A.D. 1134 In the Year 1134. till which time nothing of moment was transacted in Wales Henry the first of that Name King of England dyed in Normandy in the Month of October after whom Stephen Earl of Buloign Son to the Earl of Bloys his Sisters Son by the means of Hugh Bygod was crowned King by the Archbishop of Canterbury all the Nobility of England consenting thereunto though contrary to a former Oath they had taken to Maud the Empress The first thing that employed his Thoughts after his accession to the Government was against David King of the Scots who taking advantage of this new Revolution in England by some treacherous means or other got the Towns of Carlisle and Newcastle into his hands But King Stephen tho scarcely settled in his Throne presently marched towards the North of whose coming David being assured and fearing to meet him voluntarily restored Newcastle and compounded for Carlisle but would not swear to him by reason of his Oath to Maud which however his Son Henry did not stick at and thereupon was by King Stephen created Earl of Huntington This change and alteration of Affairs in England made also A.D. 1135 the Welch bestir themselves for Morgan ap Owen a Man of considerable Quality and Estate in Wales remembring the Wrong and Injury he had received at the hands of Richard Fitz-Gilbert slew him together with his Son Gilbert And shortly after Cadwalader and Owen Gwyneth the Sons of Gruffydh ap Conan Prince of North-Wales having raised a mighty Army marched against the Normans and Flemmings and comming to Cardigan committed very considerable Waste and Havock in the Country and took two of the strongest Places one belonging to Walter Espec and the Castle of Aberystwyth In this last place they were joyned by Howel ap Meredith and Rhys ap Madawc ap Ednerth who marching forward took the Castle of Richard de la Mare together with those of Dinerth and Caerwedros and then returned with very valuable Booty But having succeeded so well in this Expedition they could not rest satisfied till they had rid the whole Country from the intolerable Pride and Oppression of the Normans and Flemings and therefore returning the same Year to Cardigan with 6000 Foot and 2000 Horse well disciplined and experienced Soldiers and being joyned by Gruffydh ap Rhys and Howel ap Meredith of Brecknock with his Sons and Madawc ap Ednerth they over-ran the Country as far as Aberteifi restoring all the former Inhabitants to their proper Inheritances and discarding all such Strangers as the late Earl of Strygil had placed in the Country But when Stephen who was Governour of Aberteifi saw that he called to him Robert Fitz-Martyn the Sons of Gerald and William Fitz-John with all the strength of the Normans Flemings and English in Wales or the Marches and meeting with the Welch betwixt Aber Ned and Aber Dyfi gave them battel But after a very sore and Bloody Encounter the English began to give ground and according to their usual manner trusting too much to the strength of their Towns and Fortifications began to look how to save themselves that way But the Welch pressed upon 'em so hard that they killed above 3000 Men besides several that were drowned and taken Prisoners This Victory being so happily obtained Cadwalader and Owen over-ran the whole Country forcing all the Normans and Flemings to depart the Country with all speed and placing in their room those miserable Welch who had been so long deprived and kept from their own Estates and after they had weeded the Country of those insatiable Caterpillars they returned to North Wales laden with very rich Spoils and acceptable Plunder The King of England was not in a condition to take notice to what Extremities his Subjects were reduced to in Wales by reason that his own Nobles of England were risen in Arms against him the reason of which Tumult among the Nobility was occasioned by a fallacious Report that went about of the King's Death who lay then sick of a Lethargy They that bore him no good Will verified the Rumour as much as they could and stirred up the common People in behalf of the Empress whereas on the other hand the King's Friends betook themselves to Castles and strong Holds for fear of the Empress and among others Hugh Bigod secured the Castle of Norwich and after that he was assured that the King was well again he was loth to deliver the same out of his possession A.D. 1136 unless it were to the King 's own hands But during these Commotions and Troubles in England Gruffydh ap Rhys Son to Rhys ap Theodore the right Heir to the Principality of South-Wales dyed leaving Issue behind him a Son called Rhys commonly known by the Name of Lord Rhys by Gwenlhian the Daughter of Gruffydh ap Conan who by some is said to have poisoned her Husband Towards the end of the same Year dyed likewise Gruffydh ap Conan Prince of North-Wales after he had reigned 57 Years to the great Grief and Discontent of all his Subjects as being a Prince of incomparable Qualities and one who after divers Victories obtained over the English had throughly purged North-Wales from all Strangers and Foreigners He had Issue by Angharad the Daughter of Owen ap Edwyn three Sons namely Owen Cadwalader and Cadwalhon and five Daughters Marret Susanna Ranulht Agnes and Gwenlhian and by a Concubine Iago Ascain Edwal Abbot of Penmon Dolhing and Elen who was married to Hova ap Ithel Felyn of Yal There were several good and wholsom Laws and Statutes enacted in his time and among the rest he reformed the great Disorders of the Welch Minstrels which were then grown to great Abuse Of these there were three sorts in Wales the first were called Beirdh who composed several Songs and Odes of various Measures wherein the Poet's Skill was not only required but also a natural Endowment or a Vein which the Latins term furor Poeticus These likewise kept the Records of all Gentlemens Arms and Pedegrees and were principally esteemed among all the Degrees of the Welch Poets The next were such as plaid upon Musical Instruments chiefly the Harp and the Crowd which Musick Gruffydh ap Conan first brought over into Wales who being born in Ireland and descended by his Mothers side of Irish Parents brought with him from thence several skilful Musicians who invented almost all the Instruments as were afterwards plaid upon in Wales The last sort were called Atcaneaid whose Business it was to sing to the Instrument plaid upon by another Each of these by the same Statute had their several Reward and Encouragement allotted to them their Life and Behaviour was to be spotless and unblameable otherwise their Punishment was very severe and rigid every one having Authority to punish and correct them even to the Deprivation of all they had They were also
