Lords it hath had good store and of several families but none of them a Parliamentary Peer in reverence hereunto till these later times of late it hath given title both to Lord and Earl of two several families Viz. to these year 1564 1. Robert Dudley created Baron of Denbigh and Earl of Leicester Eliz. 6. Sept. 29. 1622. Or a lyon rampant quene fourche vert incensed Cules a cressent for difference William Viscount Fielding created Earl of Denbigh 20. Jac. Sept. 14. Master of the Wardrobe c. Arg. Or a Fess B. 3. Fusils or Lozenges Or. The Lordship of Ruthin continued in the possession of the Greyes untill the Reign of Hen. 7. George Grey Earl of Kent and Lord of Ruthin passed the same upon some bargain to the King There came at the same time with King Edward divers Gentlemen who grew afterwards to be men of great possessions in the County many of whose posterity continue to this day Rees ap Meredyth served the King in all these wars who did most hurt of all men and was in good hope of great preferment at the Kings hand whom after the overthrow of the Prince the King made Knight and fed with many fair and good words After that he and all other his Countrymen and Neighbours had submitted themselves to the Government of the King of England it hapned that the Lord Pain Tiptoft Warden of the Kings castles nigh unto Rees his Country and the Lord Allen Plucknet the Kings Steward in Wales called the said Rees as they did all other of the Country to the Kings Court whether he refused to come alledging his ancient priviledges and liberties with the Kings promises but the said Officers proceeded according to the law against him whereupon a great variance arose between the said Pain Tiptoft and the said Sir Rees ap Meredyth so that sundry Skermishes were fought betwixt them and men slain on both sides to the great disturbance of the Country The King hearing of these things being then beyond Sea wrote unto Rees Meredyth requiring him to keep the peace till his return At what time he promised to reform all things in due and reasonable order but Rees would not give over the enterprise which he had begun Whereupon the King sent to the Earl of Cornwall whom he had left his Lieutenant in the Realm during his absence to send an army of Men into Wales to withstand the disordered attempts of the said Rees who went into Wales himself and overthrew Rees his Castle at Drofolan but by undermining the walls of that Castle with the fall thereof the Baron Stafford and the Lord William de Monchency with many other Knights and Esquires were oppressed and brused to death Afterwards Robert Typtoft Lord Deputy of Wales gathered an army and meeting the said Rees after the slaughter of 4000. of his people discomfited and took him who about Michaelmas following at the Kings going into Scotland was had to York and there condemned and executed Not long after the King wanting money there was a great subsidy granted towards the maintainance of the war in France about levying of which there was much a do in several places but especially the Welshmen who were never wont to be acquainted with such contribution stormed against it so that they took one of their own Captains named Roger de Puelesdon who at the Kings command gathered the said subsidy and hanged him with divers others and afterwards beheaded the said Roger. Whereupon the King being sore offended for the death of the said Roger whom he greatly favoured and hearing that the VVelshmen began to stir against him in divers places for the VVestwales Men had chosen Maelgon Vachan for their Captain and destroyed all Caerdigan and Pembrock and returned with spoiles They of Glamorgan and the Southparts took one named Morgan for their leader and driving the Earl of Glocester out of the Country they restored to the said Morgan again the possessions which the Ancestors of the said Earl by force and great wrong had taken from the said Morgans Predecessours The Northwales men had set upon Madoc being of the kindred of the last Lhewelyn who gathering a great power came to Caernarvon and slew a great number of Englishmen which were come thither to the Fair and spoiled the whole Town then I say the King called back his brother Edmund Earl of Lancaster and Henry Lacy Earl of Lincolne and John Lord Denbigh who had an army ready to pass into Gascoyne The remnant of the Welsh foyle the English These Earls came towards Northwales and as they approached neer unto the castle of Denbigh upon St. Martins day the VVelshmen with great force encountered them and giving them battail drove them back and discomfited their people Upon this ungratefull newes the King himself came into VVales and there kept his Christmas at Aberconwey where Robert VVinchesey Archbishop of Canterbury came unto him and did him homage and then returned home the King as he passed further into the country lost much of his carriages which the Welshmen took being loaden with victualls and provision for the army so that the King and his people endured great penury and were constrained to drink water mixt with hony and eat very gross and course meat where he was very like to have been distressed had not the other part of his army come to him in time While the King remained in Snowdon the Earl of Warwick hearing that a great number of Welshmen were assembled together and lodged in a vally betwixt two woods chose out a company of horsemen with certain cross-bowes and archers and coming upon the Welshmen in the night compassed them round about who pitching the ends of their spears and turning the points against their Enemies stood at defence so to keep off the horsemen But the Earl having placed his battail so that betwixt every two horsemen there stood a crossbow a great part of the Welshmen who stood at defence in manner aforesaid with their spears were overthrown and broken with the shot of the quarrells and then the Earl charged the residue with a troop of horsemen and bare them down with such slaughter as they had not sustained the like losse of people as was thought at any time before After this the King builded a strong Castle within the Isle of Anglesey and called the same Beaumarish and so setting all in quietness and punishing such as had put to death Roger de Puelesdon he returned home with his army Madoc victorious against the Lord Strange of Knooking and the Marchers but Madoc within a while after levying an army came to Oswestred where the people yielded unto him and meeting with the Lord Strange with a company of Marchers not far from Knooking overthrew him and spoiled his Country miserably and shortly after he gave the Marchers another overthrow But for all that the Lords Marchers nothing dismayd at this mischance gathered new forces and met Madoc as he
Or Kemeys vert on a cheueron Arg 3 pheons Sable Gunter Sable a cheueron inter 3 gantlels clutchc Or Havert Arg a bulls head cabosed inter 3 mulets Gules Walbeise Arg 3 bulle pale wayes Gules armed vnguled Or Gamage Arg a bend losengy Gules on a chiefe Azure 3 escallops Or Wiston Gules a cherÌ„on Ermine Maunsell Arg a cherÌ„on betweene 3 Maunches Sable About this time or shortly after Bernard Newmarsh a noble man also of Normandy obtained by conquest the Lordship of Brecknock containing three cantreds and married Nest the daughter of Nest daughter to Gruffith ap Lhewelin Prince of Waleâ— by whom he had issue Mahael and a daughter This Mahael being a worthy Knight was dis-inherited by the malice of his own mother who contrary to the matrimonial duty kept unlawful company with a Knight whom she set more by then her husband whereupon Mahael being offended with the dissolute life of his mother warned her to avoid infamy and on a time meeting with the said Knight coming from her fought with him and hurt him wherefore Nest to be revenged of her son for that fact went to K. Henry the first and solemnly Gerald Itin. Camb. rather of malice and revengement as Giraldus noteth then of any Truth sware upon the Evangelists that the said Mahael her son was not begotten by Bernard Newmarsh her Husband but by another Lover of hers by reason of which Oath or perjury rather as Giraldus thinketh Mahael was disinherited and his Sister whom the Mother affirmed to be the very Daughter of Bernard was by the said King with the whole Inheritance King Henry the First confesseth the VVelshmen to be the lawfull inheritours of the Country bestowed upon Milo the son of Walter the Constable who was after created Earl of Hereford Lord of Glocester Brecknock and the Forrest of Dean This Milo Earl of Hereford told King Henry the First of the singing and triumphing of Birds by the pool called Lhyn Sanathan at the passing of Gruffith ap Rees ap Theodor the said Milo a Pini-Fitz-John Lord of Ewyas Land being present whereunto the King answered that it was not a thing to be wondred at so much for in truth said he we by our great force and strength do offer injury and violence to that Nation yet are they well known to be the lawfull inheritours of hat Countrey The sons of this Milo dyed all without issue yet he left three daughters First Margaret married to Humphery de Bohune in her right Earl of Hereford Many if not most of the English Nobility by this match desceâ—dâ—d of the Welsh blood Henry the 4th descended from Lhewelin Prince of Wales and Constable of England from which match and so consequently from Bernard Newmarsh his Wife daughter of Nest who was daughter of another Nest daughter from Gruffith ap Lhewelyn Prince of all Wales most of the ancient Nobility descend from Lhewelyn the great Prince for the last Humphry de Bohune Earl of Hereford Essex and Northampton and Constable of England had issue two daughters and heirs Elianor the elder was married unto Thomas Plantagenet alias Thomas of Woodstock the sixth son of Edward the Third who was by King Richard the Second created Earl of Buckingham and after Duke of Glocester and in her right Earl of Essex Northampton and Constable of England Mary the second Daughter was married to Henry Plantagenet alias Bullingbrook Earl of Derby after King of England by the name of Henry the Fourth Plantagâ—nets Staffords and Bouochier from Lhewelin Prince of Wales The said Thomas Plantagenet Duke of Glocester c. had Humphry Lord of Brecknock who dyed without Issue and four daughters heirs after their Brother Ann the elde stmarried to Edmund Stafford Earl of Stafford who by her had Issue Humphry Earl of Stafford Hereford and Northampton Lord of Brecknock c. and afterwards the said Ann was married to William Viscount Bourchier created Earl of Ewe in France by King Henry the Fifth Father of Henry created Earl of Essex by King Edward the Fourth This Humphry Earl of Stafford was created Duke of Buckingham by King Henry the Sixt and so the Lordship of Brecknock came to the Dukes of Buckingham and by the Attainder of Edward the last Duke of that family came to the Crown But let us return again to the daughters of Milo you see what gallant Issue proceeded from the first Secondly Bersa the second Daughter was married unto Philip Bruse created by King Stephan Lord Bruse of Gower Bould and Brimber and in his Wives Right Lord of Brecknock Thirdy Lucia the third daughter was married to Herbert the son of Herbert a base son to King Henry the First who was in her Right Lord of all the Forrest of Dean of whom descended the Fitz-Herberts of Derbyshire Awbery Walbeif Gunter and Hanara no Welshmen properly With Bernard Newmarsh before spoken of there came many Gentlemen at that time to Brecknock upon whom he bestowed divers Mannors as to the Awberies the Mannor of Abercynrick and Slowch to the Walbeifes the Mannor of Lhanhamlack and Taly Lhyn and to the Gunters the Mannor of Gilston to the Hanards the Mannor of Pont Willym an easie matter to cut large thongs out of another mans Hide About this time Cadogan ap Blethyn ap Convyn destroyed all Dynet in the end of April and shortly after the same summer the Normans in great companies landed in Dynet or Westwales and Caerdigan and builded Castles there and so began to inhabit the Countrey upon the Sea-shore The Normans having gotten into their hands all the lands and livings of the Nobility of England began to pry and peep into the commodities of Wales and seeing that Robert Fitz-Hamon and other Knights that went with him had sped so well they made suit to the King to grant them the lands of the Welshmen whereupon the King thinking that to be the best way for him as well to encourage them to be more willing to serve him as also to provide for them at other mens cost granted to divers of his Nobles sundry Countries in Wales to hold of him by Knights Service for the which they did Homage and sware fealty unto him as followeth First Roger Montgomery Earl of Arundel and Salop did his homage for the Lordship of Powis and Caerdigan Secondly Hugh Lupus Earl of Chester did homage for Tegengel and Rynonioc with all the Land by the Sea-shore unto the River of Conwey Thirdly Arnulph a younger son of Roger Montgomery for Dinet Fourthly Bernard Newmarch for Brecknock Fifthly Ralph Mortimer for Eluel Sixthly Hugh de Lacie for the land of Ewyes Seventhly Eustace Cruer for Molde and Hopedale and many others for other Lands Montgomery why so called Then Roger de Montgomery to whom the Conquerour had given Powis entred the land and wan the Town and Castle of Baldwyn which he fortified and called it Montgomery after his own name About this time also Gruffith ap Conon
King of Northwales with Cadogan ap Blethyn who then ruled Southwales entred the Land of Caerdigan and killed a great number of Normans being not able any longer to suffer their great Pride and Cruelty but after their Return the English Captains sent to England for more men and thought privately to make a Road into Northwales which journey was discovered unto Cadogan who gathered his Power and met with them in the Wood or Forrest of Yspys and set upon them with great Hue and Cry and they defended themselves manfully but in the end they were put to flight with great loss and Cadogan followed them hard and spoiled the Countrey of Cadogan and Dinet and destroyed all the Castles saving two which were Pembroke and Rydeors which he could not get and so returned to Powis with much Joy King Rufus not able to prevail against the Welsh to his dishonour returneth home year 1093 In the year 1093. the Normans that inhabited the Countrey of Glamorgan spoiled the Territories of Kydwely and Yâ—rad Tywy and left them without any Inhabitants When VVilliam Rufus had been informed of the great slaughter of his Subjects as well in Cheshire Shropshire VVorcestershire and Herefordshire as in VVales which Gruffith ap Conan and the sons of Blethyn Convyn had done he gathered his power together and entred VVales at Mountgomery which Castle being lately overthrown by the VVelshmen he re-edified again but the VVelshmen kept so the straits of the mountains with the Woods and Rivers that the King did no good but lost his labour and his men therefore he returned back to his great Dishonour year 1094 In the year 1094. dyed VVilliam the son of Baldwyn who at the Kings commandement had built the Castle of Rydcors after whose death the Castle was forsaken by his men and the Inhabitants of Gwyr Brecknock Gwent and Gwent Ihwc Welshmen hardly overcome unless by Treason among themselves cast from their Necks the burthen of the Normans that had won their Countries and held them in subjection and chased them out of their Territories but shortly after they returned again with greater Power Then the countrymen detesting their insolency met with them at a place called Celly Tarvawc and couragiously encountred them so that they put them to flight with great Slaughter and chased them back again out of the Land nevertheless the greedy Normans would not give over but recruiting returned again to Brecknockshire making a vow to leave no living thing within that Countrey it is not good to reckon before mine Host nor count our Chickins before they be hatch'd for the country people flying before them staied at a strait passage and killed many of them About this time Roger Montgomery Earl of Salop and Arundel Powel fol. 153. and VVilliam Fitz Eustace Earl of Glocester though I read of no such man for Master Mills fol. 358. as also other Authors set Robert base Son to King Henry the First the first Earl of that place Arnold de Harecourt and Neale le Vicount were slain between Cardiff and Brecknock by the VVelshmen and VValter Evereux Earl of Sarum who dyed in Normandy and Hugh Earl Gurney were there hurt Patrick de Evereux was first Earl of Sarum or Salisbury created so by King Stephen and therefore could not be in this time but it is he that was son to Walter Evereux Mr. Mills fol. 1034. who built the Abby of Bradenstock 1139. the fift of King Stephen and being an old man did take upon him the habit of a Monk there others say this Walter was Earl of Rosemer When the Normans saw that they had all the loss they manned and victualed the Castles which formerly they had builded and returned home but in their retreat Gruffith and Ivor the sons of Edverth ap Cadogan met them unexpectedly at Aberlhech and encountring them slew most part of them the rest escaping into England Notwithstanding the Norman Captains defended the Castles valiantly and kept them till they were driven by force for safeguard of their lives to forsake them then the ancient Inhabitants possessed their own quietly Moreover certain Lords of Northwales namely Vokthed the son of Edwin ap Grono and Howel ap Grono with the Children of Cadogan ap Blethyn of Powis land Pembroke Castle built by a Norman gathered a competent Army and passed through Caerdiganshire to Dynet which Country a little before the King had given to Arnulph son to Roger Montgomery who had builded the Castle of Pembroke and appointed Keeper and Governour thereof one Giraldo de Windsore and there burned spoiled and destroyed all the countrey except Pembroke Castle which they could not win and so returned home with great booty After the return of these Lords Girald issued out of the Castle and spoiled the lands of Saint Davids and took many Prisoners The year following William Rufus returning from Normandy to England Fasting and Prayer used by the Welsh in their greatest danger and hearing of the great slaughter of his men committed by the Welshmen gathered all his forces and with great pomp and pride entred VVales But the Brittains fearing the great strength of the King put all their hope onely in Almighty God returning to him in Fasting Prayer and Repentance of their sins and he that never forsaketh the penitent and contrite heart heard their prayers so that the Normans and Englishmen durst not enter the land but such as presumed were slain and the King returned with small Honour after he had built certain Castles in the Marches In the year following viz. 1096. The Arms of Hugh Montgomery Hugh de Montgomery who as his Father before him had for his Arms Azure a Lyon rampant Or within a border his Father before spoken of builded the Abbey of Shrewsbury wherein he was buried the Earl of Arundel and Salop whom the Welshmen call Hugh Goch that is Hugh with the red head and Hugh Vral that is Hugh the fat Earl of Chester who bore for his Arms Azure six Garbs 3 2. and 1. Or. and many Nobles more did gather a strong and powerfull army and entred into Northwales The Welsh ever their own destroyers being thereto moved by certain Lords of the Country But Gruffith ap Conan the Prince and Cadogan ap Blethyn fled to the Hills and Mountains for their defence as not being of force sufficient to fight the Earls neither durst they well trust their own men and so the Earls approached the Isle of Môn or Anglesey where they built the Castle of Aberthiennawc Then Gruffith and Cadogan went to Anglesey thinking to defend the Isle Aberthiennawe Castle built by the Normans and sent for succour to Ireland but found there little comfort and now the Treason began to break forth for Owen ap Edwin who was the Princes chief Councellour and his Father in Law whose Daughter Gruffith had married having himself also married Everyth the Daughter of Convyn Aunt to Cadogan was the chief Caller of
Carnarvon whose loyal Fidelity to his King hate to Tyranny love of his Countries Liberty and contempt of Rebellion made him appear in in the field like a true Son of Mars where he did wonders beyond expression and for justice religion and loyalty sacrificed his life upon the Altar of never-dying Fame He married the Daughter of Philip Earle of Pembrock Montgomery c. by which means this now Earle of Carnarvon is many wayes descended from the Brittish Princely line as doth most amply appear in the Genealogie of the Earle of Pembrock which for brevity I forbear to expresse CARNARVON CARNARVON is a Shire of Northwales butting upon the Irish Seas and parted from the Isle of Anglesey by a streight or fretum a Mountainous and Rockie Countrey but the defects thereof are supplyed plentifully by the Isle adjoyning It took name from Carnarvon the chief Town thereof heretofore strongly walled and fortified with a very fair Castle Edward II. King of England was born there and hence according to the custom of those times entituled Edward of Carnarvon for the occasion of it I referr you to the common Chronicles The Princes of Wales had in this place their Chancery and Exchequer for all Northwales which was no small improvement to it Earle it never had any till this present Age in which King Charles of ever blessed memory conferred the Title on Robert Lord Dormer created Earle of Carnarvon 4 Caroli Aug. 2. Lord Dormer Earle of Carnarvon 1661. The Earles of CARBURIE Gwaith Voed Lord of Cardigan Gweriston Prince of Powis Second Son of Gwaith Voed Kynvyn Blethyn Meredith Madoc Lord of Powis Vadoc Griffith Mailor Einon Edvel alias Elvel Rhyn Jevan Esq Madoc Cough Esquire Madoc Kyffin Esquire David Vaughan Esquire Griffith Esquire Hugh Vychan Esquire John Vychan Esquire Walter Vychan Esquire Sir John Vaughan of the Golden Grove Knight Richard Vaughan Earle of Carburie Lord Vaughan Baron of Emlyn now living 1661. Alice Daughter of John Earle of Bridgwater FRANCIS Viscount MONTAGUE Sir George Brown Knight of the Garter temp Hen. 8. Lucy Daughter to John Nevil Marquess Montague and Coheir to her Brother George Duke of Bedford This John Marquess Montague married Isabel Daughter and Heir to Sir Edward Englethorp or as Mr Powel fol. 217. calls him Edmund who married Joan third Daughter to John Lord Typtoft Earle of Worcester and Coheir to Edward her Brother which Earle John married Joyce Daughter and Coheir of Edward Charleton Lord Powis descended lineally from John Charlton Lord Powis in right of his wife Hawis the hardy sole Daughter and Heir to Owen ap Griffith Lord Powis whose Forefathers were Princes of Powis Anthony Brown Knight of the Garter created Viscount Montague tem Phil. Mariae at Hampton Court Iane Daughter to Robert Ratcliff Earle of Sussex Anthony Brown Esquire obiit ante patrem Mary Daughter to Sir William Dormer Anthony Viscount Montague Joan or Iane Daughter to Thomas Earle of Dorset Francis Browne now Viscount Montague 1661. Elizabeth Daughter of Henry Marquesse of Worcester by which Match the Heir apparent with the rest of that honourable issue are descended from the Brittish line as is manifest in the Genealogie of the Marquesse of Worcester Brown Heir apparent LORD ABERGAVENY Iohn Lord Nevil Baron of Abergavenny descended from Sir Edward Nevil Knight Elizabeth Daughter and Coheir of Iohn Chamberlain alias Tankervile of Sherburn Castle Com. Oxfor Sir Edward Nevil Knight third Son of Ralph Nevil Earle of Westmerland Elizabeth Daughter and Heir of Richard Beauchamp Earle of Worcester and Lord of Abergavenny in whose right the said Edward was Lord of Abergavenay This Elizabeth descended from William Beauchamp Baron of Burgavenny who was fourth Son of Thomas Beauchamp Earle of Warwick Marshall of England under King Edward III. and one of the Founders of the Noble Order of the Garter who married Katherine Daughter of Roger Mortimer Lord of Wigmore son of Edmund son of another Roger by right of inheritance I have seen a Deed of the Advowson of St. Bride in Monmothshire granted to the Forefather of William Iones of Lansanfride i. e. St. Bride the very place where this Advowson is thus Edwardus Nevill Miles Elizabetha de Beauchamp as Mr. Powel saith fol. 316. Prince of Wales as being son to Sir Roger Mortimer who married Gladys Heir to her brother David and Daughter to Llewelin ap Iorwerth Prince of Northwales and Ioan Daughter to King Iohn Domina de Burgavenny omnibus ad quos praesentes literae pervenerint salutem Noveritis nos pro bono consilio laudabili servitio Philippo Thomas dedisse concessisse hoc praesenti scripto confirmasse Philippo heredibus assignatis suis dominationem Ecclesiae beatae Frigittae in nostro Dominio de Burgavenny habendum tenendum c. Sigilla nostra apposuimus in Castro nostro de Burgavenny vicessimo secundo die Julii anno regni Regis Henrici sexti post Conquestum vicessimo septimo The Arms upon the Seal Quarterly Beauchamp and Warren in the First and in the Second Nevill the Third as the Second the Fourth as the First THE LORD STURTON VVilliam Lord Sturton descended from John Sturton created Baron Sturton tempore Henrici Sexti one of whose Successours Charles Lord Sturton married the eldest Daughter to Edward Earle of Derbie and Dorothea Daughter of Thomas Duke of Norfolk by which Match this Honourable Family descends from Brittish Princes as plainly appears in the Genealogies of the Duke of Norfolk and Earle of Derbie The Heir apparent of this Right Honourable Lord married a Grandchilde of VVilliam Lord Petre of VVrittil in Essex and Katharine his VVife Second Daughter to Henry Earle of VVorcester by which Match this right Honourable Family again descends from Brittish Progenitors as in the Pedegree of the Marquesse of VVorcester VVilliam Sturton Esquire Second Son to VVilliam Lord Sturton married Margaret Daughter to George Morgan of Lansore in the County Monmoth Esquire descended from Kydivor Vawr Lord of Kilsant who was one of the Peers of Wales of the Blood-Royal of Brittain paternally descended from Bely the Great King of all the Brittains who died in the year 1084. and was buried at Caermarthyn This Family of the Morgans whose ancient seat is Maughan in Monmothshire from whence have sprang many flourishing Families descended also from Rees ap Tuder King of Southwales from Ivor king of Gwent from Rhiallon ap Kinvin Prince of Powis Gwillim ap Ayddan Lord of Grismond all which Coats this Noble Family quarters HENRY LORD ARUNDEL OF WARDOR COUNT of the SACRED ROMAN EMPIRE Sir Thomas Arundel Knight Margaret Daughter and Coheir to Edmund Lord Howard third Sonne to Thomas Duke of Norfolk by which Coheir the Brittish Bloud descends upon this Honourable Family as appears in the Genealogie of the Dukes of Norfolk Thomas Arundel Count of the Empire and Baron of Wardor Grandchilde to Sir Thomas Arundel Mary Daughter of Henry Writchsley Earle of South-Hampton Thomas Arundel Count
Howell his son who had for a long time been pledge with him and then also he gave him day for the other Pledges and for his tribute till his return from Ireland The next day being the morrow after St. Lukes day the King took shipping there and had fair passage into Ireland where he landed at Dublin and there lay quiet that winter In the year 1172 there fell a great Plague among the Kings souldiers in Ireland by reason of the change of the air and victuals K. cometh to Pembrock and the solemnizeth the feast of the Resurction of our B. Saviour which caused the Kings return who landed in VVales in Passion week if such a week be now remembred and remained at Pembrock on Easter day which did it not constantly fall upon Sunday would be as well forgot or at least disesteemed as the Birth-day of our most Holy and Blessed Saviour and Reedeemer For he who honours not that blessed Nativity can we think that he reverenceth his glorious Resurrection and the day following and on Tuesday took his journey towards England the Lord Rees careful to comply with the King waits his coming at Talacharn and there presents his duty Caerlheon Castle anew repaired not built by King Hen. 2. The King as he passed from Caerdiff by the new Castle upon Vsk sent for Jorwerth ap Owen ap Cadogan to come and speak with him under safe conduct for him his sons and friends meaning to conclude a peace with him and so to quiet all Wales upon these summons or message Jorwerth took his journey towards the King and sent word to Owen his son being a lusty young Gentleman to meet him by the way but as he came at his fathers command the Earl of Bristolls men by this Earl of Bristoll I know not whom Mr. Powell means Reynold Earl of Cornwal and Bristoll as Mr. Mills calls him base son of Hen. 1. for in our usual accounts of Earls Mr. Mills fol. 69. John Lord Digby of Sherborne is accounted the first of that place being created Earl of Bristoll Sept. 15. Jac. 20. but in those dayes many were stiled Earls of places as Strongbow Earl of Strigull which are not numbred in the Catalogue of Earls hearing of it came out of the now Castle of Caerlheon upon Vsk and laid wait for him by the way being under the Kings safe conduct and trusting to his promise and suddenly set upon and murthered him traiterously and cowardly A most unworthy act being unarmed and having but a few in his Company Which hard and unchristianly act when his father understood by some of his followers that escaped he was much perplexed and returned home with all his friends and his son Howell A just revenge and would never afterwards trust neither the Kings promise nor any Normans but forthwith gathered all his power and friends that he could make and without mercy destroyed all the Countrey with fire and sword to the Gates of Hereford and Glocester to avenge the death of his son Howsoever K. Henry made Lord Rees chief Justice of all South Wales by Commission Usual then as now for the Welsh to have By-blows and look upon them as sons Abergavenny Castle suprised and took his journey into Normandy In the same year died Cadwalader ap Gruffith ap Conan Prince of North Wales who had by his wife Alice daughter of Richard Clare Earl of Glocester Cunetha Radulph and Richard and by other women he had Cadvan Cadwalader Eneon Meredyth Goch and Cadwalhon Towards the end of this year Sytsilt ap Dyfnwall and Jevan ap Syrsilt ap Riryd got the Castle of Abergavenny by surprise and took the Kings Garison prisoners and the year ensuing was the fairest winter that ever was seen About this time Rees Prince of South Wales sent unto King Henry his son Howell with a goodly Company of men to serve him which much pleased the King Hol. pag. 437. who returned cordial thanks to Prince Rees If I mistake not this Prince Rees as also other Princes of South Wales bore for his Ensignes of honour Mars The Arms of P. Rees a Lyon rampant and border endented Sol incensed Jupiter In the mean time Jorwerth ap Owen brought his Forces against Caerlheon and they of the Town fought with him whom he overthrew and took many prisoners of them and wan the Town and laid siege to the Castle Caerlheons Town and Castle taken which was yielded him forthwith in exchange for prisoners Then also Howell his son brought all Gwent ît Coed the Castle onely excepted the Castle here meant by Mr. Powell I conceive was Strigull which belonged to Earl Strongbow under his obedience and took Pledges of the Inhabitants Also at that time David ap Owen Gwyneth Prince of North Wales made war against his brother Maelgon who kept the Isle of Môn or Anglesey and brought his people over Mênai for so that arm of the Sea is called which separateth that Isle from the main land and chasing his brother out of the Isle to Ireland brought all the Isle under subjection also he expelled all his brothers and cousins out of North Wales A Turkish policy and took all their lands to himself and taking his brother Maelgon as he came from Ireland detained him close prisoner Then Conan his brother died In the year 1175. The Welsh much addicted to geld their kindred Howell the son of Jorwerth ap Owen of Caerlheon took his unkle Owen Pen Carne prisoner and putting out his eyes gelded him least he should beget children to inherit Caerlheon and Gwent but God provided a punishment for him for upon the Saturday following there came a great Army of Englishmen and Normans before the Town Caerlheon taken by the English and wan it with the Castle Maugre Howell and his father who was not privy to his sons lewd deed This year also David Prince of North Wales being bold of the King affinity did imprison his own brother Roderike in bolts because he desired part of his fathers lands This year also Rees Prince of South Wales came to the Kings Court at Glocester and brought with him such Lords of South Wales as had offended the King to do him homage which pleased his Majesty exceedingly whose names were these Cadwalhon ap Madoc of Melyenyth Reeses cousin german Eneon Clyt of Eluel Eneon ap Rees of VVerthrynion which two had married two of his daughters Morgan ap Caradoc ap Jestin of Glamorgan Gruffith ap Ivor ap Meyric of Senghennyth Silsyt of higher Gwent Caerlheon restored to Jorwerth by the K. of Engl. which three had married his sisters and Jorwerth ap Owen of Caerlheon whom the King received under his protection restoring to him Caerlheon again and so they returned home well satisfied But shortly after VVilliam de Bruse Lord of Brecknock desired Silsyt ap Dyfnwall Geffry his son and a great number of the Gentry and best men of
undermine the walls which when the garrison discovered and knowing that their enemies were three to one they were content to yield up the Castle upon condition that they might depart with their armes freely whichafter the Archbishop took suffering them to pass quietly fortifying the Castle strongly to the Kings use and placing therein a garrison for defence thereof departed into England But immediately VVenwinwin or Gwenwinwin begirt it again and in short space reduced it upon the same conditions that his men had surrendred it and kept the same to his own use P. Rees dieth Hol. p. 534. The next year after the fourth of May Rees the son of Gruffith ap Rees ap Theodore P. of Southwales died the only hope and stay of all that part of VVales as he that brought them out of the thraldom and bondage of strangers and set them at liberty and had defended them divers times in the field manfully Mr. Powel Fol. 249. daunting the pride and courage of their cruel enemies whom he did either chase out of the land or compelled by force to live quietly at home The Encomiums of prince Rees woe to that cruel destiny that spoyled the miserable land of her defence and shield who as he descended of noble and princely blood so he passed all other in commendable qualities and laudable vertues of the mind He was the overthower of the mighty the setter up of the weak the overturner of the holds the separater of troopes the scatterer of his foes among whom he appeared as a wild bore among the whelps or a Lyon that for anger beateth his tail to the ground See more of him in Polychronicon and Grafton The Kings of England descend from this P. Rees This Prince had many sons and daughters as Gruffith who succeeded his father Cadwalhon Maelgon Meredyth Rees and of his daughters one called Gwenlhian was marryed co Ednivet Vachan who was ancestor of Owen Theodore or Tudor that married Queen Katharine the widow of K. Henry the fifth and the rest were marryed to other Lords in the country After the death of Rees Gruffith his son subdueth all the country to himself and enjoyed it in peace untill Maelgon his brother whome his father had dis-inherited made league with Gwinwynwyn the son of Owen Civelioc Lord of Powis who both together levied forces and came suddainly upon Gruffith and slaying many of his people took him prisoner and so recovered all the Country of Caerdigan with the Castle Thus Maelgon having taken his brother sent him to be imprisoned with Gwinwynwyn who in despite delivered him to the English Then Gwenwynwyn gathered his power and entred Arustlie and subdued the same to himself About this time there was a great war in Northwales for the late Prince David ap Owen came with a great army as well English as Welsh purposing to recover the land again but Lhewelin his Nephew who was the lawful heir and then in possession thereof came boldly and met him Powis Wenwynwyn why so called add gave him battail and putting his people to flight took him prisoner and secured him by which means he injoyed his country in quiet tranquillity Towards the end of this year Owen Cyvelioc prince of higher Powis died and left his territories to Gwenwinwin his son after whom that part of Powis was called Powis Gwenwinwin for a difference from the other called Powis Vadoc which was in the possession of the Lords of Bromfield At this time also dyed Owen the son of Gruffith Maylor Lord of Bromfield and Brichtyr the son of Howel ap Jevaf likewise Maelgon the son of Cadwalhon ap Madoc Lord of Melienyth Not long after Traherne Vachan a man of great power in the Country of Brecknock as he came to Lancors to speak with William Bruse Lord thereof was suddainly taken A cruel murther and by the Lords command tyed to a horse tail and drawn through the town of Aberhodny or Brecknock to the gallows and there beheaded and his body hanged up by the feet three dayes This cruelty shewed upon no just cause caused his brother wife and Children to avoid the Country The year ensuing Maelgon the son of Prince Rees after he had imprisoned his elder brother got his Castles of Aberteini and Stratmeiric also the youngest son of P. Rees wan the Castle of Dinevowr from the Normans The Summer following Gwenwinwin intending to extend the limits of VVales to the old Meers gathered a great army and laid siege first to the Castle of Paine in Eluel which was of the possessions of VVilliam de Bruse making a Proclamation that as soon as he had won the Castle he would burn all the whole Country to Severne without mercy in revenge of the murder of Traherne Vachan his Cosen but because he had not Engins and Miners he lay three weeks at the Castle whilst the murderer sent to England for aid whereupon Jeffrie Fitz Peter Lord Chief Justice of England raised forces and joyning with him all the Lords Marchers came to raise the seige And because Fortunes in battails are various and uncertain he sent first Gwenwinwin to have a treaty of peace concluded but he and his adherents would by no means condescend thereunto but answered that they would that journey revenge their old wrongs The Welsh still made instruments to one anothers ruine Whereupon the English Lords did first enlarge Gruffith the son of Prince Rees of Southwales whom they knew to be an enemy to Gwenwynwyn which Gruffith gathered a great power and joyned with the English Lords and so they came towards the Castle against whom Gwenwinwin advanced very stoutly and there began a cruel fight with much slaughter on either side but at the last the English carryed the victory and Gwenwynwyn lost most of his men among whom were Anarawd son of Eneon Owen ap Cadwalhon Richard ap Jestin and Robert ap Howel also Meredith ap Conan was then taken prisoner with divers others Matthew Paris saith that this battail was fought before Mauds Castle and that of the Welshmen were then slain 3700. 3700 Welshmen slain A. Lhoyd Mat. Paris pag 259. and after this victory the English Lords returned with great honour And forthwith Gruffith son to P. Rees recovered by force and favour of the people all his land except the two Castles Aberteini and Stratmeiric which his brother Maelgon by the aid of Gwenwinwin had wrongfully taken from him This his brother Maelgon fearing his displeasure took a solemn Oath before both noble and religious men which endeavoured to make peace betwixt them that if his brother Gruffith would give him pledges for assurance of his own person he would deliver him by a Day the Castle of Aberteini whereupon Gruffith did so Perjury never prospers but as soon as Maelgon got the pledges he fortified the Castle and manned it to his own use and sent the pledges to Gwenwinvvin who hated Gruffith to death there to be kept in
prison but shortly after by Gods help they broke the prison and escaped home In the year 1199. Maelgon son to prince Rees laid seige to the Castle of Dinerth and getting it slew all the Garrison which his brother Gruffith had left to defend it But at the same time Gruffith won the Castle of Cilgarran and fortified it This year as King Richard did view the Castle of Chalens in France The end of K. Rich. and beginning of K. Johns reign he was strucken with a quarrel and sore wounded whereof he dyed the ninth of Aprill and left by his Testament John his brother Inheritor of all his lands having no respect to Arthur who being son of an elder brother was right heir The year after Gruffith son of Conan ap Owen Gwineth a noble man died Noblemen buried in Monks habits and was buryed in a Monks Cowle at the Abbey of Conwey and so were all the Nobles for the most part of that time buried This year Maelgon ap Rees seeing he could not well keep Aberteini The Key of Wales sold treacherously of very spite to his brother and hatred to his Country sold it to the Englishmen for a small summe of money being the very key of VVales The same year Madoc the son of Gruffith Maylor Lord of Bromfield did build the Abbey of Lhannegwest called in English commonly Vale Crucis The year 1201 Lhewelyn ap Jorwerth Prince of North Wales being a proper young Chivalier banished out of the land his cozen Meredyth the son of Conan ap Owin Gwyneth suspected of Treason and seized the Cantref of Lhyyn and Evvyonyth to his own hands which were Conans lands Then shortly after Meredyth the son of P. Rees was slain at Carnwelhion by Treason year 1202 whose elder brother Gruffith seized upon his Castle in Lhanymdhfri and all his lands this Gruffith was a wise and discreet Gentleman and one who was like to bring all South Wales to good order and obedience who in all things followed his Fathers steps whom as he succeeded in Government so did he in all Martial prowess and nobility of mind but cruel fortune which frowned upon that Countrey suffered him not long to enjoy his land this Prince died on St. James day ensuing and was buried at Stratflur with great solemnity he left behinde him a son called Rees as right Inheritor of South Wales whose mother was Maud the daughter of William de Bruse Gwerthryneon Castle destroyed The next year after certain Lords of Wales got the Castle of Gwerthryneon which was Roger Mortimers and laid it plain with the ground Then Lhewelyn ap Jorwerth P. of North Wales calling to memory his Estate and Title and how all the other Princes by the Ordinance of Roderike the great and by the lawes of Howell Dha ought of right to acknowledge the King or P. of North Wales as their liege Lord and hold their lands of him and of none other notwithstanding that of late years by negligence of his predecessors they had not used their accustomed duty but some held of the King of England A Parliament called by the P. of Wales others ruled as Supreme power within their own Countries wherefore he called a Parliament of all the Lords in Wales which for the most part appeared before him and swore to be his liege men but Gwenwynwyn Lord of Powis would not come thither nor take the Oath of Allegiance which disobedience the Prince declared to all his Lords and they all thought that it was requisit that Gwenwynwyn should be constrained by force to do his duty or else to lose his lands yet one of his Lords named Elise ap Madoc would not condescend to hurt Gwenwynwyn in any case but departed away suddenly Then Lhewelyn came with an Army to Powis but by the means of certain learned men Gwenwynwyn and the Prince were made friends and Gwenwynwyn became the P. his liege man and confirmed that both by Oath and Writing Then Lhewelyn remembring how Elise ap Madoc had served him seized upon all his lands and Elise fled the Countrey but afterward yielded himself to the Princes mercy who gave him the Castle of Crogen and 7 townships withal Concerning the by-name Crogen And here I think it not amiss to declare the cause why the English call the Welsh Crogens as a word of reproach and despite but if they knew the beginning they should find the contrary for in the voyage which K. Henry the 2d. made against the Welshmen to the Mountains of Berwin as he lay at Oswalstred certain of his men that were sent to try the passages as they would have passed Offas ditch at the Castle of Crogen at which place there was and is at this day a narrow way through the same ditch these men I say as they would have passed the strait Adwy'r bedhev were met withal and a great number slain as doth appear by their graves there yet to be seen whereof the strait beareth the name Therefore the Englishmen after not forgetting the slaughter used to cast the Welshmen in the teeth in all their troubles with the name of Crogen as if they would signifie unto them thereby that they should look for no favour but rather revenge at their hands which word in process of time grew to be taken in another signification Balani Castle fortified Lhanymdhyfri Castle taken Now when Lhewelyn had all those parties in good order he returned to North Wales and by the way fortified the Castle of Balani Penlhyn about the same time Rees son of Gruffith ap Rees by right P. of South Wales got the Castle of Lhanymdhyfri upon Michael-Mass day The Prince of Wales marrieth the King of Englands Daughter About this time Lhewelyn Prince of Wales took to wife Jone daughter of K. John with whom the said King gave the Lordship of Elsmere in the Marches of Wales The year next ensuing the aforesaid Rees ap Gruffith ap Rees got the Castle of Lhangadoc and fortified it to his own use but shortly after Maelgon his Unkle with his friend Gwenwynwyn came with a stronge power before the Castle of Lhanymdhyfri and wan it and from thence they removed to Lhangadoc year 1204 got the same likewise suffering the garrison to depart Gwenwynwyn From thence Maelgon went to Dinerth and finished the Castle which he had begun there About this time David sonne of Owen Gwyneth after that Prince Lhewelyn his nephew had set him at liberty fled to England and got an Army to restore him to his antient estate in North Wales but all in vain for his nephew met him and overthrew him in the way whereupon he returned into England and there shortly after died for very grief and sorrow The next year to this Howell the son to Prince Rees being blind was slain at Cemaes by his brother Maelgons men and buried by his brother Gruffith at Stratflur Although this Maelgon in those dayes bare
all the rule in South Wales yet his brother Gruffiths sons Rees and his brethren wan from him the chief defence of all his country to wit the Castle of Dyncvowr and Lhanymdhyfri Then William Marshall Earl of Pembrock laid siege to the Castle of Cilgarran and wan it not long after Maelgon ap Rees hired an Irishman to kill Gadiver ap Griffri whose 4 sons Maelgon took and put to death These were hopeful Gentlemen and nobly descended for their mother Susanna was daughter to the said Howel ap Rees by a daughter of Madoc ap Meredyth Prince of Powis The Castle of Abereneon built The year 1205 Maelgon did build a Castle at Abereneon at which there came such abundance of fish to Aberystwyth as the like was never seen before The same year Gwenwynwyn came to Shrewsbury to speak with the Kings Councel and was there detained prisoner whereupon P. Lhewelyn conquered all his countrey with all the Towns and Castles therein and kept the same to his own use which when Maelgon ap Rees understood that and Lhewelyn would visit also South Wales he overthrew his Castles of Aberystwyth Sratmeyric and Dynerth which he before had fortified dispairing to be able to withstand the Prince but the Prince held on his journey to Aberystwyth and reedified the Castle and fortified it and seized to his own hands the Cantref of Penwedic and the land betwixt Dyni and Aeron which he gave to Maelgons nephews the sons of Gruffith ap Rees and so returned home with great joy Within a little after Rees Vachan son to Prince Rees besieged the Castle of Lhangadoc and wanâ—t not regarding his promise and league with the sons of his brother Gruffith ap Rees forgetting how worthily they had served him in his necessity Therefore as soon as they heard of this both Rees and Owen came before the said Castle and wan it by assault and slew and took prisoners all the garrisons and then demolished quite the Castle year 1210 In the year 1210 the Earl of Chester re-edified the Castle of Dyganwy which stood upon the Sea-shore East of the River Conwey which Prince Lhewelyn had formerly ruined also he fortified the Castle Treffynnon or St. Winfride Then Prince Lhewelyn entred the Earls land and destroyed a great part thereof and returned home with the plunder Also Rees Vachan fearing Prince Lhewelyn who defended his nephews the sons of Gruffith in their right went to the King for succour which he received with good will and by their aid he laid siege to the Castle of Lanymdhyfri now when the garison perceived no hope of relief they desired that they might depart with bag and baggage horses and all and so they did Likewise Gwenwynwyn whom the King detained in prison was set at liberty and the King fearing the Prince his power sent an Army with him by whose means he received all his countrey again in short space Maelhon violating his Oath Maelgon also when he heard the same came to the Kings Court and became his man who returning home with a great company of Normans and Englishmen joined to them all the power he could make in Wales and contrary to the Oath that he had made to his nephews Rees and Owen began to spoil their countrey and coming to Cantref Cenwedic encamped at Cilkennyn and lay there all night consulting upon his voyage In the mean time his nephews hearing this having but a small power not above 300 of chosen men came and lodged hard by undiscovered by their enemies and having notice by their Scouts that all was quiet in Maelgons camp and how that his men mistrusting nothing behaved themselves carelesly these two Lords prosecuted boldly the enterprise which they had taken in hand and peaceably entring the camp came where they thought Maelgon lay and before they were discovered they gave an Alarum and slew a great number before they could awake and the rest hearing the noise half amazed by reason of the darkness escaped away A valiant exploit of the Welsh thinking some great power had been there but Maelgons men defended themselves manfully until such time as their Lord had gotten upon his feet and escaped away by the benefit of the night Then his nephew Conan ap Howell and his chief Councellour Gruffith ap Cadogan were both taken and Eneon ap Caradoc with a great number more slain About this time Gilbert Earl of Glocester fortified Bueltht Cruelty against the Welsh revenged by God where a little before he had lost many men This year also Maud de Bruse wife to Gruffith ap Rees died and was buried in a religious habit at Stratflur You have heard before of the great and treacherous usage which William de Bruse used towards the Welsh at Abergavenni and Breconi but King John Gods just judgement so ordaining banished him and his wife into Ireland and seized all his lands yet his wife and son were taken and William himself forced to flye into France The next year ensuing King John had many complaints made unto him by the Marchers against Lhewelyn how he entring their countrey burned and spoiled all as he went and slew their men Wherefore the King gathered a great Army through all England and called to him such Lords and Princes of Wales as held of him as Howell ap Gruffith ap Conan ap Owen Gwyneth whom Lhewelyn had banished Madoc ap Gruffith Maylor Lord of Bromfield Chirk and Yale Meredyth ap Rolpert Lord of Cydewen Gwenwynwyn Lord of Powis Maelgon and Rees Vachan the sons of P. Rees Rulers of South Wales The Welsh still enemies to themselves with this great Army he entred into North Wales by Chester resolving to destroy all that had life in that countrey The Prince hearing of all this preparation against him as well of his own countrey as others commanded all such as inhabited the inland or middle countrey which is now part of Denbigh and Flint Shires to remove all their goods and cattel to Snowdon Hills for a time and so the King came along the Sea coast to Ruthlan The English distressed by the Welsh and there passed over the River Clwyd and came to the Castle of Teganwy and there remained a while but Lhewelyn cut off his victuals behind him so that he could have none from England and there could no man scatter from the Skirmishes unfought withal where the North-Walesmen alwayes both for the advantage of the straits King John with dishonour forced to return home and knowledge of the places had the upper hand at the last the English Souldiers were glad to taste horse-flesh for pure need When the King saw no remedy he returned home in great rage leaving the countrey full of dead bodies In August next ensuing he returned again with a great Army and the Lords before named with him and entred into Wales at Blanchmonasterie now Oswastred King John an enemy to Clergy men whereof John the son of William Fitz Allen
