Son Harold and his upon â—â—gar Earl of Chester To this time is referred the Original of the Steâ—â—rds in Scotland which being a remarkable passage 〈◊〉 in a great measure dependant upon the Affairs 〈◊〉 the Welch is requisite to be here recorded Macâ—â—â—h King of Scotland having caused Bancho a Noble-â—â—n of that Kingdom to be inhumanly murdered â—ence Bancho's Son to avoid the like Cruelty to â—â—â—self fled to Gruffydh ap Lhewelyn Prince of Wales â—o taking a very great liking to his Person and â—â—thal commiserating his Condition shewed him all â—â—e Respect and Kindness possible But Fleance had 〈◊〉 continued long with Gruffydh when he fell enaâ—â—red upon the Prince's Daughter and having obâ—â—â—ed her Good-Will without any regard had to â—â—r Father's Civility towards him abused her so far 〈◊〉 to beget her with Child Gruffydh being acâ—â—ainted with the Matter of Fact so hainously reâ—â—â—ted the Affront that he occasioned Fleance to be â—â—â—in and treated his Daughter most servilely for prostrating her Chastity especially to a Strangâ—â— However she was in a short time delivered of a Sâ—â— whose Name was Christened Walter a Child wâ—â— in his Youth expressed very great hopes and in 〈◊〉 probability like to make a very considerable Mâ—â— which happened according to expectation But 〈◊〉 first Original of his future Greatness happened upâ—â— a very accidental occasion being reproached of 〈◊〉 stardism by one of his Fellow Companions he 〈◊〉 it in so unpardonable a dudgeon that nothing 〈◊〉 satisfy his Revenge but the Life of the Aggreâ—â—â—â— Being upon this Mischance affraid to undergo the â—â—nishment of the Law he thought it safe to fly 〈◊〉 Scotland where falling in Company with ceâ—â—â—â—â— English Men who were come thither with Quâ—â—â— Margaret Sister to Edgar Edeling he behaved himâ—â—â—â— so soberly and discreetly that he won the Favour 〈◊〉 good Character of all that knew him But his 〈◊〉 daily increasing he grew at length to that height 〈◊〉 Reputation as to be employed in the most inwâ—â—â— Affairs of the Commonwealth and at last was maâ—â— Lord Steward of Scotland from which Office 〈◊〉 Posterity retained the Surname of Steward the Kiâ—â— of Scotland of that Name with several other Fâ—â—lies of Quality in that Kingdom being descended 〈◊〉 him But to return to England Siward the worthy 〈◊〉 of Northumberland died about this time of the Blooâ— Flux a Man of a rough Demeanour and a mâ—â—â— Soldierly Temper as he plainly manifested at 〈◊〉 point of Death For bewailing his Misfortune 〈◊〉 had escaped so many dangerous Engagements 〈◊〉 withal disdaining to die so effeminately in Bed 〈◊〉 caused himself to be compleatly Armed and aâ—â—◠〈◊〉 were in Defiance of Death presently expired in Martial Bravery But his Son being too young 〈◊〉 King bestowed his Earldom upon Tosty the Son 〈◊〉 Earl Godwyn A.D. 1054 Wales had been now a long time quiet and 〈◊〉 of all troubles both abroad and at home but it coâ—â—â— not be expected that such a Life should prove duâ—â—bâ—◠〈◊〉 but something or other would create New Comâ—â—tions and Disturbances Gruffydh Son to Rytherch ap â—â—yn having recruited and recovered himself after the 〈◊〉 Blow he received from Prince Gruffydh must needs â—â—â—ture another trial for the Principality of south-South-Wales 〈◊〉 Prince protracting no time speedily marched aâ—â—â— him and both Armies being joined Gruffydh 〈◊〉 Ryâ—herch was easily vanquished and in fine slain 〈◊〉 the troubles of the Welch did not end with him 〈◊〉 Algâ—â— Earl of Chester being convicted of Treason 〈◊〉 thereupon banished the Kingdom fled to Gruffydh 〈◊〉 of Wales requesting his Aid against King â—â—â—ard who repeating the frequent Wrongs he had 〈◊〉 at the hands of the English by upholding 〈◊〉 Enemies against him gladly embraced the Opâ—â—â—tunity and promised him all imaginable Support â—â—d thereupon assembling his Forces he entred with 〈◊〉 into Hereford shire and