militum instructorum quatuordecim Millia quorum contemptu Brennus prae numero suorum de victoria non dubitat sed ad acuendos animos militibus ostendit ubertatem praedae statuasque cum quadrigis fusas auro solido quarum rerum animadversione Galli magis incitati ac pridie vino pleni ruunt in bellum sine ulla cogitatione periculorum Delphi contra plus in Deo quam in viribus suis subsidii ponunt Gallosque scandentes de summo vertice montis Parnassi quo templum Apollinis est partim Saxis partim Armis obruunt maximoque terrae motu parte montis ejusdem erupta Gallorum Exercitum prostravit confertissimique cunei vulneribus dissipati cadebant Dux ipse Brennus cum non poterat amplius ferre dolorem vulnerum suorum vitam pugione finivit Brennus having vanquished the Inhabitants of Pannonia and hearing of the Victory which his Souldiers had obtained under the Command of Belgius their Commander against the Macedonians who fled away leaving the booty and spoils behind them rallying up fifty thousand foot and fifteen thousand horse he suddenly and with great violence enters Macedonia where whilst he plundered ransackt and destroyed both Fields and Villages Sosthenes with an Army well appointed made Head and Resistance against him but being far fewer in number and overwhelmed with multitudes of his Enemies he was forced to Retreat and give way to his present Fortune the Macedonians being thus put to the worst by necessity are compelled to hide and secure themselves under the protection of their walled and fortified Townes and Castles mean time Brennus having none to oppose him fleeceth and wasteth the Countries round about and seeing these spoils too slender for his avaricious and aspiring mind he devours and swallows up in his all-devouring thoughts the opulency of the Gods deridingly and as he thinks wittily though profanely saying The wealth-abounding Gods must supply the indigent wants of poor distressed mortals and therefore bends all his power for Delphos preferring their rich and massie oblations and consecrate golden offerings before the just and most deserved anger of the Gods saying The Gods could never want busying himselfe with these imaginations he comes within the sight and view of great Apollos Temple where he pauseth considering with himself whether it were better suddenly to assault or rather give that nights rest unto his wearied Souldiers to refresh their tired bodies Euridanus and Thessalonus Captains of great skill and experience who had associated themselves meerly for lucre and spoil advise him by all means to cut off delays as dangerous and suddenly to set upon the attempt the Enemy as yet being altogether unprovided in regard whereof a sudden motion would strike them into a terrible fear But the Gauls having suffered hunger and hard marches finding the Country well furished with Wines and other welcome Provisions leaving their Colours disperse themselves every one according to his own pleasure and liking and as if already all were their own like Conquerors they strut it up and down This remisnesse gives opportunity to the Delphians by the Auxiliary Forces of their Friends and Neighbours to fortifie their Town and reinforce their Garrison which Brennus perceiving sends out Command for every man speedily to repair to his Colours whose minds were set upon nothing but looking to their bellies and quaffing lusty bowls The Army of the Gauls consisted of sixty thousand Foot the Citizens of Delphos had only fourteen thousand fighting Men Brennus undervaluing this slender handfull of Men in respect of the numerous Troops of his Souldiers made himself cock-sure of the Victory and therefore to encourage his Men the more he wish'd them to behold and consider the richness of the Treasure and greatness of the Spoil which was like to fall unto their share the Statues and Images together with their Chariots if not made at least covered over with pure and solid Gold The greedy Souldier easily swallowed up his golden Bait and elevated and inebriated with the blood of the lusty grape without either Order or command being sufficiently armed with Bachus to set all danger at defiance runs headlong into Battel on the contrary the wary Delphians confiding more in the protection of their God than strength of their humane Forces from the high and towring Top of the cloud kissing Parnassus where stood Apollos stately Temple with stones and other such Materials besides the help of their Weapons beat down and headlong precipitated the aspiring Gauls this their endeavour was seconded by a sudden and hideous Earthquake which so broke the Ranks of the amazed yet furious Assailants and so disordered their best ordered Squadrons that what with a sudden fear what with those unwonted kinds of wounds they were totally disperst and overthrown Brennus whose haughty spirit not long before was puft up with presumption of winning golden Mountains is now no longer able to endure his late received wounds and therefore with one stroke to put a period to all his miseries he sheatheth his fatal Dagger with a more then manlike thrust in the most remote angle of his own entrails Bellinus together with his brother began their Reign anno Mundi according to Fabian four thousand eight hundred and eight according to which Author jointly and alone ellinus reigned twenty six years leaving a Son after him called Gurguintus Gurguint Brabituc or after some Writers Gurguint Barberous that is to say Gurguint with a red Beard Finis Libri primi To the High and Mighty PRINCES THOMAS HOWARD Duke and Earl of Norfolk Earl of Arundel and Surrey Lord Howard Fitz Alan Mowbrey Matravers Segrave Bruse and Clun SEYMOUR or De S to Mauro Duke of Somerset Marquesse and Earl of Hertford Baron Beauchampe and Seymour c. GEORGE VILLIERS Duke Marquesse and Earl of Buckingham Viscount Villiers and Baron of Whaddon Knight of the Noble Order of the Garter CHARLES STEWART Duke of Lennox and Richmond Earl of March and Lichfield Lord Awbigney Darneley Tarbolton and Nethven in Scotland and Baron of Leighton Bromswould in England GEORGE MONCK Duke of Albemarle Earl of Torrington Baron Monck of Potherige Beauchampe and Teyes Capt. General and Commander in Chief of all his MAJESTIES Land Forces in his Kingdomes of England Scotland and Ireland and all other his Majesties Dominions and Territories Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter Master of his Majesties Horse one of the Lords of his Majesties most honble privy Councel The Duke of Norfolk ROBERT commonly called Consull Earl of Glocester Son to King Hen. 1. by Nest Daughter to Rees ap Tewder K. or Prince of South-Wales which Rees married Gladis Daughter and sole Heire of Rees ap Kenvin Prince of Powis Randolph sirnamed De Gernoniis E of Chester Matildis or Maud Daughter of Robert E. of Glocester Hugh Kavilioc Earl of Chester Bertrude Daughter of Simon Earl of Montford William de Albeneio Earl of Arundel Mabell Daughter to Hugh Kavilioc and Sister and
Tiranidis jugo liberavi civitatem S. P. Q. R. libertatem vindicans pristinae amplitudini splendori restitui You have here viewed Illustrious Prince our first Christian Emperor and his Father fit patterns for imitation Cast your Gracious eyes upon our first Catholick King Lucius and you shall find him Christianity being now established thus Charactered Interea gloriosus ille Britonum Rex Lucius cum intra regnum suum cultum vere fidei magnificatum esse vidisset maximo gaudio fluctuans possessiones territoria quae prius templa Idolorum possidebant in meliorem usum vertens Ecclesiis fidelium permancre concessit quia majorem honorem ipsis impendere debuerat augmentavit illas amplioribus agris mansis omnique libertate sublimavit And a little after Lucius the first Christian King of this Land then called Brittain founded the first Church in London that is to say St. Peters Church upon Cornhill where he setled an Archbishops See making that Church the Metropolis of his Kingdom neither was his zeal and piety confined to that City for you shall find him erecting a goodly Cathedral at Caerlegion in that part of England abusively called Wales which now is known by the name of Monmothshire as also the famous Vniversity of Bangor in the remotest parts thereof This holy King saith my Author granted made and signed many writings Charters and donations for defence maintenance and preservation of Religion as to the Vniversity of Cambridge the School of Shaftsbury with others and when he had done all this Anno 201. Inclitus Britannorum Rex Lucius in bonis actibus assumptus ab hac vita Claudiocesbriae migravit ad Christum in Ecclesia primae sedis sepultus honorifice King Arthur sealed many grants for the advancement of Religion and Learning and by reason of his great victories thrice changed his armorial ensignes at last advancing the cross for my Author saith King Arthur that mighty conquerour and worthy had so great affection and love to this sign that he left his armes which he used before wherein were figured three Dragons another of three crownes or as some say of thirteen and depicted in his shield a cross silver in a field vert and on the first quarter thereof he figured an Image of our B. Lady with her Son in her armes and with this sign he did wonders