time and so returned to England But Lord James Audley whose Daughter was married to Gruffydh Lord of Bromfield did more mischief and hurt to the Welch who having brought over a great Number of Horsemen from Germany to serve against the Welch so terrified them with the unusual largeness of the Horses and the unaccustomed manner of sighting that in the first Encounter the Welch were easily overcome Buâ— minding to revenge this Disgrace and withal being better acquainted with their method of Arms the Welch in a little after made in-roads into the Lord Audley's Lands where the Germans presently set upon them and pursued them to certain straits which the Welch discovered for a politick retreat The Germans thinking they had entirely drove the Welch away returned carelesly back but being set upon of the sudden without any thought of an Enemy behind they were all in a manner slain by the rallying Welch This year a very great scarcity of Beefs and Horses happened in England whereof several Thousands yearly were supplied out of Wales by reason of which the Marches were perfectly robbed of all their Breed and not so much as a Beast to be seen in all the Borders A.D. 1259 The next Spring all the Nobility of Wales convened together and took their mutual Oaths to defend their Country to Death against the oppressing Invasions of the English and not to relinquish and forsake one another upon pain of Perjury tho' notwithstanding Meredith ap Rhys of South-Wales violated this Agreement and put himself in the Service of the King of England King Henry was ready to fall upon the Welch to which purpose he summoned a Parliament wherein he proposed to raise a Subsidy towards the Conquest of Wales being not able of himself to bear the Expences of this War by reason of several Losses he had already received the Country of Pembroke being lately destroyed and taken by the Welch where they found plenty of Salt which before they were in great necessity of But William de Valentia accusing the Earls of Leicester and Glocester as the Authors of all this Mischief quite broke all their measures so the King was forced to prorogue the Parliament for a time without any grant of a Subsidy But within a while after it sat at Oxford where King Henry and Edward his Son took a Solemn Oath to observe the Laws and Statutes of the Realm and the same being tendred to Guy and William the King's Brothers and to Henry Son to the King of Almain and to Earl Warren they refused to take it and so departed In this Parliament the Lords of Wales fairly proffered to be tryed by the Laws for any Offence they had unjustly commirted against the King which was mainly opposed by Edward who caused one Patrick de Canton to whom the Lordship of Cydwely was given in case he could win and keep the same to be sent to Caermardhyn as Lieutenant for the King with whom Meredith ap Rhys was joyned in Commission Being arrived at Caermardhyn Patrick sent to the Prince to desire him to appoint Commissioners to treat with him concerning a Peace which he consented to and without any suspicion of treachery sent Meredith ap Owen and Rhys ap Rhys to Emlyn if possible to conclude the same But Patrick meaning no such thing laid an ambuscade for the Welch who coming honestly forward were by the way villanously set upon by the English and a great many slain but those that happily escaped calling up the Country presently gave chase to Patrick and his Accomplices who being at length overtaken were almost all put to the Sword But Prince Lhewelyn was now altogether bent upon a Peace and did not only desire it but was willing to purchase it for a summ of Money to which purpose he offered to give the King 4000 Marks to his Son 300 and 200 to the Queen which the King utterly refused replying That it was not a sufficient recompence for all the Damages he had suffered by the Welch Matthew of Westminster reporteth that about Michaelmas this year the Bishop of Bangor was commissioned by the Prince and Nobility of Wales to treat with the King of England about a Peace and to offer him 16000 Pound for the same upon these Conditions that according to their antient Custom the Welch should have all Causes tryed and determined at Chester and that they should freely enjoy the Laws and Customs of their own Country but what was the result of this Treaty my Author does not mention There being no hopes of a Peace Prince Lhewelyn A.D. 1260 early next year appeared in the Field and passed to South-Wales and first fell foul upon Sir Râ—ger Mortimer who contrary to his Oath maintained the King of England's Quarrel Having forcibly dispossessed him of all Buelht and without any opposition taken the Castle where was found a plentiful Magazine he marched thro' all South-Wales confirming his Conquest and afterwards returned to his Palace at Aber A.D. 1261 betwixt Bangor and Conwey The year following A.D. 1262 Owen ap Meredith Lord of Cydewen died But the next Summer was somewhat more noted for Action a party of Prince Lhewelyn's Men took by surprise the Castle of Melienyth belonging to Sir Roger Mortimer and having put the rest of the Garrison to the Sword they took Howel ap Meyric the Governour with his Wife and Children Prisoners and after that the Castle was demolished by the Prince's Order Sir Roger Mortimer hearing of this with a great Body of Lords and Knights came to Melienyth where Prince Lhewelyn met him bur Sir Roger not daring to hazard a Battel planted himself within the Ruins and finding he could do no good desired leave of the Prince to retire peaceably The Prince upon the account of Relation and near Consanguinity betwixt them and withal because he would not be so mean spirited as to fall upon an Enemy who had no power to resist him let him safely depart with his Forces and then passing on himself to Brecknock at the request of the People of that Country who swore Fidelity unto him so passed on and returned to Noâ—th-Wales And now being Confederate with the Barons against King Henry he was resolved to practise something in the prejudice of the English and so set upon the Earldom of Chester destroyed the Castles of Tygannâ—y and Diserth belonging to Edward who coming thither was yet not able to prevent the Mischief done A.D. 1263 to him by the Welch The next year John Strange Junior Constable of Montgomery with a great Number of Marchers came a little before Easter by night thro' Ceri to Cydewen intending to surprise the Castle which when the People of the Country understood they gathered together and setting upon them slew 200 of his Men but Strange with a few got safely back Within a while after the Marchers and the Welch met again near a place called Clun where a hot Engagement happened between them in which the Welch were worsted
and spoiled the â—ea-Coast thereof and advanced as far as Buellt But the Danes at Budington being informed that King Alfred marched against them fled back to their Castle in Essex So that the King was fain to alâ—er his march and to convert his Forces against Leyâ—ester where a Party of Danes was so warmly beâ—â—eged that at length they were reduced to that Exâ—â—remity as to feed upon their Horses But the Season â—f the Year for Action being ended and the Extremity of the Weather being advanced Alfred 〈◊〉 forced to raise the Siege and to wait the next Oppoâ—tunity A.D. 895 for the recovery of the Town But before 〈◊〉 could appear before it again the Danes fairly quittâ—â— it and together with those in Northumberland passâ—â— by the North-Sea to Meresige an Isle in Essex Thâ— A.D. 896 next Year they entred the Thames and built a Caâ—â—â—â— twenty Miles distant from London upon the strengâ—â— of which they ventur'd to spoil and wast the Coâ—â—trey thereabouts but paid very dear for their Coâ—rage being accidentally met with they received 〈◊〉 bloody Overthrow having four of their Princes slâ—â— upon the Spot and the rest very glad to make their â—scape to the Castle Upon this Alfred divided the Riâ—â—â— into three Streams by which Stratagem the Waâ— became so diminished in the Thames that the Danâ—â—â— Ships could not return back into the Sea When tâ—â— Danes perceived this and found it impracticable 〈◊〉 them to escape in their Ships they left their Wiâ—â—â— and Children and all their Effects in Essex and 〈◊〉 passed by Land to Enadbryge upon the Severn aâ—â— then passing the River spoiled the Countries 〈◊〉 Brecknock Gwentland and Gwentlhwg Some of the at the same time passed over to France and anothâ—â— Company coasting about Devonshire destroyed tâ—â— maritime Countries but being met with by the Eâ—glish A.D. 897 lost Six of their Ships in the Dispute Tâ—â— following Summer the Kingdom of Ireland suffered eâ—tremely by Locusts who consumed all the Corn aâ—â— the Grass through the whole Country but were 〈◊〉 length by continued Prayers and Fasting quite destroâ—ed These are common in Africke and other hot Râ—gions but seldom seen in colder Climates and whâ—â— they happen to travel so far they are always veâ—â— pestilentious and destructive to that Country thâ—â— come to A.D. 900 This Year Igmond with a great number of Danâ—â— landed in Anglesey and was met with by the Welâ—â— at a place call'd Molerain where Merfyn was slaiâ— Though others call it Meilon and from the Batâ—â—â— fought there Maes Rhôs Meilon The same Yeâ—â— Kiâ—g Alfred dyed who translated the antient Laws 〈◊〉 â—yfnwall Moelmut King of Britain and the Laws 〈◊〉 Queen Marsia out of Brittish into English and â—â—â—â—d it Marsian Law which was afterwards called â—â—â—st Saxon Law and observed in part of Mercia â—â—â—h all the Countries on the South of Thames The â—â—â—er part of the Country having another Law call'd â—â—â—e Lex both which remained to the time of â—â—â—ard the Confessor who of these two made one 〈◊〉 It is very observable what is related of King â—â—â—â—ed concerning his division of the Natural Day inâ—â—â—hree parts the one he set apart for Devotion and â—â—â—â—dy the next for the Affairs of the Commonâ—â—alth and the third for his own Rest and Refreshâ—â—â—t â—lfred being dead Edward his eldest Son took upâ—â—â—im the Crown which so displeased the ambitious â—â—â—it of his Brother Adelwulph that presently he raisâ—â— a cruel War against him and flying to Northumâ—â—â—â—and stirred up the Danes against his Brother â—â—â—ard The Danes were glad of the opportunity â—â—â—ing now a fair pretence to render themselves â—â—sters of the whole Island and therefore Adelâ—â—ph is made King as well of the Angles as of the â—â—â—es who by this time were grown to be one Peoâ—â—â— Marching then proudly with a very considerable â—â—â—y at his heels he subdued the East Saxons spoilâ—â— the Country of Mercia and passing over the Thames â—rickland destroyed Brythend and returned home â—â—â—h very great Booty At the same time Euneth 〈◊〉 slain in Arwystly But Edward being informed of Brothers retreat pursued him very eagerly but â—â—â—sing of him over-ran and destroyed all the Counâ—â—â— betwixt Ouse and the Dike of S. Edmund and a returned home with his whole Army saving the â—â—â—tish Men who being too greedy of Plunder rashâ—â—â—arried behind For the Danes perceiving the Boâ—â— of the Army to be returned and that a small â—â—â—y still continued to ravage the Country presentâ—â—â—â—t upon them slue a great Number of them and 〈◊〉 the rest to a shameful Flight Nor were the Danes only powerful in England but molested anâ— A.D. 905 grew prevalent in Ireland For this Year they entâ—â—â—â— that Kingdom slew Carmot King and Bishop of 〈◊〉 Ireland a religious and a vertuous Person the Son 〈◊〉 Cukeman and Kyrnalt Son of Murgan King of Lâ—gines A.D. 906 The Year after dyed Asser Archbishop of S. Dâ—vids Uncle to the famous and learned Asser surnaâ—ed Menevensis who being Chancellour to his Uncâ—â— the Archbishop was sent for by King Alfred to iâ—struct his Children whose Life he afterwards wroâ—â— and was made Bishop of Shireburn Edward to force his Brother from his Countrâ— and to revenge the death of the Kentishmen dâ—â—patch'd an Army to Northumberland which havinâ— spoiled the Country returned home Upon whiâ—â— the Danes to return their Kindness destroyed a greâ—â— part of Mercia But within a while after Edwâ—â—â— having raised a very considerable Army gave tâ—â— Danes battel overthrew them and slue their Kinâ—â— Alden and Edelwulph with a great number of the Nobles This added very much to his Dominionâ— which were the more increased and strengthned 〈◊〉 the Addition of the Cities of London and Oxford which upon the death of Edelred Duke of Merâ—â—â— Edward seized into his own hands permitting 〈◊〉 Wife Elfleda to enjoy the rest of his Dukedoâ— A.D. 907 Shortly after Cadelh Prince of South Wales diâ—â— leaving behind him three Sons Howel Dha or tâ—â— Good who succeeded his Father in the Kingdom 〈◊〉 South Wales Meyric and Clydawe King Edward â—â—ving obtained so signal a Victory over the Danes aâ—â— rendered his Kingdom for some time quiet began 〈◊〉 build places of strength which might be serviceabâ—â— against a future Storm He built a Castle at Hartforâ— betwixt the Rivers Benefic Minier and Lige anâ— also erected the Burrough of Wytham in Essex anâ— continued sometime in Wealdyne to keep those Couâ—tries in awe But in spite of all this precaution thâ— Danes of Leycester and Hampton began the followinâ— Year to be very troublesom slew a great number 〈◊〉 English at Hotchnorton and in their return homâ— â—ard destroyed the Country of Oxford About the â—â—me time a considerable Fleet from Tydwike under â—â—e command of Vther and Rahald sailed by the Weâ—â—ern Sea to Wales and destroyed S. Davids where â—as fought the Battel of Dinarth and Mayloc the â—on of Peredur Gam was slain After this they enâ—â—â—ed A.D. 911 into Herefordshire where they were
drew together a great Army consisting partly of Strangers and partly of such as they could raise in Gwentland and Glamorgan and marched to fight with Gruffydh The Prince according to his usual manner detracted no time but animating and solacing his Soldiers with the remembrance of their former Victories and Conquests bid the Enemies battel which proved so very bloody and terrible that nothing could part them beside the darkness of the Night This Battel so tired and tamed both Armies that neither was very desirous of another Engagement and so one being unwilling to set upon the other they both agreed to return to their own Habitations The same time Joseph Bishop of Teilo or Llandaf died at Rome But both Armies being separated Prince Gruffydh enjoyed a quiet and unmolested Possession of all Wales for about Two Years after which the Gentry of Ystrad Towy treacherously slew 140 of the choice of his Army which he took in so high an indignation that to revenge their death he destroyed all Dyfed and Ystrad Towy About the same time Lothen and Hyrling two Danish Pyrats with a great number of Danes landed at Sandwich and having plundered the Town returned again to their Ships and sailed for Holland where they sold the Booty they had taken and then returned to their own Country Shortly afterwards Earl Swayn came out of Denmark with Eight Ships and returned to England and coming to his Fathers House at Pevenese humbly requested of him and his Brothers Harold and Tostie to endeavour his reconciliation with the King Earl Beorned too promised to intercede for him and going to Swayn's Fleet to sail to Sandwich where the King then lay he was by the way most treacherously and ungratefully murthered and his Body cast upon the shoar which lay there exposed till his Friends heating of the Fact came and carried it to Winchester and buried it by the Body of King Cnute â—eorned 's Uncle Swayn having committed this most testable Murder put himself again under the Proâ—â—ction of the Earl of Flanders not daring to shew 〈◊〉 Face in England till his Father by earnest Mediâ—â—on wrought his Peace with the King This Year Conan the Son of Iago raised again an â—â—my of his Friends in Ireland and sailed towards â—ales purposing to recover his Inheritance in 〈◊〉 Country But when he was come near the â—â—lch Coast there suddenly arose such a violent â—â—â—rm that his Fleet was presently scattered and â—â—st of his Ships drowned which rendered this Expeâ—â—â—ion ineffectual About the same time Robert Archâ—â—â—hop of Canterbury impeached Earl Godwyn and his 〈◊〉 Swayn and Harold of Treason and the Queen 〈◊〉 Adultery and upon the account of their non-â—â—â—earance when cited before the Peers at Glocester 〈◊〉 Queen was divorced and Godwyn and his Sons â—â—nished who with his Son Swayn fled to Flanders 〈◊〉 Harold to Ireland But these unlucky Clashings â—â—d the many Troubles that ensued thereupon hapâ—â—â—ed upon this occasion Eustace Earl of Bologne beâ—â—â— Married to Goda the King's Sister came over this â—aâ— to England to pay King Edward a Visit and in 〈◊〉 return to Canterbury one of his Retinue forcibly â—â—manding a Lodging provoked the Master of the â—â—use so far as by Chance or Anger to kill him Euâ—â—â—e upon this Affront returns back to the King and 〈◊〉 the insinuâ—tions of the Archbishop makes a loud â—â—mplaint against the Kentish-men to repress whose â—â—olencies Earl Godwyn is commanded to raise Forâ—â—â— which he refusing to do for the Kindness he bore 〈◊〉 his Country-men of Kent the King summons a â—â—rliament at Glocester and commands Godwyn to â—â—pear there But he mistrusting either his own â—use or the Malice of his Adversaries gathered a â—â—werful Army out of his own and his Sons Earlâ—â—ms and marched towards Glocester giving out â—â—â—t their Forces were to go against the Welch who â—â—â—ended to invade the Marshes But King Edward â—â—â—ng satisfied by the Welch that they had no such Design in hand commanded Godwyn to dismiss his Aâ—my and to appear himself to answer to the Articles exhibited against him Godwyn refusing to obey the Kiâ—â— by the Advice of Earl Leofrick summoned an Asseâ—bly at London whither a great Number of Forces aâ—rived from Mercia which Godwyn perceiving and wiâ—â—al finding himself unable to withstand the King â— proceedings privately retired with his Sons out 〈◊〉 the Kingdom and fled into Flanders Whereupon the King issued out an Edict proclaiming Godwâ—â— and his Sons Out-Laws and then confiscating thâ—â—â— Estates bestowed them upon others of his Nobiliâ—â— And to pursue his Displeasure the farther he Divâ—â—ced his Queen Edith Earl Godwyn's Daughter aâ—â— committed her to a Cloyster where in a mean Coâ—dition she spent some part of her Life In the distâ—â—bution of the forfeited Estates Adonan obtained 〈◊〉 Earldoms of Devon and Dorset and Algar the Sâ—â— of Leofrick that of Harold But Godwyn could 〈◊〉 patiently behold his Estate bestowed upon anotheâ— and therefore having hired some Men and Ships 〈◊〉 Flanders he sailed to the Isle of Wight where aâ—â—â—â— that he had made a sufficient havock he put in 〈◊〉 Portland which he treated after the same manâ—â—â— The same time Harold having sailed from Ireland 〈◊〉 length met with his Father and then with their unâ—â—â—â— Navy they burnt Preveneseny Romney Heath Fâ—â—â—ston Dover and Sandwich and entering the Thâ—â—â—â— they destroyed Cheppey and burnt the King's Hoâ—â— at Middletown Then they sailed up the River â—â—wards London where the King's Army being reaâ—â— to oppose them a Treaty of Peace was by the meâ— of Bishop Stigand agreed upon which proved so â—â—fectual of Godwyn's side that the King received 〈◊〉 again to his Favour restored him and Sons to all thâ— Estates re-called the Queen and banished the Arâ—â—bishop with all the French-men who had been pâ—â—moters of that unhappy Suspicion the King had enâ—â—â—tained of them About this time Rhys Brother to Gruffydh Prâ—â—â—â— of Wales who by several Irruptions upon the Bordeâ—◠〈◊〉 considerably gauled and damaged the English â—â—s taken and put to Death at Bulendun whose â—â—â—d being cut off was presented to the King then Glocester But he received better News some time 〈◊〉 from the North for Siward Earl of Northumberâ—â—â—d having sent his Son against Macbeth King of â—â—gland vanquished the Scots tho not without the 〈◊〉 of his Son and many others both English and â—â—nes But Siward was not cast down at his Son 's â—â—â—th but enquiring whether he received his Death's â—â—nd before or behind and being assured that it 〈◊〉 before replied He was very glad of it for he â—â—d not wish his Son to die otherwise After this â—tory King Edward marched in Person to Scotland and having again overcome Macbeth in Battel made the whole Kingdom of Scotland Tributary the Crown of England The next year Earl â—â—â—â—yn sitting with the King at Table sunk down â—â—d of a sudden being choak'd as 't is thought in â—â—llowing a morsel of Bread whose Earldom the â—â—ng bestowed upon his
interdicted and forbidden to enter any Man's House or to compose any Song of any one without the special leave and warrant of the Party concerned with many other Ordinances relating to the like purpose Owen Gwynedh AFter the death of Gruffydh ap Conan his eldest Son Owen surnamed Gwynedh succeeded in the Principality of North Wales who no sooner had entered upon the Government but together with the rest of his Brethren he made an Expedition into South-Wales and having demolished and overthrown the Castles of Stradmeyric Stephan and Humffreys and laid in Ashes the Town of Caermardhyn he returned home with no less Honor than Booty and Plunder About the same time John Arch-Deacon of Lhanbaran departed this Life a Man of singular Piety and strictness of Life who for his rigid Zeal in Religion and Virtue was thought worthy to be canonized and to be counted among the number of the Saints This Year likewise King Stephen passed over to Normandy and having concluded a Peace with the French King and the Duke of Anjou returned back to England without any further delay But the following Spring gave opportunity for greater Undertakings David King of Scots upon the King of England's going to France last Summer had entered the Borders of England and continued to make considerable Wast and Havock in that part of the Country Whereupon King Stephen to rid his Country and his Subjects from so dangerous an Enemy marched with an Army towards the North whose coming the King of Scots hearing of he relinquished the Borders of England and retired to his own Country But that would not satisfie King Stephen who desired to be further revenged for the unpardonable Hostilities committed by the Scots in his Country and therefore pursuing the Scots to their own Country he harassed and laid wast all the South part of the Kingdom of Scotland But the King's absence animated several of the English Nobility to rebel to which purpose they fortified every one their Castles and strong Holds William Earl of Glocester those of Leeds and Bristol Ralph Lunel Cari William Fitz-Allen Shrewsbury Paganellus Ludlow William de Moyun Dunester Robert de Nichol Warham Eustace Fitz-John Merton and Walklyn Dover But for all these mighty Preparations the King in a short time became Master of them all some he won by assault others upon fair Promises and advantageous Conditions were surrendred up and some he got by treacherous and under-hand Contrivances The Scots thought to make good advantage of these Commotions in England and thereupon as soon as they heard that some of the English Nobility were in actual Rebellion against the King they entered into the Borders and began as they thought without any apprehension of Opposition to ravage and lay waste the Country before ' em But William Earl of Albemarle William Pyppell Earl of Nottingham Walter Espec and Gilbert Lacy gathered together all the Forces they could raise in the North and being animated and encouraged by the eloquent and pressing Oration of Ralph Bishop of Orkneys which he delivered in the audience of the whole Army they set upon the Scots at Almerton with such unanimous Courage that after a very great slaughter of his Men King David was glad to escape with his Life by flight After this King Stephen seized to his own use the Castles of Ludlow and Leeds and pressed the Bishops of Salisbury and Lincoln so hard that to prevent their perishing by Famine they were constrained to surrender the former the Castles of Vises and Shirburn the latter those of Newark upon Trent and Sleeford This did not a little augment the King's strength against the ensuing Storm for in the Summer this Year Maud the Empress Daughter and Heir to King Henry to whom King Stephen with all the Nobility of England had sworn Allegiance landed at Arundel with her Brother Robert Earl of Glocester and was there honourably received by William de Albineto who was lately married to Queen Adeliz King Henry's Widow with whom he received the Earldom of Arundel in Dowry But as soon as King Stephen heard of her landing he marched with all possible speed to Arundel and laid siege to the Castle but finding it upon tryal impregnable he raised the siege and by that means suffered the Empress and her Brother to escape to Bristol A.D. 1138 The next Year an unlucky Accident fell out in Wales Cynric one of Prince Owen's Sons having by some means or other disgusted Madawc ap Meredith ap Blethyn ap Confyn a Person of considerable Esteem and Estate in the Country was with his connivance set upon and slain by his Men. But the Affairs of England this Year afforded greater rarity of action King Stephen with a formidable Army laid siege to the City of Lincoln to the relief of which Ranulph Earl of Chester and Robert Earl of Glocester marched with their Forces But before they could arrive the Town was taken whereupon they drew up their Forces in order to give the King battel who on the other side was as ready to receive them King Stephen drew up his Forces in three Battels the first being led by the Earls of Britain Mellent Norfolk Hampton and Warren the second by the Earl of Albemarle and William of Ypres and the third by the King himself assisted by Baldwyn Fitz-Gilbert with several others of his Nobility Of the Enemies side the disinherited Barons had the first place the Earl of Chester with a considerable Party of Welchmen far better couraged than armed led the second and the Earl of Glocester the third Battel After a hot and bloody Dispute of both sides the Victory at length favoured the Barons King Stephen being first taken Prisoner and a little after the Queen together with William of Ypres and Bryan Fitz-Count But within a while after William Martell and Geffrey de Mandeville gathered together some fresh Forces and fought the Empress and her Brother at Winchester and having put the Empress to flight took Earl Robert Prisoner for exchange of whom the King was set at liberty The next Year King Stephen would A.D. 1139 try the other Adventure and received a second Overthrow at Wilton which however did not so much discourage him but that he laid so close a siege to the Empress at Oxford that she was glad to make her escape to Wallingford The same Year dyed Madawc ap Ednerth a Person of great Quality and Note in Wales and Meredith ap Howel a Man of no mean Esteem was slain by the Sons of Blethyn ap Gwyn For the two succeeding Years nothing remarkable A.D. 1140 passed in Wales excepting that this Year Howel ap Meredith ap Rhytherch of Cantref Rychan and Rhys ap Howel were cowardly slain by the Treachery and perfidious Practices of the Flemings and the next A.D. 1141 Year Howel ap Meredith ap Blethyn was basely murthered by his own Men at which time Howel and Cadwgan the Sons of Madawc ap Ednerth upon some unhappy Quarrel did kill
Bruce under pretence of congratulating this new Peace and Agreement betwixt the English and Welch invited Sitsylht and Geffrey his Son with several others of the Persons of chiefest note in Gwentland to a Feast in his Castle of Abergavenny which by composition he had lately received from them Sitsylht with the rest came according to appointment and without the least suspicion of any treasonable Designs but after they had been civilly entertained for some time William Bruce to move a Quarrel against them began at last to propound certain Articles to them to be by them kept and performed and among other unreasonable Conditions they were to swear that none of them should at any time carry with them Bow or Sword The Welch refusing to consent to and sign such improper Articles as these William Bruce presently calls out his Men who were ready for that purpose and bidding them fall to their business they most treacherously fell upon and slew the innocent and naked Welch and as if it did not sufficiently express their Cruelty and Inhumanity they immediately went to Sitsylht's House which stood not far from Abergavenny and taking hold of Gwladus his Wife they slew her Son Cadwalader before her face and then setting fire to the House they pack'd her away to the Castle This execrable Murther being thus most barbarously and which was worst of all under pretence of Friendship and Kindness committed Wâ—lliam Bruce to cloak his Treason with some reasonable Excuse and to make the World believe it was not for any private Interest or Expectation he had done such an Act as he knew would be by all Men abhorred caused it to be reported abroad that he had done such a thing in revenge of the death of his Uncle Henry of Hereford whom the Welch on the Easter-Even before had slain But whilst these things passed in South-Wales Roderic David Prince of North-Wales's Brother made his escape by some means or other out of Prison and fleeing to Anglesey he was receiv'd and acknowledg'd by all the Country t'other side the River Conwey for their Lord and Prince which they were the more willing to do by reason that they conceived an utter Abhorrence of Prince David who contrary to all Rules of Equity and almost Nature had disinherited all his Brethren and Cosins as boldly relying upon his Affinity and Relation to the King of England But David perceiving the Storm to grow very violent and that the Country did numerously flock and adhere to his Brother Cadwalader thought it his best way to stay a while till the Storm was abated and so retired over the River Conwey Towards the end of this Year Cadelh the Son of Gruffydh ap Rhys and Brother to Lord Rhys after a tedious fit of Sickness and taken upon him the Monkish Order departed this Life whose Body was very honourably enterred at Stratflur In the Spring of the following Year dyed also David A.D. 1176 Fitz Gerald Bishop of Menevia or S. Davids whose See was supplyed by one Piers being nominated thereunto by the King of England But what happened most remarkable this Year the Lord Rhys Prince of South Wales made a very great Feast at Christmas in his Castle of Aberteifi which he caused to be proclaimed through all Britain Ireland and the Islands adjacent some considerable time before and according to their Invitation many Hundreds of English Normans and others coming to Aberteifi were very honourably received and courteously entertained by Prince Rhys But among other tokens of their Welcome and Entertainment Rhys caused all the Bards or Poets throughout all Wales to come thither and for a better Diversion to the Company he provided Chairs to be set in the Hall in which the Bards being seated they were to answer each other in Rhyme and those that acquitted themselves most handsomly and overcame the rest were promised great Rewards and rich Presents In this poetical Disceptation the North-Wales Bards obtained the Victory with the Applause and Approbation of the whole Company and among the Professors of Musick between whom there was A.D. 1177 no small Strife Prince Rhys's own Servants were accounted the most expert But for all this civil and obliging Treatment of Prince Rhys the Normans upon the Marches fell to their accustomed manner of treacherous way-laying and privately assaulting the harmless and undesigning Welch and therefore Eineon Clyt Rhys his Son in Law and Morgan ap Meredith falling into the Net which the Normans had deceitfully laid for them were treacherously murthered Therefore to keep the Normans under greater fear and awe for the future Prince Rhys built a Castle at Rhayadr Gwy being a place where the River Wye falls with a very great Noise and Precipitation down a great Rock A.D. 1178 But this Castle was like to stand him in a double stead for it was not long after he had perfectly finished it that the Sons of Conan ap Owen Gwynedh made War against him but finding upon tryal that their Design against Rhys was impracticable they thought it more advisable to retire back to North-Wales A.D. 1179 The next Year Cadwalhon Brother to Owen Gwynedh and Uncle to David and Roderic who for fear of his Brother had some time ago fled for Refuge to the King of England as he was conveyed home by some of the King's Servants to enjoy his patrimonial Estate in Wales was by those barbarous and treacherous Villains murthered in his Journey This Year the Sepulchre of that famous and noble British King Arthur with his Wife Gwenhofar by the means of some Welch Bard whom King Henry had heard at Pembrock relate in a Song the worthy and mighty Acts of that great Prince and the place where he was buried was found in the Isle of Afalon without the Abbey of Glastenbury their Bodies being laid in a hollow Elder Tree buried Fifteen Foot in the Earth The Bones of King Arthur were of marvelous and almost incredible bigness having ten Wounds in the Skull whereof one being considerably larger than the rest seemed to be his Death-Blow and the Queens Hair seemed to the sight to be fair and yellow but when touch'd crumbled presently to Dust Over the Bones was laid a Stone with a Cross of Lead upon the lower side of which Stone were engraven these words HIC JACET SEPULTUS INCLYTUS REX ARTHURUS IN INSULA AVALONIA Here lies buried the famous King ARTHUR in the Isle of Afalon No Action of moment had passed in Wales this long time and the Welch were in perfect Amity and Concord with the King of England but some unlucky Accident fell out at last to dissolve this happy A.D. 1182 Union and Agreement One Ranulph de Poer who was Sheriff of Glocestershire or rather as Giraldus Cambrensis observes of Herefordshire being a cruel and unreasonable Oppressor of the Welch put the Lord of Gwentland to death in revenge of whom a certain young Person of that Country set upon Ranulph with several other Gentlemen his