Convenit inter Dominum Hen. 3. regem Anglorum illustrem ex una parte Senenam uxorem Griffini filii Leolini quondam Principis North-walliae quem David frater ejus tenet carceri mancipation cum Owino silio sao nomine ejusdem Gruffini ex altera c. Articles of Agreement between Hen. 3. King of Eng. on the one party and Senena the wife of Gruffith the son of Lhewelyn sometimes Prince of North-wales whom David his brother detaineth in Prison with Owen his son in the name of the said Gruffith on the other party I. Inprimis The said Senena undertaketh that the said Gruffith her huâ—band will give unto the King six hundred Marks upon condition that the King do cause the said Griffith and Owen his son to be delivered from prison wherein they are kept and will stand at the Judgement of the Kings Court whether by Law he ought to be imprisoned or no. II. Item The said Gruffith and his heirs will stand to the Judgement of the Kings Court for and concerning that portion of the Inheritance of the said Lhewelyn his father which of right ought to pertain unto him III. Item The said Senena undertaketh for the said Gruffith and his heirs that the said Gruffith and his heirs shall yield and pay yearly to the King for the same lands the sum of 300 hundred Marks whereof the first third part to be paid in money the second in kine and the third in horses by the estimation of indifferent men and the same to be paid yearly at Michael-Mass and Easter by even portions by the hands of the Sheriff of the County of Salop for the time being IV. Item The said Senena undertaketh further for the said Gruffith and his heirs that they and every of them shall observe the peace against the said David and suffer him quietly to enjoy such portion of his fathers inheritance as to him shall be found to be due V. Item The said Senena doth further undertake for the said Gruffith her husband his heirs that in case any Welshmen hereafter shall happen to rebel against the King that they at their own costs and charges shall compel the said Offender to make satisfaction to the King for his disobedience VI. Item For the performance of the Premises the said Senena will deliver unto the Lord the King David and Roderike her sons for Pledges who promise that if the said Gruffith and Owen or either of them shall happen to dye before their delivery out of prison it shall be lawful for the said Senena to have one of her sons released the other remaining with the King for Pledge VII Item The said Senena hath sworn upon the holy Evangelists that the said Gruffith her husband and his heirs and every of them shall accomplish and perform all the Premises on their behalf and further undertaketh that the said Gruffith her husband upon his delivery out of prison shall take the same Oath VIII Item The said Senena in the name of the said Gruffith her husband submitteth her self concerning the observation of the Premises unto the jurisdiction of the reverend fathers the Bishops of Hereford and Liechfield so that the said Bishops or either of them at the Kings request shall compel the said Gruffith and his heirs to observe all and singular the Premises on their behalf by sentence of excommunication upon their persons and interdiction upon their lands IX and lastly The said Senena doth undertake promise bona fide to see procure the full performance of all the Premises and that the said Gruffith her husband and his heirs shall allow and perform the same and thereof shall deliver his instrument in writing to the King in form aforesaid to this Charter both parties put their Seal Gruffith and Senena to that part which remained with the King and the King to that part which remained with Senena Moreover for the sure performance of these Arricles the said Senena for and in the name of her husband put in for Pledges the aforesaid noble men to wit Ralph Mortimer Walter Clifford Roger de Monte Alto c. who bound themselves by their several writings obligatory to the King in manner and form as followeth Omnibus hoc scriptum visaris Rogerus de Monte Alto Senescallus Cestriae salutem c. To all and singular to whom this writing shall come Roger de Monte Alto Steward of Chester sendeth greeting Know ye that I have constituted myself pledge for Senena the wife of Gruffith the son of Lhewelin sometimes Prince of Northwales and have undertaken for her to our Soveraign Lord King Henry of England that the said Senena shall accomplish and perform all and singular those Covenants and Articles agreed upon between our said Soveraign Lord and the said Senena for and concerning the Deliverance of the said Gruffith her huâ—band and Owen his son out of the prison of David his brother and the portion of Inheritance due unto the said Gruffith which the said David keepeth from him by force In Witnesse whereof to this present writing I have put to my seal Dated at Salop the Munday before the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the 25 year of the Reigne of the said King The like Charters were made by every one of the other Noble men Pledges who bound themselves with the like words further such of the said Lords as favoured Gruffiths cause were out among themselves and were now made Friends as Morgan ap Howel Lord of Kery and Sr. Ralph Mortimer who before were at variance whereupon David being driven to extremities having most of the Nobility against him especially Gruffith ap Madoc Lord of Bromfield favoured him not who being a man of great wisdom and power was entirely beloved of the King again the sentence of excommunication and the interdiction of his Land did not a little vex him But the Kings presence with so puissant an army did so move his spirits that he could not be quiet till he had sent to the King to desire peace with this submission following The Charter of the Articles of Davids submission to the King Omnibus Christi fidelibus ad quos praesentes literae pervenerint David filius Leolini salutem c. To all Christian People to whom these present Letters shall come David the Son of Lhewelin sendeth greeting Know ye that I have granted and promised to deliver unto Lord Henry the Noble King of England Gruffith my Brother with his Son and Heir whom I keep in in prison and all other Prisoners who by occasion of the said Gruffith lie in durance Item I shall stand to the judgment of the Kings Court as well in that case whether the said Gruffith ought to be detained prisoner or No as also for and concerning the part of the Inheritance of the said Lhewelin my father claimed by the said Gruffith according to the custome of Wales so that the peace be maintained between me and the
said Gruffith Item I and the said Gruffith and either of us shall hold our portions of Land of our said Soveraign Lord the King in Capite acknowleging him Chief Lord thereof Item I shall restore unto Roger de Monte Alto Steward of Chester his land of Montalt or Mould with the appurtenances Item I shall also restore to all other Barons all such Lands Lordships and Castles as were taken from them since the beginning of the wars between the Lord John King of England and the said Lhewelin Prince of VVales my father saving the right of all covenants and Grants by writing to be reserved unto the judgment and determination of the Kings Court. Item I shall give and restore unto our Soveraign Lord the King all his charges in this present voyage laid out Item I shall make satisfaction for all dammages and injuries done by me or any of my Subjects unto the King or his according to the consideration of the Kings Court and shall deliver such as shall be malefactors in that behalf Item I shall restore unto the said Lord the King all the said homages which the late King John his father had and which the said Lord the King of right ought to have especially of all the noblemen of Wales and if the King shall set at liberty any of his captives the possessions of that man shall remain to the King Item the Land of Elsmere with the appurtenances shall remain to the Lord the King and his heirs for ever Item I shall not receive or suffer to be received within any Countrey of Wales any of the Subjects of England outlawed or banished by the said Lord the King or his Barons of Mercia Item For confirmation and performance of all and singular the premises on my behalf I shall provide by bonds and pledges and all other waies and means as the said Lord the King shall award and will accomplish the commandement of the said King and will obey his laws In witnesse whereof to this present writing I have put to my Seal Dated at Alnet by the River of Elwey in the feast of the dedication of St. John Baptist in the 25 year of the reign of the said King Mr. Powel fol. 306. For the Observation of these Articles the said Prince David and Ednivet Vachan were sworn Upon these atonements David sent privately unto the King Justice done not for Justice sake but for self ends to desire him that he would suffer him being his Nephew and the lawful heir of Lhewelin his father to enjoy the principality of Wales rather then Gruffith who was but a Bastard though some account him legitimate and nothing of kin unto the King giving him withal to understand that in case he did set Gruffith at liberty he should be sure to have the war renewed whereupon the King knowing those things to be true and understanding also that Gruffith was a valiant stout man and had many friends and favourers of his cause inclined rather to assent unto Davids request then otherwise to be in danger of further troubles and therefore willingly granted the same Shortly after David sent his brother Gruffith unto the King and other pledges for himself for the performance of the said Articles M. Paris p. 765 From prison to prison like a fish out of the frying pan into the fire which the King sent forthwith to the Tower of London there to be safely kept allowing to Gruffith a Noble dayly for his maintenance And within few dayes after Michaelmas P. David came to the K. Court and did him homage and swore fealty who for so doing and because he was the Kings Nephew was sent home again in peace When Gruffith saw how all things went and that he was not like to be set at liberty he began to devise means how to escape out of prison Wherefore deceiving the Watch one night he made a long line of hangings An unfortunate end of a desperate attempt coverings and sheets and having got out of a window let down himself by the same from the top of the Tower but by reason that he was a mighty personage and full of flesh the line brake with the weight of his body and so falling down headlong from a great height his neck and head was driven into his body with the fall whose miserable Carkass being found the morrow after was a pittiful spectacle to the beholders The King being certified hereof commanded his son to be better looked unto and punished the Officers for their negligence About this time the King fortified the Castle of Dyserth in Flintshire and gave to Gruffith son to Gwenwynwyn Lord of Powis his inheritance and to the sons of Conan ap Owen Gwyneth their Lands in Merionith The Bishop of Bangor a constant friend to that party came to the Court to sue for the deliverance of Gruffith son to Lhewelin the Prince but the King knowing him to be a man of great courage would in no wise grant his liberty About this time Maelgon Vachan fortified the Castle of Garthgrugin John de Mynoc also fortified the Castle of Buelht and Roger Mortimer the Castle of Melienyth The summer following the King began to vex the Welsh extremely and take their Lands by force without just title or rightful cause and now died Rees Mechylh son to Rees Gryc of South Wales During these transactions Varium mutabile semper David gathered all his strength to be revenged of all the wrongs which the Earls of Clare and Hereford which John d◠Monurch and Roger de Alto Monte and other Merebers did to his people whom all the Lords of VVales obeyed and took for their Soveraign saving Gruffith son to Gwenwynwyn and Morgan ap Howel which two also were shortly compelled to obey and then the Prince entered the March Lands spoyling and destroying a great part thereof with whom the said Earles fought divers battails and sometimes the one and sometimes the other had the victory 300 Welshmen slain neer Montgomery M. Par. p. 884. English put to flight K. Hen. 3. nothing fortunate against the Welsh The year ensuing the Marchers and the VVelshmen met not far from Montgomery where was a cruel fight and 300 of the VVelshmen slain and a great number of the English among whom was a noble Knight called Hubert Fitz Matthew whereupon the King being weary of his domestical troubles gathered a vast army of English and Gascoynes and entred Northwales intending to destroy the Country but the prince met with his people in a straight and fought with them and put them to flight There the King lost a great number of his most worthy Soldiers and Nobility and most part of the Gascoines and now seeing he could do no good he sent for the Irishmen who landed in the Isle of Môn or Anglesey and spoyled a great part thereof till the Inhabitants of the Isle gathered themselves together and met with them being loaden with plunder whom they
there arose a great debate between the princes of Wales for Owen could not be content with halfe the principality but got his young brother David unto him All cover all lose or Harme watch harme catch and they two levied an army to dis-inherit Lhewelin who with his men met with them in the field and after a long fight gave them an overthrow where he took them both prisoners and then seized all their lands into his own hands enjoying alone the whole principality of Wales The year ensuing all the Lords came to prince Lhewelin and made their complaints to him with weeping eyes how cruelly they were handled by prince Edward and others of the Nobility of England their lands being taken from them by force and if at any time they did offend they were punished with extremity but where they were wronged they found no remedy Therefore they protested before God and him A gallant re-sold on of the Welsh that they would rather die in the field in defence of their right then to be made slaves by strangers whereupon the prince pittying both his own estate and theirs determined together utterly with them to refuse the rule of the Englishmen rather to dye in liberty then to live in thraldom shame and opprobry And gathering all his power first recovered again all the Inland Country of Northwales and afterward all Merionith and such lands as Edward had usurped in Caerdigan which he gave to Meredith the son of Owen ap Gruffith An heroick Prince and Buelht he gave to Meredyth ap Rees chasing away Rees Vachan out or the same and so honourably divided all that he wan among his Barons that he kept nothing to himself but a perpetual fame of his liberality Then also he recovered Gwerthryneon from Sr. Roger Mortimer The Summer following prince Lhewelin made war against Gruffith ap Gwenwinwin who served the King and wan all Powis from him saving the Castle of Pole and a little of Caerneon and landed by Severne side Rees Vachan ap Rees Mechylh meaning to recover his lands again A bloody battail obtained of the King a great army whereof one Stephen Bacon was Captain and came to Caermarthin by sea and marching from thence towards Dynevowr laid siege to the Castle The English overthrown but the princes power came with his cosens to raise the siege where there was fought a bloody battail as ever had been in Wales of so many men and in the end the Englishmen were put to flight and lost of their men above 2000 Soldiers from thence the Princes army went to Dynet and burned all the Country and destroyed the the castles of Abercorran Lhanstephan Maenclochoc The Welsh victorious and Aberth and then returned home with much spoyle and forthwith not being able to abide the wrongs which Greffry Lanley Lieutenant to the Earle of Chester did to them M. Par. p 1251 Tho. Walsh Hypodigma p. 61. Brave-spirited men the Prince entred the Earles lands and destroyed all to the gates of Chester on either side the water Whereupon Edward the Earle fled to his Uncle who was then chosen King of the Romans for succour and returning back with an army durst not fight with the prince who had 10000 armed men every one sworn to dye in the field if need requred in the defence of their country A Judas amongst his countrymen M. Par. p. 1253 yet Griffith ap Madoc Maelor commonly sirnamed Lord of Dynas Bran which is a castle standing upon a very high Mountain of scituation impregnable in the Lordship of Chirk forsook the Prince and served the Earl with all his power which Earle was counted a cruell and unjust man having no regard to right promise or oath Mat. West p. 277. The next year Prince Lhewelyn seising into his hands Cymeys and making peace between Rees Gâ—yc and Rees Vachan his brothers son got the Castle of Trefdraeth or Newport with all Ros A â—ust punishment for a traytor o his Country Oâ— thirds not caught with chief saving Hanerford Then destroying the Country in his way towards Glamorgan he raised the Castle of Lhangymwch and returning to Northwales met with Edward Earl of Chester by the way whom he caused to retire back and then destroyed the Lands of the said Gruffith Lord of Bromfield Therefore the Kings of England and Almain wrote to him gently to depart home which he refused to do but deviding his army into two battails in every of which as Mathew Paris said there were 1500. Mat. Par. fol. 12â—8 The Welsh beat the Irish at Sea Mat. Par. fol. 1271. A prudent and politick Prince King Hen. unfortunate in his undertakings against Wales Mat. Paris fol. 12â—5 English Almains Gascoâ—nes and Irish against Wales Mat. Paris fol. 1274 1279. footmen and 500. horsemen well appointed Whereupon Edward sent to the Irishmen to come to him to his succour whereof the Prince being certified made ready his Bishops and sending them to Sea with sufficient power to resist the coming of his Enemies that way prevented him so that the Irish were overcome and sent home with great loss wherefore the King with his Son being in a great rage gathered all the strength of England from St. Michaels mount to Twede and came to Northwales as far as Tegenwy but the Prince caused all the victualls to be removed over the River Conwey and kept all the Straits and passages so narrowly that the King was compelled to tetire to England with great loss Then Prince Lhewelyn calling unto him all the power of Southwales came to the marches where Gruffith Lord of Bromfield yielded himself unto him because the King could not defend his lands and seising into his own hands all the lands in Powis he banished the Lord Gruffith ap Gwenwynwyn and wan the Castle of Gilbert de Clare Earl of Glocester where also he gave the English men an overthrow and slew a great number of the worthiest Soldiers and such as the King loved well which caused the King to call his strength unto him and sent to Gascoyne and Ireland for succoâ—â—s and then coming into Wales in harvest time destroyed all the corn that was in his way yet he went not far beyond Chester but returned back without doing any notable act for God as Matthew Paris saith defended the poor people that put their whole confidence in him The Lord James Audly whose daughter Gruffith Lord of Bromfield had married brought a great number of horsemen from Almain to serve against the Welshmen God the Protectour of the Welsh who with their great horses and unaccustomed kind of fight overthrew the Welshmen at the encounter wherefore the Welshmen minding shortly after to revenge the displeasure made roads into the said Lord Audleyes Lands where the Almains set upon them pursuing hard such as fled to the Straits who using that flight for a policy returned again so suddainly and so fi rcely upon the Almains that they
themselves together they so moved David the Lord of Denbigh to be at unity with prince Lhewelin and to take pitty upon their affliction and misery that he being agreed with his brother became their Captain year 1281 This reconciliation consisted chiefly in this that David should never after serve the King of England as he had done before but become his utter enemy who laid siege to the castle of Hawarden and took Roger Clifford a noble Knight slaying all that resisted The Welsh impatient of servitude and after spoyling all the country he with his brother the prince laid siege to the Castle of Ruthlan the King hearing of this hasted thither with a great army to raise the siege whereupon the prince retreated with his army Seek to recover their liberty Aberystwyth castle built by the King taken Godwin in Canterbury fol. 77. Also the same time Rees the son of Maelgon and Gruffith ap Meredith ap Owen which other noble men of Southwales tooâ— the castle of Aberystwyth and divers other castles in the Country spoyling and plundering all the Kings people that inhabited thereabouts Therefore the King sent the Archbishop of Canterbury to confer with the prince and his brethren but he returned without doing any good so that he denounced an excommunication this Archbishops name was Jehn Beckham who as B. Godwin saith took great pains in labouring a peace between K. Edw. l. and prince Lhewelin of Wales unto whom he went in person and travailed long with him but all in vain Articles sent from the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury to be intimated to Lhewelin Prince of Wales and to the People of the same Country 1 Because we came to those parts for the spiritual and temporal health of them whom we have ever loved well as divers of them have known 2. That we came contrary to the will of the Lord our King whom our said coming as is said doth much offend 3 That we desire beseech them for the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ that they would come to an unity with the English people and to the peace of our Lord the King which we intend to procure them as well as we can 4. We will them to understand that we cannot long tarry in those quarters 5. We would that they considered that after our parting out of the Country they shall not perhaps find any that will so tender the preferring of their cause as we would do if it pleased God with our mortal life we might procure them an honest stable and firm peace 6. That if they do contemn our petition and labour we do intend forthwith to signifie their stubbournesse to the high Bishop and the Court of Rome for the enormity that many wayes happeneth by occasion of this discord this day 7. Let them know that unlesse they do quickly agree to a peace that war shall be aggravated against them which they shall not be able to sustain for the Kings power encreaseth daily 8. Let them understand that the realm of England is under the special protection of the See Apostolick and the See of Rome loveth it better then any other kingdom 9. That the said See of Rome will not in any wise see the state of the Realm of England quaile being under a special protection 10. That we much lament to hear that the Welshmen be more cruel then Saracens for the Saracens when they take christians they keep them to be redeemed for money but they say that the Welshmen by and by do kill all they take and are only delighted with blood and some time cause to be killed them whose ransom they have received 11. That whereas they were ever wont to be esteemed and to reverence God and Ecclesiastical persons they seem much to revolt from that devotion moving sedition and war and committing slaughter and burning in the holy time which is a great injury to God wherein no man can excuse them 12. We desire That as true Christians they would repent for they cannot long continue their begun discord if they had sworn it 13. We will That they signifie unto us how they will or can amend the trouble of the Kings peace and the hurt of the Common-wealth 14. That they signifie unto us How peace and concord may be established for in vain were it to form peace to be daily violated 15. If they say That their Laws or Covenants be not observed that they do signifie unto us what those be 16. That granting it That they were injured as they say which we in no wayes do know they which were Judges in the cause might so have signified to the Kings Majesty 17. That unless they will now come to peace they shall be resisted by decree and censure of the Church The Answer of Prince Lhewelyn to the above-written Articles To the most Reverend Father in Christ the Lord John by Gods grace Archbishop of Canterbury Primate of all England his humble and devote son Lhewelyn Prince of Wales and Lord of Snowdon sendeth Greeting With all Reverend Submission and Honour we yield our most humble and hearty thanks unto your Fatherhood for the great and grievous pains which at this present for the love of us and our Nation you have sustained and so much the more we are beholden unto you for that besides the Kings pleasure you would venture to come to us In that you request us to come to the Kings peace we would have your Holiness to know That we are most ready and willing to the same so that our Lord the King will duely and truely observe and keep towards us and ours Moreover although we would be glad of your continuance in Wales yet we hope there shall not be any delay in us but that peace which of all things we most desire and wish for may be forthwith established and rather by your travel and procurement than by any other mens so that it shall not be needful to complain unto the Pope of our wilfulness neither do we despise your Fatherhoods requests and painful travel but with all hearty reverence according to our duty do accept the the same neither yet shall it be needful for the Lord the King to use any force against us seeing we are ready to obey him in all things our Rights and Laws as aforesaid reserved And although the Kingdom of England be under the special protection of the See of Rome and with special love regarded by the same yet when the Lord the Pope with the Court of Rome shall understand of the great dammages which are done unto us by the Englishmen to wit The Articles of the peace concluded and sworn unto violated and broken the robbing and burning of Churches the murthering of Ecclesiastical persons as well religious as secular the slaughter of women great with child the children sucking at their mothers breasts the destroying of Hospitals and Houses of Religion killing the men and women professed in the Holy Places and even before
Howell Sais Lord of St. Clere y moch Esq Llewellin ap Ivor Lord of S. Clere Esq Lleykye d to Griffith ap Eli Lord of Gilfeild in Powis Ivor ap Llewellin Lord of S. Clere Esq Nest daughter to Cadwgan and Great Grandchilde to Elistan Pr of Ferlix Llewellin ap Ivor Lord of S. Clere and Tredegar Esq Augharand daughter and heir to Sir Morgan Meredith Knight Lord of Tredegar Morgan ap Llewellin Lord of Tredegar Esq Maud daughter to Rhun ap Grono ap Llwarch Lord of Kybor Esq Llewellin Morgan of Tredegar Esq Jonet daughter to Dd. Ychan of Rydodyn Esq Evan Morgan of Tredegar Esq Denis daughter to Tho ap Howell Ychan Esq Sir John Morgan of Tredegar Kt. Jonet daughter and heir of John Matthewes of Landaff Esq Thomas Morgan of Machen Esq his Brother Sir John dying Sans Issue Rowland Morgan of Manghan Esq Thomas Morgan of Maughan and Tredegar Esq Sir William Morgan of Tredegar Knight Daughter to Wintour Kt. Com. Glonc. Thomas Morgan of Maughan and Tredegar Esq now living 1661. Daughter and Heir to Windham Com Somer William Morgan Esq Heir apparent I Have seen a Pedegree of this noble Family deduced even from Brute but because I affect brevity I have only selected what serves for my purpose giving you to understand that all Morgans or of what Name else soever who either bear for their Armes Argent a Lion Rampant gardant sable or else Or a Griffon Sergreant sable for their Paternal Coat must acknowledge themselves to descend from this ancient Family THE FOURTH BOOK OF THE Antient and Modern Brittish and Welsh HISTORY The Princes of VVales of the blood Royal of England collected for the most part out of the Records of the Tower Edward of Caernarvon KIng Edward albeit he had brought all Wales under his subjection and by a statute made at Ruthland An. 12. Edw. I. incorporated and united the same to England in the which Statute there be many good lawes concerning the division of Wales into Counties and concerning divers Offices and Officers and concerning Trial and the divisions of actions and the the formes of many writs and the proceeding therein much like to the lawes of England yet he could never win the good will of the common people of the Country to accept him for their prince except he were of their own nation for the Welshmen having experience of the government of the English Officers and knowing that the King would rule the Country by his Deputies could not abide to have any English man to be their Rulers who often times upon the Kings motion answered that they were content to take for their prince any man whom his Majesty would name so that he were a Welshman and no other answer could he ever get from them by any means whereupon the King sent for Q. Elianor out of England in the deep of Winter being then great with child to the Castle of Caernarvon and when she was nigh to be brought to bed the King went to Ruthlan and sent for all the Barons and best men in Wales to come unto him to consult concerning the Weale publick of the Country And when they were come he deferred the consultation till he was certified that the Queen was delivered of a son then sending certain Lords to the Christening of his child and informing them how he would have him named he called the Welshmen together declaring unto them that whereas they were oftentimes suiters unto him to appoint them a Prince he now having occasion to depart out of the Country would name them a prince if they would allow and obey him whom he should name To the which motion they answered that they would so do if he would appoint one of their own Nation to be their prince whereunto the King replyed that he would name one that was born in Wales and could speak never a word of English whose life and conversation no man was able to stain and when they all had granted that such an one they would obey he named his own son Edward born at Caernarvon Castle a few dayes before Then the King having the whole country at his will gave whole Towns and Lordships in the midst of Wales unto English Lords as the Lordship of Denbigh to Henry Lacy Earle of Lincolne the Lordship of Ruthin to the Lord Reginald Grey second son to J. Grey of Wilton and other lands to many of his Nobility This Hen. Lacy Lord of Denbigh was the son of 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 Guincy Earl of Lincolne the said Henry married Margaret the daughter and sole heir of William Longesped Earl of Sarum and had Issue Edmund and John which both dyed young of whom the one perished by a fall into a very deep well within the castle of Denbigh and a daughter named Alicia married unto Thomas Plantagenet Earl of Lancaster who was in the right of his said wise Earl of Lincolne and Sarum Earl of Denbigh Halton Pomfret and constable of Chester After the death of the said Thomas King Edward the second gave the Lordship of Denbigh to Hugh Lord Spencer Earl of Winchester After whose death the said Lordship was given by King Edward the third Anno regni sui primo as it appeareth on record to Roger Mortimer Earl of March with divers other Lordships in the Marches in performance of the Kings promise while he remained in France with his mother for the provision of 1000 l. lands of a reasonable extent for the said Roger as soon as by Gods grace he should come to the possession of the crown and Kingdom of England which in few years after the Earl of March being attainted the said Lordship of Denbigh was given by the said King to the Lord Mortague Earl of Sarum but shortly after Anno 29. Edward 3. it was restored again with the Earldom of March to the Mortimers in the which family the same remained untill the whole inheritance of the Mortimers came with a Daughter to the house of York and so to the crown A help to English History fol. 263. and it was given by Queen Elizabeth Anno regni 610. to Robert Dudley Earl of Leicester who was created Baron of Denbigh it is accounted one of the greatest and best Lordships of England This Town is well seated on the banks of the River Istrad which from thence runneth into the Cluyd the fairest River of this Country a Town well peopled and inhabited especially since it became the head of the Country which was not till the 27. of Hen. 8. what time the 5. new shires were added to the rest of Wales of which this was one but before that it was the head Town of the Barony of Denbigh being conceived to be one of the goodliest Territories of all England as having more Gentlemen holding thereof in Fee and by service then any other
Kings bench And if the said erroneous judgment shall be in any Action personal the same shall be reversed by bill before the Lord president of the Marches and councel there Officers Ministers Clerks and Writers for the expediting of the said great Sessions First there are the Chamberlains of every the said circuits as hath been said who are properly and Originally the Treasurers of the Revenue within their charge and by the said Statutes are also Keepers of the seals as aforesaid therein they do undertake in part the Office of a Chancellour And in every of the said circuits there is the Atturney or Regius Advocatia and Sollicitor There is a Protonotary or chief Register who draweth all the pleadings Protonotary Clâ—rk of the Crown entereth and engrosseth the Records and Judgments in civil causes and ingrossing Fines And there is also a Clerk of the Crown which draweth and ingrosseth all inditements and proceedings arraignments and judgments in criminal causes and these two Officers are at the King or States appointment There is a Marshal to attend the persons of the Judges at their common sitting and going from the Sessions or Court There is a Marshal There is a Cryer Tanquam publicus preco to call forth such persons whose apparences are necessary and to impose silence to the people And these two Officers last remembred are deposed by the Justices And thus much touching the Justices of the great Sessions There are also other ordinary Officers appointed for every Shire in Wales by the said Statute 34. Henry 8. such and in like manner as in other the Shires in England There is a commission under the great Seal of England to certain Gentlemen What a Justice of peace giving them power to preserve the peace and resist and punish all turbulent persons whose misdemeanour may tend to the disquiet of the people and these are called Justices of peace and every of them may well be termed Eirnarcha the chief of them is called Custos Rotulorum in whose custody all the Records of their proceedings are resident Others there are of that number called Justices of the peace and Quorum because of their Commissions whereby they have power to sit and determine causes concerning breach of peace and misbehaviour the words of the Commission are conceived thus Quorum such and such Vnum vel duos c. Esse volumus and without some one or more of them of the Quorum no Sessions can be holden and for the avoiding of the superfluous number of such Justices 8. Justices onely allowed in every County of Wales for through the ambition of many it is accounted a credit to be burthened with that Authority The Satute of 34 Hen. 8. hath expresly prohibited that there shall be above eight Justices of Peace within every of the Counties and Shires of Wales which if the number were not indefinite for the Shires in England it were the better These Justices do hold their Sessions quarterly And it is further ordained by the Statute of 34 Hen 8. that two Justices of peace whereof one to be of the Quorum may hold their Sessions without any greater number In every of the said Shires where the said Commission of peace is established There is also a Clerk of the peace for the entring and engrossing of all proceedings before the said Justices and this Officer is appointed by the Custos Rotulorum Sr. John Dod fol. 49. Every of the said Shires hath a Sheriff which word being of the Saxon English is as much as to say a Shire-Reeve or Minister or Bailiff of the County his Function or Office is twofold Ministerial and Judicial As touching his Ministerial Office he is the Minister and Executioner of all the Process and Precepts of the Courts of Law and thereof ought to make return and certificate Why the Tourne Court so called and as touching the Judicial Office he hath Authority to hold two several Courts of distinct natures the one called the Tourne because he keepeth a Tourne or Circuit about the Shire holding the same in several places wherein he doth enquire of all offences perpetrated against the common Law and not forbidden by any Statute or Act of Parliament The County Court derived from Justice Communicative And the Jurisdiction of this Court is derived from justice distributive and is for criminal offences The other is called the County Court where he doth determine all petty and small causes civil under the value of 40 s. arising within the said County and thereof it is called the County Court And the Jurisdiction of this Court is drawn from Justice Communicative and is held every Moneth The Office of the Sheriff is annual by the Statute of 34 Hen. 8. it is ordained that the Lord President Councel and Justices of Wales or three of them at the least whereof the President to be one shall yearly nominate three fit persons for that Office of whom the King or State may elect one who thereupon shall have his Patent and be Sheriff of the said Shire Escheator why so called Every of the said Shires hath an Officer called an Escheator which is an Officer to attend the Kings Revenue and to seize into his hands all lands either Escheated goods or lands forfeited therefore he is called Escheator and he is to enquire by good enquest of the death of the Kings Tenants and to whom the lands are descended and to seize the bodies and lands for Ward if they be within age and is accountable for the same And this Officer in Wales is nominated Escheator 34 Hen. 8. cap. 16. by the Lord Treasurer of England by the advice of the Lord President Councel and Justices or three of them at least whereof the Lord President to be one There are also in every of the said Shires two Officers called Coroners they are to enquire by enquest in what manner and by whom every person dying a violent death came to his death and to enter the same of Record which is matter criminal and a plea of the Crown Coroners why so called and thereof they are called Coroners or Crowners as one hath written because their enquiries ought to be publick Et in Corona Populi These Officers are are chosen by the Free-holders of the Shire by vertue of a Writ out of the Chancery De Coronatore Eligendo And of them I need not speak more because these Officers are elsewhere The Goal Forasmuch as every Shire hath one Goal or Prison appointed for the restraint of liberty of such persons as for their offences are thereunto committed until they shall be delivered by course of Law Finally in every hundred of every of the said Shires the Sheriffs thereof shall nominate sufficient persons to be Bailiffs of that hundred and under Ministers of the Sheriff and they are to attend upon the Justices in every of their Courts and Sessions The Government of the Marches of Wales
Stratherne Stewards which ware the crown of Scotland married Eufamia daughter to the Earle of Ross and had by her two sons Walter E. of Athol and David E. of Stratherne This Walter solicited Robert D. of Albanie to slay David Steward D. of Rothsay After that James the first was returned out of England Nec lex est justior ulla Quam necis artifices arte perire sua he did what he could to move him to put to death all the lineage of the said Duke still being in hope after the dispatch of his Kinsmen to come to the crown himself which hope moved him to procure his Nephew Robert Steward and Robert Graham his daughters son to murder K. James the I. also for the which crime the said Walter was convicted and destroyed with all his sons His brother David Earle of Buchquane died without issue and so the lands of both those brethren returned again to the crown without any memory of their blood Sir Robert Steward Duke of Albanie married the E. of Lenox daughter and had by her 3 sons Walter Alexander and James Duke Murdo himself with his first two sons were slain at Striveling by K. James I. and the third brother James in revenge thereof burnt Durbertane and was after chased into Ireland where he deceased without issue Robert the third of that name married Annabel Drommound daughter of Sir John Drommound of Stobhal Knight and had by her David and James the first dyed in Faulkland and the other attained the Crown and was called James the first and married the Lady Jane daughter to John Beauford Earle of Somerset in England he had by her two sons born at one birth Alexander and James the first died young the second reigned by the name James the second James the first had also 6 daughters James the 1. his issue the eldest whereof was given in marriage to the Dolphin in France the second to the Duke of Brittain the third to the Lord Feir the fourth to the Lord of Dalkeith the fifth to the Earle of Hantley and the sixt had no succession James the II. married Margaret daughter to the Duke of Gelderland and begot on her three sons and two daughters The first succeeded him in the Kingdom and was called James the III. the second named Alexander was Duke of Albanie and married the Earle of Orkneys daughter and had by her Alexander that was after Bishop of Murray and then parting with her went into France where he married the Countesse of Bullogne and begot on her John Steward D. of Albany who was Governour of Scotland many years in the minority of James V. The 3 son John Steward was E. of Marr whose chance was to be slain in the Cannogat in a Bath-fat The first daughter of James the second was married to the Lord Boyd who had by her a son that was slain by the Lord Montgomery and a daughter that was married to the Earle of Cassels After the death of the Lord Boyd she was married to the Lord Hamilton and by that means was the house of Hamilton decorate with the Kings blood which they have well requited in the late transactions The other sister was married to the Lord Creichton James III. married Margaret daughter to the K. of Denmark of which marriage was born James IV Alexander Bishop of St. Andrews and D. of Albanie and John Steward E. of Marr which two died without issue James the IV. married Margaret daughter to K. Henry VII of England and by her had James the fifth who marrying first the Lady Magdaline daughter of Frances the French King had no issue by her for that she dyed in the year next after her coming into Scotland and then shortly after the said James the fifth married the Lady Mary de Lorayne Dutchesse of Longuile a widdow and by her had he issue Mary Queen of Scotland that took to husband Henry Darnely alias Steward by whom she had issue Charles James after King of England only son as I said before of Henry King of Scotland and of Queen Mary his wife Dowager of France and heir of Scotland who married Anne daughter of Frederike the second King of Denmark by whom he had Issue Henry Frederike created Prince of Wales at whose creation Charles Duke of York Sir Rab. Bartu Lord Willoughby of Earesby after Earle of Lindsey and General for K. Charles at Edgehil and there slain Sir William Compton Lord Compton after Earle of Northampton Sir Grey Bridges Lord Shandos Sir Francis Norris Lord Norris of Ricot after E. of Berks. Sir Will. Cecil after Earle of Salisbury Sir Allan Percy brother to Henry Earle of Northumberland Sir Francis Mannors after Earle of Rutland Sir Thomas Somerset brother to the Earle of Worcester and Viscount Cassel after in Ireland Sir Thom. Howard second son to the E. of Suffolk after E. of Berks. Sir John Harrington son to John Lord Harrington of Exton Prince Charles Charles Duke of Albanie Marquesse of Ormond Earle of Roth and Lord of Ardmanoch the third son of James King of great Brittain was created Duke of York at Whitehal on Tueseday the sixt of January 1604. and after on the 4 of November 1616. he was likewise at Whitehal created Prince of Wales Earle of Chester c. at whose Creation these Knights of the Bath were made James Lord Matravers eldest son to Thomas Earle of Arundel Algernon Lord Percy after Earle of Northumberland James Lord Writchesly eldest son to the Earle of Southampton Kt. Theophilus Lord Clinton after Earle of Lincolne Edward Seymore L. Beauchamp grandchild to the Earle of Hertford George Lord Berckley after Lord Berckley Henry Lord Mordant after Earle of Peterborough The Earle of Mar his eldest son after Lord Fenton Sir Henry Howard after Lord Matravers c. Sir Robert Howard fift son to the Earle of Suffolk Sir Edward Sackvile after Earle of Dorset Sir William Howard sixt son to the Earle of Suffolk Sir Edward Howard seventh son to the said Earle after Lord Escricke in Yorkshire Sir VVilliam Seymor second son to the Lord Beauchampe after Earle of Hertford Sir Montague Bartu son to Robert Earle of Lindsey and after Lord VVilloughby and Earle c. Sir VVilliam Sturton son to the Lord Sturton Sir William Parker after Lord Morley and Monteagle Sir Dudley North after Lord Morth Sir Spencer Compton after Earle of Northampton Sir William Spencer after Lord Spencer Sir Rowland St. John brother to Oliver Earle of Bullingbrook Sir John Cavendish second son to William Earle of Devon Sir Thomas Nevel son to Henry Lord of Abergavenny Sir John Roper after Lord Tenham Sir John North brother to the Lord North. Sir Henry Cary Viscount Faulkland Prince Charles This Prince had the title of Prince of Wales but not the Investure and Creation as had his father and Uncle a thing formerly practised as before is shewed and is also of the Welsh blood though born in England by the line of King James from
which Nomen-clation it yet keeps and Camber imitating his Father and Brother named his Moiety from Camber Cambria This partition or Cambers portion was formerly divided from that of Loegria by the River Severne in the East and on the North side by the River Dee and on the South by the River Vaga now called the River Wye at the Castle of Stringlinge Fabian fol. 11. a name which I find not elsewhere or rather Chepstow Castle but of this place what Mr. Cambden speaks take these his own words Chepstow in Monmouthshire Hinc fluctuoso volumine descendit in Austrum Vaga in quo Copiosa est Salmonum piscatura à Septembri ad Aprilem and by the way give me leave to tell you that when Salmons grow out of kind or season in Wye in the River Vsk which runneth through Caerlegion but ten Miles distant in the same County Salmons come in season so that in the County of Monmouth all the whole year Salmons are fit to be presented to an Emperors Table and if a Wye Salmon chance to come into Vsk or e contra the Fishermen are so skilfull as to tell you this is an Vsk Salmon this of Wye limes hodie inter Glocestrenses Monumethenses olim inter Anglos Wallos juxta illud Nichami versiculam Inde Vagos Vaga Cambrenses hinc respicit Anglos Qui cum jam ad ostium ferè devenerit Chepstow praeterfluit id est si e Saxonico interpreteris Forum viz. Negationis locus Brittannis Castle-went and is this day called Cass Gwent Oppidum hoc est celebre clivo a flumine surgenti Impositum manibus circumvallatur magno cambitu quae agros hortos in se includunt Castrum habet ad occiduum latus flumini impeudens in which Castle there is a stately Fabrick called Longius or Longinus Tower supposed to be built by that Centurion who was present at the death of our most sacred and blessed Saviour and out of this opinion it is hard to beat many of the Natives but who so pleaseth to read Surius xv Martii shall find That Longinus the Centurion one of the Jews who thirsted after his blood who most willingly shed it for the Redemption of Mankind signis prodigiis discussis tenebris veritatis splendorem Christi ipsius gratia quem in Crucem sustulerat videre meruit and detesting the impiety of the Jewes freely manifested the most glorious Resurrection of our Lord Jesus this his so confident and publick affirming of the truth for Crucis ei custodia ut Centurioni mandata postquam autem vivificum Christi Corpus sepulturae mandatum fuit eadem sacrosancti corporis custodia Longino commissa fuit caused the Jews to procure from Caesar a Sentence of death against him Longinus flies from Hierusalem leaving all his military Preferments with some religious and devout Christians he betakes himself into Capadocia where he converted many by his instruction and exemplar Life and Vertues to the faith knowledge and adoration of the true Messias Jesus Christ In Capadocia he is aprehended and there obtains the glorious Crown of Martyrdome his Head as a great Trophee is sent unto Pilate who to ingratiate himself and please the perfidious and stony-hearted Jews caused the holy relique to be placed before one of the Gates of that once holy City Hierusalem so that Longinus could not be the Founder or Erecter of that Edifice before spoken of But to follow Mr. Cambden a little further concerning Chepstow he continueth his Discourse saying Et e rigione stetit Prioratus cujus parte meliore demolita quod reliquum est in Ecclesiam parochialem convertitur Pons vero quo Vaga jungitur sublicius est admodum excelsus quia accedente aestu in magnam altitudinem fli vius exsurgit hujus Domini fuerunt e Clarensium familia nobiles a proximo castro Strigul quod incoluerunt Striguliae Pembrochiae comites dicti quorum ultimus Richardus vir infracto animo projectissimis brachiis StrongBow cognominatus quod arcu intentissimo uteretur nihil levi brachio ageret c. This place after by a Daughter and Heir came to the Bigots and now the Earls of Worcester or at least before the late Wars enjoyed both Town and Castle the eldest Son of that Family being stiled Lord Herbert of Chepstow To Albanact the third Son of Brutus was given the third part of great Britain now called Scotland which as it is now is called the second Kingdom of Great Britain and the North part of this Iland hath on the East the German Ocean on the North the Orkneys and Deucalidon Sea the West affronted by Ireland on the South it hath the River Tweed the Cheviot Hills and the adjacent Tract reaching to the Sulway Sands whereby it is separated from England This Kingdome is spacious and from the South borders spreadeth it self wide into the East and West till again it contracts it self narrower into the Northern Promontories furnished with all things befitting a famous Kingdom both for Air Soil Rivers Wood Mountains Fish Fowl Cattle and Corn so plenteous that it supplieth these with other Countries in their want Their Nobility and Gentry are very studious of learning and all civil knowledge for which end they not only frequent the three Universities of their own Kingdom St. Andrews Glasco and Edenborough the Nurseries of their Muses but also much addict themselves to travel into Forraign Countries especially France whose King hath a Guard of Scots the double Treshure florie in the Arms of the Kingdome makes manifest the French Interest in former time in that Nation If it is desired to know more of Scotland read their own Authors it is enough for me to say that Albanack from his own name called it Albania This Country is divided from Loegria or England as saith Venreable Bede by two arms of the Sea but they meet not The East arm of which beginneth about two Miles from the Minster of Eburcuring in the West side of Penulton The West arm had some time a strong City named Alclino which in the Brittish Tongue was called Clincston and stood upon the River Clint. Thus Brute having divided Britain into three Parts after he had ruled twenty two or four years after most Concordance of Writers he died and was interred in Troynovant commonly called London or Luds Town Locrinus second King of Brittain LOcrinus the first and eldest Son of the late deceased Brutus takes possession of his Kingdom of Loegria now England in the year from the Creation of the World four thousand fourscore and seven This Kingdome as it was the largest so was it the most beautifull rich and commodious both in respect of Navigable Rivers Ports and Havens as also fruitfulness of the Soils and abundance of stately Woods and Groves and according to the relation and assertion of Policronica and Guido de Collumna it stretched forth and extended it self as far as to the River Humber as
