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
envying his prosperitie made war against him but he valiantly vanquished them with their Picts and Scots and at his pleasure appointed them a Governour named Anguisel whom the French Author of the book of the Knights of the round table printed at Lyons 1590. Le Roy Aquisant d' Escosse and sail H. portoit d' argent a un lyon de guenles The armes of Anguisel arme de sable un cordelire a l' entour he fought 12. battails against the Saxons and alwayes bare away the victory These battails saith Nennius were fought in these places following The first battail was fought in the mouth of the Well Gleyne or Gledy The Second Third Fourth and Fifth nigh unto the River Douglasie in the county of Lineux The sixt on the River Bassus The seventh in the wood Calidon or Coile Calidon The eighth beside the castle called Guinien The ninth at Caerleon in Wales The tenth by the Sea-side in a place called Trachenrith or Rithorwood The elventh upon a hill named Agule Cathegonien The twelfth at the hill or tower of Bath then named Bathenhill where many were slain by the force of Arthur for he alone saith Will. Malmes having the Image of our Lady sowed upon his armour set upon 900. of his Enemies and with an incredible slaughter put them to flight But now concerning this Bath before mentioned it is to be noted that Bath in Somerset-Shire standeth low compassed about with hills whereby it is evident that either it is removed from that place where it stood in Nennius his time or else the place which he called Mons Badonicus was not the town it self as Reyland and others conjecture but some other high place near which is not unlikely for at this day within a mile of it is a town called Bannardowne which is so called either corruptly for Bathendowne or else in memory of the banners displayed there Bannardowne as seemes to me both upon the sight of the place and report of such as have gathered caps full of mens teeth in following the plough there to be the same that Nennius or Bede meaneth though Polydore mistakes it for Blanchmere Thus much of Badon Hill now King Arthur having abated the rage of the Saxons Howe 's fol. 55. Arthurs round table he constituted the Order of the round table into which order he only entertained such of his Nobility as were most renowned for vertue and chevalry This round table he kept in severall places especially at Caerleon in Monmoth-Shire Winchester and Camilet in Somersetshire Camilet Castle one of the places of the round table This Camilet sometimes a famous Town or Castle standeth at the South end of the Church of South Gadburie The same is situate on a very high hill wonderfully strengthened by nature to the which be two enterings up by very steep wayes by North one and the other by South-VVest The very root of the hill whereon this fortress stood is more then a mile in compass In the upper part of the top of the hill above all the trenches The discription of Camilet as now is Magna Arca or Campus of twenty acres or more where in divers places men may see foundations or Rudera of walls there was much duskie blue stone that people of the village there by have carried away This Camilet within the upper wall being more then twenty Acres hath often been ploughed and born very good corn much gold silver and Copper of Roman coyne hath been found there in ploughing and likewise in the fields about the roots of the hill with many other Antick things especially by East Such another place is at Caerleon triple-trenched now called the lodge in the Park There was found in memory of Men a horse-shoe of silver at Camilet The coat of Lord of Earl Hungerford the people can tell nothing there but that they have heard say that Arthur much resorted to Camilet The old Lord Hungerford was owner of this Camilet who bore for his Coat of armes G. and V. indented per pale a cheveron Or since the right honourable the Lord Hastings Earl of Huntington from which family my wife is descended by her Grandmother Daughter to the Earl of Huntington and wife to the Earle of Worcester Elizabeth married to Edward Somerset Father and Mother to Henry Earl of Wigorne whose fourth Daughter Frances was married to William Morgan of Lantarna Esquire who left issue Sir Edward Morgan Baronet Henry Morgan and Winefred wife to Percy Enderby Gentleman Author of this book There is to be seen in Denbighshire in the parish of Lansanan in the side of a stone hill a place encompassed wherein be twenty four seats for men to sit in some less and some larger cut out of the main Rock by mans hands where children and young men coming to seek their cattel use to fit and play They commonly call it Arthurs round table The Order and Institution of the round table About the year of Christ 490. there reigned in England then called Brittain Sir William Segar King at armes a King named Arthur whose valour was so great and admirable that many men now living do hold the same rather fabulous then credible yet who so shall consider enterprises of later times atchieved by private persons may be easily induced to think that a great part of the praise written of that mighty Monarch may seasonably receive belief but omitting to speak of his prowess perhaps by others already over largely discoursed I say that this most famous King having expulsed out of England the Saxons conquered Norwey King Arthur crowned in Paris Scotland and the most part of France and was crowned in the City of Paris from whence returnd he erected a certain association a brotherhood of Knights who vowed to observe these articles following The Articles of the round table 1. First that every Knight should be well armed and furnished to undertake any enterprise wherein he was employed by Sea or Land on horse-back or a foot 2. That he should be ever prest to assail all tyrants or oppressours of the people 3. That he should protect widdowes and maids restore Children to their right repossess such persons as were without just cause exiled and with all his force maintain the Christian faith 4. That he should be a Champion for the weal publick and as a Lyon repulse the Enemies of his Country 5. That he should advance the reputation of honour and suppress all vice releive people afflicted by adverse fortune give aid to the holy Church and protect Pilgrims 6. That he should bury Souldiers that wanted Sepulture deliver prisoners ransome Captives and cure men hurt in service of their Country 7. That he should in all honourable actions adventure his person yet with respect to justice and truth and in all enterprises proceed sincerely never failing to use his uttermost force of body and labour of mind 8. That after the attaining of any enterprise he should cause
Montgomery had begun a Castle before And shortly after Madoc ap Riryd returned from Ireland because he could not well brook the Manners and conditions of the Irishmen and being arrived came to the Country of his Unkle Jorwerth who hearing that and fearing the loss of his Lands as his Brother Cadogan had done made a Proclamation that no Man should aid him but take him as an Enemy which when Madoc understood he enticed many unthrifts and outlaws and kept himself in the Rocks and Woods contriving how he might be revenged on Jorwerth for so great a discourtesie as he imagined and thereupon concluded a friendship privately with Lhywarch ap Trahearn who hated Jorwerth to death and having intelligence that Jorwerth lay one night at Caerneon they two gathered all their strength and environ'd the house about midnight which Jorwerth and his Men perceiving armed themselves and defended the place till their foes set it on fire which when Jorwerth's Men perceived every one shifted for himself so that some were slain others burnt few escaping Jorwerth having the true heart of a noble Prince chose rather to adventure and manfully to dye with sword in hand then to be burnt without a glorious action came out but his merciless Enemies received him with the point of their spears and violently cast him into the flames of the raging fire where that gallant man payed what was due to nature death yet by which his name is eternized As soon as the King understood this he called Cadogan before him and gave him his brothers Land which was Powis and promised Owen his pardon willing his Father to send him to Ireland When Madoc saw his other Unkle Cadogan rule the Country he hid himself in rough and desert places and adding one mischief upon an other determined also to murder him by one way or an other Therefore after Cadogan had brought the Country to some stay of quietness and administred Justice therein having ever an eye and respect to the King he came to Trallwug now called Pool and the elders of the Country with him and determining to dwell there began to build a Castle But Madoc hatching nothing but mischief hearing this came suddainly upon him and Cadogan thinking no hurt was slain before he could either fight or fly After this Madoc sent incontinently to the Bishop of London the Kings Lieutenant at Shrewsbury and entreated him to remember what he had promised when he chased Owen out of his Land for the Bishop hated Owen and Cadogan and gave Madoc all such Lands as his brother Ithel was possessed of Meredyth the Son of Blethyn hearing of the death of both his brethren posted to the King desiring of him the Lands of Jorwerth which Cadogan had lately obtained and the King gave him the rule thereof till such time as Owen Son to Cadogan should come from Ireland who came shortly after and went to the King who received him to his peace and gave him his Lands whereupon Owen promised to the King a great Fine and gave pledges for payment of the same likewise Madoc did fine to the King for his peace and lands nevertheless the King wisht him to take heed of the Kinsfolks of such as he had murdered upon his own peril year 1112 In the year 1112. Meredyth ap Blethyn sent a party to make an Inroad into the Country of Lhywarch ap Trahearn ap Gwyn who was Meredyths and Owens Enemy as he that succoured Madoc to kill his Unkles Jorwerth and Cadogan Meredyths brethren These Men as they passed through the Country of Madoc in the night met with a Man which belonged to Madoc The welsh despairing one of another make way for their enemy to subvert them all whom they took and examined where his Master was he at first said that he could not tell but being threatned with death he confessed that he was not far from thence Therefore they lay quietly all that night and in twy-light next morning they came suddainly upon Madoc and his men where they slew many of them and taking Madoc prisoner they brought him to their Lord who was right glad thereof and secured his person till he had sent word to his Nephew Owen who immediately upon the news repaired thither A great curtesie no question to put out a mans eyes and save his life then Meredyth delivered Madoc unto him And albeit he had slain Owens Father his own Unkle yet Owen remembering the friendship and Oath that had been betwixt them in times past would not put him to death but putting out his eyes let him go Then Meredyth and Owen divided the Lands betwixt them which was Caerneon Aberhiw and the third part of Devthwr year 1113 The year following King Henry prepared an Army against Wales being thereunto provoked by such as would have the Welshmens Lands to wit Gilbert Strongbow Earl of Strigyl to whom the King had given Caerdigan who made grievous complaints against Owen ap Cadogan declaring that he received and maintained such as robbed and plundered the Country Also Hugh Earl of Chester said no less by Gruffith ap Conan Prince of Northwales A rash and unchristian oath how that his men and the Men of Grono ap Owen ap Edwyn Lord of Tegengl wasted the Country of Cheshire adding to aggravate the matter that Gruffith did neither acknowledg to owe service nor pay tribute to the King whereupon the King swore that he would not leave one living Creature in Northwales and Powis Land but new colonize them Then dividing his army into three parts the leading of the first he committed to Gilbert Earl of Strygull Two great Kings against two petty princes a great conquest no doubt wherein was the whole power of all the fourth part of England and Cornwall against Southwales Alexander King of Scotland had the leading of the second division with Hugh Earl of Chester wherein the power of Scotland and the North was which went against Northwales and the King led the third himself wherein was the strength of midle England Then Meredith ap Blethyn fearing this came and yielded himself to the King But Owen fearing to commit himself to them who were so greedy of his Lands fled to Gruffith ap Conan to Northwales whereupon the King turning all his strength that way came himself as far as Murcastelh and the King of Scots as far as Pennant Bachwy but the people fled to the mountains and woods and carried all their victualls and cattel with them so that the King could not follow them and such of his Men as entered the Land were either slain or galled in the Straits Then the Scottish King sent to the Prince to come and yield himself to the King and promised him the Kings peace but he was acquainted with such promises and would not The King therefore because he would not return without doing something sent to Owen to come to him and to forsake the Prince who was not able to defend
was Lord at this time the King passing the river of Conwey encamped there by the river side and sent part of his Army with guides of the countrey to burn Bangor who did so taking Rotpert the Bishop prisoner A strange ransome for a Bishop who was afterwards ransomed for 200 Hawks The distressed yet couragious Prince seeing all England and Wales against him and a great part of his land won from him thought it best to capitulate with the King and thereupon he sent Joan his wife the Kings daughter to her father The Inland of NorthWales granted to K. John for ever to make a peace who being a discreet woman found the means that upon pledges given for safe conduct the prince came to the King and made peace with him and did him homage And giving pledges promised towards his charges 20000 heads of Cattel and forty Horses Moreover he granted to the King the Inland for ever whereupon the King returned to England with great triumph after he had brought all Wales under his subjection saving Rees and Owen the sons of Gruffith ap Rees Therefore at his departure he gave strict command to Fulk Visconnt of Caerdâ—ff called Warden of the Marshes a cruel Tyrant Caerdif honoured with a Viscount yet well beloved by the King to take an army with him that he joyning with Maelgon and Rees Vachan might compell the aforesaid sons of Gruffith to obey him This Foulk calling to him Maelgon and Rees came to the Cantref of Penwedic when the young Lords seeing no remedy sent to him for peace and safe conduct to passe to the Court upon their submission to the King with the gift of all their Lands betwixt Aeron and Dynâ— All Wales in homage to K. John they were received by him very gently and courteously entertained and after they had done him homage they returned home again Fulk before his departure out of the Country fortified the Castle of Aberystwith and manned it to the Kings use But within a while after Maelgon as he was very unconstant and Rees Vachan repented them of the peace they had made with the King and thereupon sat down before Aberistwyth and getting the same destroyed it When the Nephews Rees and Owen perceived that their Uncle had broken the Kings peace they made a road into Maelgons country and slew a great number of his men and returned home with great booty The next year prince Lhewelin being not able to endure the displeasures which the garrisons left in his Nephews castles in Northwales did to his people called to him Gwenwinwyn from Powis Maelgon ap Rees from Southwales Madoc ap Gruffith Maylor from Bromfield Meredyth ap Rotpert from Cydewen and opened to them this miserable case how they which were wont to have a prince of their own Nation now by their own willfulness were brought under subjection to a stranger and declared also unto them how that if they would agree among themselves they might defend their antient Estate still which they all promised to do and swore fealty to prince Lhewelyn and forthwith gathered an army and wan all the Castles except Ruthlan and Dyganwy then coming to Powis they laid siege to the Castle which Robert Vepont had made at Mathraval Mathraval Castle razed by K. Johns command The King no sooner had notice of these transactions but he leavied an army