replyed It was not so wonderful for although says he we have violently and injuriously oppressed that Nation yet it is manifestly known that they are the lawful and original Inheritors of that Country But whilst the Normans were thus carving for themselves in Glamorgan and Brecnock Cadogan ap Blethyn ap Confyn towards the end of April entered into Dyved and having ravaged and destroyed the Country returned back But within Eight Weeks after there succeeded him a more fatal Enemy for the Normans landing in Dyved and Cardigan began to fortifie themselves in Castles and other strong places and to inhabit the Country upon the Sea-shoar which before was not in their possession Indeed the Normans having by the connivance of the Conquerour already got into their hands all the best Estates in England began now to spy out the Commodities of Wales and perceiving moreover how bravely Robert Fitzhamon and Barnard Newmarch had sped there thought they might as well expect the like fortune Wherefore having obtained a Grant from King William who readily consented to their Request because by this means he killed two Birds with one Stone procured to himself their utmost Service upon occasion and withal provided for them without any Charge to himself they came to Wales and so entered upon the Estates appointed them by the King which they held of him by Knight-service having first done Homage and sworn Fealty for the same Roger Montgomery Earl of Arundel did Homage for the Lordships of Powis and Card gan Hugh Lupus Earl of Chester for Tegengl and Râ—fonioc together with all the Land lying upon the Sea shoar to the River Câ—nwey Arnulph a younger Son of Roger Montgomery for Dyved Barnard Newmarch for Brecnock Ralph Mortimer for Eluel Hugh de Lacy for the Land of Ewyas Eustace Omer for Mold and Hapredale and several others did the like Homage for other Lands But Roger Montgomery who by the Conquerour was created Earl of Arundel and Shrewsbury entered in an hostile manner into Powys-land and having won the Castle and Town of Baldwyn fortified it in his own right and called it Montgomery after his own Name King William of England was now in Normandy and busily engaged in a War against his Brother Robert by the advantage of whose absence Gruffydh ap Conan Prince of North-Wales and Cadogan ap Blethyn who now ruled in South Wales with joynt Forces entered into Cardigan and slew a great number of Normans whose Pride and excessive Cruelties towards the Welch were altogether intolerable But after sufficient execution there being returned home the Normans sent for more Aid from England which being arrived they thought to make a private in-road into North-Wales and so to be revenged upon the Welch But their Design being happily discovered to Cadogan he drew up his Forces to meet them and then unexpectedly setting upon them in the Forest of Yspys after a very warm Resistment of the Normans side forced them to retire by slight and then triumphantly marching through Cardigan and Dyved he destroyed all the Castles and Fortifications in the Country besides Pembrock and Rydcors which proved too strong and impregnable A.D. 1093 The next Year the Normans who inhabited the Country of Glamorgan fell upon and destroyed the Countries of Gwyr Kidwely and Ysâ—â—âd Tywy which they harrassed in such a cruel manner that they left them bare of any People to inhabit And to increase as it was thought the Miseries of the Welch King William Rufus being informed of the great slaughter which Gruffydh ap Conan and the Sons of Blethyn ap Confyn had lately committed upon the English as well within Cheshire Shropshire Worcestershire and Herefordshire as within Wales entered the Country at Montgomery which place the Welch having sometime since demolished King William lately rebuilt But the Welch kept all the Passages through the Woods and Rivers and all other Streights so close that the King could effect nothing considerable against them and therefore when he perceived that his labour was but lost in continuing in those Parts he forthwith decamped and returned with no great Honour back to England But this retreat of King William was not altogether so favourable to the Interest of the A.D. 1094 Welch as the death of William Fitz-Baldwyn who was Owner of the Castle of Rydcors and did the greatest mischief and hurt to the South-Wales Men of any other He being dead the Garrison of Rydcors which was wont to keep the Welch in continual a we forsook that place and by that means gave opportunity to the Inhabitants of Gwyr Brecnock Gwent and Gwentlhwe to shake off that intolerable Yoak the Normans forced upon them who after they had rob'd them of their Lands kept them in perpetual subjection But now William Fitz-Baldwyn being dead and the Garrison of Rydcors scatter'd they ventur'd to lay violent hands upon the Normans who thought themselves free from all fear and prevailed so successfully that they drove them all out of the Countrey and recover'd their own antient Estates But the Normans liked that Country so well that they were resolved not to be so easily befooled out of what they had with a great deal of Pains and Danger once possessed and therefore having drawn a great number of English and Normans to their aid they were desirous to venture another touch with the Welch and to return if possible to their once acâ—uir'd Habitations But the Welch so abhorr'd their Pride and tyrannical Dominion over them when they were Masters that they were resolved not to â—e subject to such Tyrants again and therefore they â—oldly met them at a place called Celly Iarfawc and â—et upon them so manfully the very apprehension of Servitude whetting their Spirits that they put them â—o flight with great slaughter and drove them out of â—he Country The Normans however were not so absolutely routed with this Overthrow but like a Fly in the night which destroys it self in the Candle they must needs covet their own Distruction their greediness egging them on to venture with few what was not practicable to be