ensuing Year Prince Rhys levies a great Army whose first Attempt was upon the Town and Castle of Caermadthyn both which he took in a short time and destroyed and then returned with considerable Booty Not long after he led the said Army to the Marches and invested the Castle of Clun which was not so easily taken as the former for this cost him a long Siege and many a fierce Assault and therefore to be revenged of it when he took it he laid it in Ashes thence he proceeded to the Castle of Radnor which he likewise wan but immediately after it cost him a bloody Battel for he was no sooner Master of the Castle but Roger Mortimer and Hugh de Say came with a numerous and well-disciplin'd Army consisting of Normans and English to the relief of it Whereupon Prince Rhys thinking it not his best course to confine his Men within the Walls led 'em up into a Champion Ground hard by and there like a valiant Prince resolved to give his Enemies Battel though they had much the advantage of him for his Men were neither so well armed nor so much accustomed to Battel as the others were however their Courage made amends for their Arms and their Leaders Prudence and Conduct supply'd the Defects of their Discipline for they chose rather to die honourably in the Defence of their Country than shamefully to survive the Loss of it and therefore they attack'd their Enemies so valiantly that they were not long able to withstand their Force but quitted the Field in great Disorder leaving a great number of their Men behind them slain upon the spot and Prince Rhys pursued them so warmly that they were glad of the shelter of the Night to protect them from his Fury After this Victory he besieged the Castle of Payne in Elfel which he easily took and kept in his own hands till William de Bruce the Owner thereof came to him and humbly desired Peace of him which he granted him and withal deliver'd him up his Castle again Not long after the Archbishop of Canterbury whom King Richard had substituted his Lieutenant in England marches with a powerful Army towards Wales and besieges the Castle of Gwenwynwyn at the Pool but the Garrison made such a vigorous Defence that he lost a great many of his Men and all his Aâ—â—empts proved ineffectual therefore he sent for some Pyoneers whom he ordered to undermine the Walls which when the besieged understood they bethought of securing themselves on the most honourable Terms they could they were not willing to put themselves to the hazard of a Battel for their Enemies were thrice their Number therefore they proposed to surrender up the Castle on condition they should carry off all their Arms along with them Which Offer the Archbishop accepted of and so permitted the Garrison to march out quietly Then fortifying the Castle for the King's use and putting a strong Garrison in it for its defence he returned again to England But Gwenwynwyn was not so willing to part from his Castle as never to attempt the Recovery of it therefore as soon as he understood that the Archbishop was gone back he immediately besieged it and shortly after received it on the same Terms that his Men had deliver'd it up and afterwards kept it for his own use A.D. 1197 The following Year there broke out a terrible Plague which spread over all Britain and France and carried off a great number of the Nobility besides common People This Year likewise dyed the valiant Rhys Prince of South-Wales the only Stay and Defence of that part of Wales for he it was that got them their Liberty and secured it to them He often very readily exposed his own Life for the defence of theirs and their Country generally he got the better of his Enemies and at last either brought them entirely under his Subjection or forced them to quit their Country He was no less illustrious for his virtuous Endowments than for his Valour and Extraction so that it was with good reason that the British Bards and others wrote so honourably of him and so mightily deplored his Death To this Prince were born many Sons and Daughters whereof his elder Son Gruffydh succeeded him the others were Cadwalhon Maelgon Meredith and Rhys Of his Daughters one called Gwenthtan was married to Ednyfed Fychaâ— Ancestor to Owen Tudor that married Kitharine Queen-Dowager to King Henry the Fifth And the rest were very well match'd with some of the Nobility of the Country Prince Gruffydh being settled in the Government of his Country did not long enjoy it peaceably for his troublesom Brother Maelgon thought it now a fit time to endeavour the recovery of the Inheritance his Father had deprived him of To this purpose he makes a League with Gwenwynwyn the Son of Owen Cyfeilioc Lord of Powys and by their joynt Interest got together a considerable Body of Men wherewith they surprized Prince Gruffydh at Aberystwyth whom after they had slain a great many of his Men they took Prisoner Thus Maelgon effectually accomplished his Design in the recovery of the Castle and the whole Country of Cardigan His unfortunate Brother he committed to the custody of his spiteful