and came thither to raise the siege and after caused the Castle to be razed and then returned home having greater matters in hand between him and his Nobles and being at Notingham he caused all the pledges out of Wales to be hanged A tyrannous execution as Howel the son of Cadwalhon Madoc the son of Maelgon and others to the number of 28. striplings also Robert Vepont did hang at Shrewsbury Rees the son of Maelgon not being yet 7 years of age and so cruelly murdred the innocent to revenge the the offences of others Rees the son of Gruffith ap Rees who was heir to prince Rees seeing he could have no part of his Fathers Lands but that his Uncles did keep all from him by force made his complaint to the King and the King pittying his Estate sent to Foulk Viscount of Caerdyf and to the Steward of Hereford commanding them to take all Stratywy from Rees Vachan whom others call Rees Gryc unlesse he would let his nephews enjoy the castle of Lanymdhfry with the territory belonging thereunto and they sent to Rees to know his resolution who answered them stoutly that they should not have one foot of Land of him Therefore Foulk gathered a great army together and met with young Rees at Talhwynelgain where he looked for him with a number of men that he had gotten in Brecon and thence they marched in three battails towards Dynevowr of which young Rees had the leading of the first Foulk the second and Owen brother to Rees the third Rees Vachan notwithstanding came boldly to give them battail where in the end he was put to flight with great losse of his men whereupon he went immediately and manned the castle of Dynevowr and set fire to the town of Lhandeilo vawr keeping himself in the wild and rough places his enemies seeing this besieged the castle of Dynevour and at the first assault they wan the first ward so that they of the garrison were compelled to take the Koxe for their defence which they manfully defended but the assailiants made engines to cast stones of great bigness and began to undermine the walls in such sort that the Captain fell to that composition that if he were not succoured by the next day at noon he would deliver up the castle upon condition that all his men might depart with their armour and weapons and so they did for they had no relief Afterward they brought the Cantref Maur under subjection which caused Rees Vachan to remove his wife and children to his brothers country and left the castle of Lhanymdhfry well fortified and manned After the departure of Fulke young Rees came with an army of Welshmen and Normans to Lhanymdhfri but before they were encamped the Captain delivered up the castle and the garrison departed their lives granted And shortly after Rees Vachan was taken at Caermarthyn and committed to the Kings prison At this time prince Lhewelyn laid siege to the castle of Dyganwy and Ruthlan won them both so that he left the King neither hold nor castle within his land After this fortunate success and happy attempts Lhewelyn in the head of a gallant Army marched to Shrewsbury which Town and Castle were delivered unto him without any resistance and there he remained a while In the mean time Giles de Bruse the son of William de Bruse a man of great power and nobility was consecrated Bishop of Hereford Godwin in Hereford Sept. the 24 1200. In the Barons Wars he took part with them against the King and at last was fain to flye the land afterwards being
chased to their ships and thus the King being not able to do any more Mat Paris p. 917. manned and victualled his Castles and so returned home Of this Voyage a certain Nobleman being then in the Kings Camp wrote thus to his friend about the end of Septemb. 1245. year 1245 The King with his army lyeth at Gannock fortifying of that Strong Castle and we lie in our Tents thereby Gannoc castle watching fasting praying and freezing with cold we watch for fear of the Welshmen who are wont to invade and come upon us in the night time we fast for want of meat for the half penny loaf is worth five pence The Welshmen teach the Englishmen three excellent vertues of watching fasting praying we pray to God to send us home again speedily we starve for cold wanting our winter Garments and having no more but a thin linnen cloth betwixt us and the wind there is an arme of the sea under the Castle whereunto the tide cometh and many ships come up the haven thither and bring victuals to the Camp from Ireland and Chester this arme of the sea lyeth betwixt us and Snowdon where the Welshmen abide now and is about a flight shot over when the tide is in There came to the mouth of that haven a certain ship from Ireland with victuals to be sold upon Munday before Michaelmas day which being negligently look't unto Maâ— Par. p. 924. was set on drie ground at the low ebb at the further side of the water over against the Castle which thing when the Welshmen saw they came down from the hills and assaulted the vessel being now upon drie ground whereupon we on the otherside beholding the same sent over by boats 300 Welshmen of the borders of Cheshire and Shropshire with certain Archers and armed men to the rescue of the said ship whereupon the Natives withdrew to their accustomed places in the rocks and woods whom our men followed as far as two miles being on foot by reason they could transport no horses and slew many of them Our men being over geeedy and covetous spoiled the Abbey of Aberconwey and burned all the houses of Office belonging to the same Which doing caused the Welshmen to run thither Aberâ—onwey Abbey plundered by the English who like desperate men set upon our Souldiers being loaden with spoyles and slew a great number of them following the rest to the water side of whom some got to the boats and so escaped and some cast themselves into the water and were drowned and such as they took they hanged and beheaded every one In this conflict we lost many of our men The Welsh revenge the sacriledge especially of those that were under the conduct of Richard Earle of Cornwal and Sr. Alen Buscel Sr. Adam de Maio Sr. Geffry Estuemy one Raymond a Gascoyne whom the King highly fancied and divers others besides 100. of common Soldiers In the mean time Sr. Walter Bisset worthily defended the said ship untill the tide came and then came away with the same manfully wherein there were 60 Tuns of wine besides other provision c. Many other things are contained in the said writing of the hard shifts that we made in the Kings camp for victuals and the dearth of all things that were to be eaten In the beginning of the year 1246. David Prince of Wales after he had gotten the love of his subjects and atchived many notable victories dyed and was buryed at Conwey by his father after he had ruled Wales five years leaving no issue of his body to the great discomfort of the Land Mr. Mills speaking of this David saith he was disquieted with a number of cares in his life time he wasted and destroyed his Country he did many slaughters and after perjury and killing of his brother was overwearied with sundry tribulations He left Wales most miserably desolate and disquiet so as they found this saying true Every Kingdom divided in it self shall be made desolate he caused the Nobles to swear fealty unto him and so continued Prince 6. years and died Anno 1246. Lhewelyn and Owen the sons of Gruffith ap Lhewelyn When all the Lords and Barons of Wales understood of the death of their prince they came together and called for Lhewelin and Owen Goch the sons of Gruffith son to Prince Lhewelyn brother to David as next Inheritors for they esteemed not Roger Mortimer son to Gladis Râ—g Mortimer right heir put by his right sister to David and right inheritor by order of Law and did them homage who divided the principality betwixt them two The King hearing of the death of prince David sent one Nicholas de Miles as Justice of Southwals to Caermarthin and with him in commission Meredyth ap Rees Gryc K. H. 3. makes another attempt against Wales but in vain and Meredyth ap Owen ap Gruffith to dis-inherit Maelgon ap Vachan of all his lands wherefore the said Maelgon fled to the princes into Northwales for succour with Howel ap Meredith whom the Earle of Clare had by force spoyled of all his lands in Glamorgan against whom the King came with a great army who after he had remained a while in the Country and could do no good returned home again The Prince of Northwales was a superiour prince of all Wales to whom the other princes of Southwales and Powis did pay a certain tribute yearly as appeareth by lawes of Howel Dha and in divers places of this history and was the right heir of Cadwalader as is evident by all writers whose line of the heir male from Roden Mawr endeth in this David the son of Lhewelin the son of Jorwerth the son of Owen Gwineth the son of Gruffith the son of Conan the son of Jago the son of Edwal the son of Meiric the son of Edwal Voel the son of Anarawd the son of Roderi Mawr the son of Eselht the daughter and sole heir of Conan Tindathwy the son of Roderike Molwynoc the son of Edwal Ywrich the son of Cadwalader the last King of the Brittains Lhewelin ap Jorwerth prince of Northwales father to David married two wives the first Jone Daughter of K. John by whom he had David who dyed without issue and Gladis married to Mortimer from which match the Kings of England are descended by the mothers side from Cadwalader About this time Harold King of Man came to the Court and did homage to K. Henry M. Paris p. 938 The K. of Man doth homage to the K. of England and he dubbed him Knight the Summer following Rees Vachan son to Rees Mechyl got the Castle of Carvec Cynnen which his mother of meer hatred conceived against him had delivered to the Englishmen The Abbots of Conwey and Stratflur made sute to the King for the body of Gruffith ap Lhewelyn which he granted unto them and they conveyed it unto Conwey where he was honourably buryed In the year 1254.
affairs of the holy Land should be neglected that it would please you also to help with your Councel with the Lord and King that he would use us and order us according to the peace agreed upon the which we will no way infringe And if he will not hearken to your Counsel therein which God forbid that you will hold us excused for we will no waies as much as lieth in us procure the trouble and disquietness of the Realm And if it may please you to give credit to our messengers which we do send to the King at the day by him to us appointed to alledge our lawful excuses in those things which they by mouth shall on our part shew unto You resting to do Your will and pleasure if it please You to write again Dated at Talybont the eight Day of October Anno 1275. year 1277 Shortly after the King came to Chester Thom. Walsh fol. 6. Mar. West p. 364. willing the Prince to come thither and do him homage which when the prince detracted to do the King gathered an army to compel him thereto The year following the Countesse of Leicester wife to Simon Montfort which remained at a Nunnery in France sent her daughter to Wales to marry the prince as it was ' agreed betwixt them in her Fathers time and with her came her brother Admerike and a courtly company who fearing the coast of England bent their voyage to the Isle of Sylly whereby chance they met with four ships of Bristol which set upon and took them and brought them to the King who entertains the Lady houourably sending her brother to be kept prisoner in the castle of Corff from whence he was removed to the castle of Sherburne Then the King prepared two armies A prodigious Omen to Wales whereof the one he conducted himself to Northwales as far as Ruthlan and fortified the castle and the other he sent with Paganis de Camurtiis a worthy Souldier to Westwales they burned and destroyed a great part of the Country and this year itrained blood in divers places of Wales The year ensuing the Lords of Southwales came to the Kings peace The jangling of the Welsh among themselves their utter overthrow and did him homage and delivered the Castle of Stratywy unto the K. Lieutenant Paganus de Camurtli if his sirname be not mistaken for de Cadurcis it is the family of Chaworth in Notinghamshire This Prince understanding this and seeing that his own people had forsaken him sent to the King for peace which was agreed upon these conditions 1. First that all such as the Prince kept prisoners of the Kings and for his cause should be set at liberty 2. Item That the Prince should pay to the King for his favour and good will 50000 marks to be paid at the Kings pleasure 3 Item That four Cantreds should reman to the King and his heirs for ever which Cantreds I think were these cantref Ros where the Kings Castle of Teganny stood cantref Rynivioc where Denbigh cantref Tegengl where Ruthlan standeth and cantref Dyffryn Clwd where Ruthin is 4 Item That the Lords Merchers should quietly enjoy all the Lands that they had conquered within Wales 5. Item That the Prince should pay yearly for the Isle of Môn or Anglesey 1000 marks which payment should begin at Michaelmas then next ensuing and that also he should pay 5000 marks out of hand and if the prince dyed without issue the Isle should remain to the King and his heirs 6 Item That the Prince should come to England every Christmas to do the King homage for his lands 7. Item That all the Barons in Wales should hold their lands of the King except 5. in Snowden who should ackowledg the Prince to be their Lord. 8. Items that he should for his lifetime enjoy the name of Prime and none of his heirs after him so that after his death the foresaid five Barons should hold of the King and none other 9. Item that for the performance of the Articles the prince should deliver for hostages ten of the best in Wales without imprisonining disinheriting or time of deliverance determined and also the King to choose twenty within Northwales that should take their oathes with the prince for performance of these Articles and if the Prince should swerve from any of them and being thereof admonished would not amend and redresse the same Th. Walsh p. 7 they should forsake him and become his enemies The prince was also bound to let his brethren enjoy their lands in Wales of whom David had long served the King whom the King had made Knight contrary to the manner of Wales and had given him in marriage the daughter of the Earle of Derby whose first husband was lately deceased to whom the King gave Denbigh in Northwales and 1000l lands therewith And his other brother Roderike was lately fled to England out of prison and Owen the third was delivered at this composition This peace was concluded in the Kings absence who appointed one his Commissioners Mr. Trinet Sol p. 787. to wit the Lord Ripiost to take an oath of him and authorised the said Robert Antonio Becke and William de Southampton Prior Provincial of the Friers predicant Commissioners appointed on his behalf to receive the like oath of the said Lhewelyn for whose part Theodor or Tudor ap Ednivet and Grono ap Heilin were Commissioners At this time the King builded a Castle at Aberystwyth returned into Eng. with much honour unto whom the people granted a subsidy of the twentieth part of their goods towards his charges in this war The year following the marriage was celebrated at Worcester betwixt Elianor daughter to Simon Montfort and prince Lhewelin where the King Queen and the most part of the Nobility of England were present Also the year after Roger Mortimer set up at Killingworth a round table for a hundred Knights to be exercised in the feats of arms The Kof Scots sucâ—ouâ—eth against the Welsh and thither resorted many Knights from divers Countries At this time the King of Scots did homage to K. Edward and obtained the Kings letters that his succours in the last wars of Wales were not done by the name of service but good will The peace concluded betwixt the prince of Wales and the King of England did not long continue by reason of the severe and strict dealing of such Officers as the King appointed rulers in the Marshes and the Inland country of Wales who hunting after their own gains oppressed the Inhabitants burdening them with new exactions contrary to the custom of the country and also shewing themselves too much affectionate and partial in matters of controversy betwixt party party especially when any Englishman had to do in the matter which poling and partiality did altogether alienate the hearts of the people from the King of England so that they had rather die then live in such thraldom whereupon assembling