in Arms. And to this hour we see the Knights of the Noble order of the Garter of which number your Grace the flower of chevaldry is one to bear Argent a plain cross Gules the field signifying pureness of life the cross the blood that Christ shed for this our people whom Trevisa calleth the people of God and the Realm of Gods Land the same ensign did Joseph of Aramathia give unto Arviragus King of Brittain not many years after our Saviours passion Cadwalader the last Brittish Monarch for his armes bore Azure a cross for my fitched Or whole volumes may be compiled of this Subject and the worthy and most Christian acts of your sanctly progenitors But least I should convert an Epistle Dedicatory into History or Chronology I will proceed no further humbly offering up these my weak endeavours before the shrine of your goodness with all integrity beseeching Almighty God that you may if not excel at least equal the most valiant and vertuous of your Royal Progenitors which shall be the daily prayers of Your Royal Highness Most faithful and humble servant PERCY ENDERBY The Duke of York Anarawd King of Northwales Eidwal King of the same Meurick or Meirick Eidwal II. Jago Conan Griffith King of Northwales Owen King of Northwales Jorwerth Son and Heir to Owen married Marret D. to Madoc Prince of Powis Lhewelyn Prince of Northwales Gladis sole Daughter and Heir married to Ralph Lord Mortimer who in her right should have been Prince of Northwales Roger Lord Mortimer Edmund Lord Mortimer Roger Lord Mortimer Earl of March Edmund Lord Mortimer c. Roger Lord Mortimer Edmund Earl of March married Philip D. and H. to Lyonel D. of Clarence Roger Mortimer Earl of March left one only Daughter and Heir married to Richard Earl of Cambridge Richard Duke of York King Edward the Fourth Elizabeth sole daughter and heir married to King Henry the seventh descended from Owen Tudor Margaret eldest daughter to Henry the seventh and in her Issue his Inheretrix was Grandmother to Mary Queen of Scotland France and England Mother to King James King of great Brittain France and Ireland c. Grand-Father to James Duke of York who married Anne daughter to Sir Edward Hyde Baron of Henden and Lord Chancellor of England and hath Issue Charles Duke of Cambridge YORK The City of York anciently called Eboracum is seated upon the river Vre which we call Ouse in the VVest-riding of this County and is the second City of England both for fame and greatness a pleasant large and Stately place all well fortified and beautifully adorned as well with private as publick edifices and rich and populous with all seated on the river Ouse which cutteth it as it were in twain both parts being joyned together with a fair stone-bridge consisting of high and mighty arches a City of great fame in the Roman times and of as eminent reputation in all ages since and in the several turnes and changes which have befallen this Kingdom under the Saxons Danes and Normans hath still preserved its ancient lustre adorned it was with an Archiepiscopal See in the time of the Brittains nor stooped it lower when the Saxons received the Faith Richard the second laying unto it a little Territory on the VVest side thereof made it a county of it self in which the Archbishops of York enjoyed the rights of Palatines and for a further lustre to it Henry the eighth appointed here a councel for the Government of the Northern parts consisting of a Lord President certain Councellors a Secretary and other Officers and yet in none of these hath York been more fortunate then that it adorned so many Princes of the Imperial line of Germany and blood Royal of England with stile and attribute of Dukes and Earls of YORK 1. Otho of Bavaria Earl of York 2. Edmund of Langley fift Son to Edward the third Duke of York 3. Edward Plantagenet Son of Edward of Langley Duke of York 4. Rich. Plantagenet Nephew of Ed. of Langley Duke of York 5. Rich. of Shrewsbury Son of King Edw. Duke of York 6. Henry second Son to King Henry seventh Duke of York after King of England 7. Charles second Son of James King of England 8. James second Son to King CHARLES now Duke of York The Duke of CUMBERLAND It is needless to set down at large the Brittish line of this Heroick and VVarlike Prince Rupertus being sufficient to tell you that he is Son to that Peerless and unparallel'd Princess Elizabeth Queen of Bohemia daughter to James King of great Brittain sister to Charles King of great Brittain
Or Kemeys vert on a cheueron Arg 3 pheons Sable Gunter Sable a cheueron inter 3 gantlels clutchc Or Havert Arg a bulls head cabosed inter 3 mulets Gules Walbeise Arg 3 bulle pale wayes Gules armed vnguled Or Gamage Arg a bend losengy Gules on a chiefe Azure 3 escallops Or Wiston Gules a cherÌ„on Ermine Maunsell Arg a cherÌ„on betweene 3 Maunches Sable About this time or shortly after Bernard Newmarsh a noble man also of Normandy obtained by conquest the Lordship of Brecknock containing three cantreds and married Nest the daughter of Nest daughter to Gruffith ap Lhewelin Prince of Waleâ— by whom he had issue Mahael and a daughter This Mahael being a worthy Knight was dis-inherited by the malice of his own mother who contrary to the matrimonial duty kept unlawful company with a Knight whom she set more by then her husband whereupon Mahael being offended with the dissolute life of his mother warned her to avoid infamy and on a time meeting with the said Knight coming from her fought with him and hurt him wherefore Nest to be revenged of her son for that fact went to K. Henry the first and solemnly Gerald Itin. Camb. rather of malice and revengement as Giraldus noteth then of any Truth sware upon the Evangelists that the said Mahael her son was not begotten by Bernard Newmarsh her Husband but by another Lover of hers by reason of which Oath or perjury rather as Giraldus thinketh Mahael was disinherited and his Sister whom the Mother affirmed to be the very Daughter of Bernard was by the said King with the whole Inheritance King Henry the First confesseth the VVelshmen to be the lawfull inheritours of the Country bestowed upon Milo the son of Walter the Constable who was after created Earl of Hereford Lord of Glocester Brecknock and the Forrest of Dean This Milo Earl of Hereford told King Henry the First of the singing and triumphing of Birds by the pool called Lhyn Sanathan at the passing of Gruffith ap Rees ap Theodor the said Milo a Pini-Fitz-John Lord of Ewyas Land being present whereunto the King answered that it was not a thing to be wondred at so much for in truth said he we by our great force and strength do offer injury and violence to that Nation yet are they well known to be the lawfull inheritours of hat Countrey The sons of this Milo dyed all without issue yet he left three daughters First Margaret married to Humphery de Bohune in her right Earl of Hereford Many if not most of the English Nobility by this match desceâ—dâ—d of the Welsh blood Henry the 4th descended from Lhewelin Prince of Wales and Constable of England from which match and so consequently from Bernard Newmarsh his Wife daughter of Nest who was daughter of another Nest daughter from Gruffith ap Lhewelyn Prince of all Wales most of the ancient Nobility descend from Lhewelyn the great Prince for the last Humphry de Bohune Earl of Hereford Essex and Northampton and Constable of England had issue two daughters and heirs Elianor the elder was married unto Thomas Plantagenet alias Thomas of Woodstock the sixth son of Edward the Third who was by King Richard the Second created Earl of Buckingham and after Duke of Glocester and in her right Earl of Essex Northampton and Constable of England Mary the second Daughter was married to Henry Plantagenet alias Bullingbrook Earl of Derby after King of England by the name of Henry the Fourth Plantagâ—nets Staffords and Bouochier from Lhewelin Prince of Wales The said Thomas Plantagenet Duke of Glocester c. had Humphry Lord of Brecknock who dyed without Issue and four daughters heirs after their Brother Ann the elde stmarried to Edmund Stafford Earl of Stafford who by her had Issue Humphry Earl of Stafford Hereford and Northampton Lord of Brecknock c. and afterwards the said Ann was married to William Viscount Bourchier created Earl of Ewe in France by King Henry the Fifth Father of Henry created Earl of Essex by King Edward the Fourth This Humphry Earl of Stafford was created Duke of Buckingham by King Henry the Sixt and so the Lordship of Brecknock came to the Dukes of Buckingham and by the Attainder of Edward the last Duke of that family came to the Crown But let us return again to the daughters of Milo you see what gallant Issue proceeded from the first Secondly Bersa the second Daughter was married unto Philip Bruse created by King Stephan Lord Bruse of Gower Bould and Brimber and in his Wives Right Lord of Brecknock Thirdy Lucia the third daughter was married to Herbert the son of Herbert a base son to King Henry the First who was in her Right Lord of all the Forrest of Dean of whom descended the Fitz-Herberts of Derbyshire Awbery Walbeif Gunter and Hanara no Welshmen properly With Bernard Newmarsh before spoken of there came many Gentlemen at that time to Brecknock upon whom he bestowed divers Mannors