effected by many Therefore they came as far as Brecnock with this absolute â—ow and Resolution not to leave one living thing remaining in that Country But they fell short of their Policy the People of the Country being removed to a narrow Streight to expect their passing â—hrough whither the Normans being advanced they fell upon them and killed a great number of them About the same time Roger Montgomery Earl of Salop and Arundel William Fitzeustace Earl of Glocester Arnold de Harecourt and Neal le Vicount were slain by the Welch between Caerdà f and Brecnock and Walter Eureux Earl of Sarum Rosmer and Mantiâ—ake Hugh Earl of Gourney were wounded who afterwards dyed in Normandy The Normans finding that they continually lost ground thought it not advisable to stay any longer and therefore having placed sufficient Garrisons in those Castles which they had formerly built they returned with what speed they
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
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
Promise Then he declared to them the Pretence he had to Claim the Crown of England that Edward had given him formerly an absolute Promise in Normandy that if ever he enjoyed the English Crown William should be his Heir which Title tho' in it self weak and insignificant served William's purpose well enough to make an Expedition against an Intruder Duke William's Pretence seemed plausible enough to the Norman Nobility but the Difficulty of the Undertaking and the Danger of this Expedition was something perplexive and made them less inclinable to encourage so precipitous an Undertaking which they the more disliked upon the persuasion of William Fitzosbert the Duke's Sewer whom they pitched upon to deliver their thoughts as to the Expedition unto the Duke But he instead of disswading him from this Voyage politickly declared that himself with all his Power were ready to live and die with him in this Expedition which the rest hearing could not but offer the Duke their Service in the same manner and so all things were prepared for an Invasion of England In the mean while Tosty full of Indignation at his Brother's advancement to the Crown entered the River Humber with forty Sail but meeting with Earl Edwyn who came to oppose him he was forced after a considerable Encounter to bear off and secure himself by flight But meeting with Harold King of Norway upon the Coast of Scotland coming for England with 300 Sail he joined his Forces with Harold and so both together entring the Humber they landed their Army and marched to York where the Earls Edwyn and Marcher unsuccessfully gave them Battel Having pillaged and destroyed that City they passed on to Stamford-Bridge and there met with King Harold who with a well disciplined Army was come to stop their farther carreer After a long and a terrible Fight and much blood-shed on both sides the Norwegians began at last to give back which the English perceiving sell on so manfully that few or none escaped with their Lives Harold and Tosty being also slain upon the spot One of the Norwegians is deservedly recorded for his incomparable Exploits performed in this Battel who with incredible Valour maintaining the Bridge against the whole Strength of the English Army for above an hour with his single Resistance delayed their Victory and having slain a great number of his Enemies he seemed invincible till in the end no one daring to grapple with him fairly he was run through with a Spear from under the Bridge and so by his fall a Passage was opened for pursuit to compleat the Victory King Harold over-joyed with this Success triumphantly entered into York and whilst he was making merry with his Nobles at a sumptuous Feast News came that Duke William of Normandy was safely landed at and began to Fortify himself in Hastings with which Tidings being no way dashed as fearing nothing after his late Victory he forthwith marched towards him and as soon as he was arrived in Sussex without any consideration of the Fatigue his Army had underwent in their March bid William Battel The Duke dividing his Army into five Battalions made a long harangue to his Soldiers wherein he repeated and commended the Noble Acts of their Ancestors the Danes and Norwegians who had perpetually vanquished the English and French and other Nations as many as they had to do with how that themselves being well Horsed and Armed were now to engage with a People void of both who had no other Defence to trust to than the nimbleness and swiftness of their Heels Both Armies being joyned upon the 14th of October Duke William after some hours Engaging ordered his Army so to retire as if they seemed to fly which the English perceiving broke their Ranks in haste of pursuing the supposed Chase which falling out according to the Duke's expectation he sent in a fresh supply of Normans who falling upon the confused Battalions of the English easily overcame them and Harold receiving first a Wound by an Arrow was at length slain and then both the Field and the Victory was left to the Normans The day being thus won William from this time called the Conqueror went strait to London where he was received with all possible Formality and upon Christmas-Day solemnly Crowned King of England This change and Alteration in England was afore prognosticated by a Comet which appeared in the Spring of this Year upon which a certain Poet made the following Verses Anno milleno sexageno quoque seno Anglorum metae stammas censere Cometae King William having established himself in the A.D. 1067 Crown of England passed over the next Year to Normandy so to settle Affairs there as afterwards they might have no need of his presence In the mean while Edgar Edeling taking Avantage of his absence returned from Scotland to York being declared King by the Inhabitants of that Country who had already slain Robert upon whom William had bestowed that Earldom with 900 of his Men. But the King upon his return from Normandy presently marched to the North and having sufficiently