the British Race 8. Retires to Alan King of Little Britain ibid. Learned in a Vision to go to Rome and there shorn a Monk 10. Cadwalader with his Brother Owen Gwynedh from North-Wales in conjunction with several South Wales Lords made an horrible slaughter of the Normans and Flemings and drove them out of South-Wales 157 158. Cadwalader forced to flee from his Brother Owen to Ireland 163. Returns with Irish Forces concludes a Peace with his Brother made Prisoner by the Irish rescued by his Brother 164. Escapes out of Prison 171. Flies to England ibid. His Death and Issue 200. Canterbury redeemed by the Citizens from being burnt by the Danes for 3000 l. 73. Betrayed afterward to them and burnt 74. Caradoc King of North-Wales fights and is slain by the Saxons 21. His Pedigree ibid. Celibacy enjoyned to the Clergy in a Synod held at London 127. Christian Faith pure in the British Church 221. Charles Duke of York created Prince of Wales 328. Charles eldest Son of King Charles the First created Prince of Wales 328. Civil War in Wales and Edwal Son of Meyric the indisputable Heir set up in North-Wales 67. Clare Earl of possessed himself of divers Strong-holds in Cardigan 177. Clynnoc fawr an Abby in Arfon 11. When and by whom built 12. Endowed by Prince Anarawd 39. Cnute the Dane chosen King and his Cruelty to the English Hostages 75. Returns to England ibid. The Northumbers submit to him 76. Besieges London is Routed by Edmund ibid. Combats Edmund agree and divide England between them 78. Generously punishes Edmund Ironside's Murder ibid. Marries Emma Edelred's Widdow 80. Requires a Subsidy of the English ibid. Made a pompous Journey to Rome 82. Makes the Scots do him Homage ibid. Dies and is succeeded by his Son Harold Harefoot 83. Conel prognosticating the Norman Invasion and Success 100. Commotions in England 158. Conâ—n War between him and his Brother Howel 22. Dies 23. His Pedigree ibid. Conspiracy against William the Conqueror by the English and the Welch detected and the Conspirators executed 104. Constable Walter marries Nest's Daughter and has the Lordship of Brecknock 116. A strange Passage related by him to Henry the First concerning Gruffydh ap Rhys ibid. Crogens used as a Term of reproach by the English to the Welch 223. No reason for it 224. Cynric Prince Owen's Son slain 162. D. DAnes begin to disturb England 20 21. They prevail and Winter in England 28. They take and destroy Winchester 30. Kill Osbright and Elba Kings of Northumberland 31. Slew Edmund King of the Angles ibid. Fought five Battles with Ethelred ibid. They won London and Redding 33. Routed by the West-Saxons 34. Are defeated by Alfred and received the Christian Faith 37. They harrass North-Wales 39. Defeated by the Armorican Britains ibid. Forced to rise from before Exeter and spoil the Sea-Coast of Wales 41. Receive a great overthrown 42. They grow powerful not only in England but also in Ireland 44. Thrice overthrown by the English 45. Cruelly overthrown by Tottenhale 46. Routed by King Edward 48. Driven out of the Kingdom by King Edmund 52. Force the English to pay the Dane-Gelt 65. Make a terrible Havock in Wales and had Tribute paid them 66. Make fresh devastations in Wales and England 70. They are massacred by the English 71. Force the English Nobility to buy their Peace for 30000 l. 72. They beat Wolfkettel 73. Slew Ethelstan and ransack'd the Country 74 Dafydh ab Owen kiâ—l'd his Brother Howel in Battel and gâ—ts to be Prince of North-Wales 195. Secures â—is Brother Maelgon reduces Anglesey and banishes his Brethren 202. Sends a Band of Welch to accompany King Henry into Normandy ibid. Is dispossest by his eldest Brother's Son Lhewelyn ap Iorwerth 213. Vngrateful to Prince Lhewelyn for his Liberty 224. Dafydh ap Lhewelyn Prince of Wales did Homage at Glocester to the King of England 259. Is excommunicated by the Bishop of Bangor for detaining his Brother Gruffydh in Prison whom he refused to deliver at the King's Request 260. Submits to the King of England 262. Caâ—ols the King to detain his Brother Gruffydh Prisoner ibid. Engages the Pope on his side against the King but he proves false 264. Fights the English often with various Success ibid. Dies without Issue 268. Davids St. burnt by the West-Saxons 21. Destroyed by the Danes 45. Again by the Danes 69. Destroyed by Strangers 107. The Cathedral sacrilegiously robbed 111. Made subject to the See of Canterbury 125. Dunstan St. Bishop of Canterbury his Prediction and Death 61. E. EAster the Britains and Saxons quarrel about the Observation of it 18 19. Edgar advanced to the Kingdom in his Brother Edwin's room 56. He wasts North-Wales and agrees for a yearly Tribute of 300 Wolves ibid. Regulates drinking Vessels because of the Danes excess 57. Rowed in his Barge by six Kings on the River Dee 59. Edgar Edeling proclaimed King forced into Scotland 101. Received to King William's Mercy 103. Edmund King of England's Death and the uncertain manner of it 53. Edmund Ironside slain by Edric's Son 78. Edwal Foel and his Brother Elis fight the English and are slain 49. Their Issue ibid. Edward sent for from Normandy and made King 86 The Confessor's death 98. Edward I. King of England invades Wales and prevails 283. Insists upon Prince Lhewelyn's submission without reserve 292. Sets Prince Lhewelyn's Head upon the Tower of London and puts his Brother David to death 299. Subdues all Wales ibid. Kept his Christmas at Aber-Conwey 307. In necessity would taste no Wine for the satisfaction of his Soldiers 308. Cuts down all the Woods in Wales and builds Beumaris-Castle 309. Edward of Caernarvon first Prince of Wales of the English Blood 301. Received Homage at Chester of all the Free-holders of Wales 310. Goes farther into the Country to the same purpose ibid. Edward eldest Son to King Edward II. created Prince of Wales 313. Edward eldest Son to King Edward III. created Prince of Wales 313 His Character and Death 314. Edward Son to Henry VI. created Prince of Wales 323. Murdered ibid. Edward eldest Son to King Edward VI. created Prince of Walts murdered 223. Edward VI. inclined to favour the Welch 323. Edward Son to Richard III. created Prince of Wales 324. Edward Son to Henry VIII created Prince of Wales 325. Edwyn King of England vitious dispossess'd and dies 56. Egbert sole Mâ—narch in Britain 25. Calls the Country England ibid. He fights the Danes 26. Eincon invites the Normans into Wales and persuades them to stay 112 Elfleda Mercian Queen her Valiant Acts both against the Danes and Welch 46. Her death 47. Left a Daughter Alfwyden disinherited by King Edward ibid. Ethelwulph King of the West-Saxons paid Peter-pence to Rome 29. Learned and devout ibid. Eyes of several pluck'd out a barbarous Custom 155. Ethelbald King of Mercia invades Wales 16. In conjunction with Adelred overthrow the Britains ibid. F. FLanders a part of it drowned prejudicial to
Montgomery-shire and are all on the North-side Severn saving a piece of Montgomery-shire And here I think it good to let the Reader understand what the British Chronicle saith of North-Wales which affirmeth that three times it came by Inheritance to Women First to Stradwen Daughter to Cadfan ap Conan ap Endaf and Wife to Coel Godebâ—e Mother to Genaw Dyfyr and Gwawl The second time to the same Gwawl Wife to Edeyrn ap Padarn and Mother to Cunetha Wledic whâ—ch Cunetha inhabiting in the North parts of England about the year 540. after the Incarnation of Christ and hearing how the mingled Nations of Irish-Scots and Picts had over-run the Sea-shore of Cardigan which was part of his Inheritance sent his Sons thither to enjoy their Inheritance of whom Tibiaon his eldest Son died in Man which Land the said Irish-Scots had won For Gildas saith that the Children of Glam Hector which peopled a great part of Ireland Yscroeth with his People inhabited Dalrieuda which is a part of Scotland Builke with his People came to Man But I think it good to put in Gildas words which saith Builke cum filiis suis inhabitavit Euboniam insulam vâ—lgò Manaw quae est in meditullio maris inter Hyberniam Britanniam that is to say Buiâ—ke with his Children inhabited the Isle Eubonia commonly Manaw for so it was and is named in British which lieth in the middle of the Sea between Ireland and Britain This was not called Môna as Polydor faineth The Children of Bethoun inhabited Demetia which is South-Wales with Gwyr and Cydweli till they were chased thence by the Children of Cunetha Thus far Gildas Therefore the Sons of Cunetha being arrived in North Wales as well I think being driven by the Saxons as for their Inheritance divided the Country betwixt them And first Meireaon the Son of Tibiaon the Son of Cunetha had Cantref Meireaon to his part Arustel ap Cunetha had Cantref Arostly Caredic ap Cunetha had Caerdigion now called Cardigan-shire Maelor the Son of Gwran Son to Cunedha had Maeloron that is the two Maeloâ— Maelor Gymbraeg called Br. and Maelor Sâ—esneg Dunod had Cantref Dimodic Edeyrn had Edeyrnion Mael had Dynmael Coel had Colâ—yon Doguael had Dogueilyn Rhyfaon had Rhyfonioc now Denbigh-land Eineon Yrch had Caereneon in Powys Vssa had Maesuswalht now Oswestry For surely that they say commonly of Oswald King of Northumberland to be slain there and of the Well that sprung where his Arm was carried is nothing so For Beda and all other Writers testify that Peanda slew Oswald at Maserfelt in the Kingdom of Northumberland and his Body was buried in the Abby of Bradney in the Province of Lhyndesey But to my former matter These Names given by the Sons of Cunetha remain to this day After this the Irish-Picts or Scots which the Britains called Y Gwydhyl Phictiaid which is to say the Irish-Picts did over-run the Isle of Môn and were driven thence by Caswalhon Lhawhir that is Caswalhon with the long hand the Son of Eineon Yâ—ch ap Cunedha who slew Serigi their King with his own hands at Lhan y Gwydhyl which is the Irish Church at Holyhead This Caswalhon was Father to Maelgon Gwynedh whom the Latins call Maglocunus Prince and King of Britain In his time was the Famous Clerk and great Wiseman Taliessyn Ben Beiâ—dâ— that is to say the chiefest of the Beirdh or Wisemen for this word Bardh in Caesar's time signified as Lucan beareth Witness such as had knowledge of things to come and so it signifieth at this day This Maelgon had a Son called Run in whose time the Saxons invited Gurmond into Britain from Ireland who had come thither from Affric who with the Saxons was the utter destruction of the Britains and flew all that professed Christ and was the first that drove them over Severn This Run was Father to Beli who was Father to Iago for so the Britains call James who was Father to Cadfaâ—â— and not Brochwel called Brecyfal as the English Chronicle saith for this Brochwel called Ysgiâ—hroc that is long toothed was chosen Leader of such as met with Adelred alias Ethelbertus Rex Cantiaâ— and other Angles and Saxons whom Augustine had moved to make War against the Christian Britains and these put Brochwel twice to flight not far from Chester and cruelly slew a 1000 Priests and Monks of Bangor with a great number of lay-Brethren of the same House which lived by the Labour of their Hands and were come bare-footed and woolward to crave Mercy and Peace at the Saxons Hands And here you shall understand that this was not Augustine Bishop of Hippona the great Clerk but Augustine the Monk called the Apostle of England Then this Brochwel retired over Dee hard by Bangor and defended the Saxons the Passage till Cadfan King of North Wales Meredyth King of South-Wales and Bledâ—us or Bletius Prince of Cornwal came to succour him and gave the Saxons a sore Battel and slew of them the number of a 1066 and put the rest to flight After the which Battel Cadfan was chosen King of Britain and was chief Ruler within the Isle after whom his Son Cadwalhon who was Father to Cadwalader the last of the British Blood that bare the Name of King of Britain was King The third time that North-Wales came to a Woman was to Esylht the Daughter of Conan Tindaythwy the Son of Edwal Ywrch the Son of Cadwalâ—dâ—r She was Wife to Merfyn Frych and Mother to Rhodâ—ric the Great as shall be hereafter declared By this you may understand that North-Wâ—les hath been a great while the chiefest Seat of the last Kings of Britain because it was and is the strongest Country within this Isle full of high Mountains Craggy Rocks great Woods and deep Vallies strait and dangerous Places deep and swift Rivers as Dyfi which springeth in the Hills of Merâ—onyth and runneth North-West through Mowthwy and by Machynlaeth and so to the Sea at Aberdyfi dividing Nâ—râ—h and South-Wales asunder d ee called in Welch Dourdwy springing also on the other side of the same Hills runneth East through Penlhyn and the Lake Tegyd 〈…〉 and Lhangolhen between Chirke-Land and Bromfield where it boweth Northward toward â—angor to the Holt and to Chester and thence North-West to Flint-Castle and so to the Sea There is also Conwey rising likewise in Merionyth-â—â—ire and dividing Caernarvon from Denbigh-shire â—â—nneth under Snowden North-East by the Town of â—berconwey to the Sea Also Clwyd which rising in Denbigh Land runâ—eth down to Ruthyn and plain North not far from â—enbigh to St. Asaph and so by Ruthlan and to the Sea There be many other fair Rivers of which some run â—o the Sea as Mawr at Traethmawr and Afon y Saint at â—aernarvon and other that run to Severn as Murnwy 〈◊〉 Powys and to Murnwy Tanat some other to d ee â—s Ceirioc betwixt the Lordships of Chirke and Whitâ—ington Alyn through Yal and Molds dale and Hope â—ale and so
Increase how they fairly bid for â—he Conquest of that Country which had been goâ—erned by British Kings for the space of 1827. Years This troubled him exceedingly and tho he had litâ—le hopes of prevailing by the Strength and Numâ—er of his Forces yet he made the best preparation that the Opportunity would permit and dispatched his Fleet for the transportation of his Army which consisted partly of his own Subjects and partly of such Succours as he received from Alan Whilst he vigorously prosecuted this Design and was ready to strike sail for Britain his Voyage was prevented by a Message from Heaven which counselled him to lay aside the thoughts of recovering his Kingdom because it was already decreed above that the Britains should no longer enjoy the Government of Britain till the Prophesie of Merlyn Ambrose was fulfilled And instead of a Voyage to Britain he is ordered to take his Journey to Rome where he should receive Holy Orders at the hands of Pope Sergius and instead of recovering the British Crown have his own Crown shaved off and be initiated into the Order of the Monks Whether this Vision was signified to him in a Dream or by the impositious Illusion of some wicked Spirit or whether it may be a phantastical Conceit of his own being a Man of a mild and easie temper wearied with Troubles and Miseries is very dubious Only this is certain thaâ— he never returned again to Britain after he had gone over to Alan But Cadwaladar had no sooner received this Vision but immediately he relates the whole to his Friend Alan who presently consults all his prophetical Books chiefly the famous Works of the two Merlins Ambrose and Silvester The first is said to be begotten on a Spirit and born in the Town of Carmarthen whence he received the Name of Merliâ— and to flourish in the Reign of King Vortigern The latter called Caledonius from the Forest Caledon in Scotland and Silvester or Merlyn Wylbt by reason he fell mad and lived desolately after that he had seen a monstrous shape in the Air prophesied in the time of King Arthur and far more full and intelligible than the former Both these were in great Reverence and Reputation among the Britains and their Works very religiously preserved and upon any considerable occasion most venerably consulted They were of opinion that nothing could escape their Knowledg and that no Accident of moment or revolution could happen which they did not foretel and was to be â—â—covered in their Writings In the consultation â—â—erefore of their Prophesies and the Words which 〈◊〉 Eagle is said to have spoken at the building of â—â—er Septon now Shaftsbury namely that the Briâ—â—ns must lose the Government of Britain till the â—â—nes of King Cadwalader were brought back from â—â—me Alan found out that the time was now come â—hen these Prophesies were to be accomplished and â—â—e Britains forced to quit their native Inheritance to â—â—â—angers and Invaders Upon this he advised Cadâ—lader to obey the Commands and follow the Counâ—â—â— of the Vision and to hasten his Journey for Rome â—â—is he was willing to submit to being desirous to â—â—end the remainder of his Days in Peace and Quietâ—â—ss which before he had no opportunity to enjoy â—o Rome therefore he hastens where he was kindly â—â—ceived by Pope Sergius and after eight Years spent â—ere in Piety and Devotion he died in the Year â—â—8 and with him the Kingdom and total Governâ—ent of the Britains over this Island King Cadwalader is said to have been a consideraâ—â—e Benefactor to the Abby of Clynnoc Vawr in Arvon â—â—on which he bestowed the Lordship of Grayanoc â—his place was primarily founded by S. Beuno to â—hom it is dedicated who was the Son of Hywgi ap â—wynlliw ap Glywis ap Tegid ap Cadell a Prince or â—ord of Glewilig Brothers Son to S. Cadoc ap Gwynâ—â—â—w sometime Bishop of Beneventum in Italy He 〈◊〉 by the Mothers side Cosin German to Laudatus â—â—e first Abbot of Enlli or the Island of Bardsey â—â—d to Kentigern Bishop of Glascow in Scotland and 〈◊〉 Lhanolwey or S. Asaph in Wales which last was â—on to Owen Regent of Scotland and Grandson to â—rien King of Cumbria The building of a Monaâ—â—ry at Glynnoc happened upon this occasion Baeuno â—aving raised to life as the Tradition goes S. Weniâ—â—yd who was beheaded by one Caradoc a Lord in North Wales upon the account that she would not â—ield to his unchast Desires became in very great â—steem with King Cadvan who bestowed upon him â—ertain Lands whereon to build a Monastery Cadwallon also Cadrans Son gave him the Lands oâ— Gwareddoc where beginning to build a Church 〈◊〉 certain Woman with a Child in her Arms preventeâ— his further progress assuring him that those Landâ— were the proper inheritance of that Child Beâ—â—â— was so exceedingly troubled at this and withouâ— any more consideration on the matter taking thâ— Woman along with him he went in all haste to Caâ— Sevant called by the Romans Segontium now Câ—â—narvon where King Cadwallon then kept his Court when he was come before the King he told him witâ— a great deal of Zeal and Concern that he had nâ—â— done well to devote to God's Service what was aâ—other Man's Inheritance and therefore demandâ—â— back of him the Golden Scepter he had given him 〈◊〉 lieu and consideration of the said Land which thâ— King refusing to do was presently excommunicated bâ— Beuno who thereupon departed and went away Bâ— a certain person called Gwyddeiant the King 's Cosin-German hearing what had happened immediatelâ— pursued after Beuno whom when he had overtakeâ— he bestowed upon him for the good of his own Soâ— and the Kings the Township of Clynncovawr being his undoubted Inheritance where Beuno built a Church about the Year 616. about which time King Cadvan dyed leaving his Son Cadwallon to succeed him And not long before this time Eneon Ehreâ—â— or Anianus King of the Scots a considerable Prince in the North of Britain leaving all his Royalty iâ— those Parts came to Lhyn in Gwyneth where he built a Church which is still called from him Lhaâ— Eingan Bhrenin where he is said to have spent the remainder of his Days in the Fear and Service of God He was Son to Owen Danwyn the Son of Eneon Yrth Son to Cunedha Wledig King of Cambria and a great Prince in the North and Cosin-German to the great Maelgwn Gwyneth King of Britain whose Father was Caswallon law-hîr the Brother of Owen Danwyn and his Mother Medif the Daughter of Voylda ap Talâ— Traws of Nanconwâ—y This Maclywn died about the Year 586. Ivor and Edwal Ywrch WHen Cadwalader was departed for Rome Alan began to reflect upon the state and condition Great Britain he imagin'd with himself that the â—ecovery of it was not impracticable but that a conâ—â—â—erable Army might regain what the Saxons now â—â—ietly possessed Therefore he was resolved to try â—â—e utmost and to send over all the Forces
Forces obtained a very bloody Victory over the powerless Britains Bâ—â— Adelred who was shortly follow'd by Edwyn King 〈◊〉 the Picts did not long survive this Battel and Cudâ—â— took upon him the Government of the West-Saxons The Welch found themselves unable to cope with the Saxons and too weak to repress their endless Incursions 3. therefore they apply themselves to Cudred and joyned in league with him who upon some occasion or other was actually fallen out with Ethelbald King of Mercia But Ethelbald was so proud with the success A.D. 746 of the last Engagement that notwithstanding the League with Cudred he must needs again fall upon the Welch He advanced as far as Hereford where the Britains by the help of Cudred gave him a signal Overthrow and caused him to repent of his rash and precipitous Expedition But shortly after Cudred and Ethelbald were unluckily reconciled and made Friends together and Cudred relinquishing the Welch joyned his Forces to Ethelbalds Hereupon ensued another Battel in which the Welch being greatly overpower'd were vanquish'd by the Saxons after which Victory Cudred shortly dyed To him succeeded Sigebert a A.D. 743 Man of a loose and vicious inclination who for his ill Behaviour in the Management of his Kingdom was in a short time expell'd and depriv'd by his Nobility â—nd at last miserably slain by a rascally Swineherd After him Kenulph was chosen King of the West Saxons Ann. 750. in whose time dyed Theodore the Son of A.D. 750 Bâ—lin a Man of great Esteem and Reputation among the Britains And about the same time a remarkable Barâ—el was fought between the Britains and the Picts â—t a place call'd Magedawc in which the Picts were â—ut to a total rout and Dalargan their King casually â—lain But the Britains did not succeed so well against the Saxons for Roderic Molwynoc was at length forced to forsake the Western Countries of Britain and â—o claim his own Inheritance in North Wales The Sons of Bletius or Bledericus Prince of Cornwal and Devonshire who was one of them that vanquished Adelred and Ethelbert at Bangor on the River Dee had enjoyed the Government of North Wales ever since Cadfan was chose King of Britain Roderic therefore demanded the Government of this Country as his â—ight which he was now willing to accept of seeing â—he was forced to quit what he had hitherto possessed But he did long enjoy it but dyed in a short time leaving behind him two Sons Conan Tindaythwy and Howel after that he had in all reigned over the Britains Thirty Years Conan Tindaythwy A.D. 755 ROderic Molwynoc being dead his Son Conan Tindaythwy took upon him the Government and Principality of Wales in the Year 755. He was scarce settled in his Throne but the Saxons began to make in-Roads into his Country to spoil and destroy what they conveniently could meet with They were animated hereto by the bad Success of Roderic and having forced the Britains out of Cornwal and Devonshire they thought it practicable to drive them out of Wales too and so to reduce the Possession of the whole Island to themselves This was their Aim and this they endeavour'd to put in execution but they were met with at Hereford where a severe Battel was fought between them and the Welch in which Dyfnwal the Son of Theodor a stout and valiant Soldier was slain And shortly afterwards dyed Athelbeâ—â— King of Northumberland and was succeeded by Oâ—wald About the same time happened a religious Quarreâ— between the Britains and Saxons concerning the observation of the Feast of Easter which Elbodius 〈◊〉 learned and a pious Man endeavoured to rectifie 〈◊〉 Wales and to reduce it to the Roman Calculation which the Saxons always observed The Britains diâ— differ from the Church of Rome in the celebration oâ— this Feast and the difference was this The Church of Rome according to the order of the Council of Nicâ— always observed Easter-day the next Sunday after thâ— 14th day of the Moon so that it never happen'â— upon the 14th day it self nor passed the 21th Thâ— Britains on the other hand celebrated their Easter upon the 14th and so forward to the 20th which occasioned this Difference that the Sunday observed as Easter-day by the Britains was but Palm-Sunday with the Saxons Upon this account the Saxons did most uncharitably traduce the Britains and would scarcely allow them the Name and Title of Christians Hereupon about the Year 660. a great Contest happen'd managed on the one part by Colman and Hylda who defended the Rites and Celebration of the Britains and Gilbert and Wilfride on the part of the Saxons Hylda was the Neece of Edwine King of Northumberland educated by Pauline and Aedan She publickly opposed Wilfride and other superstitious Monks as to such Trifles and Bigotry in Religion alledging out of Polycrates the Fact of Irenaeus who withstood Victor Bishop of Rome upon the same account and the custom of the Churches of Asia observed by S. John the Evangelist Philip the Apostle Polycarpus and Melito and likewise observed in Britain by Joseph of Arimathea who first preached the Gospel here Offa was made King of Mercia and Brichtrich of A.D. 763 the West-Saxons about which time dyed Fermael the Son of Edwal and Cemoyd King of the Picts The Saxons did daily encroach upon the Lands and Territories of the Welch beyond the River Severn but more especially towards the South part of the Country These Enchroachments the Welch could not endure and therefore were resolved to recover their own and to drive the Saxons out of their Country The Britains of South-Wales as receiving the greatest A.D. 776 Injury and Disadvantage from the Saxons presently took up Arms and entered into the Country of Mercia which they ravag'd and destroyed with Fire and Sword And shortly after all the Welch joyned their Forces together fell upon the Saxons and forced them to retire beyond the Severn and then returned home with a very considerable Spoil of English Cattel The Welch finding the Advantage of this last Incursion and how that by these means they gauled and vexed the Saxons frequently practised the same and entering their Countrey by stealth they killed and destroyed all before them and driving their Cattel beyond the River ravaged and laid waste the whole Countrey Offa King of Mercia not being able to endure these daily Incursions and Depredations of the Welch entered into a League with the rest of the Saxon Kings to bend their whole Force against the Welch who having raised a very strong and numerous Army passed the Severn into Wales The Welch being far too weak to oppose and encounter so great an Army quitted the even and plain Countrey lying upon the Banks of Severn and Wye and retired to the Mountains and Rocks where they knew they could be most safe from the inveterate and revengeful Arms of the Saxons But as soon as the Saxons decamped being not able to effect any thing against them in these strong and