advancing into the â—â—â—â—try within two Miles of the City of Hereford 〈◊〉 were opposed by Randulph Earl of that Counâ—â—◠〈◊〉 boldly gave them Battel The Fight conâ—â—â—â—â—â— very dreadful and dubious for some hours till 〈◊〉 Gruffydh so encouraged his Soldiers with the â—â—â—â—mbrance of their former Victories over the 〈◊〉 that they fell on a main and easily disâ—â—â—â—red Randulph and slew the best part of his Army â—â—terwards they pursued their Chase to the Town 〈◊〉 having made all the waste and havock they were â—â—â—e they laid the Town it self in ashes and so reâ—â—â—ned home triumphantly laden with rich Booty 〈◊〉 Plunder King Edward receiving notice of this 〈◊〉 presently gathered a great Army at Glocester â—â—der the Conduct of Harold Earl Godwyn's Son â—o couragiously pursuing the Enemies entred into â—ales and encamped beyond Stradelwyd But Gruâ—â—dh and Algar dreading to oppose him retired furâ—â—â—r into South Wales of which Harold being certified 〈◊〉 one part of his Army behind with Orders to â—â—ght if occasion offered and with the other passed 〈◊〉 Hereford which he fortified with a strong Wall â—â—â—â—nd the Town Gruffydh perceiving his undaunted Industry after many Messages concluded a Peâ—â—â— with Harold at a place called Biligelhag by wâ—â—â—â— Articles Algar was pardoned by the King and â—â—stored to his Earldom of Chester But he did 〈◊〉 continue long in the King's Favour for about 〈◊〉 years after upon Conviction of Treason he was â—gain banished the Land so that he was forced to 〈◊〉 take himself to his old Friend Gruffydh Prince 〈◊〉 Wales by whose Aid and a Fleet from Norway 〈◊〉 spight of the King he was restored to his Earldâ—â— But King Edward was sore offended with the Priâ—â—â— of Wales for harbouring Traytors and therefore 〈◊〉 be Revenged upon him he dispatched Harold 〈◊〉 with an Army to North-Wales who coming 〈◊〉 Ruthlan burnt the Prince's Palace there and his 〈◊〉 that lay in the Harbor and then returned to 〈◊〉 King at Glocester This year Edward the Son of Edmund Ironside 〈◊〉 was sent for out of Hungary being designed Succession the Crown came to England but in a short time 〈◊〉 his coming died at London leaving behind him 〈◊〉 Son called Edgar Edeling and a Daughter naâ—â—â— Margaret who was afterwards Queen of the 〈◊〉 and Mother to Maud the Wife of Henry the fâ—â—â—â— A.D. 1056 About two Years after Roderic Son to Harold King of Denmark came with a considerable Army 〈◊〉 Wales and being kindly received by Prince Gruffâ—â—â— united his Power with the Welch and so entred 〈◊〉 England which they cruelly harassed and destroyâ—â— But before they could advance any considerable â—â—stance Roderic was compelled to Sail for Denmark and so Gruffydh returned laden with Spoils 〈◊〉 Wales The same time Harold Earl Godwyn's 〈◊〉 sailing to Flanders was driven by force of Weaâ—â—â— to Land at Poytiers where being seized upon 〈◊〉 was brought before William Bastard Duke of Nâ—â—mandy to whom he declared the reason of his Vâ—â—age that it was purposely to tender him his Serâ—â—â—â— in the Affairs of England and so taking an Oath 〈◊〉 to Marry the Duke's Daughter and after the
Edeyrneon and Dinmael which he left to his Sons Gruffydh Blethyn and Iorwerth Owen Madawc had to his Portion Mechain-Is-Coed and had Issue Lhewelyn and Owen Fychan But Gruffydh Maelor the eldest Son Lord of Bromfield had to his part both the Maelors with Mochnant-is-Raydar and married Angharad the Daughter of Owen Gwynedh Prince of north-North-Wales by whom he had Issue one Son named Madawc who held his Father's Inheritance intirely and left it so to his only Son Gruffydh who was called Lord of Dînas Brân because he lived in that Castle He married Emma the Daughter James Lord Audley by whom he had Issue Madawc Lhewelyn Gruffydh and Owen This Gruffydh ap Madawc took part with King Henry the Third and Edward the First against the Prince of north-North-Wales and therefore