revenged himself upon the Inhabitants by wasting and destroying their Country chased Edgar to Scotland again The like Advantage Edric Sylvaticus the Son of Alfric Earl of Mercia embraced who refusing to own any Submission to the Conqueror took the opportunity of his departure to Normandy to fall foul upon such as were appointed Vicegerents and Governours of the Kingdom in his absence Whereupon Richard Fitzscrope Governor of the Castle of Hereford with the Forces under his Command so bitterly gauled him by wasting and consuming his Lands and carrying off the Goods of his Tenants that he was compelled to desire Aid of Blethyn and Rywalhon Princes of Wales by whose help to recompence the Loss he had received he passed into Hereford and after that he had over-run and pillaged the Country to Wyebridge returned back with exceeding great Booty But no sooner were Blethyn and Rywalhon arrived in North-Wales but they received News of a Rebellion raised against them by Meredith and Ithel the Sons of Gruffydh ap Lhewelyn who had drawn together a considerable number of Men upon pretence of recovering the Principality of North-Wales which they said was fraudulently detained from them Blethyn and Rywalhon did not delay to march to find the Enemies and meeting with them at a place called Mechain without any farther Ceremonies set upon the Rebels who behaved themselves so gallantly that after a Fight of several hours they wanted nothing but Number to compleat the Victory There fell in this Battel on the one side Prince Rywalhon and on the other Ithel who being slain Meredith was forced to give Ground and endeavour to save himself by flight which could not secure him he being narrowly pursued by Blethyn that in fine he was glad to escape to the Mountains where for want of Victuals and other Necessaries he quickly perished leaving Blethyn ap Confyn sole Prince of North-Wales and Powis During these Welch
Gwys where being arrived he was joyfully received and honourably entertain'd by such Lords as desired his help Having viewed the Strength and Fortification of the Castle he found it was impracticable to take the place without the Walls could be destroyed and therefore he gave orders that certain battering Engines should be provided whilst the rest should gaul and molest the besieged by throwing of great Stones into the Castle The Enemies perceiving what irresistible Preparations the Besiegers contrived thought it to no purpose to withstand their Fury and therefore to do that voluntarily which must be done by compulsion they presently yielded up the Castle Shortly after this a great Difference happen'd betwixt the Sons of Prince Owen Howel and Conan and their Uncle Cadwalader whereupon the former entered with an Army into the Country of Merionyth and committed great Wastes and Hostilities there insomuch that the Inhabitants flock'd into Sanctuaries to save their Lives But the young Lords finding what fearful and unstable condition the People were in and the better to draw them to their side issued out their Proclamation assuring that all who would favour their Country should not only enjoy their Lives but their former Liberty and accustomed Priviledges upon the publication of which Edict the People returned to their own Habitations Having by this Stratagem brought all the Country under their own Pleasure and good Will they lead their Army before the Castle of Cynfael belonging to Cadwalader which he had built and strongly fortified The government of this Castle Cadwalader had committed to Merfyn Abbot of Tygwyn or the White-House who being summoned to surrender by the Brothers Howel and Conan did not only refuse but defied their utmost Efforts upon the place The Lords finding they could do no good by Threats and Menaces judged it more convenient to make use of the other Extream and therefore promised the Abbot a very high Reward if he would deliver the Castle into their hands But all proved to no effect the Abbot being a Person of more Honesty and greater Honour than to be corrupted to betray his Trust told them flatly That he would not deceive his Masters expectation and therefore would choose rather to dye with Honour than to live with Shame The Lords finding him inexorable and withal being vexed that a Church-man should put such a stop to their fortunate Proceedings made such a vigorous Assault upon the Castle that after they had pulled down some part of the Walls they entred in by force and ravaged so furiously that they killed and wounded the whole Garrison the Abbot only escaping who by the help of some of his Friends in Howel's Army got away safe Towards the close of this Year several Persons of Note departed this Life among whom were Robert Earl of Glocester and Gilbert Earl of Clare as also Vchthryd Bishop of Llandaf a Man of great Piety and Learning in whose See succeeded Nicholas ab Gurgant A.D. 1147 The following Year also died Bernard Bishop of St. Davids and was succeeded by David Fitzgerald A.D. 1148 then Archdeacon of Cardigan Sometime after Prince Owen Gwynedh built a Castle in Yale called Castelh y Rodwyth and his Brother Cadwalader built another at Lhanrystid and bestowed his part of Cardigan upon his Son Cadwgan Also Madoc the Son of Meredith ap Blethyn founded the Castle of Oswestry and gave his Nephews Owen and Meyric the Sons of Gruffydh ap Meredith his share of Cyfeilioc A.D. 1149 The next Year Conan Son to Prince Owen Gwynedh for certain Faults and Miscarriages committed against his Father tho' the particulars are not discovered was put in Prison where for some time he continued in Custody But it fared better with his Brother Howel who having made his Uncle Cadwalader his Prisoner reduced all his Country together with his Castle subject to himself In South-Wales some Business of moment happened this Year Cadelh the Son of Gruffydh ap Rhys having fortified the Castle of Carmardhyn marched with his Army towards Cydwely wasted and destroyed the whole Country and being returned home joyned his Army with his Brothers