as to the Awberies the Mannor of Abercynrick and Slowch to the Walbeifes the Mannor of Lhanhamlack and Taly Lhyn and to the Gunters the Mannor of Gilston to the Hanards the Mannor of Pont Willym an easie matter to cut large thongs out of another mans Hide About this time Cadogan ap Blethyn ap Convyn destroyed all Dynet in the end of April and shortly after the same summer the Normans in great companies landed in Dynet or Westwales and Caerdigan and builded Castles there and so began to inhabit the Countrey upon the Sea-shore The Normans having gotten into their hands all the lands and livings of the Nobility of England began to pry and peep into the commodities of Wales and seeing that Robert Fitz-Hamon and other Knights that went with him had sped so well they made suit to the King to grant them the lands of the Welshmen whereupon the King thinking that to be the best way for him as well to encourage them to be more willing to serve him as also to provide for them at other mens cost granted to divers of his Nobles sundry Countries in Wales to hold of him by Knights Service for the which they did Homage and sware fealty unto him as followeth First Roger Montgomery Earl of Arundel and Salop did his homage for the Lordship of Powis and Caerdigan Secondly Hugh Lupus Earl of Chester did homage for Tegengel and Rynonioc with all the Land by the Sea-shore unto the River of Conwey Thirdly Arnulph a younger son of Roger Montgomery for Dinet Fourthly Bernard Newmarch for Brecknock Fifthly Ralph Mortimer for Eluel Sixthly Hugh de Lacie for the land of Ewyes Seventhly Eustace Cruer for Molde and Hopedale and many others for other Lands Montgomery why so called Then Roger de Montgomery to whom the Conquerour had given Powis entred the land and wan the Town and Castle of Baldwyn which he fortified and called it Montgomery after his own name About this time also Gruffith ap Conon
coming Thirdly that for performance of these they should deliver forthwith to the Prince twenty pledges of the best in all the country which things they did Then the Prince returned into Northwales with much honour Caerleon taken by the E. of Pembrock Shortly after William Marshal Earl of Pembrock got the town of Caerlheon and made war against the Welshmen whom contrary to their promise the Barons left out of the conclusion of peace The Barons were very glad of the friendship and aid of the P. of Wales to serve their own turne The Barons pacifying France and England conspire against Wales but now in a general conclusion of peace contrary to their oath and promise they reserve out Wales to keep them play withall hoping to get some more land thereby therefore let us take heed how we trust to self serving friendship Hereupon Rees Vachan razed the Castle of Senghennyth and all the Castles he had in his custody in that Country and banished all the English there inhabiting with their wives and Children for ever Strangers banished out of Wales and divided the Country amongst the Welsh who have kept it ever since The year ensuing Prince Lhewelyn put Garrisons into the Castles of Caermarthyn and Aberteini Then young Rees by the Prince his consent went to the King and did homage for his lands In the year following Rees Gryc married the daughter of the Earle of Clare and John de Bruse married the daughter of P. Lewelin The Flemmings violate the Oath year 1220 The year 1220 Lhewelyn Prince of Wales conducted an army to Pembroke against the Flemmings who contrary to their Oath and League had taken the Castle of Aberteini which Castle the Prince won and destroyed putting the Garrison to the sword razed the Castle and went thence to Gwys where he razed that Castle and burned the town Also he caused all Hanerford to be burned to the Castle gates and destroyed all Ros and Dongledhan and they who kept the Castle sent to him for truce till the first of May which was concluded upon conditions and so he returned home year 1221 Also this year certain Lords of Wales besieged the Castle of Buelht which belonged to Reynalt de Bruse therefore the King came with an army to the Marches and raised the siege and came as far as Montgomery and built a Castle there Montgomery castle built by K. John The year following there fell a great difference betwixt Prince Lhewelin and Gruffith his son for this Gruffith enjoyed the Cantref of Merioneth without his fathers consent and therefore his father sent for him to come unto him which he denied to do Therefore the Prince sware that he would be revenged upon him and his confederates for that dishonour and then came with a great army to Merioneth but the son not fearing his father got his people into the field ready to abide the battail but as they were in fight there was a peace concluded and Gruffith yielded to his father and cryed him mercy Then Lhewelin although he forgave his son the offence yet he took Merioneth and Ardydwy from him and building a Castle there returned home again At this time young Rees forsook Prince Lhewelyn because Aberteini was not delivered him as the promise was at the division of South Wales and went to William Marshal Earle of Pembroke which caused Prince Lhewelyn to come to Aberystwyth and seize the castle and all the Territories to his own use Young Rees hearing this went to the King to complain upon Prince Lhewelin and the King sent for the prince to Shrewsbury and made him and Rees friends the prince promising to deale with Rees for Aberteini as he had done with Maelgon for Caermarthyn This Winter John Bruse by the consent of prince Lhewelyn fortified the Castle of Senghennyth Young Rees dies and is buried at Stratâ—lur The year after young Rees departed out of this life being a lusty Gentleman and endued with many notable vertues and was buryed at Stratflur whose inheritance Lhewelin divided between his brother Gwen and his Vncle Maelgon year 1223 In the year 1223. William Marshal came from Ireland and landed at St. Davids with a great army and shortly after laid seige to Aberteini and got it and from thence marched to Caermarthyn and likewise got the same Lhewelin prince of Wales at what time William Marshal Earle of Pembrock prosecuted the wars in Ireland took the two castles in VVales belonging to the Earle And now speaking of this Earof Pembrock as formerly I have done I will set down a Catalogue of the Earles of that place with their armes Pembrockshire was inhabited of old by the Dimetae a Country quite surrounded by the sea save where it joyneth unto Caerdegan and Caermarthynshires a country plentiful in corne and cattel and fish not destitute of pitcoale and which is far above the rest as Giraldus tells considering that is so near to Ireland of a wholesome and temperate air it contains in it 140. parish churches and 5. Markets that which is most of note being Milford renowned for its safe and capacious haven but that from which it takes its denomination is the Town of Pembrock seated upon a forked arme of Milford haven and in the best part of the country the Town consisting principally of one long street on a long narrow point of a rock and hath in the walls thereof two churches The Earles hereof in former times were County Palatines and passed all things that concerned that County under the seale of the Earldom and it continued so until the reign of K. H. VIII when as VVales was reduced to England and the authority of the great Lords there dissolved by Parliament since which the Earles of Pembrock have been meerly titulan as of other places and of each sort were these in their several ages the Marquesses and Earles of Pembrock 1 Gilbert de Clare 2 Richard de Clare surnamed Srongbow Or 3 Cheverons G. a Cressant for difference 3 William Marshal married Isabel daughter and heir of Rich. Strongbow 4 William Marshal Lord Chief Justice 5 Richard Marshal 6 Gilbert Marshal 7 Walter Marshal 8 Anselme Marshal Party per pale Or and vert a Lyon Rampant Gules incensed Azure 9 William de Valence half brother to Henry III. whose wife was daughter of a Sister of Anselme Marshal 10 Aymer de Valence Ten Clossets Argent and B as many Martlets in Vrle Gules Mr. Brochcals larnly of 10. pieces 11 Laurence Hastings who married the Lady Isabella Valence 12 John Hastings 13 John Hastings this John bore quarterly Brotherton Hastings Or a Manch Gules Valence and Brotherton 14 Humphrey Duke of Glocester Quarterly France and England a border Arg. 15 VVilliam de la Pole Duke of Suffolk B. a fess between three Leopards heads Or. 16 Jasper of Hatfield brother to King Henry the Sixt after Duke of Bedford Quarterly France and England in a border B. 8 martlets Or Mr. Brock calls them