the Battel of Kettell his Son Roderic surnamed the Great without any Opposiâ—ion or Contest succeeded in the Principality of Wales The first thing he effected after his Advancement to â—he Crown was the dividing of Wales into several Provinces which he distinguished into these three Aberffraw Dinevowr and Mathraval Berthred King â—f Mercia being animated by his late Success against Merfyn Frych purposed to perform the like Exploits â—gainst his Son Roderic And having gained the Aid â—nd Assistance of King Ethelwulph he entred North Wales with a strong Army and advanced as far as Anglesey which he cruelly and miserably destroyed Roderic met him several times and the Welch did at length so gaul and torment him that in fine he had little or nothing to boast of only Meyric one of the chiefest Princes among the Britains was slain But he was soon forced to quit his Expedition against the Welch and to convert his Forces another way his own Dominions requiring their constant Residence being severely threatned by a foreign Invasion A.D. 846 For the Danes were by this time grown so very powerful that they over-ran a great part of England fought with Athelstan King of Kent Brother to Ethelwulph and obtained so much Conquest that whereas before they returned to their own Country when the Weather grew too cold for Action they now took up their Winter-quarters in England The Welch in the mean time being secure from any Violence which might otherwise be expected from the English began to quarrel and fall out amongst themselves Ithel King of Gwent or Wâ—ntland for what occasion not known fell foul upon the Meâ— of Brecknock who were so resolute as to fight him and the Event proved very unfortunate to Ithel whâ— was slain upon the spot It is the Unhappiness of a Nation that is governed by several Petty States when it is apprehensive of no Danger from an outward Enemy that it will fall at variance and create Disturbances among it self Had the Britains instead of falling upon one another taken the Advantage of this opportunity wheâ— the Saxons were altogether imployed in opposing and repelling the Danes to increase and strengthen their Number and to fortify their Towns they might aâ— least securely have possessed their own Dominions 〈◊〉 not extended their Government to a great part of England But a sort of an Equality in Power begat aâ— Emulation between the several Princes and this Emulation for the most part ended in Blows and Contention so that instead of strengthning themselves whilst they had respite from the English they rather weakened their Power by inward Differences Kongen King of Powys was gone to Rome there to A.D. 854 â—end his Days peaceably and religiously but his Death did not prove so natural as he expected being barbarously slain or as some say choaked by his own Servants Shortly after died Cemoyth King of the Picts and Jonathan Lord of Abergeley It was now become Customary for Princes wearied with Government to go to Rome and the Pope willingly dispensed with the Resignation of their Crowns by reason that his Holiness seldom lost by it King Ethelwulph paid very dear for his Entertainment there made his Kingdom tributary to the Pope and paid the Peter-Pence to the Church of Rome The Saxon Genealogists bring the Pedegree of Ethelwulph for several Successions and Generations up to Adam as may be seen in Matthew of Westminster who in like manner derives the Pedigree of Offa King of Mercia This has been the Custom of most Nations both antient and modern and is always practised by them whose Families are any thing Antient and Honourable so that it is a very great mistake to scoff at and deride the Welch because they keep up this antient and laudable Custom Berthred King of Mercia became at length far â—oo weak to repel the daily increasing Power of the Danes who so numerously poured upon him that at last he was forced to relinquish his Kingdom and fly to Rome where in a short time he sorowfully ended his days Ethelwulph shortly followed and left his Sons Athelbald King of the West-Saxons and Athelbright King of Kent and the East-Saxons Ethelwulph is reported to be so Learned and Devout that the Church of Winchester elected him in his youth Bishop of that See which Function he took upon him about seven years before he was made King He is said also to have Conquered the Kingdom of Demetia or South-Wales which together with the Kingdom of the South-Saxons he bestowed upon his Son Alfred upon Condition he would bring a Thousand Men out of Wales to Winchester to the Aid of his Brother Ethelbert against the Danes Athelbald succeeding his Father in the Kingdom of the West-Saxons kept his Mother-in-Law the Wife of Ethelwulph for hiâ— Concubine and afterwards married her in the City of Chester But he did not live long to enjoy the unnatural Conjunction but dying without Issâ— after that he had reigned Eight Years left his Kingdom to his Brother Athelbright About the same time the Danes began again to be stir themselves and fell upon the City of Winchester and destroyed it which Athelbright perceiving after a long Fight forced them to quit the Land and tâ— betake themselves to Sea again But the Danes quickly returned to the Isle of Thanet where they remained for that Winter doing much Mischief upon the Sea-Coast and destroying all places near the shoaâ— of England The English were very glad that they durst venture no further and the more because the Welch began again to be troublesome against whoâ— an Army must be speedily dispatched otherwise they would certainly advance to the English Countrey Both Armies met at Greythen where a fierce Battel was fought and a great Number slain on either side but the Victory was not plainly discoverable Bâ—â— the Welch not long after received a considerable Loâ— by the Death of Conan Nâ—rit Nifer a Stout and Skilful Commander who oftentimes had Valiantly repulsed the English Forces and obtained many signâ—â— Victories over them The Danes had been for some time quiet being â—â—able to venture upon any considerable Action anâ— therefore they thought it advisable to secure only whâ— they had already won and to expect a re-inforcement from their own Countrey This was quickly sent them under the Command of Hungare and Hubâ—â—â— who landed in England with a very considerable Armâ— of Danes King Athelbright whether terrified with a dismal apprehension of these Invaders or otherwisâ— being indisposed quickly afterwards gave up the Ghost leaving the management of his Kingdom together with that of his Army against the Danes to his Brother Ethelred The Danes in the mean time â—ot sure footing and advanced as far as York which â—hey miserably destroyed killing Osbright and Elba â—wo Kings of Northumberland that opposed them â—rom hence they proceeded and over-run all the Countrey as far as Nottingham destroying and spoilâ—â—g all before them and then returned back to York â—ut having once tasted
intricate that the Justice of it could not appear and then the two Champions put an end to the Controversie by Combate Whilst Howel Dha is thus regulating the Customs and meliorating the Laws and Constitutions of Wales Aulafe and Regnald Kings of the Danes forcibly entered the Country of King Edmund who being vexed with their incessant Hostility gathered his Forces together and as some say by the help of Lhewelyn ap Sitsylht who was afterwards Prince of Wales followed them to Northumberland and having overcome them in a pitch'd Battel utterly chased them out of his Kingdom and remained a whole Year in those Parts to regulate and bring that Country to some quiet order But finding it impracticable to reduce the Inhabitants of Cumberland to any peaceable Constitution having spoiled and wasted the Country he gave it up to Malcolme King of Scotland upon condition that he should send him Succours in A.D. 942 his Wars whenever demanded of him In the mean time the Welch had but little occasion to rejoyce Hubert Bishop of S. Davids Marclois Bishop of Bangor A.D. 944 and Vssa the Son of Lhafyr being dead And shortly after the English entering into Wales with a very strong Army put the Country into a great consternation but being satisfied with the Destruction and Spoil of Strat Clwyd they returned home without doing any more Mischief The same time Conan the Son of Elis was like to be treacherously put to death by Poyson and Everus Bishop of S. Davids dyed The next Year Edmund King of England was unluckily slain upon S. Augustines day but the manner of his Death is variously delivered some say that discovering a noted Thief who was out-law'd sitting among his Guests being transported with Indignation against so confident a Villain ran upon him very furiously who expecting nothing less than Death thought to dye not unrevenged and therefore with a short Dagger gave the King a mortal Wound in the Breast Others report that as the King would have rescued a Servant of his from an Officer who had arrested him he was unwittingly and unhappily slain by the same But however his Death happened he lies buried at Glastenbury in whose place his Brother Edred was crowned King of England who no sooner had entered upon his Government but he made an Expedition against Scotland and Northumberland which being subdued he received Fealty and Homage by Oath of the Scots and Northumbrians which they did not long observe Shortly after Howel Dha after a A.D. 948 long and peaceable Reign over Wales dyed much lamented and bewailed of all his Subjects being a Prince of a religious and a virtuous inclination and one that ever regarded the Welfare and Prosperity of his People He left Issue behind him Owen Run Roderic and Edwyn betwixt whom and the Sons of Edwal Foel late Prince of North Wales great Wars and Commotions arose afterwards about the chief Rule and Government of Wales But the Sons of Howel Dha as some Writers record were these viz. Owen who did not long survive his Father Eineon Meredyth Dyfnwal and Rodri the two last whereof as is conceived were slain in the Battel fought near Lhanrwst in the Year 952. by the Sons of Edwal Foel Run Lord of Cardigan who was slain before the death of his Father Conan y Cwn who possessed Anglesey Edwin who was also slain as is supposed in the forementioned Battel There was also another Battel fought betwixt Howel and Conan ap Edwal Foel for the Isle of Anglesey wherein Conan fell and Gruffydh his Son renewing the War was likewise overcome and so Cyngar a powerful Person being driven out of the Island Howel enjoyed quiet possession thereof and of the rest of Gwynedh It is supposed that this Howel Dha was chosen Governour of Wales during the minority of his Uncle Anarawd's Sons who at the death of their Father were too young to manage the Principality which he kept till his return from Rome at which time Edwal Foel being come of age he resigned to him the Kingdom of Gwynedh or North-Wales together with the Sovereignty of all Wales Before which time Howel is styled Brenhin Cymry oll that is King of all Wales as is seen in the Preface to that Body of Laws compiled by him Ievaf and Iago the Sons of Edwal Foel AFter the death of Howel Dha his Sons divided betwixt them the Principalities of South-Wales and Powis laying no claim to North-Wales though their Father had been a general Prince of all Wales But Ievaf and Iago the Sons of Edwal Foel having put by their elder Brother Meyric as a Person uncapable of Government and being dissatisfied with the Rule of North Wales only imagined that the Principality of all Wales was their Right as descending from the elder House which the Sons of Howel Dha denyed them Indeed they had been wrongfully kept out of the Government of North Wales during the Reign of Howel in whose time the recovery of their own was impracticable by reason that for his Moderation and other good Qualities he had attracted to himself the universal Love of all the Welch But now he being gone they are resolved to revenge the Injury received by him upon his Sons and upon a small pretence endeavour to reduce the whole Country of Wales to their own subjection Ievaf and Iago were indeed descended from the elder branch but since Roderic the great conferred the Principality of South Wales upon his yonger Son Cadelh the Father of Howel Dha it was but just his Sons should enjoy what was legally descended to them by their Father But Ambition seldom gives place to Equity and therefore right or wrong Ievaf and Iago must have a touch for South-Wales which they enter with a great Army and being opposed they obtained a very opportune Victory over Owen and his Brethren the Sons of Howel at the Hills of Carno The next Year the A.D. 950 two Brothers entred twice into South-Wales destroyed and wasted Dyfet and slew Dwnwalhon Lord of the Countrey Shortly after which Roderic the third A.D. 951 Son of Howel Dha dyed But his Brethren perceiving the Folly of standing only upon the defensive muster'd A.D. 952 all their Forces together and entering North-Wales marched as far as Lhanrwst upon the River Conwy where Ievaf and Iago met them A very cruel Battel ensued upon this and a very great number were slain on both sides among whom were Anarawd the Son of Gwyriad the Son of Roderic the Great and Edwyn the Son of Howel Dha But the Victory plainly favoured the Brothers Ievaf and Iago so that the Princes of South-Wales were obliged to retire to Cardiganshire whither they were warmly pursued and that Country cruelly harrass'd with Fire and Sword The next Year Merfyn was unhappily A.D. 953 drowned and shortly after Congelach King of Ireland was slain The Scots and Northumbrians having lately sworn Allegiance to King Edred he was scarce returned to his own Country but Aulafe with a great Army landed
in Northumberland and was with much rejoycing received by the Inhabitants But before he could secure himself in the Government he was shamefully banished the Country and so the Northumbrians elected one Hircius the Son of Harold for their King But to shew the Inconstancy of an unsettled Multitude they soon grew weary of Hircius and after Three Years space expelled him and voluntarily submitted themselves to Edred who after he had reigned eight Years dyed and was buried at Winchester To him succeeded Edwin the Son of Edmund a Man so immoderately given to Venety that he forcibly married another Man's Wife for which and other Irregularities his Subjects after four Years reign set up his Brother Edgar who was crowned in his stead with A.D. 958 grief of which he soon ended his days The Summer that same Year proved so immoderately hot that it caused a very dismal Plague in the following Spring which swept away a great number of People before which Gwgan the Son of Gwyriad the Son of Roderie dyed At this time Ievaf and Iago forcibly managed the Government of all Wales and acted according to their own good Pleasures no one daring to confront or resist them But for all their Power the Sons of Abloio King of Ireland ventured to land in Anglesey and having burnt Holyhead wasted the Country of Lhyn Also the Son of Edwyn the Son of Colhoyn destroyed and ravaged all the Country to A.D. 961 Towyn where they were intercepted and slain About the same time dyed Meyric the Son of Cadfan Rytherch Bishop of S. Davids and Cadwalhon ap Owen Not long after the Country of North-Wales was cruelly A.D. 965 wasted by the Army of Edgar King of England the occasion of which Invasion was the non-payment of the Tribute that the King of Aberffraw by the Laws of Howel Dha was obliged to pay to the King of London But at length a Peace was concluded upon these Conditions that the Prince of North-Wales instead of Money should pay to the King of England the Tribute of 300 Wolves yearly which Creature was then very pernicious and destructive to England and Wales This Tribure being duly performed for two Years the third Year there were none to be found in any part of the Island so that afterwards the Prince of North-Wales became exempt from paying any Acknowledgment to the King of England A.D. 966 The Terror apprehended from the English being by these means vanished there threatned another Cloud from Ireland for the Irish being animated by their late Expedition landed again in Anglesey and having slain Roderic the Son of Edwal Foel they destroyed Aboffraw And this danger being over Ievaf and A.D. 967 â—ago who had jointly and agreeably till now managed the Government of Wales from the death of Howel â—ha began to quarrel and disagree among themselves and Iago having forcibly laid hands upon his Brother 〈◊〉 confined him to perpetual Imprisonment These Heats and Animosities between the two Brothers A.D. 968 gave occasion and opportunity to Owen Prince of South-Wales to carve for himself who presently â—eized to his hands the Country of Gwyr And to A.D. 969 â—ugment the Miseries of the Welch at this time Mactus the Son of Harold with an Army of Danes â—ntered the Isle of Anglescy and spoiled Penmon King Edgar was so indulgent to these Danes that he permitted them to inhabit through all England insoâ—uch that at length they became to be as numerous â—nd as strong as the English themselves and fell into â—uch lewd courses of Debauchery and such horrid Drinking that very great Mischief ensued thereupon The King to reform this immoderate Sottishness enacted a Law that very one should drink by measure and so stamped a Mark upon every Vessel how â—â—at it should be filled But Harold having taken Pennon A.D. 970 made subject to himself the whole Isle of Anglesey which however he did not keep long being forced to quit the same and to return home as did the Fleet of King Alfred which he had sent to subâ—ue Caâ—rlheon upon Vsc And now being rid of the A.D. 971 English and Danes the Welch begin to raise Commotions among themselves Ievaf continued still in Prison A.D. 972 to rescue whom his Son Howel raised his Power and marched against his Uncle Iago who being vanquished in sight was forced to quit the Country to â—ave himself Howel having won the day took his eldest Uncle Meyric the Son of Edwal Prisoner and pulled out both his Eyes clapt him in Prison where in a woful condition he shortly dyed leaving behind him two Sons Edwal and Ionafal the first of which lived to be afterwards Prince of Wales and to revenge upon the Posterity of Howel that unnatural Barbarity shewed to his Father But though Howel delivered his Father from his long and tedious Imprisonment yet he did not think fit to restore him to his Principality for whether by Age or Infirmity he was incapable Howel took upon him the sole Government of Wales which he kept and maintained for his life-time but afterwards it descended to his Brethren For Ievaf had Issue besides this Howel Meyric Iâ—vaf and Cadwalhan all three Men of great Repuâ—â— and Esteem About this time dyed Morgan Hên in his younger days called Morgan Mawr being an Hundred Yearâ— old having lived Fifty Years after the death of hâ—â— Wife Elen Daughter of Roderic the Great by whoâ— he had one Son called Owen Morgan was a valiant anâ— a victorious Prince and well beloved of his Subjects 〈◊〉 but sometime before his death Owen the Son oâ— Prince Howel Dha laid claim to Ystradwy and Eâ—y called the two Sleeves of Gwent Vwchcoed being thâ— Right of Morgan and seized upon them to his owâ— use But the matter through the mediation of the Clergy and Nobility being by both Parties referred to the decision of Edgar King of England it was by him adjudged that the said Lands did of right belong to Morgan and to the Diocess of Lhandaff and that Owen ap Howel Dha had wrongfully possessed himself of them The Charter of the said Award waâ— made before the Archbishops Bishops Earls and Barons of England and Wales at may be seen at Lhandaff in an old Manuscript called y Cwtta Cyfarwydd 〈◊〉 Forgannwg And there is somewhat to the same purpose in the old Book of Lhandaff only the mistake in both is that they make Howel Dha the Intruder into the said Lands who had been dead at least Twenty Years before King Edgar began his Reign Howel ap Ievaf HOwel after that he had expelled his Uncle Iago and forced him to quit his own Dominions â—â—ok upon himself the Government of Wales in â—â—ght of his Father who tho alive yet by reason of â—â—s Years was willing to decline it About the same 〈◊〉 Dwnwalhon Prince of Stradclwyd took his Jourâ—â—y for Rome and Edwalhon Son of Owen Prince â—f South-Wales died But the English received a â—â—eater Blow by the Death of King Edgar who was Prince of
â—anes Passing from thence to Cambridge they met â—ith Ethelstan King Edelred's Nephew by his Sister who with an Army was come to oppose them but the Danes proving too powerful he with many other Noblemen were slain among whom were Duke Oswyn and the Earls Edwyn and Wolfrike From hence they passed through Essex leaving no manner of Cruelty and Barbarity unpractised and returned laden with Booty to their Ships which lay in the A.D. 1010 Thames But they could not contain themselves long in their Vessels and therefore sallying out they passed by the River side to Oxford which they ransack'd over again adding to their Prey Buckingham Bedford Hartford and Northamptonshire and having accomplished that Years Cruelties at Christmas they returned to their Ships Yet the Prey of the Countrey from the Trent Southward would not satisfie these unmerciful Barbarians but as soon as the Season A.D. 1011 gave them leave to peep out of their Dens they laid siege to the City of Canterbury which being deliver'd up by the Treachery of Almarez the Archdeacon was condemned to Blood and Ashes and Alfegoâ— the Archbishop carried Prisoner to the Danish Fleet where he was at length most cruelly put to death A.D. 1012 The next Year Swane King of Denmark came up the Humber and landed at Gainesborow whitheâ— repaired to him Vthrâ—d Earl of Northumberland with his People the Inhabitants of Lindsey with all thâ— Countries Northward of Watling-street being a high-way crossing from the East to the West Sea and gave their Oath and Hostages to obey him Whereupon King Swane perceiving his Undertaking to prove 〈◊〉 fortunate beyond expectation committed the care oâ— his Fleet to his Son Cnute and marched himself 〈◊〉 to Oxford and then to Winchester which Citieâ— whether for fear of further Calamities readily acknowledged him for their King From thence hâ— marched for London where King Edelred then layâ— and which was so stoutly defended by the Citizens that he was like to effect nothing against that Town and therefore he directed his course to Wallingforâ— and Bath where the principal Men of West-Saxoâ— yielded him Subjection The Londoners too at last â—earing his Fury and Displeasure made their peace â—nd sent him Hostages which City being received to â—ercy Swane from that time was accounted King of â—ll England King Edelred perceiving all his Astairs â—n England to go against him and his Authority and Government reduced to so narrow a compass having sent his Queen with his two Sons Edward and Alfred â—o Normandy he thought convenient within a while â—fter to follow himself Being honourably received by his Brother in Law Richard he had not been there â—ong but News arrived of the death of Swane and that he was desired by the English to return to his Kingdom Being animated and comforted with this surprising News he set forward with a great Army â—or England and landing at Lyndsey he cruelly harâ—ssed that Province by reason that it had owned Subjection to Cnute the Son of Swane whom the Danes â—ad elected King in his Fathers stead King Cnute being at Ipswich and certified of the arrival of King Edelred and the Devastation of Lyndsey fearing that â—is Authority was going down the wind barbarously cut off the Hands and Noses of all the Hostages he received from the English and presently struck sail for Denmark And whilst England was in this general Confusion there fell out no less a storm in Ireland for Brian King of that Island and his Son Murâ—th with other Kings of the Countrey subject to â—â—rian joyned their Forces against Sutric the Son of Aâ—loic King of Dublin and Mailmorda King of Lagoâ—es Sutric being of himself too weak to encounter so numerous a Multitude hired all the Pyrates and Rovers who cruised upon the Seas and then gave Brian battel who with his Son Murcath was slain and on the other side Maihnorda and Broderic General of the Auxiliaries But Cnute though he was in a manner forced to A.D. 1013 forsake England upon the recalling of King Edelred yet he did not abandon all his pretence to the Kingdom and therefore the next year he came to renew his Claim and landed with a strong Fleet in West-â—ex where he exercised very great Hostility To prevent his Incursions Edric and Edmund Bastard-Son to Edelred raised their Forces separately bâ—â— when both Armies were united they durst not whâ—ther for fear or the Dissention of the two Generals fight with the Danes Edmund therefore passed to the North and joyned with Vthred Duke of Northumberland and both together descended and spoiled Stafford Leicester and Shropshire On the otheâ— side Cnute marched forcibly through Buckingham Bedford Huntingtonshire and so by Stafford passed toward York whither Vthred hastened and finding 〈◊〉 other remedy submitted himself with all the Northumbrians to Cnute giving Hostages for the performance of what they then agreed upon But nevertheless this Submission Vthred was treacherously slain not without the permission of Cnute and hiâ— Dukedom bestowed upon one Egrick a Dane whereupon Edmund left them and went to his Father whâ— lay sick at London Cnute returning to his Ships presently followed and sailed up the Thames towardâ— London but before he could draw nigh the City King Edelred was dead having prolonged a long and troublesom Reign for Thirty Seven Years After his decease the English Nobility chose his base Son Edmund for his eminent strength and hardiness in War surnamed Ironside for their King Upon this Cnuâ—â— brought his whole Fleet up the River to London and having cut a deep Trench round about the Town invested it on all sides but being valourously repulsed by the Defendants he detached the best part of his Army to fight with Edmund who was marching to raise the Siege and both Armies coming to battel at Proman by Gillingham Cnute with his Danes were put to flight But as soon as time and opportunity would give him leave to increase his Forces Cnute gave Edmund a second Battel at Caerstane but Edric Almar and Algar under-hand siding with the Danes Edmund was hard put to it to maintain the fight obstinately till Night and Weariness parted them Both Armies having sufficiently suffered in this action Edmund went to West-Sex to reinforce himself and the Danes returned to the siege of London where Edmund â—â—ickly followed raised the siege and forced Cnute â—â—d his Danes confusedly to betake themselves to their â—â—ips and then entered triumphantly into the City â—wo days after passing the Thames at Brentford he â—â—ll upon the Enemies backs by which lucky opporâ—â—nity obtaining a considerable Victory he returned â—gain to raise Recruits among the West-Saxons Cnute â—â—on Edmund's removal appeared again before Lonâ—â—n and invested it by Land and Water but all in â—â—in the besieged so manfully and resolutely defenâ—â—ng themselves that it was impracticable to master â—â—e Town before Edmund could come to the relief of 〈◊〉 And this they presently experienced for Edmund â—â—ter having augmented his Forces crossed again the â—hames
Disturbances Swane King of Denmark and Osburn his Brother with 300 Sail came up the Humber and being joyned by Edgar Edeling and Earl Waltelfe marched to York and taking the Castle disposed of their Forces to Winter Quarters betwixt the Rivers of Ouse and Trent The King understanding the Matter posted to the North whose coming so dashed the Confederates that they quickly dispersed their Power and the Danes escaped to their Ships and the King having taken Vengeance upon the rebellious Inhabitants of the Country and upon his submission having pardoned Earl Waltelfe returned back to London Blethyn ap Confyn A.D. 1070 ABout the same time Caradoc Son to Gruffydh ap Rytherch ap Iestyn all this while being sorely dissatisfied that he could not attain to the Principality of South Wales invited over a great Number of Normans to whom he joined all the Forces he could raise out of Gwentland and other Parts of Wales Then setting upon Prince Meredith who was far too weak to Encounter so considerable an Army gave him an easy over-throw near the River Rymhy where Meredith was slain and so Caradoc obtained the Government of South-Wales which for a long time he had endeavoured sinistrously to encompass He had sometime afore procured Harold to make an Invasion upon Gruffydh ap Lhewelyn purposely that himself might arrive at the Principality of South-Wales and failing then of his expectation he now invites over the Normans not being willing to trust the English any more by reason that he had so ungratefully been balked by Harold So that it seems he cared not by what course or by whose means he should gain his point though it were by the Ruin and Destruction of his Country which hitherto he had earnestly promoted Being at length advanced to his long expected Government of South-Wales which though not recorded seems yet very probable by reason that his Son Rytherch ap Caradoc enjoyed the same very soon after he did not enjoy this Honour long but dying in a short time after his Advancement left to succeed him his Son Rytberch ap Caradoc At the same time that Caradoc carried on this Rebellion in Wales the Earls Edwyn Marcher and Hereward revolted from the King of England but Edwyn suspecting the success of their Affairs and determining to retire to Malcolm King of Scotland in his Journey thither was betrayed and slain by his own Followers Then Marcher and Hereward betook themselves to the Isle of Ely which though sufficiently fortified was so warmly besieged by the King that Marcher and his Accomplices were in a short time forced to surrender themselves up Prisoners only Hereward made his escape to Scotland But the King followed him close and after he had received Homage of Malcolm King of Scotland returned back to England and after a short stay here passed over to Normandy where he received Edgar Edeling again to Mercy The next Year the Normans having already tasted A.D. 1071 of the sweetness of wasting and plundering a Country came over again to Wales and having spoiled and destroyed Dyfed and the Country of Cardigan returned home with very great Spoil and the following Year sailed over again for more Booty About the same time Bleythyd Bishop of S. Davids died and was succeeded by one Sulien But this was not all the Misfortune that befel the Welch for Radulph Earl of the East-Angles together with Roger Earl of Hereford and Earl Waltelpe entered into a Conspiracy against King William appointing the day of Marriage between Radulph and Roger's Sister which was to be solemnized in Essex to treat of and conclude their Design Radulph's Mother was come out of Wales and upon that account he invited over several of her Friends and Relations to the Wedding meaning chiefly by this seeming Affection by their help and procurement to bring over the Princes and People of Wales to favour and assist his Undertaking But King William being acquainted with the whole Plot quickly ruined all their Intrigues unexpectedly coming from Normandy surprized the Conspirators only Radulph who either doubted of the success of their Affairs or else had intimation given him of the King 's landing before hand took shipping at Norwich and fled to Denmark Waltelpe and Roger were executed and all the other Adherents more particularly the Welch some of whom were hanged others had A.D. 1073 their Eyes put out and the rest were banished Soon after Blethyn ap Confyn Prince of Wales was basely and treacherously murthered by Rhys ap Owen ap Edwyn and the Gentlemen of Ystrad Tywy after he had reigned 13 Years A Prince of singular Qualifications and Virtues and a great Observer of Justice and Equity towards his Subjects he was very liberal and magnificent being indeed very able having a prodigious and almost an incredible Estate as appears by these Verses made upon him Blethyn ap Confyn bôb Cwys Ei hûn bioedh hên Bowis He had four Wives by whom he had Issue Meredith by Haer Daughter of Gylhyn his first Wife Lhywarch and Cadogan by the second Madoc and Riryd by the third and Iorwerth by his last Trahaern ap Caradoc BLethyn being as is said traiterously Murdered there was no regard had to his Issue as to their fight of Succession but Trahaern ap Caradoc his Couâ—in-German being a Person of great Power and Sway â—n the Country was unanimously elected Prince of North-Wales and Rhys ap Owen with Rytherch ap Caradoc did joyntly govern South-Wales Trahaern indeed had none of the least Pretence to that Principality as having married Nest the only surviving Issue of that great Prince Gruffydh ap Lhewelyn his two Sons Meredith and Ithel being lately slain in their attempt against Blethyn and Rywalhon But his Title could not secure him in his Government as much as his possession since there was one still living tho' not much regarded who without any Dispute was true Heir â—nd Proprietor of the Principality of North-Wales And this was Gruffydh Son to Conan Son to Iago ap Edwal who being informed of the Death of Blethyn ap Confyn and the Advancement of Trahaern thought this a proper time to endeavour the Recovery of what was truly his Right and out of which he had been all this time most wrongfully excluded Wherefore having obtained help in Ireland where he privately sojourned during the Reign of Blethyn ap Confyn from Encumalhon King of Vltonia Ranalht and Mathawn two other Kings of that Country he sailed for Wales and landed in the Isle of Anglesey which he easily reduced and brought to subjection At the same time Cynwric ap Rywalhon a Noble-Man of Maeler or Bromfield was slain in North-Wales but how or upon what account is not known But whilst Gruffydh ap Conan endeavours to dispossess Trahaern out of North-Wales Gronow and Lhewelyn the Sons of Cadwgan ap Blethyn having united their Forces with Caradoc ap Gruffydh ap Rytherch intended to revenge the Murther of their Grandfather Blethyn ap Confyn upon Rys ap Owen