for the said Oxe 3 s. 4 d. 6. Item Two servants of one named YBongan were spoiled of 2 l. for that they took a Thief that robbed them by night and yet the Thief was delivered 7. Item Eneon ap Ithel was taken beaten and spoiled of two Oxen price 24 s. and 2 d. for this cause onely That the said Oxen went from one street to another in the Town 8. Item Guyan Maystran was spoiled of his money because a certain Merchant of Ardudwy owed them certain things and yet the said Merchant was not of their Baliwicke The Griefs of Grono ap Heilyn 1. A Tenant of Grono ap Heilyn was called to the Kings Court without any cause Then Grono came at the day appointed to defend his Tenant and demanded justice for him or the Law which the men of his Countrey did use All this being denied the said Tenant was condemned in 27 l. 1 d. ob which caused the said Grono to go to London for justice which was promised him but he could never have any where he spent in his journy 15 marks 2. A certain Gentleman was slain who had fostered the son of Grono ap Heilyn and he that killed him was taken and brought to Ruthlan Castle then the said Grono and the kindred of him that was slain asked justice but some of them were imprisoned and the Killer discharged Then Grono went again to London for justice which the King did promise him but he never had any but spent 20 Marks 3. The third time Grono was fain to go to London for justice in the premises where he spent 18 Marks 6 s. 6 d. And then likewise the King promised him that he should have justice but when he certainly believed to have justice Reginald Grey came into the Countrey and said openly that he had all doings in that Countrey by the Kings Charters and took away all the Baliwikes which the King had given to the said Grono and sold them at his pleasure Then the said Grono asked justice of the said Reginald but he could not be heard 4. The said Grono took to Farm for 4 years of Godfrey Marliney Maynan and Lhyffayn then Robert Cruquer came with his Horses and Armes to get the said land by force and for that Grono would not suffer him to have the said lands before his years were out he was called to the Law and then the said Reginald Grey came with 24 Horses to take the said Grono And for that that day they could not have their purpose they called Grono the next day to Ruthlan and then Grono had councel not to go to Ruthlan Then they called him again to answer at Caerwys but the said Grono durst not go thither but by the conduct of the Bishop of St. Asaph for that Reginald Grey was there and his men in Harness 5. For these griefs for the which he could get no justice but labour and expences of 54 Marks and more and for that he durst not in his own person go to the Court he sent Letters one to the King another to his brother Lhewelyn to signifie to the King that he should lose all the favour of the Countrey if he kept no promise with them and so it came to pass because the men of Ros and Englefield could get no justice the King neglecting the correction of these things lost the whole Countrey Humbly sheweth to your Holiness Lord Archbishop of Canterbury Primate of England the Noblemen of Tegengl That when the said Noblemen did their Homage to the Lord Edward King of England the said King promised them to defend them and their Goods and that they should use all kind of Right Priviledge and Jurisdiction which they did use in the time of King Henry by the Grant of the said King whereof they were after spoiled First they were spoiled of their Right and Priviledges and Customs of the Countrey and were compelled to be judged by the Lawes of England whereas the Tenure of that their priviledge was to be judged according to the Laws of Wales at Tref Edwyn at Ruthlan and at Caerwys and the best men of the Countrey were taken because they desired to be judged at Tref Edwyn according to the Tenure of their priviledges by the Laws of Wales 2. Whatsoever one Justice doth his successor doth reverse the same for in Davids case Reginald Grey revoked that which his predecessor confirmed and allowed 3. If he do take any Gentleman of that Countrey he will not let him go upon security which he ought to do 4. If any Gentleman be brought to the Castle of Flint upon a small accusation and his cattel withal they can neither be delivered or have delay until they give the Constable an Oxe and until they pay 3 l. fees to Cynwrick for having of the delay 5. Reginald Grey gave the lands of the men of Merton to the Abbot and Covent of Basingwerk against the Laws of Wales and Custom of the Countrey and contrary to the Form of peace betwixt Lhewelyn and the King that is to say 16 Caratatas terrae 6. The Noble and Best of the Countrey be injured for that the King builded the Castle of Flint upon their ground and the King commanded the Justices to give the men as much good ground or the price but they are spoiled of their lands and have neither other lands nor their money 7. Reginald Grey will not suffer men to cut their own Wood until he have both money and reward and until they pay for it also but permitteth others to cut it down freely which they ought not to do by the Laws and Customs of Wales 8. When the men of Cyrchynan Covenant with the King to give the King half a Meadow upon condition the King should not suffer the Woods to be cut down Howel ap Gruffith being present yet Reginald Grey hath broken the same permitting every man to cut their Woods and spoil them also of their Meadow 9. The same Cynwric ap Grono was taken at Ruthlan and put in prison without any cause at all neither would the Kings Officers deliver him unless he would redeem the gage of a certain woman for the which he was constrained to pay much more than the pawn lay for 10. When the Bailiff of Ruthlan was at a Feast Hicken Lemaile wounded a Gentleman cruelly in the presence of the said Bailiff by occasion of which wound Hicken was condemned in 8 l. and when he which was hurt would have demanded the 8 l. he was put in prison by Hicken 11. The messengers of Reginald Grey attempted an absurdity not heard of and requiring the people of the Countrey to plough his ground and sowe the same and the messengers were Cynwric Says and Hicken Lemayl and the said Cynwric swore openly before the whole company that unless all men should plough Reginald Greys ground they should shortly repent it then the people feared much as in that case any constant man would fear 12. The heirs of
franchises being possessed or claimed by any person or persons and which were to be seized into the Kings hands and of all escapes and Fellons and those inquisitions so from time to time to be taken to certifie into the Chancery And by the same Charter gave him power to substitute and appoint others under him for the better execution of the same which afterwards by Commission was executed accordingly And the said King also by his Charter bearing date 14 Junii 8º regni made and constituted the said Arthur Prince of Wales and Governour and Warden of the Marches towards Scotland and substituted as his Lieutenant and Vice-Warden under him Thomas Earle of Surrey for the due execution thereof Likewise the said King by his letters Patents dated 5. Novemb. 9. regni in augmention of the Revenue of the Prince did grant unto the said Prince the Honour Castle and Lordship of Wigmore and divers other Castles Mannours and Lands which some time had been belonging to the Earldom of March which came to the Crown by King Edward the IV. who was himself Earle of March before he assumed the regal estate To have and to hold during the pleasure of the King yielding yearly the Rent of 200 l. A Councel assigned the P. The Prince was sent unto the Marches of Wales for government of that Country and in the 17 regni Henry VII had a Counsell of wise and very worthy men assigned unto him as namely Sr. Richard Pool chief Chamberlain of the said Prince Sir Henry Vernon Sir Richard Crofts Sir David Philips Sir William Vdal Sir Thomas Inglefield and Sir Peter Newton Knights John Wilson Henry Marian Doctor William Smith after Bishop of Lincolne where he was buryed President of the Councel and Doctour Charles where not long afterwards the said Prince died in the Castle of Ludlow without issue I may not let passe what Mr. Lhoyd writeth concerning Sir Owen Tuder he saith that Sir William Stanley then Lord of Cromfield Mr. Lhoyd fol. 391. Yale and Chirkland aided Henry VII being followed by the Welshmen and that the said Henry knowing and pittying the thraldom and iniuries of that Nation from whom he descended took order to reform the same and granted vnto them a Charter of liberties The bondage of Hen. IV. taken from the Welsh by Hen. VII whereby they were released of that oppression wherewith they were afflicted by lawes I have set down before more heathenish then christian and here I cannot omit but some thing answer the reproachful and slanderous assertions of Joannes Bernardus Pontus Henlerus and others I my self have seen a manuscript where he is called a Shereman but rather ignorantly I hope then maliciously who go about to abase the noble parentage of Owen Tuder the Kings Grandfather following more their own affections then any good proof or authority for if they would read that noble work of Matthew Paris they shall find in page 843. of the printed book that Ednivet Vachan one of his Ancestours was the chiefest of Councel to Lhewelin ap Jorwerth otherwise called Leolenus Magnus and to David ap Lhewelin Princes of Wales as formerly They may also find in the Records of the Tower of London in an 29. Edward I. in the general homage done to Prince Edward of Caernavon first prince of Wales of the English bloud that Tuder ap Grono another of the Ancestours of Owen did his homage among the Nobles of Wales Owen Tuder descended from the K. of England as appeareth in the said Records Further the said Owens Grandmother the wife of Tuder ap Grono was Margaret the daughter of Thomas the son of Elianor which was the daughter of the County of Barr by Elianor his wife daughter to Edward I. King of England Besides all this there was a Commission at this time directed by King Edward VII to the Abbot of Lhan Egwest Doctor Owen Pool Canon of Hereford and John King Herald to make inquisition concerning the parentage of the said Owen who coming to VVales travelled in that matter and used the helps of Sir John Levof Guttin Owen Bardh Gruffith ap Lhewelin ap Evan Vachan and others in the search of the Brittish or Welsh books of Pedigrees out of the which they drew his perfect Genealogy from the Antient Kings of Brittain and the Princes of VVales and so returned their Commission which return is extant to be seen at this day And I God willing will set forth what I have in a compendium which I intend to annex to this present treatise of many things which cannot be well digested in method of History yet much conduce to the Glory of the Welsh the several princely stems from whence Owen Tuder and consequently the succeeding Kings of England descended Henry Duke of York After the death of Prince Arthur King Henry VII Charta creationis P. Wal. by his letters patents dated the 18 of February 19 regni in a parliament created Henry then his only son who after was King Henry VIII and whom before that in the 11. he had made Lord Lieutenant of Ireland by an other Charter of the same year Constable of the Castle of Dover to be Prince of Wales Earle of Chester being then about the age of twelve years To have and to hold to him and his heirs Kings of England for ever being the like limitation of Estate and with the like investure as in former times had been acustomed But whether the King did grant the lands and revenues belonging to the said principality unto the said Henry or no as he had done unto Prince Arthur his brother doth not appear by any Charter therof that as yet can be found After the death of King Henry VII the said Prince Henry was King of England by the name of King Henry VIII he had a issue son called Henry who dyed very young he likewise had issue the Lady Mary afterwards Queen and the Lady Elizabeth and lastly prince Edward the youngest in years who first reigned after the death of his said father by the name of Edward the Sixt. Mary The Lady Mary daughter to the same King Henry the VIII Mr. Lhoyd fol. 393. by the Queen Catherine his first wife was Princesse of Wales and in the 17. year of King Henries reign he sent John Voiseie Bishop of Exeter to be Lord President of the Councel of the said Princesse in the Marches of Wales Elizabeth Elizabeth daughter to King Henry the VIII Mr. Lhoyd fol. 394. was in a Parliament begun the 15 day of January in the 25 regni declared Princesse and Inheritrix of the Crown of England with all the Dominions to the same belonging in default of issue male of the body of the said King Henry Sr. John Dodridge doth not approve of King Edward VI. Queen Mary or Queen Elizabeth to have been Prince or Princesse formally for he saith there cannot be found any Charter among the records whereby it may appear that any of
Stratherne Stewards which ware the crown of Scotland married Eufamia daughter to the Earle of Ross and had by her two sons Walter E. of Athol and David E. of Stratherne This Walter solicited Robert D. of Albanie to slay David Steward D. of Rothsay After that James the first was returned out of England Nec lex est justior ulla Quam necis artifices arte perire sua he did what he could to move him to put to death all the lineage of the said Duke still being in hope after the dispatch of his Kinsmen to come to the crown himself which hope moved him to procure his Nephew Robert Steward and Robert Graham his daughters son to murder K. James the I. also for the which crime the said Walter was convicted and destroyed with all his sons His brother David Earle of Buchquane died without issue and so the lands of both those brethren returned again to the crown without any memory of their blood Sir Robert Steward Duke of Albanie married the E. of Lenox daughter and had by her 3 sons Walter Alexander and James Duke Murdo himself with his first two sons were slain at Striveling by K. James I. and the third brother James in revenge thereof burnt Durbertane and was after chased into Ireland where he deceased without issue Robert the third of that name married Annabel Drommound daughter of Sir John Drommound of Stobhal Knight and had by her David and James the first dyed in Faulkland and the other attained the Crown and was called James the first and married the Lady Jane daughter to John Beauford Earle of Somerset in England he had by her two sons born at one birth Alexander and James the first died young the second reigned by the name James the second James the first had also 6 daughters James the 1. his issue the eldest whereof was given in marriage to the Dolphin in France the second to the Duke of Brittain the third to the Lord Feir the fourth to the Lord of Dalkeith the fifth to the Earle of Hantley and the sixt had no succession James the II. married Margaret daughter to the Duke of Gelderland and begot on her three sons and two daughters The first succeeded him in the Kingdom and was called James the III. the second named Alexander was Duke of Albanie and married the Earle of Orkneys daughter and had by her Alexander that was after Bishop of Murray and then parting with her went into France where he married the Countesse of Bullogne and begot on her John Steward D. of Albany who was Governour of Scotland many years in the minority of James V. The 3 son John Steward was E. of Marr whose chance was to be slain in the Cannogat in a Bath-fat The first daughter of James the second was married to the Lord Boyd who had by her a son that was slain by the Lord Montgomery and a daughter that was married to the Earle of Cassels After the death of the Lord Boyd she was married to the Lord Hamilton and by that means was the house of Hamilton decorate with the Kings blood which they have well requited in the late transactions The other sister was married to the Lord Creichton James III. married Margaret daughter to the K. of Denmark of which marriage was born James IV Alexander Bishop of St. Andrews and D. of Albanie and John Steward E. of Marr which two died without issue James the IV. married Margaret daughter to K. Henry VII of England and by her had James the fifth who marrying first the Lady Magdaline daughter of Frances the French King had no issue by her for that she dyed in the year next after her coming into Scotland and then shortly after the said James the fifth married the Lady Mary de Lorayne Dutchesse of Longuile a widdow and by her had he issue Mary Queen of Scotland that took to husband Henry Darnely