for fear of the said Prince he was forced to keep himself secure within his Castle of Dinas Brân which being situated upon the summity of a very steep Hill seemed impregnable to all the daring Efforts that could be used against it After his death Edward the first dealt very unkindly with his Children who were of Age to manage their own Concerns and making two of them privately away bestowed the Wardship of Madoc his eldest Son who had by his Father's Will the Lordships of Bromfield and Yale with the reversion of Maelor Saesnec Hopesdale and Mouldsdale his Mother's Joynture on John Earl Warren and the Wardship of Lhewelyn to whose share fell the Lordships of Chirke and Nanheudwy to Roger Mortimer third Son to Roger Mortimer the Son of Ralph Mortimer Lord Mortimer of Wigmor But Emma Gruffydh's Wife having in her possession for her Dowry Maelor Saesnec Hopesdale and Moulsdale with the presentation of Bangor Rectory and seeing two of her Sons disinherited and done away and the fourth dead without Issue and doubting lest Gruffydh her only surviving Child could not long continue she conveyed her Estate to the Audley's her own Kin who getting possession of it took the same from the King from whom it came to the House of Derby where it continued for a long time till at length it was sold to Sir John Glynne Serjeant at Law in whose Family it still remaineth But Earl Warren and Roger Mortimer forgetting what signal Service Gruffydh ap Madoc had performed for the King guarded their new Possessions with such caution and strictness that they took especial care they should never return to any of the Posterity of the legal Proprietor and therefore having obtained the King's Patent they began to secure themselves in the said Lordships John Earl Warren began to build Holt-Castle which was finished by his Son William and so the Lordships of Bromfield and Yale continued in the name of the Earls of Warren for three Descents viz. John William and John who dying without Issue the said Lordships together with the Earldom of Warren descended to Alice Sister and Heir to the last John Earl Warren who was married to Edmond Fitz Alan Earl of Arundel in which House they remained for three Descents namely Edmund Richard Richard his Son and Thomas Earl of Arundel But for want of Issue to this last Thomas Earl of Arundel and Warren the said Lordships fell to two of his Sisters whereof one named Elizabeth was married to Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolk and the other called Joan to William Beauchamp Lord of Abergavenny But since they came to the Hands of Sir William Stanley Knight who being attainted of High Treason they devolved by forfeiture to the Crown and now are annexed to the Principality of Wales But Roger Mortimer the other sharer in the Lands of Gruffydh ap Madoc was made Justice of North-Wales built the Castle of Chirke and married Lucia the Daughter and Heir of Sir Robert de Wafre Knight by whom he had Issue Roger Mortimer who was married to Joan Turbervill by whom he had John Mortimer Lord of Chirke This John sold the Lordship of Chirke to Richard Fitzalan Earl of Arundel Edmund's Son and so it was again annexed to Bromfield and Yale The third Son of Gruffydh Lord of Dinas Brân named also Gruffydh had for his part Glyn Dwrdwy which Gruffydh ap Gruffydh had Issue Madoc Crupl who was the Father of Madoc Fychan the Father of Gruffydh the Father of Gruffydh Fychan who was the Father of Owen Glyndwr who rebelling in the days of Henry the Fourth Glyndwrdwy by confiscation came to the King of whom it was afterwards purchased by Robert Salisbury of Rug in whose Family it still remaineth Owen the Fourth Son of Gruffydh Lord of Dinas Brân had for his share Cynlhaeth with the Rights and Priviledges thereunto belonging The other part of Powys comprehending the Countries of Arustly Cyfeilioc Lhannerch-hudol Caereneon Mochnach uwch Rayadr Mechan uwch Coed