And all the lands that were of Rees ap Meredyth The large liberties and priviledges of the Prince of Wales which came to the hands of King Edward the First together with all the Lordships Cities Castles Burrowes Townes Manours Members Hamlets and Tenements Knights fees Voydances of Bishopricks Advowsons of Churches and of Abbeys Priories and of Hospitals with customes and prisages of wines The exercise and Execution of Justice and a Chancery Forrests Chases Parks Woods Warrens Hundreds Comoâ—s c. And all other Hereditaments as well unto the said principality as unto the said King in those parts then belonging To have and to hold the same unto the sad Prince and his heirs Kings of England This limitation of Estate of this principality unto the prince and his heirs Kings of England may seem strange to our Modern Lawyers For how is it possible that the Kings of England can inherit the principality since the principality being the lesser dignity is extinguished in the Kingly Estate being the greater for in presentia majoris cessat id quod minus est for as much as the Heir apparent of the crown being Prince is presently upon the death of his Ancestor eo instante King himself and the principality as the lesser not compatible with the Kingdom being the greater But when I consider that this age where in this Charter was penned was a learned age of Judges and Lawyers by whose advice no doubt in a matter of this importance this Charter was penned and this age much commended for exquisite knowledg of the lawes by those learned Men that lived in the succeeding times I cannot but think reverently of antiquity although I cannot yield sufficient reason of their doings therein Nevertheless for as much as all the Charters in the ages following made to the Prince do hold the same manner of limitation of Estate Sr. John Dodridge his opinion concerning a difficulty I am perswaded some mystery of good policy lies hid therein which as I conceive may be this or such like The Kings of England thought to confer upon the Prince and heir apparent an Estate in Fee simple in the lands that they bestowed upon him for a lesser than an Inheritance had not been answerable to so great a dignity And yet they were not willing to give him any larger Estate then such as should extinguish again in the Crown when he came to be King or died for that he being King should also have the like power to create the Prince or his heir apparent and to invest him into that dignity as he being the Father was invested by his Progenitor For the wisdom of the Kings of England was such as that they would not deprive themselves of that honour but that every of them might make new Creations and Investitures of the principality to ther Eldest Son and next succeeding heir apparent and that those lands so given unto the Prince might when he was King be annexed knit and united again to the crown and out of the crown to be anew conferred which could not so have been if those lands had been given to the Prince and his heirs generall for then the lands so given would have rested in the natural person of the Princes after they came to the Kingdome distinct from the Crown Lands and might as the case should happen descend to others then those which were his heirs apparent to the Crown And herein I do observe a difference between the principality of Wales given to the Prince and the Dutchy of Cornewall given unto him For every Prince needeth and so hath had a new creation and investiture But he is Duke of Cornewal as soon as he is born if his Ancestor be then King of England and if not he is Duke of Cornwall eo instante that his father is King of England The said King also by an another charter dated the 20 of September in the said 17. year of his reign granted unto the said prince all arrerages of rents duties accompts Stocks stores goods and chattels remaining in all and every the said parts due or by right belonging unto the King and thereupon the prince accordingly was possessed by vertue of these charters of all these aforesaid It resteth that here we set down the Total Annual value of the said Principality of Wales by it self as it appeareth upon a diligent Survey thereof taken in the 5. year of the reign of the said King Edw. the III. of England and in the 37. of his reign over France The survey of the principality of Wales is drawn out of a long Record and to avoid tediousness the value of the revenues of every County or Shire is here set down and then the total of the whole omitting the particulars of every Mannour Lordship Town or other profit in every of the said Counties The setting down whereof at large would have been exceeding combersome and intricate It is therefore in this manner The Province of Northwales The summe total of all the Princes Revenues in the County or Shire of Caernarvon 1134l 16 s 2d ob q. The summe total of the Revenues of the province in the County of Anglesey 832l 14 s 6d ob q. The sum total of the revenues in the county of Meryoneth amounteth unto 748l 11 s 3d. ob q The perquisites and profits of the Sessions of the Justices of Northwales The summe Total of all the former Revenues in Northwales amounteth to 3041l 7 s 6d. q. Whereof deducted the yearly Fee of the Justice of Northwales and there remains the summe of 3001l 7 s 6d. q. The Province of Southwales The summe totall of the yearly Revenue of the prince in the county of Caerdigan 374l 11 s 3d. q. The summe total of the yearly Revenue of the prince arising in the County of Caermardhyn 406l 1 s 7d. The Fee Farme of Buelht 113l 6 s 8d. Montgomery 56l 13 s 4d. Perquisites and profits of the Sessions of the Justice of Southwales 738l 6 s 9d. ob Perquisites of the Courts of Haverford 41l. 5 s. 3d. ob The summe total of the Revenues in Southwales 1730l 4 s 11d q. Out of which deducted for the Fee of the Justice of Southwales 50l. there then remaineth 1681l 4s 11d q. The total of all which Revenues of the Principality of VVales cast up in one entire summe together is 4681l 12 s 5d q. This survey was made upon this occasion as it seemeth after the death of the prince called the black Prince the Princesse his wife was to have her dowry to be allotted unto her out of those Revenues which could not be without an extent or survey thereof first had by Commissioners thereunto appointed And because the yearly value of the said revenues by reason of the casual profits thereof were more or lesse yearly and not of one certain value the Commissioners observed this course they did make choice of three several years viz. 47 and 48 and 49. of Edw. III. and
did take out of the several profits of those years and did cast them all into one summe which they again divided into three several parts equally esteeming one of the said three parts to be the just yearly value of the said Revenues Communibus annis that is one year with an other And in this account we find no other charges allowed then the Justics Fees only This survay and account made about 200 years past is here inserted to the end it might appear what the Revenues of this Principality alone was The said prince of VVales surnamed the Black prince Mr. Mills fol. 315. after many fortunate victories atchieved by him having subdued a great part of France and having taken John the French King prisoner at Poyteers in France and after that also having vanquished Henry at Naveroit in Spain and restored Peter King of Aragon dyed in June Sr. John Dodridge fol. 15. leaving behind him Richard his Son and Heir born at Burdeux and thereof sirnamed Richard of Burdeux Richard of Burdeux Richard son of Edward Prince of VVales was after the death of his father created prince of VVales at Havering at Bower the 20. day of November in the 50. year of King Edw. III. his Grandfather he was after the death of his said Grandfather K. of England by the name of K. Rich. II. This Richard saith Judge Dodridge sirnamed of Burdeux son and heir of Edward the black prince was created prince of VVales ut supra being about the age of XI years and upon Christmas day next following the said King Edward the third caused the said prince being his Nephew or Grandchild to sit at the table in high estate above all his Uncles being the Kings sons as representing the personage of the heir apparent to the Crown and gave to him the two parts of all the said principality Counties Lordships Castles and the most of the said Lands which belonged to the said black prince and the reversion of the third part thereof the possession of the third part there of then being to the mother of the said Rich. to her dowry with an 113 l. 6 s. 8 d. yearly rent payable by the Earle of March as a Fee Farm for the Lordship and Lands of Buelht and 85. marks for the fee farm of the Castle Lordship and Land of Montgomery with the vacations of Bishopricks excepting the Fees of the Baron Marchers of VVales who do alwaies hold of the Crown in Capite and excepting the avoydance of the Bishoprick of St. Davids in VVales which anciently also belonged to the Crown with the like limitation to the estate viz. To the said Richard and his heirs Kings of England It seemeth that these Lordships of Buelht and Montgomery being formerly granted to Edw. the black prince were before this time given away in Fee Farm After the death of the said K. Edw. III. which was in the 51 year of his reign the Kingdom of England descended to the said Richard being his grandchild and he was crowned King thereof by the name of Richard the second and in the 23 year of his reign he resigned his Kingdom or to speak more truly was deposed against his will and after by a violent death departed this life without issue Henry of Monmoth Henry of Bullingbrock a Town or Castle in Lincolneshire and heretofore belonging to the Lacies Earles of Lincolne and by the marriage with Alice daughter and heir of Henry Lacy Earle of Lincolne to Thomas