medicinable and necessary to purge sad humors and cure diseases even so Tyrants are necessary to purge the sins and cure the vices of wicked Subjects To which end saith he Phalaris the Tyrant was ordained by Almighty God to govern the Agrigentins and Marius the Romans As for the brutish sin of Mempricius holy Gildas brings it in as one amongst the rest for which God so severely punished the Britains De excidio Britanniae and touching briefly the lives of some of the Kings and Princes that were in his time as of Constantius Aurelius Conanus Vortiporius Cuneglasus and Maglocus taxing them with Tyranny perjury sacrilegious murders and parricides committed even before the holy Altars c. yea and two of them of Sodomy for which and other general corruptions and wickedness Gildas threatneth or rather prophesyeth the utter ruine and destruction which was to follow which also Geffrey of Monmouth acknowledgeth saying that King Cadwallader the last of the Race of the Britains used these words as he fled by the Sea into France with the reliques of the Brittish Nation Vae nobis peccatoribus ob immania scaelera nostra c. And truly so great is the sin of Lust especially in Kings and great Dukes and other Commanders in the sight of God how little soever in these our sinful times we make of it that whole Kingdomes for it have been destroyed The Kingdom of Spain when it had flourished as well in Religion as Power from the time of King Richard the first Catholick King thereof for the space of 120 years the wicked King Vitiza being a man given over to all lust and carnality infected and corrupted all Spain not onely with the bad example of his one dissolute life having many Wives at once besides Concubines but also with abominable lawes whereby he gave leave to all sorts of men to have as many Wives and Concubines as they listed yea and forced Priests and such as lived Chast to Marry by which means all Spain became within a while to be no better then a common stew or brodel and although Almighty God according to his accustomed manner expected their conversion and amendment all the time of his Reign and layed only the penalty thereof upon him whom he deprived both of his Crown and of his Eye-sight by the means of Roderick who succeeded him in the Kingdome yet when the said Roderick followed his steeps as well in his vicious life as in the maintenance of his abominable Laws it pleased God of his justice to permit him to give the occasion both of his own ruine as also of the overthrow of all Spain by the sin of the flesh wherewith the whole Kingdome was as it were overflowed For as whereas King Roderick had sent a Kinsman of his own called Count Julian Ambassador into Africk and in the mean time Ravished his Daughter or as some write his Wife the Count understanding it at his return was so incensed therewith against the King that for revenge thereof he practised with the Moores to bring them into Spain who with his assistance Conquered it so speedily and with such destruction of the people that the punishment of God was most evident therein for having first overthrown King Roderick whose body could never after the battel be found they subdued almost all Spain in Eight months or in Fourteen as some say and slew 700000. of all sorts of people besides great numbers of Captives which they sent prisoners into Barbary and from that time forwards they remained in the possession of that Kingdome or in some great part thereof for the space of 700 years This example of the Conquest and subversion of Spain for the sins of the flesh was so famous and so much observed by Godly and Wise men at the same time when it hapned that St. Bonifacius a Countryman of ours and Bishop of Mentz in Cermany who lived in the same age and converted the Saxons and Frisons from Paganisme to the Christian Faith proposed it to one called Etholbud King of the Mercians to withdraw him from his dissolute life and tells him that in old Saxony where there was no Christianity there if either Maid or Wife did commit Adultery or Fornication she was first strangled and after burnt and he that corrupted her Hanged over her or else she was stripped naked to the middle and whipped by chast Matrons from Town to Town and prickt with sharp Knives till shee dyed therewith EBRANCK EBranck after the unfortunate death of his Father by the general consent and Approbation of both Nobles and Commons is invested in the Regal Dignity Anno mundi Creationis Policronica Gaufride and others 4182. Authors affirm that he had a thing in those times not unusual one and twenty wives by whom he was enriched with a plentifull and numerous off-spring to wit twenty Sons and thirty daughters whereof the most fair and beautifull was named Guales or Gualea these daughters intending to uphold the Trojan blood he sent to Alba Silvius the eleventh King of Italy or seventh of the Latines there to be espoused unto Trojans This Ebranck was a comely man Majestical and well proportioned of incomparable valour and as desirous of Martial Attempts as his Progenitor Brutus and therefore providing all Warlike Engines and Furniture correspondent to his designs he attempts to invade France which is testified by Jacobus Bergomas in the sixth of his Chronicles and Jacobus Lessabeus in the description of Henalt affirmeth the same and that he was driven back by Brunchildis Lord of Henalt with some loss of his men Yet Fabian affirmeth this Voyage to have been prosperous and successfull insomuch that what by his own fancies judgement and policie being assisted by the Trojan-Latines or Latine-Trojans where he had espoused his daughter he over-ran and conquered a great part of Germany Some Authors ascribe this Conquest and good fortune to Assaracus the second Son of Ebranck with the rest of the younger brothers and esteem it no great service or enterprise of moment for that Europe was then scarce peopled and Colonized unless towards the Sea Coasts as Dalmatia Italy and the coasts of France of these Brethren had Germany the name à Germanis fratribus who subdued it Ebrank thus fortunate either in his own undertakings or in these of his children having setled his affairs to his hearts desire begins to take into consideration the beautifying and strengthning Britannia and as Brutus about an hundred and fourty years if he built it in the second year of his Reign before to his eternal glory had built Troynovant Ebranck with no less ambition to continue and perpetuate his name and memory layeth the foundation of a glorious City calling it being fully finished after his own nomenclation Caer Ebrank which now we call York A late learned Author saith it is a common received opinion among our Antiquaries Mr. Brough fol. 280. 2. that Ebrancus son to Mempricius a hundred years after the
and ten poor people with a Collegiat Church a Dean twelve Canons Prebendaries as many Vicars sufficiently provided for with Revenues wherein himself lyeth buried and it was the greatest ornament of that City untill the hand of King Henry the eight lay over heavy upon all the like foundations and laid their lofty tops at his own feet In this City also was buried another Crouch-back viz. Richard the third in the Church of the Gray-Friers but now nothing remains of his Monument but only the stone chest wherein he was laid a drinking Trough now for horses in a common Inne This place hath given the Titles of honour to many Honourable Families year 1057 1057. 1. Algar the Saxon. year 1103 1103. 2. Edwin died 1071. 3. Robert de Bellamonte Gules a cinquefoyle Ermine 4. Robert de Bellamont 5. Robert de Bellamont L. Steward 6. Robert de Bellamont L. high Steward 7. Simon de Montfort married Amicia sister and coheir to the last Earl Robert L. high Steward 8. Simon de Montfort L. high Steward Gules a Lion rampant his tail double forked salteir wise Argent 9. Edmond Earl of Lancaster L. high Steward 10. Tho. Earl of Lancaster L. high Steward 11. Hen. D. of Lancaster L. high Steward 12. Henry D. of Lancaster L. high Steward England a Label of 5. points Ermine 13. William of Bavaria Earl of Heinalt married the Lady Maud of Lancaster Bendis losengè Argent and Azure 14. John of Gaunt D. of Lancaster L. high steward Henry D. of Lancaster Lord high steward Quarterly France and England a Label of 3. points Ermine Robert Dudleigh Lord Denbigh c. Or a Lyon rampant his tail double forked Vert. Robert Sidney Viscount Lisle descended of a sister of the said Robert Robert Sidney Earl of Leicester Or a Phaon Azure CORDEILLA THis Heroine Lady after just revenge taken upon her two sisters husbands and her fathers and husbands death by the consent of most Writers by the joynt suffrages and votes of the Brittains was admitted to the Royal Scepter in the year from the worlds creation four thousand three hundred and ninety eight years she governed her people and subjects for the space of five years with great applause and general liking but the two sons of her sisters Morgan of Albania and Cunedagius of Cambria and Cornwal envying her prosperity and thinking themselves injured in their birth-right their grandfather Leir having divided the kingdom equally betwixt their Mothers upon their Marriages conspire together and mustering their forces invade Cordeilla and reduce her to that necessity that she is taken prisoner and by her merciless Nephews cast into Gaol which she patiently a while endured but perceiving no hopes to regain her freedom or repossess her kingdom scorning to be any longer a slave to her insulting enemies seeing she could not free her body from bondage with true Trojan and masculine Heroick Spirit she makes a divorce between her purer soul and encaged carcass giving it free power to pass into another world leaving those parts which participated of drossie mold to be interred again in the earth from whence at first it came at Leicester in the Temple of Janus by the Sepulchre of her father Cunedagius and Morgan THe obstacle which hindered the designs of these two aspiring Princes Cordeilla the gallant Brittish Amazon and Virago being by violent death perpetrated by her own hand taken out of the way divide the kingdom betwixt them and became both kings in the year of the world four thousand four hundred and three but this gallantry lasted not long for the Court-Gnats whose life is a perpetual buzzing of news and flatteries fall upon the ear of Morgan and so fill his head with projects that he highly conceives he is injured by the equal dividing of the kingdom and thus discourses with himself And am not I the son of Gonorilla and she the eldest daughter of my Grand-father to me then as lawfull Heir Brittains Crown belongs Why then do I admit a corrival competitor and co-equal one firmament admits not two Suns nor one kingdom two kings no reason I should lose my birth-right no I am resolved I will not Cunedagius shall know that Morgan can rule the Brittains without his help this fire once kindled his flattering parasites bring fewel enough to augment it Cunedagius must bear rule no longer a private life or none at all must content him it is no small policy for Princes to have Spies in neighbouring Courts Cunedagius is quickly enformed of all the passages of his Cozen Morgan and thinks there is no security in delays and therefore puts himself into a posture as well to offend as defend yet to make his case the better and to ingratiate himself with the subjects he sends Messengers to Morgan who is already firing and destroying his Territories to Treat of a reconciliation and atonement but Morgan puft up with his imagined good success and thinking the offer of his kinsman to proceed either from fear or want of ability to resist him lends a deaf ear to the Treaty of peace and will have no other Arbitrator but the sword Cunedagius now resolved comes into the field and offers battell to his enemy his cause being just the Celestial powers seem to second his attempts and he who would have all or nothing is put to flight where the Conqueror makes use of his advantage and taking occasion by the foretop to prevent all hopes of recruiting and rallying again so hotly pursues his victory that Morgan is chased from place to place from Province to Province till being beaten into Cambria now Wales a Territory belonging to his Mortal Foe and there being most sharply put to it lost his life yet with this honour that that Country ever since from him hath had the appellation of Glanmorgan which is as much as to say in the vulgar tongue Morgans Land and thus after two years joyntlie reigning with his kinsman Morgan departed this life leaving Cunedagius to rule alone Cunedagius to shew an humble thankfulness to his Gods for so great a Victory having fully setled his Kingdom erects a stately Temple to Mars at Perth which is now St. Johns town in Albania now abusively called Scotland then a part of Brittannia and inhabited by the Brittish Nation We finde saith my Author in several Authors and Antiquaries to speak in their words that 800. years before the coming of Christ Cunedagius King of all Brittain Mr. Broughton fol. 336. 6. builded a Temple of Mars at Perth that is now St. Johns town in Scotland and placed there a Flamen Therefore we may not singularly deny unto this old city a Flamens Seat which Antiquaries generally grant unto all such in this time to have been changed into a Bishops See If any one ask what I have to do with Scotland my Scene being only the Brittish History I answer that to the great glory of the Brittains that which is now called Scotland was formerly
PORREX FErrex and Porrex the Sons of Gorbodug were joyntly made Rulers of Great Brittain four thousand seven hundred and eleven or as some say thirteen this amity continued for a while betwixt the brothers but ambition of sole command and a Spirit not brooking a Collegue so inflamed Porrex the younger that he intends to lay violent hands upon his elder brother these tidings are brought to Ferrex but the warning comes not so speedily but that the danger is at the heels of it and the elder brother to avoid the snares laid for him hath no other way but to flie into Gallia and there as an humble suppliant to crave aid and succour of a Duke whom Gaufride calls Gunhardus or Suardus who most willingly accords to his desire and furnishing a Navy well provided with Munition as well men as weapons and the very nerves of war sends him back into Brittain Porrex who lets no occasions slip which may advantage his design attends his landing and at his very arrival scarce affording him leisure to order and marshal his forces gives him battel wherein Bellona was so propitious unto him that victory crowned his Souldiers although with the death of his brother and loss or at least discomfiture of all his Army Porrex though some mistake who make Ferrex the surviver being now an absolute King without a Competitor makes himself sure of all the kingdom but long he enjoyed not his unnatural Conquest For the more unnatural mother Idone Widen or Idone whose affection more enclined to her elder Son vows revenge and arming her self with cruelty cruelty indeed before not heard of and taking her Maids to assist her in the night enters Porrex Pavilion where finding him profoundly sleeping these she devils became his Hellish Executioners and after inhumanely tear him to pieces after this most horrid murther followed a Race of people wholly addicted to war and bloodshed daily inventing and contriving broyls and seditions and even in the quietest times of peace blood thirsting insomuch that the weakest went to the wall and he who imagined he had strength enough presumed he had right enough to the Kingdom thus had the Brittains daily domestick Wars till at the length the whole power came into the hands of five Tyrants or petty Lords and Governours who Ruled questionless with Arbitrary power with a sic volo sic jubco but deserve not to be named as Kings of this Island Gaufride affirmeth that after the death of Ferrex and Porrex great discord and civil dissension arose amongst the Brittains which continued long insomuch that five Kings were erected which was a great plague and oppression to the Country Guido de Columna relateth that the Brittains so abhorred the linage and off-spring of Gorbodug partly for the unnatural quarrels and hatred betwixt the two brothers but above all for the horrid inhumane and barbarous cruelty of the mother that had there been any Lawfull Heir to succeed they resolved none of that issue should enjoy the Government this caused a mighty distraction in the Commonwealth insomuch that one took upon him the guiding of Albania or Caledonia now Scotland another seized upon Loegria or England a third took Cambria or Wales and the fourth usurped Cornwall for his share a fifth there was but by many Authors not distinctly specified This difference continued till Mulmutius which Fabian saith was 51. years and to give some light what the names of those five Kings should be he brings An Addition of Robert Record thus The five Kings that be omitted here are found in certain old Pedegrees and although their names be much corrupted in divers Copies yet these are the most agreeable Rudaucus King of Wales Lotenus King of Cornwall Pinnor King of Loegria Statorius King of Scotland Yevan King of Northumberland Quocirca Piremen Loegriae Regem aggreditur praelio interfecit Vitus fol 181. lib. 2. notius ad Mulmut inde factus victor arma tendit in Rudacum Cambriae Regem qui faedere inito cum Albania Rege Staterio conabatur junctis viribus exercitum movere in provincias Mulmutii quibus ille obviam comitatus triginta millibus fortissimorum virorum comissoque diu praelio cum videret differri victoriam usus est fraude similitudinis armorum quibus induti erant hostes ejus atque sic pessundatis regibus ipsis caeteros palantes fugavit ad urbes oppida quibus incensis agrisque devastatis totam omnino insulam suae potestati suaeque Jurisdictioni subjecit ac primus ex auro factum Diadema capite gestavit Quis erat rex quintus Cantii nescitur ex historia Brittanica quae numerat reges quinque nec alios quam cos qui bella gesserunt commemorat tres fortasse quod illi reliqui in societatem venerint aut sponte se subjecerint Where Mulmutius sets upon Piremen or Pinmor as the other Author calls him and kills him in the field and being now victorious and a Conqueror in his first attempt full of courage and boldness he bends all his power and forces against Rudacus King of Wales who having made an offensive and defensive League with Statorius King of Albania with joyned forces and banner displayed had invaded his Territories Mulmutius delays no time but being in the head of a gallant Army consisting of thirty thousand experienced Souldiers gives them the meeting and joyns Battell but thinking victory to hover too long before she enclined to his paâ—t he makes use of a stratagem and counterfeiting the Arms Weapons and habits of his enemies in a friendly appearance gives them a most discourteous and unfriendly overthrow insomuch that the two Kings being quite overthrown he pursues the stragling Souldiers who flie to Towns and fortified places which he presently sets on fire and destroying all round about brings the whole Kingdom under his own power and subjection and being an absolute Monarch he encircles his conquering Temples with a Diadem of purest Gold being the first of the Brittish Kings that ever did the like Who was the fifth King either in Kent or as others say in Northumberland the Brittish Histories do not fully declare only the three who waged war against Mulmutius are expresly treated of the other either for that they combined or submitted are silently passed over After the death and murder of Ferrex and Porrex ended the lineal descent of old Brute but here a curious diver into Antiquities may object How then was the promise in the Prophecy by the Oracle made good that to the Kings of his seed Totius terrae subditus orbis erit This Vniverse shall them obey If after the space of 600 and some few years his Race should be extinct this objection is nothing to the Oracle for it was not specified whether it should be fulfilled in the direct or collateral Line so that if any of a Brittish off-spring should obtain the Dominion over the whole world that is so far as ever any Emperour had command
militum instructorum quatuordecim Millia quorum contemptu Brennus prae numero suorum de victoria non dubitat sed ad acuendos animos militibus ostendit ubertatem praedae statuasque cum quadrigis fusas auro solido quarum rerum animadversione Galli magis incitati ac pridie vino pleni ruunt in bellum sine ulla cogitatione periculorum Delphi contra plus in Deo quam in viribus suis subsidii ponunt Gallosque scandentes de summo vertice montis Parnassi quo templum Apollinis est partim Saxis partim Armis obruunt maximoque terrae motu parte montis ejusdem erupta Gallorum Exercitum prostravit confertissimique cunei vulneribus dissipati cadebant Dux ipse Brennus cum non poterat amplius ferre dolorem vulnerum suorum vitam pugione finivit Brennus having vanquished the Inhabitants of Pannonia and hearing of the Victory which his Souldiers had obtained under the Command of Belgius their Commander against the Macedonians who fled away leaving the booty and spoils behind them rallying up fifty thousand foot and fifteen thousand horse he suddenly and with great violence enters Macedonia where whilst he plundered ransackt and destroyed both Fields and Villages Sosthenes with an Army well appointed made Head and Resistance against him but being far fewer in number and overwhelmed with multitudes of his Enemies he was forced to Retreat and give way to his present Fortune the Macedonians being thus put to the worst by necessity are compelled to hide and secure themselves under the protection of their walled and fortified Townes and Castles mean time Brennus having none to oppose him fleeceth and wasteth the Countries round about and seeing these spoils too slender for his avaricious and aspiring mind he devours and swallows up in his all-devouring thoughts the opulency of the Gods deridingly and as he thinks wittily though profanely saying The wealth-abounding Gods must supply the indigent wants of poor distressed mortals and therefore bends all his power for Delphos preferring their rich and massie oblations and consecrate golden offerings before the just and most deserved anger of the Gods saying The Gods could never want busying himselfe with these imaginations he comes within the sight and view of great Apollos Temple where he pauseth considering with himself whether it were better suddenly to assault or rather give that nights rest unto his wearied Souldiers to refresh their tired bodies Euridanus and Thessalonus Captains of great skill and experience who had associated themselves meerly for lucre and spoil advise him by all means to cut off delays as dangerous and suddenly to set upon the attempt the Enemy as yet being altogether unprovided in regard whereof a sudden motion would strike them into a terrible fear But the Gauls having suffered hunger and hard marches finding the Country well furished with Wines and other welcome Provisions leaving their Colours disperse themselves every one according to his own pleasure and liking and as if already all were their own like Conquerors they strut it up and down This remisnesse gives opportunity to the Delphians by the Auxiliary Forces of their Friends and Neighbours to fortifie their Town and reinforce their Garrison which Brennus perceiving sends out Command for every man speedily to repair to his Colours whose minds were set upon nothing but looking to their bellies and quaffing lusty bowls The Army of the Gauls consisted of sixty thousand Foot the Citizens of Delphos had only fourteen thousand fighting Men Brennus undervaluing this slender handfull of Men in respect of the numerous Troops of his Souldiers made himself cock-sure of the Victory and therefore to encourage his Men the more he wish'd them to behold and consider the richness of the Treasure and greatness of the Spoil which was like to fall unto their share the Statues and Images together with their Chariots if not made at least covered over with pure and solid Gold The greedy Souldier easily swallowed up his golden Bait and elevated and inebriated with the blood of the lusty grape without either Order or command being sufficiently armed with Bachus to set all danger at defiance runs headlong into Battel on the contrary the wary Delphians confiding more in the protection of their God than strength of their humane Forces from the high and towring Top of the cloud kissing Parnassus where stood Apollos stately Temple with stones and other such Materials besides the help of their Weapons beat down and headlong precipitated the aspiring Gauls this their endeavour was seconded by a sudden and hideous Earthquake which so broke the Ranks of the amazed yet furious Assailants and so disordered their best ordered Squadrons that what with a sudden fear what with those unwonted kinds of wounds they were totally disperst and overthrown Brennus whose haughty spirit not long before was puft up with presumption of winning golden Mountains is now no longer able to endure his late received wounds and therefore with one stroke to put a period to all his miseries he sheatheth his fatal Dagger with a more then manlike thrust in the most remote angle of his own entrails Bellinus together with his brother began their Reign anno Mundi according to Fabian four thousand eight hundred and eight according to which Author jointly and alone ellinus reigned twenty six years leaving a Son after him called Gurguintus Gurguint Brabituc or after some Writers Gurguint Barberous that is to say Gurguint with a red Beard Finis Libri primi To the High and Mighty PRINCES THOMAS HOWARD Duke and Earl of Norfolk Earl of Arundel and Surrey Lord Howard Fitz Alan Mowbrey Matravers Segrave Bruse and Clun SEYMOUR or De S to Mauro Duke of Somerset Marquesse and Earl of Hertford Baron Beauchampe and Seymour c. GEORGE VILLIERS Duke Marquesse and Earl of Buckingham Viscount Villiers and Baron of Whaddon Knight of the Noble Order of the Garter CHARLES STEWART Duke of Lennox and Richmond Earl of March and Lichfield Lord Awbigney Darneley Tarbolton and Nethven in Scotland and Baron of Leighton Bromswould in England GEORGE MONCK Duke of Albemarle Earl of Torrington Baron Monck of Potherige Beauchampe and Teyes Capt. General and Commander in Chief of all his MAJESTIES Land Forces in his Kingdomes of England Scotland and Ireland and all other his Majesties Dominions and Territories Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter Master of his Majesties Horse one of the Lords of his Majesties most honble privy Councel The Duke of Norfolk ROBERT commonly called Consull Earl of Glocester Son to King Hen. 1. by Nest Daughter to Rees ap Tewder K. or Prince of South-Wales which Rees married Gladis Daughter and sole Heire of Rees ap Kenvin Prince of Powis Randolph sirnamed De Gernoniis E of Chester Matildis or Maud Daughter of Robert E. of Glocester Hugh Kavilioc Earl of Chester Bertrude Daughter of Simon Earl of Montford William de Albeneio Earl of Arundel Mabell Daughter to Hugh Kavilioc and Sister and
where the Flamens were seated in our times it is a Garrison where in King James his time Sir Cornewallis was Captain The third and last place which this Fortunate Prince built was Warwick Cambden saith Warwick built by Gurgaint That the Saxons called this place Warryng-wyc Mennius and the Brittains Cair Guarvie and Caer leon all which Names seem to take their derivation from the Brittish word Guarth which signifieth a Garrison Sconce or place of Defence Hoc illud oppidum est quod praesidium Romanis in Brittannia dicebatur ubi ut est in provinciarum Notitia praefectus equitum Dalmatarum sub dispositione Ducis Brittanniorum egit The situation of this place is most pleasant upon a Hill rising from the River over which is a strong and fair stone Bridge and her sharp stream upon the Town side checked with a most fair and sumptuous Castle It seemeth this Town hath been walled about as appeareth by the Trench in some places seen and two very fair Gates whose passages are hewed out of the Rock as all other into the Town are over which two beautiful Chappels are built that towards the East called St. Peters and on the South-west St. James two fair Churches are therein seated called St. Maries and St. Nicholas beside these in and about the Town suppressed St. Laurence St. Michaels St. John Baptist and St. John of Jerusalem and the Nunnery in the North of the Town the Castle which we named was ruinous but was of late Repaired at the great cost and charges of Sir Fulk Grenil the late Lord Brook who therein dwelt so was it anciently the Seat and abiding Place of the Dukes and Earles of Warwick 1 Henry de Newburgh E. 2 Roger de Newburgh 3 William de Newburgh 4 Walleran de Newburgh 5 Henry de Newburgh Lâ—sengè Or and Azure on a border Gules 8 plates 6 Thomas de Newburgh Chechy Or Azure and a Cheveron ermin 7 John Marshall first Husband of Margery Sister and Heir of Thomas de Newburgh Gules a bend fusile Or. 8 John de Placetis second Husband of the said Margery Ar 6 annulets Gules 321. 9 Walleran de Newburgh Uncle and Heir of Thomas de Newb. Losengè Or and Azure on a border gules 8 plates 10 William Manduit Son of Alice Sister and Heir of Walleran Ar 2 bars Gules 11 William Beauchamp Son of the Lady Isabella Sister and Heir of William Manduit 12 Guido Beauchamp 13 Thomas â—eauchamp E. Marst 14 Thomas Beauchamp 15 Rich Beauchamp Reg. of France 16 Henry Beauchamp D. of Warwick Gules a fess between 6 cross croslets Or. 17 Richard Nevill who married Anne sister of Henry Beuchamp D. of Warwick Gules a saltoir arg a label of three gob A B. 18 George D. of Clarence who married Anne D. of Ri. Nevill England and France quartered on a label of 3 points arg as many cantons G. 19 Edw. Plant. Son of George arma paterna 20 John Dudley descended from the Lady Margaret Daughter of Rich. Beauchamp E. of War 21 Ambrose Dudley Or a Lyon rampant his tail double-sorked veet 22 Robert Lord Rich created E. of VVarwick 16 Jac. Aug. 2. 23 Robert Rich. Gules a cheveron between 3 cross croslets Or. Gurguntius buried at Caerleon After Gurguint had ruled this Kingdom by the space of twenty nine years in great peace and tranquillity he departed out of this transitory life and was buried at Caerleon leaving to succeed him his Son Guinthelinus or Guintellius GVINTHELINVS GVINTHELINVS or Guintellius the Son of Gurguint his Father being dead took upon him the Government of this Island and was crowned King of Great Brittain in the year of the World four thousand eight hundred fifty and three The English Chronicle calleth this Prince Gwentoline a man of singular Parts and Education understanding exactly both the Greek and Latine Language he governed his Subjects with such moderation and judgement that his Memory deserveth to live for ever and to make him the more glorious the heavenly Providence bestowed upon him a Lady for his wife who equalized him in all the Excellencies that can be exprest in her Sex she was so transcendent being but a woman that she had beautified her intellectual parts with the knowledge and perfection of many Sciences insomuch that she might justly be stiled learned but above all these rich Treasures of her mind she imployed not to ostentation or vain-glory that thereby she might be praised but made use of them for the common good and utility of the Kingdome Martiae who was the Paragon of her time and nature also she composed a Law so conducing to the good of all that in memory of her it was called the Martian Law and continued in full force and power many years and so well approved of by Aluredus the Saxon Prince that he thought it an honour to him to translate it himself out of the Brittish Language for the good of his Subjects into the Saxon Tongue and called it Mathehelage that is the Law of Martia great was her assistance to her Kingly Consort in the Administration of the Republick insomuch that after his decease their Son being in his minority and very young all Orders of the Kingdome as well Nobles as Commons for her great Wisdom and Discretion made choice of her to be Queen Regent till her Son came to full Age and in this condition she ruled for the space of some years though they be not numbred by reason that her Son had the Title of King yet the Count Palatine tells us That Deinceps Martia uxor ejus Vitus à qua conditae sunt Martiae Leges regnat annis septem cum Filio suo and then viz. after the death of her Husband Martia his wife who made the Martian Law reigned jointly with her Son seven years De quo Polidorus Polidorus Nutu Dei factum inquit est ut Guintolinus ad Regnum civilibus dissensionibus quassatum perveniret quod reduceret illud in pristinum statum id quod graviter fecit Eo enim potitus Rempublicam Brittanicam ejus Legibus ac moribus velut de integro condere ac ornare maxime studuit sed ante omnia civiles discordias quae adhuc tanquam reliquiae factionum durabant penitus sedavit Huic uxor erat nomine Martia mulier praeter caeteras pulchra sapiens quae peperit unicum filium Sicilium iste mortuo patre cum nondum esset maturus imperio Martia multarum rerum perita Regni curam interim suscepit quod Reipublicae erat id imprimis sibi faciendum rata leges tulit quas posteri Martianas appellarunt This King was called by some Guttelinus and by others after the Roman Dialect Guintelinus who after he had ruled six and twenty year left this world and was buried at Troynovant or London leaving his onely Son Sisillius to succeed him in his Kingdome SISILLIVS SISILLIVS or Cecilius Son to Guinthelinus began his Reign over the
Archigallonem Eboracum deque suo Capite demptum Diadema imponit Fratri A quo rarae pietatis erga Fratrem exemplo cognomentum adeptus est ut apud omnes homines Elidurus merito Pius cognominatus est Elidurus the third Son of Morindus was chosen King of Brittain who ruled as many years as his Brother had done before him but of a far more excellent temper and behaviour nothing in condition like him Archigallo being now expell'd his Kingdome flies to the Provincial and Neighbouring Princes and there craves Aid and auxiliary Forces to reestablish him in his Throne but finding each ear close shut and deaf to his demands and desires is constrained to return into his native Country being attended or accompanied by only ten Persons there he visits those whom he supposeth to be his Friends casually travelling through the great Wood Calaterium where it fortuned that his Brother was taking his pleasure in Hunting who suddenly and beyond his expectation beholding Archigallo struck with a brotherly love and affection he with tender embraces expresseth how welcome is his Company taking him along with him in his Presence to the City Alcluid Here Elidurus falls into most serious consultations with his Nobles for the Restitution of his Brother to his Regal dignity but they all give the Italian shrug and shake their Heads having no conceit or opinion that ever any good can be hoped or expected from Archigallo The King in esse Summons all his Wits together to bring his designed purpose to perfection and counterfeiting a sudden and dangerous sicknesse he sends for his Nobles one by one and as they come he useth all possible perswasion and fearing not to prevail he addeth Threats and Comminations whereby to induce them to reenstall his Brother and causing them to be secured and closely kept severally in several places he perswades them through fear to him who formerly had been their King and by a perswasive Speech and Oration in the behalf of his Brothers reforming all former Errours and a future happy Government prevails so far with them as to promise faithful Allegiance and Subjection and having obtained what he so cordially desired coming to York takes the Diadem from his own Head and setts it upon his Brothers By which heroick Act he purchast to himself eternal fame with the Title of Elidurus Pius Elidure the Pious ARCHIGALLO ARCHIGALLO being thus by the unparallel'd affection of his Brother Elidure the Pious re-enthron'd made good what was promised on his behalf he suffered not his whispering Parasites to abuse his Ear but with singular care employed all his endeavours to the right administration of his Affairs and the good of his Kingdome and in short time by doing justice and right to all became so beloved amongst the Brittains as if he never had been the man that had wronged them Afflictions oft bring Mortals to the true knowledge of themselves for it tempereth and setleth the exorbitant humours of men who so abound commonly in continual prosperity that their judgements are greatly blinded and hindered thereby in which respect the famous Lady Queen Katharine of England and Daughter to Fardinand King of Spain was wont wisely to say that if she must needs make choice either of continual prosperity or continual adversity she would choose the latter For in affliction said she nâ— good man can want consolation whereas in prosperity most men want wit Iterum regnat Archigallo decem annos tells us Comes Palatinus quibus assumit viros genere virtuteque claros ad Reipublicae munia capessenda obscuro loco natos qui minus idonei sunt ad res gerendas repellit quodque est suum cujusque id unicuique liberum esse permittit in omnes denique homines justitiae officium aequitatis exercet tandem languore quodam extinctus Leircestriae sepelitur Archigallo admitted again reigneth ten years making choice of Gentlemen sprung from ancient families and eminent for their education and virtues to supply the places of Government in the Kingdome utterly excluding base-born brats from intermedling in matters of honour and consequence as altogether unworthy of such preheminence and being furnisht with such worthy Assistants Archigallo buried at Leicecester or rather York he gives to every one what belongs unto him makes justice flourish and every man enjoy what is his own and in this glory he finished his dayes being seized upon by a disease which stop't his vital spirits His body was buried at Leircester or as the English Chronicle saith at Caer Ebrank or York and so also saith Howes ELIDVRVS ELIDVRVS once more for his admirable and singular virtue which he shewed in his first Government is now the second time though as Fabian saith much against his will for well he knew Regnum to be but dulce venenum a sweet and gilded poison by the general Votes and Suffrages advanced or rather thrust into the Throne of this Land But Quota pars moritur tempore fati Quos foelices Cynthia vidit Vidit miseros abitura dies Seneca Rarum est foelix idemque senex The two younger Brothers intoxicated with ambition and desire of Princely Rule not like Elidurus who freely surrendered the Scepter to his displaced Brother Vigenius and Peredurus sollicit tell their Friends and what with present Advance-mony and what with fair Promises raise an Army and in a most mutinous and rebellious way lay violent hands upon their Brother and cast him Prisoner into the Tower of London after which unworthy Act they divide Brittany betwixt them Vigenius is to enjoy all from Humber that famous River to the remotest angle Westward and Peredurus Albania And thus for seven years space they Reign in amity peace and mutual League and concord After which time Peredurus Vigenius being dead becomes Lord and Master of all and so continues his Reign two years longer and with so great applause of all sorts by reason of his equity and indulgence towards his Subjects that he is extolled above all the rest of his Brethren whose praise is in every mans mouth nothing to be heard but his Panegyricks insomuch that even the Name of Elidurus the godly or Elidurus Pius is lockt up in the greatest darknesse and obscurity of Oblivion Such is the vanity and inconstancy of the Vulgar varium semper mutabilo vulgus the best Princes are soonest forgot and no longer thought upon then their present Fortunes cause them to be present and remembred This Peredurus builded the Town of Pickering in Yorkshire Cambden speaking of this place saith Memorandum nihil occurrit nisi Pickering Lancastrensis patrimonii oppidum non parvum colli affixum veteri Castello munitum ad quod plurimi circumsiti viculi spectant unde vulgi Pickering-Leith libertas de Pickering Forresta de Pickering quam Edmundo filio suo minori Lancastriae comiti Rex Hen. 3. elargitus est regio adjacens nominatur Nothing occurs here worth memory except Pickering belonging to the
Lancastrian Family placed upon a Hill and fortified with an ancient Castle unto which many neighbouring and adjacent Villages belong being called the Leith Liberty and Forrest of Pickering which Hen. the Third gave unto his Son Edmund Earl of Lancaster Guido contrary to all other Writers saith that Peredurus was cruel and tyrannous to the Brittains and slew and murthered many of the Lords he caused him to become so odious that they rebelled and slew him ELIDVRVS ELIDVRVS now the third time is made King 4941 and ruled four years in the same equity and Princely demeanor as formerly and then died and was buried at Caerleil or Karlile The Count Palatine gives this Character of him Vir omni genere virtutum praestantissimus animi magnitudine superans ipsam fortunam adeo neque prosperis rebus elatus neque adversis dejectus esse voluit diceres fortunam cum eo certasse ut Rex esset neque tamen animum ejus infractum constantemque vincere potuisse quo magis abnuebat eo frequentius ad regendum vocabatur sic honor gloria persequentes fugit fugientes persequitur ut umbrae Corpus after his death he left a son named Gorgonianus or Gorbomannus to succeed him Fabian in the beginning of his Chronicle hath a Caveat for the Computation of years from Elidure to Lud which I thought convenient here to insert To make Histories agree and to keep the order of years begun we must observe as Ranulph of Chester tells us with divers others that Julius Caesar made Brittain Tributary to Rome anno 48 ante Christum natum or in the year of the World 4150. which was in the ninth year of Cassabilane From whence taking from the time of Cassabilane before the Tribute paid nine years and for the time of the Reign of Lud eleven years it followed evidently that King Lud did begin his Reign in the year of the World 5131. and so from the last year of Elidure unto the beginning of the Reign of Lud or in the time of the 33 Kings there passed 186 years GORBOMANNVS GORBONIANUS or Gorbomannus the Son of Regni and Grandchild to Elidure was Crowned King of Brittain in the year of the World 4945. The Count Palatine speaking of Elidurus saith Ei Gorbonias filius Gorboniani succedit Patri similis in rebus prudenter agendis mira fuit in omnes benevolentia ejus atque modus ipse quo in administratione rerum utebatur fecit illum universis esse gratissimum Itaque cum post annos decom quibus optime regit moreretur publico luctu plangebatur honoréque funeris publico majore quam caeteri Sepulchro condebatur Gorbonias the Son of Gorbonian succeeded his Uncle in the Kingdome treading in the same paths of good Government his Benevolence was admirable and his Decorum in managing his Affairs so plausible that he was generally beloved of all men Thus when he had ruled with universal good liking of every one he departed this life whose death was lamented with a general and most doleful mourning and his Funerals celebrated with greater pomp and solemnity then any of his Predecessors MARGAN R. Vitus f. 204. MORGAN or Margan succeeded in the Kingdome he was a younger Son of Archigallo and governed this Land for the space of fourteen years in great Peace and Tranquillity following the Example of his Forefathers EMERIANVS EMERIANVS Brother to Margan succeeded sed longe diversis moribus but of quite an other temper and disposition for he swayed all things after his own Will and Pleasure and not according to Reasons law and dictamen practising Tyranny towards both Nobles and Commons which rendered him so odious unto all that after the space of seven years he was deposed and quite thrust out of all Government and Princely Authority YDWALLO YDWALLO or Ivall the Son of Vigenius was promoted unto the Regal Throne who being admonished by the evil Example of Emerianus had learn'd a better Lesson he was very indulgent to his Subjects avoiding Tyranny as the very bain of Princes and administred justice and equity to all men bonos in officio continebat upholding honest men in their places malos qua debuit indignatione persequebatur correcting the wicked with condigne punishment and like a good Steward relieved as well the one as the other in their wants and necessities After thus he had Reigned twenty years he forsook this World and left to succeed him RIMO RIMO the Son of Peredurus a Prince adorned with true and perfect Nobility and ambitious of Honour who after he had most happily Reigned sixteen years highly renowned for his heroick Spirit and activity and glory in martial Affairs he gave way to Geruntius to ascend the Regal Throne GERVNTIVS GERVNTIVS the Son of Elidure with the general good liking of all is Crowned King of Great Brittain a great lover of goodnesse Peace and justice he commanded a strict observation of the Laws by which means he preserved Unity and Concord among his people and became highly honoured of them yet for all this after he had reigned twenty years death seized upon him to the great grief and sorrow of all the Kingdome leaving to succeed him his Son CATELL or CATELLVS CATELL or Catellus the Son of Geruntius is solemnly invested with the Royal Ensigns of the Brittish Monarchy a great Benefactor to the poor and distressed insomuch that he caused all Oppressors to be taken and hanged Were such justice put in Execution in these our dayes such heavy Oppressions would not break the hearts of honest-meaning men This King Reigned in great peace ten years and then died COILVS COILVS Reigned ten years in great peace and quiet PORREX PORREX the second a vertuous and gentle Prince Reigned five years CHIRIMVS CHIRIMVS or Chirinus through his drunkennesse Reigned but one year drunkennesse is a vice so far unbeseeming a Prince that we commonly say As drunken as beggers yet in our potting times it is now come to that passe that we say as drunk as a Lord drunkennesse hath been the overthrow of Chieftaines Armies and Kingdomes as we may read in sacred writ of Holofernes that great General Borro Holofernes jacebat in lecto nimiae ebrietate sopitus when Judith percussit bis in cervicem ejus abscidit caput ejus and the Army of the Gaules under the command of Breunus was full of wine when Camillus totally routed it neither had our Brittains so foolishly been Massacred and lost their Kingdome to the Saxons had they not been drunken at the entrapping banquet on Salisbury Downes or Plaines for as there are three things which do maintain and uphold a Common-wealth and for the which God doth blesse and prosper it the first Religion and Piety towards God the second Justice and Equity amongst men the third good Discipline in Life and Manners so there are three other things contrary to those which do subvert Common-wealths and provoke the wrath of God against them The first is