alias Steward by whom she had issue Charles James after King of England only son as I said before of Henry King of Scotland and of Queen Mary his wife Dowager of France and heir of Scotland who married Anne daughter of Frederike the second King of Denmark by whom he had Issue Henry Frederike created Prince of Wales at whose creation Charles Duke of York Sir Rab. Bartu Lord Willoughby of Earesby after Earle of Lindsey and General for K. Charles at Edgehil and there slain Sir William Compton Lord Compton after Earle of Northampton Sir Grey Bridges Lord Shandos Sir Francis Norris Lord Norris of Ricot after E. of Berks. Sir Will. Cecil after Earle of Salisbury Sir Allan Percy brother to Henry Earle of Northumberland Sir Francis Mannors after Earle of Rutland Sir Thomas Somerset brother to the Earle of Worcester and Viscount Cassel after in Ireland Sir Thom. Howard second son to the E. of Suffolk after E. of Berks. Sir John Harrington son to John Lord Harrington of Exton Prince Charles Charles Duke of Albanie Marquesse of Ormond Earle of Roth and Lord of Ardmanoch the third son of James King of great Brittain was created Duke of York at Whitehal on Tueseday the sixt of January 1604. and after on the 4 of November 1616. he was likewise at Whitehal created Prince of Wales Earle of Chester c. at whose Creation these Knights of the Bath were made James Lord Matravers eldest son to Thomas Earle of Arundel Algernon Lord Percy after Earle of Northumberland James Lord Writchesly eldest son to the Earle of Southampton Kt. Theophilus Lord Clinton after Earle of Lincolne Edward Seymore L. Beauchamp grandchild to the Earle of Hertford George Lord Berckley after Lord Berckley Henry Lord Mordant after Earle of Peterborough The Earle of Mar his eldest son after Lord Fenton Sir Henry Howard after Lord Matravers c. Sir Robert Howard fift son to the Earle of Suffolk Sir Edward Sackvile after Earle of Dorset Sir William Howard sixt son to the Earle of Suffolk Sir Edward Howard seventh son to the said Earle after Lord Escricke in Yorkshire Sir VVilliam Seymor second son to the Lord Beauchampe after Earle of Hertford Sir Montague Bartu son to Robert Earle of Lindsey and after Lord VVilloughby and Earle c. Sir VVilliam Sturton son to the Lord Sturton Sir William Parker after Lord Morley and Monteagle Sir Dudley North after Lord Morth Sir Spencer Compton after Earle of Northampton Sir William Spencer after Lord Spencer Sir Rowland St. John brother to Oliver Earle of Bullingbrook Sir John Cavendish second son to William Earle of Devon Sir Thomas Nevel son to Henry Lord of Abergavenny Sir John Roper after Lord Tenham Sir John North brother to the Lord North. Sir Henry Cary Viscount Faulkland Prince Charles This Prince had the title of Prince of Wales but not the Investure and Creation as had his father and Uncle a thing formerly practised as before is shewed and is also of the Welsh blood though born in England by the line of King James from
contracted and intermingled by the daily commerce of the English some out of Caesar will infer a consequence that the Gallic and Brittish language were the same when he saith Gallis in more positum ut qui Druidum disciplinam diligentius cognoscere vellent in adversam Britanniam ad Druides proficiscerentur quod eis nihil profuisset nisi idem his cum illis fuisset sermo cum Druides libris non uterentur sed omnia viva voce explicarent but this signifies little to perswade that the language of these two Nations was the same for the language in which the Druides taught their mysteries was that of Greece Carmina multa millia interdum viginti annorum studio cogebantur ediscere qui eorum disciplinae se tradidissent quae Graeca fuisse non temere quis conjecerit so that the inference is that those of Gallia learned from the Brittish Druides the use and speech of the Greek tongue only It is no sufficient proofe to alledge that the continent was first inhabited and that from thence the Islands took their language for it is very probable that some Islands as being the most safe and securest places were even with the first inhabited VVhich Theophilus seems to intimate concerning Brittain and sacred writ tells us that the Islands towards the North were allotted to the off-spring of Japhet amongst which some learned Authors place Brittain Those who endeavour to make good that the Brittains borrowed their language from the Latines let them stop their mouths with this Prisca Italiae lingua sub priscis Italiae regibus quicunque fuerint usurpata Doricae similis fuisse dicitur ejusque initio magna fuit stirilitas quae a poetis Eunio Plauto Pacuvio aliis ab Histiorographis maxime ab Oratoribus detersa est facta a vicinis mutuatione vel novis excogitatis vocibus And again sed veteres Latini summa linguae inopia laborantes tum ob aliorum populorum in jus civitatis admissorum linguis infinita sumpsisse dicuntur tum maxime a Graecis Etruscis quos Aramaea vel Syriaca olim usos credunt voces Latinas quae hodie habentur non errarit si quis censeat esse Tuscae originis So that we see the Latines more fit to borrow then to lend some may say that many Brittish words sound Latin like t is true Est natura hominum novitatis avida The Brittains call that Rhoud which the Latines call Rota in English a wheel not that they wanted a significant word in their own language for they have two Troel and Olwyn they call that Porth which the Romans call Portam yet can they if they please call it as properly Moreb As for their borrowing words from the Greeks the like reason may be given Moreover Bladud when he went to Athens to apply himself to the study of Philosophy at his return brought with him many learned Graecian Philosophers who being conversant with the Druides communicating with them in points of doctrinalls many greek words might become familiar with the Brittains The most constant opinion is that before the confusion of Babel the Hebrew was the sole and only language and in that grand confusion the Brittish questionless was one probably used in Phrigia where Troy stood and from thence conveyed unto this our Island There was a People in Italy in those places which we now call Calabria and Naples called Brutii from the name of Brutus whose nomenclation and language differed very little from that of the Ancient Brittains this people after the destruction of Troy was brought into Italy by Nestor where the Pylians built a City called Metapontus the Brutii built another naming it Nova Troja after by the Tarentines call'd Heraclea So our Brittains in this our Island built Troy Novant now London both taking their name from Brutus and both having the like affection to the memory of old Troy As concerning Brutus his coming hither having more at large spoken of it in the ensuing History I will only here insert this out of our own records In the time of King Edward I. at Lincolne where held a Parliament after much diligent search of Antiquities and due examination as the greatest matter of right of a Kingdom required Apologitical letters were sent to the Pope of Rome sealed with an hundred seals and witnesses thus Rex Angliae ex deliberato concilio apud Lincolniam convocato pro jure suo declarando literam hujus tenoris rescripsit centum sigillis signatam wherein is declared and justified that in the time of Hely and Samuel the Prophet Brutus a Trojan landed here and by his own name called the Country Britannia before named Albion De nomine suo Britanniam sociosque suos Britones appellavit and having three Sons Locrinus Albanactus and Camber at his death devided the Island into three parts or provinces Loegria now England though VVelsh keep the old name was given to Locrinus the eldest Son Albania Scotland to Albanact the second Son Cambria now miscalled Wales to Camber his third Son Locrino primogenito dedit illam partem quae quondam Loegria nunc vero Anglia nominatur Albanacto filio Secundo dedit Albaniam quae nunc Scotia Vocitatur Cambrio vero tertio filio dedit Cambriam quae wallia appellatur reservata Locrino regia dignitate this conjecture may suffice for this business it being testified by so many Domesticall and forrain private and publick witnesses that this his tripartite division was here from the begining and the first name of Brittain given by Brutus Other remarkable things might have been added to this History as that of St. Winefreds well and many more note worthy which I leave to other pens who happily may write the descriptions of each County in particular as God willing I do speedily intend to publish that of Monmothshire had I been near the press to have perused every sheet as it past I would have affixed an Alphabetical index at the end of this work of all memorable passages but I intreat the courteous Reader to accept in good part my weak endeavours and what Errata's he shall find not mended by the Printer to dash them lightly with his quill and not impute them to me who desire to be esteemed by all From my Chamber at Lantarnam in Monmothshire 16. of May 1661. Their faithful friend and Servant PERCY ENDERBIE THE ANCIENT AND MODERN BRITTISH and WELSH HISTORY Beginning with BRVTE and continued untill KING CHARLES the First The First Part. THe state of every Kingdom well managed by prudent government seems to represent a humane body guided by the soveraignty of a reasonable soul the Country and the Land representing the one the Actions and State-affairs the other The Island of Great Brittaine containeth the Kingdoms of England and Scotland and is of many counted the greatest Island in the world though Justus Lipsius gives that praise to Cuba in America as the Oriental Navigators unto Sumatra taken from Ptolomey's
Taprobana or to Madagascar the Island of St. Laurence both which are neer or under the Equinoctiall line in which we will not contend as pleasing our selves with her other praises far exceeding her Greatnesse yet with this Honour also that it was without Question the greatest Island of the Roman world and for any thing yet certainly known of all the rest concerning whose positure in respect of Heaven Lucretius the first of the Latine Writers that names Brittain seemeth to place it in the same parallel with Pontus where he saith Nam quid Brittannum coelum differre putamus c. What differs Prittains Heaven from that of Nile Or Pontus welking from Gades warmer Isle It is by experience found to lie included from the Degree Fifty and thirty scruples of latitude and for longitude extended from the 13 degree and 20 minutes unto the 22 and 50 minutes according to the observation of Mercator It hath little Brittain Normandy and other parts of France upon the South Germany Denmarke and Norway upon the East the Iles of Orkney and the Deucalidonian sea upon the North Hebrides upon the West and from it all other Ilands and Ilets which doe scatteredly environ it and shelter themselves as it were under the shaddow of great Albion another name of this famous Iland are also accounted Brittish Brittaine thus seated in the Ocean hath her prayses not onely in this present sense and use of her commodities but also in those honourable Eulogies which the learnedest of Antiquaries have collected out of the noblest Authors that he scarce doth seem to have left any gleanings neither will we transplant them out of his flourishing gardens but as necessity compels since nothing can be further or otherwise better said Robert of Amesbury Caesar in his Comentaries Cornelius Tacitus Some praises of great Brittaine That Brittaine therefore is the Seas High-admiral is most Famously known and the fortunate Island supposed by some as Robert of Amesbury doth shew whose Aire is more temperate saith Caesar then France whose foyle bringeth forth all graine in abundance saith Tacitus whose Seas produce Orient Pearle saith Suetonius whose fields are the Seat of a Summer Queen saith Orpheus her wildest parts free from Wild Beasts saith the ancient Panegyrick and her chiefe City worthily called Augusta saith Amianus So as we may truly say with the Royall Psalmist Our lives are fallen in pleasant places yea we have a pleasant Inheritance which whatsoever by the goodness of God and industry of man it is now yet our English Poet hath truly described unto us the first face thereof thus The Land which warlike Brittaines now possesse And therein have their mighty Empires rais'd Brittain and France formerly one continent by some In ancient time was savage VVilderness Vnpeopl'd unmanur'd unprov'd unprais'd And albeit the Ocean doth at this present thrust it selfe between Dover and Calice dividing them with a deep and vast entrenchment so that Brittaine is thereby of a supposed Penisle made an Island yet divers have stifly held that once it was joyned by an arm of Land to the Continent of Gallia to which opinion Mr. Spencer further alluding thus closeth his Stanza Spencer in his Fairy Queen Ne was it Iland then ne was it prais'd Amid the Ocean waves ne was it sought Of Merchants farr for profits therein prais'd But was all desolate and of some thought By Sea t' have been from the Celtick mainland-brought Which was a matter meerly conjecturall because it is not plain that there were no Ilands nor hills before Noahs stood I leave at large Virgil sure of all the Poets the most learned when describing the Shield which Vulcan forged in Virgils brain for Æneas he calls the Morini people about Calice the outmost men doth onely mean that they were Westward the furthest inhabitants upon the Continent signifying withal that Britaine as being an Iland lay out of the world but yet not out of the knowledge of men for the commodities thereof invited the Famous Greek Colonies of Merchants which dwelt at Marsilia in France to venture hither as hath been well observed out of Strabo And as Julius Caesar was the first Roman which ever gave an attempt to Conquer it so will we close its prayses with a late Epigram concerning the outward Face of the Isle and the motive of Caesars coming thither Albions high Tops her woody locks fore-shew With quires of chaunting birds those woods resounding Her downes and meadowes clad in verdant hue Meadowes and Downs with flocks and heards abounding Brutus his three sonnes Latium had greater wealth yet Caesar thought To Brittish glory Latiums wealth was naught Wales preferred before Scotland Our most ancient Historians begin with Brute and so continue the succession of Kings till CHARLES the First which Brutus divided the Kingdome into three parts To Locrinus he gave Loegria now England to Camber his second sonne he gave Cambria now VVales and to Albanist or Albanact Albania now Scotland Ireland called Brittaine the less Ptolomy naming Britaine the great and the less hath been by some mistaken as so dividing the Island into two parts but his proportion and distance from the Equator compared with his Geographical description will evince that he calleth this our Island Great Britaine and Ireland Brittaine the lesse Howbeit some later writers indeed do make the South and more Champion to be called Great Britaine and the North and more Mountanous Britaine the lesse whose Inhabitants were Anciently distinguished into Majatae Why the Romans were not greedy to conquer Scotland and Caledonii and now by the Scots are into High-land-men and Low-land-men but the Northern Clime being more piercing for the Romans constitutions and lesse profitable and fruitful they set their bounds not farre from Edenburgh and altogether neglected the other parts of Scotland more North-wards The division of Brittaine by the Romans The nearer part of Brittaine they sub-divided into two parts for the more Southern tract together with VVales Dio termeth the higher and that more North-ward the lower as by the seats of their Legions may appeare For the second Legion call'd Augusta which kept at Caerleon in South-wales and the twentieth called Victrix which remained as some say at Chester he placeth in the higher Brittaine Caerleon in Monmouthshire but the sixth Legion named also Victrix resident at York served as he writeth in lower Brittaine which division as seemeth was made by Severus the Emperor who having vanquished Albinus General of the Brittaines and reduced their state under his Obedience divided the Government thereof into two Provinces and placed two Prefects over them Another division of Brittaine After this again the Romans did proportion Brittaine into three parts whose limits our great Antiquary assigneth by the Archiopiscopal seats grounding his conjecture on the saying of Pope Lucius who affirmeth that the Ecclesiasticall Jurisdictions of the Christians accorded with the precincts of the Roman Magistrates and that