away from him But Owen was so amorously inexorable with respect to the Woman that he would by no means part with her however upon her request he was willing to restore Gerald his Children back again which forthwith he performed But when Richard Bishop of London whom King Henry had constituted Warden of the Marches being now at Shrewsbury heard of this he sent for Ithel and Madoc the Sons of Ryryd ap Blethyn Persons of great Power and Interest in Wales promising them very considerable Reward besides the Government of the whole Country in case they could bring Owen and his Father Cadwgan either dead or alive to him that he might revenge that hainous Affront which they had done to the King of England With them he joyned Lhywarch the Son of Trahaern ap Caradoc whose two Brethren Owen had slain and Vchtryd the Son of Edwyn which Four undertook to answer effectually the Bishop's Proposal to them But when they had united their Forces and began in an hostile manner to destroy the Country as they passed along Vchtryd sent private notice before him requiring all who were any way desirous of their own Safety to come to him because no Quarters was to be given to any that was found in the Country The People being thus so opportunely forewarned began to bethink with themselves how they might best avoid so eminent a danger and thereupon some fled to Arustly others to Melienyth some to Stradtywy and some to Dyfed but in this latter place they met with very cold welcom for Gerald who was then very busie in exercising Revenge upon that Country falling in among them cut off a considerable number of them The like fate befel them who escaped to Arustly and Melienyth for Walter Bishop of Hereford having raised an Army in defence of the Town of Caermyrdhyn before he could come thither accidentally met with these stragling Fugitives and knowing what Country they belonged to without any further Ceremony he fell upon them and put most of them to the Sword But they who fled to Stradtywy were gently received by Meredith ap Rytherch and such as resorted to Vchtryd were kindly entertained by him and so he marched with the rest of his Confederates to Rydcors Castle it being the general opinion that it was best to enter the Country by Night and to take Cadwgan and Owen his Son by surprize But Vchtryd reflecting upon the Difficulty of the Country and how easily they might be entrapp'd by an Ambuscade dissuaded them from any such nocturnal Undertakings and told them that it was far more advisable to enter the Country in good order when the light gave the Soldiers opportunity to keep and observe their ranks But whilst they were thus considering of the most effectual way to carry on their purpose Owen got a Ship at Aberdyfi bound for Ireland and escaping thither avoided the narrow search that was the following day made for them But when neither Father nor Son could be found all the fault was laid upon Vchtryd who had dissuaded them from falling upon the Castle unexpectedly and therefore all they could do since their escape was to burn and destroy the Country which they did effectually excepting the two Sanctuaries of Lhanpadarn and Lhandewi Brefi out of which however they took several Persons who had escaped thither and carried them away Prisoners to their several Countries But Owen with them who were accessary to the burning of Rydcors Castle being fled into Ireland desired the Umbrage and Protection of King Murcart who received him very gladly upon the account of their former acquaintance for Owen during the War betwixt the Earls of Arundel and Chester and the Welch had fled to King Murcart and brought him very rich Presents from Wales Cadwgan all this while lay privately in Powys but thinking it impossible to continue there long undiscovered he adjudged it his wiser way to send to King Henry and to declare his Innocency and Abhorrence of that Fact which his Son had committed The King was easily persuaded that the old Man was guiltless and wholly ignorant of his Son's Crime and therefore he gave him permission to remain in the Country and to enjoy the Town and Lands he received by his Wife who was the Daughter of a Norman Lord called Pygot de Say But his Lands in Powys were otherwise distributed for his Nephews Madoc and Ithel finding what Circumstances their Uncle Cadwgan lay under upon the account of his Son Owen they divided betwixt themselves such Lands as he and his Son possessed in Powys though afterwards they could never agree about the equal distribution of it To counter-ballance this Cadwgan made such Friends to the King of England that upon paying the Fine of 100 l. he had a grant of all his Lands in Cardigan and a power to recall all the Inhabitants who had rubb'd off upon the publication of the King 's late Order That no Welchman or Norman should dwell in Cardigan Upon information of this grant to Cadwgan several of them that retired to Ireland returned again privately to Wales and lurkingly remained with their Friends but Owen durst not appear in Cardigan by reason that his Father had received that Country from King Henry upon condition that he would never entertain or receive his Son nor by any means succour him either with Men or Money Nevertheless Owen came to Powys and would fain be reconciled to the King and make an Attonement for his late Misdemeanour but he could find no body that would venture to speak in his behalf nor make the King acquainted with his desire and willingness to submit And thus being hopeless and full of Despair he could not possibly divine which way to turn himself till at last a very unexpected opportunity offered him means and occasion to oppose the English The matter was this there happened a Difference betwixt Madoc ap Râ—ryd and the Bishop of London Lieutenant of the Marches of Wales about certain English Felons who being under the Protection of Madoc he would not restore at the Bishop's request The Bishop being much offended at Madawc's denyal threatned him very severely and therefore to make all possible Preparations against an ensuing storm Madawc sent to Owen who heretofore was his greatest Enemy desiring his help against the Bishop and by this means being reconciled they took their mutual Oaths not to betray each other and that neither should make a separate Agreement with the English without the Knowledg and Approbation of the other And so uniting their Power they spoiled and ravaged all the Country about them destroying whatever they could meet with which belonged to those they had no kindness or affection for without the least distinction of English or Welch Iorwerth ap Blethyn had been very unjustly detain'd A.D. 1107 in Prison all this time and now King Henry calling to mind what Hardship he laboured under and that he committed him to custody upon no pretence of Reason sent to know
of him what he was willing to pay for his Liberty Iorwerth being now almost ready to sink under a fatigue of so long Imprisonment was glad to give any thing he was able to obtain that which he had so long in vain hoped for and therefore he promised either 300 l. in specie or to the value of it in Cattel and Horses for the payment of which Iorwerth and Ithel the Sons of his Brother Ryryd were deliver'd for Pledges Then the King released him out of Prison and restored him all his Lands which were taken from him and of the due for his Liberty the King bestowed 10 l. upon Henry Cadwgan's Son by the Daughter of Pygot de Say the Norman Owen and Madawc all this while committed all the wast and destruction possible and cruelly annoyed both the English and Normans and always withdrew and retired to Iorwerth's Estate which so troubled him by reason of the King 's strict Orders not to permit Owen to come to his or Cadwgan's Territories that at length he sent to them this positive and peremptory Rebuke Since it hath pleased God to place us in the midst of our Enemies and to deliver us into their hands and hath so far weakened us as that we are not able to do any thing by our own strength and your Father Cadwgan and my self are particularly commanded under Penalty of forfeiting our Lands and Estates not to afford you any Succour or Refuge during these your rebellious Practices therefore as a Friend I intreat you command you as a Lord and desire you as a Kinsman that you come no more to mine or your Father Cadwgan's Territories Owen and Madawc receiving such a presumptuous Message were the more enraged and in the way of a malignant retribution did more frequently than heretofore shelter themselves in Iorwerth's Country in so much that at last since that they would neither by Threats nor Intreaties desist from their wonted Courses he was forced to gather his Power and to drive them out by force of Arms. Being chased out hence they made In-roads into Vchtryd's Country in Merionythshire but Vchtryd's Sons being then in Cyveilioc hearing of it they sent to the People of the Country with positive Orders to oppose and resist any offer they would make to enter the Countrey The People tho wanting a skilful Commander were resolv'd to do as much as lay in their power and so meeting with them by the way they set upon them so furiously that Owen and Madawc tho after a brave Defence were forced to bear back and to take the heels Owen to Cardigan to his Father Cadwgan and Madawc to Powys Yet all this Misfortune could not suppress the restless Spirit of Owen for as soon as he could rally together his scatter'd Troops he made divers In-roads into Dyfed and carrying away several Persons to the Ships that they came in from Ireland he first ransom'd them and then listing them under his own Command made such addition to his Army that he ventur'd to set upon a Town in Dyfed belonging to the Flemings and having rased it to the ground he returned to Cardigan having no regard to what Inconveniency might befall his Father from the King of England upon this account which a little afterwards unhappily fell out For it happen'd that some of Owen's Men having had intelligence that a certain Bishop called William de Brabant was upon his Journey through that Country to the Court of England laid wait for his coming who without any apprehension of Treachery passing through the Country was unexpectedly slain he and all his Retinue Iorwerth and Cadwgan were then at Court to speak with King Henry concerning certain Business of their own but whilst they discoursed the King in comes a Fleming that was a Brother to the deceased Bishop and with a very loud Exclamation complained how that Owen Cadwgan's Son had slain his Brother and the rest of his Company and that he was succour'd and entertained in Cadwgan's Country King Henry hearing this was wrathfully displeased at such cruel Barbarity that a Person of that Quality and Profession should be so treacherously murther'd and therefore he asked Cadwgan what he could say to the matter who answered that what had so unhappily fell out was done without the least of his knowledg or approbation and therefore desired his Majesty to impute all the Blame and Guilt of that unfortunate Action to his Son Owen But King Henry was so far from being satisfied with this Reply that he told Cadwgan in a violent passion That since he could not keep his Son so but that he was aided and continually entertained in his Country he would bestow it upon another Person who was better able and more willing to keep him out and would allow him a Maintenance upon his own proper Charges upon these Conditions That he should not enter into Wales any more without his farther Orders and so granting him Twenty Days for the ordering his Affairs he gave him liberty to retire to any part of his Dominions excepting Wales When Owen and Madawc were informed how Cadwgan was treated by the King of England and that Cardigan which was their chiefest place of refuge was to be given to another Person they thought that their Condition by this time was desperate and that they had not better stay any longer in Britain and therefore with all speed they took shipping for Ireland where they were sure to be honourably entertained by King Murkart Then King Henry sent for Gilbert Strongbow Earl of Strygill a Person of noted Worth and Valour and one who had often sued to the King for to grant him some Lands in Wales and bestowed upon him all the Lands and Inheritance of Cadwgan ap Blethyn in case he could conquer and bring the Country under Gilbert very thankfully accepted of the Proposal and having drawn together all the Forces he was able to raise he passed to Wales and being come to Cardigan without the least Trouble or Opposition he reduced the whole Country to his Subjection The first thing he did was the best he could to secure himself in this new-purchased Inheritance in order to which he erected two Castles one upon the Frontiers of North-Wales upon the Mouth of the River Ystwyth a Mile distant from Lhanbadarn the other towards Dyfed upon the River Teifi at a place called Dyngerant where as some think Roger Montgomery had sometime before laid the Foundation of Cilgarran Castle Owen and Madawc were all this while in Ireland but this latter being at length tired with the Country and not willing to endure the Manners and Customs of the Irish came over for Wales and passed to the Country of his Uncle Iorwerth Iorwerth being acquainted with his arrival was fearful to suffer the same Fate with his Brother Cadwgan by winking at his being there and therefore without any regard to Relation or Consanguinity he presently issued out a Proclamation forbidding any of his Subjects under a
great Penalty to receive him but that they should account him an open Enemy to their Country and endeavour all they could to secure him and to bring him Prisoner before him When Madawc understood this how that his Person was in continual danger whilâ—t he remained there having drawn to him all the Out-laws and Villains in the Country he kept in the Rocks and Mountains devising all the ways and means he could to be revenged upon Iorwerth and so made a private League and Agreement with Lhywarch ap Trahaern who for a long time had been a mortal Enemy of Iorwerths These two Associates having intelligence that Iorwerth lay one night at Caereineon gathered all their strength and came and encompassed the House at Midnight which when Iorwerth's Servants perceived they arose and defended the House with all the Might they could but the Assailants at last putting the House on fire they were glad as many as could to escape through the Flames the greatest part being forced to yield either to the Enemies Sword or the more conquering Fire Iorwerth seeing no remedy but that he must undergo the same Fate as his Men had done chose rather to dye in the presence of his Enemies with his Sword in his Hand than to commit his Life to the cowardly Flames and therefore rushing out with great Violence he was received upon the points of the Enemies Spears and so being tossed into the Fire he miserably perished by a double death As soon as King Henry heard of his Death he sent for Cadwgan to him and gave him all his Brother's Estate being Powys-land and promising his Son Owen his Pardon upon condition he would demean himself quietly and loyally hereafter willed him to send for him back from Ireland King Henry also about this time married his natural Son Robert to Mabil Daughter and sole Heir to Robert Fiz-hamon Lord of Glamorgan in whose Right this Robert became Lord of Glamorgan being before by the King created E. of Glocester by whom the Castle of Cardaf was built But Madawc finding the matter nothing mended and that his other Uncle Cadwgan who lay under the same Obligation to the King of England ruled the Country hid himself in the most private and inaccessible places watching only an opportunity to commit the like Fact upon Cadwgan and to murder him by one treacherous way or another And this he effected in a little time for Cadwgan having reduced the Country to some sort of Settlement and Quietness and restored the Courts of Judicature where he sate in person to administer Justice came with the rest of the Elders of the Country to Trallwng now Pool and having begun to build a Castle he thought to make that the constant Seat of his Habitation Madawc understanding his Design laid in ambush for him in his way to Trallwng and as Cadwgan unconcernedly passed by without the least suscicion of Treachery he suddenly set upon him and slew him without allowing him any time either to fight or escape Then he sent presently a message to Shrewsbury to the Bishop of London the King's Lieutenant in the Marches to put him in mind of his former Promises to him when he chased Owen out of the Country because that the Bishop bearing an inveterate Enmity to Cadwgan and his Son Owen granted Madawc such Lands as his Brother Ithel was possessed of But Meredith ap Blethyn being informed of the death of both his Brothers went in all hast to the King desiring of him the Lands of Iorwerth in Powys which he had lately granted to Cadwgan which the King granted him till such time as Owen should return from Ireland Owen did not stay long before he came over and then going to King Henry he was honourably received and had all his Fathers Estate restored to him whereupon in gratitude of this signal Favour he voluntarily promised to pay the King a considerable Fine for the due payment of which he gave very responsible Pledges Madawc finding himself alone to be left in the lurch and that he had no seeming Power to bear Head against the King thought it also his wisest way to make what Reconciliation he could and therefore he offered the King a very great Fine if he should peaceably enjoy his former Estate promising withal never to molest or disturb any one that was subject to the Crown of England King Henry willing to bring all matters to a settled condition readily granted his Request and conferred upon him all he could reasonably ask for only with this Proviso that upon his peril he should provide for the Relations of them whom he had so basely murthered A.D. 1109 And thus all matters being brought to a peaceable conclusion in Wales the next Year Robert de Belesmo who had been one of the chief Instruments of these Welch Disturbances in that great Rebellion which himself with Roger de Montgomery Earl of Salop and his Brother Arnulph Earl of Pembroke had raised against the King was taken Prisoner by King Henry in Normandy and committed to perpetual Imprisonment in Warham-Castle The Year following Meredith A.D. 1110 ap Blethyn detached a considerable Party of his Men to make Incursions into the Country of Lhywarch ap Trahaern ap Gwyn who was an inveterate Enemy of himself and Owen by reason that by his Aid and Instigation Madawc was encouraged to kill his Uncles Iorwerth and Cadwgan These Men as they passed through Madawc's Country met a Person in the night-time who belonged to Madawc who being asked where his Master was after some pretence of ignorance at last through fear confessed that he was not far from that place Therefore lying quietly there all Night by break of day they arose to look out their Game and unexpectedly surpizing Madawc they flew a great number of his Men and took himself Prisoner and so carrying him to their Lord they deliver'd him up as the greatest Honour of their Expedition Meredith was not a little proud of his Prisoner and therefore to ingratiate himself the more with his Nephew Owen he committed him to safe Custody till he was sent for who coming thither streight Meredith delivered Madawc up to him Owen though he had the greatest reason for the most cruel Revenge by reason that both his Father and Uncle were basely murthered by this Madawc would not put him to death remembring the intimate Friendship and Oaths that had passed betwixt them but however to secure him from any future Mischief he might practise he pulled out his Eyes and then set him at liberty But least he should be capable of any Revenge by reason of his Estate and Strength in the Country Meredith and Owen thought fit to divide his Lands betwixt them which were Caernarvon Aberhiw with the third part of Deuthwfyr These home-bread Disturbances being pretty well abated a greater storm arose from abroad for the A.D. 1111 next Year King Henry prepared a mighty Army to enter into Wales being provoked thereto by the request
of those who enjoyed a great part of the Welchmens Lands but would not be satisfied till they got all For Gilbert Strongbow Earl of Strygill upon whom the King had bestowed Cardigan made great Complaints of Owen ap Cadwgan declaring how that he received and entertained such Persons as spoiled and robbed in his Country and Hugh Earl of Chester made the like of Gruffydh ap Conan Prince of North-Wales how that his Subjects and the Men of Grono ap Owen ap Edwyn Lord of Tegengl unreproved wasted and burnt the Country of Cheshire and to aggravate the matter the more he added farther that Gruffydh neither owed any Service nor paid any Tribute to the King Upon these Complaints King Henry was so cruelly enraged that he swore he would not leave one living Creature remaining in North-Wales and Powys-land but having extirpated utterly the present Race of People he would plant a Colony of new Inhabitants And then dividing his Army into three parts he deliver'd one to the conduct of the Earl of Strygill to go against South-Wales which comprehended the whole Power of the fourth part of England and Cornwal The next Battel was designed against North-Wales in which was all the strength of Scotland and the North and was commanded by Alexander King of the Scots and Hugh Earl of Chester the Third the King led himself against Powys wherein was contained the whole strength of the middle part of England Meredith ap Blethyn hearing of these mighty Preparations and being informed that this vast Army was design'd against Wales was quickly apprehensive that the Welch were not able to make any great Defence and therefore thought it his safest way to provide for himself before-hand and so coming to the King yielded himself up to his Mercy But Owen fearing to commit himself to those whom he knew so greedily to covet his Estate and whom he was assured were far more desirous to dispossess the Welch of their Lands than any other way to punish them for former Crimes and Miscarriages fled to Gruffydh ap Conan to North-Wales Upon that King Henry converted his whole Force that way and came himself as far as Murcastelh and the Scotch King to Pennant Bachwy but the People flying to the Mountains carried with them all the Cattel and Provision they had so that the English could not follow them and as many as attempted to come at them were either slain or wounded in the streights But Alexander King of the Scots finding that nothing could possibly be effected against the Welch as long as they kept the Rocks and Mountains sent to Prince Gruffydh advising him to submit himself to the King promising him all his Interest to obtain an honourable Peace But the Prince was too well acquainted with English Promises and therefore refused his Proposals and so King Henry being very unwilling to return without doing something in this Expedition sent to Owen to forsake the Prince who was not able to defend himself but was ready to strike a Peace with the Scottish King and the Earl of Chester But this cunning Insinuation would not take effect for Owen was for his life as distrustful of King Henry as Prince Gruffydh and therefore he would hearken to no Intreaties for revolting from him who had all this while afforded him Refuge till at length his Uncle Meredith an old insinuating Politician persuaded him with much a do not to forsake the King of England's Proposals who offered him all his Lands without Tribute in case he would come to his side and therefore Meredith advised him instantly to accept of his offer before Prince Gruffydh made a Peace with the King which if it was once done he would be glad upon any score to purchase the King's Mercy Owen being prevailed upon by such Arguments came to the King who received him very gratiously and told him that because he believed his Promise he would not only perform that but likewise exalt him above any of his Kindred and grant him his Lands free from any payment of Tribute Prince Gruffydh perceiving how that Owen had submitted to the King thought it also his wisest way to sue for Peace and so promising the King a great Sum of Money a Peace was then actually agreed upon and confirmed which the King of England was the more ready to consent to because he found it impossible to do him any hurt whilst he continued encamped in that place Some affirm that the submission as well of Prince Gruffydh as Owen was procured by the Policy of Meredith ap Blethyn and the Earl of Chester this last working with Gruffydh and assuring him that Owen had made his Peace with the King before any such thing was in agitation so that the Prince yielding somewhat to the Earl's Request if Owen had gone contrary to his Oath which they had mutually taken not to make any Peace with the English without one anothers Knowledge seemed to incline to a Peace On the other hand Meredith going in Person to his Nephew Owen affirmed for Truth that the Prince and the Earl of Chester were actually agreed and that the Prince was on his Journey to the King to make his Submission And in the mean while Meredith took especial care that all Messengers betwixt the Prince and Owen should be intercepted and by that means Owen wilfully submitted himself to the King King Henry having thus finished and brought to an end all his Business in Wales calling Owen to him told him that in case he would go over with him to Normandy and there be faithful to him he would upon his return confirm all his Promises upon him and so Owen accepting of the King's Offer went with him to Normandy where he behaved himself so gallantly that he was made a Knight and after his return A.D. 1112 the Year following he had all his Lands and Estate confirmed unto him About the same time Griffri Bishop of St. Davids died and King Henry appointed to succeed him one Barnard a Norman much against the Good-will and Inclination of the Welch who before this time were ever used to Elect their own Bishop And this Year the rumour of Gruffydh Son to Rhys ap Theodore was spread throughout South-Wales who as the report went for fear of the King had been from a Child brought up in Ireland and having come over about two Years afore past his time privately among his Relations particularly with Gerald Steward of Pembroke his Brother-in-Law And now the noise of a new Prince being spread abroad it came at last to the Ears of the King of England that a certain Person appeared in Wales who pretended to be the Son of Rhys ap Theodore late Prince of South Wales and laid Claim to that Principality which was now in the King's Hands King Henry being somewhat concerned with such a Report and fearing lest that this new Starter should create him some greater trouble he thought to nip him in the bud and sent down Orders