Author that he both was a Christian and Converted by St. Joseph and plainly alledgeth Nennius Authority Thus he writeth Joseph converted this King Arviragus By his Preaching to know the Law divine And baptized him as written hath Nennius The Chronicler in Brittain Tongue full fine And to Christ's Law made him incline The Antiquity of the Crosse for England And gave him then a Shield of silver white A Cross end long overthwart full perfect Thus writeth this Author but without Warrant of any thing I can find for whereas as he citeth Nennius to have written thus in the Brittish Language it is evident by all Antiquities that Nennius which wrote in that Tongue was long before the Birth of Arviragus or St. Joseph and dead 50 years before the Nativity of Christ and was Brother to King Lud and Cassibelin and was named Nennius Helius and he could not write any such thing the other Nennius called Bancharensis as all Authors agree wrote onely in Latine and consequently could not write so in the Brittish Tongue as that Author thinketh or our best modern Authors affirm they find no such thing in any copy of Nennius Codices ii quos consuluisse me Nennii antiquos contigit hnjusce rei parum sunt memores Neither is King Arviragus or St. Joseph named by him The places which he allowed to St. Joseph and his companions were propter munitiones Arundineti fluminis paludis so compassed and invironed with Reeds River and Fens that they builded a poor Oratory themselves of such base Elderwands as that Fenny wildernesse afforded which giveth sufficient testimony how far Arviragus was from being a Christian that had nothing but such abject and outcast things to allow to Christ and his servants when for the maintenance of the Pagan Idolatry which he professed both as the Brittish History Matthew of Westminster Ponticus Virunnius and as well Modern as Ancient are witnesses he was Author of stately and sumptuos buildings and so far from diminishing any honour that was then given to the false gods of the Brittains that he added more unto them namely worshipped the wicked Emperor Claudius whose Bastard-daughter he had taken as wife as god dedicated a costly Temple unto him soon after his death yet after this his acquaintance with S. Joseph for as I find in an old Manuscript-history and others do not dissent the City of Gloucester then Caer Glou Anonymus his Maps in Glocestershire the City of Claudius was built by King Arviragus in the year of Christ 66. This City was first won from the Brittains by Chenlin the first King of the West Saxons about the year of Christ 570. and afterwards under the Mercians it flourished with great honour where Offirick King of Northumberland by the sustenance of Ethelred of Mercia founded a most stately Monastery of Nuns whereof Kinelburgh Eadburgh and Eve Queens of the Mercians were Prioresses successively each after other Edelfled a most renowned Lady Sister to King Edward the Elder in this City built a fair Church wherein her self was interr'd which being overthrown by the Danes was afterwards rebuilt and made the Cathedral of that See dedicated unto the honour of St. Peter in this Church the unfortunate Prince King Ed. 2. under a Monument of Alabaster doth lie who being murdered at Berkley Castle by the cruelty of the French Isabell his wife was there intombed And not far from him an other Prince as unfortunate namely Robert Curthose the eldest Son of William the Conqueror lyeth in a painted wooden Tomb in the midst of the Quire whose eyes were pluckt out in Cardiff Castle where he was kept Prisoner twenty years with all contumelious indignities until through extreme anguish he ended his life and before any of these saith our Brittish Historian the body of Lucius our first Christian King or rather at Caerleon in Monmouthshire was Interred and before his days the Brittain Arviragus This City hath given Honourable Titles to these Dukes and Earls 1 Robert Base Son to K. Hen. 1 Earle Gules three rests Or. 2 William 3 John Sansterre Son to K. Hen. 1 who Married Isabell Daughter and Coheir of Will E. of Gloucester England a bend Azure 4 Geofry de Mandevile E. of Essex 2d Husband of Isabell Quarterly Or and Gules over all an Escurbuncle Pomet and Flory Sable 5 Almerich de Evereux Son of Mabell another Coheir of E. William some put this Almerich before Geofry but erroneously as I conceive Partly perpale endented Arg. and Gules 6 Gilbert de Clare Son of Annice another of the Coheirs 7 Rich. de Clare 8 Gilbert de Clare who Married Joan of Acres Daughter to King Edw. 1. Or 3 Cheverons Gules 9 Ralph de mont Hermen 2 d. Husband of Joan of Acres Or an Eagle displayed Vert membred and leaked Gules 10 Gilbert de Clare Son of Gilbert and Joan. Or three Cheverous Or. 11 Hugh de Audley Married Isabell sister and Coheir of Gilbert Gules Alfret Or. border argent 12 Thomas of Woodstock Duke of Gloucester and Lord Constable Quarterly France and England a border arg 13 Thomas Lord Spencer Grand-son to Elinor Coheir of Gilbert Earl Quarterly the 1. and 4. or 2. and 3. Gules there on a fret Or a bend sable 14 Rich. Plantagenet Brother to K. Edw. 4. Lord Adm. and Constable D. Quarterly France and England a Label of 3 Ermine as many Cantons Gules 15 Humphrey Plantagenet son to King Hen. 4. This Hump. place immediately before Rich. Quarterly France and England a border argent 16 Henry 3d. Son of the late King Charles declared by his Royal Father Duke of Gloucester Anno 1641. but not create And to demonstrate that he both lived and died a Pagan this King Arviragus was and that by his own order buried in that Pagan Temple in the year of our Lord Christ 73. ten years after St. Josephs coming hither Arviragus ut dies suos explevit sepultus est Claudiocestriae in quodam templo quod in honore Claudii dedicaverat ut construxerat And Scut Virunnius further addeth that he did every month offer sacrifice in that Temple after the Pagans manner so much be loved him singulis mensibus sacrificabat tanto eum amore prosequibatur And it is further evident by many Antiquities that Arviragus did many publick acts besides this which Christian Religon could not permit as that after he had been long time Married to Voada sister to Cataracus King of the Scots and had divers Children by her he disinherited the Children put away and imprisoned the Mother and Married Genuisse the supposed Bastard Daughter of Claudius and kept her the other yet living and left the Kingdome to Marius her Son and was so far from repenting this barbarous act contrary to Christian Religion that being challenged for that impiety he wrote a book in defence of this his wickednesse Mr. Bron. fol. 132. affirming therein that it was lawful for him to have plurality of Wives because
rest of the Voyage he made by Land to a Bolein in Picardie Gessoriacum in Gallia where he embarked His forces being safely transported into the Isle were led towards the River Thamesis where Plantius and Vespasian with their power attended his coming so the two Armes being joyned together crossed the River again the Brittains that were assembled to encounter them began to Fight which was sharply maintained on both sides till in the end a great number of the Ilanders being slain the rest fled into the woods through which the Romans pursued them even to the Town of b Malden in Essex Camolodanum which had been the Royal seat of Canobeliâ—â— and was then one of the most defensible places in the Dominions of the Trynobâ—bâ— this town they supprized and afterwards fortifyed planting therein a Colony of old Souldiers to strengthen those parts and to keep the Inhabitants therein obedience Then were the Brittains disarmed howbeâ—â— Claudius remitted the confiscation of their goods for which favour the Ilanders erected a Temple and an Altar unto him honouring him as a God Now the states of the Country round about being so weakned by the losse of their Neighbours and their own civil dissensions as they were unable to resist the Roman power any longer began to offer their submission promising to obey and live peaceably under the Roman Government and so by little and little the hither part of the Isle was reduced into the form of a Province In honour of this Victyro Claudius was divers times saluted by the name of Imperator contrary to the Roman custome which permitted it but once for one expedition The Senate of Rome also upon advertisement of his successe decreed that he should be called Brittanicus and that his son should have the same Title as a surname proper and hereditary to the Claudian Family Massilina his Wife the monster of her sex for impudency and lasciviousnesse had the first place in council assigned her as Sivia the Wife of Augustas sometime had and was also licensed to ride in a Chariot at his return to Rome which was the sixth month after his departure thence having continued but sixteen dayes onely in this Isle he entred the City in triumph performed with more then usual ceremonies of state whereat certaine Presidents of Provinces and banished men were permitted to be present On the top of his pallace was placed a crown set with stems and fore-parts of ships which the Romans called Corona Navalis as a sign of the conquest of the Ocean divers Captains that had served under him in Brittany were honoured with Triumphal ornaments yearly playes were appointed for him and two Arches of Triumph adorned with Trophies were erected the one at Rome the other at Gessoriacum where he embarked for Brittany to remain to succeeding Ages as perpetual records of his victory and a work of such merit to have subdued so small a part of this Island About this time as it may be probably conjectured Christian Religion being yet green and of small growth began to cast forth some small sparkes of her brightnesse in the Isle of Brittain whether Christians of Rome and other countries then flying persecution resorted for safety and quietnesse as to a place remote and by reason of the Wars and Troubles there not much subjected to inquisition whereas also divers Brittains remaining at Rome where Christianity then increased either for Hostages The History of Great Brittain part 1. fol. 35. or detained as Prisoners or haply for some private respects of profit and pleasure had opportunity and liberty to converse with the Roman Christians and to be by them instructed and confirmed in the Faith of Christ The gate being now set open by this Author to discourse of our Famous and Saintly Brittains who even with the very first submitted themselves to the most heavenly and sweet yoak of their divine Master and Lord eternal Redeemer of Mankind God and Man Christ Jesus I shall endeavour to make it evident by the Testimony of Learned and apporved Antiquities to the great glory of the Brittish Nation that divers of them were the adopted sons and children of their eternal Father and the never-erring Catholick Church their Mother within few years after the Death and Passion of our most blessed Redeemer To begin therefore this intended Relation I will begin with St. Mansuetus the Disciple of St. Peter the Apostle and by him ordained the first Bishop of Tullum or Teul in Lorain who was born in that part of Brittain which now and for many years hath been called Scotland but whether he was a Brittain or a Scot will more fully appear hereafter and that he was by birth that part of the I le now called Scotland being at that time a part of Brittain and long after which among others Martial the Poet maketh manifest for that time who writing to Quintus Ovidius who was to to travel into those parts saith Quinte Caledonios Ovidi visure Britannos a Caius Calig Quintus Ovidius Roman called so To view the Caledonian Brittains now doth go St. Mansuetus a Brittain by St. Peter Consecrated Bishop of Tullum In the time of this Emperor we read that St. Peter the Apostle consecrated our holy Countryman St. Mansuctus whom he had Christened before in the time of Tiberius a Bishop and sent him to Tullum in Loraine The inhabitants of Tullum in Loraine had for their Apostle and first Bishop of their Faith in Christ St. Mansuetus a Scot by Nation the Disciple of St. Peter the Apostle and companion of St. Clement This is testified also by many others as Gulielmus Eisengrenius Antonius Democharez Petrus de Natalibus with others saying Mansuetus by Nation a Scot so they term our Northern Brittains according to the last Name thereof born of a Noble Family the Disciple of Simon Bar-Jonas the chief of the Apostles fellow of Saint Clement the Bishop of Metz was consecrated by Saint Peter the first Bishop in the city of Tullum Hitherto these Authors onely the difference I find between them is this Mr. Bro. f. 31.3 that Arnoldus Mirmanunus saith St. Clement whose companion Mansuetus was was Bishop of Metz by St. Peters appointment in the 40 year of Christ when Caius Caligula was Emperor and Eisengrenius tells us that St. Mansuetus was Bishop of Tullum in the year 49. eight or nine years after which may easily be reconciled together by saying St. Mansuetus was sent by St. Peter in the year of Christ 40. and took not upon the charge of Tullum untill the year 49. in the mean time being otherwise or elsewhere imployed in preaching the Gospel of Christ Neither will it avail or prove any thing to the contrary for any man to object that S. Peter was not yet come to Rome nor after until the beginning of the Empire of Claudius for although he came not thither to make any residence there til about that time yet this nothing hindred
9. Sect. 5. As concerning St. Peters preaching himself in Brittain the Theatre of Great Brittain saith If Peter were here at all it was before he went to Rome and that the Gospell was preached here before it was in Rome if Peter were the first as some hold who preached there both which may be more probable if we consider the huge multitudes of Christians 1500 saith Baronius which dispersed themselves into all parts of the world upon the Martyring of St. Stephen at Hierusalem Baron Annal. Tom. 1. an Chr. 58. p. 597. Metaphr die 29 Jul. And Baronius himself speaketh in this manner When we knew that the rest of the Apoples were not sent into the West as into the Eastern parts of the world except only Barnabas who a short time taught the Ligurians or James if we shall consent to them who deliver that quickly to return from thence he went into Spain it manifestly appeareth that none of the others were sent into the West part of the world Therefore it was the Office of Peter who having travelled very many provinces of the East in preaching the Gospel now which was left to doe he should compasse the Western world and as Metaphrastes and others witnesse penetrate to the Brittains preaching the Faith of Christ Where he maketh it a certain known truth and manifestly apparent in Histories That none of the twelve Apostles but only St. Peter preached the Word of God in Brittain And among others he citeth Metaphrastes for that manifest Truth and when he had alledged divers and approved Authors for Christs appearing unto St. Peter and sending him into the West part of the World he addeth Metaphrastes consenting unto these writeth thus Our Lord appeared unto St. Peter in a Vision Baron Anueal Tom. 1. in Indice v. Petrus Theater of great Brit. l. 6. saying O Peter arise and go to the West for it hath need to be lighted by thy links and I will be with thee And he saith plainly for his own opinion Peter admonished by our Lord so to do came into the West and setteth down the time of his coming hither into Brittain in the time of Claudius the Emperor But to come to things certain and undoubted in this History of St. Peters living and teaching in this I le it is an Historical Verity out of Question that he was here both in the time of Claudius and Nero also his being here in the time of Claudius what time soever it was of his Empire must needs be long before St. Paul St. Joseph of Arimathea or any other that is thought to have preached here or came into these parts to which I add the Testimony of Gildas our most ancient and renowned Historian who in his Book De excidio Brittanniae of the Destruction of Brittain Gildas Epist de excid Brit. thus writeth So that this Iland might rather be deemed Romania then Brittania and whatsoever coyn it had either brass silver or gold it was stamped with the Image of the Roman Emperor in the mean time while these things were doing Christ who is the true Sun not onely from the temporal Firmament but from the high Tower of Heaven exceeding all times shewing his exceeding brightnesse to the whole world doth first afford his beams to wit his precepts to this Iland stiffe with frozen cold by a long distance of Land removed from the visible Sun Therefore seeing this Nation did first receive the Faith of Christ it must needs be in the time of Claudius when first and never before this Iland was in that state Mr. Bron. fol 86. 3. And this is that very time which so many Antiquaries Sameon Metaph. Surius Luppomannus Cambden Audrie Chesne and others agree upon that St. Peter preached in this Kingdom To which St. Paul himself by his Epistle written to the Romans at that time and amongst so many Christians in Rome then which he remembreth and never once saluting either St. Paul St. Aristobulus who some Authors say died here and by Martyrdome at Glastenbury Arnoldus Mermannus saith in the time of Domitian St. Clement Soph. Hier. li. de laboribus St. Petri Pauli Metap die 29. Junii Mr. Brough fol. 88. 4. or any one that is supposed to have been in these parts with St. Peter giveth no small allowance And St. Paul saluting the Family of Aristobulus in Rome and omitting him doth sufficiently insinuate that St. Peter had acquainted him with this his Western Voyage and taking St. Aristobulus with him or sending him hither before him for except Identity of Name both Sophronius and Metaphrastes deceive us St. Aristobulus brother to St. Barnabas was Father in law to St. Peter and so following him did likely at the coming of St. Peter to Rome remove his Family thither and left it there and he himself employed by St. Peter Probable that St. Peter was in Brittain or sent Disciples about the coming of Claudius hither Baron Tom. 1. ann in S. Petro. Auth. of the 3 conversions Math. West ann 49. Mich. Singel in Martyrio Dion Ariopac Clem. Rom. ep 1. Hist antiq Mos Eccles Cant. ad ciâ—c ann 49. Guliel Eiseng cent 1 dist 3. Math. West an 46. Eiseng sup in St. Mansuet Epist Gall. Arnold Mir. Therat Conc. gent. Cent. 1. Francis Bell. Cosmagr Tem. 1. in Touâ— Mr. Brou f. 89. Anton. Doniocharuz l. 2. de miss Cont. Cal. c. 30. Eiseng cent 1. fol. 56. Bed Mart. prid Cal. Jan. Pet. de Natale l. 2. c. 25. Anton. part 1. tit 6. c. 25. Sect. 3. Mart. in Chr. Vicol in Hagiol Vnâ—r Carth. in fascul temp Eiseng Cent. 1. Fran. Bell. Tom. 1. p. 202. l. 2. Godwyn Con. of Brittain c. 1. p. 6. and p. 5. and by him ordained Bishop of this our Brittain must needs be here or in his journey hither at that time Whether St. Peter was here in or about the beginning of the Empire of Claudius and his Invasion of this Nation in the Fourth year of his Reign as the common opinion of Antiquaries is I dere not absolutely determine though divers together with Baronius incline to that opinion and reasons be not wanting to give probability to it For if Pomponia Graecina the wife of Aulus Plautius the Emperors Lieut. in Brittain was converted here to the Faith of Christ this being before the persecution which they say Claudius raised against the Christians the 49. year of Christ Aulus Plantius then being returned to Rome together with his Wife and Company to triumph there therefore she could not be converted here by any which they say fled hither from Rome in the beginning of that persecution and they can find no other Christians here except St. Peter or some other sent by him which they do not expresse our late Writers to perform that holy Office Secondly whereas it is manifest that St. Peter after his coming to Rome changed the darknesse of the West into most bright splendour and was commanded to
then all the rest adorned with Christian Religion and perfectly instructed with his holy word and doctrine He reigned as some write 21 years though others affirme but twelve Again some testify that he reigned 77. others say 54. and Harrison 43. King Lucius dyed without issue by reason whereof ensued much trouble as is said before Concerning the first inclination of K. Lucius to christian Religion in the time of Pope Higinius Mr. Broughton thus discourseth Although I do not find it expresly affirmed by any Antiquary but Harding that St. Higinius in that time Bishop of Rome did so particularly give assistance and direction in this business of our Brittains conversion yet many and very renowned Writers give such testimony therein that we must needs grant that to be most true which Harding affirmeth and that after-coming Scribes and Copiers of their Histories have done the Authors wrong by their negligence or ignorance in writing one man for another Elutherius for Higinius for among others St. Bede as he is extant saith that King Lucius of Brittain did write to the Pope of Rome in the year of the Incarnation of our Lord 156. that by his order and command he might be a Christian The M. S. Antiquities of the Church of Landaff more ancient in probable judgment then St. Bede and written by a Brittain which should not be ignorant in that the greatest businesse of his Country giveth the same testimony of the same year 156. The ancient author of the Brittish History also a Brittain maketh K. Lucius a christian in and before this year 156 in direct termes So Testifyeth the old History called Brutus ancient Records belonging to Guild-hall in London the Antiquities of St. Edwards lawes Goceline in the life of St. Aug. so writeth Naucl. and divers ancient manuscript writers which I have seen saith the learned Mr. Br. This was the state of the Church in Brittain when new troubles began to the disturbance of the Province For the Northern Brittains making a breach in the wall Mr. Br. fol. 210. which Adrian the Emperour had built and finding the borders but weakly guarded entered the province and surprised the Roman General and killed many of his Souldiers then ranging the Countries they wasted and spoyled everywhere without resistance till Vlpius Marcellus being sent over by Commodus the Emperor stayed the fury and with great difficulty forced them to retire within the wall by which means the Province being quieted he applied himself to reforme abuses in his Campe reviving the ancient discipline of war which had been for a time discontinued among the Roman Souldiers whom long service and many victories had made bold to say and to do oftentimes more then became them For Marcellus indeed was a man somthing austere in reproving and punishing otherwise very temperate diligent in time of war not idle in peace his diet was the same which the common Souldier used in quantity more sparing for he would eat no bread but such as was brought from Rome which he did to the end he might avoid excesse and take no more then sufficed nature the staleness of his bread having taken away all tast that might either please the sense or provoke the appetite The day time for the most part he spent in viewing his campe and training young Souldiers and giving direction to Officers In the night he wrote letters and made dispatches into divers parts of the Province as occasion required He slept very little by reason of his thin diet and much business wherewith he was continually occupied for he thought that man who slept a whole night together was no meet man to be either a Counsellour to a Prince or a Commander of an army Every evening he used to write instructions upon twelve Tables made of Linden tree which tables he delivered to one of his servants appointing him to carry them at sundry hours of the night to certain of his Souldies who thereby supposing that their General was still waking and not gone to bed were the more careful in keeping the watch and preventing suddain attempts in the night season he was severe in execution of Justice not to be led by favour nor to be corrupted with bribe he levied monies only as necessary for the war not to enrich himself or his friends as other Governours in former times had done for he never preferred his own private before the publick nor a wealthy estate before an honorable reputation The fame of those vertues as they made him much respected both of his own Souldiers and the Brittains so they procured Envy which alwaies followeth vertue inseparably as a shadow doth the body For Commodus the Emperor understanding how Marcellus had carried himself in Brittain was much displeased therewith and thought it best to cut him off but some accidents happening in the mean time to make him change that purpose he only sent letters of discharge and so dismissed him of the Office After departure of Marcellus the army having been kept in by hard hand and finding now the reine let loose upon a suddain began to be mutinous and refused to acknowledge Commodus for their Emperor these disorders Perennius one of his favorites took upon him to redresse by displacing such persons as he suspected and committing their Offices to Men of meaner quality wherewith the Legions were much discontented disdaining that instead of Senators Men of consular degree they should now be governed by upstarts and base companions In the heat of those broyles about fifteen soldiers forsook the Army and went to Rome where they exhibited to the Emperor a bill of complaint against Perennius whom they charged as the chief Author of the dissention in the Army by bringing in new customes by exceeding his commission and doing things derogatory to the Majesty of the Roman Empire These and other things as well false as true were objected against him by the multitude who for the most part dislike such as exercise authority over them and keep no measure in their affections either in love or hatred But that which touched to the quick was an accusation of treason put up against him for conspiracy against the life of the Emperor and in seeking to advance his Son to the Empire this point was quickly apprehended by Commodus who thought that the suspicion of the fact or the report only to have intended it was a sufficient cause of condemnation howsoever the party accused was either indeed guilty or innocent Hereupon Perennius was declared Traitor and delivered to the Soldiers who stripped him of his apparel whipped him with rods and in the end cruelly murdered him Then Helvius Pertinax a Man of mean fortune by Birth as having risen from the State of a common Soldier to the dignity of a Commander was sent into Brittain to appease the tumults there He was one of them that Perennius had before discharged from bearing office and sent into Liguria where he was born At his first entrance
blood and water did flow out of the wound of his side they set a reed in his right hand and put a crown of thorne upon his head and having done all things which mans cruelty could work against him they began to work him with words saying unto him Hail King of the Jewes If thou art the son of God now come down from thy cross and we believe thee and then they used many revilings against him that younge man answered not one word unto them At last when they had said what they could against him crying out with a great voice he sayed O Father into thy hands I commend my spirit and having so said gave up the Ghost His dead body was taken down from the cross the blood still largely issuing out of his wounds they shut it in a tomb of stone and covered it with a stone sealed appointing watchmen to keep it And a wonder to see his body thus being dead came to life again and receiving strength did go forth of the Sepulchre it still remaining shut How he did arose from death I did behold with my own eyes Men cloathed with garments as white as snow did come from Heaven and taking that Man with them returned from whence they came and an infinite army of Men cloathed all in white doth follow him which ceased not in all that journey to sing prayses and continually blessed a Father and his only begotten son great and unspeakable joy was among them so that none might worthily be compared unto it These and many other things which I neither will nor is lawfull for any mortal Man to tell have been shewed to me in vision this night what they do signifie I beseech thee not to conceal from me be not afraid St. Amphibalus hearing these things perceiving that his heart was visited by God exceedingly rejoyced in our Lord and forthwith pulling out a cross of our Lord which he had about him said behold in this sign thou maiest manifestly see what this vision this night meaneth what it signifieth For this Man coming from Heaven is my Lord Jesus Christ who did not refuse to undergo the punishment of the Cross that he might deliver us by his blood from the guilt wherewith we were held bound by the prevarication of our first parent Adam And so prosecuting to the mystery of the holy Trinity which I need not particularly to relate writing to Christian Readers to speak in this old Brittish Authors words again Alban greatly marvailing upon the speeches of St. Amphibalus brake out into these words The things which thou relatest of Christ are true and cannot in any respect be reproved as false for I this night have evidently known how Christ overcame the Divel and thrust him down to the bottom of Hell I have seen with my eyes how that horrible one lyeth enwrapped in the knots of chains hereby knowing that all thou hast spoken is true I believe and from this time this is my faith that there is no God but my Lord Jesus Christ who for the salutation of Men vouchsaving to take humanity upon him sustained the passion of the cross the which the Father and the Holy Ghost is one God and there is no other and having thus said he falleth down prostrate before the cross as if he had seen our Lord Jesus hanging thereon the blessed penitent craveth pardon for his sin Tears mingled with blood run down about his face and in great quantity fell down upon the venerable wood of the cross I saith he renounce the Devil and detest all the Enemies of Christ believing in him and commending my self to him who as thou affirmeth rose the third day from death Amphibalus saith unto him be of courage our Lord is with thee and his grace will never be wanting to thâ—â— That faith which other mortal men have deserved to receive by the Tradition of Men thou hast not learned it either of Man or by Man but by the Revelation of Jesus Christ Therefore being now secure of thee I determine to go further to preach unto the Gentiles but Alban entreating him to stay at the East one week longer that he might in that time be more perfectly instructed in the Faith of Christ he did so Thus writeth this old Brittish Author of St. Alban his conversion Gil lib. de Excid Brit. cap. 8 Bede Martyr 22. Julii Bede l. 1. Hist Eccle. c. 7. Matth. West an 303. which both St. Gildas and St. Bede and others do in effect and substance also deliver although not in so ample a manner during the time of their abode together afterward they spent their time as St. Amphibalus by Bedes relation did before St. Albans Conversion in continual watchings and prayers day and night a great motive to St. Alban to receive the Faith of Christ for every day towards evening they withdrew themselves from the City and Company of men going to an house which St. Alban had without the City where they spent the whole night in serving God and although they observed this camelous diligence to keep themselves secret from the persecutors yet it was by a wicked Pagan there revealed and told to the persecuting Judge which coming to the knowledge of St. Alban before the Pagan Prince and persecutor could execute his designment Gild. lib. 3. â—e exc l. 8. Bede l. 1. Hist c. 7. Galf. Mon. Hist Reg. Brit. l. 5. c. 3. Mat. West an 303. as at his first receiving o St. Amphibalus when he was as yet a Pagan as our antient Histories say he hid him in his house being pursued by his persecutors and presently had not St. Alban so prevented it to be apprehended so now being a Christian exposed himself unto danger of death for him imitating Christ that gave his own life for his sheep for when those enemies of Christ had raised their Troops even an Army as our Antiquaries name them to apprehend St. Amphibalus and St. Alban in the night he before conducteth him forth of his house and past danger and shifting garments with him to save him from all peril caused St. Amphibalus to wear his garment of dignity and priviledge in that time free from all trouble and molestation and the garment of St. Amphibalus where the danger was being a Caracalla a Priests vesture as they say having been discryed he put it it upon himself together with the danger and so returned to his own house alone having thus freed his holy Master and Tutor in Christ from that peril St. Amphibalus being thus at this time delivered by St. Alban the King Bed Hist li. c 7. Matth. West an 303. Jacob. Germen in vita St. Alba. Capgrave in vita St. Al. Prince or Judge for St. Bede Matth. Westm and other give all these Titles to that persecuting Magistrate sent his souldiers to come at these two holy Saints the old Brittish Writer of St. Albans life saith there were horse-men with an Army great multitude or
for their delivery O Lord Jesus Christ from whose most holy side I have seen both blood and water to flow grant I beseech thee that the waters decrease and the River may go away that all this people may safe and sound be present at my Passion A wonderful thing to behold whilst St. Alban thus kneeled and prayed the stream was dryed up and the tears of St. Alban left no waters in the Channel the power of his Prayer consumed the River and made a way for the people between the waters and they whom the violence of the water had taken away inclosed and destroyed were found in the bottom of the River without any hurt having no sign of death in them the Souldier which drew St. Alban to these torments seeing this strange Miracle was as strangely thereby converted to the Faith of Christ threw away his Sword and prostrating himself at the feet of the Saint craved pardon but the other Pagans drew St. Alban up down among the Bryers rough places so that the thorns and roots of trees did pull pieces of flesh from his feet and yet this merciful and miraculous Saint seeing the people to be afflicted with thirst in the Mountain thus prayed for their relief O God who didst create man of the slime of the earth I beseech thee suffer no creature to sustain any hurt for my cause and presently a Well of water sprung up before his feet by which they were refreshed The Executioner cut off St. Albans head but his eyes fell out of his own head therewith Hiericus Gallus in vita St. Gor. many so witnessing among whom Hiericus Gallus in St. Germans life Millia poenarum Christi pro nomine passus Quem tandem rapuit capitis sententia caesi Sed non Lictori cessit res tuta superbo Vtque caput Sancto reciderunt lumina saevo So hath the Brittish Writer of St. Albans life then living a Pagan as himself confesseth and as may be gathered by his own Narration present at his Martyrdom least they which shall come hereafter may be doubtful of my name they shall call me a wretched and the greatest sinner And I go to Rome that casting off the error of Paganisme I may be baptised and deserve to obtain pardon of my sins and this my short treatise I will offer to the Examination of the Romans That if any thing shall be uttered in it otherwise then it ought Our Lord Jesus Christ who Liveth and Reigneth God World without end may vouchsafe by them to amend it wherefore see the great Honour and Reverence which the Christians and Christianly men of that age even here in Brittain did acknowledge as due to that holy See that they referred the examen and censure of their writings even of Historical and practicall things acted so far from thence to the judgment thereof But to finish this funeral honour of this our glorious Martyr although we do not find any man then which for fear of the persecutors presented himself to bury his holy body but the valiant Souldier now the Souldier of Christ converted unto him which had boldly before them all reverenced the Reliques of St. Alban who there digged a grave and laid the Martyrs body therein which was all he could do then Mat. West an 303. yet God willing in whose sight the death of his Saints is precious as he had now glorified his Martyrs soul in heaven so yielded he from thence extraordinary honour to his body so meanly buried making his poor grave more glorious then the sumptuous Tombe of any Roman Emperour his persecutor or other for in the next night now following a pillar of light was seen of all the Pagans themselves to stretch up from the grave of the holy Martyr unto heaven by which Angels descending and ascending spent all the night in praysing God and among other things which they did sing these words were often repeated and heard The renowned man Alban the Martyr Mr Br. f 441. 5. Autho â—o Britt vitae S. Albani Manus Antiq. in vita eius Capg in eodem Manus Antiq in vita S. Amp Capg in eodem Bed l. 1. Hist c 7. Hen. Hunt l 1. Hist M W. an 303. Manus Antiq. in S Amp. Cap. in eodem Bede l 1. Hist c 18. Tho. Walsing Hist Angl. in Edw. 2. Tho. Walsing ut supra And a thousand of Pagans were hereby converted to Christ St. Bede witnesseth that from the martyrdom of St. Alban to his time cures and oft miracles were wrought in the place of his martyrdom so hath Henry Huntington long after for his dayes also The Crosse which he had in his hand when he suffered Martyrdom and was thereby sprinkled with his holy blood was reverently preserved by the Christians then and presented to St. Amphibalus with great honour the very ground whereon St. Alban suffered retained drops of his blood when St. Germain was sent thither by Pope Caelestine and he carried part thereof with him as a great Relict His coat Caracalla which he had of St. Amphibalus and wherein he suffered Martyrdom was kept as a great Relict and in the time of K. Edward the II. the King himself with many Nobles present witnesses was so freshly bespotted with this Martyrs blood as if it had been done but the day before so miraculously preserved as the blood in the place of his passion Great is the honour which our own both Brittish and English Histories and also forraign yield to the Souldier untill then Pagan who being one that led St. Alban to his martyrdom and converted by his miracles by the way was then and there also most cruelly martyred St. Gildas saith this martyr being converted by the miracles St. Alban shewed when by his prayers the deep river gave place to him and a thousand with him to passe over not wetting their feet the waters on both sides standing like walls as they did to the people of Israel to give them passage was of a wolfe made a lamb and did both vehemently desire and valiantly endure martyrdom with him St. Bede relateth this History in like manner yet with more Emphasis of his glory for having spoken of the same strange miracle by which this Souldier was converted calling him Carnifex the designed executioner to put St. Alban to death as S. Gildas and others do to shew how wonderfully the grace of Christ wrought in him he addeth that by divine Inspiration he made all speed he could to come to St. Alban and casting away his sword that was drawn to behead St. Alban prostrated himself before his feet the whole assembly beholding it greatly desiring that he himself might be worthy to be put to death with the martyr which he was commanded to strike and so of a persecutor he became a companion in Truth and faith This St. Heraclius for so was this happy souldier called having resolutely denyed his Paganisme craved pardon for his error and confessed Christ openly
before so many persecutors and in the highest of their malice and rage against St. Alban fell thereby into the same degree of hatred with them for presently thereupon to speak in an old Authors words The Enemies of truth apprehended him beat out his teeth rent his holy mouth and brake all his bones and although nothing remained in his body without hurt Gild. l. 2. de excid Brit. c. 8. yet his fervent faith remained without harme and being thus left so maimed lame and baptised in his own blood and also half dead with all the power and strength he could with his hands crept up to the hill where St. Alban was martyred whom when the judge espied he said unto him pray to thy Alban to set thy bones in order and lay his head here stricken off to thy body and thou shalt receive perfect health from him bury thou him and let him cure thee Heraclius answered I most firmly believe that St. Alban by his merits is able to heal me and easily performe that you mock us with Then reverently taking the head of St. Alban and devoutly laying it to his body he began to recover the former strength of the same despaired before and being thus miraculously recovered and made whole ceased not in the hearing of all the people to preach unto them the merit of St. Alban and power of Christ and digging the earth buried the body of the martyred Saint before them there which the Pagans seeing said among themselves what shall we do this man cannot be put to death with sword we have already broken his body and he hath already received his former strength again And apprehending him with horrible torment they tare his holy body in pieces and lastly cut off his head And so this happy Souldier persevering in the faith of Christ together with St. Alban deserved to be honoured with the crown of martydom The Judge himself was hereby so moved and convinced Mr. Br. 443. 2. that he presently commanded the persecution to cease Jacobus Genuensis Bishop of Genoa and his old English translation say this Souldier called by some before Herculius was a Knight And they yield a reason besides their assertion which was the noble renown of St. Alban who as they say was Lord of the City of Verulam and Prince of the Knights and Steward of the land Bede l. 1. c. 7. and the Judge dread for to slay him because of the great love that the Emperour had to him and for reverence of his dignity and power of his kindred unto the time that he had informed Dioclesian Jacob. Gon. in vit St. Alb. S. Amp. Anglica translat ibid. Mr. Br. f. 455. And therefore when judgment was pronounced against him the which was deferred six weeks until Miximian his coming into Brittain to see such wicked executions thus they deliver then Maximian and Asclepiodotus gave final sentence on him saying In the time of the Emperour Dioclesian Alban Lord of Verulam Prince of Knights and Steward of Brittain during his life hath despised Jubiter and Apollin Gods and to them hath done derogation and disworship wherefore he ought by the law to be dead by the hand of some Knight and the body to be buryed in the same place where his head shall be smitten of and his Sepulchre to be made worshipfully for the honour of Knighthood whereof he was Prince And also the crosse that he bare and Sklavin that he ware should be buried with him and his body to be closed in a chest of lead and so laid in his Sepulchre This sentence hath law ordained because he hath renied our principal Gods These Authours say Maximian and King Asclepiodotus gave this sentence we have spoken elsewhere of those Martyrs which suffered at Litchfield Let us therefore return to St. Amphibalus whom Almighty God had made the instrument to the conversion of so many souls These bloody persecutors having thus barbarously and without all commpassion of lineage kindred friendship country or whatsoever relation of love or mercy put these holy Saints to death they now pour out the bottom of their malice upon St. Amphibalus neither regarding his noble descent before remembred venerable and old years Mat. West an 303. Manus Antiq. in vita S. Amp Capg in eodem Mr. Br f. 447. 1 learning or whatsoever but bind his arms with thongs and drive him barefooted before their horses so long a journey from the borders of Brittain where they apprehended him unto the City of Verulam where the Prefect and Lieutenant then was resident And as they thus contemptibly carried him barefooted and bound a sick man lying in the way in the sight and hearing of them all cryed out unto him O thou servant of God Almighty help me that I which lye oppressed by my own infirmity may be relieved by thy intercession for I do believe that by the calling upon the name of Christ thou art able presently to restore my health unto me And forthwith the man which lay thus sick before the eyes of them all arose up joyfully and perfectly well When these wicked Pagan persecutors had thus barbarously brought him within the sight of the walls of the City as though this holy Saint had been unworthy to enter into it and their Troops so great by that is said before that they could not be conveniently received therein they stay themselves as it were pitching their tents in a place then desart now called Redburne three miles from St. Albans throwing down their shields and striking their speers into the ground And thus resting themselves only St. Amphibalus rested not but preached continually the doctrine of salvation to his enemies who in the mean time gave notice to the Prince and those of the City of their return and bringing with them the instructor of St. Alban and that they had put all those Christians before spoken of to death in the uttermost parts of the Kingdom after their long journey thither which when the Governour heard he called the people together and exhorted them Let us all go forth and meet our enemy that he that hath offended may receive revenge of us all And so hasting forth striving as it were who should go first went by the way leading to the North as our antiquities say the better to set down the old place and situation of that antient City which they then left almost vacant And coming in this raging madnesse and multitude to torment and Martyr this holy Saint they find him all wrapped in chains and bonds and presently stripped him naked slit his belly and pulled out his entrails tying them to a stake which they had fastned in the ground enforcing him to be led round about it And the holy Saint of God shewing no signe of grief at all among such and so many afflictions the wicked persecutors thereby the more enraged sent him for a mark as it were and with their knives and spears pierced and
the Countrey of Brittain And so their opinion which before have told us that the persecution continued in some western parts ten years from the last most cruel Edict of Dioclesian Maâ— Sco. Aetat 6. an 312. Flor. Wigorn. in Chron. an 292 and 300. 321. and 328. and until the 7th year of Constantine is expounded by themselves affirming that this general peace to all Christians in the western world was procured and granted unto them by Constantine in the 7th year of his Empire and after the ten years of Dioclesians Edict after prosecuted by Maxentius was ended Floren. Wigorn. writeth that in this year St. Helen mother of Constantine then being here in Brittain wrote to her son to persecute the Jews which denied Christ Matth. of Westm. saith this general peace of Christians was effected by Constantine in the 313 year of Christ Marianus will have it in the year 312. so hath Beronius Spondanus and others Harding relateth it done in the year of Christ 310. Mart. Polonus saith Mar. Sco an Baron and Spond an 312. Harding c. 62. fol. 49. Flor. Wigorn. an 306. Jo. Bal. lib. de S. rip Britt Centu. 1. in Flavio Const Constantine became a Christian in the year 309. and then both gave liberty to Christians and caused Churches to be builded in honour of Christ Our Countrey-man Flor. Wigorn. by Dionisus his Computation setteth it down three years sooner in the year 306 to which our English late Writers assent a principal man named a Bishop saying that Constantine learned his Christian Faith in Brittain of his most Christian mother St. Helen and at his going from hence against Maxentius behaved himself like a Christian in the midst of the Pagan superstitions and honoured them which were professed Christians 4 Reg. 5 Having thus cleared our most glorious Countriman Emperour Constantine from imputation of his so long delaying his holy baptisme as some have pretended and so near as I can and dare proposed the most probable time thereof I must now speak though more briefly of the solemnity it self and his most charitable Religious Christian acts and conversion which ensued thereupon The common opinion concerning Constantine before his baptisme is the same which the Scripture witnesseth of Naeaman the Syrian Prince though he was great honoured valiant and rich yet he also was a Leper before he was by direction of the prophet washed and healed in Jordane yet great difference there was between these two Lepers of Syria and Brittain the Leper of Syria was great but with his own Lord the King of Syria Commander of his armies and he procured the quiet and safety of Syria he was only cleansed of his corporal Leprosy But our Brittish Leper was cured both in body and soul he was not only great with a particular King but a great and the greatest King and Emperour so stiled that ever was in the world he did not only bring temporal safety and quietnesse to one Kingdom and Nation but both Temporal and Spiritual happiness and salvation to the whole Empire and to all Nations and Kingdoms Aug. Quest Evang. l 1. c 40 Edictum Const Tom. 1. Con Act Sylvest Papa Plini l. 26. c. 1. Adrio 1. Epist ad Const Simon Metap in vira S. Sylv. Zonoras in vita Const Greg. Turen Constantine being troubled with this infirmity if I may call that so which St. Augustine saith is a defect of colour and not of health or integrity of sences and members and seeking remedy yet finding none among his bodily physitians the Pagan Flemmings advised him to make a Bath in the Capitol and therein wash his body with the warme blood of Infants Pliny and others writing that this grief hath been so healed which to effect these Idolatrous Gentiles prepared a great number of such children intending to kill them and to fill the Bath with their blood which when Constantine considered and beheld the tears and lamentations of the Mothers for their Children he abhorred so great cruelty and wickednesse causing the children to be restored to their mothers with rewards and means to carry them to their dwelling places In the night following the holy Apostles St. Peter and St. Paul do appear and say thus unto him O Emperour because thou hast detested to shed the blood of innocents we are sent unto thee by Christ to teach thee means to recover thy health send for Bishop Sylvester and he will provide an holy Bath in which he will baptise thee and thou shalt be cured of thy Leprosy and all diseases which Constantine presently performed sending for St. Sylvester who shewed there unto him the pictures of St. Peter and St. Paul which when the Emperour diligently beheld he openly before his nobility confessed that these were they which appeared unto him and being perfectly instructed by St. Sylvester was baptised by him and miraculously cleansed from his Leprosie an hand from heaven as himself did see and testifie touching him and when he was thus wonderfully cured and christened St. Sylvester ministred the holy Sacrament of Confirmation unto him annointing and signing his forehead with sacred Crisme Simeon Metaphraster a Greek writer saith that at the time of Constantine his baptisme by St. Sylvester Metaphr in vita St. Sylv. Mr Br. f. 476 a light more bright then the Sun did suddainly shine about all the house and the Emperour being baptised his flesh was pure and sound without any hurt or scar and the water wherewith he was baptised was full of such filth as came from his soars like scales of fishes Divers both Greek and Latine Authours say that his son Crispus was then baptised with him These things being of so great note and consequence in so great a Prince and Commander Theophan Cerameus Chron Plantina in Mar. and so concerning all people were not nor could not be done in secret The infirmity of Constantine's Leprosy was generally known Physitians had been often times consulted and done their best practise about it The place of the Capitol where the Children should by the Pagans have been murdered about it was famous the gathering them from many places and Provinces was known to all the open outcries and lamentations of their mothers could not be concealed the sending and seeking St. Sylvester were with honour and solemnity performed so was his entertainment and conference with the Emperour in presence of his Nobility The present conversion of Constantine thereupon his preparation in Penance seven dayes before his baptisme This Solemnized in the publick imperial pallace and in an holy Font so curiously provided as all Histories agree and so miraculously curing his corporal disease which no art of man could heal made this conversion of Constantine renownedly known and manifest to all To the Christians for their unspeakable joy to the Jewes and Pagans to the shame and confusion of their obstinacy and salvation of many of them converted by this means Euseb l. 2. de vita Const c.