Earle of Lancaster this with the residue of the lands of Lincolne became united and incorporated with those of Lancaster It hath been almost ever since this time one of the honours as we call them of the Crown of England but never made any honorary title unto any family untill King James conferred it on Sr. Oliver Saint John who possibly might affect to be thence denominated as fetching his descent from the Lady Margaret Beauchamp Grandmother to King Henry the seventh the heirs of the Lancastrian family by which descent likewise as well as otherwayes he is descended of the Welsh blood and beareth for his armes Argent on a chief gules two mullets Or but to our former matter this Henry of Bullingbrock by the name of Henry IV. who was formerly Duke of Lancaster and Hereford Earle of Derbie Leicester and Lincolne son and heir of John of Gaunt the fourth son to K. Edward the third by his Charter dated at Westminster 15. Octob. in the first year of his reign created Henry his eldest son prince of Wales and invested him in the said princely Ornaments viz. the chaplet gold ring verge or rod of gold To have and to hold unto him and his heirs Kings of England And by another Charter of the same date gave to him and his heirs Kings of England the said principality with the Lordships Sr. John Dodridge fol. 17. Castles and Lands before mentioned in the Charter made to the black prince together with four Comots in the county of Caernarvon viz. the comots of Ifaph Vghaph Nantconwey and Crewthin not named before and the reversion of the Lordship of Haverford with the prices of Wines there and of the Lordships of Newin and Pughby in Northwales which Thomas Percy then Earle of Worcester held for term of life of the demise of King Richard the Second together also with the reversion of the county and lordship of Anglesey in Northwales and the castle of Beaumarish and the comots lands tenements and hereditaments belonging thereunto which Henry Percy son of the Earle of Northumberland then held for terme of his life of the demise of the said K. Hen. IV. and by an act of Parliament made in the first year of K. H. IV. whereby the Dutchy of Lancaster is severed from the Crown of Engl. the stile of the said P. is declared to be this P. of Wales D. of Aquitane of Lancaster of Cornwal E. of Chester for the said K. H. IV. having been himself D. of Lancaster before his assumption to the Crown and knowing that the name of Duke being an inferiour dignity would extinguish and be surrounded in the crown as in the superior desired as by that Act of Parliament appeareth not only to separate the said Dutchy of Lancaster and the lands thereof from the Crown to the intent he might still hold the said Dutchy as his antient patrimony if he were put from the Crown it being but his new acquired dignity but also to preserve the said stile Mr. Lhoyd fol. 385. title and name of Duke of Lancaster in his posterity which as the said act affirmeth his ancestours had so worthily borne and sustained In the time of K. Rich. II. there was one Owen ap Gruffith Vachan descended of a younger son of Gruffith ap Madoc Lord of Bromfield This Owen was first a Student at the Lawes of the Realme and became an utter Barrister or an apprentise of the law as they term it and served King Richard in
Co-heir to Randolph Blundevill her Brother John Fitz Alan Lord of Clun and Owalstre two Lordships in Wales Isabell D. and Coh after the death of her brothers William and Hugh to William de Albeneio or Albany Richard Fitz Alan Grandchild to John 1. E. of Arundel of that Name Alizan D. to the Marquesse of Sluce in Italy Edmund Fitz Alan E. of Arundell Alice D. of William and Sister and Co-h. of John E. Warren and Surrey Richard Fitz Alan E. of Arundel c. Lord of Yale Bromfield Chirkland and Dinas Bran in Northwales Elinor D. to Henry Plantagenet E. of Lancaster Richard E. of Arundell c. Eliza. D. to William de Bohun E. of Northampton Thomas E. of Arundell c. Beatrix base D. to John King of Portugall Thomus E. of Arundell c. sans Issue so the Lands of the Earldome of Surrey were divided betwixt the Sisters and the Earldome of Arundell fell to John Fitz Alan being entailed John Fitz Alan E. of Arundell Knight of the Garter great Grand-child to John Maud. D. and H. of Robert Lovell and Eliz. his wife D. and Co-h. to Sir Guy Bryan To John Fitz Alan and Elinor his wife sister and Coh of Henry Lord Maltravers Humphrey Earle of Arundell sans Issue William Fitz Alan Uncle and Heir to Humphrey Margaret D. of Richard Woodvile E. Rivers Sister and Co-h. to E. Rich. her Brother William Fitz Alan Earl of Arundell Ame D. of Henry Piercy Earl of Northumberland by which Match this Honourable Family also descends from the Welsh Line as in that Pedegree shall appear Henry Lord Maltravers sans Issue Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolke Mary D. and Co-h. of Henry Fitz Alan Earl of Arundell Philip Howard eldest Son of D. Thomas did assume the Name and Title of Earl of Arundell Anne D. of Thomas Lord Dacres of Gilestand and Sister and H. of George Lord Dacres Thomas Howard Earl of Arundell Alathen D. and Co-h. and at last sole H. to Gilbert Talbot E. of Shrewsbury by which Match the Honourable Family descends from the Welsh Line as in its proper place shall appear Henry Earl of Arundell c. Eliz. D. to Elsme Stewart D. of Lennox by which Match this House again springs from the Welsh blood as the Princely Line of the Stewarts do shew Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolke Henry Howard second Son Heir apparent Anne Daughter to Edward Marquesse and Earl of Worcester c. by which Conjunction the Welsh Alliance is strengthned NORFOLK is the greatest County of England next to Yorkshire but far more populous then that as comprehending in the whole 660 Parish Churches of which 27 are Market Townes The soyl according to the variety of places is of different nature some fat rank and full of moisture in others very light and sandy yet so that one contributing to the other and the Sea giving help to both it is a very plentifull County for Corn Sheep and Fish It is observed by a great Antiquary of this Kingdome that in this County are 100 Families of ancient Gentry were never attainted of High Treason The Dukes and Earls of Norfolke have been as followeth year 1070 1070. 1 Ralph de Ware Earl of Norfolk 2 Hugh Bigot 3 Roger Bigot 4 Hugh Bigot 5 Roger Bigot 6 Roger Bigot 7 Thomas de Brotherton Son of K. Edw. 1. E. of Norfolk 8 Margaret Daughter of Thomas de Brotherton Duch. of Norfolk 9 Thomas Lord Mowbrey Son of Marg. D. of Norfolke Duke of Norfolk 10 John Mowbrey D. 11 John Mowbrey D. 12 John Mowbrey D. 13 Richard D. of York and Norfolk 14 John Lord Howard Descended from the Lady Marg. Daughter to Thomas Duke of Norfolk 15 Thomas Howard D. Lord Treasurer and Admirall 16 Thomas Howard D. L. Treas 17 Thomas Howard D. of Norfolk 18. Thomas Howard D. of Norfolk 1660. The Duke of Somerset THis Honourable Family hath been Seated formerly in Wales whose Habitation was Penhow in Monmouthshire where I find their Arms cut in stone and depicted in glasse in the Church Windows which Church was Dedicated to St. Maurus from which Name questionlesse that illustrious Family took the Name De S to Mauro and yet to this day there is a Piece of Ground called Park Seymour and to confirm this I judge it not amisse to shew you parcel of an ancient Record The Saturday after the Feast of St. Michael in the full Court of Strigull in the 55. year of Hen. the Son of K. John before William de Walste then Steward of Strigull who ought to have House Bote and Hey-bote in Wentwood The JVRY The Abbot of Tynterne the Prior of Strigull Lord Robertson of Pagan William Bloet William Denford of Creeke Richard de More Robert de St. Maure Bartholomew of More Knights Matthew Denbane Robert de More and John Morbell who say in their Faith that William Lord Bloet ought to have to his House at Langston House Bote by complaint or request Lord William de St. Maure to his House or Castle of Penhow by the same means c. Henry Gray Marquess Dorset and Duke of Suffolk Descended from Sir John Gray Kt. Lord Powis who married Jane Daughter and one of the Heirs of Edward Charleton Lord Powis Son of John of another John Charleton who married Hawis Daugh. and sole Heir of Howel ap Griffith lineally descended from the Princes of Powis Frances D. and Co-h. to Charles Brandon D. of Suffolk and Queen Mary D. to Hen. 7. who by Owen Tudor descended lineally from the Princes of Southwales and from Rees ap Tewdor King of Demetia who died 1090. and was buried at St. Davids Edward de S to Manro Earl of Hertford Joan D. to L. Hen. Piercy E. of Northumberland by which Match this Family is the 3. time descended from Wales Edward Seymour E. of Hertford and Duke of Somerset Katharine D. to Henry Grey and Frances D. and Co-h. to Charles Brandon D. of Suffolk and Mary Queen of France William Seymor Duke of Somerset who married Sister and Co-heir to Robert Earle of Essex Seymor Lord Beauchampe Daughter to the Lord Capell that Loyall and Heroick Spirit who lost his life on the Kings behalf SEYMOR now DUKE of SOMERSET 1660. Somersetshire is a Country of a fertile Soyl both for Corn and Pasture exceeding populous as comprehending in the whole 385 Parish-Churches whereof 33 are Market Towns and furnished also with commodious Havens for Trade and Traffick in the parts towards Wilts it is hilly and stony which places about Mendip especially afford rich veins of Lead the rest of the Country is very fertile abounding with rich Meadows and Pastures it hath formerly been known by the name of Somertonshire but now it is ordinarily called Somersetshire by which name it hath given the Honorary Title of Dukes and Earles of Somerset 1 William de Mohun E. 2 William Longespe E. of Salisbury and Somerset 3 Reynald de Mohun 4 John Beauford eldest Son of John of Gaunt by his 3. wife