cloaths was deemed prejudicial lest thereby those pictures should be hid A Nation most warlike and thirsty after blood and slaughter content with a small Shield and Javelin yet having a sword appendent to their naked bodies brest-plate or helmet they undervalue as obstacles and impediments to the passing over Fords and Rivers Plinius de Magia Plinie treating de Magia or Art Magick saith that the Brittains so admirably honoured it with uncough Ceremonies that they may seem to have sent it unto the Persians Another Author saith that the Brittains far exceed the French in Stature and bigness of body affirming Strabo apud cundem that he himself had seen Brittish youths in Rome to surpass their tallest men in height at least half a foot Diodorus Siculus saith Brittains spend their time after the custom of their ancient Forefathers and in wars used Chariots as did the Grecians in time of the Trojan war and who knows The honesty of Brittains commended by Diâ— Siculus Mr. Camb. denies not Brute Mr. Broughton fol. 289. The Brittains called Gens Bruti Leges S. Ed Reg. apud Guli Lamb. l. d. priseu legi fol. 36. Gildas apud Galf. l. 1. c. 17. Vic. l. 1. Pont. Nen. Hist Antiq. Land Eccles Isiadâ—r l. Etâ—m Thom. Eliot apud Stow. proof for Brute Thaliesnanus apud pris p. 27 Gal. Manus apud eundem Hâ—n Hunting Hist de Reg. Brit. cum maltis aliis ibidem Brute landed here in the time of Holy Samuel the Prophet Brittannia so called from Brutus Gualt Oxor. apud Hard. c. 16. Bal. 2. cent Sigib Gembl hist de regn Britt Mariam apud Hard. c. 10. Literâ— defensoris Ed Reg 1. ad â—apam apud Th n Walsin Hist 〈…〉 Yâ— lib. Neustr Aâ— 1301. Griâ— apud Hi. eaâ— M. S. chrâ— c 47. Galf. Mâ—n l 1. Hist Britt but that custom might be continued from their first founder Brutus Their houses compact of wood reed or thatch their sheafs of Corn they stored under dry roofs threshing out every day as much as served for present use honest and just in conversation much differing from the subtilty and cunning of our men content with ordinary and indifferent Diet detesting the gurmandizing of gluttons and Epicures the Isle replenished with multitude of men In matters concerning the Inhabitants of this Isle Mr. Cambden is very copious producing several opinions but I finde no Commander in chief whether King Duke or General named Brute excepted of whom he saith shall I so mean a man give a determinate sentence in so weighty a matter I leave it to the Senate of Antiquaries undecided In the mean time I deny not Brute but leave every one to his own best liking and opinion So that it is manifest Mr. Cambden naming no other principal Commander or Guide of that people who first Colonized and Inhabited this Land doth not altogether deny Brute but leaves it to the Counsell Consent and Decree of the Learned Parliament and Senate of Antiquaries Let us hear what others write Mr. Broughton out of an old Brittish History saith Having thus invincibly proved by all Antiquities that there were among the Gentiles especially in this Kingdom of Brittain not only Flamens but Arch-flamens and they seated in the principal governing Cities in several Provinces and how after the coming of Christ even from the Apostles time and by their Ordinance and Institution their Residences were to be changed into Archiepiscopal or Metropolitan chief commanding Sees in the Christian Religion If we had no other particular proof in this but in general terms St. Edwards Laws the testimony of Gildas Nonnius the Antiquities of Landaff St. Isiodore who as Pope Eleutherius also calleth this Nation Gens Bruti the off-spring and Nation of Brute Thomas Archbishop of York a Norman by birth in time of King VVilliam the first Thaliessianus above a thousand years since VVilliam of Malmesbury Henry of Huntington Gualterus Calenus Sigibertus with many others before Galfrid Mon. wrote and Vicunnius himself with innumerable after both of this and other Nations and publick Parliament as that in the time of Edward the first at Lincoln who after most diligent search of Antiquities and due examination as the greatest matter the right of a Kingdom required sent his Apologetical Letters to the Pope of Rome sealed with an hundred Seals and Witnesses wherein is declared and justified that in the time of Hely and Samuel the Prophets Brutus the Trojan landed here and by his own name called the Country Britannia before named Albion And having three sons Locrinus Camber and Albanact did at his death divide the Land into three parts or portions Leegria now England to Locrinus his eldest Son Cambria Wales to Camber and Albania Scotland to Albanact This might suffice for this business but being testified by so many Domestical and Forreign private and publick witnesses that the Tripartite division was here from the first nâ—me and beginning of Brittain we must needs for every several part and Province assign a several Government and order therein as their Rulers and Governers were divers and distinct But our Antiquaries carrie us further and inform us that not only London Caerlegeon and York were the several chief Cities in this division but the Kings which founded them for such ordained them likewise to be the Seats and Residencies of three several Archflamens or Prâ—â—â—â—amens for the glory and nobleness of London thereupon named Augusta it is the common opinion of Antiquities that it is the most ancient Citie of this Iland builded by Brutus as not only the Brittish History Galfridus Vicunnius and our English Antiquaries after them but Gâ—ldas Sigibertus and others sufficiently witness And except Mr. Stow be deceived in his Authors Aethieus an old Pagan Philosopher testifieth no less affirming that Brutus named this Kingdom Brittannia and John Harding in his plain Verses with others Recordeth how he there from the very first beginning Instituted an Archflamens Seat At Troynovant he made full especially An Arch-flamine his See Harding Chr fol. 16. cap. 14. Cathedral certain A Temple thereof A policy to obtain By Trojan Law This is commonly written to have been a thousand years before Christ and it is a common received opinion among our Antiquaries that Ebrincus son to Mempricius builded the City of York of which more hereafter in its due place That this Island was called Albion before the coming of Brute all Authors seem to agree though there seem to be some difference the just and most rational Writers call Albion ab albis Rupibus from the high and white Cliffs and Rocks discovered by Navigators as they sailed by it yet some will be more quaint and fetch it further as if far fetcht and dear bought were always good for Ladies and tell of a Damasella called Albone or Albina daughter of Dioclesian King of Syria and this some of our Histories seem to aver notwithstanding no Authentick Writer as yet ever produced any such King to
building of London or thereabouts builded the City of York calling it then Kair Baruch as both Brittains and Saxons ancient and modern agree where as Harding and Stow with others affirm he seated an Arch-Flamen He made a Temple in Ebrank City Of Diane where an Arch-Flamen he set Harding To rule Temples at that time was his det In the twentieth year of his Reign saith Mr. Stow he built Kaer Ebrank by the Saxons called Evorwick now corruptly York wherein he builded a Temple to Diana and set there an Arch-Flamen and was there buried when he had reigned sixty years Thus ancient these our Historians make Arch-Flamens in Brittain as I have related their very words not that I think the name and word Arch-Flamen but only their Office and Calling among the Gentiles to have been so ancient as the time assigned to our Brutus but of younger continuance and age by divers hundreds of years the word Flamen not known till the time of Numa Pompilius and taken from a kind of Attire worn upon their heads upon Festival days yet the Office of Flamen and Arch-Flamen Pontifex and Summus Pontifex was always the same among the Pagans Three Arch-flamens he made through all Brittain Harding As Arch-bishops now in our Laws been Three Temples all to govern and Domaine At Troynovant one Logres to overseen Her false gods to serve and to queme At Ebranch another for Albany And at Caerleon for Cambre one soveranly And this is so evident a Truth in Histories that the Bishop himself which before with one only opposed against Arch-flamens freely confesseth that at this time Arch-flamens Bishops were placed in these three Cities in Brittain and in them only Mr. Broughton fol. 281. 3. 2. Age. Godwin Cat. of Bish in Lond. Edit Anno 1615. where so many saith my Author have testified and shall testifie hereafter further these Arch-flamens were resident Thus he writeth At what time Christian Religion was first publickly received in this Island there were established in the same 28. Sees or Cathedral Churches which were the Seats of Arch-flamens and Flamens as shall be shewed hereafter with their names whereof three were Archbishopricks York whose Province was Scotland and the North of England c. Another Author saith Eboracensi vero scilicet Archiepiscopo tota terra Northumbrina ab arcui Humbri fluminis cum tota Albania To him of York all Northumberland from Humber with all Albania i. e. Scotland which is confirmed by these words Eboracensi Deira Albania under York Deira and Albania Giraldus Cambrensis according to the Tome or Book of St. Anacletus M. B. fol. 167. which divided this Island into five Provinces relateth as divers modern and others in this manner Giral Com. l. de sedis Mene vensis dignitate Matthew Parker lib. Antiq. Brit. p. 24. T. Pris defen Histo Brit. p. 73. 74. To. Leland Indice Brit. aut v. Brit. Beat. Renanus c. ibidem as he saith he found it then both in Papal and Imperial Acts and Constitutions Juxta Provinciarum numerum quas tempore gentilitatis habuerit Insula quinque Metropoles Juxta Tomum enim Anacleti Episcopi Romani sicut in Pontificalibus Romanorum gestis Imperialibus continetur directum Galliarum Episcopis juxta statum Gentilium ante Christi adventum Britannia habuit provincias numero quinque Britanniam primam Britanniam secundam Flaviam Maximiam Valentiam Prima dicta est occidentalis Pars Insulae Britannia secunda Cantia Tertia Flavia quae Mercia Quarta Maximia id est Eboraca Quinta valentîa scilicet Albania quae nunc abusive Scotia dicitur According to the number of Provinces which it had in the time of the Pagans the Island of Britany hath five Metropolitan Cities for according to the Tome of Anacletus Bishop of Rome as it is contained in the Decrees of the Popes of Rome and Emperors directed to the Bishops of France according to the State of the Gentiles before the coming of Christ Brittain had five Provinces Brittain the first Brittain the second Flavia Maximia Valentia the first was the West part of the Island the second Kent the third Flavia called also Mercia the fourth Maximia that is to say York the fifth Valentia Albania now corruptly called Scotland The Metropolitan City of the first Brittain was Caerlegeon The Metropolitan of the second Dorobernia now Canterbury In the third London in the fourth York and in the fifth Alba taken to be the City now named St. Andrews Thus far Giraldus of St. Anacletus Tome extant in his time as he hath witnessed Caerlegion the first Metropolis of the five in this Isle York is now esteemed the second City of England by some though others think Norwich and not a few Bristoll both for fame and greatness a pleasant large and stately place well fortified and beautifully adorned as well with private as publick Edifices and rich and populous withall 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 turns and changes which have befallen this Kingdom under the Saxons Danes and Normans hath still preserved its ancient Custom 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 to it a little Territory on the west side thereof made it a County of it self in which the Archbishops of York did enjoy the rights of Palatines and for a further lustre to it Hen. 8. appointed there 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 hath adorned so many Princes of the Imperial Line of Germany and blood Royal of England The Line of YORK 1461. 36. Edward the IV. 23. 1483. 37. Edward the V. 1483. 38. Richard the III. With the Title and Honour Stile and attribute of Otho of Bavaria Earl of York Gules two Lions Passant Gardant Or. Edmund of Langley fifth Son to King Edward 3. Earl of Camb. and D. of York Edw. Plantagenet Son of Edmund of Langley Earl of Rutland and D. of York Richard Plantagenet Nephew of Edmund of Langley by his Son Richard Earl of Cambridge D. of York Richard of Shrewsbury second Son to King Edw. 4. D. of York Henry 2. Son to King Hen. 7. D. of York Charles 2. Son to King James D. of York James 2. Son of King Charles D. of York Let us return again to our valiant and fortunate King Ebranck who having happily and with great Successe finished his Forrain Wars and living in peace the mother of plenty at home lends all his cares and endeavours both to beautifie and strengthen
Brittania as we may partly see in what is already declared of York which work finished he proceeded to a second Erection and laid the foundation of Alcuid or Alcluid in Albania now Scotland which Hector Boetius M. B. f. 336. 6. the Scotch Historian in honour of his Country imagines to be Dunbritta n but another Author to whom I give more credit saith And the old Flamens City Alcluid or Alclucht was also founded by the same King viz. Ebranck of Brittain There is a question where this City for certain was but all agree near the wall of division and so the priviledges and power thereof must probably extend on both sides of that division The City Caerlile or Lugugablia was a place of this prerogative builded by Leil the seventh in number of the Brittish Kings and out of doubt had power and prerogative in both sides of the wall both in Leogria and Albania having as our Antiquaries say and experience yet proveth in it part of that famous Wall of Separation habet haec urbs aliquam partem illius muri famosi qui transcindit Northumbriam Ranulphus Higedon and others placeth an old City Vrbs Beble Vrbs Regia a Regal City upon the River of Twyde super ripam Twydi which divideth England and Scotland and if it was a Flamen or Bishops See as the ancient glory of it perswadeth to think the jurisdiction of it must needs extend into Albania The third notable place which this Ebranck founded was the Castle of Maidens which standeth at the one end of the City of Edenbrough a Castle by the Scots thought so impregnable that the grand Seignior himself with all his numerous Armies could not be able to surprize it but the valour and courage of the English in these late wars maugre all their Scotch juglings and sanctity made them know the contrary who now have it in their possession as a curb to check that Nation This Castle of Maidens or rather Edenborough it self was also an ancient Flamins City and Residence and after Converted into an Episcopall See Ebrancus not yet content with such Edifices as he had already erected layeth a fourth Foundation and called it Bamburgh but whether this was the place which we now call Bambury Burgh and Bury in their several Languages signifying the same thing I will not decide if it were Mr. Cambden saith Hic Banburie quondam Bananbyniz primum perfundit ad quod Kinricus visisaxo Britannos pro aris focis fortiter Dimicantes memorabili praelio olim fudit superiori saeculo Ricardus Nevill comes Warwicensis dum à Lancastrensibus partibus staret Eboracenses profligavit ut statim etiam ipsum Edwardum 4. consilii innopem caeperit abduxerit Nunc autem conficiendo Caseum notissimum Here Kinricus the Visisaxon in a most memorable battle overthrew the Brittains most valiantly fighting for their lives liberties and Religion and in later times Richard Nevill Earl of Warwick being for the Lancastrian party so vanquished King Edward the Fourth that ignorant which way to turn himself he took him and carried him away the place is now famous for excellent Cheese c. To end his dayes with famous glory this heroick King laid the Foundation of that long continued and learned University now called Oxford which was first known by the name of Caer Mennix and after Bellesitum a name most fit for so pleasant a place and after Caer Bossa Rhydohen in conclusion Oxenford of a certain Ford called Isis in English Ouse Howe 's fol. 9. and so instead of Ouseford Oxenford or Oxford upon which word a Student there to prefer his own University before Cambridge for Antiquity Quibles thus the Ox went over the Ford