Souldiers and pleasure of God S. Severinus de vita S. Martini Cap. 23. for defence and necessity of the Empire God himself sufficiently giving testimony thereto by the incredible event and victory following and that he slew none of his adversaries but in the feild upon which satisfaction St. Martin came to the feast and was far more honored of this Emperor there than any Prince the Emperors uncle brothers and such others there present sitting next unto the Emperor himself and his own Priest and Chaplain sat among those Princes Mr. Broug fo 573. And such was the honour and reverence our Emperor did yeeld publickly to that holy Bishop that in that solemn feast he refused to drink untill S. Martin had drunk out of the same bole before he condemned Priscillianus the heretick his Sectaries to death and banishment Justantius Tiberianus into our Brittish Island named Silley his judgement against those Hereticks was for things by them committed against his temporal estate Hâ—rris Hist Tom. 4. c. 34. Magdeb. cent 4. c. 16. Sylvius bonus C. Max. Caes Laudes Io. Leland Io. â—its in Silvio Bonâ— Harris sup Zosim l. 4. Baro. Spondan 382 in Anâ—al Annal. Scot. apud Hect. Boet. l. 7. Scot. Hist initio Yet do I not so contend saith Mr. Broughton to free Maximus that I would wash him clean from all spots and aspersions wherewith he is stained by some Writers I rather excuse him in profession of Religion then conversation of life yet both Symmachus Consul of Rome and our Brittish Writer Sylvius stiled the good Sylvius living in his time wrote Books in his praise and the very Scotish Antiquaries the greatest enemies he had for conquering and expelling them out of Brittain are forced to confesse that his carriage was such that it drew even his enemies to love honour and follow him and give him that honour here in Brittain which never any Emperor King or Ruler in it since the first inhabiting thereof enjoyed before him Which is that Ruling here 17 years he possessed and ruled over all Albion or Brittain And in this his general command here was a friend favourer to good Christians that Hiergustus being then King of the Picts both he and all his subjects Christians he freely for a small Tribute to testifie the whole Island belonged to the Roman Empire in his time suffered though a stranger quietly to reign as King among the Picts And plainly confessed that in Brittain divers years he behaved himself and in all mens judgement governed vertuously couragiously and as a good Emperor ought to do And that both the Christian Brittains and Picts the only then inhabitants here did marvelously well love him his Brittish Wife Queen and Empress daughter of Octavius is commended in the Histories to have been a very vertuous Lady The Brittish History sayth that Maximus being overthrown by Theodosius fled into Aquileia when by the treason of his own Souldiers whilst he was paying them their wages he was delivered to Theodostus disrobed of his Imperial ornaments and speedily put to an ignominious Death Theodosius Maximus being dead Theodosius the elder as he was Emperor so was he King and Ruler in Brittany this man is most renowned in Histories for the honoring the Church hate of heresies his praises be exceeding many among ancient Writers therefore I will onely and briefly use the testimonies of modern Historians in his behalf in their own words Stow Howe 's hist Tit. Rom. in Thedosio Magdeburg Cent. 4. c. 7. Col. 568. Mag. Cent. c. 10. Theod. Hist l. 6. c. 8. Theodosius the elder a most Christian Emperor Theodosius did open pennance in Millaine and fasted and prayed eight Months together according as St. Ambrose had enjoyned him because in the first part of his Empire he had commanded 5000 Citizens of Thessalonica to be slain and for the executing the innocent with the wicked in form of civil justice therefore the Arch-bishop would not permit him to rule in the Church nor to receive the Sacrament until he had performed his pennace The Magdeburgians of Germany say this Sacrament was Sacratissimum Domini Corpus preciosus Domini Sanguis Howes saith that St. Vrsula with 11000 Virgins which were sent into little Brittain to be married were martyred in this Theodosius his reign but others say it was in the time of Maximus Surius in St. Vrsula one give this relation Maximus entred into France possessed it all but especially one Province which was then called Formorica which is now called Little-Brittain because the Brittains did conquer and rase it and with great rage and fury put to Sword all the Natives thereof left it uninhabited as a wildernesse Maximus thought it necessary to people that Province again because it lay fit for him therein to conserve and transport his Brittish Souldiers Surius Ri. badeneira octob 21. and for that purpose he divided the fertile feilds lands of the Lesser-Brittain amongst his Souldiers which came to him out of Brit. to the end they might Till and Husband it and reap the fruit thereof But because his Souldiers might marry and have succession and settle themselves in that Province where there was no women for that they were also put to the Sword he determined to send unto the Island of Brittain Scotland and Ireland for a great number of Virgins which being brought into the new and lesse Brittain might marry with those Souldiers who were for the most part naturals of their own Country The chief Commander of all that Army was called Conanus a man of great birth and of greatest estimation of all the Brittains The Hist of St. Vrsula whom Maximus hath made his Leiuetenant General and Warden of all the Ports of that Coast Conanus desired to marry with the daughter of Dionecius King of Cornwal called Vrs a most Noble and vertuous Lady in whom did shine all the gifts of chastity beauty grace which might be desired in a woman throughout the Province of there were called forth 11000 Virgins as well for the intent above mentioned as also that they might accompany Vrsula who was to be their leader and Lady some of these Virgins went of their own accord others by constraint But seeing that the command of Maximus then Emperour was so peremptory that no excuse could be admitted they embarked themselves in those ships which were prepared for their passage unto the new Province of Brittain It pleased our Lord that these ships lancing out of the Haven met with a quite contrary wind which instead of carrying that blessed company towards Brittaine it furiously carried them quite contrary and passing by Zeland and Holland drove them into the mouth of the River of Rhene a River of great capacity and depth and carried them so high as the water did ebb and flow At that time when this happened Gratian the Emperour understanding what Maximus had done in Brittain and France and
Tiranidis jugo liberavi civitatem S. P. Q. R. libertatem vindicans pristinae amplitudini splendori restitui You have here viewed Illustrious Prince our first Christian Emperor and his Father fit patterns for imitation Cast your Gracious eyes upon our first Catholick King Lucius and you shall find him Christianity being now established thus Charactered Interea gloriosus ille Britonum Rex Lucius cum intra regnum suum cultum vere fidei magnificatum esse vidisset maximo gaudio fluctuans possessiones territoria quae prius templa Idolorum possidebant in meliorem usum vertens Ecclesiis fidelium permancre concessit quia majorem honorem ipsis impendere debuerat augmentavit illas amplioribus agris mansis omnique libertate sublimavit And a little after Lucius the first Christian King of this Land then called Brittain founded the first Church in London that is to say St. Peters Church upon Cornhill where he setled an Archbishops See making that Church the Metropolis of his Kingdom neither was his zeal and piety confined to that City for you shall find him erecting a goodly Cathedral at Caerlegion in that part of England abusively called Wales which now is known by the name of Monmothshire as also the famous Vniversity of Bangor in the remotest parts thereof This holy King saith my Author granted made and signed many writings Charters and donations for defence maintenance and preservation of Religion as to the Vniversity of Cambridge the School of Shaftsbury with others and when he had done all this Anno 201. Inclitus Britannorum Rex Lucius in bonis actibus assumptus ab hac vita Claudiocesbriae migravit ad Christum in Ecclesia primae sedis sepultus honorifice King Arthur sealed many grants for the advancement of Religion and Learning and by reason of his great victories thrice changed his armorial ensignes at last advancing the cross for my Author saith King Arthur that mighty conquerour and worthy had so great affection and love to this sign that he left his armes which he used before wherein were figured three Dragons another of three crownes or as some say of thirteen and depicted in his shield a cross silver in a field vert and on the first quarter thereof he figured an Image of our B. Lady with her Son in her armes and with this sign he did wonders in Arms. And to this hour we see the Knights of the Noble order of the Garter of which number your Grace the flower of chevaldry is one to bear Argent a plain cross Gules the field signifying pureness of life the cross the blood that Christ shed for this our people whom Trevisa calleth the people of God and the Realm of Gods Land the same ensign did Joseph of Aramathia give unto Arviragus King of Brittain not many years after our Saviours passion Cadwalader the last Brittish Monarch for his armes bore Azure a cross for my fitched Or whole volumes may be compiled of this Subject and the worthy and most Christian acts of your sanctly progenitors But least I should convert an Epistle Dedicatory into History or Chronology I will proceed no further humbly offering up these my weak endeavours before the shrine of your goodness with all integrity beseeching Almighty God that you may if not excel at least equal the most valiant and vertuous of your Royal Progenitors which shall be the daily prayers of Your Royal Highness Most faithful and humble servant PERCY ENDERBY The Duke of York Anarawd King of Northwales Eidwal King of the same Meurick or Meirick Eidwal II. Jago Conan Griffith King of Northwales Owen King of Northwales Jorwerth Son and Heir to Owen married Marret D. to Madoc Prince of Powis Lhewelyn Prince of Northwales Gladis sole Daughter and Heir married to Ralph Lord Mortimer who in her right should have been Prince of Northwales Roger Lord Mortimer Edmund Lord Mortimer Roger Lord Mortimer Earl of March Edmund Lord Mortimer c. Roger Lord Mortimer Edmund Earl of March married Philip D. and H. to Lyonel D. of Clarence Roger Mortimer Earl of March left one only Daughter and Heir married to Richard Earl of Cambridge Richard Duke of York King Edward the Fourth Elizabeth sole daughter and heir married to King Henry the seventh descended from Owen Tudor Margaret eldest daughter to Henry the seventh and in her Issue his Inheretrix was Grandmother to Mary Queen of Scotland France and England Mother to King James King of great Brittain France and Ireland c. Grand-Father to James Duke of York who married Anne daughter to Sir Edward Hyde Baron of Henden and Lord Chancellor of England and hath Issue Charles Duke of Cambridge YORK The City of York anciently called Eboracum is seated upon the river Vre which we call Ouse in the VVest-riding of this County and is the second City of England both for fame and greatness a pleasant large and Stately place all well fortified and beautifully adorned as well with private as publick edifices and rich and populous with all seated on the river Ouse which cutteth it as it were in twain both parts being joyned together with a fair stone-bridge consisting of high and mighty arches a City of great fame in the Roman times and of as eminent reputation in all ages since and in the several turnes and changes which have befallen this Kingdom under the Saxons Danes and Normans hath still preserved its ancient lustre adorned it was with an Archiepiscopal See in the time of the Brittains nor stooped it lower when the Saxons received the Faith Richard the second laying unto it a little Territory on the VVest side thereof made it a county of it self in which the Archbishops of York enjoyed the rights of Palatines and for a further lustre to it Henry the eighth appointed here a councel for the Government of the Northern parts consisting of a Lord President certain Councellors a Secretary and other Officers and yet in none of these hath York been more fortunate then that it adorned so many Princes of the Imperial line of Germany and blood Royal of England with stile and attribute of Dukes and Earls of YORK 1. Otho of Bavaria Earl of York 2. Edmund of Langley fift Son to Edward the third Duke of York 3. Edward Plantagenet Son of Edward of Langley Duke of York 4. Rich. Plantagenet Nephew of Ed. of Langley Duke of York 5. Rich. of Shrewsbury Son of King Edw. Duke of York 6. Henry second Son to King Henry seventh Duke of York after King of England 7. Charles second Son of James King of England 8. James second Son to King CHARLES now Duke of York The Duke of CUMBERLAND It is needless to set down at large the Brittish line of this Heroick and VVarlike Prince Rupertus being sufficient to tell you that he is Son to that Peerless and unparallel'd Princess Elizabeth Queen of Bohemia daughter to James King of great Brittain sister to Charles King of great Brittain
their memory with some worthy monument caused these stones to be set up in the place of their murther and burial the which stones had been first brought from Affrick into Ireland and had been placed on Mount Killare and from thence by the industrious means of Merlin were conveyed to this place to the foresaid end There are about this place certain little hills or banks under which are found sometimes bones of big men and pieces of armour also not far from thence remain old ruines of the manner of a fortress which the Romans most likely did build there in times past Such was the devotion of this time as we may gather by old Writers testifying that after the Pagan Saxons had destroyed the Churches and Abbeys in Brittain yet many still remained Will. Lamb. Peram of Kent p. 330. Mr. Broug fol. 601. Mat. West an 490. Idem an 498. Galf. Mon. hist Brit. l. 7. c. 16 and their Abbats were honoured and Will. Lamb. perambulation in Kent tells us In ancient time even the greatest personages held Monks and Nuns in such veneration and liking that they thought no Citty in case to flourish no house to have long continuance no castles sufficiently defenced where was not an Abbey Priory or Nunnery either placed within the walls or planted at hand or near adjoyning and numbred among our Nobles spiritual Lords before the temporal So it was in that great solemnity when Aurelius Ambrosius kept the feast of Penticost at Amesbury he had there many Bishops Abbots and many other Noble persons And after Brittain was more decayed by those Pagans yet there were still both Bishops and Abbats here and they buried the body of their King Aurelius Ambrosius in regall manner thus it was in all places and Provinces in this Kingdom where these Pagans reigned most London Winchester Lincolne York and other parts where they destroyed Churches and all holy monuments Mat. West an 462. martyred the Priests at the Altars burnt holy Scriptures defaced and obscured Martyrs tombs They found every where Religious persons who flying their persecution hid themselves in caves woody places and desart crags of hills and mountains Alla and his three sons Kymon Plineing and Cissa came into Brittain with three ships and landed with them in a place called Kimon shore Howe 's Brit. Saxon. fol. 53. and there slew many of the Brittains forcing the rest to take their flight into a wood called Andredsleage This Alla fighting with the Brittains in a place neer unto Macreds Boorn or Micreds Rilear slew many of them and put the rest to flight Alla and Cissa his sons after long seige brake into the Citty of Andredcester and slew the inhabitants Andredcester from the greatest to the smallest Port and his two sons Byda and Moegla arrived in Brittain with two ships in a place called Portesmouth Portsmouth and there slew a young Gentleman one of the Nobility of the Brittains and divers others The same year two Dukes to wit Cerdic and Kenric his son came into Brittain with five ships and arrived in a place called Cerdic shore the same day they fought with the Brittains and put them to flight Howes ut sup Cerdic and his son Kenrie slew Natanland King of the Brittains and 5000 men of whose name that countrey as far as Cerdicsford was called by the name of Natanleend I beseech Mr. Howe 's to give me leave to tell him that Port could not land at Portsmorth nor Cerdic at Cerdicshore being names at their arrivall utterly unknown and questionlesse had other Brittish names these nomenclations seemed to be taken from Port and Cerdic and therefore the Authour should better have given their first appellations Ambrosius Aurelianus or Aurelius being poysoned dyed when he had reigned thirty five years and was buryed at Stone-hedge then called Chorsa Gigantum It is strange to me that a Prince so much a Christian and a restaurator and repairer of Churches Monasteries and sacred places consecrated for the Sepulture of devout Christians and that both Bishops and Abbots should be present at the funerals and obsequies of so deserving a King and not afford him a Sepulcher in a Church he having repaired and re-edified so many Vter Pendragan After that Aurelius Ambrosius was dead his brother Vter Pendragon whom Harrison calleth Aurelius Vterîus Ambrosianus was made King in the year of our Lord 500. The cause why he was sirnamed Pendragon was for that Merlin the great Prophet likened him to a Dragons head that at the time of his nativity marveilously appeared in the Firmament Hollenshed Hist of Engl. fol. 127. Howes Stow Brittains and Saxons fol. 53 at the corner of a blazing star as is reported Others suppose that he was so called of his wisdome and serpentine subtilty or for that he gave the Dragons head for his arms This Vter hearing that the Saxons with their Captains Octa or Occa the Son of Hengist and his brother Osca had besieged the Citty of York hasted thither and giving them battail put them to flight and took Osca and Occa prisoners Hector Boetius in his Chronicle is of an other opinion for he saith Vter Pendragon at the death of his brother Aurelius was in Wales as not yet fully recovered of a dangerous sicknesse wherewith lately he had been extreemly molested yet the Lords of Brittain after the funerall of their last King came unto him and set the Diadem upon his head and though he was not able to go against the Saxons who by reason of Aurelius his death were very busy and more earnest in pursuing the war then before and army was yet prepared and sent forth with all convenient speed under the leading of one Nathaliod a man neither of ancient extraction nor skill in military affairs The Noble men were nothing pleased herewith and misliking altogether the lack of discretion in their new King they doubted much least in time to come he would have more delight to advance men of base lineage and degree then such as were descended of noble parentage yet because they would not put the state of the Land in danger through any mutiny they agreed to go forth with him in that journey Occa had advertisement given him by secreet letters sent to him by some close friends among the Brittains of the whole matter and therefore in hope of the better successe he made all possible speed to encounter the Brittains and thus the one army coming in fight of the other they prepare to the battail and shortly after the first onset the Brittains retreated and turned their backs by reason that one of their chiefest Commanders called Gothlois disdaining to be under Nathaliod got him up to the top of the next hill with such as were under his power and charge leaving the other Brittains in eminent danger which they perceiving began also to save themselves by flight There dyed no great number of the natives for Occa mistrusting what Gothlois
this place by the Brittains we have already spoken Conon of Meriadoc now Denbighland in the year of Grace 384. was the first Prince of the Brittish blood in Armorica or Little Brittain the second was 2. Graldonus 3. Solomon I. The names of the Kings of little Brittain 4. Auldranus 5. Budicus I. 6. Howellus Magnus This Howel was with King Arthur in his wars 7. Howellus II. 8. Alanus I. 9. Howellus III. 10. Gilquellus 11. Solomon II. 12. Alanus II. Of whom mentions is made in this place who descended of a daughter of Rune the son of Mailgon Gwyneth King of Great Brittain who was married to the forenamed Howel II King of Little Brittain 13. Conobertus 14. Budicus II. 15. Theodoricus 16. Rualhonus 17. Daniel Dremrost i. e. with the red face 18. Aregstanus 19. Maconus 20. Neomenius 21. Haruspagius 22. Solomon III Who was slain by his own men and then was that Kingdom turned into an Earldom whereof Alen was the first Earl who valiantly resisted the Normans and vanquished them oft at last it was a Dukedom Cadwallader bein in Brittain was certified that a great number of strangers as Saxons Angles and Juthes had arrived in great Brittain and finding it desolate and without inhabitants saving a few Saxons who had called them in and certain poor Brittains who lived by roots in Rocks and Woods had overrun a great part thereof and dividing it into Territories and Kingdomes inhabited that part which was then and yet at this day by the Welsh who are the ancient Brittains called Lhoyger and in English England with all the Cities Townes Castles and Villages which the Brittains had builded ruled and inhabited by the space of 1827. years under divers Kings and Princes of great renown whereupon he purposed to return and by strength of Brittish Knights to recover his own Land again After he had prepared and made ready his Navy for the transporting of his own men with such succours as he had found at Alan's hand an Angel appeared to him in a Vision and declared that it was the will of God that he should not take his voyage towards Brittain but to Rome to Pope Sergius where he should end his life and be afterwards numbred among the blessed Which vision after that Cadwallader had declared to his friend Alan he sent for all his books of prophesies as the works of both Merdhines or Merlins to wit Ambrose and Sylvester surnamed Merdhin Wylht and the words which the Eagle spoke at the building of Caer Septon to be now come whereof they had prophesied To this very day the Welsh the very real ofspring of the Brittains are much addicted unto prophesies and so confident that out of their old books I know some my self and those of good quality they doubt not to tell you things to come but those prophesies are never discerned to have come to pass till it be too late as in Ragland Castle in Monmothshire and others which it concerns me not to speak of Alan upon the relation of Cadwallader his vision or dream counselled him to fullfil the will of God who did so and taking his journey to Rome lived there eight years in the service of God and dyed in the year of Christ 688. So that the Brittains ruled this Isle with the out-Isles of Wight Mon in English called Anglesey Manaw in English Man Orkney and Ewyst 1137. years before Christ until the year of his Incarnation 688. and thus ended the rule of the Brittains over the whole Isle This glorious King bore for his armes Azure a crosse firmie fitched Or. He slew Lothayre King of Kent and Aethelwald King of the South Saxons Ivor the son of Alan After Cadwallader had taken his journey towards Rome Gerard Leigh in his accidence of armory fol. 33. leaving his son named Edwal the Roo and his people with his Cousin Alan which Alan taking courage to him and not despairing of the conquest of Brittain manned his ships as well with a great number of his own people as with those which Cadwallader had brought with him and appointed Ivor his son and Inyr his Nephew to be leaders and chieftains of the same who sailing over the narrow seas landed in the West parts of Brittain of whose arrival when the Saxons were certified they gathered a great Army and gave Ivor battail where they were put to flight and lost a great number of their people and Ivor wan the Countries of Cornwall Devonshire and Somersetshire and peopled them with Brittains Whereupon Kentwinus King of West-Sex gathered a great number of Saxons and Angles together and came against the Brittains which were ready to abide the battail and as the armies were both in sight they were not very desirous to fight but fell to a composition and agreement that Ivor should take Ethelburga to wife who was Cofin to Kentwin and quietly enjoy all that he had during the reign of Ivor This Ivor is he whom our English Chronicles call Ive or Jew King of West Saxons H. Lhoyd that reigned after Cedwel and they say that he was a Saxon for Kentwin reigned full five years after Ivors coming into England and after him his Nephew Cedwel who after he had reigned over the west Saxons two years went to Rome and left his Kingdom to Ive his Cousin This Ive or Ivor whom the Brittains call the son of Alan and the Saxons the son of Kenred being King of the Saxons and Brittains which inhabited the West parts of Brittain after many victories atchived against the Kings of Kent Southsex and Mercia left his Kingdome to Adelred or as some call him Adelerdus his Cousin and took his journey to Rome where he made a godly end about the year of our Lord seven hundred and twenty Roderike or Rodri the Son of Edwal Yworch Roderike over the Brittains began his reign Anno. 720. against whom Adelred King of the West Saxons raised a great Army and destroying the Country of Devonshire The Brittains victorious against the Saxons in three battails entered Cornwall where Roderike with the Brittains gave him battail in with the Brittains had the victory over the Saxons the year after the Brittains obtained two other victories over the Saxons one in Northwales at a place called Garth Maelawc and an other in Southwales at Pencoed At this time Belin the Son of Elphin a noble Man among the Brittains died Ethelbaldus King of Mercia desirous to annex the fertile soil of the Country lying between Severn and Wye to his own Kingdom gathered an Army and entered into Wales A battail near Abergevenny and destroying all before him he came to the Mountain Carno not far from Abergevenny where a sore battail was fought between him and the Brittains Anno seven hundred twenty eight This Mercian King called to his aid Adelard King of the West Saxons and gave battail to the Brittains where after a long and terrible conflict he obtained a bloody victory
to the River Dee again This land was of old time divided into four parts of which the chifest was Môn in English Anglesey Môn where the Princes chief house was at Abersfraw which is an Island separated from the mainland with an arme of the sea called Maenai and had in it self three Cantreds or hundreds which were subdivided into six Comots as Cantreff Abersfraw to comot Lhion and comot Malhtraeth Cantreff Cemais to the comots Talebolion and Tur Celyn An other absurd errour in Polidore Cantref Rossir to the comots Tindaethwy and Menai And at this day there is a trim town in that Island called Buemarish and a common passage to Ireland at Caergibi called in English Holy-head but here I cannot wink at that notable error of Polidore which after his accustomed fashion deemeth this Isle to be called not Môna but Anglesia or Anglorum Insula because it is called in English Anglesey and giveth this name Mona to Man and so hath lost the names of both Isles which ignorance and forgetfulness might be forgiven him if he had not drawn a great number to this errour with him which in their Charters do daily wrong-name these Isles which may be easily proved First because the Inhabitants of the Isle do know no other name but Môn and it is called through all VVales Tîr Môn that is to say the land of Môn unto this day so that neither by memory of Man neither by any Monument in writing in the British tongue can it appear that ever it had any other name but Môn yet there be manifest monuments for these 1000. years It is also grown to a proverb through VVales for the fertility of the ground Môn mam Gymry that is to say Môn mother of VVales The ancient history of Cornelius Tacitus which it seems age had beaten out of Polidors head saith that the Souldiers of Paulinus Suetonius and after of Julius Agricola after they had passed through Northwales then came over against Mona where they did swim over an arme of the sea 200. paces and so by force wan the Isle Now whether is it more reasonable thus to swim over 200 paces or 20 miles I know there are many believe Polidor in this point let all men therefore by this judge the rest As for that which he saith of the great woods Môn the seat of the superstitious Druids it is nothing for both the Romans and after when the Christian faith took place in the Realm the Christians did fall and root them out of the abominable Idolatry and superstition practised by the Druids in them as is touched before that the King of Man sent for timber to Mon Great trees found in the Earth read the life of Hugh E. of Chester which also is evident by the great beeches and other trees found in the earth in those dayes His other reason is because it is called Anglesey in the English tongue So is Lhoyger called England and Cambry Wales are those therefore the old names no surely and what if the inhabitants called it so as they did not had it not a name before the Angles wan it yes I warrant you but he had forgotten that Now the name of Man was ever or at the least these 1000 years named in Brittish Manaw of which cometh the English name Man The Inhabitants there call it so and no nation about it did ever call it Môn nor any writer but Polidor which was too young a Godfather to name so old a child For Gildas writ above 900. years since whose writings Polidor never saw but untruly fathers upon his own device Geraldus in his description of Ireland to Henry II and Henry Huntington do plainly call Man in Latine Eubonia adding thereto either Manaw or Man for the better understanding of the name will you believe them or Polydor other arguments there are which I passe over till I have more leisure and occasion to write of this matter Arvon The seccond part of Northwales was called Arvon which is as much as to say over against Mon and had in it four â—cantrefs and ten comots Cantref Abeer had in it three comots Y Lhechwedh Vchaf Y Lechwedhisat and Nanconwy Cantref Arvon had two comots Ywch Owyrnai and Isgwyrnai Cantref Dunodic had two comots Ardudwy and Enionyth Cantref Lhyyn containeth three comots Cymitmain Tinlhain and Canclogion This is now called Carnarvonshire the chief Town whereof is Carnarvon heretofore it was strongly walled and had a very fair Castle Edward the II. King of England was here borne and hence according to the custome of those times entituled Edward of Carnarvon The Princes of Wales had in this place their Chancery and Exchequer for all Northwales which was no small improvement to it Earl it had never any till this present age in which the late K. Charles conferred that title 1628. on Robert Lord Dormer of Wing created Earl of Carnarvon 4o. Carol. Aug. 2. and lost his life in the said Kings service Lord Dormer his son Earl of Carnarvon now living Azure 10 billets 4 3 2 and 1. Or in a chief of the second a Lyon Issuant sable incensed Gules And as Carnarvon hath given title to an Earl so hath Anglesey also though not by her ancient name Môn for anno 1624. Christopher Villiers brother to the D. of Buckingham was created E. of Anglesey September 24. Charles Villiers second Earl Argent on a crosse Gules five escolops Or a mullet for difference This Môn is also called Anglesey shire and hath both it and Carnarvonshire the same divisions at this day In this shire are Snowden hills called Eryri neither in height fertility of ground wood cattel fish and foul giving place to the famous Alps and without controversie the strongest country in Brittain Here is the Town of Carnarvon called in old time Caersegonce and there is also Conwey called Caer Giffin and See of Bangor with divers other ancient Castles and places of memory and vvas the last part of Wales that came under the Dominions of the Kings of England It hath on the North the Sea and Maenai upon the East and South East the River Conwey vvhich divideth it from Denbighshire vvhose principal Tovvn is Denbigh vvhich hath had Lords good store and of several families but none of them Parliamentary Peers in reverence to it till these latter times Of late it hath given title both of Lord and Earl to tvvo several families viz. to these 1 Robert Lord Dudley created Baron of Denbigh and Earl of Leicester Eliz. 6. Sep. 29 Or a Lyon Rampant his tail double forked vert 2 William Viscount Fielding created Earl of Dinbigh 20. Jac. Sept. 14. Master of the Ward robe c. Argent on fess Azure 3. fusils Or. This Shire is parted on the South West and West from Mirioneth with high mountains and Rivers and other Mears Merionith The third part of Gwineth was Merioneth containing three Cantrefs and every Cantref three comots
The Cantref Mereon hath three camots Talibont Pennal and Ysttumaner the Cantef of Arustly hath these Vwchcoed Iscoed and Guarthrenion Guarthrenion Cantref Perilhum hath these Vwchmeloch Ismeloh and Micnaint and this keepeth the said name till this day but not within the same Mears it is full of hills and rocks and hath upon the Northside the sea notable at this day for the great resort and number of people that repair thither to take herings it hath upon the East Arnon and Denbighland upon the south Powis and upon the West Dini and Cardiganshire In this Country standeth the Town of Harlech and a great lake called Lhin Tigid through which the river Dee runneth and medleth not withī the water of the Lake Note a wonder which is three miles long and also the Salmons which are commonly taken in the river hard by the Lake are never seen to enter the Lake likewise a kinde of fish called Guymaid which are like to Whitings and are full in the Lake and are never taken in the River not far from this Lake is a place called Garergay which was the house of Gay Arthurs foster brother This shire as well as Arvon is full of Cattel Fowl and Fish with great number of Deer and Roes but there is great scarcity of corn The fourth part of Gwenith was called Y Berusdhwlad which may be Englished the Inland or middle Countrey which contains 5. Cantrefs and had thirteen comots as cantref Rivomoc had in it these comots Vwbhalet and Isalet Cantref Ystrat had Hiraethoc and Cynmeirch Cantref Roff these Vwchdulas Isdulas and Crenthin which all are in the Lordship of Denbeigh saving the Crenthin which is in Carnarvonshire wherein the Castles of Dygandwy did stand which was the Earl of Chester and is commonly called in Latine English Chronicles Gannoc The 4th Cantref was Difrin Clwid which may be Englished the valley of Clwid and now is called the Lordship of Ruthin and hath those comots Coleigion Lhannerth and Dogvelin The fifth Cantref is Tengle and is now a part of Flintshire having these comots Counsylht Prestatyn and Ruthlan and in this part is one of the fairest valleys within this Isle containing 18. miles in length and 4 5 6 or 7. in breadth as the hills either draw inward together or backward asunder which high hills do enclose it on the East West and South parts and Northward the sea it is plentiful of Cattel fish and foul corn hay grasse and wood and divided along in the middle with the river Clwy to whom runneth Clywedoc Ystrad Whilar Elwy and a great number of other rivers from the hills In this valley two miles from the sea is the town and Castle of Ruthlan where sometime a Parliament hath been kept and two miles above it is the See of Asaph between the rivers Cly and Elwy called in the old time the Bishops See of Lhan Elup Four miles thence and two miles from the river is situate upon a rock the town and Castle of Denbigh where is one of the gratest Markets of the Marshes of Wales and one of the fairest and strongest Castles within this Realm which being the house of David brother of Lhewelin the last Prince of the Welsh blood was enlarged and strengthened by Henry Lacy Earl of Lincoln to whom K. Edward gave the same Lordship It is also the Shire Town of that Shire Anno 12. Ed. 1. five miles above this is the Town of Ruthin with a fair Castle which sometimes belonged to the Lords Grey Earles of Kent This part of Northwales hath upon the North the river Dee and the sea upon the West Arnon and the river Conwey South and east Merionith and the country he called Powys and these be the mears and bounds of Gwyneth or Venedotia for the name of Northwales containeth beside this all Powis in these dayes so there was under the territory of Terffraw 15. Cantrefs and in them 38 comots The second Kingdom was Mathranal which in right order was the third as that which came to third brother yet for the better understanding of the History following I have placed it here To this Kingdom belonged the Country of Powis and the land betwixt Wy and Severne which part had upon the South and West Southwales with the river Wy and Twyl and other meers upon the North Gwineth and upon the East the Marshes of England from Chester to Wy a little above Hereford and therefore it was most troubled with wars as well of the Saxons as afterwards of the Normans Lords Marchers who afterwards daily wan some part thereof and by that means it was the first part that served the Kings of England and therefore lesse esteemed of all the rest This part called Powis was divided again into Powis Vadoc and Powis Wenwin win Powis Vadoc contained in it self five Cantreds and 15 comots Cantref Y Barwn which hath three comots Dynmael Edeyrneon and Glindourdwy which be now in Merionithshire saving Dinmael which is in Denbighshire Cantref Y Rhiw whose comots are these Yal now in Denbigshire Staytalin and Hop now in Flintshire Cantref Treferd containeth these comots Creosuam Tref Y wayn in English Chirk and in Denbighshire Toesoswallt English Oswestred and in Shropshire Cantref Vwchnant hath these comots Merforth in Flintshire Maelor Gymraeg in English Bromfield now in Denbighshire and Meoler Saesneg in Flintshire Cantref Rayder with his comots Morchnant Israider Clynhaeth and Nanhendwy all in Chirkland and in Denbighshire Also the Lordship of Whittington now in Shropshire was in this part of Powis which part at this day hath lost the name of Powis and is situate in divers Shires as it appeareth by the discourse before passed In this part is the Castle of Holt in Bromfield and the Castle of Chirk in Chirkland likewise the Lordship and Castle of Whittington which came by marriage to Goulh Fitzwarren There is besides these the Lordship of Oswestre of the which the Fitz Allans have been Lords these 300 years and odd and of divers other Lordships in those Marches as Shrarden the eleven townes Clun and many others which are now in Shropshire The second part call'd Powis Wenwinwin had likevvise five cantreds and tvvelve comots Cantref Y Vyrnwy had these comots Mechnant Vwch Rayader Mechain Iscoed and Lhanerch Hudol Cantref Ystile hath these Deuthwr Gorthwr Isaf and Strat Marchelch Cantref Lhyswinaf had these Caerneneon and Mechain Vwchcoed Cantref Cydowen had comot Conan and comot Hauren Cantref Conan had Cyveilioc and Mouthwy which is now in Merionithshire of all these the three first Cantreds do only at this day bear the name of Powis which are upon the Northside of Severne and are all five saving the comot of Mothwy in the County of Montgomery This is a Country full of Wods Hills and Rivers and hath in it these towns the Pool Newtown Machinlheth Arustly was in old time in this part but afterwards it came to the Princes of Gwineth These Lordships came by just
delcent from the Princes thereof to a Woman named Hawys the daughter of Owen ap Gruffith as appeareth in the history following Arustly and Cyneloc came to the Baron of Dudley and afterwards was sold to the King The third part belonging to Mathrual was the land between Wye and Severn containing four Cantreds and 13. comots Cantref Melienith hath these Comots Cery Swithygre Lewalalht and Glin Seithon Cantref Elnel hath these Vwch Minydh and Lhochdhiffnog Cantref Yclawdh these Dyffryn Teyveydat Swydhygnogen and Pennwelht Cantref Bulcht hath these Swidhi Vam Drenlies and Isyrwon Of this part there is at this day some in Montgomery shire some in Radnorshire and some in Brechnockshire in this part and in the Lordship marching to it which although at the time of the division which was in the time of the last prince were not in his subjection yet to this day speak Welsh and are called Wales and in those comots are these Towns and Castles Montgomery in these late wars utterly destroyed and levelled with the ground though the Lord thereof Edward Lord Herbert took armes with the Parliament called in Welsh Trevaldwin a small Town but a most beautiful Castle a little before its desolation much and magnificently enlarged and adorned by the said Lord and for situation almost impregnable The Castle of Clun called Colunwy which is the Earles of Arundel who amongst his other honourable titles is Baron of Clun and Oswestrie The Town of Knighton in Welsh Trefilcawd The Castle of Cymaron Presthyn in Welsh Lhanandras The Town and Castle of Radnor in Welsh Maesynet at this day the Shire-Town The Town of Knighton and the Castle of Huntington called in Welsh Y Castelh Mayn which were the Bohunes Earles of Hereford and after the D. of Buckingham Castle Haye Payne Lhanvair in Buecht These Lordships with Brechvoc and Aberganeny were belonging to the Bruses Lords of Brechnoch and after came divers times and by sundry means to the Bohunes Nevils and Mortimers and so in this Kingdom or Territory were found 14 Cantreds and 40 comots Two of these parts which are Powis and Gwineth are at this day called Northwales and divided into six shires Môn called Anglesey Carnarvon Merioneth Denbigh Flint and Montgomeryshire are of all on the Northside Severn saving a piece of Montgomeryshire And here I think it good to let the Reader understand what the Brittish Chronicle saith of Northwales which affirmeth that three times by inheritance it came to Women first to Stradwen Daughter to Cadvan ap Conan ap Endaf and wife to Coel Godeboc Mother to Genaw Dyvor and Gwawl The second time to the same Gwawl wife to Edeyrn ap Padern and mother to Cunetha Wledic which Cunetha inhabiting in the North parts of England about the year 540. after the incarnation of Christ and hearing how the mingled Nations of the Irish Scots and Picts had overrun the sea shore of Cardigan which was part of his inheritance sent his sons thither to enjoy their inheritance of the which Tibiaon his eldest son died in Man which land the said Irish Scots had wan for Gildas saith that of the Children of Clam Hector which peopled a great part of Ireland Yscroeth with his people inhabited Dalrienda 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 vulgo Manaw quae est in meditullio maris inter Hiberniam Brittanniam that is to say Builke with his Children inhabited the Isle Eubonia commonly called Manaw for so it is and was named in Brittish which lyeth in the middle of the sea between Ireland and Brittain This was not called Mona as Polidore saith The children of Bethoun inhabited Demetia which is Southwales with Gwyr and Cydweli till they were chased thence by the children of Cunetha thus far Gildas Therefore the Sons of Cunetha being arived in Northwales as well I think being driven by the Saxons as for their inheritance divided the Country betwixt them And first Micreaon the son of Tibiaon the son of Cunetha had Cantref Meireaon to his part Arustel ap Gwenetha had cantref Arust Caradoc ap Cunetha had Caerdegion now Cardiganshire Dunod had cantref Dunodic Edeyrn had Edeyhnion Mael had Dynmmael Coel had Coleyon Dogvael had Dogvelyn Ryvaon had Rivomoc now Denbighland Eneore Yrch had Caerneon in Powis Vssa had Maesuswlht now Oswestre For surely that which they say commonly of Oswald King of Northumherland to be slain there and of the Well which sprung where his arm was carried is nothing so For Beda and all writers testify that Penda slew Oswald at Maserfelt in the Kingdom of Northumberland and his body was buryed in the Abbey of Bardney in the province of Lindsey on the third part of Lincolnshire which Province gave title of Earl to Robert Bertu Lord Willoughbie of Eresbie who was created being Lord great Chamberlain of England by inheritance Earl of Lindsey 2. Car. Novemb. 29 and was General for the King at Edgehill where he valiantly lost his life in his Masters right and quarrel bearing for his arms Argent 3 battering rams barwise proper headed and hooped Azure The ruines of Bardney Abbey are yet to be seen But to my former matter these names given by the sons of Cunetha remain to this day After this the Irish-Picts and Scots which the Brittains called Y Gwidhyl Phichiaid which is to say the Irish Picts did overrun the Isle of Môn and were driven thence by Caswalhon Lhawhir that is Caswalhon with the long hand the Son of Eneon Yrch ap Cunedha who slew Seoigi their King with his own hands at Lhany Gwydhyl which is the Irish church at Holyhead This Caswalhon was father to Maelgon Gwyneth whom the Latines call Maglocunus Prince and King of Brittain In this time was the famous Clerk and great wise man Talissyn Ben Beirdh that is to say the chiefest of the Beirdh or wise men for this word Bardh in Caesars time signified as Lucan beareth witnesse such as had knowledg of things to come and so it signifieth at this day This Maelgon had a son called Run in whose time the Saxons united Gurmund unto Brittain from Ireland who had come hither from Affrick who with the Saxons was the utter destruction of the Brittains and slew all that professed Christ Gurmund an Affrican King of Ireland was the first that drove the Brittans over Severne and was the first that drove them over Severne This Run was father to Beli who was father to Jago for so the Brittains call James who was father to Cadvan and not Brochwell called Brecyval as the English Chronicle saith for this Brochwell Ysgithroc that is long-toothed was chosen leader of such as met with Adelred alias Ethelbertus Rex Cantiae and other Angles and Saxons who put Brochel twice to flight not far from Chester and cruelly slew 1000 Priests and Monks of Bangor with a great
the Peak in Darbyshire Esq Note that Iohn Vernon son of Sir Henry Vernon married Anne daughter to Iohn Ludlow Esq son to Sir Richard Ludlow and Elizabeth his wife daughter of Richard Grey L. of Powis and Margaret daughter of Iames Audley both which families are derived from Welsh progenitors George Mannors of Haddon Esq Grace daughter to Sir Henry Peirpoint descended from Brittish line as in the Marquess of Dorchesters pedegree Iohn Mannors L. Ross Belvior and Trushat E. of Rutland 1661. Francis daughter to Edward Lord Montague RUTLAND Rutland for quantity is the least County of England for quality not inferiour to the best as being a pleasant and fruitfull Country especially about the vale Catmoss The earth thereof is generally very red of colour so red that even the Fleeces of the sheep are coloured with it in which regard it had the name of Rudland the Saxons calling it Rud which we now call red Heretofore it was reckoned for a part of North-hamptonshire not made a County till of late it containeth in it 48. Parishes in the whole the chief of which are Uppingham and Oakham two small Market Towns of which the last is the Shire town for the Assises Sessions and all publick business yet small and little though it be it can shew the seats and titles of four Parliamentary Barons and besides that it hath honoured many a noble person with the name and title of Earls of RUTLAND 1. Edward Plant. son of Edmund of Langley Duke of York 2. Edmund Plant. second son of R. D. of York 3. Thomas Mannors descended by his mother from the Duke of York Earl of Rutland 4. Henry Mannors 5. Edward Mannors 6. Iohn Mannors 7 Roger Mannors 8. Francis Mannors 9. Iohn Mannors Iohn Mannors now Earl of Rutland 1661. The Earle of Pembrock Bernard Newmarsh or Newmark L. of Brecon Nest daughter of Grissith ap Lhewellin Prince of Southwales Milo Earl of Hereford Sibil daughter and heir of Bernard Newmarsh Herbert Lord of the Forrest of Dean Lucy one of the daughters and co-heirs of Milo Earl of Hereford Peter ap Herbert Esq Alice daughter and heir of Blethin Broadspear Lord of Llanthloell and Beachley Reginald ap Peter Esq Margaret daughter to Sir John VVelsh Kt. Adam ap Reginald Esq Crisley daughter and h. to Gwaindy Lord of Gwarendy Esq Ienkin ap Adam of Gwarendy Esq Gwenllian d. to Aron ap Bledri Kt. Gwinllin Ienkin of Gwarendy Esq Gwenllian daughter to Howel ap Ioroth or Yorrath of Tylegles Esq Thom. Gwillin Ienkin of Gwarendy Esq Maud daughter and heir of Sir Iohn Borley Kt. Sir VVilliam Thomas Kt. Gladys d. to Sr. David Game Kt. VVilliam Herbert created E. of Pembrook temp Hen. 4 Anne daughter to Sir Walter Devereux K. William Herbert of Ewyas of Sir Matthew Câ—adoc Kt. William Herbert created Earl of Pembrock 1468. Anne daughter of Thomas Par Baron of Kendal and sister and co-heir of William Par Marquess of Northampton and Earl of Essex Henry Herbert Earl of Pembrock Mary daughter to Sir Henry Sidney Kt. L. Deputy of Ireland William Herbert Earl of Pembrock sans issue Mary eldest daughter and co-heir to Gilbert Talbot E. of Shrewsbury Philip Herbert E of Pembrock Montgomery Susan daughter and at length co-heir of Edward Vere Earl of Oxford by which match this honourable family again descends from the Brittish line Philip Herbert E. of Pembrock and Montgomery 1661. PEMBROCK Pembrockshire is a County plentifull of Corn and Cattel and not distitute of Pitcoale and which is far above all the rest as Giraldus tells us considering that it is so near to Ireland of a temperate and wholesome air It contains in it 140. Parish Churches and five Markets that which is most of note being Milford renowned for its safe and capacious haven but that from which it takes denomination is the Town of Pembrock seated upon a forked arm of Milford haven and in the best part of all the Country a Town consisting principally of one long street on a long narrow point of the Rock and hath within the walls thereof two Churches The Earls hereof in former times were County Palatines and passed all things that concerned that Country under the Seal of the Earldom and it continued so untill the reign of K. Henry VIII when as Wales was reduced to England and the authority of the great Lords there dissolved by Parliament since when the Earls of Pembrock have been meerly titular as of other places and of each sort were those in their several ages the Marquesses and Earles OF PEMBROCK Gilbert de Clare Richard de Clare surnamed Strongbow VVilliam Marshall married Isabel daughter and heir of Richard Strongbow VVilliam Marshal L. chief Justice Richard Marshall Gilbert Marshall VValter Marshall Anselme Marshall VVilliam de Valence half brother to K. Henry III. whose wife was daughter of a sister of Anselme Marshall Agmer de Valence Laurence Hastings who married the Lady Isabel de Valence John Hastings John Hastings Humphrey D. of Glocester William de la Pole D. of Suffolk Jasper of Hatfield D. of Bedford William Herbert William Herbert Edw P. of Wales son to K. Ed 4. Anne Colen Marchionesse of Pembrock wife to K. Henry 8. William Herbert Lord Stewarâ— â—reated Earl of Pembrock by K. Edw. 6. Henry Herbert William Herbert Lord Stuard and Chamberlain of Oxford Philip Herbert E. of Pembrock and Montgomery Philip Herbert E. of Pembrock and Montgomery 1661. Earles of Dorset THomas Sackvile Earle of Dorset Cecily daughter to Sir John Baker Kt. Robert Sackvile E. of Dorset Margaret sole daughter of Thomas Duke of Norfolk by which match this right honourable family is diversly descended from the Brittish blood as at large appeareth in the pedegree of the Dukes of Norfolk Richard Sackvill E. of Dorset Anne d. and sole h. of George E. of Cumberland descended by a daughter and co-heir from Char. Brandon Duke of Suffolk and Mary Queen of France daughter to King Henry VII and Elizabeth his wife heir general to the house of York and consequently to the Mortimers E. of March of which family Raph L. Mortimer of Wigmore married Gladis sister and heir to David and daughter to Lhewellin Prince of Northwales as likewise Henry the 7th descended from Owen Tweder lineally sprung from the Princes of Southwales Edward Sackvil E. of Dorset Mary sole daughter of Sir George Curson Kt. Edward Sackvile now E. of Dorset 1661. DORSET The County of Dorset abutteth upon that of Devon having the Sea upon the South and Somersetshire upon the North. The air good and of an healthful constitution the soil fat and rich in many places and wherein that is defective it yields good store of Woods and Pasture The Country generally very pleasant in her situation as being no less beholden to the Inner-land Rivers then the bordering Ocean the one yielding Merchandise from far the other the commodity of conveyance to the most parts thereof and both of them good store of Fish It