Meredith and Rhys who entring into the Country of Cardigan won that part called Is Aeron This was succeeded by an Action of greater Importance in North-Wales some irreconcilable Difference arising betwixt Prince Owen and Rondel Earl of Chester quickly broke out into open War The Earl made all the possible Preparations the opportunity would permit and drew together a considerable Army from all parts of England and which strengthened and incouraged him the more he was joyned by Madoc ap Meredith Prince of Powys who disdaining to hold his Lands of Prince Owen Gwynedh chose rather to side with and abet his Enemies The Prince on the other hand was not backward in his Preparations and perceiving the Enemy to come upon him thought it not advisable to suffer him to advance too far into the Country but to stop and prevent his Carreer before he should take too firm a footing in his Dominions To this end he marched with his whole Power as far as Counsylht with full Resolution to give the Earl of Chester Battel which the English were glad of as thinking themselves far more numerous and much better Armed and Disciplined than the Welch But both Armies having joyned Battel they quickly faltered in their expectation of undoubted Success and finding the Welch to press so irresistibly severe upon them they thought it wiser to retire and endeavour to save themselves by flight But the Welch pursued them so hard that few escaped without being either slain or taken Prisoners and they some of the Chief Commanders who thro' the fleetness of their Horses avoided the Fury of their pursuers The next Year the Scene of Action removed to A.D. 1150 South-Wales Cadelh Meredith and Rhys the Sons of Gruffydh ap Rhys Prince of South-Wales being entred with an Army into Cardigan wan all the Country from Howel the Prince of North-Wales Son excepting the Castle of Lhanfihangel in Pengwern The Siege of Lhanrystyd Castle proved so difficult and unmanagable that the young Lords of South-Wales lost a great part of their bravest Souldiers before it which so troubled and vexed them that when they got possession of the Castle they put all the Garrison to the Sword From thence they marched to Ystratmerric Castle which after they had won manned and re-fortified they disbanded their Forces and returned home But Cadelh the eldest of the Brothers was upon the point of receiving his last Blow by treachery at home which he had escaped from the Enemies abroad For some of the Inhabitants of Tenbigh in Pembroke shire having conceived some displeasure and hatred against Cadelh were resolved to revenge themselves and to lay a Trap for his Life and having observed what pleasure he took in Hunting were resolved to execute their Plot whilst he was hot and eager at his Sport Observing therefore one day how he went a Hunting with only a few Companions
Edeyrneon and Dinmael which he left to his Sons Gruffydh Blethyn and Iorwerth Owen Madawc had to his Portion Mechain-Is-Coed and had Issue Lhewelyn and Owen Fychan But Gruffydh Maelor the eldest Son Lord of Bromfield had to his part both the Maelors with Mochnant-is-Raydar and married Angharad the Daughter of Owen Gwynedh Prince of North-Wales by whom he had Issue one Son named Madawc who held his Father's Inheritance intirely and left it so to his only Son Gruffydh who was called Lord of Dînas Brân because he lived in that Castle He married Emma the Daughter James Lord Audley by whom he had Issue Madawc Lhewelyn Gruffydh and Owen This Gruffydh ap Madawc took part with King Henry the Third and Edward the First against the Prince of North-Wales and therefore for fear of the said Prince he was forced to keep himself secure within his Castle of Dinas Brân which being situated upon the summity of a very steep Hill seemed impregnable to all the daring Efforts that could be used against it After his death Edward the first dealt very unkindly with his Children who were of Age to manage their own Concerns and making two of them privately away bestowed the Wardship of Madoc his eldest Son who had by his Father's Will the Lordships of Bromfield and Yale with the reversion of Maelor Saesnec Hopesdale and Mouldsdale his Mother's Joynture on John Earl Warren and the Wardship of Lhewelyn to whose share fell the Lordships of Chirke and Nanheudwy to Roger Mortimer third Son to Roger Mortimer the Son of Ralph Mortimer Lord Mortimer of Wigmor But Emma Gruffydh's Wife having in her possession for her Dowry Maelor Saesnec Hopesdale and Moulsdale with the presentation of Bangor Rectory and seeing two of her Sons disinherited and done away and the fourth dead without Issue and doubting lest Gruffydh her only surviving Child could not long continue she conveyed her Estate to the Audley's her own Kin who getting possession of it took the same from the King from whom it came to the House of Derby where it continued for a long time till at length it was sold to Sir John Glynne Serjeant at Law in whose Family it still remaineth But Earl Warren and Roger Mortimer forgetting what signal Service Gruffydh ap Madoc had performed for the King guarded their new Possessions with such caution and strictness that they took especial care they should never return to any of the Posterity of the legal Proprietor and therefore having obtained the King's Patent they began to secure themselves in the said Lordships John Earl Warren began to build Holt-Castle which was finished by his Son William and so the Lordships of Bromfield and Yale continued in the name of the Earls of Warren for three Descents viz. John William and John who dying without Issue the said Lordships together with the Earldom of Warren descended to Alice Sister and Heir to the last John Earl Warren who was married to Edmond Fitz Alan Earl of Arundel in which House they remained for three Descents namely Edmund Richard Richard his Son and Thomas Earl of Arundel But for want of Issue to this last Thomas Earl of Arundel and Warren the said Lordships fell to two of his Sisters whereof one named Elizabeth was