and then Camebridge Others call it Caer Mennip Galfridus calls it Caer pen huelgoit Leland from the Antiquities of Dover writeth that it was a City before the time of K. Arviragus that builded the Castle adjoyning and nameth it a most renowned city and that King Lucius builded a Church in the said Castle Referunt idem Annales Lucium regem Britannorum c. Whosoever desireth a further and more large satisfaction concerning the erecting of the several Colledges Churches Monasteries Halls and Schools let him peruse Mr. Cambden in Oxfordshire Ebranck after he had reigned Forty years and builded so many goodly Cities departed out of this life whose Corps were buried or burned at York his Obsequies being celebrated with great solemnity and left to succeed him in his Kingdome his Son Brutus the second sirnamed Green shileld BRVTE GREEN-SHIELD BRute the Second eldest Son of Evranck succeeded in the Kingdome and for that his Father had received a repulse as some write at the hand of Brunchildis Lord of Henalt Hanolt or Hannonia which lyeth on the East of Flanders 60 miles long and 48 broad containing 950 Villages and 24 Towns besides Castles The chief are Banais supposed to stand in the same place where the ancient Belgium was built Mons Condè Valencennes c. he in revenge thereof Invaded Henalt with a great Army in the Fens and Marsh land at the mouth of the River Scaldis in old time called Stadus and encamped himself upon the River Hania where between Brutus and Brunchildis was fought a fierce and bloody battel in that place which to this day is called Estambruges of the station and Camp of Brutus as Jacobus Lessabeus writeth in his description of Henalt This Brute of his lusty courage was sirnamed Greenshield he reign'd twelve years and was buried at Caer Ebranck or York LEIL LEillus or Leill Son of Brute the second commonly called Green-shield began his Reign over the Kingdome of Great Brittaine in the year of the worlds Creation Four thousand two Hundred fifty four he was a just man and one who highly esteemed Justice and Dignity and imitating the worthiest of his Predecessors in erecting ornaments for his Kingdome he laid the foundation and in time fully built the City of Carliele The Romans and Brittains had several appellations for this place sometimes calling it Lugu-vallum and Lugu-ballium and sometimes Lugu-baliam and Caerliel The Saxons after they had possest themselves of this Island called it Luell as St. Bede affirmeth Ptolomeus as some seem to affirm called it Leucopibiam and Nennius caer Lualid the old Prophesies of the Brittains which Mr. Cambden calls ridicula Britannorum vaticinia indeed he never was Friend to the Brittains and Welsh Vrbem Duballi at this day well known it is by the name of Caerlile and by the Latines Caeliolum Lugum or Lucum priscis Celtis who spake the same language with the Brittains as Mr. Cambden imagineth and but imagineth Pomponius Mela tells us it signified a Tower or Fortification and Caerlile or Lugu vallum is as much as to say Turris or munimentum ad vallum certain it is that this City flourished and was in high esteem with the Romans as may appear by several Monuments of great Antiquity which have
Albania and was a part of Brittany for in the conversion of the Scots which hapned in the time of Pope Victor for Sacerdotibus praeceptoribus quos victor pontifex maximus ad Christi dogma propalandum in extremam miserat Albionem which farthest part of Albion is 300. miles distant from that part of Albania which joyned with Loegria England Therefore we see clearly that the Scots only then lived in the furthest and most remote parts of Albion or some Ilands thereof and possessed not our great Albania the Brittains Country and possession and in such sense they may call their small places of abode Scotia or Scotland yet could it be very small when Josephus in the Age before had testified that it had no Land at all Jâ—seph orat ad Judaeos apud Egisip lib. 3 cap. 13. Scotia terris nil debet of which and there place of habitation hear what Mr. Cambden saith That neither Caesar nor Volanus penetrated so far into Brittain as the Caledonians for as Plinie doth testifie in his time three years after Claudius the Roman Arms knew no further of Brittany then to the Caledonian Woods for Julius Agricola under Domitian Mr. Cambden in Scotland Galgacus a stout Brittain was the first who entred Caledonia where Galgacus commanded Galanc ap Liennanc who is reckoned one of the three Heroes of Brittany a man of strong courage and valiant spirit who so stoutly defended his Country the 11. Legion of the Romans being put to the worst that he never gave over till Fortune rather seemed to forsake him then his own valour or courage These Northern Brittains were the last who enjoyed the Liberty and also the furthest part of the Iland according to Catullus Caesaris visens monumenta magni Gallicum Rhenum horribiles ulti mosque Britannos In the time of the Emperour Severus as Xiphilinus reporteth Argeticoxus a petty King reigned in those Northern parts now called Scotland but then Albania or Caledonia whose Lady being upbraided and taunted by Julia Augusta answered We Brittish Ladies if we transgresse it is with Noble men both of valour worth and quality whereas you Roman in hugger-mugger prostitute your selves to every base varlet and inferiour groom Not far from the River Taw stands Perch in Latine St. Joannis Fanum vulgarly St. Johns Johns a place of late erection the ancient Town of the same name long since being swallowed up by the waters of which Nichanus Transis ample Tai per rura per oppida per Perch Regnum sustentant istâ—us Vrbis opes Rous Homes and Stow. But of Cunedagius the builder because a Brittain not a word from Mr. Cambden Cunedagius having founded Perch in Albania casts his eye upon Cambra and there in the remotest part begins a new Erection at Bangor which Mr. Cambden also calls Banchor a choro pulchro from the fair Quire or as other derive it Locus chori the place of the Quire Owen Glendoverduy the most wicked and arch Rebel amongst many other Towns and Cities of Wales set this also on fire and consumed it Bangor built by Cunedagius the Brittish King which was again in the time of Henry the 7. reedified by bishop Henry Denâ— or Denaeus but not to the pristine glory for formerly it was so large and ample that for the greatnesse thereof it was called Banchor vaur and fortified with a Castle whose very Ruines are not now apparent M. B. fol. 602. Age 4. Ca. 28. We may have some apprehension of the great Devotion of our Brittains both men and women in this age viz. 4. Age to chast and monastical life by the Example of St. Vrsula and so many thousands of holy Virgins with her devoted to that Profession which we may further confirm unto us by the Examples of the Brittains Jo. Bal. cent 1. in Pela Calph. Agric. Congello Bed hist Eccles l. 2. c. 2. Galf. Mon. Hist Britt l. 2. cap. 12. Mat. West super Galf. Mon. Hist Brit. l. 9. c. 12. l. 11. c. 1. Matth. West an 541. Galf. Mon. Hist Brit. l. 11. c. 3. Manusc antiq cap. in vita St. David Mene Pits aetat 6. in ead which were then in that part of Brittany now called Wales more free from the Saxons persecution whose Antiquities although not well preserved not naming many Archbishops of Caer legion and very few bishops in that Province having many from the first receiving of their faith yet they do propose and record unto us many Monasteries and of great name and honour as that of Bangor stiling it Fumatum Collegium where Pelagius before his Heresies lived and by some was Abbot Praepositus there having 2100 Monks in it and divided as it were into seven Monasteries every one of them having 300 Monks which Monastery as St. Bernard our late Authors and others write was the head or chief of principal Monasteries and brought forth many thousands of Monks In vita Malachiae Hibernensis Episcopi Bernardus Clarovallensis hunc locum tradit primorum extitisse Monasteriorum Caput multa generavisse Monachorum mille This was the most noble Monastery of this Country nobilissimum Monasterium as St. Bede and others term it and so justly did having so many Monks that being divided into 7 Companies under 7 Pryors under their chief Abbot every one had 300. or more Monks and amongst them most Learned men Viri doctissimi plures de Nobilissimo Monasterio Bancornabury lingua Anglorum Inter caeteras erat in civitate Bangor quaedam Nobilissima Ecclesia in qua tantus fertur fuisse numerus Monachorum ut cum in 7 portiones esset cum praepositis sibi Prioribus Monasterium divisum nulla harum portio minus quam trecentos Monachos haberet Cunedagius builded a third place in Cornwall where he was born but yet I cannot come to a certain knowledge of the place where he erected a Temple and a Flamen to Mercury He Reigned thirty three years and was buried at Troynovant or new Troy now London An Author calleth Perth before spoken of Berth and saith no lesse strange but more lamentable is the remembrance of the great innundation hapning by the sudden rising of Tai which bare away the Walls and Town of Berth or Perth and with it the Cradle and young Son of King William into the Sea wherein the Royal Infant with many others perished the King and his Courtiers scarcely escaping the Danger The ruine of this Town raised another called St. John's Town RIVALLVS RIvallus the Son of Cunedagius took upon him the Government of this Kingdome in the year of the Worlds creation four thousand four hundred and thirty eight this King was stiled the Fortunate and Peacefull for that during the time of his Reign he governed his Subjects with all lenity meeknesse and prosperity yet Authors leave little recorded of this Prince for indeed Tragical Acts and Warlike Scenes better please most Writers in smooth and calm times yet it is
Brittains in the year of the World four thousand eight hundred seventy and nine The English Chronicle calls this King Seizill either he lived in great peace and tranquilâ—ity as well he might his most worthy Parents both the heroick Prince his Father and beautiful and prudent Queen his Mother having quite extinguisht all even the least sparks of Sedition and Rebellion and left the Realm in perfect quietnesse or else the Records of his life perished for Writers relate very little of him only Mr. Howes tells us as the Scotch Writers say that he Reigned seven years and that in the very first year after his coming to the Crown Picts arrive in Brittain the Picts arrived in Brittain and possessed those parts which now be the Marches of both Kingdomes betwixt England and Scotland and confusedly makes no distinction betwixt Scots and Picts whereas Authors affirm that the Highland-men the natural Scots indeed are supposed to descend from the Scythians who with the Getes infesting Ireland The Author of a Book of Maps printed 1646. printed for Wil. Humble Anonymus left both their Issue there and their manners apparent in the wild Irish and Highlanders even to this day And from Scythia as is thought the name of Scots grew for so the Netherlands by Scutten expresse indifferently the Scythian and Scot so Gildas calleth the Irish Brittains Scythians so King Elfred in translating the History of Orosius turneth Scots in Scyttan and so saith Walsingbam from one and the same Original Scythe Scytici Scotae Scotini take their names as from Getae Getici Goti Gotici have done As for the Picts saith the same Author anciently inhabiting part of that Kingdome they were Inborn Brittains and such as thither fled to avoid the Romans servitude whose Names began first to be distinguished under Dioclesian the Emperour when they were termed Picts from painting their bodies like the Brittains as saith Flavius Vigetius which is more strengthned for that the Northern Brittains converted by St. Columb are called Brittan Picts but the Conversion of that Nation may more properly be attributed to Saint Ninian Ninianus Bernicius ex Regio Brittannorum sanguine procreatus Italiam adhuc adolescens literarum studio petit Romae apud divini Verbi ministros mysteria Veritatis edoctus ad plenum celer in-patriam remigrabat ubi Magister Paedonomus non vulgaris concreditum à Deo Talentum per Brittannorum Scotorum Australiumque Pictorum terras latissime profudit Hujus pia industria Picti primum relicto Idololatriae cultu St. Ninian a Brittain veram Christi fidem percepere Ninian born of the Royal Brittish Bloud being yet a youth went into Italy to follow his Studies and at Rome was fully taught the Mysteries of Truth by the Teachers of the divine Word and then returned into his own Country where becoming a Master and Instructor above the ordinary pitch of men he distributed the Talent bestowed upon him by Almighty God amongst the Brittains Jo. Bal. li. de Ser. Brit. cen 1. iu Niniano Bernicio Hector Boetius Scot. Hist li. 7. Fol. 119. Scots and Southern Picts cast off the bondage of Idolatry and embraced the sweet yoak of Christianity And for those holy labours was in former times as our Histories testifie by all throughout all Brittanny called by the title of Doctor and Inctructor of the Scots Picts and Brittains Scotorum Pictorum Britonumque Doctor Paedonomus non vulgaris eo nomine omnibus qui Albionem incolunt vel hac nostra aetate in multa veneratione habitus and in that respect was had in great veneration by all the Inhabitants of the Kingdome of Albion The first King I read of of that Nation that was Christian was Hiergustus King of the Picts who with his Pictish people and subjects were Christians Mr. Br. fo 582. and publickly professed that Religion but in the time of Maximus all the Scots were banished out of this Land which was in the year of Christ Hec. Boe. l. 6. Histo Buchan Rer. Sco. l. 4. in Rege 39. 379. ' Annus à Christi adventu in carnem tricentesimus septuagesimus nonus the Picts were generally and publickly instructed and professed Christians And also in the days of King Fincomark of Scotland who reigned 47 years and died multis virtutibus nobilis and in the year of Christ 358. ' Salutis humanae anno trecentesimo quinquagesimo octavo the Picts had received the Faith of Christ and before that time For whilst King Fincomark reigned Annal. Scot. Hec. Boe. sup l. 6. fol. 104. Hollish Hist of Ireland Fincomarko Rege Scotis adhuc imperante By divers Writers many of the Irish people received the law of Christ by means of a worthy Christian woman of the Picts as the Scottsh and other Histories testifie Per id tempus mulier Christianae pietatis cultrix Pictici eam fuisse sanguinis Scotici asserunt Annales Regina insinuata Christi nomen illi mirifice praedicavit reverendumque effecit This our Brittish St. Ninian deserveth eternal memory for converting the Picts Interea Sanctus Ninianus Australes Pictos quibus adhuc error gentilis inhaerens Idola venerari ac colere compellebat aggrediens Evangelii veritatem sequentibus signis praedicabat caeci vident claudi ambulant leprosi mundantur surdi audiunt mortui resurgunt oppressi à daemonibus liberantur sicque fides suscipitur error abdicatur destructis Templis Ecclesiae eriguntur currunt ad salutis lavacrum divites pauperes gratias Deo agunt in insulis quae procul sunt habitantes Ordinavit Presbyteros Episcopos consecravit totam terram per certas parochias divisit In the mean time St. Ninian going to the Picts which yet were Pagans and worshipped Idols preached the Truth of the Gospell unto them with these signes following The b lind see the lame walk lepers are cleansed the dead are raised and they which were oppressed with Divels are delivered And so the Faith is received Error abandoned Pagan Temples are destroyed Christian Churches erected Rich and poor are baptized those that inhabit in the Isles a far off give thanks to God He ordained Priests consecrated Bishops and divided the whole Land by certain Parishes Bede Hist lib. 3. cap. 4. Capgr in St. Ninio Guli Malm. l. 4. de gest Pont Angl. The first Stone building in Britt And having thus converted and confirmed the people unto and in the Faith of Christ being the chiefest end of his Mission and coming hither he returned to his Church Confirmatis in fide omnibus ad Ecclesiam suam est regressus This House and Episcopal Church which he now returned unto was the same which he had built before of stone called for the rarenesse of such building in Brittain that being the first as our History saith and thereby named Candida Casa the white House or Church at a place called Witerne between Scotland and England as they are now termed upon the Sea coast