Confederate Gwenwynwyn who immediately out of Malice deliver'd him up to the Mercy of his inveterate Enemies the English After this Gwenwynâ—yn having got together an Army entered Arustly and brought it to his subjection David ap Owen whom Prince Lhewelyn had forâ—ed to quit his Usurpation of the Principality of North-Wales had hitherto lived quietly and peaceably not so much out of kindness to his Nephew as because he knew not how to redress himself but now having got a great Army of English and Welch he used his utmost Efforts to recover his Principality Whereupon Prince Lhewelyn who was the right Heir and in possession of it came on boldly to meet him and gave him battel wherein he shamefully routed his Army and took his Uncle David Prisoner whom he delivered into safe custody whereby he secured to himself and his Country Peace and Quietness Towards the close of this Year Owen Cyfeilioc Lord of the higher Powys departed this Life and left his Estate to Gwenwynwyn his Son after whom that part of Powys was called Powys-Wenwynwyn to distinguish it from the other called Powys Fadoc the Inheritance of the Lords of Bromfield Much about this time Trahaern Fychan a Man of great Power and Authority in the County of Brecknock was suddenly seized upon as he was going to Llancors to confer about some business with William de Bruce Lord thereof and by an Order of the Lords tyed to an Horse Tail and dragged through the Streets of Brecknock to the Gallows where he was beheaded and his Body hung up by the Feet for three Days Which Barbarity inflicted upon him for no known just Cause so frightned his Brothers Wife and Children that they fled their Country for fear of the same Usage The A.D. 1198 Year
his mind delivered up to the King being the in-land Country of Denbigh and Flint which Lhewelyn at this time repossessed himself of And well it was he was so quick for within a little while after King John by the persuasions of Pandulph the Pope's Legate granted his Holiness all his Request and so obtained Absolution at Pandulph's hands and upon performance of his Promises an assurance of a releasement from that Ecclesiastical Bull which had so formidably roared against him A.D. 1213 South-Wales had now been quiet for a considerable time and they that used to be commonly very turbulent and contentious were now pretty easy and amicable But it was impossible that such a peaceable Course of Life should hold long where Injustice and Oppression had so much Liberty and where People were wrongfully kept out of their just and rightful Inheritance And this was the occasion of the breach of that quietness which for the two or three years last past they had so satisfactorily enjoyed For Rhys the Son of Gruffydh ap Rhys who was right Heir to Prince Rhys finding he could have no share of his Father's Estate but that his Uncles forcibly kept all from him thought it his best way to make his Case known to the King of England and to desire a remedy and redress from him King John in compassion of the young Man's hard Condition sent to his Deputy Foulke Vicount of Caerdyff Warden of the Marches and to the Steward of Hereford commanding them to take away all Ystratywy from Rhys Fychan by some called Rhys Gryg unless he would permit his Nephews to enjoy Lhanymdhyfry-Castle with all the Lands and Priviledges thereunto belonging Foulke having received such Orders from his Master the King of England sent to acquaint Rhys of the Proposals and so demand of him whether or no he would deliver up Lhanymdhyfry to his Nephews according to the Kin'gs Command who returned answer that he did not know of any such Obligation due from him to the King of England as to part with his Lands at his Command and therefore assured him peremptorily and in plain terms that he would not willingly part with one foot of what he was in present possession of Foulke therefore having received this resolute Answer was likewise as resolute to get that by force which he could not obtain by fair means and so having raised a great Army he marched to Talhwynelgain to meet with young Rhys who was to come thither with all the Forces he could raise in Brecknock and from thence they marched in three Battles towards Dynefawr the first being commanded by young Rhys the second by Foulke and Owen Brother to Rhys led the third Rhys Fychan was not in the least dismayed at their Number but thinking it more advisable to meet them in the Field rather than suffer them to block him up at Dynefawr came out very boldly and gave them Battel but after a warm Engagement on both sides Rhys Fychan in the end got the worse and after a loss of a great number of his Men he was glad at last to make his escape by flight And so retiring to Dynefawr he doubled the Garrison of that place but thinking the Town of Lhandeilo-fawr not to be Tenable he burnt it to the Ground and then kept himself private in the Woods and other desart places But young Rhys and Foulke laid Siege to Dynefawr and in the first Assault came on so fiercely that they forced the Garrison to retire to the Castle which for some time they defended very manfully But the besiegers began to play so violently with their battering Engines and to undermine the Wall in such a manner that the Governour after a short defence began to Capitulate giving three Pledges for security that if they received no Relief by the morrow at Noon the Castle should be surrendred up conditionally that the Garrison should march out with all the Tokens of Honour and carry their Arms and all other Implements of War along with them No Relief being arrived the Castle the next day was accordingly surrendred and all the Articles of the Capitulation observed and so young Rhys being possessed of Dynefawr in a little time afterward brought all Cantref-fawr to his subjection When Rhys Fychan was sensible how the stream run violently against him he thought it