Author that he both was a Christian and Converted by St. Joseph and plainly alledgeth Nennius Authority Thus he writeth Joseph converted this King Arviragus By his Preaching to know the Law divine And baptized him as written hath Nennius The Chronicler in Brittain Tongue full fine And to Christ's Law made him incline The Antiquity of the Crosse for England And gave him then a Shield of silver white A Cross end long overthwart full perfect Thus writeth this Author but without Warrant of any thing I can find for whereas as he citeth Nennius to have written thus in the Brittish Language it is evident by all Antiquities that Nennius which wrote in that Tongue was long before the Birth of Arviragus or St. Joseph and dead 50 years before the Nativity of Christ and was Brother to King Lud and Cassibelin and was named Nennius Helius and he could not write any such thing the other Nennius called Bancharensis as all Authors agree wrote onely in Latine and consequently could not write so in the Brittish Tongue as that Author thinketh or our best modern Authors affirm they find no such thing in any copy of Nennius Codices ii quos consuluisse me Nennii antiquos contigit hnjusce rei parum sunt memores Neither is King Arviragus or St. Joseph named by him The places which he allowed to St. Joseph and his companions were propter munitiones Arundineti fluminis paludis so compassed and invironed with Reeds River and Fens that they builded a poor Oratory themselves of such base Elderwands as that Fenny wildernesse afforded which giveth sufficient testimony how far Arviragus was from being a Christian that had nothing but such abject and outcast things to allow to Christ and his servants when for the maintenance of the Pagan Idolatry which he professed both as the Brittish History Matthew of Westminster Ponticus Virunnius and as well Modern as Ancient are witnesses he was Author of stately and sumptuos buildings and so far from diminishing any honour that was then given to the false gods of the Brittains that he added more unto them namely worshipped the wicked Emperor Claudius whose Bastard-daughter he had taken as wife as god dedicated a costly Temple unto him soon after his death yet after this his acquaintance with S. Joseph for as I find in an old Manuscript-history and others do not dissent the City of Gloucester then Caer Glou Anonymus his Maps in Glocestershire the City of Claudius was built by King Arviragus in the year of Christ 66. This City was first won from the Brittains by Chenlin the first King of the West Saxons about the year of Christ 570. and afterwards under the Mercians it flourished with great honour where Offirick King of Northumberland by the sustenance of Ethelred of Mercia founded a most stately Monastery of Nuns whereof Kinelburgh Eadburgh and Eve Queens of the Mercians were Prioresses successively each after other Edelfled a most renowned Lady Sister to King Edward the Elder in this City built a fair Church wherein her self was interr'd which being overthrown by the Danes was afterwards rebuilt and made the Cathedral of that See dedicated unto the honour of St. Peter in this Church the unfortunate Prince King Ed. 2. under a Monument of Alabaster doth lie who being murdered at Berkley Castle by the cruelty of the French Isabell his wife was there intombed And not far from him an other Prince as unfortunate namely Robert Curthose the eldest Son of William the Conqueror lyeth in a painted wooden Tomb in the midst of the Quire whose eyes were pluckt out in Cardiff Castle where he was kept Prisoner twenty years with all contumelious indignities until through extreme anguish he ended his life and before any of these saith our Brittish Historian the body of Lucius our first Christian King or rather at Caerleon in Monmouthshire was Interred and before his days the Brittain Arviragus This City hath given Honourable Titles to these Dukes and Earls 1 Robert Base Son to K. Hen. 1 Earle Gules three rests Or. 2 William 3 John Sansterre Son to K. Hen. 1 who Married Isabell Daughter and Coheir of Will E. of Gloucester England a bend Azure 4 Geofry de Mandevile E. of Essex 2d Husband of Isabell Quarterly Or and Gules over all an Escurbuncle Pomet and Flory Sable 5 Almerich de Evereux Son of Mabell another Coheir of E. William some put this Almerich before Geofry but erroneously as I conceive Partly perpale endented Arg. and Gules 6 Gilbert de Clare Son of Annice another of the Coheirs 7 Rich. de Clare 8 Gilbert de Clare who Married Joan of Acres Daughter to King Edw. 1. Or 3 Cheverons Gules 9 Ralph de mont Hermen 2 d. Husband of Joan of Acres Or an Eagle displayed Vert membred and leaked Gules 10 Gilbert de Clare Son of Gilbert and Joan. Or three Cheverous Or. 11 Hugh de Audley Married Isabell sister and Coheir of Gilbert Gules Alfret Or. border argent 12 Thomas of Woodstock Duke of Gloucester and Lord Constable Quarterly France and England a border arg 13 Thomas Lord Spencer Grand-son to Elinor Coheir of Gilbert Earl Quarterly the 1. and 4. or 2. and 3. Gules there on a fret Or a bend sable 14 Rich. Plantagenet Brother to K. Edw. 4. Lord Adm. and Constable D. Quarterly France and England a Label of 3 Ermine as many Cantons Gules 15 Humphrey Plantagenet son to King Hen. 4. This Hump. place immediately before Rich. Quarterly France and England a border argent 16 Henry 3d. Son of the late King Charles declared by his Royal Father Duke of Gloucester Anno 1641. but not create And to demonstrate that he both lived and died a Pagan this King Arviragus was and that by his own order buried in that Pagan Temple in the year of our Lord Christ 73. ten years after St. Josephs coming hither Arviragus ut dies suos explevit sepultus est Claudiocestriae in quodam templo quod in honore Claudii dedicaverat ut construxerat And Scut Virunnius further addeth that he did every month offer sacrifice in that Temple after the Pagans manner so much be loved him singulis mensibus sacrificabat tanto eum amore prosequibatur And it is further evident by many Antiquities that Arviragus did many publick acts besides this which Christian Religon could not permit as that after he had been long time Married to Voada sister to Cataracus King of the Scots and had divers Children by her he disinherited the Children put away and imprisoned the Mother and Married Genuisse the supposed Bastard Daughter of Claudius and kept her the other yet living and left the Kingdome to Marius her Son and was so far from repenting this barbarous act contrary to Christian Religion that being challenged for that impiety he wrote a book in defence of this his wickednesse Mr. Bron. fol. 132. affirming therein that it was lawful for him to have plurality of Wives because
1038. Hernon Archbishop of Menevia or St. Davids died a man both learned and godly the next year following Howel King of Southwales gathered a great power of his friends and strangers and entered the land intending to overcome it again wherefore Gruffith like a worthy Prince came with all speed to succour his people and meeting with Howel at Pencadair after he had incouraged his Soldiers gave him battail and overthrew him and pursued him so narrowly that he took Howels wife whom he had brought to the field to see the overthrow of Gruffith which chanced otherwise whom Gruffith liked so well that he kept her for his Concubine year 1041 In the year 1041. Howel came again to Southwales and remained there a while and shortly after a number of strangers landed in Westwales and spoyled the Country against whom Howel gathered his forces and fought with them and drove them to their ships with much loss At this time Conan the son of Jago who had fled to Ireland to save his life with the power of Alfred King of Develin whose daughter Ranulph he had married entered Northwales and by treason had taken Gruffith the King and carried him towards the ships but when it was known the Country upon a suddain followed the Irishmen and overtaking them rescued their Prince requiting their foes with much slaughter forcing them to their ships who returned with Conan to Ireland The year following Howel the son of Owen Lord of Glamorgan dyed being a man full of years Then Howel ap Edwin called to his succour Danes and Englishmen with all the power he could make in Southwales whereof Gruffith being certified gathered his power together in Northwales and came couragiously to meet his enemies whom he had twice before discomfited and overcame them and chased them as far as the spring of the River Towy where after a long and dangerous battail Howel was slain and his