to the Kings hands the City of Dublyn the Town of Waterford with all such Towns and Castles as he got in right of his Wife whereupon the King restored to him all his Lands both in England and Normandy and created him Lord Steward of Ireland For this Earl of Strigule had lately without the King's Permission gone over to Ireland and had married the Daughter of Dermott King of Dublyn which King Henry took in such an indignation that he presently seized upon all his Lands in England and Normandy Therefore the King having now some footing in Ireland the Expedition was unanimously concluded upon and so the King set upon his Journey and coming towards Wales he was received by Prince Rhys whose Submission the King liked so well that he presently confirmed to him all his Lands in South-Wales To return the King's Favour Rhys promised his Majesty 300 Horses and 4000 Oxen toward the Conquest of Ireland for the sure payment of which he delivered Fourteen Pledges Then King Henry marching forward came to Caeriheon upon Vske and entering the Town he dispossessed the right Owner Iorwerth ap Owen ap Caradoc and kept it for his own proper use placing a Garrison of his own Men therein But Iorwerth was not so easie-mouth'd as to be so unreasonably curb'd by the King and therefore departing in a great fury from the King's presence he called to him his two Sons Owen and Howel whom he had by Angharad the Daughter of Vchtryd Bishop of Llandaf and his Sisters Son Morgan ap Sitsylht ap Dyfnwal and bringing together all the Forces they were able upon the King's departure they entered the Country and committing all the Waste and Destruction as they came along they at last came before Caerlheon which when they took they used in the like manner spoiling and destroying whatever they could meet with so that nothing escaped their Fury excepting the Castle which they could not win The King was in the mean time upon his Journey to Pembroke where being accompanied by Prince Rhys he gave him a grant of all Cardigan Ystratywy Arustly and Eluel in Recompence of all the Civilities and Honour he paid him And so Rhys returned to Aberteifi a Town he had lately won from the Earl of Glocester and there having prepared his Present about the beginning of October he returned again to Pembrock having ordered Eighty Six Horses to follow him which being presented to the King he accepted of Thirty Six of the choicest and returned the rest with great Thanks The same day King Henry went to S. Davids and after he had offered to the Memory of that Saint he dined with the Bishop who was the Son of Gerald Cosin-German to Rhys whither Richard Strongbow Earl of Strygile came from Ireland to confer with the King Within a while after King Henry being entertained by Rhys at the White-House restored to him his Son Howel who had been for a considerable time detained as a Pledg and appointed him a certain day for payment of his Tribute at which time all the rest of the Pledges should be set at liberty The day following being the next after the Feast of S. Luke the King went on board and the Wind blowing very favourably set sail for Ireland and being safely arrived upon those Coasts he landed at Dublyn where he rested for that whole Winter in order to make greater Preparations against the following Campaign But the change of the Air and Climate occasion'd such a raging Distemper and Infection among the Soldiers that to prevent the perishing of his whole Army A.D. 1172 the King was forced to return with what speed he could back for England and so having shipp'd off all his Army and Effects he loosed Anchor and landed in Wales in the Passion Week next Year and coming to Pembrock he stayed there on Easter-day and then proceeded upon his Journey towards England Rhys hearing of the King's return was very officious to pay him his Devotion and would gladly feign to be one of the first who should welcome him over and so meeting with him at Talacharn he expressed all the Ceremonies of Duty and Allegiance Then the King passed on and as he came from Caerdyf by the new Castle upon Vsk meaning to leave Wales in a peaceable condition he sent for Iorwerth ap Owen ap Caradoc who was the only Person in open Enmity against him and that upon very just ground willing him to come and treat about a Peace and assuring him of a safe Conduct for himself his Sons and all the rest of his Associates Iorwerth was willing to accept of the Proposal and thereupon set forward to meet the King having sent an Express to his Son Owen a valourous young Gentleman to meet him by the way Owen according to his Fathers Orders set forward on his Journey with a small retinue without any thing of Arms or Weapons of War as thinking it Folly to clog himself with such needless Carriage when the King had promised a safe Conduct But he did not find it so safe for as he passed the new Castle upon Vske the Earl of Bristol's Men who were garrison'd therein laid in wait for him as he came along and setting cowardly upon him slew him with most of his Company But some few escaped to acquaint his Father Iorwerth of such a treacherous Action who hearing that his Son was so basely murthered contrary to the King 's absolute promise of a safe Passage without any farther consultation about the matter presently returned home with Howel his Son and all his Friends and would no longer put any trust or confidence in any thing that the King of England or any of his Subjects promised to do But on the other side to avenge the Death of his Son who was so cowardly cut off he presently raised all the Forces that himself and the rest of his Friends were able to do and so entering into England he destroyed with Fire and Sword all the Country to the Gates of Hereford and Glocester But the King was so intent upon his return that he seemed to take no great notice of what Iorwerth was doing and therefore having by Commission constituted Lord Rhys Chief Justice of all South-Wales he forthwith took his Journey to Normandy About this time dyed Cadwalader ap Gruffydh the Son of Gruffydh ap Conan sometime Prince of North-Wales who by his Wife Alice the Daughter of Richard Clare Earl of Glocester had Issue Cunetha Radulph and Richard and by other Women Cadfan Cadwalader Eineon Meredith Goch and Cadwalhon Towards the end of this Year Sitsylht ap Dyfnwal and Iefan ap Sitsylht ap Riryd surprized the Castle of Abergavenny which belonged to the King of England and having made themselves Masters of it they took the whole Garrison Prisoners A.D. 1173 But the following Year there happened a very great difference and a falling out betwixt King Henry and his Son of the same Name this latter being upholded by
withstand so great a multitude thought it his best way to endeavour to find out some method or other to reconcile himself to the King And no better measures could possibly be thought of than to send Joan his Wife King John's Daughter to intreat with her Father about a Peace and a cessation of all Hostilities who being a prudent sly Woman so prevailed upon the King that he granted Prince Lhewelyn her Husband a safe Conduct to come to him and to renew the former Peace and Amity that was betwixt them And so Lhewelyn having done Homage promised the King towards his Expences in this Expedition 20000 Head of Cattel and forty Horses and what was more than all he granted all the in-land Countries of Wales with the Appurtenances to him and his Heirs for ever And then King John having received better Success in this than the former Expedition returned to England in great Triumph having subdued all Wales excepting that part which Rhys and Owen the Sons of Gruffydh ap Rhys still kept and maintained against the English But having no leisure to march against them himself at his departure out of the Country he gave strict charge to Foulke Vicount of Caerdyff Warden of the Marches a cruel Tyrant tho' well beloved and favoured by the King to take an Army with him and so joyning with Maelgon and Rhys Fychan to compel the Sons of Gruffydh ap Rhys to acknowledge him for their Sovereign and to do him Homage Foulke having received so positive a Command presently raised his Forces and calling Maelgon and Rhys came to the Cantref of Penwedic which when the young Lords Rhys and Owen heard of and being assured that this Blow was levelled against them which they knew they were not able to bear before the Stroak was struck they sent to Foulke to sue for Peace and a safe Conduct for them to pass to the Court of England This being granted they came to London and making their submission to the King and requesting his Pardon for all former Misdemeanors they gave up all pretence to their Lands betwixt Aeron and Dyfi and so paying their Homage they were dismissed very graciously But Foulke before his departure out of the Country fortified the Castle of Aberystwyth and placing a strong Garrison therein kept it to the King's use But Maelgon and Rhys Fychan a couple of head-strong inconstant People quickly repented them of the Peace they had made with the King of England and thereupon without the least reason or provocation they laid Siege to Aberystwyth Castle and with much ado having made themselves Masters of it they destroyed those Fortifications which Foulke had lately erected and defaced the Castle to the ground But they paid sawce for this another way for as soon as Rhys and Owen had heard that their Uncles had broken and violated the King's Peace they made in-roads into Isaeron which was Maelgon's Country and having slain a considerable number of his Men among whom was one brave and lusty Youth called Bachglâs they returned with very rich Booty A.D. 1211 Maelgon and Rhys Fychan were quickly followed by the North-Wales Men in their revolt from the King of England for Prince Lhewelyn being not able to endure any longer the tyranny and oppreission which the King's Garrisons exercised in his Country called together Gwenwynwyn from Powys Maelgon ap Rhys from South-Wales Madoc ap Gruffydh Maylor from Bromfield and Meredith ap Rotpert from Cydewen and plainly declared before them the Pride and insolency of the English and how that they who were always used to have a Prince of their own Nation were now by their own wilfulness and neglect become subject to Strangers However it was not too late to recover their antient Liberty and if they did but unanimously agree among themselves they might easily cast off that Yoke which was so intolerably burdersome to them Then the Lords being sensible of the truth and reasonableness of what Prince Lhewelyn delivered and being conscious to themselves that their present slavery and subjection to the English was wholly owing to their own fear and cowardise swore fealty to Prince Lhewelyn and swore to be true and faithful to him and to stick by each other to the utmost of their Lives and Fortunes And so joyning their Forces together they took all the Castles in North-Wales which were in the hands of the English excepting Ruthlan and Dyganwy and then going to Powys they laid Siege to the Castle which Robert Vspont had built at Mathrafal But King John being informed how the Welch had conspired against him and that they had taken and sezied upon almost all his Castles in North-Wales and how that they were now in actual besiegement of Mathrafal presently drew up his Army and coming to Mathrafal quickly raised the Siege and to prevent the Welch from coming any more against it he burnt it to the ground and so returned to England having no time to stay any longer in Wales by reason of the Differences that happened betwixt him and his Nobility But being afterwards at Nottingham and hearing how that Prince Lhewelyn cruelly harrassed and destroyed the Marches he caused all the Welch Pledges which he had received the last year to be hanged among whom were Howel the Son of Cadwalhon and Madoc the Son of Maelgon with many others of the Nobilities Sons to the number of Twenty Eight And about the same time Robert Vepont caused Rhys the Son of Maelgon to be hanged at Shrewsbury being a Youth of about seventeen years of age and so cruelly murdered the innocent Child to revenge the Crimes and Offences committed by his Father and others But tho' King John was so severe to the Welch yet the Princess of North-Wales was more dutiful and favourable to him for whilst he staid at Nottingham she sent him an Express declaring how that the Barons had entred into a Conspiracy with the French King against him and that this latter was a preparing and raising an Army to come over to England upon pretence that the King was a Rebel and bid open Defiance to the Holy Church in as much as he would not condescend nor yield to the Bishop of Rome's Request And in confirmation of all this she told him that Robert Fitzwalter Eustace de Vescy and Stephen Redell were secretly fled into France to promote and carry on this intrigue And that this design against King John was no feigned surmise the next A.D. 1212 year Pope Innocent the Third detached one of his Nuncio's to Wales who absolved Prince Lhewelyn Gwenwynwyn and Maelgon from their Oaths of Allegiance to King John and withal gave them a strict command under the penalty of Excommunication to molest and annoy him with all their Endeavours as an open Enemy to the Church of God Prince Lhewelyn you may be sure was not in the least troubled at this for now he gained the fittest opportunity imaginable to restore such Lands as he had formerly much against
entertained with all the Expressions and Tokens of Joy King John perceiving how powerful they were like to prove and how that the Country did in a great measure favour their Cause thought it his wisest way to nip them in the bud and to fall upon them before they grew too strong and therefore having levied his Forces he marched together with William Marshall Earl of Pembroke towards the Castle of Rochester Being arrived there he laid close Siege to the Castle but the Governour William de Abbineto so bravely defended it that it could hardly be taken after three Months Siege but at length the King's Men bore on so violently that they took it by a Storm where besides William de Abbineto the King took several of the Barons Prisoners This was an ill beginning to the Design of the Confederates and what did not add a little to their Misfortune the Pope presently issues out his Bull of Excommunication against Lhewelyn Prince of Wales and all the English Barons as made War against King John who was under the protection of the Church of Rome But Prince Lhewelyn did not regard his threatning Anathemas and therefore having raised an Army he came to Shrewsbury which was delivered up to him without any resistance And whilst Lhewelyn remained there Giles de Bruce Bishop of Hereford one of the chief of this Conspiracy sent his Brother Reynold to Brecnock whom all the People readily owâ—ed for their Lord and so without the least grumbling or opposition he received the Castles of Abergefenny and Pencelhy the Castelh Gwyn or the White Castle together with Grosmont Castle and the Island of Cynuric But when the Bishop came thither in Person he had the Castles of Aberhondhy Hay Buelht and Blaenlhyfny delivered up to him but thinking he had enough himself and being rather desirous to secure his Interest and to strengthen his Party in the Country than to heap more upon his own shoulders than he was well able â—o support he bestowed Payn Castle Clune and all Eluel upon Walter Fychan the Son of Eineon Clyd In the mean time young Rhys the Son of Gruffydh â—p Rhys and his Uncle Maelgon were reconciled and made Friends and so coming both to Dyfed they destroyed Arberth and Maenclochoc Castles and recovered all such Lands as formerly belonged to them exâ—epting Cemais But Rhys's Brothers Maelgon and Owen went to North-Wales and did Homage and Fealâ—y to Prince Lhewelyn whilst their Brother Prince Rhys marched forward to Cydwely and having rased the Castles of Carnwylheon and Lhyâ—hwr brought all the Country about under his subjection But this was â—ot enough to satisfy the ambitious humour of that young Prince for having once tasted the pleasure of Victory and the taking and demolishing of Towns â—e was resolved to prosecute his Conquest whilst Fortune seemed to favour his Undertakings and therefore he lead his Army against Talybont Castle which belonged to Hugh de Miles and forcing his entrance into the same he put a great number of the Garrison to the Sword The next day he marched to Sengennyth Castle but the Garrison which kept it thinkâ—ng it fruitless and to no purpose to oppose him burnt the place and departed to Ystymlhwynarth But he followed them at the Heels and the next day took it and rased it to the ground and over-ran the Country in such a violent manner that in three days time he became Master of all the Castles and Fortresses in all Gowerland and Morgannwe and so returned home with great Victory and Triumph At the same time Rhyt Fychan otherwise Rhys Gryg young Prince Rhys's Uncle obtained his Liberty from the King of England leaving his Son with two more for Pledges for his modest and peaceable Behaviour towards his Subjects whom at other times he was wont to molest and oppress About this time the Abbots of Tal y Llecheu and Tuy Gwyn were consecrated Bishops the former of St. Davids and the other of Bangor But the Bishop of Hereford who seemed to be the most violently inclined against King John and was otherwise unwilling to part with what he had got in Wales's could not for all that refuse the Injunction of the Pope by whose express Command he was constrained to make Peace with the King which being concluded in his return homeward he died at Glocester leaving his Estate to his Brother Reginald who had married the Daughter of Prince Lhewelyn But for all that Giles de Bruce Bishop of Hereford was fallen off and reconciled to King John yet Prince Lhewelyn did not think it convenient to follow his Example and therefore with his whole Army he marched against Carmardhyn and took the Castle in five days having rased it to the ground he successively laid Siege to the Castles of Lhanstephan St. Cleare and Talacharn which he used after the same manner From thence he went to Cardigan and winning Emlyn Castle he subdued Cemaes and then laying Siege to Trefdraeth Castle in English called Newport he quickly took it and afterwards rased it to the ground His next Design was upon Aberteifi and Cilgerraâ— Castles but the Garrisons which defended them finding it to no purpose to wait his coming and so to withstand all his Attempts against those places voluntarily surrendred and by that means prevented all the Mischief which in opposing him would in all probability unavoidably attend them And so Prince Lhewelyn having successfully over-run and subdued all Carmardhyn and Cardigan triumphantly returned to North-Wales being attended by several of the Welch Nobility such as Howel ap Gruffydh ap Conan Lhewelyn ap Meredith Gwenwynwyn Lord of Powys Meredith ap Rotpert Maelgon and Rhys Fychan the Sons of Prince Rhys of South Wales Rhys and Owen the Sons of Gruffydh ap Rhys together with all the Power of Madoc ap Gruffydh Maylor Lord of Bromfield A.D. 1216 But the next year Prince Lhewelyn returned to Aberteifi to compose a Difference which since his departure had happened betwixt Maelgon and Rhys Fychan Prince Rhys's Sons on the one side and Rhys and Owen Gruffydh ap Rhys's Sons on the other Therefore to make up this Quarrel and to reduce all Matters to a quiet and amicable issue Prince Lhewelyn made an equal distribution of South-Wales betwixt them allotting to Maelgâ—n three Cantrefs in Dyfed viz. Gwarthaf Penlhwynoc Cemaes and Emlyn with Cilgerran Castle to young Rhys two Castles in Ystratywy Hiruryn and Maelhaen Maenor Bydfey with the Castle of Lhanymdhyfry and two in Cardigan Gwyâ—tâ—yth and Mabwyneon His Brother Owen had to his share the Castles of Aberteifi and Nant yr Arian with three Cantress in Cardigan and Rhys Fychan otherwise called Rhys Gryc had Dynefawr Castle the Cantref Mawr the Cantref Bychan excepting Hiruryn and Midhfey together with the Comotes of Cydwely and Carnwylhion This Division being accomplished to every one's Satisfaction and all the Lords of South-Wales being amicably reconciled Prince Lhewelyn took his Journey for North-Wales but he had not advanced very far when
News was brought him that Gwenwynwyn Lord of Powys was revolted and was become again the King of England's Subject This unwelcome News struck very deep in the Prince's Mind by reason that Gwenwynwyn was a Man of great Power and Strength in the Country and went a great way to repel the Incursions of the English upon the Marches which now he being gone off could not he feared be so well effected But however to make the best of a bad Market he endeavoured to take him off from the English and to restore him to his former Allegiance due to himself as his Natural Prince and to that end he sent to him some Bishops and Abbots to put him in mind of his Oath and Promise how that he with the rest of the Lords of Wales had obliged himself to oppose the English to the utmost of his Power and had delivered Pledges for the sure performance of what he had then by Oath engaged in and lest he should have forgot what he had then promised he was desired to read his own hand Writing whereby it was apparent that he had very unjustly violated both his Oath and Promise But all the Rhetorick the Bishops could make use of was not of force enough to work Gwenwynwyn to reconciliation with the Prince and an aversion to the King of England and therefore seeing nothing would do Prince Lhewelyn was resolved to make him incapable of serving the English and so entring Powys with a strong Army he subdued the whole Country to himself Gwenwynwyn being forced to fly for Succor to the Earl of Chester Whilst these things passed in Wales Lewis the Dauphin of France being invited by the English Barons against King John landed in the Island of Thanet and marching forward to London he there received Homage of all the Barons that were in actual War against the King And then setting forward to Winchester where King John then lay he took in his way the Castles of Rygat Guildford and Farnham and coming to Winchester had the Town presently surrendred to him King John did not think fit to abide his coming but removing to Hereford in the Marches of Wales he sent to Prince Lhewelyn and Reynold Bruce desiring their Friendship and imploring their Aid aad Assistance against the French But they refusing to hearken to his Proposals he destroyed Radnor and Hay Castles and marching forward to Oswestry which belonged to John Fitzalan he burnt it to the ground and then departed towards the North. But after that he had settled his Affairs there and appointed Governours in all the Towns and Places of Strength whilst he was making all necessary Preparations at Newark to confront the Barons he fell sick and in a short time died and was buried at Worcester After his Death his Son Henry was by several of the English Nobility proclaimed King and in a little while most of the Barons who upon their hatred to King John had maintained an open War against him came in and owned their Allegiance to his Son Henry tho contrary to their Oath to Lewis the Dauphine A.D. 1217 But what was most pernicious to the Welch Reynald de Bruce who had all this while maintained a Confederacy with Prince Lhewelyn his Father-in-Law against King John underhand made his Peace with King Henry But he suffered severely for his Treachery for young Rhys and Owen his Nephew by his Sister seeing that he in whom they put their greatest Confidence had deceitfully forsaken them came upon him with all their Power and took from him all Buelht excepting only the Castle Prince Lhewelyn was presently made acquainted with Bruce's revolt but as soon as he was informed that his Son-in-Law was gone over to the King of England he went in great fury to Brecknoc and laying Siege to the Town of Aberhondhy he was with much ado prevailed upon by young Rhys to raise the Siege for the summ of a Hundred Marks and then crossing the Mountanous part of Glamorgan called the Black Mountains where his Carriages suffered very much he came to Gwyr and encamping at Lhangruc Reynald Bruce with six Knights in his Company came to meet him desiring his Pardon for his passed Offence assuring him that for the future he would be true and faithful to him and would to his endeavour assist him against the King of England Prince Lhewelyn was too good natured to reject his submission and so did not only receive him to his Favour but bestowed upon him also the Castle of Senghennyth which Reynald committed to the Custody of Rhys Fychan Prince Lhewelyn having settled all things in good Order in Gwyr marched to Dyfed and being at Cefn Cynwarchan the Flemings sent their Agents to him to desire Peace which the Prince by reason that they always adhered to the English Interest would not grant them And so young Rhys having the first Man passed the River Cledeu to Storm the Town Iorwerth Bishop of St. Davids with the rest of his Clergy came to the Prince to intreat for a Peace for the Flemings which after a long debate was granted and concluded upon these Terms First That all the â—nhabitants of Rhôs and the Country of Pembroke should from thence forward swear Allegiance to Prince Lhewelyn and ever after acknowledge his Sovereignty Secondly That towards the defraying of his Charges in this Expedition they should pay one Thousand Marks to be delivered to him before the ensuing Feast of St. Michael Thirdly That for the sure performance of these Articles they should deliver up Twenty Hostages who were to be some of the most Principal Persons in their Country Then Prince Lhewelyn having now brought all Wales subject to himself and put Matters in a settled posture in South Wales returned to North-Wales having purchased very considerable Honour and Esteem for his Martial Achievements in this Expedition And now all Matters of Differences being adjusted and the Welch in good hopes of a durable Freedom from all Troubles and Hostilities another Accident unhappily fell out to cross their Expectation Lewis the Dauphin perceiving the English Barons to slight and forsake him concluded a Peace with King Henry and returned to France and then the Barons the King promising to answer all their Request and to redress their Grievances made their submission without including the Welch in their Articles They had all this while gladly embraced the Friendship and Aid of the Prince of Wales but now upon their Reconciliation to the King thinking they had no farther need of him they very basely forsook him who had been the principal Support and Succour of their Cause And not only so but they conspired together to convert their Arms against Wales thinking they could without any breach of Equity or Conscience take away the Lands of the Welch to make addition to what some of them had already unjustly possessed themselves of William Marshall Earl of Pembroke opened the Scene and coming unexpectedly upon the Welch took the Town of Caerlheon But he
Warden of the Marches of Wales who thinking to get to himself an eternal Name in conquering the Welch raised all the Power he could and imagining that the Welch could not be privy to his purpose he apprehended he could fall upon the Earl-Marshal unexpected But in this he was to his sorâ—ow most widely mistaken for the Earl having received private intimation of his Design hid himself â—n a certain Wood by which the English were to march and when they were come so far the Welch of a sudden gave a great shout and leaping out of the place they had absconded themselves in they fell â—pon the English being unprovided and putting their whole Army to flight they slew an infinite number both of the English and their Auxiliaries John of Monmouth himself made his escape by flight but the Earl-Marshal entering his Country destroyed it with Fire and Sword And what added to the Misery of the English Prince Lhewelyn in the Week after Epiphany joyning the Earl-Marshal made an Incursion into the King's Territories destroying all before them from the Confines of Wales to Shrewsbury a great part of which they laid in Ashes King Henry was all this while with the Bishop of Winchester at Glocester and for want of sufficient Power or Courage to confront the Enemy durst not take the Field of which being at length perfectly ashamed he removed to Winchester leaving the Marches naked to the mercy of the Enemy And now there being no apprehension of fear from the English the Earl of Pembrock by the Counsel of Geoffrey de Marisco transported his Army into Ireland thinking to obtain a Conquest in that Kingdom but in the first Encounter with the Irish he was unfortunately slain through the Treachery of his own Men And so his Estate and Title descended to his Brother Gilbert But King Henry finding it impracticable to force the Welch to a Submission and being in a great measure weary of continual Wars and incessant Hostilities thought it his best Prudence to make some honourable Agreement with the Prince of Wales and therefore he deputed Edmund Archbishop of Canterbury the Bishops of Rochester Coventry and Lichfield and Chester to treat with Prince Lhewelyn about a Peace When the King came to meet with them in their return from this Negotiation being at Woodstock he was certified of the death of the Earl of Pembrock which he took so much to heart that he presently melted into Tears being afflicted for the death of so great a Person whom he openly declared had not left his Second in all his Kingdom Going from thence to Glocester he met with the Archbishop and Bishops who delivered to him the * See the Appendix Form of the Treaty of Peace with Prince Lhewelyn which he would not conclude unless upon this condition That all the English Nobility who were confederated with him and by evil Counsel were exil'd should be recalled and restored to the King's Favour The Archbishop further acquainted his Majesty with what Difficulty he had brought the matter to this conclusion being sometimes forced to add Threatnings on the King's behalf with his Clergy to which Menaces the Prince is said to have answered That he bore more regard to the King's Charity and Piety than he did fear his Arms or dread his Clergy But the King who was very desirous of a Peace readily consented to what the Prince required and therefore he issued out his Letters recalling all the Nobles who were out-law'd or otherwise exil'd requiring them to appear at Glocester upon Sunday next before Ascension day where they should receive their Pardons and be restored to their Estates which the King had taken into his own hands The Peace being thus concluded betwixt the English and Welch Prince Lhewelyn set his Son Gruffydh at liberty whom for his disobedient and restless Humour he had detained in close Prison for the space of Six Years About the same time Cadwalhon ap Maelgon of Melienydh departed this Life who was quickly follow'd by Owen Gruffydh ap Rhys's Son a Person of great Worth and exceedingly beloved and A.D. 1235 was buried at Ystratflur by his Brother Rhys And the Year following dyed Owen ap Meredith ap Rotpert of Cydewen and not long after him Madawc A. D. 1236. the Son of Gruffydh Mayelor Lord of Bromfield Chirk and Yale who was buried at the Abby of Lhan Egwest or Vale Crucis which he had built leaving Issue behind him one Son called Gruffydh who succeeded into the Possession of all these Lordships A little after Gilbert Earl of Pembrock got by Treachery Marchen Castle which belonged to Morgan ap Howel and fortified the same very strongly for fear of Prince Lhewelyn The next Spring Joan King John's Daughter and Princess of Wales departed this Life and was A.D. 1237 buried according to her own desire upon the Sea-shore at a place called Lhanfaes in the Isle of Anglesey where the Prince in memory of her afterwards founded a religious House for the Order of Mendicant-Friars About the same time also dyed John Scot Earl of Chester without any Issue upon which account the King seized that Earldom into his own hands Hugh Lupus was the first that enjoyed this Honour who coming over to England with the Conquerour was by him created Earl of Chester and Sword-bearer of England Habendum tenendum dictum comitatum Cestriae sibi haeredibus suis ita liberè ad gladium sicut ipse Rex totam tenebat Angliam ad coronam To have and to hold the said County of Chester to him and his Heirs by right of the Sword so freely and securely as the King held the Realm of England in the right of the Crown After Five Descents Randulph Bohun came to be Earl of Chester who was Uncle to this John the last Earl This Randulph had several Encounters with Prince Lhewelyn and was in continual agitation against him but once more particularly meeting with the Prince and being sensible of his Inability to withstand him he was obliged to retire for Refuge to the Castle of Ruthlan which the Prince presently besieged Randulph perceiving himself to be in danger sent to Roger Lacy Constable of Chester requesting him to raise what strength he could possible and come to succour him in this Extremity Wherefore Lacy having received this Express called to him presently all his Friends desiring them to make all the Endeavours imaginable to rescue the Earl from that imminent Danger which so severely threatned him At whose request Ralph Dutton his Son in Law a valorous Youth assembled together all the Players and Musicians and such as then being Fair-time had met to make merry and presenting them to the Constable he forthwith marched to Ruthlan raised the Siege and delivered the Earl from all his fear In recompence of this Service the Earl granted the Constable several Freedoms and Priviledges and to Dutton the ruling and ordering all Players and Musicians within the said Country to be