his wisest way to remove his Wife and Children and all his other Effects to his Brother Maelgon's Country and so leaving Lhanymdhyfry Castle well manned and fortified he departed towards Aberystwyth But as soon as Foulke was returned to the Marches young Rhys came with an Army consisting of Welch and Normans before Lhanymdhyfry intending to besiege that place but before they were encamped before the Town the Governour thought it his best way to surrender upon Condition only that the Garrison should depart away with their Lives And shortly afterwards Rhys Fychan was taken at Caermarâ—dhyn and committed to the King's Prison and so all the Disturbances and Troubles of South-Wales came to a peaceable issue But it was not so in North-Wales for Prince Lhewelyn being desirous to rid his Country from the insupportable Tyranny and Oppression of the English Garrisons laid Siege to the Castles of Dyganwy and Ruthlan the only places now remaining in the hands of the English which he took without any great opposition and so freed his Country from any Title or Pretence the King of England might claim in North-Wales King John indeed was engaged another way and consequently in no good Condition to help himself for having repented of all the indignities and stubborness he expressed against Pope Innocent at this time he received Penance at the hands of the Archbishop of Canterbury to attone for all the severities he had practised against the Church And to restore himself the more to his Holiness Favour he made the Kingdom of England Tributary to the Church of Rome to be holden of the Pope in paying him the summ of 1000 Marks yearly for ever and withal recalled and restored to their former Preferments and Places all such as had been banished or had voluntarily fled the Kingdom upon the account of their strict adherence and submission to the Pope of Rome Nor was this all for the next year King John with A.D. 1215 two of his Nobility the Earls of Chester and Derby was resolved upon a Voyage to the Holy-Land but was unfortunately prevented of his Journey by the Rebellion of his Barons which now broke forth violently by reason that the King would not grant them some antient Laws and Priviledges such as their fore-Fathers always enjoyed Therefore the Barons entered into a Confederacy with Prince Lhewelyn of North-Wales desiring him to make what Diversion he could on his part which they were resolved to do on theirs and so having raised an Army they appointed Robert Fitzwalter their General Coming to Bedford they were honourably received into the Castle by William Beauchamp and from thence marching to London they were
with great Fury and Courage faced them and joyning Battels forced them back with a very considerable loss Polydore Virgil says but upon what Authority is not known that the Welch obtained this Victory rather upon the account that the English Army was hired with such Money as had been wrongfully taken out of the Abbies and other Religious places so that it was a Judgment from above more than the Force of the Welch that overcame the English Army But be the cause of it what it will 't is certain the English were vanquished upon which account King Edward came in Person to Wales and kept his Christmas at Aberconwey where Robert Winchelsey Archbishop of Canterbury being returned from Rome came to him and having done Homage returned honourably again to England But as the King advanced farther into the Country having but one part of his Army with him the Welch set upon and took most of his Carriages which contained a great quantity of Victuals and Provision so that the King with all his followers were constrained to endure a great deal of hardships in so much that at last Water mixed with Honey and very course and ordinary Bread with the saltest Meat were accounted the greatest Delicacies for his Majesty 's own Table But their misery was like to be greater had not the other part of the Army come in time because the Welch had encompassed the King round in hopes to reduce him to the utmost distress by reason that the Water was so risen that the rest of the Army could not get to him But the Water within some time after abating the remainder of the Army came in whereupon the Welch presently retired and made their escape One thing is very remarkable of King Edward during his distress at Snowden that when the Army was reduced to very great extremity a small quantity of Wine was found which they thought to reserve for the King 's own use But he to prevent any discontent which might thereupon be raised in his Souldiers absolutely refused to taste thereof telling them That in time of Necessity all things should be common and as he was the Cause and Author of thâ—ir Distress he would not be preferred before them in his Diet. But whilst the King remained in Snowden the Earl of Warwick being informed that a great Number of Welch were assembled and had lodged themselves â—n a certain Valley betwixt two Woods chose out a Troop of Horse together with some Cross-Bows and Archers and set upon them in the Night time The Welch being thus surprised and unexpectedly encompassed about by their Enemies made the best they could to oppose them and so pitching their Spears in the ground and directing the points towards their Enemies endeavoured by such means to keep off the Horse But the Earl of Warwick having ordered his Battel so as that between every two Horse there stood a Cross-Bow so gauled the Welch with the shot of the quarrels that the Spear-men fell apace and then the Horse breaking easily in upon the rest bare them down with so great a slaughter as the Welch had never received before After this King Edward to prevent any more rebellious attempts of the Welch cut down all the Woods in Wales wherein in any time of Danger they were wont to hide and save themselves And for a farther security he repaired and fortified all