army routed and so narrowly pursued that few escaped alive After whose death Ritherck and Rees the sons of Ritherck ap Iestyn aspiring again to the rule and government of Southwales which their father had once obtained gathered a great army as well of Strangers as out of Gwentland and Glamorgan and met with Gruffith King of Wales who after his accustomed manner detracting no time but couragiously animating his men with the remembrance of their former fortune and divers victories under his standard joyned battail with his enemies whom he found disposed to abide and to win again the honour they had lost wherefore when they met the fight was cruell and bloody and continued till night which easily departed both armies being weary with fighting and either fearing other returned to their Countreys to gather more strength This year Ioseph Bishop of Teilo or Lhandaf died at Rome The Bishop of Landaff dyeth at Rome The land being thus quieted Gruffith ruled all Wales without any trouble till about two years after the Gentlemen of Ystrad Towy did by treason kill 140 of the Prince his best Soldiers to revenge whose death the King Gruffith destroyed all Dinet and Ystrad Towy Here is also to be noted that such snow fell this year that it lay upon the earth from the Kalends of Ianuary to the fourteenth of March. In the year 1050 Conan the son of Iago did gather an army of his friends in Ireland minding to recover his inheritance again as he sailed towards Wales there arose such a tempest that it scattered his navy abroad and drowned the most part of his ships so that he was disappointed of his purpose and lost his labour This Earl Godwin that wicked Earl of Kent whose lands were swallowed up by the Sea and as this day called Godwins sands pernicious and terrible to Navigators as late experience hath taught us About this time Godwin being summoned to appear and answer before King Edward Conf. at Glocester the guilty Earl Godwin fearing the Kings displeasure who could never brook him since the death of his brother Alfred gathered an army out of Kent and other Countries where his sons ruled or had power and so came tovvards Glocester reporting abroad that all his preparation was made to resist Gruffith Prince of Wales who as they affirmed was ready with an army to invade the Marches but King Edward being certified by the Welshmen that there was no such thing in hand commanded Godwin to send back his army Matth. West writeth that about this time to wit anno 1053. Rees the brother of Gruffith King of Wales was slain in a place called Balendane which place since was called Pen Rees and lately belonged to Sir Ed. Morgan Baronet but sold from the house as he did much more to the ruin of his family though the fault be laid upon upon his son I say no more but God knows how 〈◊〉 whose head was presented to the King at Glocester the day before the Epiphany According to the computation of Authours neer these times Machbeth King of Scotland caused a noble man named Bancho to be cruelly murthered whereupon Fleance the son of the sad Bancho escaping the hands of Macebeth fled to Gruffith ap Lhewelyn Prince of Wales where being joyfully received and entertained courteously he grew into such favour with the said Prince that he thought nothing too good for him But in processe of time Fleance forgetting the courtesy to him shewed fell in love with the Princes daughter and got her with child which thing the Prince took in ill part that he in rage caused Fleance to be killed holding his daughter in most vile estate of servitude for so suffering her self to be de flowered by a stranger At length she was delivered of a son which was named Walter who in few years proved a man of great courage and valour in whom from his childhod appeared a certain noblenesse of mind and ready to attempt any great enterprise This Walter on a time fell out with one of his companions who in that great heat of contention objected unto him that he was but a bastard begotten in an unlawful bed which reproach so grieved Walter that he fell upon the other and slew him whereupon fearing the punishment of the law he fled into Scotland and there fell into the company of those Englishmen which were come thither with Queen Margaret the sister of Edgar Edeling amongst whom he shewed himself so discreet and sober in all his demeanour that he was highly esteemed of all men and so attaining to higher reputation and credit was afterwards imployed in the affairs of the Commonwealth at length made Lord Steward of Scotland receiving the King revenues of the whole realme Of the which Office he and his posterity retained that Sirname of Steward ever after from whom descended the most noble Kings of Scotland besides many other Dukes Marquesses Earls and Barons of great fame and honour Whosoever desireth to be more fully satisfyed in this matter let him read and peruse E. Holenshed and he
shall find James King of England to have descended from the Welsh blood year 1054 In the year 1054 Gruffith the son of Rythrick ap Iestyn did gather a great army as well of strangers as of others against Gruffith ap Lhewelyn King or Prince of VVales but commonly called King of Northwales who detracting no time meeting him fought with him and slew him Shortly after Algar Earl of Chester being convicted of Treason against the King fled to Gruffith into VVales who gathered his power to revenge the Wrongs which he had received at the Englishmens hands who ever succoured his enemies against him Therefore he together vvith Algar entred Herefordshire and spoiled all the vvay vvith fire and svvord to the City whether all the people had fled and they boldly issued forth Earl Randulf being their leader and gave him battel which Gruffith wished for above any other things as he that had won five set battels and couragiously receiving his Enemies fought with them which fight was long and doubtfull till such time as Gruffith encouraged his people with the remembrance of the prowess and worthy Acts of the ancient Brittains their forefathers saying that they were the same enemies whose backs they had so often seen formerly which doubled their strength and force and so they pressed forwards that their foes were compelled to forsake the field and trust to their feet and thought to have taken the Town for their defence but Gruffith and his men pursued them so hard that they entred with them and after a great slaughter returned home with many worthy prisoners great triumph and rich spoiles leaving nothing in the Town but blood and ashes and the Walls razed to the ground There be some that think that King Edward by evil counsel as it is thought banished Algar the son of Earl Leofrike whereupon he got him into Ireland and there providing eighteen ships of Rovers returned and joyned himself with Gruffith King or Prince of Wales who both together invaded the Country of Mercia about Hereford where Earl Ranulph Earl of that Country who was Son to King Edwards Sister named Ioda by her first husband Walter de Maunt came against them with a great army and met them above two miles from Hereford where after a sore fight for the space of three houres Ranulph and his army were overcome and five hundred of them slain the rest being totally routed whom Gruffith and Algar pursued to Hereford and entring the Town set the Cathedral Church on fire and slew the Bishop named Leoger A barbarous act amongst Christians an Act fitter for Pagans then Christians with seven of the Canons spoyled and burnt the Town miserably whereupon King Edward being advertised hereof gathered an Army and sent Haroald the Son of Earl Godwin against them who pursuing the enemies to Northwales passed through Stradelwyd to Snowdon but Gruffith and Algor being afraid to meet Harâ—ald got them again into Southwales whereof Haroald having notice left one part of his army in Northwales to resist the enemies there and returning with the residue to Hereford caused a great Trench to be cast round about the Town with a high Rampire strongly fortifying the Gates of the same After this by means of a Parly had with Gruffith and Algar at a place called Beligelhag a peace was concluded whereupon Algar being pardoned by the King and restored again to his Earldome returned home to Chester About two years after Algar was accused again of Treason so that he was the second time exiled the land and repaired to his old friend Gruffith Prince of Northwales by whom he was joyfully received and restored again to his Earldome by the aid of certain strangers which came by chance from Norway whereupon King Edward being highly offended with Gruffith sent Haroald again with an army into Northwales to do revenge upon him who coming to Ruthlen burned the Pallace of Gruffith and his Ships and then returned to the King at Glocester Not long after these Transactions Roderick Son to Haroald King of Denmark came with a great army to Wales and there being friendly received by Gruffith joyning his power to King Gruffiths entred England and cruelly spoiled and burned great part of the Land but shortly after Roderick was compelled to return to his Ships and to sail to Denmark and Gruffith came to Wales loaden with spoiles Mr. Powel fol. 101. This year saith Mr. Powel died Owen