married to Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolk and the other called Joan to William Beauchamp Lord of Abergavenny But since they came to the Hands of Sir William Stanley Knight who being attainted of High Treason they devolved by forfeiture to the Crown and now are annexed to the Principality of Wales But Roger Mortimer the other sharer in the Lands of Gruffydh ap Madoc was made Justice of North-Wales built the Castle of Chirke and married Lucia the Daughter and Heir of Sir Robert de Wafre Knight by whom he had Issue Roger Mortimer who was married to Joan Turbervill by whom he had John Mortimer Lord of Chirke This John sold the Lordship of Chirke to Richard Fitzalan Earl of Arundel Edmund's Son and so it was again annexed to Bromfield and Yale The third Son of Gruffydh Lord of Dinas Brân named also Gruffydh had for his part Glyn Dwrdwy which Gruffydh ap Gruffydh had Issue Madoc Crupl who was the Father of Madoc Fychan the Father of Gruffydh the Father of Gruffydh Fychan who was the Father of Owen Glyndwr who rebelling in the days of Henry the Fourth Glyndwrdwy by confiscation came to the King of whom it was afterwards purchased by Robert Salisbury of Rug in whose Family it still remaineth Owen the Fourth Son of Gruffydh Lord of Dinas Brân had for his share Cynlhaeth with the Rights and Priviledges thereunto belonging The other part of Powys comprehending the Countries of Arustly Cyfeilioc Lhannerch-hudol Caereneon Mochnach uwch Rayadr Mechan uwch Coed Moudhwy Deudhwr Ystrad Marchelh and Teir Tref or the three Towns rightfully descended to Gruffydh ap Meredith ap Blethyn by Henry the first created Lord Powys Who married Gweyryl or Weyryl the Daughter of Vrgene ap Howel ap Iefaf ap Cadogan ap Athlestan Glodryth by whom he had Issue Owen Surnamed Cyfeilioc This Owen enjoyed his Father's Estate intire and married Gwenlhiam the Daughter of Owen Gwynedh Prince of North-Wales who bore him one Son named Gwenwynwyn or Wenwynwyn from whom that part of Powys was afterwards called Powys Wenwynwyn He had moreover a base Brother called Caswalhon upon whom he bestowed the Countries of Swydh Lhannerch Hudol and Braniarth Gwenwynwyn succeeded his Father in all his Estate saying what Caswalhon enjoyed and married Margaret the Daughter of Rhys ap Theodor Prince of South Wales by whom he had Gruffydh ap Gwenâ—ynwyn who succeeding his Father in all his Possessions had Issue six Sons by Margaret the Daughter of Robert Corbet Brother to Thomas Lord Corbet of Cous and so the intire Estate of Gruffydh ap Meredith ap Blethyn Lord of Powys became shattered and torn into divers Pieces Owen Gruffydh ap Gwenwynwyn's eldest Son had for his part Arustly Cyfeilioc Lhannerch Hudol and a part of Caereneon Lhewelyn had Mochnant uwch Rayadr and Mechain uwch Coed John the third Son had the fourth part of Caerenion William had Moudhwy Gruffydh Fychan had Deudh rr Ystrat-Marchelh and Teir Tref and David the sixth and youngest Son had the other fourth part of Caereneon Owen ap Gruffydh had Issue one only Daughter named Hawys Gadarn or the Hardy whom he left his Heir but her Uncles Lhewolyn John Gruffydh Fychan and David thinking it an easy matter to dispossess an Orphan challenged the Lands of their Brother Owen alledging for a Cloak to their Usurpation that a Woman was not capable of holding any Lands in that Country But Hawys made such Friends in England that her Case was made known to King Edward the Second who bestowed her in Marriage upon a Servant of his named John Charleton termed Valectus Domini Regis who was born at Appley near Wellington in the County of Salop Anno One Thousand Two Hundred
for some time made a vigorous defence but having no hopes of any Relief they thought it their wisest course to Capitulate and so they desired they might march out with their Arms Bag and Baggage and all that belonged to them which was granted them About this time likewise Gwenwynwyn was set at Liberty whom the King had hitherto detained Prisoner and withal lends him some Forces to attempt the recovery of his Country which Prince Lhewelyn had seized upon during his Imprisonment and tho' by his own Strength he was not able to cope with the Prince yet by this Assistance granted him by the King he soon re-possessâ—d himself of his Dominions This Success of Gwenwynwyn encouraged Maelgon likewise to endeavour the recovery of that part of his Country which the Prince had taken from him in the same Expedition Now he makes his application to the King of England and swears Allegiance to him Hereupon the King grants him a considerable Army as well English as Normans to these he joyns what Forces he could raise in Wales and then contrary to the Oath and Agreement he had made with his Nephews Rhys and Owen he in a hostile manner enters their Country when he was come to Cantred Penwedic he encamped at Cilcenny where he staid some time to take measures for the better accomplishment of his Designs by this time his Nephews had got together about 300 chosen well disciplined Men but with so small a Number durst not oppose their Uncle's numerous Army in open Field therefore they were to endeavour to overthrow those by a Stratagem which they could not do by main force Herein they proved very successful for coming as near their Enemies as they could without being discovered they sent out their Spies that Night for Intelligence who brought back the good News that all was quiet in Maelgon's Camp and that they kept no strict Watch being not aware of an approaching Enemy This Intelligence mightily encouraged the Brothers to prosecute their Designs and now they march as silently as they can towards their Enemies Camp where they met with no opposition being not discovered because all were fast asleep When they were advanced as they thought as far as Maelgon's Tent they furiously fell on and slew a great number of his Men afore they awak'd the rest being frightened with the noise and shouts of their Enemies and withal thinking their Numbers to be far greater than it was