enjoyed by his Heirs for ever A.D. 1238 In the Year 1238. Prince Lhewelyn being discomposed in Body called unto him all the Lords and Barons of Wales to Ystratflur where each of them swore to remain true and faithful Subjects and did Homage to David Lhewelyn's Son whom he had named to succeed him Matthew Paris writes that Prince Lhewelyn being impotent by reason of a Palsie and sore disquieted by his Son Gruffydh sent Embassadours to the King of England signifying to him that for as much as he could not expect to live long by reason of his Age he was desirous to lead the remainder of his days in Peace and Tranquility and therefore now purposed to submit himself to the Government and Protection of the King and would hold his Lands of him promising withal that whenever the King should stand in need of his help he would serve him both with Men and Money to the utmost of his power The Bishops of Hereford and Chester were sent Mediators in this behalf though some of the Nobility of Wales openly and peremptorily withstood it and upon no condition whatsoever would accept of such a Peace But David being declared Successor to the Principality began to plague his Brother Gruffydh who though elder was yet base-born and took from him Arustly Ceri Cyfeilioc Mowdhwy Mochnant and Careneon and let him only enjoy the Cantref of Lhyn But a little afterwards he dispossessed him of all and contrary to his Oath to the Bishop of Bangor in whose protection Gruffydh then remained took him Prisoner having upon promise of no Violence obtained to speak with him and sent him to Cricieth Castle But whilst these two Brothers continued to entertain an irreconcilable Odium one to another their Father Prince Lewelyn ap Iorwerth A.D. 1240 to the great Grief and Dissatisfaction of all the Welch departed this Life and was very honourably interred in the Abby of Conwey after he had reigned Six and Fifty Years He was a Prince of great Courage and Audacity and had no less Prudence in contriving than Boldness in executing any martial Adventure he was a great Support to the Welch and no less a Plague to the English he made very considerable Conquests upon the Borders and extended the Frontiers of Wales much beyond their former Limits He had Issue by his only Wife Joan Daughter to King John of England one Son called David who afterwards succeeded in the Principality of Wales and a Daughter named Gladys who was married to Sir Ralph Mortimer He had also a base Son named Gruffydh whom his Brother David kept a close Prisoner to his dying day David ap Lhewelyn PRince Lhewelyn ap Iorwerth being deceased his only legitimate Son David whom all the Barons of Wales had as is said in his Fathers Life-time sworn to obey legally succeeded in the Goverment wherein being actually confirmed he went to the King of England to Glocester and there did him Homage See Appendix for his Principality Then all the Barons both English and Welch who held any Lands in Wales in like manner did Homage and Fealty for the same But the English could not long refrain from their wonted Hostilities towards the Welch and thereupon Gilbert Marshal taking advantage of this Revolution before Matters were throughly settled brought an Army before the Castle of Aberteifi which being delivered up to him he fortified with a strong Garrison Prince David was as yet too weak to appear in the Field and indeed the more by reason that several of his Nobility and others could not affectionately love him for that unnatural Spleen he shew'd to his Brother Gruffydh whom for no visible reason he detained in close custody But above the rest Richard Bishop of Bangor stormed at the Prince and finding that he violated his Promise in setting his Brother at liberty whom under pretence of an amicable Consultation he had fraudulently seized upon in the Bishop's presence without more ado excommunicated him and then retiring to England made a very querimonious relation of the whole matter to the King desiring him to release Gruffydh out of Prison before the Rumour of so heinous a Fact should reach the Court of Rome and so reflect upon his Majesty's Reputation King Henry thereupon sent to his Nephew Prince David blaming him highly for such a treacherous Action and dealing so severely with his Brother and then earnestly requested him to deliver Gruffydh out of custody both to save himself from perpetual Defamation and to deserve an Absolution from the severe Sentence pronounced against him But David absolutely refused to comply to the King's desire assuring him that Wales could never enjoy a peaceable time as long as his Brother Gruffydh had his liberty Gruffydh being acquainted with his Brothers Resolution and thinking that thereby he had unavoidably displeased the King of England privately sent to King Henry assuring him that if by Force he would deliver him out of Prison he would not only hold his Lands for ever from him but also pay him the yearly Acknowledgment of Three Hundred Marks offering both to give his corporal Oath and to deliver up sufficient Pledges for the performance of it and withall to assist the King with all his Power in bringing in the rest of the Welch to his subjection Moreover Gruffydh ap Madawc Lord of Bromfield positively assured the King that in case he would lead an Army into Wales to revenge the Falsity and injurious Practices of David he would give him all possible Aid and Assistance Indeed King Henry besides this solemn Invitation had no weak Pretence to come to Wales for Richard Bishop of Bangor a fiery Man had prosecuted the matter so warmly at Rome that he obtained of the Pope also to excommunicate David which Excommunication being denounced against him his Lands were pretendedly forfeited But the King being chiefly allured with the Promises of the Welch in the behalf of Gruffydh levied a very formidable Army to lead to Wales strictly commanding by Proclamation all the English who owed him any Martial-Service to repair armed to Glocester by the beginning of Autumn This Rendezvouz being accordingly performed the King came thither in person at the time appointed and having regulated his Troops and put all Matters in convenient order he marched to Shrewsbury where he remained Fifteen Days to refresh his Army During his stay there several of the Nobility became Suitors unto him on behalf of Gruffydh whose Condition they desired he would commiserate among whom were Ralph Lord Mortimer of Wigmore Walter Clifford Roger de Monte Alto Steward of Chester Maelgon ap Maelgon Meredith ap Rotpert Lord of Cydewen Gruffydh ap Madawc of Bromfield Howel and Meredith the Sons of Conan ap Owen Gwynedh and Gruffydh ap Gwenwynwyn Lord of Powys These Noblemen prevailed so far with King Henry that a League was concluded between him and Senena the Wife of Gruffydh See Appendix For the performance of these Articles the aforesaid
and had a great Number of their Men slain After this nothing remarkable fell out for a considerable time unless it were that David being released out of Prison by Prince Lhewelyn his Brother most ungratefully forsook him and with all his might sided with his Enemies the English also Gruffydh ap Gwenwynwyn having taken the Castle of Mold demolished it to the ground During this quiet and unactive interval in Wales Meredith ap Owen the main Support and Defender of South-Wales died to the great disadvantage of the Affairs of that Country And now indeed the Welch were like to be A.D. 1268 made sensible of the Loss of so considerable a Person for King Henry was resolved once more to lead an Army into Wales and to see if he could have better Success than he had hitherto against the Welch But when he was prepared to undertake this Expedition Ottobonus Pope Clement's Legate in England interposed and mediated a Peace which was concluded upon at the Castle of Montgomery wherein it was articled that Prince Lhewelyn should give the King 30000 Marks and the King was to grant the Prince a Charter from thenceforth to receive Homage and Fealty of all the Nobility and Barons of Wales besides one so that they could hold their Lands of no other but himself and from thence forward he was to be lawfully stiled Prince of Wales This Charter being ratified and confirmed as well by the Authority of the Pope as the King's Seal Prince Lhewelyn desisted from any farther Acts of Hostility and punctually observed all the Articles of Agreement betwixt him and King Henry so that nothing more was outragiously transacted between the English and Welch during the remainder of this King's reign Within that space died Grono ap Ednyfed Fychan one of the Chief Lords of the Prince's Council and shortly after him Gruffydh Lord of Bromfield who lies buried at Vale-Crucis A.D. 1272 But the Death of King Henry put an end to the observations of the Peace betwixt the English and Welch who dying on the 16th day of November this year left this Kingdom to his Son Edward Prince Edward was then in the Holy-Land and very active against those Enemies of Christianity the Turks where he had already continued above a year but understanding of his Father's Death and that in his absence he was proclaimed King of England he made all haste to return to receive the Solemnity of Coronation But what by the tediousness of the Journey and what by being honourably detained at Princes Courts in his way it was two years before he could get into England then upon the 15th of August and in the year 1274. he was Crowned at Westminster Prince Lhewelyn was summoned to attend at his Coronation but he flatly refused to appear unless upon sure Terms of safe Conduct for having offended several of the English Nobility he could not in safety pass thro' their Country without the danger of exposing his Person to the inveterate Malice and acceptable Revenge of some of them And thâ—refore without the King's Brother the Earl of Glocester and Robert Burnell Lord Chief Justice of England were delivered up as Pledges for his safe Conduct he would not come up to do his Homage and Fealty at his Coronation according to the Writ directed to him And indeed seeing King Edward had broke the Peace lately concluded upon before the Pope's Legate and did receive and honourably entertain such Noblemen of Wales as for their disloyalty were banished by Prince Lhewelyn by whom he feared some treachery there was no reason that the Prince should pay him any subjection but by the breach of Peace was exempted from all Homage However Prince Lhewelyn to shew that it was not out of any stubborness or disrespect to the King of England that he refused to come sent up his Reasons by the Abbots of Ystratflur and Conwey to Robert Kilwarby Archbishop of Canterbury and the rest of the Bishops then sitting â—n Convocation in the New-Temple at London which were to this effect To the most Reverend Fathers in God Robert Archbishop of Canterbury and Metropolitan of all England the Archbishop of York and the rest of the Bishops in Convocation Lhewelyn Prince of Wales and Lord of Snowden sendeth Greeting WE would have your Lordships to understand that whereas formerly most terrible and incessant Wars were continually managed betwixt Henry King of England and our self the same were at last composed and all matters of Differences were adjusted by the means of his Excellency Cardinal Ottobonus the Pope's Legate who having drawn the Articles and Conditions of the Peace agreâ—d upon they were signed and swore to not only by the Kâ—ng but also the Prince his Son now King of England Among these Articles were comprehended that we and our Successors should hold of the King and his Successor the Principality of Wales so that all the Welch Lords one Baron excepted should hold their Baronies and Estates in Capite of us and should pay their Homage and Fealty for the same to us we in like manner doing Homage to the King of England and his Successors And besides that the King and his Successors should never offer to receive and entertain any of our Enemies nor any such of our own Subjects as were lawfully banished and excluded our Dominions of Wales nor by any means defend and uphold such against us Contrary to which Articles King Edward has forcibly seized upon the Estates of certain Barons of Wales of which they and their Ancestors have been immemorably possessed of and detains a Barony which by the form of Peace should have been delivered to us and moreover has hitherto entertained David ap Gruffydh our Brother and Gruffydh ap Gwenwynwyn with several others of our Enemies who are Out-laws and Fugitives of our Country And tho' we have often exhibited our Grievances and Complaints against them for destroying and pillaging our Country yet we could never obtain of the King any relief or redress for the several Wrongs and Injuries we received at their hands but on the contrary they still persist to commit wastes and other outrages in our Dominions And for all this he summons us to do him Homage at a place which is altogether dangerous to our Person where our inveterate Enemies and which is worse our own unnatural Subjects bear the greatest sway and respect w th the King And tho' we have alledged several Reasons to the King and his Council why the place by him assigned is nâ—t safe and indifferent for us to come and desire him to appoint another whereto we might with more safety resort or else that he would send Commissioners to receive our Oath and Homage till he could more opportunely receive them in Person yet he would not assent to our just and reasonable Request nor be satisfied with the Reasons we exhibited for our non-appearance Therefore we desire your Lordships earnestly to weigh the dismal effects that will happen to the Subjects
both of England and Wales upon the breach of the Articles of Peace and that you would be pleased to inform the King of the sad Consequence of another War which can no way be prevented but by using us according to the Conditions of the former Peace which for our part we will in no measure transgress But if the King will not hearken to your Counsel we hope that you will hâ—ld us excused if the Nation be disquieted and troubled thereupon which as much as in us lieth we endeavour to prevent King Edward would admit of no Excuse noâ— hearken to any manner of Reason in the case but was unmercifully enraged and conceived an unpardonable displeasure against Prince Lhewelyn which yet he thought convenient to conceal and dissemble for a time Indeed he could never abide Lhewelyn â—â—nce the time that he was vanquished and put to â—ight by him at the Marches so that the chief Cause â—f King Edward's anger originally proceeded from 〈◊〉 point of Honor which this refusal of Homage â—â—rved sufficiently to increase But to prosecute his Revenge which upon this score is in Princes very â—erce and unforgetful in a short time he came to â—hester meaning to recover by force what he could â—ot obtain by fair means From hence he sent to â—â—e Prince of Wales requiring him to come over and 〈◊〉 him Homage which Lhewelyn either absolutely reâ—â—sing or willingly detracting to do King Edward â—ade ready his Army to force him to it But there A.D. 1277 â—â—ppened an Accident which took off a great part of â—rince Lhewelyn's stubborness for at this time the â—ountess of Leicester the Widow of Simon Montfort â—ho lived at Montargis a Nunnery in France sent over 〈◊〉 Wales her Daughter the Lady Eleanor whom â—hewelyn extreamly loved with her Brother Aemeâ—ke to be married to the Prince according to the Aâ—reement made in her Father Earl Montfort's time â—ut Aemerike fearing to touch upon the Coast of â—ngland steered his course towards the Islands of â—cilly where by the way they were all taken by four â—ristol Ships and brought to King Edward who reâ—eived the Lady very honourably but committed her â—â—other Prisoner to the Castle of Coff whence he was â—fterward removed to the Castle of Shirburne The â—ing having obtained this unexpected Advantage over â—hewelyn began boldly to fall upon him and so diâ—â—ding his Army into two Battalions led one himself â—â—to North-Wales and advanced as far as Ruthlan where he strongly fortified the Castle The other he ommitted to Paganus de Camurtiis a great Souldier â—ho entring into West-Wales burned and destroyed 〈◊〉 great part of the Country But the People of South-Wales fearing that his next Expedition was levelled â—gainst them voluntarily submitted themselves to the â—ing and did him Homage and then delivered upâ—â—â—he Castle of Ystratywy to Paganus Prince Lhewelyn hearing of this and finding his own Subjects to forsake him but more especially being desirous to recover his espouse the Lady Eleanor thought it likewise advisable to submit and therefore sued to King Edward for a Peace who granted it but upon very severe Conditions upon Lhewelyns side The Agreement consisted of ten Articles which were 1. That the Prince should set at liberty all manner of Prisoners that upon the King's Account were detained in Custody 2. That for the King's favour and good will he should pay 50000 Marks to be received at the King's pleasure 3. That these four Cantreds or Hundreds viz. Cantref Ros where the King's Castle of Teganwy stands Ryfonioc where Denbigh Tegengl where Ruthlan Dyffryn Clwyd where Rhuthyn stands should remain in the King's hands 4. That the Lords Marchers should quietly enjoy all the Lands they had conquered within Wales excepting in the Isle of Anglesey which was wholly granted to the Prince 5. That in consideration of this Island the Prince should pay 5000 Marks in hand with the reserve of a 1000 Marks yearly to begin at Michaelmas and in case the Prince died without Issue the whole Island should return to the King 6. That the Prince should come every year to England to pay his Homage to the King for all his Lands 7. That all the Barons of Wales excepting five in Snowden should hold their Lands and Estates of the King and no other 8. That the Title of Prince should remain only for his Life and not descend to his Successors and after his Death the five Lords of Snowden should hold their Lands only from the King 9. That for the performance of these Articles the Prince should deliver up for Hostages ten Persons of the best Quality in the Country without imprisoning disinheriting and any time of redemption determined And farther that the King should chuse Twenty Persons within North-Wales who besides the Prince should take their Oaths for the due performance of these Articles and in case the Prince should swerve and recede from them and upon admonition â—hereof not repent they should forsake him and beâ—ome his Enemies 10. The Prince was obliged to â—uffer his Brethren quietly to enjoy their Lands in Wales whereof David for his Service was dubbed Knight by the King and had the Earl of Derby's Widow given him in Matrimony and with her as 〈◊〉 Portion the Castle of Denbigh in North-Wales beâ—ides a 1000 Pounds in Lands His other Brother Roderic was lately escaped out of Prison into England â—nd the younger called Owen was upon his Composition delivered out of Prison King Edward having imposed these severe and unmerciful Conditions upon Prince Lhewelyn and for a better security for the performance of them built a Castle at Aberystwyth returned very honourably into England upon whose arrival the People willingly granted him a Subsidy of the Twentieth part of their Estates towards his Charges in this War But it seems very probable that Prince Lhewelyn submitted to these intolerable Conditions more upon the account of his Amours and to regain the Lady Eleanora out of the King of England's hand than that he was apprehensive of any considerable Danger he might receive by the English Troops For it is hardly conceivable that a Prince of such notorious Conduct and Valour would so easily accept of such hard Terms and in a measure deliver up his Principality when there was no necessity so to do without resisting an Enemy whom he had frequently overcome and forced to retire back with greater inequality than the English had at present over him But the force of â—ove worked Wonders and in this case proved moâ—t irresistible which to obtain Lhewelyn did not think hard to forfeit his proper Right to his inveterate Enemies and for ever to exclude his Posterity from succeeding in their lawful Inheritance The next year A.D. 1273 therefore he had his Wish accomplished and was married to Eleanora at Worcester the King and Queen with all the Nobility and Persons of Quality in England honouring the Wedding with their pâ—esence But this specious Amity and the Peace laâ—â— concluded betwixt them
to be established as long as the English had no regard to Articles and still oppress his People with new and unwarrantable Exactions Therefore seeing his Subjects were unchristianly abused by the King's Officers and all his Country most tyrannically harassed he saw no reason why the English upon any fault of his side should threaten to bring a formidable Army to his Country nor the Church pretend to censure him seeing also he was very willing upon the aforesaid Conditions to submit to a Peace And lastly he desired his Grace that he would not give the more credit to his Enemies because they were near his Person and could deliver their Complaints frequently and by word of mouth for they who made no conscience of oppressing would not in all probability stick to defame and make false Accusations and therefore his Grace would make a better Estimation of the whole matter by examining their Actions rather than believing their Words Prince Lhewelyn having to this purpose replyed in general to the Archbishops Articles presented him with a Copy of the several Grievances which himself and others of his Subjects had wrongfully and unjustly received at the hands of the English And these though somewhat tedious are thought necessary to be particularly inserted in the Appendix by reason that they demonstrably vindicate the Welch Nation from the unreasonable Aspersions which the English of these times cast upon it For the breach of Peace and the occasion of those dismal Disturbances in the Kingdom are by the English Writers of those times wholly attributed to the restless and rebellious Humour and unconstant Temper of the Welch Whereas had they looked at home they might have found the Original of all these Troubles to have proceeded from the intolerable Extortions and insupportable Oppressions of their own Nation For whoever considers these unmerciful Grievances and the manifold Wrongs the Welch endured it cannot in reason be expected but that they would endeavour to vindicate themselves and repel Force by Force For had the English the liberty of dispossessing them wrongfully of their proper Inheritance and Estates and it was not lawful for the Welch to endeavour the defending and keeping their own And must they be reckoned disobedient and Promoters of Sedition upon the account that they would not be trampled under and enslaved by the English These Measures were too hard and intolerable and scarce allowable in an Infidel Nation to oppress and what in them lay eradicate a People for no other reason than because they were weaker and more helpless than themselves and then what is worse to accuse them of being Authors of Sedition because they would not suffer themselves to be peaceably enslaved but endeavoured to vindicate their Right by main Force But it is highly probable that King Edward had no inclination to observe what Articles of Agreement soever were concluded upon and therefore encouraged his Deputies in the Marches and inland Country of Wales in all their Oppressions and sinistrous Dealings towards the Welch This was the best Method and the most expedient Means to reduce the Country of Wales to subjection to the Crown of England which the King had long ago intentionally effected And to accuse the Welch of not observing the Conditions of Peace was a specious Pretence to bring that actually to pass and to lead an Army into the Country But whaever the English might pretend 't is evident the Welch had the greater occasion to complain See the Appendix as appears from the Grievances committed as well against the Prince himself as others of his Subjects The Archbishop having read over these Grievances and finding the Welch to be upon good reason guiltless of that severe Character which by the malicious Insinuations of the English he had conceived of them went to King Edward requesting him to take into consideration the unjust Wrongs and Injuries done to the Welch which if he would not redress at least he might excuse them from any breach of Obedience to him seeing they had so just a reason for what they did The King replyed That he willingly forgave them and would make reasonable Satisfaction for any Wrong done so that they had free access to declare their Greivances before him and then might safely depart in case it would appear just and lawful they should The Archbishop upon this thought he had obtained his purpose and therefore without any stay posted it to Snowden where the Prince and his Brother David resided and having acquainted them with the King's mind earnestly desired that they and the rest of the Nobility of Wales would submit themselves and by him be introduced to the King's presence Prince Lhewelyn after some times Conference and Debate declared that he was ready to submit to the King with the reserve only of two particulars namely his Conscience whereby he was obliged to regard the Safety and Liberties of his People and then the decency of his own State and Quality But the King understanding by the Archbishop how that the Prince stood upon Terms positively refused to consent to any more Treaty of Peace than that he should simply submit without any farther Conditions The Archbishop had experience enough that the Welch would never agree to such Proposals and therefore desired of his Majesty that he would give him leave with the rest of the English Nobility present to confer and conclude upon the matter which being granted they unanimously resolved upon the following Articles and sent them to the Prince by John Wallensis Bishop of S. Davids I. The King will have no Treaty of the four Cantreds and other Lands which he has bestowed upon his Nobles nor of the Isle of Anglesey II. In case the Tenants of the four Cantreds submit themselves the King purposeth to deal kindly and honourably with them which we are sufficiently satisfied of and will what in us lyes endeavour to further III. We will do the like touching Prince Lhewelyn concerning whom we can return no other Answer than that he must barely submit himself to the King without hopes of any other Conditions These were the publick Articles agreed upon by the English Nobility and sent to Prince Lhewelyn besides which they sent some private Measures of Agreement relating both to him and his Brother David promising that in case he would submit and put the King in quiet possession of Snowden his Majesty would bestow an English County upon him with the yearly Revenue of a Thousand Pound Sterling And moreover his Daughter should be provided for suitable to her Birth and Quality and all his Subjects according to their Estate and Condition and in case he should have Male Issue by a second Wife the aforesaid County and a Thousand Pound should remain to his Posterity for ever As for David the Prince's Brother if he would consent to go to the Holy Land upon condition not to return but upon the King's Pleasure all things should be honourably prepared for his Journey with
Wales King Edward by a Statute made at Ruthlan incorporated and annexed it to the Crown of England Anno 12. Edw. I. constituting several new and wholsom Laws as concerning the Division of Wales into several Counties the Form and Manner of Writs and Proceedings in Tryals with many others not very unlike the Laws and Constitutions of the English Nation But all this could never win the Affection of the Welch toward him who by no means would own him as their Sovereign unless he would condescend and agree to live and reign among them They had not forgot the cruel Oppressions and intolerable Insolencies oâ— English Officers and therefore they flatly told him they would never yield Obedience to any other than a Prince of their own Nation of their own Language and whose Life and Conversation was spotless and unblameable King Edward perceiving the Welch to be resolute and inflexible and absolutely bent against any other Prince than one of their own Country happily thought of this politick though dangerous Expedient Queen Eleanor was now quick with Child and ready to be delivered and though the Season was very severe it being the depth of Winter the King sent for her from England and remov'd her to Caernarvon Castle the place design'd for her to â—â—ve in When the time of her Delivery was come â—â—ng Edward called to him all the Barons and chief â—ersons throughout all Wales to Ruthlan there to â—onsult about the publick Good and Safety of their â—ountry And being informed that his Queen was â—elivered of a Son he told the Welch Nobility that â—hereas they had oftentimes intreated him to appoint â—â—em a Prince he having at this time occasion to deâ—art out of the Country would comply with their â—equest upon condition they would allow of and â—â—ey him whom he should name The Welch readiâ—â— agreed to the motion only with the same Reserve â—hat he should appoint them a Prince of their own Nation King Edward assured them he would name â—â—ch an one as was born in Wales could speak no â—nglish and whose Life and Conversation no body â—ould stain whom the Welch agreeing to own and â—bey he named his own Son Edward but little before â—â—om in Caernarvon Castle King Edward having by these means deluded the Welch and reduced the whole Country of Wales to â—is own Devotion began to reward his Followers with other Mens Proprieties and bestowed whole Lordships and Towns in the midst of the Country â—pon English Lords among whom Henry Lacy Earl of Lineoln obtained the Lordship of Denbigh Reginald Grey second Son to John Lord Grey of Wilton the Lordship of Ruthyn This Henry Lacy was Son to Edmund Lacy the Son of John Lacy Lord of Halton Pomfret and Constable of Chester who married Margaret the eldest Daughter and one of the Heirs of Robert Quincy Earl of Lincoln This Henry Lacy Lord of Denbigh married the Daughter and sole Heir of William Longspear Earl of Salusbury by whom he had Issue two Sons Edmund and John who both dyed young one by a Fall into a very deep Well within the Castle of Denbigh and a Daughter named Alicia who was married to Thomas Plantagenet Earl of Lancaster who in right of his Wife was Earl of Lincoln and Sarum Lord of Denbigh Halton Pomfret and Constable of Chester After his Death King Edward II. bestowed the said Lordship of Denbigh upon Hugâ— Lord Spencer Earl of Winchester upon whose deceasâ—â— King Edward III. gave it together with many otheâ— Lordships in the Marches to Roger Mortimer Earlâ— March in performance of a Promise he had made whilst he remained with his Mother in France thaâ— as soon as he should come to the possession of thâ— Crown of England he would bestow upon the saiâ— Earl of March to the value of a Thousand Pounâ—â— yearly in Lands But within few Years after Mâ—â—timer being attainted of High Treason King Edwaâ—â— bestowed the said Lordship of Denbigh upon Montague Earl of Salusbury but it was quickly restoreâ— again to the Mortimers in which House it continued till the whole Estate of the Earls of March caâ—â— with a Daughter to the House of York and so to the Crown Richard Duke of York Grand-Father to Edward the Fourth having married the sole Daughter and Heir of the House of the Mortimers And so 〈◊〉 continued in the Crown to Queen Elizabeths time who in the Sixth Year of her Reign bestowed the said Lordship upon her great Favourite Robert Earâ— of Leicester who was then created Baron of Denbigh After him it returned again to the Crown where 〈◊〉 has continued to this present Year 1696. when his present Majesty granted a Patent under the great Seaâ— to William Earl of Portland for the Lordships of Denbigh Bromfield and Yale Some of the Welch Representatives perceiving how far such a Grant encroached upon the Properties and Priviledges of the Subject disclosed their Grievances to the Honourable House of Commons who after some consideration resolved nemine contradicente that a Petition should be presented to his Majesty by the Body of the whole House to request him to recall his Grant to the said Earl of Portland which was accordingly done in the manner following May it please Your Most Excellent Majesty WE Your Majesty's most Dutiful and Loyal Subjects the Knights Citizens and Burgesses in Parliament Assembled Humbly lay before Your Majesty That whereas there is a Grant passing to William Earl of Portland and his Heirs of the Manners of Denbigh Bromfield and Yale and divers other Lands in the Principality of Wales together with several Estates of Inheritance enjoyed by many of Your Majesty's Subjects by Virtue of Antient Grants from the Crown That the said Mannors with the large and extensive Royalties Powers and Jurisdictions to the same belonging are of great Concern to Your Majesty and the Crown of this Realm And that the same have been usually Annex'd to the Principality of Wales and Settled on the Princes of Wales for their Support And that a great number of Your Majesty's Subjects in those Parts hold their Estates by Royal Tenure under great and valuable Compositions Rents Royal-Payments and Services to the Crown and Princes of Wales and have by such Tenure great Dependance on Your Majesty and the Crown of England and have enjoyed great Privileges and Advantages with their Estates under such Tenure We therefore most humbly beseech Your Majesty to put a stop to the Passing this Grant to the Earl of Portland of the said Mannors and Lands and that the same may not be disposed from the Crown but by Consent of Parliament For that such Grant is in Diminution of the Honour and Interest of the Crown by placing in a Subject such large and extensive Royalties Powers and Jurisdictions which ought only to be in the Crown and will Sever that Dependance which so great a Number of Your Majesty's Subjects in those Parts have on Your Majesty and the Crown by reason of their Tenure