the Castles and places of Strength in Wales and built the Castle of Bewmoris in the Isle of Anglesey and so having put all things in a settled posture and punished those that had been the occasion of the Death of Roger de Pulesdon he returned with his Army into England But as soon as the King had left the Welch Madoc who as it is said before was chosen Captain by the North-Wales Men gathered some Forces together and came to Oswestry which presently yielded to him And then meeting with the Lord Strange near Knookine who with a Detachment of the Marchers came to oppose him gave him Battel vanquished his Forces and miserably ravaged his Country The like Success he obtained a second time against the Marchers but at last they brought together a very great Number of Men and met Madoc marching towards Shâ—ewsbury upon the Hills of Cefn Digolh not far from Camrs Castle where after a bloody Fight on both sides Madoc was taken Prisoner and his Army vanquished and put to flight Then he was sent to London and there sentenced to remain in perpetual Imprisonment in the Tower tho' others affirm that Madoc was never taken but that after several Adventures and severe Conflicts whereby the Welch were reduced to great extremities he came in and submitted himself to the King who received him upon Condition he would not desist to pursue Morgan Captain of the Glamorgan-shire Men till he brought him Prisoner before him Madoc having performed this and the whole Country being peaceable and undisturbed several Hostages from the Chiefest Nobility of Wales for their orderly and quiet behaviour were delivered to the King who disposed of them into divers Castles in England where they continued in safe Custody till the end of the War which was presently-commencâ—d with Scotland A.D. 1301 In the 29th year of King Edward's reign the Prince of Wales came down to Chester and received Homage of all the Free-holders in Wales as follows Henry Earl of Lancaster for Monmouth Reginald Gray for Ruthyn Foulke Fitzwarren for his Lands the Lord William Martyn for his Lands in Cemaes Roger Mortimer for his Lands in Wales Henry Lacy Earl of Lincoln for Rhos and Rhyfoneioc Robert Lord Montalt for his Lands and Gruffydh Lord of Poole for the Lordship of Powys at the same time paid their Homage Tudor ap Grono of Anglesey Madoc ap Tudor Archdeacon of Anglesey Eineon ap Howel of Caernarvon Tudor ap Gruffydh Lhewelyn ap Ednyfed Gruffydh â—ychan Son of Gruffydh ap Iorwerth Madoc Fychan Denglfield Lhewelyn Bishop of St. Asaph and Richard de Pulesdon This last in the Twelfth Year of King Edward was constituted Sheriff of Caernarvon for life with the stipend of Forty Pounds sterling yearly At the same place Gruffydh ap Tudor Ithel Fychan Ithel ap Blethyn with many more did their Homage Then the Prince came to Ruthlan where the Lord Richard de Sutton Baron of Malpas paid Homage and Fealty for the said Barony of Malpas Thence the Prince removed to Conwey where Eineon Bishop of Bangor and David Abbot of Maynan did their Homage as did Lewis de Felton Son of Richard Felton for the Lands which his Father held of the Prince in Maelor Saesneg or English Maelor John Earl Warren swore Homage for the Lordships of Bromfield and Yale and his Lands in Hope-Dale at London in the Chappel of the Lord John de Kirkby sometime Bishop of Ely as also a while after Edmund Mortimer for his Lands of Cery and Cydewen But besides all these there paid Homage to the Prince of Wales at Chester Sir
Sir David secured he had liked to undergo present Execution had not Glyndyfwr's best Friends and the greatest Upholders of his Cause pleaded in his behalf by whose intercession he was prevailed with to grant Sir David both his Life and Liberty upon condition he would ever after continue True and Loyal to him Sir David promised very loudly but with the reservation never to perform for as soon as he came to his own Country where he was a Person of very considerable Sway and Interest he did exceedingly annoy and molest those that any way favoured or adhered to Glyndyfwr While Sir David lay in Prison at Machynlleth for his attempt against Owen's Life this Englyn was made upon him Dafydd Gam dryglam dreigl iti yn wan frwydr Fradwr Rissiart Bhrenin Llwyr y rhoes Diawl hawn hwyl Flîn Y fath ystâd ei fys i th Dîn. But Glyndyfwr receiving information how that Sir David Gam contrary to the Promise he had made at his releasement endeavoured all he could to destroy his Interest among the Welch entred the Marches and among other tokens of his Indignation burned the House of Sir David and as the report goes calling to him one of Sir David's Tenants spake to him thus merrily in Verse O Gweli di wr côch Cam Yn ymofyn y Girnigwen Dywed ei bôd hi Tan y Lan A nôd y glo ar ei Phenn But Sir David had the luck to escape his reach and was constrained to retire to England where he lived for the most part at Court till the Death of Glyndyfwr When King Henry the Fifth went with an Army to France against the French King Sir David Gam brought into his service a numerous Party of Stout and Valorous Welch-Men who upon all occasions expressed their Courage and Resolution In the Battel of Agincourt News being brought to the King that the French Army was advancing towards him and that they were exceeding numerous he detached Captain Gam to observe their motion and review their number The Captain having narrowly eyed the French found them twice to exceed the English but not being in the least dâ—unted at such a multitude he returned to the King who enquiring of him what the Number of the French might be he made answer An 't please you my Liege they are enough to be killed enough to run away and enough to be taken Prisoners King Henry was well pleased and much encouraged with this resolute and undaunted answer of Sir David's whose Tongue did not express more Valor than his Hinds performed For in the heat of