were glad to make use of the darkness of the Night to quit the Field only Maelgon's Guard valiantly kept their Post and defended their Lord till he had time and opportunity to escape But Maelgon's Army suffered very much in this Action his Nephew Conan ap Howel with his Chief Counsellor Gruffydh ap Cadwgan were both taken Prisoners and Eineon ap Caradoc with a great number more were slain upon the spot About the same time Gilbert Earl of Glocester fortified the Castle of Buelht where a little before he had lost a considerable number of his Men by reason that the place was not very strong and tenable And towards the conclusion of this year Mallt or Mawd de Bruce the Wife of Gruffydh ap Rhys departed this Life and was interred by her Husband in a Monk's Coul in Ystratflur But the following Year a great Storm threatened A.D. 1210 North-Wales by reason that the Marchers made frequent and grievous Complaints to King John how that Prince Lhewelyn perpetually molested their Country slew their Men and committed all the waste and destruction possible as he passed along The King hearing of such intolerable Depredations continually exercised by the North-Wales Men thought it high time to redress his Subjects and therefore he raised a mighty Army throughout all England and called to him all the Lords and Princes of Wales as held their Lands and Patents from him as Howel ap Gruffydh ap Conan ap Owen Gwynedh whom Prince Lhewelyn had banished out of North-Wales Madoc ap Gruffydh Maylor Lord of Bromfield Chirke and Yale Meredith ap Rotpert Lord of Cydewen Gwenwynwyn Lord of Powys Maelgon and Rhys the Sons of Prince Rhys and Governours of South Wales With this formidable Army he came to Chester intending to enter into North-Wales by that way and being fully resolved to execute the severest Vengeance upon the Inhabitants and not to let one living Soul remain alive throughout the whole Country But Matters of this nature are easier resolved upon than accomplished Prince Lhewelyn was no sooner informed of these mighty preparations against him comprehending the whole Strength of the English Nation and what was worst of all being assisted by his own Country-men but he issued forth his Orders commanding all his Subjects of the In-land Counties of Denbigh and Flint together with them of the Island of Anglesey to remove for a time all their Cattel and other Effects to Snowden-Hills where they were sure to remain securest from their Enemies But King John marched his Army along the Sea-Coast to Ruthlan and there passing the River Clwyd he came to the Castle of Teganwy where he encamped for some time to refresh and recreate his Army which by reason of the long Marches they made was in a great measure weary and fatigued But what the more augmented their misery Lhewelyn getting behind them cut off all their hopes of Provision from England and the Welch by the Advantage of being acquainted with the straits and narrow Passages cut off all that straggled from the English Camp so that in time they were glad to take up with Horse-flesh and any thing were it never so mean which might till up their greedy and empty Stomachs At last King John finding no other Remedy and perceiving it impossible to continue longer there so hungry and fainty thought it his wisest way to march for England and leave the Welch to themselves and so he decamped in a great fury leaving Lhewelyn to bury that great number of Dead which had starved in this successless Expedition But to recover the Honour he had now lost he was resolved to try another touch with the Welch but possibly not with the same confidence and assurance of Victory And therefore returning to Wales in the next August he entred with such another terrible Army of English and was assisted by the same Welch Lords at Blanchmonastery now Oswestry being in the Lordship of John the Son of William Fitzalan In this Expedition King John passing the River Conwey and encamping at the other side towards Snowden-Hills sent part of his Army conducted by Guides who were acquainted with the Country to burn Bangor which they effectually did and taking Roâ—pert Bishop of that See out of Church they carried him Prisoner to the English Camp where he continued for some time till he obtained his Ransom for a present of two hundred Hawks But Prince Lhewelyn finding the whole Strength of England and almost Wales to fight against him and judging it impossible for himself alone to
Noblemen offered to be Securities and bound themselves by their several Writings But as if all things had conspired together against Prince David See Appendix several Persons that had been at continual variance and enmity among themselves to this time were now by reason that they equally favoured Gruffydh's Cause made Friends among one another Morgan ap Howel Lord of Cery made his Reconciliation to Sir Ralph Mortimer See Appendix and his Submission to King Henry in a very solemn manner In the same form several others of the Nobility submitted to the King as Owen ap Howel Maelgon ap Maelgon Meredith ap Meredith Howel ap Cadwalhon and Cadwalhon ap Howel David finding himself thus relinquished by the greatest part of his Nobility and particularly by Gruffydh ap Madawc Lord of Bromfield whom he chiefly feared by reason of his great Wisdom and Power and that he was much esteemed by the King of England could not easily conclude how to carry himself in this perplexity of Affairs But in fine considering with himself what a puissant Army King Henry brought against him and how himself was considerably weakened by the defection of his Subjects he thought it most adviseable to truckle to the King and therefore with all speed sent him his Submission See Appendix Prince David having given a plenary Submission to the King desired that being his Nephew and the lawful Heir and Successor of his Father Prince Lhewelyn he should enjoy the Principality of Wales rather than Gruffydh who was illegitimate and in no wise related to the King assuring him further that the War would never