the son of Gruffith ap Rytherick Also Haroald and his Brother Tosty by the procurement of Caradoc ap Gruffith ap Rytherick and others gathered a great Power and entred Southwales and subdued a great part thereof and wrought so with those that were about Gruffith the King that as soon as he had gathered his people in Northwales and began his journey to meet with Haroald he was cruelly and traterously slain by his own men and his head brought to Haroald who appointed and placed Meredith the son of Owen ap Edwin Prince and Ruler of Southwales and he with his brother Tosty returned home Some do report that Haroald about Rogation week by the Kings commandement went against the Welshmen and taking the sea sailed by Bristol round about the Coast compassing in a manner all Wales His brother Tosty that was Earl of Northumberland met him by appointment with an host of horsemen and so joyning together they destroyed the Countrey of Southwales in such sort that the Welshmen were compelled to submit themselves to deliver hostages and conditioned to pay the ancient Tribute which before time they had payd Southwales submits to the English The people of that Countrey because Gruffith their Prince fled at the coming of Haroald and left them to be a prey to the enemies hated him so that as soon as he returned again unto them they slew him and sent his head to Haroald which he sent to the King After whose death King Edward granted the Principality of Northwales to Blethyn and Rywalhon the sons of Convyn brethren to Gruffith by the Mothers side who did homage unto him for the same This Gruffiuh ap Lhewelyn governed Wales thirty four years valiantly and worthily he never fough but that he departed out of the field victorious he was gentle and affable to his Subjects and cruel to his foes beloved of the one and feared of the other liberal to strangers costly in apparrel and princely in all his doings and unworthy of that cruel death that the ambitious desire of Rule did provoke his unkinde Subjects and unnatural â—osins to prepare for so noble a Prince and so gentle a Master as he was Blethin and Riwalhon the Sons of Convyn After the decease of King or Prince Gruffith Meredith the son of Owen ap Edwin which Edwin was son as some Writers say to Howel Dha did take upon him the government of Southwales and Blethin and Riwalbon the sons of Convyn and half Brothers to King Gruffith ap Lhewelyn as they which were born of
them were created Princes of Wales or whereby any of the Revenues of the said principality were given or conferred unto any of them so that it seemeth they were princes generally by their birth and not princes of Wales by any creation or investure for in a record of an account of the Duke of Cornwal in the time of the said Edward he is called by the name of prince of England and not by the name of prince of Wales And thus much touching the succession or ranks of the princes of Wales which I have drawn in an Historical though in a plain and homely manner thereby the better to take the harshnesse of the particularities of records intermingled therewith which of themselves although they offer profitable knowledg yet they do carry with them small delight but also for that the variety of things in those succeeding ages in the sundry occurrences and accidents thereof do yield good matter of observance and worthy memory representing as it were the English state for the time of more then 200 years Now therefore do rest nevertheless three things concerning the said principality to be further considered of First in what manner and order the said principality and Marches of Wales were governed and directed under the said prince Secondly what Officers as well Domestical as others the said princes had about them and their Fees as far forth as I could come to any certain knowledge thereof And thirdly an abstract of the Revenues of the said principality as they lately stood Whereby it may be perceived what in time past the said Revenues have been The manner of Government of the Principality of Wales The said principality being under the government of the princes of the Welsh blood whose ancient patrimony yet remained untill the conquest thereof by K. Ed. I. as hath allready been shewed was guided governed and directed by their own municipal lawes and the customs of the country most of which had their commencement from the constitutions of one of their ancient Princes called Howel Dha as their Historians report but being reduced under the yoak of the said King Edward he divided certain parts of that Territory into Shires he caused the Welsh Lawes to be perused some whereof he did allow and approve some others he did abbrogate and disanul and in their place appointed new altogether according to the English manner of executing Justice He caused to be devised certain briefs writs or formula juris and he instituted their manner of processe pleadings and course of their judicial proceedings All which things do manifestly appear by the Act of Parliament made at Ruthlan in Wales called therefore Statutum Walliae and when they want a writ of form to serve the present case then use they the writ of Quod ei deforciat which supplieth that defect and although the Principality of Wales as hath appeared by some of the Records were devided into 3 Provinces Northwales Southwales and VVestwales for so in some of the former patents they are mentioned yet for the Jurisdiction thereof it was divided into two parts Northwales and Southwales for a great part of VVestwales was comprehended within the Shire of Pembrock which is a very ancient Shire of Wales and the territory thereof conquered by the English in the time of William Rufus long time before the general conquest of Wales by Richard Strongbow being English and the Earle thereof and called also by some Earle of Strigulia or Chepstow or rather Strigul Castle was the first that attempted the conquest of Ireland in the dayes of Hen. II. The Province of Northwales and Southwales were governed by law in this manner The Prince had and used to hold a Chancery and a Court of Exchequer in the Castle of Gaernarvon for Northwales and had a Judge or Justice which ministred Justice there to all the inhabitants of Northwales and therefore was called the Justice of Northwales The like Courts of Chancery and Exchequer he held in the Castle of Caermardhyn for Southwales where he had a Justice likewise called the Justice of Southwales 3. Ed. 3. â—9 in le novel prin 63. a 7. Hen. 35 6. and the Courts of the Justices or Judges so held within the several Provinces were called the great Sessions of those Provinces and sometimes those Justices were Itenerant and sat in every of the several Counties of his province In those great Sessions the causes of greatest moment real personal and mixt and pleas of the Crown concerning life and members were heard and determined Ministers accompts 18. H 7. In these great Courts also upon creation of every new Prince there were granted by the people of that Province unto the Prince nomine recognitionis ad primum adventum principis certain summes of money as it were in acknowledgement or relief of the new Prince which summes of money are called by them Mises these mises or summes of money were granted by the people unto the prince for his allowance of their lawes and antient customes and a general pardon of their offences sinable or punishable by the prince and that summe of those mises for the Shire of Caermardhyn only amounted unto 800. marks and for the Shire of Cardigan the total summe of the mises amounted unto 600 marks as by sundry Records doth appear these summes of money were paid at certain dayes by several portions such as were appointed and in the said Sessions agreed upon Also in every Shire of every the said provinces there were holden certain Inferiour Courts called therefore County Courts and Shire Courts and Tourns after the manner of England and which by some were also called the petty Sessions and there were also Courts inferiour in sundry Counties for ending of causes of lesse moment and importance and if any wrong Judgment were given in any of those leferiour Courts 19. H 6. 12. b. 21. H. 7. 33. a. the same was redressed by a writ of false Judgement in the Court Superiour And if any erroneous judgment were given in the great Sessions which was the supreme Court of Justice that error was either redressed by the judgment of penal Justices Itenerant or else in Parliament and not otherwise in any the Courts of Justice now at Westminster A noble policy of William Conq. good for himself but destructive to the Welsh As touching the government of the Marches of Wales it appeareth by divers ancient monuments that the Counquerour after he had conquered the English placed divers of his Norman Nobility upon the Confines and Borders towards Wales and erected the Earldom of Chester being upon the borders of Northwales to a Palatinate and gave power unto the the said persons thus placed upon those borders to make such conquest upon the Welsh as they by their strengh could accomplish holding it a very good policy thereby not only to encourage them to be more willing to serve him but also to provide for them at other mens costs And hereupon further