hath been whether this Marius was a Christian or not Harding and other witnesse that he was of a Child brought up at Rome with the Emperour Claudius and his Mothers kindred Who nourished was at Rome in his Juventâ— With his Mothers Kin the best of the Empire Harding Chro. in Marius c. 49. fol. 41. With Claudius also that was his own Grandfire And not returning into Brittain untill the death of Arviragus his Father to inherit the Kingdome after him for any thing we read in History and by the common computation of Antiquaries King Arviragus and St. Joseph dying within three years together it is not a thing to be easily believed that Marius did or could learn Christianity of St. Joseph Neither did or could Christian Religion allow Marius a notorious known Bastard to inherit the Kin dom of Brittain as Heir to K. Arviragus he having divers legitimate children by his lawful Wife Voada Daughter of King Caraâ—â—cus Ex qua filium unum duas filias susceperat All which by Christian Religion should have inherited before him and he whether they had been living or dead by that could not claim Title to inherit or possesse the crowne of Brittainas he did And the Scottish Historians who had best reason to keep these things in memory do tell us that he was so far a Roman as by all Antiquities by his Mother and Education he truly was They stile him Marius the Roman Marius nobilis Romanus And he was so far from having any true Title to the Crown by being the bastard son of Arviragus that he was declared King by the Emperors Authority Caesaris autoritate Britonum Rex appellatus and to take all controversie away was forced to marry his own Sister by his Father the eldest Daughter of Arviragus and his lawfull wife Queen Voada Harum natu majorem ut jam Insulae status pacatior foret Matrimonis sibi copulavit which all men know no Christian could doe And yet this was after the great Victory of Marius against the Scots and Picts with their Captain Rodericke which was as Matthew Westminster and others write not above a year before the death of St. Joseph that chancing in the 75. and in the 76. year of Christ In which battel the two Daughters of Queen Voada their brother as it seemeth being dead were taken Prisoners and the oldest the next Heir of Brittain after the matters pacified which was not in any probability before St. Joseph's death was as is said before married to Marius her bastard-brother which Marriage if I may so term it was still continued and by them was begotten in it Coilus after King and Father to our first Christian King Saint Lucius So that if we speak properly and strictly of Christians and name them onely such which actually and really both in Faith and Profession do hold onely the Christian Religion and no other it is evident that none of these three Kings of Brittain Arviragus Marius or Coillus was a Christian much less converted or baptized by St. Joseph But if we speak of Christianity in an ample and extended sense as Tertullian and some Ancients have done of Tiberius Caius and some other Emperors not actually Christians but so affected especially in some points as as he doth of Pilate which washed his hands and said he was innocent of the putting of Christ to death Innocens sum à Sanguine justi bujus I am innocent of the blood of this just person that he was in conscience a Christian pro sua conscientia Christianus We may speak the like of these Kings and go so far with Harding's Author as to say with him Joseph converted this King Arviragus By his preaching to know the Law Divine For it is not unprobable but he was perswaded the Law and Religion which St. Joseph professed was true But whereas Harding addeth And baptized him as written hath Nennius A Chronicler in Brittain Tongue fall fine Except we take Baptizing in a very large and amplifying construction and say Harding a Poet did thereby understand the true knowledge of Baptisme and not the receiving thereof neither Nennius nor any approved Author doth or can prove any such thing By this also we are sufficiently assured that neither St. Joseph of Arimathea nor any of his company though otherwise most Holy and most Renowned Saints and excellently deserving of this Nation none of them converting either the King Nobles or People of Brittany as so many worthy Authors and Antiquaries have told us may be named the Apostles which converted this Kingdome to the Faith of Christ Mr. Bro. f. 166. or first founded Christian Religion here Marius King of Brittain by the opinion of all was both a Friend and Benefactor unto Christians confirming unto the Eremits of Avalon St. Joseph and his Associats those donations liberties and immunities which his Father Arviragus had formerly granted unto them and the Emperour Vespasian was so friendly and favourable unto holy Christians that when he was in Brittain before he was Emperour as Harding from more ancient Authors hath testifyed he procured those immunities and exemptions for S. Joseph and his company which King Arviragus endowed them with and I do not doubt but that he was so far a Christian in judgement that I may recount him in the number of those first Emperours of whom Tertullian writeth Tert. Apol. contr gentil c. 21. The Emperours themselves would have believed in Christ if the Emperours had not been necessary to the woâ—ld or Men that were Christians might have been Emperours Sed ' Caesares credidissent super Christo si aut Caesares non essent saeculo necessarii aut si Christiani potuissent esse Caesares This King Marius as Matth. Westm and divers others do testifie died the 78. year of Christ Math. West ao 78. and left Coillus his Son his Successor in the Kingdome Anno gratiae 78. Marius Brittannorum Rex ab hoc saeculo transiens Coillum Filium habuit successorem by whom he reigned but a short time not above six years Others affirm that he reigned a far longer time the Publisher of the Brittish History ascribe Mr. Bro. f. 169. 52 years Harding avoucheth that he died When he had Reigned sixty years and three His Tribute paid full well to Roman City Hard. in Chron. in Reg. Marius c. 50. fol. 42. Of Christs Faith somewhat he was informed But much more he needed to have been reformed But howsoever the question about his Regiment long or short be resolved certain it is that he was a Friend to Christians and if he Reigned long longer was their peace by his permission Fabian in the life of this King tells us that the Chronicle of England calls him VVestmer and that during his Reign a certain Chieftain whom Gaufride calleth Londricus of the Picts Landing with a great Navy in the Province of Albania now Scotland began to make havock with fire and sword which ungrateful
to him that searcheth out their Histories but I intending to finish the History during the Government of the Brittains have sought out in other Chronicles written in the Latine tongue especially in the Chronicle of Nicholas Trivet King Hen 3. dyeth who wrote from the begining of the raign of King Stephen to the Coronation of Edward the second and such other as much as I could find concerning this matter In the year 1272. dyed King Henry the third and Edward his Son coming from the holy Land two years after was crowned at Westminster King of England to which Coronation the Prince of Wales refused to come although he was sent for alledging for his excuse that he had offended many Noblemen of England and therefore would not come in danger without he had for pledges the Kings brother with the Earl of Glocester and Robert Burnell Chief Justice of England wherewith the King was highly displeased year 1274 King Edward could never brook P. Lhewelyn since the time that he was compelled to flight by him at their meeting in the Marches as before Thom. Walsh on the other side Lhewelyn liked no better of the King then the King did of him again those Noblemen who for their disobedience were dis-inherited by Lhewelyn were received and entertained by King Edward which things caused the Prince to fear some evil practice by those and other such as hated him if he should have been at the Kings Coronation to do his homage and fealty according to the writ directed unto him in that behalfe as appeareth by an instrument sent by the said Prince to Robert Kilwarby Archbishop of Canterbury the Archbishop of Yorke and other Bishops sitting then at their Convocation in the new Temple at London Anno. 1275. wherein the causes of this war are contained which instrument it self as it was then sent is extant to this day written in parchment with the Princes great seal thereunto appendant which I have seen saith this Author and copied out of the Original verbatim Mr. Lhoyd being then in the custody of Thomas Yale Doctor of Law of late Dean of the Arches a great searcher and preserver of the antiquities of Wales which I thought convenient here to lay down for the fuller understanding of this History Reverendissimis in Christo Patribus Dominis Roberto Dei gratia Archiepiscopo Cant. totius Angliae Primati Archiepis Eborum ac eorum suffraganis c. To the most Reverend Fathers in Christ and Lords Robert Archbishop of Canterbury Primate of England and the Archbishop of Yorke and their Suffragans being now together at London in Councel Their devote Son Lhewelyn Prince of Wales and Lord of Snowdon greeting with due Obedience Reverence and Honour in all things Be it known unto your reverend Father-hoods that where heretofore contention and discord whereof war followed and long continued arose betwixt the King of Noble memory Henry King of England of the one party and us of the other party the same contentions and strife were at the last appeased by authority of the See Apostolick and means of the reverend Father Lord Otobanus Deacon and Cardinal of St. Adrian Legate into England as it appeareth in the form of Treaty and Peace betwixt the said King and Edward his first begotten Son Lord Edward now King of England and their Successors on the one party and us and our Successors on the other party by the corporal Oath of both parties assured Which form of peace was committed to writing with the said Legate with the seal of the said King and the seal of the said Lord Edward now King and with our seal also in the which peace it is contained amongst other things as you do well know as we believe that we and our Successors should hold of the King and his Successors the Principality of Wales So that all Welsh Barons should hold their Baronies and Lands of us and our Successors in Capite and should do homage and fealty to us and to our heirs one Baron excepted for the which we and our Successors should do homage and fealty to the Lord the King and his Successors It is further contained in the same peace that neither the said King nor his Successors should receive any of our Enemies or any running from us or our Successors nor should help or maintain any such against us or our Successors The which all are contained in the form of peace the Tenor whereof the Reverend Fathers of Strata Florida and Aberconwey bearers hereof can shew you But see Reverend Fathers the Lord Edward now King of England after the said peace taketh into his hands certain Barons Lands in Wales of which they and their Ancestors have been long possessed and keepeth a Barony in his hands which should be ours by the form of peace other Barons of our Land being from us fugitives runing to him he keepeth helpeth and maintaineth David ap Gruffith and Gruffith ap Gwenwynwyn who purposed our death and destruction Notwithstanding that since their departure they have robbed within our Land committed slaughter and burning of houses do daily the like against the peace aforesaid and although we have often sent our griefs and complaints by solemn messengers to the said Noble Lord Edward as well before he was King as since yet unto this day he never did any redress therein also that which is more perilous he called us unto a place not to us safe amongst our deadly Enemies our fugitives and fellons and their spies and murderers to do him homage and fealty to which place we can no wayes come without danger of our body especially seeing our Enemies above said to be in that place at the Kings table and sometimes in Councel and openly brag themselves And though lawfull and reasonable excuses were alledged by our messengres before the King and his Councel why the place was not safe nor indifferent yet he refused to allow or appoint any other place indifferent for us to do homage and fealty which we were and are ready to do unto him in any safe place by him to be appointed if he will appoint any and to perform the other articles of the peace concluded and sworn And for that it pleaseth him not to come to any place where we could with safety do him homage we were suiters to him to send any from him to receive our oath and homage untill it pleased him to appoint a place where we shall do our homage to him personally the which thing he utterly denyed to do We therefore beseech your Father-hoods earnestly that it may please you to consider what danger should happen to the people both of England and of Wales by reason of the breach of Covenants of peace abovesaid if now wars and discord should follow which God forbid attending and calling to remembrance the prohibition of the Holy Father the Pope lately in the Councel at Lyons that no war should be moved amongst Christians least thereby the
a staff being unarmed and knew him not and his men being but a few stood and fought boldly ever looking for their prince till the Englishmen by force of Archers mixt with the horsemen wan the hill and put them to flight and as they returned Francton went to spoyle him whom he had slain and when he saw his face he knew him very well and struck off his head and sent it to the King at the Abbey of Conwey who received it with great joy caused it to be set upon one of the highest Turrets of the Tower of London This was the end of Lhewelyn betrayed by the men of Buelht who was the last prince of the Brittains blood who bare dominion and rule in VVales so that the rule and government of the Brittains over continued in some place of Brittany from the first coming of Brutus Mr. Powel fol 374. which was as Mr. Powel saith in the year before Christs incarnation 1136. to the year after Christ 1282 by the space of 2418. years Varium mutabile semper vulgus Shortly after that the King had brought all the Country under his subjection the country men themselves brought to him David the princes brother whom he kept in Ruthlan Castle and after put him to death at Shrewsbury Then the King built two strong castles in Northwales Conwey and Carnarvon castle built by K. Edw I. the one at Conwey and the other at Caernarvon when Rees Vachan heard how all things went he yielded himself to the Earle of Hereford who at the Kings commandement sent him to the Tower of London to be imprisoned there and so the King passed through all VVales and subjected the whole Country to the Kingdom of England Mr. Mills fol. 310. Two religious men the one a VVelshman the other an Englishman have written late in Verses in praise and dispraise of this Lhewelyn not unworthy to be remembred the substance whereof is this The VVelshman thus The Englishman thus Here lyeth he that terrifieth the English men and Wales he did as valiantly defend Lhewelyn the Prince of Northwales the bulwark the jewel of his time a flower of Kings past a pattern of future ages the Captain the light the beauty and law of the People Here lyeth the Prince of error the spoyle of men traitor to England bright firebrand of the guilty the VVelshmens God a traitor Captaine and death of the godly the scum of Trojans a lying stock and cause of much mischief His Issue Katherine Lackland or without land married to Malcome Earle of Fyke in Scotland Madoc was his bastard son who in the latter time of K. Edward I. raised war in Northwales but where the King came he builded the Castles of Beaumarish and cut down there woods which yielded them succour and refuge in time of war he fortified the Castles about the sea coast Shortly after he was taken from that time the Welshmen ceased to make war and the King gave to his eldest son the Principality of Wales and with it the Earldom of Chester THE Fourth Book OF THE ANTIENT MODERN BRITTISH AND WELSH History TO THE Right Honourable Sir PIERCY HERBERT Lord Powis EDWARD HERBERT Baron of Cherbery in England and Castle-Iland in Ireland Sir CHARLES SOMERSET Knight of the Bath and Son to the Right Honorable Edward Earl of Worcester Sir EDWARD STRADLING alias ESTERLING of St. Donats Baronet Sir EDWARD MORGAN of Lantarnam Baronet Sir TREVOR WILLIAMS of Langibbie Com Mon Baronet WILLIAM LEWES of the Van Esq RICHARD LEWES of Edigton Esq