be at an end if he was set at liberty King Henry knowing well the truth of all this and withal being assured that Gruffydh was not only valiant himself but had likewise very powerful Abettors and Promoters of his Cause was very inclinable to assent to David's Request and to prevent any farther Troubles willingly granted it Therefore David in a while after sent his Brother Gruffydh to the King together with the Pledges promised for the performance of the Articles lately agreed upon who were all sent to the Tower of London to be kept in safe custody Gruffydh being allowed a Noble a day to provide himself with Necessaries Shortly after David came himself to London and after he had done his Homage and sworn Fealty to the King of England returned to Wales being honourably and peaceably dismissed But as soon as Gruffydh found out King Henry's mind and that it was the least part of his design to set him at liberty having flatly denyed the Bishop of Bangor his request therein he began to set his Brains a working and to devise a means whereby he might make his escape out of the Tower Whereupon having one night deceived his Keepers he let himself down from the top of the Building by a Line which he had composed out of the Sheets and Hangings of the Room which being too weak to bear his weight being a heavy corpulent Person let him down headlong to the ground by the greatness of which Fall he was crushed to pieces and so presently expired King Henry being informed of this unhappy Accident severely punished the Officers for their inexcusable Carelesness and ordered that his Son who was kept Prisoner with him in the Tower should be more narrowly observed After this King Henry fortified the Castle of Dyserth in Flintshire and for their passed Service or rather to oblige them to the like after granted to Gruffydh ap Gwenwynwyn all his Estate in Powys and to the Sons of Conan ap Owen Gwynedh their Lands in Merionyth And the next Year Maelgon Fychan fortifyed A.D. 1242 the Castle of Garthgrugyn John de Mynoc the Castle of Buelht and Roger Mortimer that of Melyenyth But all these Preparations were not to no purpose for the following Year early King Henry came with A.D. 1243 an Army into Wales and began very unreasonably to molest the Welch and without any just pretence forcibly to seize upon their Lands and Estates Indeed after the death of Gruffydh he had a mind no longer to keep his Promise to David and therefore entitled his eldest Son Edward to the Principality of Wales whom he thought to oblige the Welch to obey But Prince David understanding his design levyed all his Power for the defence of his just Right yet finding himself unable to withstand the Army of the English purposed to effect that by Policy which he could not attain by Force He sent therefore to the Pope complaining how that King Henry of England compelled him unjustly to hold his Lands of him and that upon no legal pretence he seized the Estates of the Welch at his pleasure telling him moreover that Prince Lhewelyn his Father had left him and the Principality of Wales to the Protection of the See of Rome to which he was willing to pay the yearly Sum of Five Hundred Marks obliging himself and his Successors by Oath for the due performance of this Payment The Pope you may be sure gladly accepted of the Offer and thereupon gave commission to the two Abbots of Aberconwey and Cymer to absolve David from his Oath of Allegiance to the King of England and having enquired into the whole Estate of the Quarrel to transmit an account of it to him The Abbots See Appendâ—x according to their Commission directed a very positive Mandat to the King of England King Henry admiring the strange Presumption and Confidence of these Abbots or more the unsatiable Avarice and Greediness of the Pope sent also to Rome and with a greater Sum of Money easily adjusted all matters his Holyness being very desirous to make the best advantage of both Parties But Prince David finding that the Pope minded his own Gain more than to justifie his Complaints against the King of England thought it to no purpose to rely upon his Faith but judged it more advisable to vindicate himself by force of Arms. Having therefore gathered his Forces together being now reconciled to and followed by all the Nobility of Wales excepting Gruffydh ap Gwenwynwyn and Morgan ap Howel who also shortly after submitted to him he drew up his Army to the Marches intending to be revenged upon the Earls of Clare and Hereford John de Monmouth Roger de Monte Alto and others who injured and oppressed his People with whom he fought divers times and with various success A.D. 1245 But in the Lent-time next Year the Marchers and the Welch met near Montgomery between whom was fought a very severe Battel the Governour of that Castle being General of the English and having â—unningly placed an Ambuscade of Men pretended â—fter some short Engagement to flee whom the Welch daringly pursued not thinking of any Treaâ—hery Bat as soon as they were past the Ambushment â—p rises an unexpected Party of Men who falling upâ—n the backs of the Welch put them to a very great â—isorder and killed about Three Hundred
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