1038. Hernon Archbishop of Menevia or St. Davids died a man both learned and godly the next year following Howel King of Southwales gathered a great power of his friends and strangers and entered the land intending to overcome it again wherefore Gruffith like a worthy Prince came with all speed to succour his people and meeting with Howel at Pencadair after he had incouraged his Soldiers gave him battail and overthrew him and pursued him so narrowly that he took Howels wife whom he had brought to the field to see the overthrow of Gruffith which chanced otherwise whom Gruffith liked so well that he kept her for his Concubine year 1041 In the year 1041. Howel came again to Southwales and remained there a while and shortly after a number of strangers landed in Westwales and spoyled the Country against whom Howel gathered his forces and fought with them and drove them to their ships with much loss At this time Conan the son of Jago who had fled to Ireland to save his life with the power of Alfred King of Develin whose daughter Ranulph he had married entered Northwales and by treason had taken Gruffith the King and carried him towards the ships but when it was known the Country upon a suddain followed the Irishmen and overtaking them rescued their Prince requiting their foes with much slaughter forcing them to their ships who returned with Conan to Ireland The year following Howel the son of Owen Lord of Glamorgan dyed being a man full of years Then Howel ap Edwin called to his succour Danes and Englishmen with all the power he could make in Southwales whereof Gruffith being certified gathered his power together in Northwales and came couragiously to meet his enemies whom he had twice before discomfited and overcame them and chased them as far as the spring of the River Towy where after a long and dangerous battail Howel was slain and his army routed and so narrowly pursued that few escaped alive After whose death Ritherck and Rees the sons of Ritherck ap Iestyn aspiring again to the rule and government of Southwales which their father had once obtained gathered a great army as well of Strangers as out of Gwentland and Glamorgan and met with Gruffith King of Wales who after his accustomed manner detracting no time but couragiously animating his men with the remembrance of their former fortune and divers victories under his standard joyned battail with his enemies whom he found disposed to abide and to win again the honour they had lost wherefore when they met the fight was cruell and bloody and continued till night which easily departed both armies being weary with fighting and either fearing other returned to their Countreys to gather more strength This year Ioseph Bishop of Teilo or Lhandaf died at Rome The Bishop of Landaff dyeth at Rome The land being thus quieted Gruffith ruled all Wales without any trouble till about two years after the Gentlemen of Ystrad Towy did by treason kill 140 of the Prince his best Soldiers to revenge whose death the King Gruffith destroyed all Dinet and Ystrad Towy Here is also to be noted that such snow fell this year that it lay upon the earth from the Kalends of Ianuary to the fourteenth of March. In the year 1050 Conan the son of Iago did gather an army of his friends in Ireland minding to recover his inheritance again as he sailed towards Wales there arose such a tempest that it scattered his navy abroad and drowned the most part of his ships so that he was disappointed of his purpose and lost his labour This Earl Godwin that wicked Earl of Kent whose lands were swallowed up by the Sea and as this day called Godwins sands pernicious and terrible to Navigators as late experience hath taught us About this time Godwin being summoned to appear and answer before King Edward Conf. at Glocester the guilty Earl Godwin fearing the Kings displeasure who could never brook him since the death of his brother Alfred gathered an army out of Kent and other Countries where his sons ruled or had power and so came tovvards Glocester reporting abroad that all his preparation was made to resist Gruffith Prince of Wales who as they affirmed was ready with an army to invade the Marches but King Edward being certified by the Welshmen that there was no such thing in hand commanded Godwin to send back his army Matth. West writeth that about this time to wit anno 1053. Rees the brother of Gruffith King of Wales was slain in a place called Balendane which place since was called Pen Rees and lately belonged to Sir Ed. Morgan Baronet but sold from the house as he did much more to the ruin of his family though the fault be laid upon upon his son I say no more but God knows how 〈◊〉 whose head was presented to the King at Glocester the day before the Epiphany According to the computation of Authours neer these times Machbeth King of Scotland caused a noble man named Bancho to be cruelly murthered whereupon Fleance the son of the sad Bancho escaping the hands of Macebeth fled to Gruffith ap Lhewelyn Prince of Wales where being joyfully received and entertained courteously he grew into such favour with the said Prince that he thought nothing too good for him But in processe of time Fleance forgetting the courtesy to him shewed fell in love with the Princes daughter and got her with child which thing the Prince took in ill part that he in rage caused Fleance to be killed holding his daughter in most vile estate of servitude for so suffering her self to be de flowered by a stranger At length she was delivered of a son which was named Walter who in few years proved a man of great courage and valour in whom from his childhod appeared a certain noblenesse of mind and ready to attempt any great enterprise This Walter on a time fell out with one of his companions who in that great heat of contention objected unto him that he was but a bastard begotten in an unlawful bed which reproach so grieved Walter that he fell upon the other and slew him whereupon fearing the punishment of the law he fled into Scotland and there fell into the company of those Englishmen which were come thither with Queen Margaret the sister of Edgar Edeling amongst whom he shewed himself so discreet and sober in all his demeanour that he was highly esteemed of all men and so attaining to higher reputation and credit was afterwards imployed in the affairs of the Commonwealth at length made Lord Steward of Scotland receiving the King revenues of the whole realme Of the which Office he and his posterity retained that Sirname of Steward ever after from whom descended the most noble Kings of Scotland besides many other Dukes Marquesses Earls and Barons of great fame and honour Whosoever desireth to be more fully satisfyed in this matter let him read and peruse E. Holenshed and he
whole Countrey Gruffith of Northwales and Rees of Southwales descending both lineally from Roderic the Great against whom came Trahern ap Caradoc and Caradoc Gruffith and Mailer the sons of Rywalhon ap Gwyn his cosin Germans for Gwyn ap Blethin was their Grandfather who in those daies were the chief Rulers of all Wales and after they had met at the Mountains of Carno they fought a cruel battel and were the more eager because upon that daies work lay the lives and honour of either party but at length the victory fell to Gruffith and Rees and Trahern with his cosins were all slain and most part of their people then the Kingdomes of Wales came under the rule of the right heirs again At this time also a noble man in VVales called Vrgency ap Sitsylht was slain by the sons of Rees Sais i. e. Rees the Englishman for so they used to name all such as had served in England or could speak English Gules three Lyons pass Gardant or other say onely passant which I rather approve of Gruffith the Son of Conan The Welsh Princes do homage to VVilliam the Conquerour After the death of Trahern Gruffith ap Conan did quietly rule Northwales and Rees ap Theodore Southwales In the year 1079. William commonly called the Conquerour entred VVales with a great Army and passed as far as Saint Davids where he offered and took homage of the Kings of the Land And not long after the Sepulchre of VValwey King Arthurs Sisters Son was found upon the sea shore in the Countrey of Ros the body by estimation upon viewing of the bones was thought to be fourteen foot in length VValwey in his life time was a right noble and valiant Warriour of very good reputation who ruled that Country which to this day from him is called VValwethay Caerdiff built And this year Sulion forsook his Bishoprick the second time and VVilfrid was enstalled in his place and in this time also the Town of Caerdyff was built year 1087 About the year 1087. the sons of Blethyn ap Convyn sometime King of VVales gathered their strengths together against Rees of Tewdor who not being able to meet them fled to Ireland and there he purchased to himself great friends and got an Army of Irishmen and Scots to whom he promised great Rewards when he should obtain his Kingdome and so landed in Southwales with those strangers which when his friends heard of they drew to him and the other came in all haste thinking to fight with him before his power should encrease and at Lhechryd they gave him battel where they were overthrown and two of the Brethren slain to wit Madoc and Riryd and the other fled and forsook the Countrey As soon as Rees was in quiet possession of his Kingdome he sent home his strangers with great rewards About this time the Shrine of Saint David was stollen out of the Church and when all the Jewels and Treasures were taken away the Shrine was left where it might be found again About this time the Earls of Hereford and Shrewsbury with the VVelshmen burned all VVorcestershire and Glocestershire to the very gates of VVorcester And in the year 1088. there was a terrible Earthquake through all the land and the year following dyed Sulien the godliest and wisest man and the greatest Clerk in all Wales being 89. years old About this time certain strangers which were Rovers upon the seas landed at St. David and robbed it and burned the Town at which time also Cadinor the the son of Colhoyn Lord of Dinet dyed whose sons Lhewelyn and Eneon moved Gruffith the son of Meredyth to make war against their Lord and Prince Rees ap Tewdor and so joyning all their strength together came against him to Lhandydoc where Rees was who gave them battail and putting them to flight pursued them so sore that he took Gruffith ap Meredith and put him death but Eneon son to Cadinor ap Colhoyn fled to Jestin Lord of Morganwc who likewise rebelled against Rees ap Theodor and promised upon condition to have Jestins daughter in marriage and certain other covenants then agreed upon between them to bring to their succours an army of Normans for he had served in England before and was well known and acquainted with all the English Nobility which things being thus concluded they were fully determined to be revenged upon Rees And so Eneon went to England and wrought such means that he procured Robert Fitzhamon in the reign of William Rufus which twelve other Knights to gather a great army of Frenchmen and Normans to come to their aid who shortly after landed in Glamorganshire where Jestin ap Gurgent Lord of the Land received them with much honour and joyning his power to theirs burned and spoyled Prince Rees it grieved him exceedingly whereupon he suddainly gathered his people and met him not far from Brecknock where after a terrible fight he was slain with whom fell and decayed the Kingdom of Southwales This Rees had by his wife the daughter of Rywalhon ap Convin a son called Gruffith who at his fathers death was but a very child and one Grovo that was in the Kings prison These Normans after they had received their promised Salary and great rewards of Jestin returned to their ships When Eneon burthened Jestin with the promise of his daughter in marriage Jestin laughed him to scorn and told him that he would bestow his daughter otherwise whereupon Eneon full of anger and despite followed the Normans and when he came to the shore they were all a shipboard Then he shouted to them and made a sign with his cloak to call them back and they returned again to know his meaning Then he went to the chiefest of them and shewed his abuse at Jestins hands declaring withall how easie it was for them to win that fair and pleasant Country from Jestin whom for his treason to Rees none other Prince of Wales would succour whereunto they easily perswaded turned all their power against him for whose defence they had come thither and at whose hands they had been well entertained and recompenced with rich gifts and rewards And first they spoyled him of his country who mistrusted them not and took all the fertile and valley land to themselves and left the barren and rough mountains for Eneon his part the names of Robert and the twelve Knights and parcels which fell to each ones share were these Azure a Lyon rampant gardant Or encensed gules Those men whose Coats are mentioned and their Heirs have enjoyed the Country to this day who were the first strangers that ever Inhabited Wales since the time oâ— Camber Of this King or Prince Master Mills saith Griffin Prince of Northwales son and successour of Conan the Prince between this Griffin or rather Gruffith and Blethyn Prince of Powis and Rees the son of Theodore Prince of Demetia there was a great search and enquiry made concerning their Armes and military Ensigns as
Montgomery had begun a Castle before And shortly after Madoc ap Riryd returned from Ireland because he could not well brook the Manners and conditions of the Irishmen and being arrived came to the Country of his Unkle Jorwerth who hearing that and fearing the loss of his Lands as his Brother Cadogan had done made a Proclamation that no Man should aid him but take him as an Enemy which when Madoc understood he enticed many unthrifts and outlaws and kept himself in the Rocks and Woods contriving how he might be revenged on Jorwerth for so great a discourtesie as he imagined and thereupon concluded a friendship privately with Lhywarch ap Trahearn who hated Jorwerth to death and having intelligence that Jorwerth lay one night at Caerneon they two gathered all their strength and environ'd the house about midnight which Jorwerth and his Men perceiving armed themselves and defended the place till their foes set it on fire which when Jorwerth's Men perceived every one shifted for himself so that some were slain others burnt few escaping Jorwerth having the true heart of a noble Prince chose rather to adventure and manfully to dye with sword in hand then to be burnt without a glorious action came out but his merciless Enemies received him with the point of their spears and violently cast him into the flames of the raging fire where that gallant man payed what was due to nature death yet by which his name is eternized As soon as the King understood this he called Cadogan before him and gave him his brothers Land which was Powis and promised Owen his pardon willing his Father to send him to Ireland When Madoc saw his other Unkle Cadogan rule the Country he hid himself in rough and desert places and adding one mischief upon an other determined also to murder him by one way or an other Therefore after Cadogan had brought the Country to some stay of quietness and administred Justice therein having ever an eye and respect to the King he came to Trallwug now called Pool and the elders of the Country with him and determining to dwell there began to build a Castle But Madoc hatching nothing but mischief hearing this came suddainly upon him and Cadogan thinking no hurt was slain before he could either fight or fly After this Madoc sent incontinently to the Bishop of London the Kings Lieutenant at Shrewsbury and entreated him to remember what he had promised when he chased Owen out of his Land for the Bishop hated Owen and Cadogan and gave Madoc all such Lands as his brother Ithel was possessed of Meredyth the Son of Blethyn hearing of the death of both his brethren posted to the King desiring of him the Lands of Jorwerth which Cadogan had lately obtained and the King gave him the rule thereof till such time as Owen Son to Cadogan should come from Ireland who came shortly after and went to the King who received him to his peace and gave him his Lands whereupon Owen promised to the King a great Fine and gave pledges for payment of the same likewise Madoc did fine to the King for his peace and lands nevertheless the King wisht him to take heed of the Kinsfolks of such as he had murdered upon his own peril year 1112 In the year 1112. Meredyth ap Blethyn sent a party to make an Inroad into the Country of Lhywarch ap Trahearn ap Gwyn who was Meredyths and Owens Enemy as he that succoured Madoc to kill his Unkles Jorwerth and Cadogan Meredyths brethren These Men as they passed through the Country of Madoc in the night met with a Man which belonged to Madoc The welsh despairing one of another make way for their enemy to subvert them all whom they took and examined where his Master was he at first said that he could not tell but being threatned with death he confessed that he was not far from thence Therefore they lay quietly all that night and in twy-light next morning they came suddainly upon Madoc and his men where they slew many of them and taking Madoc prisoner they brought him to their Lord who was right glad thereof and secured his person till he had sent word to his Nephew Owen who immediately upon the news repaired thither A great curtesie no question to put out a mans eyes and save his life then Meredyth delivered Madoc unto him And albeit he had slain Owens Father his own Unkle yet Owen remembering the friendship and Oath that had been betwixt them in times past would not put him to death but putting out his eyes let him go Then Meredyth and Owen divided the Lands betwixt them which was Caerneon Aberhiw and the third part of Devthwr year 1113 The year following King Henry prepared an Army against Wales being thereunto provoked by such as would have the Welshmens Lands to wit Gilbert Strongbow Earl of Strigyl to whom the King had given Caerdigan who made grievous complaints against Owen ap Cadogan declaring that he received and maintained such as robbed and plundered the Country Also Hugh Earl of Chester said no less by Gruffith ap Conan Prince of Northwales A rash and unchristian oath how that his men and the Men of Grono ap Owen ap Edwyn Lord of Tegengl wasted the Country of Cheshire adding to aggravate the matter that Gruffith did neither acknowledg to owe service nor pay tribute to the King whereupon the King swore that he would not leave one living Creature in Northwales and Powis Land but new colonize them Then dividing his army into three parts the leading of the first he committed to Gilbert Earl of Strygull Two great Kings against two petty princes a great conquest no doubt wherein was the whole power of all the fourth part of England and Cornwall against Southwales Alexander King of Scotland had the leading of the second division with Hugh Earl of Chester wherein the power of Scotland and the North was which went against Northwales and the King led the third himself wherein was the strength of midle England Then Meredith ap Blethyn fearing this came and yielded himself to the King But Owen fearing to commit himself to them who were so greedy of his Lands fled to Gruffith ap Conan to Northwales whereupon the King turning all his strength that way came himself as far as Murcastelh and the King of Scots as far as Pennant Bachwy but the people fled to the mountains and woods and carried all their victualls and cattel with them so that the King could not follow them and such of his Men as entered the Land were either slain or galled in the Straits Then the Scottish King sent to the Prince to come and yield himself to the King and promised him the Kings peace but he was acquainted with such promises and would not The King therefore because he would not return without doing something sent to Owen to come to him and to forsake the Prince who was not able to defend
understood that Owen was there with so little company they thought the opportunity very seasonable to be revenged for their old vvorngs and so pursued them to the Woods Owen having intelligence by his men that a great number pursued him advised him to make haste away who utterly refused it Drinking no new vice among the Dutch because he conceived them that followed him to be the Kings friends and nothing doubting of them But when they approached nigh they began to shout at his men who would have had Owen to fly but he turned manfully to his Enemies and encouraged his men to fight A just punishment for one that assisteth a forreign enemy against his own kin and Country affirming that although their enemies were seven to one yet they were but Flemmings and such as feared their names and were good for nothing but to empty cups and with that set upon them couragiously And it chanced that at the first meeting Owen was stricken with an arrow to the heart and slain which when his men perceived they fled and brought word to Lywarck ap Traherne and their followers who suspecting the Kings army seeing they could not trust them in the Kings service returned to their Country After the death of Owen his brethren divided his Lands between them The Children of Cadogan ap Blethyn saving that which he had taken by force from his Unckle Meredyth being the Lands of Madoc ap Riryd ap Blethyn the names of his brethren were these Madoc whose mother was Gwenlhan the Daughter of Gruffith ap Conan Eneon whose mother was Sanna the Daughter of Dyfnwall This Family of Picot if I mistake not were Lords of Ragland Castle in Monmothshire one of which married the d. and h. of Sir Rich. Enderby brother to Sir Will. Enderby from whom descended Percy Ence by the collector of this history Morgan whose Mother was Evelbivv or Elhiw the Daughter of Cadivor ap Colhoyn Lord of Dynet Henry and Gruffith whose mother was the Daughter of the Lord Pigot Cadogans wedded wife Meredyth by Eururon Hoedliw Owen was Son of Inerth the daughter of Edwyn After this Eneon ap Cadogan and Gruffith ap Meredyth ap Blethyn did lead their forces against a Castle that Vchtryd ap Edwyn had built at Cymmer in Merionyth for Cadogan had given to his cosin Germain Vchtryd Merionyth and Cevilioc upon condition that he and his should be friends to his friends and Enemies to his Enemies in all causes but contrary to that condition he and his Sons were ever against Cadogans children in every enterprise that they went about Therefore after they had set upon the Castle and slain divers of the Garrison the rest yeilded unto them and thus when they had won all the Country they divided it betwixt them whereupon Gruffith ap Meridith had Mowthwy Cyneliock and halfe Penlhyn and the other half of Penlhyn and Merioneth came to Eneon In the year 1116. dyed William Strongbow of a Consumption and the next year following fel a great variance betwixt Howel ap Ithel Lord of Ros and Rivonioc now Denbighland and Riryd and Lhywarch the Sons of Owen ap Edwyn Ingratum dixeris omnia dixeris Then Howel sent to Meredyth ap Blethyn and to Eneon and Madoc Cadogans Sons for succour who came down from Merioneth with 400. Men well appointed and met with the Sons of Owen in the vale of Clwyd their own Land which Sons of Owen sent for their cosins the Sons of Vchtryd to come with their aid to relieve and succour them All these met together with enraged hearts and fought manfully but in the end after great slaughter Lhywarch the Son of Owen ap Edwyn was slain and with him Jorwerth the Son of Nudh who was a Noble man and a worthy Soldier and Riryd fled So that Howel ap Ithel had the victory but he was so sore wounded that he dyed within 40 dayes after Meredyth ap Blethyn and the Sons of Cadogan hasted home for fear of the Frenchmen who lay in garrison about Chester About the year 1121. King Henry the first prepared a great army against Wales and came to Powis Land which when the Lords of the Land Meredyth ap Blethyn and the three Sons of Cadogan Eneon Madoc and Morgan saw they sent to Gruffith ap Conan Prince of Northwales to desire succours from him but he answered that they should not have any from him nor enter within his lands for that he had made peace with the King Thus having no hope of aid from him they purposed to defend themselves within their own Land after the best manner they could and set men to keep and defend the Straits whereby the Enemies must needs pass And as it chanced the King himself with a small number came unto one of those defended places for this whole Army had gone a further way about by reason of their carriages at whose coming the Men who kept the straits skirmished with the Kings Men and with their arrowes having the advantage of the ground slew some and hurt many Among those one drew his bow and shooting towards his foes by fortune struck the King a great blow upon his brest but by means of his coat of Male the arrow hurt him not nevertheless he was wonderfully dismaid and considering how rashly by misfortune he might lose in that wild Country the honour and fame which he had won before did send to parle with them that kept the passage and to will them under assurance to come and speak with him which they did then he asked them whose men they were and how they durst be so bold as to put the King in such dangers and they said that they vvere Meredyth ap Blethyns men and did nothing but their masters command in keeping the passage vvhereupon the King vvilled them to go for their master and counsel him to enbrace the Kings peace and he should receive no hurt vvhich he and his cozens did and fined to the King for their offences 1000. year 1122 heads of cattell and the King returned into England leaving the Lord Fitz-VVaren Warden Jo. Cast or Lieutenant of the marches The year ensuing Gruffith ap Rees ap Theodor did kill Gruffith ap Sulbaern and Eneon the Son of Cadogan dyed and gave his part of Powis and Merioneth vvhich he had vvon to his brother Meredyth but his Unckle Meredyth ap Blethyn put him back by force and took it to himself At this time the King did set at liberty Ithel ap Riryd ap Blethyn vvhom he had kept prisoner many years vvho came home thinking to enjoy his Lands When Gruffith ap Conan Prince of Northwales heard that Meredyth ap Blethyn had taken by force the Lands of his Nephevv Meredyth ap Cadogan he sent his Sons Cadwalhon and Owen vvith a povver to Merioneth vvho brought all the Country under their subjection and carried the chiefmen and the cattel to Lhyn And after the Sons of Cadogan destroyed
entered perforce and put many to the Sword and taking the rest razed the Castle to the ground which Victory did so please the Prince that he forgat his doleful accents and solitary retirement and fell to his accustomed pastimes About this time Cadelh Meredyth and Rees the sons of Gruffith ap Rees ap Theodore did conduct their forces against the Castle of Gwys which after they perceived they could not win they sent for Howel the son of Owen Prince of North-VVales to their aid who for his prowess and valour in the field and his discretion in consultation was esteemed the flower of Chivalry whose presence was thought also onely sufficient to overcome any Fortress He being desirous to purchase honour gathered his men and came to these Lords before the Castle of Gwys Granados not yet in request whom they received with general acclamations and great expressions of joy When he had viewed the place he caused Engines to be made to batter the Walls with force of men and others to cast great stones to their enemies The strong Castle of Gwyl taken by the Brittains thereby to disquiet the Garrison which preparations when they within beheld their hearts failed and forthwith they yielded the Fort which done Howell returned home with great honour Shortly after there fell a great dissension betwixt Howell and Conan Prince Owens sons and Cadwalader their Uncle whereupon they rallied their Forces and entred the Countrey of Merloneth which caused the people to fly to Sanctuary for security of their lives These two young Lords made Proclamation that no man should hurt such as would submit themselves whereupon the people which had fled returned to their houses without any dammage or hurt Thus they brought by fair means all the Countrey under their wished subjection and led their Army unto the Castle of Cynvael which Cadwalader had built and fortified wherein was the Abbot of Tuygwyn or Whitehouse to whom the Lord had committed the defence of the Castle A Crosier fitter for an Abbot than a Corslet Howell and Conan summoned the Fort with great threatnings but they within defied them whereupon Howell and Conan promised the Abbot Meruni great rewards to let them have the house But he like a faithful servant whom neither terrible menaces nor gilded promises could move to betray a trust continued faithful and denied them entrance chusing rather to dye with honour than to live with shame with which answer the young Lords were greatly offended that a Priest should stay their prosperous proceedings and thereupon gave an assault to the Castle so terrible that after they had beaten down the Walls they entred by force and slew and wounded all in the Garrison saving the Abbot who escaped privately by means of friends which he had in Howells Army In the year 1147. died Bohthred Bishop of Landaff Mr. Godwyn called him Vthryd and saith he had a daughter before he was Bishop married to Jorwerth ap Owen ap Caradoc Lord of Carleon upon Vsk a great and mighty man in those parts Godwin in Landaff fol. 426. but he affirmeth that he died 1141. Powell saith whom Nicholas ap Gurgant succeeded but Godwyn tells us that H. Jorwerth was his successor who died Anno 1153. In the year 1148. died Barnard Bishop of Davids or Menevia of this Barnard thus writeth Godwyn Barnard a Norman Chaplain unto K. Hen. I. and Chauncellour unto his Queen was consecrated by the Archbishop of Canterbury July the 12. 1115. Godwin Cat. Episco in Landaff fol. 418. not chosen by the Clergy of Wales as hitherto hath been accustomed but forced upon them by the King who had then newly conquered Wales This man being in great favour with the King and presuming upon the goodness of his cause began to take upon him the title of Archbishop and caused his Cross sometime in Wales to be carried before him After long sute and much money spent in this cause betwixt him and the Archbishop of Canterbury Barnard had prevailed at the last as Giraldus Camb. seemeth to perswade had not two suborned Witnesses deposed a flat untruth in the presence of the Pope Giraldus doubteth not confidently to pronounce that the power and wealth of the Archb. of Cant. hath out-born the poor Bishop of St. David in this matter without all right This Bishop saith Giraldus was a man in some other respect praise-worthy but unreasonable proud and ambitious as most of the English-men were in those times who were thrust into Bishopricks again he was a very ill husband to his Church alienating divers lands and letting others for the tenth penny of that his predecessors had made of them so thinking to make a way by gratifying of Courtiers unto some better Bishopricks in England he was deceived of his expectation having been Bishop of St. Davids about 33 years he died 1148. Of this old Menevia in succeeding times called St. David you may read before in this History but I think it not amiss to set down the Succession of that See having now fit opportunity according to Godwin Godwin fol. 413. in St. David The British Histories do all report that in this Island at the first planting of Christian Religion here there were established 28. Episcopal Sees Of these 28. three were Archbishopricks London York and Carlegion or Caerleon upon Vsh in Monmothshire At Caerleon which was then a great and populous City in the time of King Arthur sate Dubritius the son of Eurdila a Gentle-woman of great birth but who was her father it was never known He was a man of excellent learning and singular integrity in regard whereof when first he had taken great pains many years as well in teaching and reading unto his Schollars whereof he had a great number as in preaching unto the people he was appointed first Bishop of Landaff and having stayed there no long time was made Archbishop of all Wales by Germanus and Lupus two Bishops of France that were entreated by Aurelius Ambrosius King of Brittain to come over and yield their best help for the extinguishing of the Palagian heresie that had taken great root in this Countrey Aurelius Ambrosius being dead he crowned Vther Pendragon and afterwards that great Arthur King of this Iland and waxing old he resigned his Bishoprick unto David a Disciple of his he died and was buried in the I le of Enlhi now called Bardsey where he led a solitary life many years October 14. Ann. 612. his bones were after removed to Landaff by Vrbanus Bishop there May 7. 1120. 1. St. David David before named was Unkle unto K. Arthur and son of Xanthus a Prince of VVales begotten upon one Melearta a man very learned eloquent and of incredible austerity of life and conversation he was also very tall of stature and of a comely personage by his diligence Palagianisme was quite rooted out and many earnest professors of the same converted unto the Truth with the consent of K. Arthur he removed
Bishop of Hereford and moreover complained that they had usurped on the jurisdiction of these places Gwhyr Cedwely Cantref Bychan Ystrad Yw and Ergeng upon deposition of 6 witnesses that all these were of the Diocess of Landaff they were so adjudged by the Popes definitive sentence who also writ unto the King and Archbishop to restore that right unto the Bishop of Landaff and to the Inhabitants to yield obedience to him and his successors as their Diocesan Howbeit how it cometh to pass I know not those places are now and long have been esteemed part of the Diocess of St. Davids and part of Hereford and none of them of Landaff This Bishop died beyond Sea travelling betwixt this and Rome anno 1133. Vacat sedes annos 6. 31 Vchtred that succeeded had a daugter married before he had orders to Jorworth ap Owen ap Caradoc Lord of Caerlbeon upon Vsk a great and mighty man in those parts he died an 1141. 32 Geffry died 1153. 33 Nicolas ap Gurgant died 1183. 34 William de Salso Marisco 35 Henry Prior of Burgavenni was Founder of 12 Prebends in the Church of Landaff he died 1218. 36 William Prior of Goldeliff in Monmothshire died January 28 an 1229. 37 Elis de Radnor died May the 6 1240. 38 William de Burgo Chaplain to King Henry the 3d. was consecrated the year 1244. and died June 11 1253. having lived blind 7 years before his death 39 John de la Ware Abbot of Margan died about the end of June 1253. 40 William de Radnor died January the 9 1265. 41 William de Brews died in the end of March 1287. he lyeth buried under a Marble engraven in the East end of the Church of Landaff towards the North wall Vacat sedes annos 9. 42 John de Monmoth Doctor of Divinity was consecrated Feb. 10. 1296. at Canterbury and died April 8 1323. he lyeth in the midst of the East end of the Church Celceuliere commonly called our Ladies Chappel under a flat Marble having a French inscription now somewhat defaced 43 John de Egliscliff a Fryer Preacher was consecrated at Rome and came to his Diocess of Landaff upon the eve of Trinity sunday 1223. he died at Lankadwaladar Jan. 2. 1346. and was buried at Caediff 44 Iohn Paschall Doctor of Divinity a Carmelite of Ipswich was a Gentleman born in Suffolk of a Family yet remaining there and brought up in the University of Cambridge by William Bateman Bishop of Norwich was made a titulary Bishop and his Suffragan by the name of Episcopus Scutariensis from that Imaginary See he was translated by the Pope to Landaff an 1347. died 1361. and was buried at Landaff he was a man of great learning and left divers Monuments thereof in writing behind him 45 Roger Cradoc a Fryer Minor 46 Thomas Rushook a Fryer Preacher and Doctor of Divinity was translated to Chichester 47 William de Betlesham made Bishop of Bethelem by the Pope was translated first to Landaff and after to Rochester 48 Edmund de Bromfield was a Dr. of Divinity and Monk at Burie where being known for a a man of a very pragmatical and stirring humour that he might not trouble them at home the Covent thought good to maintain him at Rome for the dispatch of their ordinary business there taking first a corporal Oath of him never to seek any office or preferment of their house without their privity and direction This Oath notwithstanding when shortly after it fell out that the Abbot died he found means that the Pope should intitle him to the Abbotship whereunto the Covent with the Kings good liking had now already elected another man far more meet called Iohn Tymworth For this bad kind of dealing as also because as those provisory Bulls had been forbidden by Parliament he was committed to the Tower and there lay prisoner a long time but in the end the Bishop of Landaff ut ante being translated to Rochester he was preferred to that See 49 Tydemannus Abbot of Beaulieu succeeded Bromfield and if I mistake not was that Tydemannus de Winchcomb that anno 1395 became Bishop of Worcester 50 Andrew Barret Doctor of Law 51 Iohn Burghyll a Frier Preacher being Bishop of Landaff and Confessour unto the King was translated to Liechfield in Sept. 1398. 52 Thomas Peverel a Carmelite and Doctor of Divinity was first Bishop of Ossery in Ireland translated thence to Landaff 1399 and thence to Worcester 1407. 53 Iohn la Zouche a Fryer Minor and Doctor of Divinity It should seem that this man built either a great part or else happily all of the house at Mathern near Chepstow The Bishops house of Matherne built the only house that is now left the Bishop if there be any such to put his head in his armes fixed in divers places of the walls and windows to my judgement import so much viz. Gules ten besants 432. and 1 a Canton Ermine encircled with a girdle of St. Francis to show his Order 54 Iohn Wellys was likewise a Minorite and Doctor of Divinity 55 Nicholas Ashbie Prior of Westminster 56 Iohn Hunden a Minorite Doctor of Divinity and Prior of Kings Langley 57 John Marshall Doctor of Divinity sometime Fellow of Merton Colledge in Oxford was consecrated 1479 and was I take it translated to London the year 1489. 58 John Ingleby sometime Prior of Sheen a Carthusian 59 John Smith Doctor of Divinity died October 16 1511. and was buried at Christ-Church in London in the Chapel of All-Saints on the North side of the Altar 60 Miles Salley sometimes Almoner to the Abbey of Abington and afterwarde Abbot of Eynsham 61 George de Attigna a Spaniard a Fryer Preacher and Doctor of Divinity was consecrated March the 8 1516. 62 Robert Holgate Doctor of Divinity was consecrated March the 25 1537. and 1544 was translated to York 63 Anthony Kitchin alias Dunstan Doctor of Divinity and sometimes Abbot of Eynsham was consecrated May 3 1545. and enduring all the tempestuous changes that hapned in the mean time continued till the fifth year of Queen Elizabeth and then died and high time having first so impoverished the Bishoprick by unreasonable demises of whatsoever was demiseable that there was no great cause he should live any longer He is called Kitchin though he might have rather been called Schullian yet indeed he made his Church a Kitchin and like a Schullian swept all away leaving poor Daff without Lan or land Sedes vacabat annos 3. 64 Hugh Jones Batchelour of Law was made Bishop May the 5 1556. 65 William Blethyn Batchelour of Law was appointed Bishop April the 17 1575. I observe few Families sprung from Bishops to prosper or continue long yet such as do in my judgement should not be so averse as to eradicate all spiritual function 66 Gervage Babington Doctor of Divinity was placed in that See Aug. 29 1591. from thence translated to Exceter and after to Worcester 67 William Morgan Doctor in Divinity was appointed
to this See July the 20 1595. and translated to St. Asaph September the 16 1601. 1601. 68 Francis Godwin translated to Hereford this Francis Godwin being then Subdean of Exceter was he who compiled the Catalogue of Bishops here cited year 1618 1618. 69 George Carleton translated to Chichester year 1619 1619. 70 Theophilus Field translated to St. Davids year 1628 1628. 71 John Murrey Bishop first in Ireland a Scot by Nation had his Majesty had Bishopricks sufficient to have stoptd all their mouths Episcopacy had not so been bandied against 1639. 72 Morgan Owen Bishop 1641. This Bishoprick was valued in the Exchequer at 154 l. 14 s. 1 d. and paid for first fruits 700 Ducats year 1155 In the beginning of King Henry the 2d. his reign and in the year of our Lord God 1155 Rees ap Gruffith ap Rees whom the Welsh book surnameth Lord Rees and all the Latine and English Writers of that times name King of South Wales did leavy all his Forces to defend his Countrey from Owen Gwineth whom he understood to be raising of men to conquer South Wales So that Rees came as far as Aberdyni over against North Wales and perceiving the rumour to be false built a Castle there and so returned back Caerneon Castle built At the same time Madoc ap Meredyth Prince of Powis did build a Castle at Caerneon besides Pymer at that time Meyric his nephew escaped out of prison where he had been long kept Eglwys Vair built then also Eglwys Vair in Myvot was built At this time King Henry banished the Flemmings whom King Stephen had brought in and sent some of them to their cozens into West VVales About this time Caradocus Lhanoarvan who is reputed and taken of all learned men to be the Authour of the Welsh History ended his Collections of the Brittish Transactions from Cadwalader to this present time of whom some studious Antiquary composed this following Distichon Historiam Britonum doctus scripsit Caradocus Post Cadwalladrum Regia scripta notans In these two Abbies the Princes of Wales were usually buried The Successions and Acts of the Princes of VVales after this time until the year 1270 were kept and recorded from time to time in the Abbeys of Conwey in North VVales and Stratflur in South VVales as witnesseth Gutryn Owen who living in the dayes of Edward the 4th wrote the best and most perfect copy of the same year 1157 The King gathered his Forces from all parts of England intending to subdue North VVales being thereunto procured and moved by Cadwalader whom the Prince his brother had banished out of the land and bereaved of his living and by Madoc ap Meredyth Prince of Powis who envied at the liberty of North VVales which knew no Lord but one and hereupon the King conducted his Army to VVestchester and encamped on the march called Saltney So also Owen like a valiant Prince listed all his people fit for service and came to the utter Mears of his land purposing to give the King battel and encamped himself at Basingwerk which thing when the King understood he selected out of his Army divers of the chiefest bands and sent certains Earls and Lords with them towards the Princes Camp and as they passed the Wood called Coed Zulo David and Conan the Princes sons met with them and fiercely assaulted them and what by reason of the advantage of the ground and suddenness of the action the Englishmen were put to flight and many slain the rest being pursued to the Kings Camp They being exceedingly vexed with this disaster removed alongst the Sea coast thinking to get betwixt Owen and his Countrey but Owen fore-seeing the intent retreated back to a place which is called to this day Cil Owen that is Owens retreat and the King came to Ruthlan In the first voyage of King Henry against the VVelsh he was put in great danger of his life in a strait at Counsylth not far from Flint where Henry of Essex whose office was by inheritance to bear the Standard of England cast down the same and fled which thing so encouraged the VVelsh that the King being sore distressed had much ado to save himself and as the French Chronicle saith was glad to fly on whose part Eustare Fitz John and Robert Curcie two worthy Knights with divers other Noblemen and Gentlemen were slain After this Owen encamped and entrenched himself at Brynypin and daily skermished with the Kings men whilst in the mean time the King fortified the Castle of Ruthlan his Navy which guided by Madoc ap Meredyth Prince of Powis anchored at Môn or Anglesey and landed the Souldiers who spoiled two Churches and some of the countrey thereabout but as they returned unto their ships all the strength of the Isle set upon them Sacriledge punished and slew them all so that none of those who plundered the Churches brought tidings of their fortune The Marriners beholding this liked not the harbor but weighed up anchors made for Chester in the mean time there was a peace concluded between the King and the Prince K. Hen. buildeth a house for the Templers in Wales upon condition that Cadwalader should have his lands again his brother should be friendly unto him Then the King having the Castles of Ruthlan and Basywerk well fortified and manned after he had built a house thereby for the Templers returned into England At that time also Jorwerth Goch ap Meredyth got the Castle of Yale and burnt it Yale Castle burnt The year following Morgan ap Owen was traiterously slain by the men of Jorwerth ap Meyrick with whom died the best Poet in the Brittish Tongue of his time called Gurgan ap Rees and his brother Jorwerth got the Town or City of Caerleon upon Vsk Caerlheon upon Vsk City taken and the lands of Owen Now it was that the King made peace with all the Lords and Princes of VVales except Rees ap Gruffith ap Rees Prince of South VVales which Rees fearing the Kings power caused his people to remove their cattel and goods to the Wilderness of Tywy he still making War against the King Therefore the King sent for him to come to his Court to conclude a peace before the Forces both of England and VVales should be sent for him Rees after consultation came to the King and an order was taken that Rees should enjoy the Cantref Mawr as it should please the King so that his land should be whole together and not in divers Places and Shires but the King did contrary to his promise appointing Rees divers lands in several Places and Lordships intermingled with other mens lands which deceit although he perceived well enough yet he received it piece-meal as it was and lived quietly until Roger Earl of Clare hearing this came to the King and desired his Highness to give him such lands in VVales as he could win which the King granted Then he came with a
Matthaeus 1358 17 Thomas de Ringsted 1367 18 Gervasius de Castro 1370 19 Howel II. 1374 20 John Gilbert translated to Saint Davids 1376 21 John Clovensis  22 John Swaffan 1400 23 Richard Younge translated to Rochester  24 Lodovicus the II. 1408 25 Benedict Nicols translated to St. Davids 1418 26 VVillyam Barrow translated to Carlile  27 Nicolaus 1436 28 Thomas Cheriton 1448 29 John Stanbery translated to Hereford  30 Jacobus 1464 31 Thomas Edwane 1196 32 Henry Dean translated to Salisbury 1500 33 Thomas Picot 1504 34 John Penvy translated to Carlile 1505 35 Thomas Skenington 1534 36 John Capon translated to Salisbury 1539 37 John Bird translated to Chester 1541 38 Arthur Bulkeley or Bulkeby the bellseller 1555 39 VVillyam Glynn 1559 40 Rowland Meyric 1566 41 Nicholas Robinson 1585 42 Hugh Bellot translated to Chester 1595 43 Rich. Vaughan translated to Chester 1596 44 Henry Rowland 1616 45 Lewes Bayley 1632 46. David Dolvin 1633 47 Edward Gruffith 1637 48 VVillyam Roberts Sub-Almoner Bishop of Bangor 1641. About the year 1162. Howel the son of Jenaf ap Cadogan ap Athelstan Glodrydh got the Castle of VValwern in Cyvelioc and razed it which thing when it was told Owen Prince of Northwales it displeased him wonderfully at the which he was so grieved that nothing could make him merry untill such time as he had gathered his power and came to Lhanthinan in Arustly and thence sent away great spoiles which caused the People of the Country to come unto their Lord Howel ap Jenaf who followed the spoile to the Severn side where the Princes camp was the Prince apprehending now an occasion of revenge offered him was right glad and set upon his Enemies and slew the most part of them the rest with their Lord escaped to the woods and rocks The Prince being well pleased with this revenge built up his Castle again and fortified it strongly Castelh Catrec Hova The year following Owen the son of Gruffith ap Meredyth named Owen Cyvelioc and Owen ap Madoc ap Meredyth got the Castle of Carrechona by Oswestrie and wasted it year 1163 About the year 1163. King Henry the second gathered a strong army against Southwales and came himself as farr as Pencadyr beside Brecknock where Rees came to him and did homage and gave him pledges which done the King went out of Wales About this time Eneon the Son of Anarawd ap Gruffith Nephew to Prince Rees was murdered in his bed by a Man of his own named Lhywarch Also Cadogan ap Meredyth was slain in the like manner by one Walter ap Ricard The Lord Rees as he is called in Welsh or King Rees as Latin Authors call him took the Cantreff Maur which is a great Country and the Land of Dynevowr and enjoyed it And this year died Cadivor ap Daniel Archdeacon of Caerdigan and Henry ap Arthen who was the worthiest Clerk that had been in Wales many years The year ensuing the Lord Rees seeing he was not able to maintain his Estate with such Lands as the King had appointed him entered into the Territory of Roger de Clare Earl of Glocester for by that Earls means his Nephew was murdered and wan the Castles of Aberheidol and of the sons of Wywyaon and raised them And thus in short time he brought all Caerdigan under his subjection from thence he made many inroads against the Flemmings and brought away great spoiles This happy fortune caused all VVales to conspire the shaking off of the Norman yoak whose treason and cruelty they could not abide and to elect Princes of their own Nation In the year 1165. David the son of Owen Prince of Northwales did destroy all Flintshire which was the Kings K. Henry's third voyage in vain against the Welsh and carried all the people and cattel with him to the Dyffryn Cloyd now called Ruthin Land which when the King had notice of he levyed an army in haste and came to releive his Castels and people as far as Ruthlan and after he had rested there three dayes and could do no good he returned into England where he gathered another Army of selected Soldiers and chosen through all his Dominions sending for Auxiliaries from Flanders and Brittain and then returned to Northwales with resolution to destroy all that had life in the Land and coming to Croes Oswalt called Oswaldstree incamped there on the contrary side Prince Owen and his Brother Cadwalader with all the power of Northwales and the Lord Rees withall the forces of Southwales and Owen Cyvelioc and the Sons of Madoc ap Meredyth with the strength of Powis and the two sons of Madoc ap Edwerth with all the people betwixt Wye and Severne gathered themselves together and came to Cawen in Edierneon with purpose to defend their Country But the King understanding that they were so nigh being wonderous desirous of battail came to the river Ceireoc and caused the wood to be felled whereupon a number of the Welsh understanding the passage unknown to their Captains met with the Kings Ward where were placed the choyce men of all the Army where began a hot skirmish and divers worthy Men were slain on each side but in the end the King obtained the passage and came to the Mountain of Berwyn where he lay in camp certain dayes and so both the Armies stood in awe each of other the King kept the plains as being doubtfull to be entrapped in straits but the Welsh watched for the opportunity and advantage of the ground and kept the King so straightly that neither forrage nor victuall might come to his camp The Welsh united invincible against the English neither durst any Soldier stir abroad and to augment these miseries there fell such store of rain that the Kings Men could scarce stand upon their feet upon those slippery places in the end the King was compelled to return home without his purpose and that with great loss of Men and Ammunition besides his charges therefore in a great choler he charged the Pledges eyes A cruel act of K. Henry 2. whom he received long before that to be put out which were Rees and Cadwalhon sons to Owen and Cynwric and Meredyth the sons of Rees Roger Hove and other I find also saith Mr. Powel written by divers that in the assailing of a bridge the King was in no small danger of his life for one of the Welshmen shooting directly at him had pierced him through the body if Hubert de St. Clare Constable of Colchester perceiving the Arrow coming had not thrust himself betwixt the King and it Hol. page 408. whereby he saved his Master and lost his own life Then after long consultation the King came again to North Wales intending to have his Army conveyed by Sea and to Land in some convenient place of the Countrey and with his design he came to Chester and there reposed a certain time till all his Navy was gathered together as