THOMAS MORGAN of Maughan Esq The Lord POWIS Sir EDWARD HERBERT of Red-Castle Montgomeryshire descended lineally from Brittish Progenitors as in the Geneology of the E. of Pembrock largely appears Sir William Herbert created Lord Powis Elianor Daughter to Henry Earl of Northumberland by which match this honorable Family descends from the Brittish line as appears in the Genealogy of the Earl of Northumberland Sir Piercy Herbert Lord Powis sister to the Lord Craven William Herbert Esq Heir apparent Elizabeth Daughter to Edward Marquesse of Worcester by which the Brittish bloud is again renewed and conjoyned as appears in the Pedegree of the Marquess of Worcester The Lord HERBERT Baron of Cherbery and Castle-Iland Edward Lord Herbert of Cherbery Anne Daughter of Sir Thomas Middleton of Cherck Castle descended anciently from Brittish noble Progenitors Richard Lord Herbert c. Mary Daughter to John Egerton Earl of Bridgewater by which match the honourable Family is linked into the Brittish bloud as appears in the Genealogy of the Earl of Bridgewater Edward Lord Herbert c. Mary Daughter and Heir to Sir William Herbert of St. Julians Com Monmoth Here take natice that these two honorable Families both Male and Female by a long continued Series and Genealogy descend from Noble and Princely Brittish Progenitors The first whereof Herbert Lord of the Forrest of Dean married Lucy Daughter and Coheir of Milo Earl of Hereford who married Sibil Daughter and Heir of Bernard Newmarsh Lord of Brecon and his Wife Nest Daughter and Heir of Griffith ap Llewellin Prince of Southwales the first of this Family who setled in Wales was Peter ap Herbert who married Alice Daughter and Heir of Blethin Broadspear he was Lord of Llanthloell in Monmouthshire and Beachley in Glocestershire and from this branch are sprung The Earl of Pembrock and Huntington the Marquess of Worcester The Earl of Pembrock and Montgomery the Lord Powis and several Noble ancient and mighty Families who do and have born several honorable Offices in this Kingdom Sir CHARLES SOMERSET of Troy in the County of Monmouth Knight of the Bath SIR Charles Somerset Knight of the Bath at the creation of Henry Prince of Wales third Son to Edward Lord Herbert of Chepstow Ragland and Gower Earl of Worcester and Elizabeth Daughter of Francis Hastings Earl of Huntington and Katherine his Wife Daughter and Heir of Henry Poole Lord Mountague descended from the Brittish line married the sole d and h of Sir William Powel of Troy Knight extracted from an ancient and long continued series of Brittish Progenitors and hath three Daughters and Coheirs the eldest married to Squire Anderton of Lostock Com Lan Esq and hath Issue Male the other two as yet unmarried I shall need to say no more concerning the extraction of this honorable and most vertuous Knight from the Brittish line the Genealogy of the Marquess of Worcester will make it appear only I shall dayly pray that Almighty God will prolong his life for the good of the poor and at his departure crown him with a crown of glory bless his posterity Sir EDWARD STRADLING Baronet SIR Edward Esterling was one of the twelve Knights who came into Wales for the subduing of Glamorganshire and for his good service had St. Donats Castle and Mannor given him where this Knightly and Noble Family hath hitherto continued Sir John Esterling Knight Sir Morris Esterling Knight Sir Robert
was coming towards Shrewsbury upon the hills of Cefn Digolh not far from Caurus Castle where after a long fight Madoc was taken and his men discomfited and put to flight Then he was sent to the Tower of London there to remain in perpetuall prison Some there be who affirm that Madoc was not taken but rather after many adventures and sundry conflicts when the VVelshmen were brought into great extremity the said Madoc came in and submitted himself to the Kings peace and was received upon condition that he should pursue Morgan till he had taken him and brought him to the Kings prison which was done and so all things were quieted and many hostages of the chiefest Nobility of Wales were delivered to the King who sent them to divers Castles of England where they were safely kept almost to the end of the wars which followed in Scotland In the 29th year of K. Edw. 1. Edw. Prince of Wales came to Chester where he received the homage of the Free-holders of Wales as Henry Earl of Lancaster did homage and fealty for Monmoth Regynald Grey for Ruthyn Fulk Fitz Waren for his lands in Wales The Lord William Martin for his lands in Cemais Roger Mortimer for his lands in Wales Henry Lacy Earl of Lincolne for the land of Ros and Ryveneoc in Wales Robert Lord Montalt for his land in Wales Gruffith Lord of Poole for the Lordship of Powis Sr. Gruffith Lhoyd Knight Tuder ap Grono of Anglesey Madoc ap Tuder Archdeacon of Angelsey Eneon ap Howel of Caernarvon Tuder ap Gruffith Lhewelyn ap Edninet Gruffith Vachan the Son of Gruffith ap Jorwerth Madoc Vachan d'Englefield Lhewelyn Bishop of St. Asaph Mr. Richard de Pnelesdon this man as appeareth by the Records in the Tower was made Sheriff of Caernarvonshire during his life with the stipend of 40 l. staring yearly Anno. 12. Ed. 1. Gruffith ap Tuder Ithel Vachan Ithel ah Blethyn c. The Lord Richard Sutton Baron of Malpas did homage and fealty to Edward Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester for the said Barony of Malpas apud Ruthlan 27. die Aprilis Anno supradicto Aniamis or Eneon Bishop of Bangor and David Abbot of Maynan did homage and fealty to the said Edward Prince of Wales apud Conwey 28. April An. sup dict Lewis de Felton the son of Richard de Felton did homage and fealty to Prince Edward for the Lands which the said Richard held of the Prince in Maelor Saesneg John Earl Warren did homage and fealty to Edward Prince of Wales in the Chappel of the Lord John de Kerby sometime Bishop of Ely at London 25. die Julii Anno. 30. Ed. 1. for the Lordships of Bromfield and Yale The same John Earl Warren swore fealty unto the said Ed. P. of Wales for the lands in Hopedale The Lord Edmund Mortimer the 6th day of November an 30. Ed. 1. in the house of the Bishop of Ely at London did homage and fealty to Edward P. of Wales before his Councel for his lands in Cery and Cydewen About the year 1322. one Sr. Gruffith Lhoyd Knight gathered a great number of Welshmen and took divers Castles in Wales which were kept by the people of the Lord Mortimer the Elder he took also the Castles of Mould Chirk c. The keepers whereof coming to P. Edward at Shrewsbury who then was King of England submitted themselves to him and were shortly after sent to the Tower of London year 1822 This Edward of Carnarvon was known by the name of Edward the second King of England living in a turbulent time between him and his Barons was after deposed for his ill Government and came to a violent death in the Castle of Berkeley nevertheless in his life time he created his son P. of Wales Hol. p. 863. Edward of Windsor The same year being the 15. of K. Ed. the second Edward de Windesore the Kings Eldest Son was in a Parliament holden at York created Prince of Wales and Duke of Aquitane Edward of Woodstock surnamed the Black Prince Mr. Mills ut ante Edward born at Woodstock Son and Heir to King Edward was created Prince of Wales 12. of May anno 17. Ed. patris when he was fourteen years of age who in time grew to be the flower of Chivalry of all Europe he took John the French King prisoner at the battail of Poyteirs and dyed his Father yet living the eighth of July in the 46. year of his age and the 50. of his Fathers Reign a Prince of such excellent demeanour so valiant wise and politick in his actions that the very and perfect representation of Knighthood appeared most lively in his person for such was his towardness or rather perfection in Princely Government that if he had lived and attained the crown every man Judged that he would surely have exceeded all his predecessors Sr. John Dodridge fol. 6. Edward the third saith Judge Dodrige at a Parliament holden at Westminster 15. regni created Edward his eldest Son Ex. harta creationis in Parliamento a. 15. Ed. 3. surnamed the black Prince Prince of Wales being then of tender years and invested him in the said principality with these ensignes of honour as in the Charter is contained Per sertum in Capite anulum in digito aureum virgam argenteam juxta morem by a Chaplet of gold made in manner of a garland for so the word sertum importeth by a gold ring set on his finger and by a Verge rod and Scepter of silver howbeit in the investure of succeeding Princes this Rod or Scepter as appeareth by the Charters of their several Creations was changed into a Verge of gold The said King for the better maintainance of the said Prince his Son in honourable support according to such his State and dignity gave unto him by his Charter Dated 12. of May in the 17. year of his Reign of England and in the 4. year of his reign of France and inrolled in the Exchequer in the Term of St. Hillary in the 18. year of the said King Edward the Third the said principality and the mannors Lordships Castles and land ensuing to appertain to the said principality Viz. All his lands and Lordships in Northwales Westwales and Southwales 1. The Lordship Castle Town and County of Caernarvon 2. The Lordship Castle and Town of Convey 3. The Lordship Castle and Town of Crucketh 4. The Lordship Castle and Town of Beaumarish 5. The Lordship Castle and Town of Hardlagh 6. The Lordship Castle and Townes and Counties of Anglesey and Merioneth 7. The Lordship Castle and Town and County of Caermaden 8. The Lordship Castle and Town of Lampader vawr 9. The Lordship and Stewardship of Canter mawr 10. The Lordship Castle Town and County of Cardigan 11. The Lordship Castle and Town of Emelyn 12. The Lordship Castle and Town of Buelht 13. The Lordship Castle and Town of Hâ—verford 14. The Lordship Castle and Town of Montgomery
Black Prince about 300 years ago without deductions amounted to 4681 l. 12 s. 5 d. q. is now worn and wasted to the sum of 1865 l. 8 s. 10 d. ob q. and with the ordinary deductions and reprizes taken out of it at this present in charges fees to Officers and other Reprizes is brought to the sum of 1335 l. 2 s. 3 d. ob q. Which small sum also as the Revenue was to Queen Eliz. was much lessened for that a greater sum in the whole amounting yearly to 1789 l. 13 s. 2 d. which did partly arise by reason of the allowance of the diet of the councel of the Marches being yearly 1106 l. 13 s. 4. the fees of the Barons of the Exchequer in Wales the Auditors fees Woodwarps fees Receivers fees Surveyers fees and for the portage of money was charged as well upon this Revenue of the Prince as upon other Lands or Revenues belonging to the Crown within the several Counties of Wales Prince Henry Mr. Holl. pag. 247. James King of Scotland onely son and heir of Henry Stewart King of Scotland the name of Stewart here first presenting it self as concerning the right of succession to the Crown of England I think is convenient to shew unto my Readers out of Mr. Hollenshed the descent of that Noble Antient and Regal Family which hath much of the Welsh blood in it Mackbelih after he had obtained the Crown of Scotland by indirect means fearing the posterity of Banquho a Nobleman whose children and off-spring the three women told should enjoy the Crown and sway the Regal Scepter invited the father Banquho with his son Fleance to his Palace to supper but caused certain of his wicked adherents and Ministers treacherously to murther them before they entred his Court which assascination fell too heavy upon the father for there he lost his life the son by the Divine assistance escaped the massacre and having intelligence by some private friends in the Palace that his life was sought after to avoid the further peril he fled into Wales where by reason of his carriage proportion and Court-like behaviour he found such courteous entainment that better he could not desire from the Prince the Courtiers admire his gallantry the Ladies his person his pleasing and charming behaviour the Princes daughter is so ensnared with Cupids bewitching allurements that she admits him privately into her most secret closet where what hearts content they enjoyed unseen by any but themselves appeared openly to the world in a short time by the encrease and exuberance of Her belly in revenge whereof Fleance is slain and the poor Lady kept in miserable condition for having thus suffered her self to be deflowred by a stranger at the last she was delivered of a son named Walter who within a few years proved a man greater in courage fortitude than any commonly was found although he had no better bringing up by his Grand-fathers command than amongst the baser sort of people howbeit he shewed ever from his infancy that there reigned in him a certain stoutness of stomack ready to attempt high enterprises It chancing that falling out with one of his companions after many taunting words which passed between them the other to his reproach objected that he was a Bastard and begotten out of lawful Wedlock which so incensed him that he slew him forthwith This sad accident forced him to leave Wales and betake himself to Scotland to seek some rising fortune there where he happened into the company of certain Englishmen which came thither with Queen Margaret and behaved himself so soberly in all his actions that within a while he grew into high esteem amongst them Not long after by such means raising high esteem he was sent with a great power of men into the Western Isles and other places of the Realm to free the same from the Tyranous and Injurious oppressions there Walter made Steward of Scotland exercised by divers misgoverned persons which enterprise according to his Commission he atchieved with such prudent policy and manhood that immediately upon his return to the Court he was made Lord Steward of Scotland with assignment to receive the Kings Rents and Duties out of all parts of the Realm This Walter Steward had a son named Allan Steward who went after with Godfrey of Bulloin Duke of Loraine and Robert Duke of Normandy Alan Steward son to King William Conquerour into the Holy Land at what time they with other Western Princes advanced thither An. 1099. Allan had issue Alexander Steward that founded the Abbey of Pasley of St. Benedicts Order who had issue Walter Steward Alex. Steward Walter Steward whose valour was notable in the battail of Largis This same Walter had issue two sons the one named Alexander who fought right valiantly at the foresaid battail in defence of his father Alexander and Robert brothers from whence the Earles of Iénox and Dernly John James Walter inhetor of Bonkil The Crown of Scotland comes to the family of the Stewards John Steward alias Robert Rex Duke of Albanie and the other named Robert Steward got the lands of Terbowtoun and married the heir of Cruckeistoun from whom descended the Earles of Lenox and Dernly Moreover the abovenamed Alexander that founded Pasley had divers other sons as John Iames c. howbeit they took new sirnames by the names of those lands unto the which they succeeded The abovenamed Iohn Steward after the death of his brother Iames married the heir of Bonkil a virgin of great beauty and had by her Walter Steward that inherited the lands of Bonkil Runfrew Rothsay Bute and Stewardrown after that his father Iohn was slain at Fulkyrk He married Margery Bruce daughter to K. Robert Bruse by whom he had issue K. Robert the second of that name This Robert the second took to wife one Isabel Mure a Damosel of excellent beauty she was daughter to Sr. Adam Mure Knight and brought forth issue three sons three daughters the eldest son called John Steward and by some Robert who succeded immediately after his fafathers death in the Kingdom The second called Robert was made Earle of Fyfe and Mentrith also he was created Duke of Albanie and ruled the realm of Scotland under the name of Governour by the space of XV. years The third son named Alexander was Earle of Buchquane and Lord of Bondzenot The Earle of Buckquane a Steward The eldest daughter was married to James the son and heir of William Earle of Dowglas the second daughter was maried to John Dunbar brother to George Dunbar Earle of March and was made to his more honour Earle of Murray He got on her one only daughter that was married to the Dowglas and so Dowglas came to be Earle of Murray The third daughter was married to John Lyoun that was made afterward Lord of Glammis Moreover the foresaid Robert that was the first of the Stewards The Earle of Athol and