respect to his Quality and his Child maintain'd and provided for by the King To these the Archbishop added his Threats That in case they did not comply and submit themselves to the King's Mercy there were very severe and imminent Dangers hanging over their Heads a formidable Army was ready to make an inroad into their Country which would not only gaul and oppress them but in all probability totally eradicate the whole Nation Besides which they were to expect the severest Censure and Punishment of the Church But all this could not force so unlimited a Submission from the Prince but that he would stick upon some certain Conditions and therefore by Letter he acquainted the Archbishop That he was with all willingness desirous to submit himself to the King but withal that he could not do it but in such a manner as was safe and honest for him And because the Form of Submission contained in the Articles sent to him were by himself and his Council thought pernicious and illegal for him to consent to as tending rather to the Destruction than the Security of himself and his Subjects he could in no wise agree to it and in case himself should be willing the rest of his Nobility and People would never admit of it as knowing for certain the Mischief and Inconveniency that would ensue thereby Therefore he desired his Lordship that for a Confirmation of an honest and a durable Peace which he had all this while earnestly laboured for he would manage Matters circumspectly and with due regard to the following Articles For it was much more honourable for the King and far more consonant to Reason that he should hold his Lands in the Country where he was born and dwelt in than that by dispossessing of him his Estate should be bestowed upon Strangers With this was sent the general Answer of the Welch to the Archbishop's Articles viz. 1. Though the King would not consent to treat of the four Cantreds nor of the Isle of Anglesey yet unless these be comprehended in the Treaty the Prince's Council will not conclude a Peace by reason that these Cantreds have ever since the time of Camber the Son of Brutus properly and legally belonged to the Princes of Wales besides the Confirmation which the present Prince obtained by the Consent of the King and his Father at the Treaty before Cardinal Ottobonus the Pope's Legate whose Letters Patents do still appear And more the Justice of the thing it self is plainly evident that it is more reasonable for our Heirs to hold the said Cantreds for Money and other Services due to the King than that Strangers enjoy the same who will forcibly abuse and oppress the People 2. All the Tenants of the Cantreds of Wales do unanimously declare that they dare not submit themselves to the King's Pleasure by reason that he never from the beginning took care to observe either Covenant Oath or any other Grant to the Prince and his People and because his Subjects have no regard to Religion but most cruelly and unchristianly tyranize over Churches and religious Persons and then for that we do not understand our selves any way obliged thereunto seeing we be the Princes Tenants who is willing to pay the King all usual and accustomed Services 3. As to what is required that the Prince should simply commit himself to the King's Will we all declare that for the aforesaid Reasons none of us dare come neither will we permit our Prince to come to him upon those Conditions 4. That some of the English Nobility will endeavour to procure a provision of a Thousand Pounds a Year in England we would let them know that we can accept of no such Pension because it is procured for no other end than that the Prince being disinherited themselves may obtain his Lands in Wales 5. The Prince cannot in honesty resign his paternal Inheritance which has for many Ages been enjoyed by his Predecessours and accept of other Lands among the English of whose Customs and Language he is ignorant and upon that score may at length be fraudulently deprived of all by his malicious and inveterate Enemies 6. Seeing the King intends to deprive him of his antient Inheritance in Wales where the Land is more barren and untilled it is not very probable that he will bestow upon him a more fruitful and an aâ—able Estate in England 7. As to the Clause that the Prince should give the King a perpetual Possession of Snowden we only affirm that seeing Snowden essentially belongs to the Principality of Wales which the Prince and his Predecessors have enjoyed since Brute the Prince's Council will not permit him to renounce it and accept another Estate in England to which he has not equal Right 8. The People of Snowden declare That though the Prince should give the King possession of it they would never own and pay Submission to Strangers for in so doing they would bring upon themselves the same Misery that the People of the Four Cantreds have for a long time groaned under being most rudely handled and unjustly oppressed by the King's Officers as wofully appears by their several Grievances 9. As for David the Prince's Brother we see no reason why against his Will he should be compell'd to take a Journey to the Holy-Land which if he happens to undertake hereafter upon the account of Religion it is no cause that his Issue should be disinherited but rather encouraged Now seeing neither the Prince nor any of his Subjects upon any account whatsoever have moved and begun this War but only defended themselves their Properties Laws and Liberties from the Encroachments of other Persons and since the English for either Malice or Covetousness to obtain our Estates have unjustly occasioned all these Troubles and Broils in the Kingdom we are assured that our Defence is just and lawful and therein depend upon the Aid and Assistance of Heaven which will be most cruelly revenged upon our sacrilegious and inhumane Enemies who have left no manner of Enormities in relation to God and Man uncommitted Therefore your Grace would more justly threaten your Ecclesiastical Censures against the Authors and Abettors of such unparallell'd Villanies than the innocent Sufferers And besides we much admire that you should advise us to part with our own Estates and to live among our Enemies as if when we cannot peaceably enjoy what is our own unquestionable Right we might expect to have quiet possession of another Mans And though as you say it be hard to live in War and perpetual Danger yet much harder it is to be utterly destroyed and reduced to nothing especially when we seek but the Defence of our own Liberties from the insatiable Ambition of our Enemies And seeing your Grace has promised to fulminate Sentence against all them that either for Malice or Profit would hinder and obstruct the Peace it is evident who in this respect are Transgressors and Delinquents the fear and apprehension of Imprisonment