with great Fury and Courage faced them and joyning Battels forced them back with a very considerable loss Polydore Virgil says but upon what Authority is not known that the Welch obtained this Victory rather upon the account that the English Army was hired with such Money as had been wrongfully taken out of the Abbies and other Religious places so that it was a Judgment from above more than the Force of the Welch that overcame the English Army But be the cause of it what it will 't is certain the English were vanquished upon which account King Edward came in Person to Wales and kept his Christmas at Aberconwey where Robert Winchelsey Archbishop of Canterbury being returned from Rome came to him and having done Homage returned honourably again to England But as the King advanced farther into the Country having but one part of his Army with him the Welch set upon and took most of his Carriages which contained a great quantity of Victuals and Provision so that the King with all his followers were constrained to endure a great deal of hardships in so much that at last Water mixed with Honey and very course and ordinary Bread with the saltest Meat were accounted the greatest Delicacies for his Majesty 's own Table But their misery was like to be greater had not the other part of the Army come in time because the Welch had encompassed the King round in hopes to reduce him to the utmost distress by reason that the Water was so risen that the rest of the Army could not get to him But the Water within some time after abating the remainder of the Army came in whereupon the Welch presently retired and made their escape One thing is very remarkable of King Edward during his distress at Snowden that when the Army was reduced to very great extremity a small quantity of Wine was found which they thought to reserve for the King 's own use But he to prevent any discontent which might thereupon be raised in his Souldiers absolutely refused to taste thereof telling them That in time of Necessity all things should be common and as he was the Cause and Author of thâ—ir Distress he would not be preferred before them in his Diet. But whilst the King remained in Snowden the Earl of Warwick being informed that a great Number of Welch were assembled and had lodged themselves â—n a certain Valley betwixt two Woods chose out a Troop of Horse together with some Cross-Bows and Archers and set upon them in the Night time The Welch being thus surprised and unexpectedly encompassed about by their Enemies made the best they could to oppose them and so pitching their Spears in the ground and directing the points towards their Enemies endeavoured by such means to keep off the Horse But the Earl of Warwick having ordered his Battel so as that between every two Horse there stood a Cross-Bow so gauled the Welch with the shot of the quarrels that the Spear-men fell apace and then the Horse breaking easily in upon the rest bare them down with so great a slaughter as the Welch had never received before After this King Edward to prevent any more rebellious attempts of the Welch cut down all the Woods in Wales wherein in any time of Danger they were wont to hide and save themselves And for a farther security he repaired and fortified all the Castles and places of Strength in Wales and built the Castle of Bewmoris in the Isle of Anglesey and so having put all things in a settled posture and punished those that had been the occasion of the Death of Roger de Pulesdon he returned with his Army into England But as soon as the King had left the Welch Madoc who as it is said before was chosen Captain by the North-Wales Men gathered some Forces together and came to Oswestry which presently yielded to him And then meeting with the Lord Strange near Knookine who with a Detachment of the Marchers came to oppose him gave him Battel vanquished his Forces and miserably ravaged his Country The like Success he obtained a second time against the Marchers but at last they brought together a very great Number of Men and met Madoc marching towards Shâ—ewsbury upon the Hills of Cefn Digolh not far from Camrs Castle where after a bloody Fight on both sides Madoc was taken Prisoner and his Army vanquished and put to flight Then he was sent to London and there sentenced to remain in perpetual Imprisonment in the Tower tho' others affirm that Madoc was never taken but that after several Adventures and severe Conflicts whereby the Welch were reduced to great extremities he came in and submitted himself to the King who received him upon Condition he would not desist to pursue Morgan Captain of the Glamorgan-shire Men till he brought him Prisoner before him Madoc having performed this and the whole Country being peaceable and undisturbed several Hostages from the Chiefest Nobility of Wales for their orderly and quiet behaviour were delivered to the King who disposed of them into divers Castles in England where they continued in safe Custody till the end of the War which was presently-commencâ—d with Scotland A.D. 1301 In the 29th year of King Edward's reign the Prince of Wales came down to Chester and received Homage of all the Free-holders in Wales as follows Henry Earl of Lancaster for Monmouth Reginald Gray for Ruthyn Foulke Fitzwarren for his Lands the Lord William Martyn for his Lands in Cemaes Roger Mortimer for his Lands in Wales Henry Lacy Earl of Lincoln for Rhos and Rhyfoneioc Robert Lord Montalt for his Lands and Gruffydh Lord of Poole for the Lordship of Powys at the same time paid their Homage Tudor ap Grono of Anglesey Madoc ap Tudor Archdeacon of Anglesey Eineon ap Howel of Caernarvon Tudor ap Gruffydh Lhewelyn ap Ednyfed Gruffydh â—ychan Son of Gruffydh ap Iorwerth Madoc Fychan Denglfield Lhewelyn Bishop of St. Asaph and Richard de Pulesdon This last in the Twelfth Year of King Edward was constituted Sheriff of Caernarvon for life with the stipend of Forty Pounds sterling yearly At the same place Gruffydh ap Tudor Ithel Fychan Ithel ap Blethyn with many more did their Homage Then the Prince came to Ruthlan where the Lord Richard de Sutton Baron of Malpas paid Homage and Fealty for the said Barony of Malpas Thence the Prince removed to Conwey where Eineon Bishop of Bangor and David Abbot of Maynan did their Homage as did Lewis de Felton Son of Richard Felton for the Lands which his Father held of the Prince in Maelor Saesneg or English Maelor John Earl Warren swore Homage for the Lordships of Bromfield and Yale and his Lands in Hope-Dale at London in the Chappel of the Lord John de Kirkby sometime Bishop of Ely as also a while after Edmund Mortimer for his Lands of Cery and Cydewen But besides all these there paid Homage to the Prince of Wales at Chester Sir
Gruffydh Llwyd Son of Rhys ap Gruffydh ap Ednyfed Fychan a stout and a valiant Gentleman tho' not very fortunate and as Florus says of Sertorius he was magnae quidem sed calamitosae virtutis He was Knighted by King Edward the First upon his bringing the first News of the Queen 's safe delivery of a Son at Caernarvon Castle the King holding then a Parliament at Ruthlan This Sir Gruffydh continued for some time very gratious with the King of England but observing at length the intolerable Oppression and Tyranny exercised by the English Officers especially by Sir Roger Mortimer Lord of Chirke and Justice of North-Wales towards his Country-men the Welch became so far concerned and discontented with such unwarrantable Practices that he presently brake out into open Rebellion against the English And the better to effect what he purposed he treated with Sir Edward Bruce Brother to Robert then King of Scotland who had conquered Ireland to bring or send over some Forces to assist him in his Design against the English upon which account he sent him the following Letter Nobili in Christo Conquestori Domino Edvardo Illustrissimo Regi Hiberniae suus si placet Griffinus Llwyd in North-Wall reverentiam debitam in honore AVditâ nobis vestri in terrarum conquisitione fama egregia in partibus nostris praecipuè debelland aemulos nostros vestros qui tam vos quam nos ab Haereditatibus vi injustè expellendo destruxerunt nomen nostrum memoriamque in terris delere conati fuerunt ab initio supra modum applaudimus ut meritò debemus omnes unanimiter in partibus nostris unde vobis ex parte Wallensium Nobilium significo per praesentes quod si ad Walliam cum hominibus vestris dignemini venire vel si vos in propriâ personâ accedere illuc non poteritis aliquem Nobilem Albanen Comitem Baronem vel Militem cum paucis si plurimi nequeant adesse ad dictas partes nostras volueritis mandare Parati erimus omnes unanimiter ........ dicem eo quod nomen vestrum celebre ubique publicetur expugnat si quid Saxonibus in Albaniâ per illustrem Regem fratrem vestrum ultim per vos in Hibernia per vos nos in Wallia statum vestrum pristinum per Brutum conquisitum recuperabimus ipsisque suppeditatis confusis dispersis Britannia juxta discretam vestrae dominationis ordinationem inter Britones Albaneos in posterum divisa cohaereditabitur Valeat dominatio vestra Regia per cuncta Saecula To this Letter of Sir Gruffydh Llwyd's Sir Edward Bruce returned the following Answer OMnibus desiderantibus à servitute liberari saâ—utem in eo Qui desiderant in se relevat liberat ab angustiis temporibus opportunis quia quilibet Christianus obligatur suo proximo in omni angustiâ subvenire praecipuè illis qui ex unâ radâ—ce originis sive parentelae patriae primitus processerunt ideo compatientes vestrae servituti angustiae jam ....... Anglicana molestia indigenti decrevimus auxiliante altissimo vestro gravamini occurrere innaturalem barbaricam totis viribus Anglicanam de vestris finibus expellere servitutem ut sic sicut à principio Albanicus Britannicus populus expulsis hostibus in perpetuum fiet unus Et quia nullus inimicus faciliter relevatur libenter praecipimus si jugum Anglicanum in tantum vos deprimit quantum nuper depresserat populum Scotianum ut sic ex vestro concordi conamine nostro superveniente juvamine dispenente semper divino positis jura vestra justitiam recuperare proprietatem ....... haereditatem pacificè possidere Veruntamen Dei cum omnia serviunt in isto proposito filium invocamus quod non ex praesumptione ambitione injusti dominii talia attemptamus sed ex mera compassione effusionis innocentis vestri sanguinis subjectionis intollerabilis signant ad hoc quod vellemus inimicorum vestrorum nostrorum vtres reprimere qui nec pacem nec concordiam defiderant Imo vestram nostram finalem destructionem sicut à principio ingressionis eorum in Britanniam incessanter diebus ac noctibus molientur quia nullo modo est nostrae conscientioe quemquam decipere nec etiam decipi à quocunque nostram intentionem Proposit sine â—ergiversatione aliquâ declaramus quod libenter sciremus vestram voluntatem si rationem nostri laboris conaminis intuitu relevationis vestrae acceptare decrement nobis committere prosecutionem querelae vestrae justitiae nec non capitale dominium vestri prout alius hactenus Princeps vester liberius habere consuevit Ità quod vos omnes singuli cujuscunque extiteritis conditionis pristinis haereditatibus terris libertatibus possessionibus consuetis omnibus conditionibus ad vos expectantibus integrè finaliter gaudeatis Vestram igitur voluntatem super hiis quibuscunque aliis in quibus vos consolari poterimus si videatur expediens cautè celeriter nobis remandetis Valete Domini in Domino But for all that these Letters passed betwixt them whether by reason that Bruce's Terms were conceived unreasonable nothing however was concluded upon and the whole Treaty came to nothing But Sir Gruffydh tho' without any hopes of assistance from the Scots would not lay aside what he had once undertaken and therefore having gathered all the Forces he could desperately set upon and almost in an instant over-ran all North-Wales and the Marches seising upon all the Castles and Strong-holds thro' the Country But all to no purpose for as the most violent stream is quickly over so Sir Gruffydh's Army was presently spent and then being met with by a strong Detachment of English his Party was easily discomfited and himself taken Prisoner The same Year being the 15th of the reign of King A.D. 1322 Edward the Second his eldest Son Edward born at Windsor in a Parliament holden at York was created Prince of Wales Duke of Aquitaine and Earl of Chester This Prince succeeded his Father in the Kingdom of England by the Name of Edward the Third one of the greatest and most powerful Monarchs that ever sat upon the English Throne Edward born at Woodstock eldest Son and Heir to A.D. 1343 King Edward the Third was created Prince of Wales upon the 12th day of May in the 17th year of his Father's reign being then about fourteen years of age He was a Prince of incomparable Qualifications but so signally Famous in Martial Affairs that upon the account of the several Actions he was engaged in he received the Name of Black-Prince He took John the French King Prisoner at the Battel of Poictiers and shamefully vanquished the French Army in the Battel of Cressy He did not live to enjoy the Crown but died one year before his Father in the Forty Sixth Year of his Age no Prince was in his life-time better beloved and after
England both as to the Substance and Form of Worship But what may more truly be attributed to Mr. Gouge is that since his Travels into Wales and the propagating of his Doctrine among the ignorant of that Country Presbytery which before had scarce taken root has daily increased and grown to a Head Henry eldest Son of King James the First being arrived to the Age of Seventeen Years was created Prince of Wales on the 30th of May Anno 1610 but he dying of a malignant Feaver about Two Years after his Brother Charles being Fifteen Years of Age was created Prince of Wales in his room Anno 1615. For joy of this new Creation the Town of Ludlow and City of London performed very great Triumphs and the more to honour this Solemnity the King made Twenty Five Knights of the Bath all Lords or Barons Sons and the Inns of Court to express their Joy elected out of their Body Forty choice Gentlemen to perform solemn Justs and Barryers Charles eldest Son of King Charles the First by Henrietta Maria Daughter to King Henry the Fourth of France was born May 29. 1630. and afterwards created Prince of Wales Since the happy Incorporation of the Welch with the English the History of both Nations as well as the People is united and therefore I shall not repeat that which is so copiously and frequenty delivered by the English Historians but shall conclude with Dr. Heylyn That since the Welch have been incorporated with the English they have shewed themselves most loyal hearty and affectionate Subjects of the State â—ordially devoted to their King and zealous in Defence â—f their Laws Liberties and Religion as well as any â—f the best of their Fellow-Subjects APPENDIX The return of a Commission sent into Wales by King Henry the Seventh to search out the Pedigrees of Owen Tudor HENRY the Seventh King of England c. Son of Edmund Earl of Richmond Son of Owen ap Meredith and of Queen Catherine his Wife Daughter â—o Charles the Sixth King of France This Owen was Son of Meredith ap Tudor ap Gronw ap Tudor ap Gronw ap Ednyfed Fychan Baron of Brinfeingle in Denbigh Land Lord of Kricâ—th Chief Justice and Chief of Council to Llewelyn ap Iorwerth Drwyndwn Prince of all Wales And in the time of Prince Llewelyn grew a Variance between King John of England and the said Prince whereupon Ednyfed came with the Prince's Host and Men of War and also a number of his own People and met these English Lords in a Morning at what time these English Lords were hostied and slain and immediately brought their Heads being yet bloody to the said Prince Llewelyn The Prince seeing the same caused Ednyfed Fychan from thenceforth to bear in his Arms or Shield three bloody Heads in token of his Victory where he had born in his Arms before a Saracen's Head and so ever after this Ednyfed bore the said Arms his Son and his Son's Son unto the time of Tuder ap Gronw ap Tudor ap Gronw ap Ednyfed Fychan And after this Ednyfed wedded one Gwenllian Daughter to Rhys Prince of South Wales and had Issue by her Gronw which Ednyfed Fychan had in Wales divers goodly Houses Royally adorn'd with Turrets and Garrets some in Anglesey some other in Caernarvon-shire and and some in Denbigh-Land but his chiefest Mannor-House was in the Commot of Crythin in Caernarvon-shire which was a Royal Palace now decay'd for want of Reparations Also he builded there a Chappel in the Worship of our Lady and had License of the Pope for evermore to sing Divine Service therein for his Soul and his Ancestors and Progenitors Souls always and had Authority to give his Tythes and Offerings to his Chaplain there Vid. an serving starving which Ednyfed Fychan was Son to Kyner ap lers ap Gwgan ap Marchudd which was one of the fifteen Tribes of North-Wales and Son to Kynan ap Elfyn ap Mor ap Mynan ap Isbwis Newintyrche ap Isbwis ap Cadrod Calch Efynydd Earl of Dunstable and Lord of Northampton ap Cywyd Cindion ap Cynfelyn ap Arthuys ap Morydd ap Cynnaw ap Coel Godeboc King of Britain of whom King Henry the Seventh descended lineally by Issue-Male and is Son to the said Coel in the thirty first Degree as it is approved by old Chronicles in Wales Which Coel was Son of Tegfan ap Deheufraint ap Tudâ—wyl ap Urban ap Gradd ap Rhyfedel ap Rhydeirne ap Endigant ap Endeyrn ap Enid ap Endos ap Enddolaw ap Afalach ap Afflech ap Beli mawr King of Britain of whom King Henry the Seventh descendeth by Issue-Male â—nd is Son to him in forty one Degree Which Beli was Son to Monnogon King ap King â—axor ap King Pyr ap King Sawl Benissel ap Rhytherech King ap Rydion King ap Eidol King ap Arthafel King ap Seissilt King ap Owen King ap Caxho King ap Bleuddyd King â—p Meirion King ap Gwrgust King ap Elydno King ap Clydawc King ap Ithel King ap Urien King ap Andrew King ap Kereni King ap Porrex King ap Coel King ap Cadell King ap Geraint King ap Elidr King ap Morydd King ap Dan King ap Seissilt King ap Cyâ—elyn King ap Gwrgan King alias Farfâ—rwch ap Beli King ap Dyfnwal King ap Dodion King ap Enyd ap Kwrwyd ap Cyrdon ap Dyfufarth Prydain ap Aedd mawr ap Antonius ap Seisillt King ap Rhegaw Daughter and Heir of King Lyr and Wife of Henwin Prince of Cornwall This Lyr was Son of Bleuddyd ab Rhunbaladr brâs ap Lleon ap Brutus darian lâs ap Effroc Cadarn ap Mymbyr ap Madoc ap Locrine ap Brutus which inherited first this Land and after his Name was called Britain and had three Sons Locrine Kamber and Albanactus Locrine the eldest parted the Isle with his Brethren and kept half the Land for himself and called it Loegria Kamber second Son had the Land beyond Severn and named it Kambria in English Wales Albanactus had Scotland which he then called Albania after his own Name Of which Brute King Henry the Seventh is lineally descended by Issue-Male saving one Woman and is Son to Brute in five score Degrees How Owen Grandsire to King Henry the Seventh cometh of Beli mawr by Angharad Mother to Ednyfed by Issue-Female by Gittin Owen and Sir John Leiaf's Books THE Mother of Ednyfed was Angharad Daughter of Hwfa ap Cyner ap Rhywallon ap Dinged ap Tudor Trefor ap Mymbyr ap Cadfarch ap Gwrgenaw ap Gwaethiawe ap Bywyn ap Biordderch ap Gwriawn ap Gwnnan ap Gwnfiw frych ap Cadell Dehurnlluc ap Pasgan ap Rhydwf ap Rhudd Fedel frych ap Cyndeirn ap Gwrtheirn Gwrthenau called in English Vertiger by whom King Henry the Seventh by the foresaid Angharad Mother to Ednyfed Fychan and Wife to Cyner ab Iers ap Gwgon is Son to the said Vortiger in thirty Degrees Which Vortiger was Son to Rhydeyrn ap
ei Diaboâ—s delegavit Praeterea in regem impungitis dicenâ— quod regales Ecclesias personas Ecclesiasticas â—udeli vastavit tyrannide consumunt Ad quod tater respondemus quod Dominus Rex praedicta mala â—ec fieri mandavit nec rata habuit quin potius nobis â—btulit ultronei quod quam citò aderit oportunitas â—cclesiarum proponit dispendia resarcire quod differt â—sque ad sedatam guerrae tempestatem ne si prius fieâ—t destruerentur iterum per latrones Praeterea timetis 〈◊〉 Anglia honorem suscipere ne consequenter vobis ocâ—asionata malitia auferatur cum tamen fateamini quod Dominus Rex nullum suum exhaeredaverit inimicum â—uod frustra vos timere credimus si legaliter vivere â—os vestri didiceritis non a pari cum domino â—estro contendere vel certare Mores vobis popuâ—o vestro causamini incognitos nos è contrario opiâ—amur quod expediret vobis omnibus in modum alium mores penitus transformari Cum enim sitis sicut â—aeteri homines donis Dei gratuitis adornati sed in veâ—tro Anglo devoramini ut nec Ecclesiam juvetis conâ—ra hostes fidei militando Nec Clerum studio sapientiae exceptis paucissimis decoretis quin potius maâ—or pars vestrûm torpet otio lasciviis ut pene neâ—ciat mundus vos esse populum nisi per paucos ex vobis qui videntur ut plurimum in mendicare Deinde â—cribitis quod creditis altissimum vos juvare pro justitia decertantes utinam inquam altissimus juvet vos salubriter dirigat ad salutem Sed ne ruinas aliquas Anglorum ex inconsideratione sua provenientes vestris velitis meritis arrogare curetis ad vertere qualiter qui iâ— coelis habitat fatuos sublimat elevat ad modicum ut perpetuo allidat sic certe olim populus Dei electuâ— ante harum repertam civitatem pro unius Anathemate Consortis versus in fugam quosdam suorum perdidiâ— bellatorum Sic certe quater centena millia bellatorum duodecim tribuum Israel in suo numero fortitudine confidentes ab unius tribus modico populo occisis ex 40 millibus bellatorum per vices varias sunt confusi Cum tamen purgato unius Anathemate praedicta Civitas finaliter deleta fuerit per illos qui prius confusi fuerant per lacrymas placato Domino cum jejuniis oblatis Sacrificiis tribus illa quae praevaluerat prius per prius confusos quasi totaliter sit deleta sic certe aliter flagellat Dominus filios quos recipit aliter quos decernit ut arbores steriles extirpare Ista vobis scribimus in cordis amaritudine ab his partibus recedentes nec prenidicare intendimus salubriori consilio si vobis coelitus destinetur nec latere vos volumus quod nullum per vos invenimus excusationis sufficiens remedium quo obstante minime debeatis in excors Irnam incidisse pernuntiari Dudum latet in Oxon consilio contra pacis regiae turbatores viam autem pacis aliam invenire non possumus nec adhuc in spe sumus aliud obtinendi Sed si nobis aliquid consultius videatur agendum vobis numquam claudemus gremium nec auxilium denegabimus opportunum Dat. apud Ruthelan 18 Calend Decemb. Ann. Dom. 1282. Lewelinus autem princeps Walliae praedictus spretis omnibus oblationibus pacis formis post scriptis invasit hostiliter terram Domini Regis Angliae destruendo eam incendio rapina nec non homines terrae illius ad se trahendo à bonitate pacis regiae separando Qui tamen princeps infra mensem illum ignominosa morte primus de exercitu suo occisus est per familiam Domini Cadmundi de mortuo mari filii Domini Rogeri de mortuo mari totus exercitus suus vel occisus vel in fugam conversus in partibus Montis Gomerici die Veneris proximo ante Festum S. Lucae videlicet 3. Id. Decemb. sub Anno Dom. 1282. In decima litera dominicali D. currente A TABLE OF THE Most Remarkable Things in this BOOK A. ABerffraw destroyed by the Irish page 57. Adelred King of the West-Saxons vanquished by the Britains 15. Adelred married Emma Daughter of the Duke of Normandy and the reasons of it 70. The consequence of the Marriage 71. Flies with his Wife and Children into Normandy 75. Returns ibid. His Death 78. Aedan ap Blegorad having slain his Competitor Conan is proclaimed Prince of North-Wales 69. Is slain with his four Sons in Battel 79. Alan the 2d King of Little Britain assisted Cadwalader 9. Advised him to obey the Vision 11. Alfred King an Encourager of Learning and Founder of the Vniversiity of Oxford 32. Routs the Danes ibid. Makes them forswear the sight of English Ground 33. He caused the Laws of Dyfnwal Moelmut and Queen Marsia to be translated into English c. 43. Alfred proposed to be sent for to be King over the English 85. Opposed by Earl Goodwyn 68. Had his Eyes put out ibid. Anarawd Prince of North-Wales succeeds his Father Rodri 37. Dyes his Issue 45. Anglesey destroyed by the Men of Dublin 46. Ravaged by Madoc ap Meredith Prince of Powys but all his Men were cut off 175. Arthur King of Britain his Sepulchre found in the Isle of Afalon 206. The Inscription upon it 207. Arthur eldest Son to King Henry the Seventh created Prince of Wales and Dies at Ludlow 324. Athelstane tho' a Bastard the worthiest Prince of the Saxon Blood 48. His Victory over the Danes Scots and Normans ibid. Removes the Britains to Cornwal Dies 49. Aulase and all his Danes received Baptism 49. Swears never to molest England 66. B. BAldwin Archbishop of Canterbury the first that made his Visitation in Wales 208. Bede his Education and Writings 16. Bible how when and by whom translated into Welch 326. Blethyn and Rhywalhon Princes of North-Wales asist Edric against the King of England 101. A Rebellion formed against them by Meredith and Ithel ap Gruffydh ibid. Battel wherein Rhywalhon and Ithel were slain Blethyn murdered Rich. 104. Britain how and when forsaken by the Roman Forces 1. Invaded by the Scots and Picts ibid. Britains their sad Complaints to Aetius thrice Consul 2. The Reasons of their weakness 3 and 4. Their Message to the Saxons 5. The Britains of Stratclwyd and Cumberland settle in North-Wales 38. Brochwel once Prince of Powys a great Defender of the Monks of Bangor 23. Bruce de William Lord of Brecknock under pretence of Friendship barbarously murders Sitsylht ap Dyfnwal his Son and followers 204. Bruce Sir Edward his Letter to Sir Griffydh Llwyd 312 and 313. C. CAdelh Prince of South-Wales dyes his Issue 44. Cadelh takes Caermardhyn and beats the Normans and Flemings 165. Like to be murdered 170. Gone upon Pilgrimage 171. Cadwgan murdered by Madawc 138. Cadwalader the last King of Britain of