well hired ships of Ireland as his own and upon the suddain he brake up his Camp and gave both ships and men leave to depart The same year Rees Prince of South Wales laid siege to the Castle of Aberteini Aberteini Castle won by the Welsh and wan it and laid it flat with the ground and likewise wan Pilgeran and razed it At which time he took prisoner Robert the son of Stephen his cozen German son to Nost his aunt who after the death of Girald had married Stephen Constable and so returned home with great honour and rich spoil About the same time died Lhewelin son to Pr Owen a worthy Gentleman and of great towardness In the year ensuing the Flemmings and Normans came to West Wales with a great power against the Castle of Cilgerran which Rees had fortified and laid siege unto it assaulting it divers times but it was so manfully defended that they returned home as they came and shortly after they came before it again where they lost many of their best men and so departed The same year Owen Pr. of North Wales laid siege to the Castle of Basygwerke which the King had fortified and in short time wan it and dismantled it About the same time Jorwerth Goch was spoiled of his lands in Powis by Owen Cyvelioc the son of Gruffith ap Meredyth Lord of Powis by Owen Bachen second son to Madock ap Meredyth which lands they divided betwixt them so that Owen Cyvelioc had Mochant above Rayader and Owen Vachan Mochnant beneath Rayader In the year 1167 Owen Prince of North Wales Cadwalader his brother and Rees Prince of South Wales brought an Army into Powis against Owen Cyvelioc and wan all his lands and chased him out of the Countrey and gave Caereneon to Owen Vachan the son of Madoc ap Meredyth to hold of Prince Owen and the Lord Rees had Walwern because it stood within his Countrey but within a while after Owen Cyvelioc returned with a strength of Normans and Engleshmen to recover his Estate and laid siege to the Castle of Caereneon and winning the same burnt it to the ground Also the same year the aforesaid Princes Ruthlan Castle taken by the Welsh which King Henry had built Owen Rees and Cadwalader laid siege to the Castle of Ruthlan which the King had lately built and fortified where the Garrison defended it most valiantly yet the Princes would not depart until they had won it which they did at two months end and razed it After that they gat the Castle of Prostatyn and destroyed it and then brought all Tegeugl to Owens subjection and returned home with much honour In the year following Conon the son of Prince Owen slew Vrgeney Abbot of Lhwythlawr and Lhawthen his nephew In this year also Robert the son of Stephen the Constable was released out of his cozens the Lord Rees his prison and was sent to Ireland with great Forces to Dermot the son to Murchart who landed at Lochgarmon and won it and so went forward In the year 1169 Meyric ap Adam of Bueltht was murthered in his bed by Meredyth Bengoch his cozen german A Giants body 50 foot found Also this year there were found the bones of a Gyant cast up by the Sea of such length that his body seemed to contain after fifty foot in height This year Owen Gwyneth the son of Gruffith ap Conan Prince of North Wales passed out of this life he had Governed his Countrey well and worthily 32 years This Prince was fortunate and victorious in all his affairs he never took any enterprise in his hand but he atchived it he left behind him many children begotten by divers women which were not esteemed by their mothers and birth but by their prowess and valiantness first he had by Gladus the daughter of Lhywarch ap Trahevern ap Caradoc Jorwerth Drwyndwn that is Edward with the broken nose Conan Maelgon and Gwenlhian by Christian the daughter of Grono ap Owen ap Edwin he had David Roderik Cadwalhon Abbot of Bardsey and Augharat wife to Griffith Maylor he had besides these Conan Lhewelin Meredyth Edwal Run Howell Cadelh Madoc Enâ—on Cynrwric Philip and Riryd Lord of Clocharn in Ireland by divers women of whom Run Lhewelyn and Cynwric died before their father the rest you shall hear of hereafter THE Third Book OF THE ANTIENT MODERN BRITTISH AND WELSH History TO THE Right Honourable JOHN Earle of Bridgwater Baron of Elsmere Viscount Brackley Earle of Carnarvon Lord Dormer RICHARD Earle of Carburie Baron of Emlyn ANTHONY Viscount Montague c. JOHN Lord Abergavenny WILLIAM Lord Sturton c. HENRY Lord Arundel Count of the sacred Roman Empire and Baron of Wardor The Earles of BRIDGWATER Edward Earle of Derbie Dorothea Daughter of Tho. Howard Duke of Norfolk by which Match this Honourable Family of the Egertons by Frances Daughter and Coheir to Ferdinando Earl of Derbie descends from the Brittish line as appears at large in the Pedegree of the D. of Norfolk Henry Earle of Derbie Margaret Daughter to Henry Clifford Earle of Cumberland and Elinor his wife Daughter and Coheir of Charls Brandon Duke of Suffolk and his wife Mary Queen of France Daughter to K. Henry VII and Elizabeth Heir general to the house of York and Lord Mortimer whose Ancestour Ralph Lord Mortimer married to Gladis sister and Coheir  to David and Daughter to Llewelin Prince of Northwales and K. Henry VII was Grand-childe to Owen Tudor lineally descended from the Princes of South Wales Ferdinando Earle of Derbie Alice Daughter to Sir John Spencer Knight Sir John Egerton Knight of the Bath Lord President of Wales Earle of Bridgwater Baron of Elsmere Frances Daughter and Coheir of Ferdinando Earle of Derbie John Egerton Baron of Elsmere Viscount Brackley Earle of Bridgwater now living 1661. BRIDGWATER but more properly in old Records Burgh-walter that is VValters Burgh so called of VValter de Duaco who came in with the Normans and had fair Lands given him in those parts by the Conquerour is a Town in Sommersetshire A great and populous Town descending by the Chawworths to the Dutchy of Lancaster and was by King Henry VIII Heir of the Lancastrian line adorned with the Title of an Earldom which he bestowed on Sir Henry Daubeney son of that Giles Daubeney who came in with King Henry the Seventh from Brittain in France and was by him made Lord Chamberlain and Knight of the Garter which Henry dying without issue this Title lying long asleep was afterwards awakened in another Family ordained to be a Seminary for the Earles of Bridgwater Henry Lord Daubeney created Earle of Bridgwater 30. Hen. John Egerton Viscount Brackley created Earle of Bridgwater May 15. Lord President of Wales c. John Viscount Brackley created Earle of Bridgwater now living 1661. The Earle of CARNARVON THis Right honourable Earle now living is the worthy Heir of that most worthy and Heroick Robert Lord Dormer and Earle of
Gwentland to a feast at his Castle of Abergavenny which he had received of them by composition and they mistrusting no harm came thither but like a Traytor and a Murtherer he had a great number of armed men within the Castle which fell upon this Lord and the rest Hol. pag 439. Marthi West lib. 2. and without any mercy or remorse put them to the sword and forthwith went to Silsyts house being not far from thence and took his wife and slew Cadwalader his son before his mothers face and destroyed the house and this was a lamentable day to all Gwent and a lesson to all men to take heed of a reconciled enemy This William Lord Bruse having the Welshmen within his Castle of Abergavenny to seek a quarrel propounded unto them certain Articles to be by them kept and performed among other things that none of them should at any time carry about them in their journey either Bow or Sword for the observing of the which he would have had them to be sworn which they refused to do Whereupon he falling out with them called his men which were ready for that purpose and caused them all to be murdered and when that deed was done to cloak this Treason with some reasonable excuse he caused it to be reported abroad that this he did in the revenge of the death of his unkle Henry de Hereford whom they on an Easter even before had slain In North Wales Roderike brake his brothers prison and escaping came to Anglesey where all the Countrey received him for their Lord because they abhorred the ingratitude of the Prince who unnaturally had disinherited all his brethren in boldness of his brother in Law the King This Roderike also was received as Lord and Prince in all the Country about the River of Conwey Then Prince David fled over Conwey and there remained for a time This year died Cadelh the son of Gruffith ap Rees and brother to the Lord Rees after long sickness and was honourably enterred at Stratflur The next year died David Fitz Girald Bishop of Menevia and Peirs was installed in his place This year the Lord Rees Prince of South Wales made a great feast at Christ-mass a time now almost forgot if not denied in the Castle of Aberteini which feast he caused to be proclaimed through all Brittain long before A sumptuous Invitation of P. Rees and thither came many strangers which were honourably entertained so that no man departed discontended and among deeds of Arms and other Courtly pastimes Rees caused all the Poets of Wales which are makers of Songs and Recorders of Gentlemens Pedegrees and Armes of whom every one is intituled Bardh in Latine Bardus to come thither and provided chairs for them to sit in the Hall where they should dispute together and try their cunning and gift in their faculties where great rewards and gifts were appointed for the Victors amongst whom they of North Wales wan the prize and among the Musicians Reeses own houshold-servants were accounted best Shortly after Eneon Clyt and Morgan ap Meredyth were both slain by Treason of the Normans who inhabited the Marches At this time the Lord Rees built the Castle of Rayder Gwy that is to say The Fall of Wye Rayder Gwy Castle built for the River of Wye falleth there over a high Rock About this time the sons of Conan ap Owen Gwyneth made war against him then also Cadwalhon the brother of Owen Gwyneth and unkle to David and Roderike who had fled to the King for succour as he was conveyed home by the Kings men to enjoy his patrimony was cruelly murthered by the way and found those whom he imagined to be his assistants and friends to be indeed Traytors and Butchers This year the bones of K. Arthur and Queen Gwenhonar his wife were found in the Isle of Avilon without the Abby of Glastenbury 15 foot within the earth in a hollow Elder-tree but of this formerly And now Ranulph de Poer with a great number of Gentlemen was slain by certain young men of Gwentland Giral Cam. This Ranulph was Sheriff of Herefordshire as saith Girald whose death the same Authour seemeth to impute unto himself for his cruel and unreasonable dealing with the Welsh but the King construed it otherwayes who being sore incensed against them assembled a mighty Army and came with the same to Worcester meaning to invade Wales The Prince South Wales becomes liege man to the K. of Engl. but the Lord Rees ap Gruffith fearing the Kings puissance thus bent against him and his Countrey men came by safe conduct unto Worcester where submitting himself he sware fealty to the King and became his liege-man promising to bring his son and nephews to him for Pledges But when according to his promise he would have brought them they remembring how the other Pledges were before used refused to go with him and so the matter rested for that time About this time Cadwalader the son of Lord Rees was slain privily in West Wales and buried in Twy Gw yn The next year Owen Vachan the son of Madoc ap Meredyth was slain in the Castle of Carregona hard by Oswestred in the night time by Gwenwynwyn and Cadwalhon the son of Owen Cyvelioc And shortly after Lhewelin son to Cadwalhon ap Gruffith ap Conan was taken and had his eyes put out The Visitation made by the Archb. of Canterbury into Wales Many noble Welshmen list themselves for the Holy land 1188. Tenbie destroyed About the year 1187. Baldwine Archbishop of Canterbury having in his company Giraldus Cambrensis Arch-Archdeacon of Brecon visited that Countrey whom the Clergy of Wales began to resist alledging the liberties and priviledges of their Metropolitan Church of St. David but they prevailed not In this visitation he perswaded which Giraldus describeth calling his Book Itinerarium Cambriae and exhorted as many as ever he could to take the Cross and to vow the voyage against the Saracens whereunto he perswaded many of the Nobles of Wales as appeareth by the same Giraldus In the year 1188. Maelgon son to Lord Rees brought his Army against Tenbie and by plain force wan the Town and spoiling the same burned it to ashes This Lord was fair and comely of person honest and just beloved of his friends and feared of his foes against whom especially the Flemmings he atchieved divers victories This year also the Lord Rees gathered all his strength and wan the Castles of Seynclere Abercorran and Lhanstephen and brought all the whole Countrey under his subjection taking Maelgon his son The father imprisoneth his son in whom remained all the hope of South Wales whom he kept in prison In the year following Rees did build the Castle of Chewely and Gwenlhian his daughter the fairest and goodliest woman of all Wales died At this time also Gruffith Mailor Lord of Bromfield a noble man and wise and one that in liberality passed all the Lords and
suffered to return and received into the Kings favour he travelled homeward and died at Glocester Novemb. 17 1215. he left great possessions descended unto him by his ancestors which he left to Reginald Bruse his brother that married the daughter of Lhewelyn ap Jorwerth Prince of North Wales This man lyeth buried upon the North side of the Presbytery the Image that lyeth upon his Tombe holdeth the likeness of a Steeple in his hand whereby it should seem he built one of the Towers or Steeples thus far B. Godwyn This Giles as chief of the conspiracy sent his brother Reynold to Brecnock and all the people received him as their Lord The large possessions of that Bruse in Monmothshire and so he got all his Castles without gain-saying of any man to wit Abergwenny Penkelhy Gastelth Gwyn or White Castle Grismond and the Isle of Cynuric But when the Bishop came thither himself they delivered him the Castles of Abechodny Hay Bueltht and Blaynthyfery and he to strengthen himself in that Countrey promised Castle Payn Clune withal Eluel to Walter Vachan the son of Eneon Clyd In the mean time young Rees son to Griffith ap Rees and Maelgon his Unkle were made friends and went both to Dyneth where they recovered all the land to themselves saving Cemai and overthrew the Castle of Aberth and Maynclochoc Then Maelgon and Owen brothers to Rees went to North Wales to P. Lhewelyn and did to him homage and young Rees gathered an Army and came to Cydwely and brought withal Caruwylheon to his subjection and razed the Castle there Lhychwr Castle razed and likewise the Castle Lhychwr From thence he conducted his army to the Castle of Hugh de Miles at Talybont and having taken the same by force slew many of the garison the day after he took his journey to Senghennyth where the garison which lay there burnt the Town and departed Therefore Rees laying siege to the Castle of Ystymlhwynarth Senghennyth burnt by its own garison got the same the next day following and set both it and the Town on fire and he got the Castles of Gurland within three dayes after and then returned home with Victory and Triumph At this time Rees Vachan unkle to young Rees and son to the Lord Rees was set at liberty by the King Young Rees prosperous in Glamorgan leaving his son and two other Pledges for him This year two Abbots were made Bishops Jorwerth of St. Davids and Cadogan of whom formerly Shortly after Lhewelyn Prince of North Wales came with a great Army to Caermarthyn and laid siege to the Castle which was yielded unto him the 5th day after which he razed to the ground as he did also the Castles of Lhanstephan St. Clare and Talachern P. Lhewelyns fortune from thence he went to Caerdigan and winning the new Castle in Emlyn he subdued Cemaes and got the Castle of Trefdracth called in English Newport and razed the same to the ground Then the garison which kept the Castle of Aberteini delivered the same unto him upon St. Stephens day and the day after he had the Castle of Cilgerran from whence he returned to North Wales with great Honour and Triumph In the which voyage these Lords accompanied him viz. Howell ap Gruffith ap Conan Lhewelyn ap Meredyth Gwenwynwyn Lord of Powis Meredyth ap Rotpert Maelgon and Rees Vachan the sons of P. Rees Rees and Owen the sons of Gruffith ap Rees and the power of Madoc ap Gruffith Maylor Lord of Bromfield The year following the Prince went to Aberteini to make an agreement betwixt Maelgon and Rees Vachan sons to Prince Rees on the one side and their nephews young Rees and Owen on the other part where he divided South Wales betwixt them after this manner to Maelgon he gave three Cantrefs in Dyneth Gwarthaf Penlhwynoc Cemaes and Emlyn with the Castle of Cylgerran two in Stratywy Hiruryn and Malhaen and Maenor Bydvey with the Castle Lanymdhifri and two in Caerdigan Gwynionyth and Mabwyneon to young Rees and to Owen his brother he gave the Castle of Aberteini and the Castle of Nant yr arian or silver dale and three Cantress in Caerdigan withal and to Rees Vachan the Castle of Dynevowr the Cantref Mewr and the Cantref Bachan except Hyruryn and Mydhuey and the Comots of Cydwely and Carnwylhion This division being accomplished the Prince returned homeward to whom by the way it was signified that Gwenwynwyn contrary to his Oath and bonds in Writing had forsaken him A fickle Lord. and became the Kings subject which grieved the Prince very much and therefore he sent unto him Bishops and Abbots to move him to remember his Oath and Promise and Pledges given to the Prince and to shew him his owr hand and thereby to see if he would come again and to promise him the Princes favour but he would in no case hear of reconciliation wherefore the Prince entred into Powis with fire and sword and subdued the Countrey to himself which caused Gwenwynwyn to flye unto the Earl of Chester for relief where he stayed a while In the mean time Reynalt de Bruse who had received many favours from the Welsh did agree with the King without the knowledge or consent of P. Lhewelyn and contrary to his promise whereupon young Rees and Owen his sisters sons seeing that he in whom they trusted most deceived them rose against him and won all Buelht from him saving the castle but when the prince heard of this agreement he was much offended therewith and coming with an army to Brecknock he laid siege to the town of Aberhadny where the Burgesses of the town came to him and by means of young Rees the prince taking 100. marks and five pledges of them raised the siege and took his journey over the black mountains towards Gwyr where he lost much of his carriages And as he encamped at Lhangruc Reynalt Bruse came to him with six Knights in his company and desired of his father in Law pardon for his defence who receiving him lovingly did not only forgive him but gave him also the castle of Sengbennyth and Reynalt committed the same to the custody of Rees Vachar Lhewelin after he had set all things in good order in that country marched to Dynet and being at Cefu Cinwarchan the Flemmings sent to him to desire peace but the prince would not grant them their request Then young Rees was the first that passed the River Cledhen to fight with them of the town whereupon Jorwerth Bishop of St. Davids with all his clergy came to the prince to desire peace to the Flemmings which after long debating was thus concluded First that all the Inhabitants of Ros and the Land of Pembrock should become the Prince his Subjects Articles of peace between Lhewelin and the Flemmings and ever from thenceforth take him for their Leige Lord. Secondly that they should pay him a 1000 marks towards his charges before Michaelmas next
coming Thirdly that for performance of these they should deliver forthwith to the Prince twenty pledges of the best in all the country which things they did Then the Prince returned into Northwales with much honour Caerleon taken by the E. of Pembrock Shortly after William Marshal Earl of Pembrock got the town of Caerlheon and made war against the Welshmen whom contrary to their promise the Barons left out of the conclusion of peace The Barons were very glad of the friendship and aid of the P. of Wales to serve their own turne The Barons pacifying France and England conspire against Wales but now in a general conclusion of peace contrary to their oath and promise they reserve out Wales to keep them play withall hoping to get some more land thereby therefore let us take heed how we trust to self serving friendship Hereupon Rees Vachan razed the Castle of Senghennyth and all the Castles he had in his custody in that Country and banished all the English there inhabiting with their wives and Children for ever Strangers banished out of Wales and divided the Country amongst the Welsh who have kept it ever since The year ensuing Prince Lhewelyn put Garrisons into the Castles of Caermarthyn and Aberteini Then young Rees by the Prince his consent went to the King and did homage for his lands In the year following Rees Gryc married the daughter of the Earle of Clare and John de Bruse married the daughter of P. Lewelin The Flemmings violate the Oath year 1220 The year 1220 Lhewelyn Prince of Wales conducted an army to Pembroke against the Flemmings who contrary to their Oath and League had taken the Castle of Aberteini which Castle the Prince won and destroyed putting the Garrison to the sword razed the Castle and went thence to Gwys where he razed that Castle and burned the town Also he caused all Hanerford to be burned to the Castle gates and destroyed all Ros and Dongledhan and they who kept the Castle sent to him for truce till the first of May which was concluded upon conditions and so he returned home year 1221 Also this year certain Lords of Wales besieged the Castle of Buelht which belonged to Reynalt de Bruse therefore the King came with an army to the Marches and raised the siege and came as far as Montgomery and built a Castle there Montgomery castle built by K. John The year following there fell a great difference betwixt Prince Lhewelin and Gruffith his son for this Gruffith enjoyed the Cantref of Merioneth without his fathers consent and therefore his father sent for him to come unto him which he denied to do Therefore the Prince sware that he would be revenged upon him and his confederates for that dishonour and then came with a great army to Merioneth but the son not fearing his father got his people into the field ready to abide the battail but as they were in fight there was a peace concluded and Gruffith yielded to his father and cryed him mercy Then Lhewelin although he forgave his son the offence yet he took Merioneth and Ardydwy from him and building a Castle there returned home again At this time young Rees forsook Prince Lhewelyn because Aberteini was not delivered him as the promise was at the division of South Wales and went to William Marshal Earle of Pembroke which caused Prince Lhewelyn to come to Aberystwyth and seize the castle and all the Territories to his own use Young Rees hearing this went to the King to complain upon Prince Lhewelin and the King sent for the prince to Shrewsbury and made him and Rees friends the prince promising to deale with Rees for Aberteini as he had done with Maelgon for Caermarthyn This Winter John Bruse by the consent of prince Lhewelyn fortified the Castle of Senghennyth Young Rees dies and is buried at Stratâ—lur The year after young Rees departed out of this life being a lusty Gentleman and endued with many notable vertues and was buryed at Stratflur whose inheritance Lhewelin divided between his brother Gwen and his Vncle Maelgon year 1223 In the year 1223. William Marshal came from Ireland and landed at St. Davids with a great army and shortly after laid seige to Aberteini and got it and from thence marched to Caermarthyn and likewise got the same Lhewelin prince of Wales at what time William Marshal Earle of Pembrock prosecuted the wars in Ireland took the two castles in VVales belonging to the Earle And now speaking of this Earof Pembrock as formerly I have done I will set down a Catalogue of the Earles of that place with their armes Pembrockshire was inhabited of old by the Dimetae a Country quite surrounded by the sea save where it joyneth unto Caerdegan and Caermarthynshires a country plentiful in corne and cattel and fish not destitute of pitcoale and which is far above the rest as Giraldus tells considering that is so near to Ireland of a wholesome and temperate air it contains in it 140. parish churches and 5. Markets that which is most of note being Milford renowned for its safe and capacious haven but that from which it takes its denomination is the Town of Pembrock seated upon a forked arme of Milford haven and in the best part of the country the Town consisting principally of one long street on a long narrow point of a rock and hath in the walls thereof two churches The Earles hereof in former times were County Palatines and passed all things that concerned that County under the seale of the Earldom and it continued so until the reign of K. H. VIII when as VVales was reduced to England and the authority of the great Lords there dissolved by Parliament since which the Earles of Pembrock have been meerly titulan as of other places and of each sort were these in their several ages the Marquesses and Earles of Pembrock 1 Gilbert de Clare 2 Richard de Clare surnamed Srongbow Or 3 Cheverons G. a Cressant for difference 3 William Marshal married Isabel daughter and heir of Rich. Strongbow 4 William Marshal Lord Chief Justice 5 Richard Marshal 6 Gilbert Marshal 7 Walter Marshal 8 Anselme Marshal Party per pale Or and vert a Lyon Rampant Gules incensed Azure 9 William de Valence half brother to Henry III. whose wife was daughter of a Sister of Anselme Marshal 10 Aymer de Valence Ten Clossets Argent and B as many Martlets in Vrle Gules Mr. Brochcals larnly of 10. pieces 11 Laurence Hastings who married the Lady Isabella Valence 12 John Hastings 13 John Hastings this John bore quarterly Brotherton Hastings Or a Manch Gules Valence and Brotherton 14 Humphrey Duke of Glocester Quarterly France and England a border Arg. 15 VVilliam de la Pole Duke of Suffolk B. a fess between three Leopards heads Or. 16 Jasper of Hatfield brother to King Henry the Sixt after Duke of Bedford Quarterly France and England in a border B. 8 martlets Or Mr. Brock calls them
Semy 17 VVilliam Herbert 18 VVilliam Herbert Party per pale B. and G. 3 Lyons Ramp Arg. 19. Edward Prince of VVales son of K. Edw. IV. Quarterly France and England a Label Arg. 20 Anne Bullen Marchioness of Pemb. wife to Hen. 8. Arg. a Cheveren G. between 3 Bulls heads coupe Sable 21 VVilliam Herber created Earle by Edw. 6. 22 Henry Herbert 23 VVilliam Herbert Lord Steward and Chancellour of Oxford 24 Philip Herbert Earle of Pembroke and Montgomery 25 Philip Herbert now living Quarterly Band G 3 Lions Ramp Arg. a border Gotone of the second and Or besants this border is now laid aside Lex Talionis This Earle hearing that Lhewelin had taken his Castles and put his men to the sword returned from Ireland with all speed and recovering his forts used the same courtesy towards Lhewelins men as he had shewed to his and then entring further into the Princes Country destroyed all before him as he went Mat. Paâ—is 423 who saith that the Earl had the victory and â—hat there were slain â—000 persons These tidings coming to Lhewelins ear did much vex him whereupon he sent Gruffith his son with a power of men to impeach the Earl from passing further Griffith went to Cyeweli and understanding that the Burgesses of the town meant to betray him burned the town churches and all to the ground Then VVilliam Marshal passed the River Tywy at Caermardhyn where Gruffith met with him and gave him battail which was long time doubtful and endured until night and then either party withdrew themselves and the River betwixt and after they had abode so for certain dayes Gruffith for lack of victuals for his men were about 9000 persons returned back Cilgerran Castle built and the Earle went to Cilgerran and began to build there a very strong castle but receiving letters from the King to come speak with him he went to the Court by sea and left his army to continue the work which he had begun The King and the Archbishop being at Ludlow sent for the Prince and would gladly have composed matters between him and the Earl but it would not be and so they departed And when the Earle would have passed to Pembrock by land with the strength of the Earle of Derby and Henry Pigot Lord of Ewyas the prince sent his son to keep the passage at Carnwylhion and he himself came as farr as Mabedryd which when the Earle understood He retreated back to England and the prince bent his course for North VVales year 1226 The year 1226. Rees Vachan son of Rees Gryc took his father prisoner and would not set him at liberty till he had delivered him the Castle of Lhanymdhfry At this time Meredyth Archdeacon of Caerdigan son to prince Rees was interred by his father at St. Davids The year following K. Henry the III. now King of England came with a great army into Wales as far as Ceri and encamped there K. Henry 3. of England Mat. Paris p. 463. and on the other side Lhewelyn called to him all the power of VVales encamped not far off and there passed divers great skirmishes and chiefly upon one day the most part of both armies was in the field and many of the Kings men at which time William de Bruse son to Reynalt was taken prisoner who offered for his ransom the Country of Buelht P. Lhewelin a worthy prince and a great summe of money beside Then was a peace concluded between the King and the prince whereupon the Prince came and did honour unto the King but not as his King and Lord and every party returned home Mr Powel fol. 282. This History saith Mr. Powel is somewhat otherwaies set down by Matt. Paris which I have thus translated out of the same Author About the same time those Souldies which lay in Garrison in the Castle of Montgomery went out with some of their Neighbours to amend a certain passage in the highway leading through a great wood thereby where the Welshmen were wont to rob and slay such as traveled that way and coming to the place with their axes and other weapons began to fell trees and to cut down the bushes whereby the way might be enlarged which thing when the Welshmen understood they came with a great power and setting upon their enemies compelled them to take the Castle for their defence certain being slain on both sides and then casting a trench about the same laid siege to it The Castle honour of Mâ—ntgâ—mery given to Hubert de Bâ—â—g This being speedily carried to Hubert de Burge Chief Justice of England to whom a little before the same castle and honour was given The King himself with convenient speed coming raised the siege and when his whole army came unto him for few Souldiers came with him thither he went to the said wood which was very large being five miles in length and by reason of the thick growth of the same very hard to be mooted howbeit the King caused the same with great diligence and travail to be asserted and consumed with fire King Henry causeth â—â—â—d a Abbey to be burnt Then leading his army further into the Country he came to an Abbey of white Monks called Cridia being a refuge for the Welsh to fly unto which he caused to be burnt to Ashes where Hubert de Burg to whom the place seemed very fit for fortification having the assent of the King caused a castle to be built but eâ—e the work could be finished many were slain on both sides and Will de Bruse a valiant Souldier and Chieftain who went out to make provision for the army was taken by the Welshmen and secured and divers others went out for the like purpose whereof one being Knighted a few dayes before seeing some of his fellows in danger like to be distressed rushed boldly into the midst of his enemies killing many about him yet in the end with many others of the Kings men was slain several also of the Kings men being confederates with P. Lhewelyn did very remisly defend themselves his cause with whome they came thither whereupon the King wanting necessary provision and perceiving the double dealing of some of his own men was constrained to conclude a dishonourable peace with the Welshmen giving his assent that the Castle which with so great expences of men and money was almost finished should be razed at his own charges An ignoble peace to the English taking of P. Lhewelin 3000 pound toward the same the peace being thus confirmed both parties went homewards Thus the King of England after he had bestowed three moneths in the building of the said Castle and disbursed an incredible some of mony in vain leaving William de Bruse one of his nobles in the Prince his prison returned home with great stain of honour The name also which Hubert the Chief Justice had given to the Castle viz. Huberts folly Stulitia Huberti
to him that searcheth out their Histories but I intending to finish the History during the Government of the Brittains have sought out in other Chronicles written in the Latine tongue especially in the Chronicle of Nicholas Trivet King Hen 3. dyeth who wrote from the begining of the raign of King Stephen to the Coronation of Edward the second and such other as much as I could find concerning this matter In the year 1272. dyed King Henry the third and Edward his Son coming from the holy Land two years after was crowned at Westminster King of England to which Coronation the Prince of Wales refused to come although he was sent for alledging for his excuse that he had offended many Noblemen of England and therefore would not come in danger without he had for pledges the Kings brother with the Earl of Glocester and Robert Burnell Chief Justice of England wherewith the King was highly displeased year 1274 King Edward could never brook P. Lhewelyn since the time that he was compelled to flight by him at their meeting in the Marches as before Thom. Walsh on the other side Lhewelyn liked no better of the King then the King did of him again those Noblemen who for their disobedience were dis-inherited by Lhewelyn were received and entertained by King Edward which things caused the Prince to fear some evil practice by those and other such as hated him if he should have been at the Kings Coronation to do his homage and fealty according to the writ directed unto him in that behalfe as appeareth by an instrument sent by the said Prince to Robert Kilwarby Archbishop of Canterbury the Archbishop of Yorke and other Bishops sitting then at their Convocation in the new Temple at London Anno. 1275. wherein the causes of this war are contained which instrument it self as it was then sent is extant to this day written in parchment with the Princes great seal thereunto appendant which I have seen saith this Author and copied out of the Original verbatim Mr. Lhoyd being then in the custody of Thomas Yale Doctor of Law of late Dean of the Arches a great searcher and preserver of the antiquities of Wales which I thought convenient here to lay down for the fuller understanding of this History Reverendissimis in Christo Patribus Dominis Roberto Dei gratia Archiepiscopo Cant. totius Angliae Primati Archiepis Eborum ac eorum suffraganis c. To the most Reverend Fathers in Christ and Lords Robert Archbishop of Canterbury Primate of England and the Archbishop of Yorke and their Suffragans being now together at London in Councel Their devote Son Lhewelyn Prince of Wales and Lord of Snowdon greeting with due Obedience Reverence and Honour in all things Be it known unto your reverend Father-hoods that where heretofore contention and discord whereof war followed and long continued arose betwixt the King of Noble memory Henry King of England of the one party and us of the other party the same contentions and strife were at the last appeased by authority of the See Apostolick and means of the reverend Father Lord Otobanus Deacon and Cardinal of St. Adrian Legate into England as it appeareth in the form of Treaty and Peace betwixt the said King and Edward his first begotten Son Lord Edward now King of England and their Successors on the one party and us and our Successors on the other party by the corporal Oath of both parties assured Which form of peace was committed to writing with the said Legate with the seal of the said King and the seal of the said Lord Edward now King and with our seal also in the which peace it is contained amongst other things as you do well know as we believe that we and our Successors should hold of the King and his Successors the Principality of Wales So that all Welsh Barons should hold their Baronies and Lands of us and our Successors in Capite and should do homage and fealty to us and to our heirs one Baron excepted for the which we and our Successors should do homage and fealty to the Lord the King and his Successors It is further contained in the same peace that neither the said King nor his Successors should receive any of our Enemies or any running from us or our Successors nor should help or maintain any such against us or our Successors The which all are contained in the form of peace the Tenor whereof the Reverend Fathers of Strata Florida and Aberconwey bearers hereof can shew you But see Reverend Fathers the Lord Edward now King of England after the said peace taketh into his hands certain Barons Lands in Wales of which they and their Ancestors have been long possessed and keepeth a Barony in his hands which should be ours by the form of peace other Barons of our Land being from us fugitives runing to him he keepeth helpeth and maintaineth David ap Gruffith and Gruffith ap Gwenwynwyn who purposed our death and destruction Notwithstanding that since their departure they have robbed within our Land committed slaughter and burning of houses do daily the like against the peace aforesaid and although we have often sent our griefs and complaints by solemn messengers to the said Noble Lord Edward as well before he was King as since yet unto this day he never did any redress therein also that which is more perilous he called us unto a place not to us safe amongst our deadly Enemies our fugitives and fellons and their spies and murderers to do him homage and fealty to which place we can no wayes come without danger of our body especially seeing our Enemies above said to be in that place at the Kings table and sometimes in Councel and openly brag themselves And though lawfull and reasonable excuses were alledged by our messengres before the King and his Councel why the place was not safe nor indifferent yet he refused to allow or appoint any other place indifferent for us to do homage and fealty which we were and are ready to do unto him in any safe place by him to be appointed if he will appoint any and to perform the other articles of the peace concluded and sworn And for that it pleaseth him not to come to any place where we could with safety do him homage we were suiters to him to send any from him to receive our oath and homage untill it pleased him to appoint a place where we shall do our homage to him personally the which thing he utterly denyed to do We therefore beseech your Father-hoods earnestly that it may please you to consider what danger should happen to the people both of England and of Wales by reason of the breach of Covenants of peace abovesaid if now wars and discord should follow which God forbid attending and calling to remembrance the prohibition of the Holy Father the Pope lately in the Councel at Lyons that no war should be moved amongst Christians least thereby the
affairs of the holy Land should be neglected that it would please you also to help with your Councel with the Lord and King that he would use us and order us according to the peace agreed upon the which we will no way infringe And if he will not hearken to your Counsel therein which God forbid that you will hold us excused for we will no waies as much as lieth in us procure the trouble and disquietness of the Realm And if it may please you to give credit to our messengers which we do send to the King at the day by him to us appointed to alledge our lawful excuses in those things which they by mouth shall on our part shew unto You resting to do Your will and pleasure if it please You to write again Dated at Talybont the eight Day of October Anno 1275. year 1277 Shortly after the King came to Chester Thom. Walsh fol. 6. Mar. West p. 364. willing the Prince to come thither and do him homage which when the prince detracted to do the King gathered an army to compel him thereto The year following the Countesse of Leicester wife to Simon Montfort which remained at a Nunnery in France sent her daughter to Wales to marry the prince as it was ' agreed betwixt them in her Fathers time and with her came her brother Admerike and a courtly company who fearing the coast of England bent their voyage to the Isle of Sylly whereby chance they met with four ships of Bristol which set upon and took them and brought them to the King who entertains the Lady houourably sending her brother to be kept prisoner in the castle of Corff from whence he was removed to the castle of Sherburne Then the King prepared two armies A prodigious Omen to Wales whereof the one he conducted himself to Northwales as far as Ruthlan and fortified the castle and the other he sent with Paganis de Camurtiis a worthy Souldier to Westwales they burned and destroyed a great part of the Country and this year itrained blood in divers places of Wales The year ensuing the Lords of Southwales came to the Kings peace The jangling of the Welsh among themselves their utter overthrow and did him homage and delivered the Castle of Stratywy unto the K. Lieutenant Paganus de Camurtli if his sirname be not mistaken for de Cadurcis it is the family of Chaworth in Notinghamshire This Prince understanding this and seeing that his own people had forsaken him sent to the King for peace which was agreed upon these conditions 1. First that all such as the Prince kept prisoners of the Kings and for his cause should be set at liberty 2. Item That the Prince should pay to the King for his favour and good will 50000 marks to be paid at the Kings pleasure 3 Item That four Cantreds should reman to the King and his heirs for ever which Cantreds I think were these cantref Ros where the Kings Castle of Teganny stood cantref Rynivioc where Denbigh cantref Tegengl where Ruthlan standeth and cantref Dyffryn Clwd where Ruthin is 4 Item That the Lords Merchers should quietly enjoy all the Lands that they had conquered within Wales 5. Item That the Prince should pay yearly for the Isle of Môn or Anglesey 1000 marks which payment should begin at Michaelmas then next ensuing and that also he should pay 5000 marks out of hand and if the prince dyed without issue the Isle should remain to the King and his heirs 6 Item That the Prince should come to England every Christmas to do the King homage for his lands 7. Item That all the Barons in Wales should hold their lands of the King except 5. in Snowden who should ackowledg the Prince to be their Lord. 8. Items that he should for his lifetime enjoy the name of Prime and none of his heirs after him so that after his death the foresaid five Barons should hold of the King and none other 9. Item that for the performance of the Articles the prince should deliver for hostages ten of the best in Wales without imprisonining disinheriting or time of deliverance determined and also the King to choose twenty within Northwales that should take their oathes with the prince for performance of these Articles and if the Prince should swerve from any of them and being thereof admonished would not amend and redresse the same Th. Walsh p. 7 they should forsake him and become his enemies The prince was also bound to let his brethren enjoy their lands in Wales of whom David had long served the King whom the King had made Knight contrary to the manner of Wales and had given him in marriage the daughter of the Earle of Derby whose first husband was lately deceased to whom the King gave Denbigh in Northwales and 1000l lands therewith And his other brother Roderike was lately fled to England out of prison and Owen the third was delivered at this composition This peace was concluded in the Kings absence who appointed one his Commissioners Mr. Trinet Sol p. 787. to wit the Lord Ripiost to take an oath of him and authorised the said Robert Antonio Becke and William de Southampton Prior Provincial of the Friers predicant Commissioners appointed on his behalf to receive the like oath of the said Lhewelyn for whose part Theodor or Tudor ap Ednivet and Grono ap Heilin were Commissioners At this time the King builded a Castle at Aberystwyth returned into Eng. with much honour unto whom the people granted a subsidy of the twentieth part of their goods towards his charges in this war The year following the marriage was celebrated at Worcester betwixt Elianor daughter to Simon Montfort and prince Lhewelin where the King Queen and the most part of the Nobility of England were present Also the year after Roger Mortimer set up at Killingworth a round table for a hundred Knights to be exercised in the feats of arms The Kof Scots sucâ—ouâ—eth against the Welsh and thither resorted many Knights from divers Countries At this time the King of Scots did homage to K. Edward and obtained the Kings letters that his succours in the last wars of Wales were not done by the name of service but good will The peace concluded betwixt the prince of Wales and the King of England did not long continue by reason of the severe and strict dealing of such Officers as the King appointed rulers in the Marshes and the Inland country of Wales who hunting after their own gains oppressed the Inhabitants burdening them with new exactions contrary to the custom of the country and also shewing themselves too much affectionate and partial in matters of controversy betwixt party party especially when any Englishman had to do in the matter which poling and partiality did altogether alienate the hearts of the people from the King of England so that they had rather die then live in such thraldom whereupon assembling
said Reginald Grey returned into Wales he would take 24 men of every Cantref and either behead them or imprison them perpetually 16. Item Whereas we paid our Taxes and Rents in old money half year before the coming of new money they enforced us to pay new money for the old These griefs and the like the said Reginald offered us and threatned that if we would send any to the King to complain he would behead them and when we sent any to the King they could never speak with the King but spent us much money in vain for which griefs we believe our selves free before God from the Oath we have made to the King These Griefs following the King and his Justices offered to Rees Vachan of Stratywy 1. After that the said Rees gave the King his Castle of Dynevowr since the last peace the said Rees then being in the Tent of the Lord Payne de Gadersey at the same time there were slain six Gentlemen of the said Rees his men for whom they never had amends which was to him great grief and loss 2. Item John Gifford claimed the said Rees his Inheritance at Hiruryn and the said Rees requested the Law of his Countrey of the King or the Law of the Countrey of Caermarthen in the which Countrey the Ancestors of the said Rees were wont to have Law when they were of the peace of the Englishmen and under their regiment but the said Rees could have no Law but lost all his lands They would have had him to answer in the County of Hereford where none of his Ancestors ever answered Further in the lands of the said Rees were such enormities committed which do most appertain to the State Ecclesiastical that is to say in the Church of St David which they call Lhangadoc Grievous sacriledge committed by the English they made Stables and plaid the Harlots and took away all the goods of the said Church and burning all the houses wounded the Priest of the said Church before the high Altar and left him there as dead 3. Item In the said Countrey they spoiled and burnt the Churches of Dyngad Lhantredaff and other Churches in other parts they spoiled their Chalices Books and all other Ornaments These be the Griefs which the King and his Justice gave to Lhewelyn ap Rees and Howell ap Rees After that a Form of peace was concluded betwixt Henry then King of England and the Prince of Wales the said King granted and confirmed by his Charter to the said Prince the homage of the said Noblemen so long as they stood friends with the Prince according to the said gift and confirmation But Edward now King disinherited the said Gentlemen of their lands so that they could not have their own lands neither by law nor by favour These be the Griefs done by the Englishmen to the sons of Meredyth ap Owen 1. After that the King had granted the Gentlemen their own inheritance of Geneurglyn and Creuthyn he contrary to the peace disinherited the said Gentlemen denying them all lawes and customs of Wales and of the County of Caermarthyn 2. The said King in his County of Caerdigan by his Justices compelled the said Gentlemen to give judgement upon themselves where their predecessors never suffered the like of Englishmen 3. The said Justices of the King having taken away the Courts of the Noblemen in Wales and compelled the people to satisfie before them for trespasses when as they ought to have satisfied by the said Nobles 4. When a Wrack happeneth upon any of the grounds of the Noblemen whose ancestors had the Wrack they should have the same yet the King forbiddeth them and the said King by colour of that Ship-wrack contrary to their custom and law did condemn them in eight Marks and took away all the goods of the Ship-wrack The Complaints of the Noblemen of Strattalyn of the Wrongs and Griefs done to them by Roger Clifford and Roger Scrochill Deputy to the said Roger Clifford contrary to the Priviledge Justice and Custom of the said Noblemen as they say and prove 1. When the said Roger compelled the said men of Strattalyn to give them to have their customs and priviledges 20 Marks starling and after the payment of the money they brake by and by after this sort to put upon 12 men according to the laws of England which was never the manner or custom of the said Countrey 2. Item Madoc ap Blethyn was condemned in 4 Marks unjustly contrary to the laws and use of the Countrey 3. Item Grono Goch was likewise condemned 5 Marks and 12 Beasts contrary to the customs of his Countrey Dear Venison 4. Item The said Roger took the lands of the men of the Countrey as forfeit and for one foot of a Stagg found in a Dogs mouth three men were spoiled of all they had 5. Item Itlhel ap Gwysty was condemned in a great sum of money for the fact of his father done 40 years before 6. Item The said Rogers laid upon us the finding of all the English Souldiers where as before there was but one half 7. Item We were given to Mr. Maurice de Cruny and were sold to Roger Clifford which was never seen in our parents time 8. Item The widow of Robert of the Mowld asked of the King the third part of the land in the Mowld in Ward whereas it was judged before the King that the said lands were never given in Ward These be the Articles of Grief done to the men of Penlhyn by the Constable of Henry Chambers of the White Abbey and his men 1. Cynwric ap Madoc was spoiled by them in the time of peace of 8 pound 4 Oxen Corn the work of one plough for two years and to the value of 3 pound of 3 of his men and they had the worth of 16 pound for the said 8 pound and did beat him besides which was more wrong for then he was the Princes Constable at Penlhyn and all the cause that they pretended to make this spoyl was only that they said they had found 24 sheafes of Tythe in the house of a servant of the said Cynwric 2. Item Adam Criwr was condemned in 8 s. 8 d. and a Mare price 20 s. and was taken and beaten for that he had taken the Stealer of that Mare and brought him bound with him the which Thief was forthwith delivered 3. Item Jorwerth ap Gurgenen was condemned in 4 l. for that he had scaped out of their prison in time of the wars and was found in the same Town in time of peace and this is directly against the peace concluded betwixt the King and the Prince 4. Item Cadua Dhu servant to the Constable of Penlhyn was condemned because he would not receive the old money for new 5. Item Gruffith ap Grono the Princes man was spoiled of an Oxe price 11 s. 8 d. and after that the Constable had ploughed with the said Oxe 7 moneths he paid to the said Gruffith
for the said Oxe 3 s. 4 d. 6. Item Two servants of one named YBongan were spoiled of 2 l. for that they took a Thief that robbed them by night and yet the Thief was delivered 7. Item Eneon ap Ithel was taken beaten and spoiled of two Oxen price 24 s. and 2 d. for this cause onely That the said Oxen went from one street to another in the Town 8. Item Guyan Maystran was spoiled of his money because a certain Merchant of Ardudwy owed them certain things and yet the said Merchant was not of their Baliwicke The Griefs of Grono ap Heilyn 1. A Tenant of Grono ap Heilyn was called to the Kings Court without any cause Then Grono came at the day appointed to defend his Tenant and demanded justice for him or the Law which the men of his Countrey did use All this being denied the said Tenant was condemned in 27 l. 1 d. ob which caused the said Grono to go to London for justice which was promised him but he could never have any where he spent in his journy 15 marks 2. A certain Gentleman was slain who had fostered the son of Grono ap Heilyn and he that killed him was taken and brought to Ruthlan Castle then the said Grono and the kindred of him that was slain asked justice but some of them were imprisoned and the Killer discharged Then Grono went again to London for justice which the King did promise him but he never had any but spent 20 Marks 3. The third time Grono was fain to go to London for justice in the premises where he spent 18 Marks 6 s. 6 d. And then likewise the King promised him that he should have justice but when he certainly believed to have justice Reginald Grey came into the Countrey and said openly that he had all doings in that Countrey by the Kings Charters and took away all the Baliwikes which the King had given to the said Grono and sold them at his pleasure Then the said Grono asked justice of the said Reginald but he could not be heard 4. The said Grono took to Farm for 4 years of Godfrey Marliney Maynan and Lhyffayn then Robert Cruquer came with his Horses and Armes to get the said land by force and for that Grono would not suffer him to have the said lands before his years were out he was called to the Law and then the said Reginald Grey came with 24 Horses to take the said Grono And for that that day they could not have their purpose they called Grono the next day to Ruthlan and then Grono had councel not to go to Ruthlan Then they called him again to answer at Caerwys but the said Grono durst not go thither but by the conduct of the Bishop of St. Asaph for that Reginald Grey was there and his men in Harness 5. For these griefs for the which he could get no justice but labour and expences of 54 Marks and more and for that he durst not in his own person go to the Court he sent Letters one to the King another to his brother Lhewelyn to signifie to the King that he should lose all the favour of the Countrey if he kept no promise with them and so it came to pass because the men of Ros and Englefield could get no justice the King neglecting the correction of these things lost the whole Countrey Humbly sheweth to your Holiness Lord Archbishop of Canterbury Primate of England the Noblemen of Tegengl That when the said Noblemen did their Homage to the Lord Edward King of England the said King promised them to defend them and their Goods and that they should use all kind of Right Priviledge and Jurisdiction which they did use in the time of King Henry by the Grant of the said King whereof they were after spoiled First they were spoiled of their Right and Priviledges and Customs of the Countrey and were compelled to be judged by the Lawes of England whereas the Tenure of that their priviledge was to be judged according to the Laws of Wales at Tref Edwyn at Ruthlan and at Caerwys and the best men of the Countrey were taken because they desired to be judged at Tref Edwyn according to the Tenure of their priviledges by the Laws of Wales 2. Whatsoever one Justice doth his successor doth reverse the same for in Davids case Reginald Grey revoked that which his predecessor confirmed and allowed 3. If he do take any Gentleman of that Countrey he will not let him go upon security which he ought to do 4. If any Gentleman be brought to the Castle of Flint upon a small accusation and his cattel withal they can neither be delivered or have delay until they give the Constable an Oxe and until they pay 3 l. fees to Cynwrick for having of the delay 5. Reginald Grey gave the lands of the men of Merton to the Abbot and Covent of Basingwerk against the Laws of Wales and Custom of the Countrey and contrary to the Form of peace betwixt Lhewelyn and the King that is to say 16 Caratatas terrae 6. The Noble and Best of the Countrey be injured for that the King builded the Castle of Flint upon their ground and the King commanded the Justices to give the men as much good ground or the price but they are spoiled of their lands and have neither other lands nor their money 7. Reginald Grey will not suffer men to cut their own Wood until he have both money and reward and until they pay for it also but permitteth others to cut it down freely which they ought not to do by the Laws and Customs of Wales 8. When the men of Cyrchynan Covenant with the King to give the King half a Meadow upon condition the King should not suffer the Woods to be cut down Howel ap Gruffith being present yet Reginald Grey hath broken the same permitting every man to cut their Woods and spoil them also of their Meadow 9. The same Cynwric ap Grono was taken at Ruthlan and put in prison without any cause at all neither would the Kings Officers deliver him unless he would redeem the gage of a certain woman for the which he was constrained to pay much more than the pawn lay for 10. When the Bailiff of Ruthlan was at a Feast Hicken Lemaile wounded a Gentleman cruelly in the presence of the said Bailiff by occasion of which wound Hicken was condemned in 8 l. and when he which was hurt would have demanded the 8 l. he was put in prison by Hicken 11. The messengers of Reginald Grey attempted an absurdity not heard of and requiring the people of the Countrey to plough his ground and sowe the same and the messengers were Cynwric Says and Hicken Lemayl and the said Cynwric swore openly before the whole company that unless all men should plough Reginald Greys ground they should shortly repent it then the people feared much as in that case any constant man would fear 12. The heirs of