Battel the King's Person being in danger Sir David charged the Enemy with that eagerness and masculine Bravery that they were glad to give ground and so secured the King tho' with the loss of much Blood and also his Life himself and his Son-in-Law Roger Vaughan and his Kinsman Waâ—ter Llwyd of Brecknock having received their mortal Wounds in that encounter When the King heard of their Condition how that they were past all hopes of recovery he came to them and in recompence of their good Services Knighted them all three in the Field where they soon after died and so ended the Life but not the Fame of the signally Valiant Sir David Gam Edward of Westminster the sole Issue of that unfortunate Prince King Henry the Sixth by Margaret the Daughter of Rayner Duke of Anjou and titular King of Jerusalem Sicily and Arragon was created Prince of Wales in a Parliament held at Westminster on the 15th day of March in the Thirty Second Year of his Fathers Reign When the Day was lost at Tewksbury this young Prince thought to make his escape by flight but being unfortunately taken and brought to the presence of King Edward the Fourth who then sat upon the Helm made such resolute and unexpected Replies that he put the King to such a passion that he smote him on the Mouth with his Gauntlet and then his Brother Richard the Crouch-back ran him into the Heart with his Dagget Edward born in the Sanctuary at Westminster the eldest Son of King Edward the Fourth was after his Fathers Expulsion out of England in the Fourty Ninth Year of King Henry the Sixth created Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester in the Eleventh Year of his Fathers Reign Upon the death of Edward the Fourth this young Prince being then at Ludlow in the Marches of Wales was presently sent for to London and proclaimed King of England but never liv'd to be crowned for his Uncle Richard Duke of Glocester who was appointed his Protector most vilainously made him away together with his Brother the Duke of York and afterwards was himself proclaimed and crowned King Edward the Fourth in his Wars against Henry the Sixth was very much assisted by the Welch in recompence of which Service he design'd to reform Matters so in Wales as that intolerable Oppression which they had hitherto endured should be regulated and taken off And to that end he meant to establish a Court within the said Principality and constituted John Bishop of Worcester President of the Prince's Council in the Marches who together with Anthony Earl of Rivers sat in the Town-Hall of Shrewsbury and constituted certain Ordinances for the publick Good and Tranquility of that place But the matter proceeded no farther for the Troubles and Disquietness of his Kingdom coming heavy upon him and the shortness of his Reign after his Establishment not permitting he was forced to leave that to others which himself thought once to bring about Edward born at Middleham near Richmond in the County of York the only Son of King Richard the Third was at Ten Years of Age created by his Father Prince of Wales and dyed soon after Arthur the eldest Son of King Henry the Seventh born at Winchester was in the Seventh Year of his Fathers Reign created Prince of Wales About the Fifteenth Year of his Age being then newly married to Katherine the Infanta of Spain he was sent by his Father into Wales that by his presence he might keep that Country in better awe With him King Henry sent Dr. William Smith afterwards made Bishop of Lincoln Wokins p. 789. as President of his Council together with Sir Richard Pool his Chamberlain Sir Henry Vernon Sir Richard Crofts Sir David Philip Sir William Vdal Sir Thomas Englefield Sir Peter Newton and others to be his Counsellors and Directors in his management of Affairs But the Prince had not continu'd long there but he fell sick at his Castle at Ludlow of which Indisposition he shortly after dyed and was buried with great Solemnity in the Cathedral Church of Worcester But the creating of his Brother Henry Duke of York Prince of Wales in his stead was deferred for about the space of a Month to discover whether the Lady Katherine was got with Child by Prince Arthur But when it appeared for certain she had not conceived on the 18th day of February in the Nineteenth Year of his Father King
ei Diaboâ—s delegavit Praeterea in regem impungitis dicenâ— quod regales Ecclesias personas Ecclesiasticas â—udeli vastavit tyrannide consumunt Ad quod tater respondemus quod Dominus Rex praedicta mala â—ec fieri mandavit nec rata habuit quin potius nobis â—btulit ultronei quod quam citò aderit oportunitas â—cclesiarum proponit dispendia resarcire quod differt â—sque ad sedatam guerrae tempestatem ne si prius fieâ—t destruerentur iterum per latrones Praeterea timetis 〈◊〉 Anglia honorem suscipere ne consequenter vobis ocâ—asionata malitia auferatur cum tamen fateamini quod Dominus Rex nullum suum exhaeredaverit inimicum â—uod frustra vos timere credimus si legaliter vivere â—os vestri didiceritis non a pari cum domino â—estro contendere vel certare Mores vobis popuâ—o vestro causamini incognitos nos è contrario opiâ—amur quod expediret vobis omnibus in modum alium mores penitus transformari Cum enim sitis sicut â—aeteri homines donis Dei gratuitis adornati sed in veâ—tro Anglo devoramini ut nec Ecclesiam juvetis conâ—ra hostes fidei militando Nec Clerum studio sapientiae exceptis paucissimis decoretis quin potius maâ—or pars vestrûm torpet otio lasciviis ut pene neâ—ciat mundus vos esse populum nisi per paucos ex vobis qui videntur ut plurimum in mendicare Deinde â—cribitis quod creditis altissimum vos juvare pro justitia decertantes utinam inquam altissimus juvet vos salubriter dirigat ad salutem Sed ne ruinas aliquas Anglorum ex inconsideratione sua provenientes vestris velitis meritis arrogare curetis ad vertere qualiter qui iâ— coelis habitat fatuos sublimat elevat ad