the Welch 128. Flemings settled in part of VVales 128. G. GAllio routs the Scots and Picts 2. Builds a Wall cross the Land ibid. Gam Sir David imprisoned by Owen Glyndyfwr and released 321. Revolts from Owen ibid. His answer in France to Henry V. concerning the French Army mortally wounded at Agincourt Knighted and died 322. Gavelkind that Custom in Wales 22. Geoffrey of Monmouth made Bishop of St. Davids 171. Glamorgan Lordship described 314. The best of it Fitzhamon the Chief of the Normans kept to himself 115. Godwyn Earl rebels against King Edward 89. Invades the Land and is reconciled to the King 90. Dies suddenly sitting at the King's Table 91. Gray Reginald Lord of Ruthyn taken Prisoner by Owen Glyndyfwr and ransomed 316 317. Gruffydh ap Lhewelyn declared Prince of North-Wales 84. His Country invaded by the English and Danes and routed by him 85. Reduced all Wales under his subjection ibid. Routs Howel Prince of South-Wales at Pencader ibid. Taken Prisoner by the Irish under the command of Iago ap Edwal and recovered by his own Men 87. Overcomes and slays Gruffydh ap Rhyderch and his Army c. ibid. Concludes a Peace with Harold King Edward's General 94. His Palace at Ruthlan burnt by the English ibid. Prince Gruffydh murdered by Harold's Contrivance after he had reigned 30 years 95. Gruffydh ap Conan confirmed in the Principality of Wales 109. Refused at first an accommodation with King Henry at last sues and obtains Peace 141. Caressed by the King and promised to deliver up Gruffydh ap Rhys 143. Dies 158. His Issue 159. Gruffydh the Son of Rhys ap Tudor laid claim to South-VVales 143. Flies to North-VVales 143. Wished with his Brother Howel to withdraw into South-VVales 144. Forced to bid open defyance to the King of England ibid. The Flemings and VVelch Lords joyn together to oppose him 145. He takes Caermardhyn 146. Invited to the Government of Cardigan-shire ibid. Succeeds 147. War at Aberystwyth 148. Invidiously dispossess'd of his Estate 154. Dies 158. Gruffydh Son to the Lord Rhys succeeded his Father 116. Plagued with his Brother Maelgon 219. A hopeful Prince dies 222. Gruffydh ap Conan ap Owen ap Gwynedh buried in a Monk's Cowl the Superstition of it 221. Gruffydh Prince David's Brother endeavouring to make his escape out of the Tower of London breaks his Neck 263. His Body recovered and conveyed to Conwey and honourably buried 270. Gruffydh Llwyd Knighted by King Edward I. rebels 311. Treats with Sir Robert Bruce for Succours against the English with his Letter to him ibid. Over-runs North-Wales and the Marches and is taken Prisoner 313. Gurmundus a Norwegian from Ireland invades Britain 7. Gwenwynwyn worsted by the English 218. Refuses Homage to Prince Lhewelyn 222. At last consents to it 223. Detained Prisoner at Shrewsbury 225. Set at Liberty re-gains his Country 228. Revolts from Prince Lhewelyn and is dispossest 242. H. HArold succeeds Canute his Brother in England 83. Dies and is succeeded by Hardi Canute his Brother 85. Harold's favour with the King envied by his Brother Tosty who barbarously murder'd his Men at his House in Hereford and his Saying 7. Made King 98. Slain 100. Hasting a Dane invades France 40. His Policy to obtain Limogis 41. His Cruelty ibid. Henry I. his partiality in favour of the Normans 127. Makes his Brother Robert Prisoner and puts out his Eyes 128. Kind to Cadwgan the Father of Owen 132 Invades Wales with three Armies 140. Overcomes the French King 151. Lost his Children at Sea and marries 152. Invades Wales in danger ibid. Agrees with Meredith ap Blethyn and returns 153. his Death and Successor 156. Henry II. sends the Flemings into West-Wales 173. Invited to the Conquest of Wales ibid. Repulsed and in danger of his Life 174. Concludes a Peace with Prince Owen 175. Quarrels and concludes a Peace with France 187. Invades VVales and brings Prince Rhys to do him Homage 188. Invades VVales again with a most potent Army 190. Returns without any thing memorable and for Revenge puts out the Eyes of the Hostages 191. Makes a third Expedition into VVales to as little purpose ibid. Passes thro' VVales receiving Homage of Prince Rhys in his way to the Conquest of Ireland 198 199. Returns thro' VVales and inclined to leave it in a peaceable Condition 199 200. Engaged in a Civil War against his Son Henry 201. Makes a Peace with France and his Children forced to submit 202. Dies 209. Henry III. King of England invades Wales and is worsted 251. Inâ—ades Wales again 254. Makes Henry of Mâ—nmouth his General against the Welch but with in Suâ—â—ess 255 Laments the death of the Earl of Pembrock 256. Inâ—ades Wales and makes Prince David to submit 261 2 2 Invades Wales 263. Fights the Welch with no success and invites the Irish into Anglesey 265. Oppresses Wales and returns dissatisfied 269 270. Item 274. Wasts the Borders 275. Requires a Subsidy to subdue Wales 276. Dies 280. Henry eldest Son to Henry IV. created Prince of W. 318. Henry IV. makes unmerciful Laws against the Welch 319. Henry Duke of York created Prince of VVales 324. Henry VII grants the VVelch a Charter of Liberty and directed a Commission to enquire into the Birth and Quality of his Grandfather Owen Tudor 325. Henry VIII incorporates the VVelch with the English 326. Henry eldest Son to King James created Prince of VVales 328. Howel Dha preferred to be Prince of all VVales 50. His Laws ibid. Goes to Rome to have them confirmed 51. His Death and Issue 53. Howel ap Ievan expelled his Vncle Iago and took the Government of VVales upon him â—9 At last agree 60. Kills Edwal Fychan and the Reasons of it ibid. Overthrows the Danes 61. Invades England and is slain 62. He is succeeded by his Brother Cadwalhan who was quickly slain 63. Howel and Meredith Prince Lhewelyn's Murderers invite the Irish Scots into South-VVales 82. Slew Rhydderch and take the Government 83. Meredith slain by the Sons of Conan ap Sitsylht ibid. Howel attempts the recovery of South-VVales is overcome and slain by Prince Gruffydh near Tywy-Head 87. Howel ap Grono driven out of Rydcors Castle by the Normans 126. Basely betrayed to them and murthered 127. Howel ap Owen Gwynedh won the Castle of Ewyas 167. with his Brother Conan quarrel with their Vncle Cadwalader besiege and take the Castle of Cynfael from him 168. makes Cadwalader his Prisoner and possesses his Land ib. he lost all his Country to Cadelh Meredith and Rhys ap Gruffydh who put the Garison of Llanâ—hystyd to the Sword 169. I. IAgo ap Edwal recovers his Right to North-Wales 82. Slain in Battle against Gruffydh ap Lhewelyn 84. Ifor sent into Britain with an Army by his Father Alan 13. Routs the Saxons ibid. Marries Ethelburga â—entwyn's Cosin and succeeded him in the West-Saxon Kingdom 14. Founded Glastenbury-Abby ib. Dyed at Rome 15. John Arch-Deacon of Llanbadarn dies and is
canonized 160. John K. of England in his way to Ireland through Wales discharged a Criminal that murther'd a Priest 226. Famished Will de Bruce and Maud his Aunt at Windsor after his return 227. The reason of his Cruelty and Disaffection to Priests ib. Marches with a great Army into VVales and returns without Success 229 230. Makes a second Expedition ib. Orders Foulk Viscount Cardyff to subdue those that oppose in South-VVales and they at last do him Homage but quickly revolt 231 232. makes an Expedition into VVales 229. Makes a second and third and hangs the Welch Pledges reconciles himself to Rome and engages in a Civil War with his Barons 237. Dies and is succeeded by his Son Henry 242. Iorwerth ap Blethyn revolts from the Earl of Salop 124. Basely used by K. Henry for it the reason of it 125. delivered out of Prison 133. Forbids Owen and Madawc to retire to his Estate 134. Beset and slain by Madawc and Llywarch ap Trahern 137. Joseph Bishop of Llandaff dies at Rome 88. Ireland molested with Locusts 42. Ithel King of Gwent slain 28. L. LHewelyn ap Sytsylht makes himself Prince of all VVales 79. His good Government ib. Slays Meuric that rebelled against him with his own hand 80. suppresses another Rebellion 81. Basely slain ibid. Lhewelyn P. of North-VVales takes David ap Owen Prisoner 217. Receives Homage of most of the Welch Lords 222. Conquers Gwenwynwyn's Country 225. Makes an Expedition into South-VV and Maelgon flees 225 226. Marries Joan King John's Daughter 224. Sues and obtains Peace of the King by the means of his Wife 231. Animates the Lords of North-Wales to joyn with him in a Revolt against the King 233. Dispossesses the English of all their Holds in his Country 237. Takes Shrewsbury though excommunicated by the Pope 238. Subdues Cardigan and Carmarthen 240. Reconciles the â—onds in South-Wales 241. Subdues Powis 242. Refuses Assistance to King John against the Dauphine ibid. Makes Rynald Bruce who had revolted submit to him â—43 Receives the Submission and Allegiance of the Flemings in Dyfed ibid. Subdues the revolted Flemings again 246. Makes his Son Gruffydh submit ibid. Complained of to the King of England by young Rhys adjusts Matters with him 247. Seizes the Castle of William Marshal Earl of Pembroke in Wales and occasions a War between them 247 248. Worsts the English Army pays Homage to Henry III. 249. Destroys the Marches 252. Makes a Descent upon England 253. Being joyned by the Earl of Pembroke against King Henry routs his Army 254. Makes an Incursion into the King's Territories 255. Makes peace with the King 256. Sets his Son Gruffydh at liberty ibid. Buries his Princess Joan 257. Forced to quit the Siege of Ruthlan 258. Makes the Welch do Homage to his Son David ibid. Dies his Character and Issue â—59 Llewelyn ap Gruffydh and Owen Gôch his Brother declared Princes of North-Wales 269. Quarrel and Owen with his Brother David made close Prisoners 271. Recovers the In-land Country of North-Wales from the English 272. Wastes Cheshire ibid. Beats the Irish by Sea 273. Desires peace with the King but fails 277. Kind to Sir Roger Mortimer 278. Makes a Peace by the Popes Mediation with the King 279. Refuses to attend upon King Edward's Coronation 280. The Reasons for his refusal 281. An Accident made him pliable 283. Severe Conditions of Peace imposed upon him 284. Married to Elianor Earl Montfords Daughter at Worcester 285. Reconciled with his Brother David and joyn against the English 286. Offers to submit to the King conditionally 292. Sends a Letter to the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and the general Answer of the Welch to his Proposals 293 294 295. Betrayed in Buellt and killed 297. London besieged by the Danes 65. M. MAhael dispossest of his Inheritance by his unnatural Mother Nests means and how 115. Madoc ap Meredith Prince of Powis sticks to the English Interest 173. Madawc reconciled to King Henry 138. Taken Prisoner by Meredith ap Blethin 139. Has his Eyes pulled out by Owen ibid. Madawc ab Owen Gwynedh sails into America 196. Plants a Colony there ib. Maelgon disturbs South-VVales 228. Beaten by his Nephews Rhys and Owen 229. March Earl of marries Owen Glyndwr's Daughter 318. Consented by indenture to divide England between Owen Piercy and himself 318. Maud the Empress lands in England and is received at Arundel 162. Meredith ap Owen possest of all Wales 64. Dispossest of North-Wales 67. And routed by Edwal ap Meuric their new Prince 68. Died without Issue Male 69. Meredith ap Owen made Prince of South-Wales 96. Slain in Battel against Caradoc ap Gruffydh 102. Meredith and Rhys ap Gruffydh prevail in South-Wales 171. Meredith's Death and Character 172. Merfyn frych is made King of Wales 24. is slain 27. Merlyn Ambrose and Sylvester their Time Country and Prophesies 10 11. Morgan Hên dies an Hundred Years old his Marriage Estate and Issue 58. Morgan ap Owen kills Robert Fitz-Gilbert and his Son 157. slain 175. Morgan ap Cadogan repents of his Murder committed 156. Murders committed 156. Item 163. N. NEwmarch a Norman obtains the Lordship of Brecknock and marries Nest Daughter to Llewelyn ap Gruffydh 115. Normans twice decimated and put to death in England 86. They waste and plunder Dyfed 103. They seize upon the Lordship of Glamorgan 113. The Names of the Adventurers ibid. They possess themselves of several Lordships in Wales 117. Divers of them slain in Cardigan ibid. Routed again by Cadwgan ap Blethyn Prince of South-Wales and their Castles destroyed 118. Slaughter'd divers times by the Welch and forced to quit the Country 119 120. Northumberland invaded by the Scots 109. O. OFfa King of Mercia makes a Ditch from Sea to Sea 20. his death 21. Owen ap Edwyn a Traytor to his Country 121. Made Prince of Wales by the English but soon lost it 122. his Death and Pedigree 126. Owen the Son of Cadwgan enamoured of Nest the Wife of Gerald King Henry's Lieutenant in Wales 129. steals her away ibid. flies into Ireland 135. returns and wasts the Country in conjunction with Maradoc ap Riryd 133. his Men slay an English Bishop the cause of Cadwgan his Fathers being dispossessed of his Estate 135. forced to flee into Ireland with Madawc ibid. returns and is reconciled to the King 138. divides Madawc's Estate between himself and Meredith ap Blethyn 139. flees for fear of King Henry into North-VVales 140. reconciled to the King 141. Owen is brave and Knighted in Normandy 142. imployed by King Henry against Gruffydh ap Rhys 148. slain by Gerald 149. Owen Gwynedh succeeds Prince of North-Wales 160. mightily concerned at the Death of his Son Run 165. takes and rases the Castle of Mould 166. pulls out his Nephew Cunedah's Eyes and castrates him 170. being provoked invades Llandhinam 193. dies his Character and Issue 194. Owen Cyfeilioc and Owen Fychan dispossess Iorwerth Gôch of his Estate in Powis 192. Cyfeilioc dies
and Rytherch 〈◊〉 Caradoc the joynt Rulers of South-Wales And the marching confidently to find them both Armies meâ— together and fought at a place called Camdhwr wheâ— after a sore Engagement the Sons of Cadwgan at length obtained a glorious Victory In North Wales the same time Gruffydh ap Conan having established his Possession of the Isle of Anglesey intended to proceed farther in the Continent of Wales to which end having transported his Forces over the River incampâ—â—â— in the neighbouring Countrey of Carnarvonshire prâ—posing to reduce North-Wales by degrees Trahaâ—â— ap Caradoc being informed of this Descent of Grâ—fydh's made all possible speed to prevent his farther progress and having made all necessary Preparation that the shortness of the Opportunity would permit he drew up his Forces to Bronyr Erw where he gave Gruffydh battel and in fine put him to a shamefuâ— flight so that he was glad to retire back safe tâ— Anglesey A.D. 1074 The next Year Rytherch ap Caradoc Prince of South-Wales dyed being murthered through the unnaturaâ— Villainy of his Cosin-German Meyrchaon ap Rhys ap Rytherch after whom Rhys ap Owen obtained the soâ—â— Government of South-Wales But his enjoyment oâ— the whole Principality was not very lasting and scarcâ— A.D. 1075 at all void of Trouble and Vexation of War Foâ— shortly after the death of Caradoc the Sons of Cadwgan thinking they might easily now foil and vanquish one seeing they had sometime ago victoriously overcome both Princes together with all the Forces they could raise set upon Rhys again at a place called Gwanyffyd who not being able to endure their Number was rouâ—ed and forced to flee however the Blow was not so mortal but that Rhys gathered together new Levies by the help of which he was embolden'd still to maintain himself in his Principality But Fortune which had advanced him to the Crown seemed now to frown at and cross all his Endeavours and Undertakeings and being reduced to a very weak condition in the 〈◊〉 Battel he was set upon by a fresh Enemy before 〈◊〉 could have sufficient time to recover and recruit â—â—self For Trahaern ap Caradoc Prince of North-â—ales perceiving the Weakness and Inability of Rhys make opposition against any foreign Enemy that â—â—â—aded his Territories thought it now very feasible 〈◊〉 obtain the Conquest of South-Wales and then 〈◊〉 annex it to his own Principality of North-Wales â—â—ing egg'd on by these pleasant Imaginations he disâ—â—â—ched his Army to South-Wales to fight with Rhys 〈◊〉 so with all the Forces he could possibly levie as layâ—â—g his whole Fortune upon the event of this Battel â—â—dly met him at Pwlhgwttic where after a tedious â—â—ght on both sides Rhys having lost the best part of his â—â—my was put to flight and so warmly pursu'd that â—â—er long shifting from place to place himself with his â—â—other Howel fell at length into the hands of Caradoc 〈◊〉 Gruffydh who put them both to death in revenge 〈◊〉 the base Murther of Blethyn ap Confyn by them â—â—merly transacted The Principality of South-Wales â—â—ing thus vacant by the death of Rhys ap Owen Rhys â—â—n to Theodor ap Eineon ap Owen ap Howel Dha â—â—lawful Heir to that Government put in his Claim â—hich being very plain and evident so prevailed with â—â—e People of the Country that they unanimously â—â—ected him for their Prince much against the expeâ—â—tion of Trahaern ap Caradoc Prince of North-Wales â—he next Year S. Davids suffer'd greatly by Strangers A.D. 1077 â—ho landing there in a considerable number spoiled â—â—d destroyed the whole Town shortly after which â—â—rbarous Action Abraham Bishop of that Sea â—â—ed and then Sulien who the Year before had â—â—linquished and resigned up that Bishoprick was â—ompelled to resume it The Government of all Wales both North and A.D. 1079 â—â—uth had been now for a long time supply'd by Usurâ—ers and forcibly detained from the right and legal â—nheritors but Providence would suffer Injustice to â—eign no longer and therefore restored the rightful Heirs to their Principalities Rhys ap Theodor had actual possession of South-Wales and there wanteâ— no more at this time but to bring in Gruffydh ap Câ—nan to the Principality of North-Wales both the Princes being indisputably right and lawful Heirs 〈◊〉 their respective Governments as lineally descendeâ— from Roderic the Great who was legal Proprietor 〈◊〉 all Wales Gruffydh ap Conan had already reduced thâ— Isle of Anglesey but not being able to levy a sufficieâ— Army from thence to oppose Trahaern he invited oâ— a great Party of Irish and Scots and then with 〈◊〉 whole Army joyned with Rhys ap Theodor Prince 〈◊〉 South-Wales Trahaern in like manner associating himself Caradoc ap Gruffydh and Mailyr the Sons 〈◊〉 Rywalhon ap Gwyn his Cosin-Germans the greatest aâ—â— most powerful Men then in Wales drew up his Fâ—â—ces together with resolution to fight them Boâ—â— Armies meeting upon the Mountains of Carno a teâ—rible and a cruel Battel ensued presently thereupon which proved the more fierce and bloody by reasâ—â— that both Parties resolutely referred their whole Foâ—tune to the success of their Arms and Life woâ—â—â— prove vain if the Day was lost But after a disâ—â—â— Fight on both sides the Victory fell at last to Gruffyâ—â— and Rhys Trahaern with his Cosins being all slain 〈◊〉 the Field after whose death Gruffydh took possessâ—â—â— of North Wales and so the Rule of all Wales afâ—â—â— a tedious interval was again restored to the rigâ—â— Line About the same time Vrgency ap Sitsyâ—â—â—â— Person of noble Quality in Wales was treacherouâ— murthered by the Sons of Rhys Sais or the Englisâ—man by which Name the Welch were accustomâ—â— to denominate all Persons as either had lived any coâ—siderable time in England or could fluently and hanâ—somly speak the English Tongue Gruffydh ap Conan GRuffydh ap Conan being confirmed in the Principality of North-Wales and Rhys ap Theodor in â—â—â—t of South-Wales there was no body that could â—â—â—ate them any Molestation or Disturbance upon the â—â—count of Right which was unquestionably just that they quietly enjoyed for some time their reâ—â—â—ctive Dominions without apprehension of any other â—â—â—â—etender Indeed it had seldom been known before â—â—â—t that one of the Princes was an Usurper and parâ—â—â—ularly in North-Wales where from the time of Edâ—â—â— Foel none had legally ascended to the Crown â—â—â—cepting Edwal the Son of Meyric eldest Son to â—â—wal Foel in whose Line the undoubted Title of â—â—rth-Wales lawfully descended And the right Line â—â—â—ng now restored in Gruffydh ap Conan the same leâ—â—lly continued to Lhewelyn ap Gruffydh the last â—â—ince of the British Blood But during these Revoâ—â—tions in Wales some things memorable were transaâ—â—ed in England Malcolm King of the Scots descenâ—â—ng into Northumberland ravaged and destroyed the â—ountry without Mercy carrying away a great numâ—â—r of Prisoners after which the Northumbrians fell â—â—on Walter Bishop of Durham whom they slew toâ—â—ther with a hundred Men whilst he sate keeping
of â—â—ourt not dreaming of any such treacherous Villainy â—â—he same time Robert Curthoys the Bastards eldest Son â—â—eing for some reason disgusted against his Father and â—â—t on by the instigation of the King of France enâ—â—red Normandy with an Army and claimed it as his â—â—ight which King William being acquainted with â—â—ssed over to Normandy and meeting with his Son â—and to hand in Battel was by him overthrown â—ut being returned from Normandy he entered with 〈◊〉 great Army into Wales and marching after the manner of a Pilgrimage as far as S. Davids he offered aâ—â— paid his Devotion to that Saint and afterwards â—â—ceived Homage of the Kings and Princes of the Coâ—â—try About the same time the Tomb of Walwey Kiâ—â— Arthurs Sister Son a most valiant Person in his tiâ—â— and Governour of that Country from him calâ—â—â— Walwethey was discovered in the Country of 〈◊〉 nigh the Sea-shoar whose Body proved monstrouâ—â—â— prodigious being in length about fourteen foot A.D. 1086 This year Madawc Cadwgan and Riryd the Son 〈◊〉 Blethyn ap Confyn sometime Prince of Wales raise◠〈◊〉 Rebellion against Rhys ap Tewdor and having draâ—â— together a great number of licentious and maleconteâ—ted People thought to eject him out of the Principâ—lity of South-Wales Rhys had not Power and fâ—â—ces enough to oppose them the Rebels Army increâ—sing daily by the addition of the discontented Muâ—â—â—tude who always rejoyce at any new Commotion 〈◊〉 Disturbance and therefore he was compell'd to 〈◊〉 to Ireland where he obtained a very considerable pâ—â—â— of Irish and Scots upon promise of a sufficient Râ—ward in case he was restored again to his Principaliâ—â— Having by this measure got a very sensible increase his former strength he landed in South-Wales tâ—â— News of whose arrived being blazed abroad 〈◊〉 Friends from all quarters presently retired to him that in a short time his Army became numerous aâ—â— able to confront the Enemy The Rebels were seâ—sible how the Princes Forces daily multiplyed aâ—â— therefore to prevent any farther addition they maâ— all possible haste to force him to a Battel which iâ— a short time after happened at Lhech y Creu where thâ— Rebels were vanquished Madawc and Riryd being slaiâ— and Cadwgan glad to save his Life by flight Rhys having won so signal a Victory and fearing no farther Disturbance dismissed the Irish and Scots with greaâ— Rewards who honourably returned to their owâ— A.D. 1087 Country Within a while after an unaccountablâ— Sacriledg was committed at S. Davids the Shriâ—â— belonging to the Cathedral being feloniously convey'd out of the Church all the Plate and other Utensiâ—â— were stoln and only the Shrine left empty behind â—he same Year a Civil-War broke out in England â—â—d several Armies in several parts of the Kingdom â—ere up in Arms at the same time and among the â—â—st the Welch who entering into Glocester and Worâ—â—ster Shires burnt and destroyed all before them to â—â—e Gate of Worcester The King having drawn his â—rmy together proceeded against his Enemies by deâ—â—ees and falling upon their seperate Parties without â—â—y great difficulty reduced all to Obedience Withâ—â— A.D. 1089 two Years after Archbishop Sulien the most pious â—â—d learned Person in Wales dyed in the Eightieth â—ear of his Age and in the Sixteenth Year of his Biâ—oprick presently after whose death the Town of 〈◊〉 Davids suffered a more sensible Calamity being first â—undered and afterwards burnt by a company of Pyâ—â—ts who sorely infested the British Coasts About â—â—e same time also dyed Cadifor the Son of Calhoyn â—ord of Dyfed whole Sons Lhewelyn and Eineon moâ—â—d Gruffydh ap Meredith to take up Arms against his â—overeign Prince Rhys ap Tâ—wdor with whom they â—yned all the Forces they couly levy among their â—enants and Dependants then passing with their Arâ—y to Lhandydoch boldly challenged Rhys to fight â—ho thereupon gave them battel and after a resolute â—ngagement of both sides the Rebels were at length â—orsted and put flight and then so narrowly pursued â—hat Gruffydh ap Meredith was taken Prisoner and in â—ne executed as a Traitor But Eineon made his â—scape and not daring to trust himself with any of â—is own Kindred he fled to Iestyn ap Gurgant Lord â—f Morganwc who was then in actual Rebellion â—gainst Prince Rhys And to ingratiate himself the â—hore in Iestyn's favour he promised upon condition â—f the performance of certain Articles one of which more especially was That he should receive his Daughter in Matrimony That he would bring over â—o his aid a considerable Body of Normans with whom he was singularly acquainted as having served a long time in England These Articles being agreed to and recorded Eineon posted to England and in a little time brought matters so about that he prevailed with Robert Fitzhamon and Twelve more Knights to levâ— A.D. 1090 a strong Army of Normans and to come to Wales tâ— the protection and aid of Iestyn The beginning of the following Year they landed in Glamorganshire and were honourably received by Iestyn who joyning his Power to theirs marched to Prince Rhys his Domininions where without the least shew of Mercy to his own Countrymen he encouraged the Normans by his own Example to spoil and destroy all that came before them Prince Rhys was mightily grieved to finâ— his Country so unmercifully harassed and though aâ— this time very antient being above 98 Years of age he could not refrain but meet his Enemies and having with all possible speed raised a convenient Army hâ— met with them near Brecnock where after a terrible Fight and a great slaughter on both sides he was unhappily slain With him fell the Glory and Grandeâ—â— of the Principality of South-Wales being afterwards rent in pieces and divided into several parts and piece-meals among these Norman Captains as shall be by and by more particularly related Prince Rhys less Issue behind him by the Daughter of Rywalhon ap Coâ—fyn two Sons Gruffydh and Grono the latter of which was detained Prisoner by the King of England thâ—â— the Author of the winning of the Lordship of Glamagan affirms that he was slain together with his Father in this Battel against the Normans The Normans having received a sufficient Reward from Iestyn upon the account of their Service against Prince Rhys returned to their Ships in order to their Voyage homeward But before they could loose Anchor to sail off Eineon recalled them being ungratefully affronted by Iestyn who absolutely refused to make good to him the Conditions which they had agreed upon before the Normans were invited to Wales Upon this account Eineon was so irreconcilably incensed against Iestyn that to be revenged upon him he was willing to sacrifice his native Country into the hands of strangers and therefore endeavoured to persuade the Normans concerning the Fatness and Fertility of the Country and how easily they might conquer and make themselves Masters of it But he needed not many Arguments to persuade a People that were willing of themselves
the Queen his Mother his Brothers Geffrey and Richard the French King the Earl of Flanders together with the Earl of Chester William Patrick with several other valiant Knights and Gentlemen But the old King having a stout and a faithful Army consisting of Almanes and Brabanters was not in the least dismay'd or discourag'd at such a seeming Storm and which made him more bold and adventurous he was joyned by a strong Party of Welchmen which Lord Rhys had sent him under the command of his Son Howel King Henry overthrew his Enemies in divers Encounters and having either killed or taken Prisoners most of them who were rose up against him he easily dissipated the Cloud which at first seemed so black and threatning Iorwerth ap Owen was not very sory to see the English clash and fall into civil Dissentions among themselves and therefore taking advantage of such a seasonable opportunity he drew his Army against Caerlheon which stood out very stifly against him But after many warm Disputes of both sides Iorwerth at length prevailed and entering the Town by force he took most of the Inhabitants Prisoners and then laying siege to the Castle it was surrender'd up in exchange for the Prisoners he had taken in the Town Howel his Son at the same time was busie in Gwent îs Coed and having reduced all that Country excepting the Castle to subjection he took Pledges of the Inhabitants to be true and faithful to him and to withdraw their Allegiance from the King of England At the same time something of action passed in North-Wales for David ap Owen Gwynedh Prince of North-Wales bringing an Army over the River Menai into Anglesey against his Brother Maelgon who kept that Island from him forced him to make his escape to Ireland in his return from whence the following Year he was accidentally discovered and seized upon and then by his Brothers orders committed to close Prison Prince David having brought the Isle of Anglesey to its pristine state of subjection to him was resolved to move all manner of Obstacles which might at any time for the future endanger its falling off from him and these he judged to be his own next Relations A.D. 1174 and therefore he expell'd and banish'd all his Brethren and Cosins out of his Territories of North-Wales But before this Sentence was put in execution his Brother Conan dyed and so escaped the Ignominy of being banished his native Country for no other reason but the Jealousie of an ambitious Brother About the same time Howel the Son of Iorwerth ap Owen of Caerlheon took Prisoner his Uncle Owen Pencarn who was right Heir of Caerlheon and Gwent and now having him secure and to prevent his getting any Children to inherit those places which himself was next Heir to he first pulled out his Eyes and then very inhumanly cut off his Testicles But Vengeance did not permit such a base Action to go unpunished for upon the Saturday following a great Army of Normans and Englishmen came unexpectedly before the Town and wan both it and the Castle notwithstanding all the Opposition which Howel and his Father Iorwerth made though this last was not privy to his Sons Action About the same time King Henry came over to England a little after whose arrival William King of Scots and Roger de Moubray were taken Prisoners at Alnewike by the Barons of the North as they came to destroy the Northern part of the Country in the Quarrel of the young King But old King Henry having committed them to the safe custody of the Earl of Leicester and received Hugh Bygod Earl of Chester to his Mercy returned to Normandy with a very considerable Army of Welchmen which David Prince of North-Wales had sent him in return of which he gave him his Sister Emme in Marriage When he was arrived in Normandy he sent a Detachment of the Welch to cut off some Provisions which were going to the Enemies Camp but in the mean time the French King came to a Treaty of Peace which was shortly afterwards concluded upon so that all the Brethren who had all this time maintained such an unnatural Rebellion against their Father were forced to beg the old King's Forgiveness and Pardon for all their former Misdemeanours David Prince of North-Wales began to grow very bold and assuming by reason of his new Alliance with the King of England and nothing would serve his turn but he must put his Brother Roderic in Prison and secure him with Fetters for no other account than because he demandod his share of his Fathers Lands It was the custom of Wales as is said before to make an equal division of the Father's Inheritance between all the Children and therefore David had no colour of Reason or Pretence to deal so severely with his Brother unless it were to verifie that Proverb Might overcomes Right But though Prince David might depend much upon his Affinity with the King of England yet Rhys Prince of South-Wales gained his Favour and Countenance the more by reason that he let slip no opportunity to further the King's Interest and Affairs in Wales and by that means was a very necessary and useful Instrument to keep under the Welch and to promote the surer Settlement of the English in the Country Not that he bore any Love or Affection to either King Henry or his Subjects but because he was sufficiently rewarded for former Services and was still in expectation of receiving more Favours at the King's hands he was resolved to play the Politician so far as to have regard to his own Interest more than the Good of his native Country And what did ingratiate him to King Henry most of all upon the Feast of S. James he brought all such Lords of South-Wales as were at Enmity with the King to do him Homage at Glocester namely Cadwalhon ap Madawc of Melyenyth his Cosin-German Eineon Clyt of Eluel and Eineon ap Rhys of Gwerthrynion his Sons in Law Morgan ap Caradoc ap Iestyn of Glamorgan Gruffydh ap Ifor ap Meiric of Sengennyth and Sitsylht ap Dyfnwal of Higher Gwent all three his Brothers in Law who had married his Sisters together with Iorwerth ap Owen of Caerlheon King Henry was so well pleased with this Stratagem of Rhys that notwithstanding these Persons had been his implacable Enemies he readily granted them their Pardon and received them to Favour and restored to Iorwerth ap Owen the Town and Castle of Caerlheon which he had unjustly taken from him A.D. 1175 This Reconciliation betwixt King Henry and these Welch Lords some of the English in Wales took advantage of and more particularly William de Bruce Lord of Brecnock who having for a long time a great longing to Gwentland could not bring about his Design by reason that Sitsylht ap Dyfnwal the Person of greatest sway and Power in the Country was an inveterate Enemy to all the English But being now reconciled to the King William de