Tegengl bought their Offices for 30 Marks of the King but afterward Reginald Grey spoiled them of their Offices and money contrary to the Laws and Customs of England 13. Seven Gentlemen were wrongfully killed by the Englishmen but as yet the Parents of the Gentlemen can have no amends and though the offenders were taken yet the said Constable let them go without punishment 14. The Constable of Ruthlan kept two of the Kings souldiers in prison for that they took an Englishman who had wounded a man All these things contained in these Articles are contrary to the priviledge liberty and right of the said men and contrary to the Laws and Customs of Wales neither dare the Inhabitants send their Complaints to the King for fear of Reginald Grey which fear any constant man might have because the said Reginald said openly that if he could come by any such their messengers he would cut off their heads as it is certainly told us by one of his Councel further neither tongue can tell nor pen write how cruelly the men of Tegengl have been ordered Humbly complaineth to your Lordship my Lord Archbishop of Canterbury Primate of all England Lhewelyn ap Gruffith ap Madoc of the Constable of Oswalds Cross the King and of the men of that Town who have spoiled the said Lhewelyn of the third part of a Town called Lhedrot and his fathers house without any Law or Right or Custom of the Countrey Further the said Constable and his Complices have against the Laws and Customs of the Countrey spoiled the said Lhewelyn of his Common and Pasture which he and his predecessors have used time out of mind and further condemned the said Lhewelyn for the said Pasture in 70 Marks And further the King of England granted certain Letters to a Bastard called Gruffith Vachan of Cynlhaeth to law with the said Lhewelyn for his whole Lordship and possessions by the occasion of the which Letters the said Lhewelyn hath spent 200 l. of good money Also the said Constable compelled the said Lhewelyn to send two Gentlemen to him whom when they came to him he caused to be hanged which Gentlemen ought not by right to have been hanged whose parents had rather have given him 300l Afterward the said Constable imprisoned 60. of the Men of the said Lhewelyn no cause alledged but that a certain Page spake a word who could not be delivered out of prison untill every one of them paid 10 s. When the Men of the said Lhewelyn came to the said Town to sell their Oxen the said Constable would cause the beast to be driven to the Castle neither would he restore the beasts nor mony for them Further the said Constable and his men took away the Cattle of the said Lhewelyn from his own ground and did their will with them Further the Kings Justices compelled the said Lhewelyn contrary to the law and custome of Wales to deliver to the Sons of Eneon ap Gruffith a certain Town which both he and his Ancestors ever had held The said Constable took the horse of Lhewelyns Baliffe when the said Baliffe owed him nothing who could never get his horse again nor any satisfaction for it Furthermore when the said Lhewelyn should have gone to a Town called Caerlheon to appear there as he was appointed the Sons of Gruffith ap Gwenwynwyn and the Soldiers of Robert Strange by the Councel of the said Roger took the said Lhewelyn and his Men and imprisoned them to their great damage which the said Lhewelyn would not for 300 l. starling who could by no means be delivered untill they had found sufficient sureties The Archbishop receiving these and other Articles came to the King and requested him to consider these wrongs and to cause amends to be made or at the least excuse the Welshmen having so just cause of grief who answered that the Welshmen were to be excused yet he said he was ever ready to do Justice to all them that complained Whereupon the Archbishop besought the King again that the Welshmen might have free access to his Grace to declare their griefs and to seek remedy the King answered they should freely come and depart if it should seem that by Justice they deserved to depart The Archbishop hearing this went and came to the Prince of Wales in Snowdon that he might move him and his Brother David and the other company to submit themselves whereby he might incline the King to admit them to which after much talke and conference with the Archbishop the Prince answered that he was ready to submit to the King reserving two things that is to say his conscience which he ought to have for the rule and safe-guard of his people and also the decency of his State and calling which answer the Archbishop brought and reported to the King At the which the King said that he would not any other treaty of peace then that the Prince and his people should simply submit themselves But the Archbishop knowing well that the Welshmen would not submit themselves but in form aforesaid or in other form to them tolerable and of them liked requested the King that he might have conference in this matter with all the Noble Englishmen then present who after much conference agreed to all these Articles following The which Articles the Archbishop did send in writing to the Prince by John Wallensis These are to be said to the Prince before his Councel 1. First that the four Cantreds and the Lands by the King given to his Nobles and the Isle of Anglesey we will have no treaty of 2 Item Of the Tenants of the four Cantreds if they will submit themselves he purposeth to do as becometh a Kings Majesty and we verily believe he will deal with them mercifully and to that end we will labour and trust to obtain 3. As touching the Lord Lhewelyn we can have none other answer but that he shall submit himself simply to the King and we believe certainly he will deal mercifully with him and to that end we travail all we can and verily believe to be heard The following are to be said to the Prince in secret 1. First that the Nobility of England have conceived this form of a favourable peace That the Lord Lhewelyn should submit himself to the King and the King should honourably provide for him 1000l starling and some honourable County in England so that the said Lhewelyn would put the King in quiet possession of Snowdon Durum telum necessitas and the King will provide honourably for the daughter of Lhewelyn according to the State and condition of his own blood and to these they hope to perswade the King 2. Item if it happen that Lhewelyn marry a wife and so have by her any heir Male they trust to intreat the King that the same heir Male and his heirs for ever shall have the same 1000l and County 3. Item to the people subject to the said Lhewelyn the
King will provide as becometh their Estates and condition and to that the King is well enclined These are to be said to David Brother to Lhewelyn in secret A specious banishment First That if for the honour of God Juxta debitum crucis assumptae he will go to the holy land he shall be provided for according to his degree so that he do not return unless he be called by the King and we trust to intreat the King to provide for his child 2. And these things we tell our selves to the Welshmen that a great deal greater peril do hang over them then we told them by mouth when we were with them These things which we write seem grievous but it is a great deal more grievous to be oppressed with armes and finally to be rooted out because every day more and more their danger doth increase One of Jobs comforters 3. Item It is more hard to be alwayes in war in anguish of mind and danger of body alwayes sought and beseiged and so to dye in deadly sin and continual rancor and malice 4. Item We fear whereof we be sorry unless you do agree to peace we must certainly aggravate the sentence Ecclesiastical against you for your faults of the which you cannot excuse your selves whereas you shall find both grace and mercy if you will come to peace And send us your answer of these in writings To the most Reverend Father in Christ the Lord John by Gods grace Archbishop of Canterbury and Primate of all England his Obedient Son Lhewelyn Prince of Wales and Lord of Snowdon sendeth greeting Most heartily with all Reverence and Honour we are content and ready holy Father as you have committed us to submit our selves unto the Kings grace so it be in that form that shall be safe and honest for us But because the form of submission contained in the Articles which were sent unto us is neither safe nor honest as we and our Councel do think at the which Articles all men do marvail tending rather to the destruction of us and our people then any security or honest dealing we may in no wise yield our assent unto it and if we should so do our Nobles and People would not agree to the same knowing the mischiefs and inconvenience that is like to ensue thereof Nevertheless we beseech your holy Father-hood that for the reformation of a decent honest and firm peace for the which you have taken so great pains you do circumspectly provide having respect unto the Articles which we send unto you in writing It is more honourable for the King more agreable to reason that we should hold our Lands in the County where we do dwell then that we should be dis-inherited and our Land given to other Men. Dated at Carth Celyn The Answer of the Welshmen First though the Lord the King will have no treaty of the four Cantreds the Lands that he gave to his Nobles The right of lands derived from Camber nor the Isle of Anglesey yet the Princes Councel will no peace be made unless treaty be had of them For that the four Cantreds be of the mere Tenure of the Prince whereas the Princes of Wales had more right since the time of Camber Son of Brute so that they be of the principality of VVales The confirmation of the which the Prince obtained by Otobanus the Popes Legate in England by the consent of the King and his Father As it doth appear by the Letters Patentes And more just and equal it is that our heirs do hold the said Cantreds of the King for mony The P. of Wales justly taxeth the K. of England and used service then the same to be given to strangers which abuse the people by force and power 2. All the Tenents of all the Cantreds of VVales altogether do say that they dare not submit themselves to the King to do his pleasure first for that the King kept neither covenant nor oath nor grant by charter from the beginning to the Prince or his people Secondly that the Kings men do cruelly exercise Tyranny towards the Church and Churchmen Thirdly that they be not bound to any such matter seeing they be the Princes Tenants who is ready to do used and accustomed service and to obey the King with and by the said service 3. To that which is said that the Prince should simply commit himself to the Kings will it is answered that none of us will dare come to the King for the cause aforesaid we altogether will not suffer our Prince to come in that manner 4. Item where the great Men of England would procure a provision of a 1000l per annum in England let it be answered that such provision is not to be accepted for it that is procured by them who go about to disinherit the Prince to have his Lands in VVales 5. Item The Prince ought not to dismiss his inheritance which his predecessours held in VVales since the time of Brutus and confirmed by the See Apostolick and to take lands in England where he knoweth neither tongue manners lawes nor customes wherein he shall be soon entrapped by his neighbours the Englishmen his old malicious enemies whereby he should lose land also 6. Item Seeing the King goeth about to deprive him of his ancient inheritance it is not like that he would suffer him to possesse Lands in England where he claimeth no right seeing that the Princes Lands in VVales of his own inheritance is but barren and untilled it is lesse like the King would suffer him to enjoy good fertile land in England 7. Item The Prince should give the King possession of Snowdon for ever Let it be answered that seeing that Snowdon is of the appurtenances of the principality of VVales which the Prince and his predecessours hold since the time of Brute His Councell will not suffer him to renounce that place and to take a place in England lesse due unto him 8. Item The people of Snowdon do say that although the prince would give the King possession of it yet they would never do homage to strangers of whose tongue Manners Lawes they should be ignorant for so they should be for ever Captives and as cruelly handled as the Cantreds have been by the Kings Bayliffs and other the Kings men handled more cruelly then Saracens as it doth well appear by the notes of their griefs which the men of the Cantreds sent to you holy Father These are to be Answered For David the Kings Brother When he is disposed to see the Holy Land will do it for Gods sake voluntarily not by such inforcement against his will for he intendeth not to go on pilgrimage in that sort because he knoweth enforced service not to please God and if he hereafter shall for devotion see the holy land that it is no cause for ever to disinherit his Ofspring but rather to reward them And for that neither the Prince nor his
Esterling commonly called Stradling Knight Sir Gilbert Stradling Knight Sir William Stradling Knight Sir John Stradling Knight Sir Peter Stradling Knight Julian sole Daughter and Heir to Tho. Hawey Esq Sir Edward Stradling Knight Elianor Daughter to Gilb. Stradling of a yonger Family Esq Sir Edward Stradling Knight Wenlian Sister and Heir to Sir Lawrence Beccols one of the twelve Knights Sir William Stradling Knight Isabell Daughter and Heir to Joht St. Barbe Com. Somer Esq Sir Edward Stradling Knight Jane Daughter to Henry Beaufort after Cardinal Sir Henry Stradling Knight Eliz. Sister by the whole bloud to William Earl of Pembrock Thomas Stradling Esq Jenet Daughter to Tho. Matthew of Kayder Esq Sir Edward Stradling Knight Eliz. daugh to Sir Tho. Arundel of Llanheyron Com. Devon Kt. Sir Thomas Stradling Knight Katherin d. to Sir Tho. Gamage Kt. Sir Edward Stradling Knight Agnes d. of Sir Edward Gage Kt. Sir John Stradling Knight created Baronet by K. James being the 6th Baronet so created  Sir Edward Stradling Baronet d. to Sir Tho. Maunsel Baronet Sir Edward Stradling Bar A Lady from London Sir Edward Stradling Baronet now living 1661. Sir EDWARD MORGAN of Lantarnam Com. Mon. Baronet Kidivor Vawr Lord of Kylsant one of the Peers of Wales of the Royal bloud of the Brittains paternally descended from Bely King of Brittain Kydivor Vawr Lord of Kilsant Elen d. and h. to Llewelen Vawr one of the Peers of Wales Bledry Lord Kilsant Clydwen d. and h. to Griffith ap Kydrych Lord of Gwenvay Ivor ap Bledery de eodem Tauglust d. and h. to Howel Sais Lord of S. Clere. Llewelin ap Ivor Lord of St. Clere. Augharand d. and h. to Sir Morgan Meredith L. of Tredegar Kt. Morgan Llewellin Lord of S. Clere and Tredegar Mallt daugh to Rhyn ap Gronwey Lord of Kybor Philip Morgan of Langston Com. Mon Esq a second brother daughter and heir of Sir John Norris of Langston Knight Jenkin Philip of Langston Esq Cicely d. to Sir John Welsh Kt. Morgan Jenkin of Langston Esq Eliz. d to Roger Vaughan Esq Sir Thomas Morgan of Penloyd Kt. Com Mon Joan d and h to John Gwillym Herbert of Itton Esq John Morgan of Caerleon a second Son Esq Eliz. d to Lewes ap Richard Wyn of the Van Com. Glamor Esq Will Morgan of Lantarnam Esq Eliz d to Sir Rees Maunsel Kt. Edward Morgan of Lantarnam Esq Eliz d and h to Hugh Smith of Long Ashton Com Som Esq William Morgan of Lantarnam Esq The Lady Frances daughter to the Earl of Worcester Sir Edward Morgan of Lantarnam Baronet Mary daughter to Sir Francis Englefeild Baronet Sir Edward Morgan of Lantarnam Baronet now living 1661. Frances daughter to Tho Morgan of Maughon Esq Edward Morgan Esquire Heir apparent Sir TREVOR WILLIAMS of Langibbie Com. Mon. Baronet Cradoc Vraych Vras E of Ferlix Tegayr d and h to K. Pallinor Maynarck Lord of Brecon Elinor d to Synon L. of Cwnwe Rees ap Maynarck Lord of Istradyw Joan d to Kydwayn ap Elistan P. of Ferlix Ruylhyn ap Rees Goch Lord of Istradywe Jonet Daughter and Coheir to Howell of Caerleon Kynvyn ap Kuylhyn Esq Gladys d to Sitsilt ap Difnwall ofVpper Gwent Esq Arthur ap Kynvyn Esq Elinor daughter to Meirick ap Cradoc Esq Howel ap Arthur Esq Joan d to Gronwey Vychan Esq Griffith ap Howell Esq d and h to Gronwey Vychan ap Gronwey ap Ririd of Penllin David ap Griffith Esq Maud d and heir to Llewellin ap Kynvrige Vychan Esq Howell Gam David Esq Joyce d to Sir Scudamore Kt. Evan ap Howell Esq Alice d to Morgan Vawr Esq Philip ap Evan Esq Jonet daughter to Meirick Hanard Esq Howell ap Philip Esq Jonet d to Rog David ap Meirick Gwillym ap Howell Esq Gwellian d to Jenken David ap Rees ap Gronwey Esq Tho Guillym Howell Esq Gwellia d to Meirick ap Evan ap Gronwey Esq John Thomas Esq Anne d to David Goch ap Jenkin Grant Esq William Jones Esq Margaret d to Edward Jenkin ap Roger of Martholy Esq Roger Williams Esq Dorothy d to Sir Baynam Kt. Rowland Williams Esq Cicely daughter to Sir Edward Maunsel Knight and Baronet Sir Charles Williams Knight Anne daugh to Sir John Trevor Sir Trevor Williams Baronet now living 1661. Eliz daughter to Tho Morgan of Maughan Esq and Coheir by her Mother to that never sufficiently admired Ralph Lord Hopton her Uncle Williams Esq Heir apparent WILLIAM LEWES of the Van and RICHARD LEWES of Edington Esquires and Brothers Cloddien ap Gurgan Prince of Dryswyn Morvid d and sole h to Odwin ap Teith Lord of Cardigan Gwaith Voed Lord of Gardigan in right of his Mother Morvid one of the daughters and Coheirs of Iuyr K. of Gwent Kydrych ap Gwaith Voed Lord of Gwyn Vai Nest daugh to Tango ap Cadvael Pr. of Ardydwy Cadivor ap Kydrych Lord of Twch Cayack Mevamwy daughter to Gurgan King of Morganog Moirick ap Cadivor Lord of Ywch Cayack Gladys daughter to Eiddyn King of Gwent Ivor ap Meirick alias Ivor Petty Lord Royal of St. Sein henidd Nest daugh and heir to Madoc ap Cradoc Lord Royal c. Griffith ap Ivor c. Elen daughter to Griffith ap Rees Tudor Prince of Wales Howell ap Griffith or Howell Velin Esq Sarah d and coheir to Sir Mayo Sore Lord of St. Fagans Madoc ap Howell of Marthyr Esq Efnydd d and one of the Heirs of Lewes descended from Minarch Lord of Brecon Llewellin ap Madoc of Marthyr Esq Llewellin Vychan of Marthyr Esq Rees ap Llewellin Vychan of Marthyr Esq Llewellin ap Rees of Marthyr Esq Joan d of Howel Gam Lord of Penrose Com Mon Esq Richard Gwyn of Marthyr Esq Jonet Lady of Marthyr sole d and Heir to Jeuan Esq Lewis ap Richard Gwin Esq Gladys d and sole h to Jenan ap John descended lineally from Brecon Lord of Brecknoc Edward Lewis of the Van Esq Anne d of Sir William Morgan of Pencoed Kt. John Morgan of Caerleon 2. son of this Sir William married Eliz. sister of this Edw Lewis from which cross match the Lewisses of the Van and Morgans of Lantarnam are desscended Tho Lewis of the Van Esq Margaret d to Robert Gamage Lord of Coyty Esq Sir Edward Lewis of the Van Knight Blanch d to Thomas Morgan of Tredegar Esq Sir Edward Lewis of the Van Knight The Lady Anne d to Robert Earl of Dorset and widdow to the Lord Beauchamp William Lewis of the Van Esq now living 1661. sole d and h to Banister Esq Rich Lewis of Edington Esq now living 1661. d and h to James Esq Lewis Esq Heir apparent Lewis Heir apparent THOMAS MORGAN of Maughan Esq Kydivor Vawr Lord of Blain Cych paternally descended from Bely the Great King of Btittain married Elen Daughter and Heir to Llewellen Vawr Bledry ap Kydivor Vawr Lord of Kylsant Clidwen d and h to Griffith Cederch Lord of Gwnfay Ivor ap Bledry Lord of Kylsant Esq Tanglust d and h to
great credit and favour between whom and the Lord Grey of Ruthin happen some discord about a piece of Commons lying between the Lordship of Ruthin and the Lordship of Glyndourdwy whereof Owen was owner and thereof took the sirname of Glindour during the reign of K. Richard Owen was too hard for the Lord Grey being then a servitour in court with K. Rich. with whom he was at the time of his taking in the castle of Flint by the Duke of Lancaster but after that K. Richard was put down the Lord Grey being now better friended then Owen entred upon the said Commons whereupon Owen having many friends and followers in his country as those that be great with princes commonly have put himself in armour against the Lord Grey whom he meeting in the field overcame and took prisoner The Welsh ever addicted to believe prophesies This was the very beginning and cause Owens rising and attempts upon the taking of the Lord Grey and spoyling of his Lordship of Ruthin many resorted to Owen from all parts of Wales some thinking that he was now as well in favour as in K. Richards time some other putting in his head that now the time was come wherein the Brittains through his means might recover again the honour and liberty of their ancestours A caveat for Mr. Pugh and such as are over credulous in prophesies These things being laid before Owen by such as were very cunning in Merlins prophesies and the interpretations of the same for there were in those dayes as I fear there be now some singular men which are deeply overseen in those mysteries and hope one day to mete velvet upon London bridge with their bowes brought him into such a fools paradice that he never considering what title he might pretend or what right he had proceeded and made war upon the Earle of March who was the the right Inheritor as well to the principality of Wales as appeareth formerly as to the Crown of England after the death of K. Rich. being descended from the elder brother next to Edw. Prince of Wales father of K. Rich. of which insurrection rebellion there ensued much mischief unto the Welshmen for the King conceiving great hatred against them shewed himself a manifest opressour of all that nation making rigorous lawes against them whereby he took in a manner all the liberties of subjects from them Cruel Lawes against the Welsh probibiting all Welshmen from purchasing lands or to be chosen or received Citizens or Burgesses in any City Burrough or market towns or to be receied or accepted to any office of Maior Bailiffe Chamberlain Constable or Keeper of the gates or of the goale or to be of the Councel of any City Burrough or Town or to bear any manner of armour within any City c. And if any suit happened between a Welshman an Englishman it was by law ordained that the Englishman should not be convict unlesse it were by the judgment of English Judges and by the verdict of the whole English Burgesses or by Inquests of English Burroughs and Towns of the signiories where the suit lay also that all Englishmen that married Welshwomen should be disfranchized of their liberty no congregation or meetings in councel was permitted to Welshmen but by licence of the chief Officers of the said signiory and in the presence of the same Officers That no victualls nor armour should be brought into Wales without the special licence of the King or his Councel That no Welshman should have any Castle Fortresse or house defensive of his own or of any other mans to keep no Welshman to be made Justice Chamberlain Chancellour Treasurer Sheriff Steward Constable of Castle Receiver Eschetor Coronor nor chief Forrester nor other Officer nor Keeper of Records nor Lieutenant in any of the said Offices in no part of Wales nor of the councel of any English Lord notwithstanding any patent or licence made to the contrary That no Englishman which in the time to come shall marry any Welshwoman be put in any Office in VVales or in the Marches of the same These with other lawes both unreasonable and unconcionable such as no prince among the Heathen ever offered to his subjects were ordained and severely executed against them Neither was it any reason that for the offence of one man his complices all the whole nation should be so persecuted whereby not only they that lived in that time but also their children and posterity should be brought to perpetual thraldom and misery A law more cruel then that Julian the Apostate for these lawes were not ordained for their Reformation but of meer purpose to work their utter ruine and destruction which doth evidently appear in that they were forbidden to keep their children at learning or to put them to be apprentises to any occupation in any Town or Burrough in this realme Let any indifferent man therefore judge and consider whether this extremity of law where Justice it self is meer injury and cruelty be not a cause and matter sufficient to withdraw any people from civility to barbarisme 〈…〉 This Hen. dyed in the 10th year of his reign leaving a son behind him being an infant of ten moneths who by reason of his tender age was not as by any word extent can be proved ever created prince but was proclaimed King immediately after the death of his father by the name of Henry the Sixt. Edward of Westminster Henry the sixt by the advice of his Lords Spiritual and Temporal given to him in his Parliament holden in the 31 year of his reign did afterwards by his charter bearing date 15 day of March 32. Regni created Edward his son born at Westminster by one and the self same patent to be both prince of Wales and Earle of Chester and invested him therein His Creation with the usual Ensignes of that dignity as had been in former time accustomed TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said dignities to him and his heirs Kings of England Sr. J. Dodridge which Charter is recited in the Act of Parliament holden at Westminster 9. Julii anno 33. regni In the which Act of Parliament is also recited another Charter likewise confirmed by the said Parliament whereby the said King did give unto the said Prince the said principality of Wales together with all the Lordships and lands Castles and Tenements by speciall names above mentioned and all in the former Charters granted and conveied to the former Princes and the said Fee Farms and Rents of 113 l. 13 s. ob out of the Lordship and Town of Buelht and the said 56l 13s 4d out of the Lordship Castle and Town of Montgomery likewise mentioned in the Charters of the former Prince To have and to hold to him and his heirs Kings of England By the same Act of Parliament also it was enacted because the said prince was then of tender years and there was assigned unto him a certain
the said Prince should accomplish the age of 14. years which was performed by them accordingly in all leases dispositions and grants of the revenues of the said prince The said K. Edw. by another Charter composed in English and bearing date 10 of Novem. 13o. regni appointed the said E. Rivers being brother unto the Queen to be governour of the person of the said prince and to have the education and institution of him in all vertues worthy his birth and to have the government and direction of his servants King Edward the fourth having reigned full 22. years left this mortal life 24. regni at VVestminster and was enterred at VVindsor Edward his Son and Heir then being at Ludlow neer the Marches of Wales for the better ordering of the Welsh under the Government of the Lord Rivers his Unkle on the Mothers side and upon the death of his Father drawing towards London to prepare for his Coronation fell into the hands of his Unkle by the Fathers side Richard D. of Glocester and the said Lord Rivers being upon his way to London Dulce vennum regnum was intercepted and lost his head at Pomfret for what cause I know not other then this that he was thought to be too great an obstacle between a thirsty Tyrannous desire and the thing that was so thirstily and Tyrannously desired Edward the 5. King of England for so he was although he enjoyed it not long being thus surprised under the power of his natural or rather most unnatural Unkle and mortal enemy was brought to London with great solemnity and pompe and with great applause of the People flocking about to behold his person as the manner of the English Nation is to do whose new joyes cannot endure to be fettered with any bonds His said Unkle calling himself Protector of the King and his realm but indeed was a wolfe to whom the lamb was committed for having thus surprised the Kings person he laboured by all means to get into his possession also the younger brother being D. of Yorke knowing that they both being sundered Vindex nocentes sequitur a tergo Deus the safety of the younger would be a means to preserve the elder and therefore by all sinister perswasions and fair pretences having obtained the younger D. from his mother the King and the D. both for a time remained in the Tower of London Ed. v. upon his return to England and there shortly after both in one bed were in the night smothered to death and buried in an obscure and secret place unknown how or where untill one of the Executioners thereof after many years being condemned to dye for many other his manifold crimes confessed also his guilty fact in this tragical business and the circumstance thereof of which by reason of the secresie and incertainty divers had before diversly conjectured And by this means all for the Coronation of Innocent Edward served the turn to set the Crown upon the head of Tyrannous Richard Out of which by the way I cannot but observe how hatefull a bloody hand is to Almighty God the King of Kings who revenged the bloodshed of those civil broyles whereof Edward the Father had been the occasion and the breach of his oath upon these his two Innocent Infants Edward Son of Richard III. This Tyrant and stain of the English story Inter warr ad magnum sigillum in Cancellaria Henricus rosas Richard D. of Glocester usurped the Kingdom by the name of Richard the third and became King yet as our Records of Law witness de facto non de jure and in the first year of his reign created Edward his son being a child of ten years of age Prince of Wales Lieutenant of the Realm of Ireland But for that the prosperity of the wicked is but as the florishing of a green tree which whiles man passes by is blasted dead at the roots and his place knoweth it no more so shortly afterwards God raised up Hen. Earl of Richmond the next heir of the house of Lancaster to execute justice upon that unnatural and bloody Usurper and cast him that had been the rod of Gods Judgment upon others into the fire also for in the third year of his reign at the battail of Bosworth whereunto the said Richard entered in the morning crowned with all Kingly pomp he was slain and his naked carkass with as much despight as could be devised was carried out thereof at night and the said Henry Earle of Richmond the Solomon of England Reigned in his stead by the name of King Henry the Seventh Arthur Son of K. Henry VII Henry the VII took to wife Elizabeth the eldest daughter and after the death of her brothers the Relict heir of King Edward IV. by which marriage all occasions of contention between those two noble Families of York and Lancaster were taken away and utterly quenched and the red Rose joyned with the white The said K. Henry the seventh by his letters patents dated the first day of December 5. regni created Arthur his Eldest son heir apparent being then about the age of three years Prince of Wales But before we proceed any further treating of the Princes of Wales let us consider from whence this Arthur descended and admire the goodnesse and providence of the highest and great God towards the VVelsh nation to bring the honour and principality to one descended of the Ancient Welsh or British blood I will bring the pedegree ascendent the noble Prince Arthur was son to Henry the VII Arthur The King of England from the Welsh blood first thus Henry VII Elizabeth Eldest Daughter to K. Edward IV. Edmund Earle of Richmond Margaret Daughter and Heir to John Duke of Somerset Sr. Owen Tudor Katherine Queen Dowager to K. Henry the V. Meredyth son to Tudor Tudor son to Grono Grono son to Tudyr Tudyr son to Grono Grono son to Ednivet Ednivet Vachan married Gwenlhian daughter to Rees Prince of Southwales Gruffith King of Southwales Rees ap Tudyr King of Southwales Whose Armes were Gules a Lyon Ramp within a border indented Or. I could deduce this family from several English matches as Holland Tuckets Norris but I should be too prolix and seem to exspaciate beyond my bounds and therefore I will return to our Prince of whom we now speak Dodridge fol. 28. Also there was a Charter of the Grant of the Lands of the said principality Earledom of Chester and Flint dated the 20 of February in the said fift year of the said King made unto the said Prince The said King Henry the VII by his Charter bearing date the 20. day of March in the eight year of his reign did constitute and appoint the said Prince Arthur to be his Justice in the County of Salop Inter war ad magnum sigillvm in Cancellaria Hereford Glocester and the Marches of Wales adjoyning to the said Shires to enquire of all liberties priviledges and
the Stewards whose original came out of Wales from Henry VII who descended from Owen Tewdor ut ante who descended from Blethin King of Powis Gruffith ap Conan King of Northwales Jestin Lord of Glamorgan Meyric King of Gwent Cadeth King of Southwales Anarawd King of Northwales and from Cadwalader last King of the Brittains thus Henry the seventh married Elizabeth eldest daughter to King Edward the IV. who was son of Richard Plantagenes Duke of York descended from Richard Plantagenet of Conesbourgh Earle of Cambridge by Anne his wife sister and co-heir of Edmund Mortimer the fift Earle of March who was son and heir of Rog. Mortimer fourth E. of March who succeeded Edmund Montimer the third Earle of March who was heir unto Roger Mortimer Grandchild to Roger Mortimer first Earle of March and son to Edmund Mortimer Lord of Wigmore who died in the Castle of Ludlow and was buried in the Abbey of Wigmore whose Father was Roger Mortimer Lord of Wigmore who was created the first Earl of the Marches of Wales in the second year of King Edward III. at a Parliament held at Salisbury c. he was son to Edmund Mortimer Lord of Wigmore who was son to Roger Mortimer Lord of Wigmore and by right of inheritance Prince of Wales for he was son to Ralph Lord Mortimer of Wigmore and Gladys his wife who was daughter and heir her brother David being dead to Lhewelin ap Iorwerth Prince of Northwales from this Gladys her brother being dead sans Issue as I said thus descendeth from Cadwalader Gladys daughter and heir to Lhewelyn who was the son of Iorwerth the son of Owen Gwineth the son to Gruffith the son to Conan the son to Iago the son to Edwal the son to Meyric the son of Edwal Voel the son of Anarawd the son of Rodery Mawr the son of Esylht the daughter and sole heir of Conan Tindaythwy the son of Roderick Molwynoc the son of Edwal Ywrich the son of Cadwalader the last King of the Brittains what transactions have happened while this prince had the stile of that Principality I will forbear to speak or relate in this place and only give you a copy of the Charter used at the Creation of the Princes of Wales Here should have been the Picture The Kings Charter for the Creating of the Princes of Wales HENRY by the grace of God King of England and of France Lord of Ireland c. To all Archbishops Bishops Abbots Priors Dukes Earles Barons Iustices Viscounts Governours Ministers and to all our Bayliffs and Faithful subjects Greeting out of the excellency of Royal preheminence like as beames from the Sun so do inferiour honours proceed neither doth the integrity of Royal lustre and brightnesse by the natural disposition of light affording light from light feel any losse or detriment by such borrowed light yea the royal scepter is also much the more extolled and regal throne exalted by how much the more Nobles Preheminencies and Honors are under the power and command thereof And this worthy consideration allureth and induceth us which desire the encrease of the name and honour of our first begotten and best beloved son Edward in whom we behold and see our selves to be honoured and our royal house also and our people subject to us hoping by the grace of God by conjecture taken of his gracious future proceedings to be the more honourably strengthened that we may with honour prevent and with abundant grace prosecute him who in reputation of us is deemed the same person with us wherefore by Councel and consent of the Prelates Dukes Earles Viscounts and Barons of our Kingdom being in our present Parliament we have made and created and by these presents make and create him the said Edward Prince of Wales and Earle of Chester and unto the said Edward we give and grant and by this Charter-have confirmed the Name Stile Title State Dignity and honour of the said Principality and County And him of the said Principality and County that be may therein in governing rule and in ruling direct and defend we by a Garland upon his head by a ring of gold upon his finger and a verge of Gold have according unto the manner invested him To have and to hold the same unto him and his heirs the Kings of England for ever wherefore we will and straitly command for us and our heirs that Edward our son aforesaid shall have the name stile title state dignity and honour of the principality of Wales and county of Chester aforesaid unto him and his heirs the Kings of England aforesaid for ever these being witnesses the reverend Fathers John Cardinal and Archbishop of Canterbury Primate of all England our Chancellour and William Archbishop of York Primate of England Thomas Bishop of London John Bishop of Lincolne William Bishop of Norwich our most well beloved Cosens Richard Duke of York Humphry Duke of Buckingham our well beloved Cosens Richard Earle of VVarwick Richard Earle of Salisbury John Earle of Wiltshire and our beloved and faithful Ralph Cromwel Chamberlain of our house VVilliam Faulconbridge and John Stourton Knights Dated at our Pallace at VVestminster the 15 day of March in the year of our reign 32. By the King himself and his Councel Things required unto the Creation of the Prince of Wales First an honourable habit viz. a Robe of purple Velvet having in it about 18 elles more or lesse garnished about with a fringe of gold and lined with Ermines A Surcote or Inner garment having in it about 14 elles of Velvet of like colour fringe and fur Laces Buttons and Tassells as they call them ornaments made of purple silk and gold A girdle of silk also to gird his inner gown A sword with a scabbord made of purple silk and gold garnished with the like girdle he is girt withal thereby shewing himself to be Duke of Cornwal by birth and not by Creation A cap of the same Velvet that his robe is of furred with Ermines with laces and a button the tassels on the crown thereof made of Venice gold A garland or a little coronet of gold to be put on his head together with his cap. A long golden verge or rod betokening his government a ring of gold also to be put on the third finger of his left hand whereby he declareth his marriage made with Equity and Justice All these things were almost with royal sumptuousness prepared for Edward son to King Henry VIII to have been created Prince of Wales but prevented by his fathers death he was crowned King sixt of that name yet the forme with the rights and ceremonies belonging to the investing of the Prince into the Principality of Wales you may perceive by what is above set down FINIS
being not able to retreat Great scarcity in England for want of commerce with Wales upon the suddain were almost all slain At this time there was great scarcity of Beeves and horses in England whereof they were wont to have many thousands yearly out of Wales and all the marches were made as a desolate and desert place The next spring all the Nobles of Wales came together and sware to defend their Country to death and never to forsake one another and that upon pain of cursing but shortly after Meredyth ap Rees of Southwales A subsidy demanded to conquer Wales not regarding his oath served the King Then the King called a Parliament for a subsidy to Wales when he had so many losses and of late all the Country of Pembrock burnt and spoiled where the Welshmen had found salt plentifully which they lacked in the which Parliament no Subsidy was granted Mat. Paâ—is fol. 1807. Shortly after the same Parliament by propagation was called at Oxford where the Lords of Wales offered to be tryed by the law for any offence they had committed against the King iâ—iustly To this patrick the Lordship of Cydwely was given if he could win it Easie to give l â—ge thongs out of another mans hide Trea hery revenged by the Welsh but Edward would not hear of it but sent one Patrick de Canton as Lieutenant for the King to Caermarthyn and with him Meredyth ap Rees and this Patrick desired to speak upon peace with the Princes Councel whereupon the Prince meaning good faith sent his brother whom he had set at liberty with Meredyeh ap Owen and Rees ap Rees to Emlyn to treat with them of peace but Patrick meaning to entrap them laid an ambushment of Men armed by the way and as they should have met these miscreants fell upon the Welsh and slew a great number of them but the Lords which escaped raised the Country forthwith and followed Patrick and slew him and the most part of all his men And after this the Prince desirous of peace and quietness to redeem the same and to end all troubles and to purchase the Kings good will offered the King 4000 marks and to his son 300. and to the Queen 200. to have peace but the King answered What is this to our losses and refused it It appeareth by the records in the Tower that about this time to wit An. 43. Hen. 3. there was a commission to William Bishop of Worcester John Mansel Treasurer of York the Kings Chaplain and Peter de Montfort to conclude a peace with the Welshmen but it is like there was nothing done to any effect in that behalfe for the war continued still Notwithstanding I find by Mathew Westminster that there was a certain truce agreed upon between the King and the Welshmen for a year I read also in the same Author that the Bishop of Bangor was this year about Michaelmas sent from Lhewelyn the Prince and all the Barons of Wales to the King to desire peace at his hands and to offer unto him the summe of 16000. pound for the same so that he would grant the Welsh to have all their matters heard and determined at Chester as they were wont to have and to suffer them to enjoy the lawes and customes of their own Country but what answer the Bishop brought again the said Author maketh no mention The year 1260. Prince Lhewelyn destroyed the lands of Sr. Roger Mortimer because he contrary to his oath maintained the Kings quarrel and took from him all Buelht saving the Castle which the Princes men got by night without bloodshed Aber. P. Lhewelyns Court or Palace and therein much ammunition and so after the Prince had passed through all Southwales he returned to his house at Aber betwixt Conwey and Bangor The year following died Owen ap Meredyth Lord of Cydewen and this summer certain of the Princes men surprised the Castle of Sr. Roger Mortimer in Melienyth and slew the garrison taking Howel ap Meyric the Captain thereof with his wife and children and the Princes Lieutenant came and destroyed it Then Sr. Roger Mortimer hearing this came with a great strength of Lords and Knights to Melienyth whether the Prince came also and Sr. Roger kept himself within the walls of the broken Castle and sent to the Prince for licence to depart without hurt the Prince having his Enemie within his power A most Christian and heroick act of Lhewelyn took compassion upon him because he was his cozen and suffered him to depart with his people without hurt from thence the Prince went to Brecknock at the request of the people of that Country which swore fidelity unto him and so returned to Northwales Prince Lhewelyn being confederate with the Barons against the King destroyed the Earldom of Chester and raised two of Edwards Castles Tygannwy and Deserth and thither came Edward but did nothing to speak of This year John Strange the younger being Constable of Montgomery came with a great number of Merchers by night through Ceril to Cydewen which when the Countrymen understood they gathered themselves together and slew 200. of his Men but he escaped with his men back again Shortly after the Merchers and the Welshmen met neer Clun Rara est concordia franum where the English had the victory and slew many of the Welsh At this time David the Princes brother whom he had set at liberty forsook him and succoured his foes with all his power Then Gruffith ap Gwenwynwyn got the Castle of Molde and raised it At this time died Meredyth ap Owen the defender of Southwales The Year ensuing King Henry led a great army towards Wales and by the means of Olobonus the Popes Legate there was a peace concluded betwixt the King and the Prince at Montgomery Castle for the which the Prince gave unto the King 30000. marks and the King granted the Prince a Charter to receive from thenceforth homage fealty of all the Nobility and Barons of Wales saving one so that all the aforesaid Barons should ever after hold of the Prince as their Leige Lord and he to be called and written from thenceforth Prince of Wales and in witness of this the King put his seal and hand to the said Charter which was likewise confirmed by the authority of the Pope The year after this dyed Grono ap Ednyvet Vachan a Noble man and chief of the Princes Councel In the year 1270. dyed Gruffith Lord of Bromfield and was buried at Vale Crucis and here endeth the Brittish copy At this place leaveth the Brittish Copy Mr. Lhoyd and writeth no further of the end of this Prince but leaveth him at the highest and most honourable stay that any Prince of Wales was in of many years before The writer peradventure being ashamed to declare the utter fall and ruine of his Countrymen whereunto their own pride and discord did bring them as it doth evidently appear
did take out of the several profits of those years and did cast them all into one summe which they again divided into three several parts equally esteeming one of the said three parts to be the just yearly value of the said Revenues Communibus annis that is one year with an other And in this account we find no other charges allowed then the Justics Fees only This survay and account made about 200 years past is here inserted to the end it might appear what the Revenues of this Principality alone was The said prince of VVales surnamed the Black prince Mr. Mills fol. 315. after many fortunate victories atchieved by him having subdued a great part of France and having taken John the French King prisoner at Poyteers in France and after that also having vanquished Henry at Naveroit in Spain and restored Peter King of Aragon dyed in June Sr. John Dodridge fol. 15. leaving behind him Richard his Son and Heir born at Burdeux and thereof sirnamed Richard of Burdeux Richard of Burdeux Richard son of Edward Prince of VVales was after the death of his father created prince of VVales at Havering at Bower the 20. day of November in the 50. year of King Edw. III. his Grandfather he was after the death of his said Grandfather K. of England by the name of K. Rich. II. This Richard saith Judge Dodridge sirnamed of Burdeux son and heir of Edward the black prince was created prince of VVales ut supra being about the age of XI years and upon Christmas day next following the said King Edward the third caused the said prince being his Nephew or Grandchild to sit at the table in high estate above all his Uncles being the Kings sons as representing the personage of the heir apparent to the Crown and gave to him the two parts of all the said principality Counties Lordships Castles and the most of the said Lands which belonged to the said black prince and the reversion of the third part thereof the possession of the third part there of then being to the mother of the said Rich. to her dowry with an 113 l. 6 s. 8 d. yearly rent payable by the Earle of March as a Fee Farm for the Lordship and Lands of Buelht and 85. marks for the fee farm of the Castle Lordship and Land of Montgomery with the vacations of Bishopricks excepting the Fees of the Baron Marchers of VVales who do alwaies hold of the Crown in Capite and excepting the avoydance of the Bishoprick of St. Davids in VVales which anciently also belonged to the Crown with the like limitation to the estate viz. To the said Richard and his heirs Kings of England It seemeth that these Lordships of Buelht and Montgomery being formerly granted to Edw. the black prince were before this time given away in Fee Farm After the death of the said K. Edw. III. which was in the 51 year of his reign the Kingdom of England descended to the said Richard being his grandchild and he was crowned King thereof by the name of Richard the second and in the 23 year of his reign he resigned his Kingdom or to speak more truly was deposed against his will and after by a violent death departed this life without issue Henry of Monmoth Henry of Bullingbrock a Town or Castle in Lincolneshire and heretofore belonging to the Lacies Earles of Lincolne and by the marriage with Alice daughter and heir of Henry Lacy Earle of Lincolne to Thomas Earle of Lancaster this with the residue of the lands of Lincolne became united and incorporated with those of Lancaster It hath been almost ever since this time one of the honours as we call them of the Crown of England but never made any honorary title unto any family untill King James conferred it on Sr. Oliver Saint John who possibly might affect to be thence denominated as fetching his descent from the Lady Margaret Beauchamp Grandmother to King Henry the seventh the heirs of the Lancastrian family by which descent likewise as well as otherwayes he is descended of the Welsh blood and beareth for his armes Argent on a chief gules two mullets Or but to our former matter this Henry of Bullingbrock by the name of Henry IV. who was formerly Duke of Lancaster and Hereford Earle of Derbie Leicester and Lincolne son and heir of John of Gaunt the fourth son to K. Edward the third by his Charter dated at Westminster 15. Octob. in the first year of his reign created Henry his eldest son prince of Wales and invested him in the said princely Ornaments viz. the chaplet gold ring verge or rod of gold To have and to hold unto him and his heirs Kings of England And by another Charter of the same date gave to him and his heirs Kings of England the said principality with the Lordships Sr. John Dodridge fol. 17. Castles and Lands before mentioned in the Charter made to the black prince together with four Comots in the county of Caernarvon viz. the comots of Ifaph Vghaph Nantconwey and Crewthin not named before and the reversion of the Lordship of Haverford with the prices of Wines there and of the Lordships of Newin and Pughby in Northwales which Thomas Percy then Earle of Worcester held for term of life of the demise of King Richard the Second together also with the reversion of the county and lordship of Anglesey in Northwales and the castle of Beaumarish and the comots lands tenements and hereditaments belonging thereunto which Henry Percy son of the Earle of Northumberland then held for terme of his life of the demise of the said K. Hen. IV. and by an act of Parliament made in the first year of K. H. IV. whereby the Dutchy of Lancaster is severed from the Crown of Engl. the stile of the said P. is declared to be this P. of Wales D. of Aquitane of Lancaster of Cornwal E. of Chester for the said K. H. IV. having been himself D. of Lancaster before his assumption to the Crown and knowing that the name of Duke being an inferiour dignity would extinguish and be surrounded in the crown as in the superior desired as by that Act of Parliament appeareth not only to separate the said Dutchy of Lancaster and the lands thereof from the Crown to the intent he might still hold the said Dutchy as his antient patrimony if he were put from the Crown it being but his new acquired dignity but also to preserve the said stile Mr. Lhoyd fol. 385. title and name of Duke of Lancaster in his posterity which as the said act affirmeth his ancestours had so worthily borne and sustained In the time of K. Rich. II. there was one Owen ap Gruffith Vachan descended of a younger son of Gruffith ap Madoc Lord of Bromfield This Owen was first a Student at the Lawes of the Realme and became an utter Barrister or an apprentise of the law as they term it and served King Richard in