modicum ut perpetuo allidat sic certe olim populus Dei electuâ— ante harum repertam civitatem pro unius Anathemate Consortis versus in fugam quosdam suorum perdidiâ— bellatorum Sic certe quater centena millia bellatorum duodecim tribuum Israel in suo numero fortitudine confidentes ab unius tribus modico populo occisis ex 40 millibus bellatorum per vices varias sunt confusi Cum tamen purgato unius Anathemate praedicta Civitas finaliter deleta fuerit per illos qui prius confusi fuerant per lacrymas placato Domino cum jejuniis oblatis Sacrificiis tribus illa quae praevaluerat prius per prius confusos quasi totaliter sit deleta sic certe aliter flagellat Dominus filios quos recipit aliter quos decernit ut arbores steriles extirpare Ista vobis scribimus in cordis amaritudine ab his partibus recedentes nec prenidicare intendimus salubriori consilio si vobis coelitus destinetur nec latere vos volumus quod nullum per vos invenimus excusationis sufficiens remedium quo obstante minime debeatis in excors Irnam incidisse pernuntiari Dudum latet in Oxon consilio contra pacis regiae turbatores viam autem pacis aliam invenire non possumus nec adhuc in spe sumus aliud obtinendi Sed si nobis aliquid consultius videatur agendum vobis numquam claudemus gremium nec auxilium denegabimus opportunum Dat. apud Ruthelan 18 Calend Decemb. Ann. Dom. 1282. Lewelinus autem princeps Walliae praedictus spretis omnibus oblationibus pacis formis post scriptis invasit hostiliter terram Domini Regis Angliae destruendo eam incendio rapina nec non homines terrae illius ad se trahendo à bonitate pacis regiae separando Qui tamen princeps infra mensem illum ignominosa morte primus de exercitu suo occisus est per familiam Domini Cadmundi de mortuo mari filii Domini Rogeri de mortuo mari totus exercitus suus vel occisus vel in fugam conversus in partibus Montis Gomerici die Veneris proximo ante Festum S. Lucae videlicet 3. Id. Decemb. sub Anno Dom. 1282. In decima litera dominicali D. currente A TABLE OF THE Most Remarkable Things in this BOOK A. ABerffraw destroyed by the Irish page 57. Adelred King of the West-Saxons vanquished by the Britains 15. Adelred married Emma Daughter of the Duke of Normandy and the reasons of it 70. The consequence of the Marriage 71. Flies with his Wife and Children into Normandy 75. Returns ibid. His Death 78. Aedan ap Blegorad having slain his Competitor Conan is proclaimed Prince of North-Wales 69. Is slain with his four Sons in Battel 79. Alan the 2d King of Little Britain assisted Cadwalader 9. Advised him to obey the Vision 11. Alfred King an Encourager of Learning and Founder of the Vniversiity of Oxford 32. Routs the Danes ibid. Makes them forswear the sight of English Ground 33. He caused the Laws of Dyfnwal Moelmut and Queen Marsia to be translated into English c. 43. Alfred proposed to be sent for to be King over the English 85. Opposed by Earl Goodwyn 68. Had his Eyes put out ibid. Anarawd Prince of North-Wales succeeds his Father Rodri 37. Dyes his Issue 45. Anglesey destroyed by the Men of Dublin 46. Ravaged by Madoc ap Meredith Prince of Powys but all his Men were cut off 175. Arthur King of Britain his Sepulchre found in the Isle of Afalon 206. The Inscription upon it 207. Arthur eldest Son to King Henry the Seventh created Prince of Wales and Dies at Ludlow 324. Athelstane tho' a Bastard the worthiest Prince of the Saxon Blood 48. His Victory over the Danes Scots and Normans ibid. Removes the Britains to Cornwal Dies 49. Aulase and all his Danes received Baptism 49. Swears never to molest England 66. B. BAldwin Archbishop of Canterbury the first that made his Visitation in Wales 208. Bede his Education and Writings 16. Bible how when and by whom translated into Welch 326. Blethyn and Rhywalhon Princes of North-Wales asist Edric against the King of England 101. A Rebellion formed against them by Meredith and Ithel ap Gruffydh ibid. Battel wherein Rhywalhon and Ithel were slain Blethyn murdered Rich. 104. Britain how and when forsaken by the Roman Forces 1. Invaded by the Scots and Picts ibid. Britains their sad Complaints to Aetius thrice Consul 2. The Reasons of their weakness 3 and 4. Their Message to the Saxons 5. The Britains of Stratclwyd and Cumberland settle in North-Wales 38. Brochwel once Prince of Powys a great Defender of the Monks of Bangor 23. Bruce de William Lord of Brecknock under pretence of Friendship barbarously murders Sitsylht ap Dyfnwal his Son and followers 204. Bruce Sir Edward his Letter to Sir Griffydh Llwyd 312 and 313. C. CAdelh Prince of South-Wales dyes his Issue 44. Cadelh takes Caermardhyn and beats the Normans and Flemings 165. Like to be murdered 170. Gone upon Pilgrimage 171. Cadwgan murdered by Madawc 138. Cadwalader the last King of Britain of
Death 〈◊〉 Edward to secure the Kingdom of England for h◠〈◊〉 was honourably dismissed Upon his return to England by the persuasions of Caradoc the Son of â—ruffydh ap Rytherch himself with his Brother Tosty â—iled a great Army and entred into South-Wales â—hich they destroyed after that manner that the Welch were glad to deliver up Hostages for the â—ayment of the antient Tribute which afore-time â—hey were used to pay Gruffydh hearing of the Inâ—lencies of the English in South Wales made all posâ—â—ble haste and preparation to oppose them but all 〈◊〉 no purpose Harold having already treacherously â—â—ed some of Gruffydh's nearest Friends to Murder 〈◊〉 who watching their opportunity executed their â—icked Design and brought his Head to Harold Gruffydh being dead Harold by King Edward's Orders â—â—pointed Meredith Son of Owen ap Edwyn Prince 〈◊〉 South Wales and the Government of North-Wales 〈◊〉 Blethyn and Rywaâ—hon the Sons of Coâ—fyn Brothers 〈◊〉 the Mother side to Prince Gruffydh and who proâ—ably for the desire of Rule were accessary to the Murder of that Noble Prince This Gruffydh ap Lheâ—â—â—yn enjoyed the Principality of Wales for the space of thirty four years a Prince of incomparable Verâ—â—â— both Wise and Valiant Beloved of his Subjects â—nd Formidable to his Enemies in all his Actions he â—ehaved himself Great and Princely and having Demanded his Country so bravely against all Foreign Opposition he was far unworthy of that treacherous â—nd cruel Death which his unkind Subjects and unâ—atural Friends bestowed upon him He left Issue â—ut â—â—e Daughter called Nest abused first by Fleaâ—ce â—on of Bâ—ncho and afterwards married to Trahaern â—p Caradoc Prince of North-Wales Blethyn and Rywalhon AFter the deplorable Murder of Prince Gruffyâ—â— Meredith the Son of Owen ap Edwyn who aâ—cording to some was Son to Howel Dha did take 〈◊〉 on him as 't is said the Government of South-Waâ—â—â— and Blethyn and Rywalhon the Sons of Confyn hâ—â— Brothers to Gruffydh as descended from Augboâ— Daughter to Meredith sometime Prince of Walâ—â— entered upon the Principality of North-Wales Câ—â—â—â— the Son Iago ap Edwal the right Heir to that Croâ—â— being then with his Father-in-Law in Ireland Tâ—â— partition of Wales fell much short of the expectation of Caradoc ap Gruffydh ap Rytherch who bâ—ing the chief promoter of Harold's making an â—â—pedition against Gruffydh ap Lhewolyn made no qâ—stion to attain to the Government of South-Wales â—â—case Gruffydh got the worse But it happened otheâ—wise Harold being sensible of Caradoc's Subtilty aâ—â— Knavery and doubting whether if he was maâ—â— Prince of South-Wales he could obtain a certain Loâ—â—â—ship nigh Hereford which he had a longing mindâ— made a Composition with Meredith ap Owen for 〈◊〉 said Lordship and created him Prince of South-Walâ—â— and on the contrary banished Caradoc out of 〈◊〉 Country Harold having obtained his Request buâ— a very magnificent House at a place called Portasâ—â— in Monmouth-shire and storing it with great quaâ—tity of Provision splendidly entertained the King who honoured him with a Visit This was by a means pleasing to Tofty to see his younger Brother in greater Esteem and Favour with the King thâ—â— himself and having concealed his displeasure for 〈◊〉 time could not forbear at length but discover 〈◊〉 grievance For one day at Windsor while Harâ—â— reached the Cup to King Edward Tosty ready to burâ— for Envy that his Brother was so much respected beyond himself could not refrain to run furiously upon him and pulling him by the Hair dragged him to the Ground for which unmannerly Action the King forbad him the Court But he with continued Rancour and Malice rides to Hereford where Harold had many Servants preparing an Entertainment for the King and setting upon them with his Followers â—â—opped off the Hands and Legs of some the Arms and Heads of others and threw them into the Buts of Wine and other Liquors which were put in for the King 's drinking and at his departure charged the Servants to acquaint him That of other fresh Meats he might carry with him what he pleased but for â—ince he should find plenty provided ready for him for which barbarous Offence the King pronounced a Sentence of perpetual Banishment upon him But Saradoc ap Gruffydh gave a finishing stroak to Harold's House and the King's Entertainment at Portascyth for coming thither shortly after Tosty's departure to be revenged upon Harold he killed all the Work-men and Labourers with all the Servants he could find and utterly defacing the Building carried away all the Costly Materials which with great Charges and Exâ—ence had been brought thither to beautify and adorn the Structure Soon after which the Northumbrians who could not endure the Insolencies of the two Brothers Harold and Tosty who bearing an uncontroulâ—ble sway in the Kingdom were used to practise most hellish Villanies to encompass any Man's Estate that displeased them in a Tumult at York beset the Palace of Tosty and having pillaged his Treasure â—â—ew all his Family as well English-men as Danes Then adjoining to themselves the People of Lincoln Nottingham and Derby shire they elected Marcher the Son of Earl Algar their General to whom came his Brother Edwyn with a considerable number of Forces â—nd a great party of Welch men Then they marched in an hostile manner to Northampton where Harold met them being sent by the King to know their Demands to whom they laid open their Grievances and the Cruelty of Tosty's Government and at last with an absolute refusal of admitting him again desired that Marcher should be appointed Earl over them which the King upon the reasonable Complaints of Injuries done by Tosty easily granted and willingly confirmed Marcher's Title Whereupon they peaceably returned back to the North and the Welch with several Prisoners and other Booties got in this Expedition returned to Wales A.D. 1066 The year following King Edward died and was buried at Westminster being the last King of the Saxon Blood before the Conquest that Governed the Kingdom of England which from Cerdic King of the West-Saxons had continued 544 and from Egbert the first Monarch 171 Years Edward being dead the next debate was about an Election of a Successor Edgar Edeling being set up by some as lawful Heir to the Crown which Harold as being a Person of greater Power and Authority in the Kingdom much wealthier and better befriended presently thwarted and brought Matters so cunningly about that himself was chosen King without any regard observed to the Oath and Promise he had formerly made to William Duke of Normandy Duke William upon notice of Harold's advancement how that he had accepted of the Crown of England contrary to the Articles between them convened together his Nobles and laid before them the several Wrongs and Affronts be had received at the Hands of Harold as the Death of his Cosin Alfred the Banishment of Archbishop Robert Earl Odan and all the Normans and lastly the Breach of his Oath and