Moudhwy Deudhwr Ystrad Marchelh and Teir Tref or the three Towns rightfully descended to Gruffydh ap Meredith ap Blethyn by Henry the first created Lord Powys Who married Gweyryl or Weyryl the Daughter of Vrgene ap Howel ap Iefaf ap Cadogan ap Athlestan Glodryth by whom he had Issue Owen Surnamed Cyfeilioc This Owen enjoyed his Father's Estate intire and married Gwenlhiam the Daughter of Owen Gwynedh Prince of north-North-Wales who bore him one Son named Gwenwynwyn or Wenwynwyn from whom that part of Powys was afterwards called Powys Wenwynwyn He had moreover a base Brother called Caswalhon upon whom he bestowed the Countries of Swydh Lhannerch Hudol and Braniarth Gwenwynwyn succeeded his Father in all his Estate saying what Caswalhon enjoyed and married Margaret the Daughter of Rhys ap Theodor Prince of South Wales by whom he had Gruffydh ap Gwenâ—ynwyn who succeeding his Father in all his Possessions had Issue six Sons by Margaret the Daughter of Robert Corbet Brother to Thomas Lord Corbet of Cous and so the intire Estate of Gruffydh ap Meredith ap Blethyn Lord of Powys became shattered and torn into divers Pieces Owen Gruffydh ap Gwenwynwyn's eldest Son had for his part Arustly Cyfeilioc Lhannerch Hudol and a part of Caereneon Lhewelyn had Mochnant uwch Rayadr and Mechain uwch Coed John the third Son had the fourth part of Caerenion William had Moudhwy Gruffydh Fychan had Deudh rr Ystrat-Marchelh and Teir Tref and David the sixth and youngest Son had the other fourth part of Caereneon Owen ap Gruffydh had Issue one only Daughter named Hawys Gadarn or the Hardy whom he left his Heir but her Uncles Lhewolyn John Gruffydh Fychan and David thinking it an easy matter to dispossess an Orphan challenged the Lands of their Brother Owen alledging for a Cloak to their Usurpation that a Woman was not capable of holding any Lands in that Country But Hawys made such Friends in England that her Case was made known to King Edward the Second who bestowed her in Marriage upon a Servant of his named John Charleton termed Valectus Domini Regis who was born at Appley near Wellington in the County of Salop Anno One Thousand Two Hundred
Gruffydh Llwyd Son of Rhys ap Gruffydh ap Ednyfed Fychan a stout and a valiant Gentleman tho' not very fortunate and as Florus says of Sertorius he was magnae quidem sed calamitosae virtutis He was Knighted by King Edward the First upon his bringing the first News of the Queen 's safe delivery of a Son at Caernarvon Castle the King holding then a Parliament at Ruthlan This Sir Gruffydh continued for some time very gratious with the King of England but observing at length the intolerable Oppression and Tyranny exercised by the English Officers especially by Sir Roger Mortimer Lord of Chirke and Justice of North-Wales towards his Country-men the Welch became so far concerned and discontented with such unwarrantable Practices that he presently brake out into open Rebellion against the English And the better to effect what he purposed he treated with Sir Edward Bruce Brother to Robert then King of Scotland who had conquered Ireland to bring or send over some Forces to assist him in his Design against the English upon which account he sent him the following Letter Nobili in Christo Conquestori Domino Edvardo Illustrissimo Regi Hiberniae suus si placet Griffinus Llwyd in North-Wall reverentiam debitam in honore AVditâ nobis vestri in terrarum conquisitione fama egregia in partibus nostris praecipuè debelland aemulos nostros vestros qui tam vos quam nos ab Haereditatibus vi injustè expellendo destruxerunt nomen nostrum memoriamque in terris delere conati fuerunt ab initio supra modum applaudimus ut meritò debemus omnes unanimiter in partibus nostris unde vobis ex parte Wallensium Nobilium significo per praesentes quod si ad Walliam cum hominibus vestris dignemini venire vel si vos in propriâ personâ accedere illuc non poteritis aliquem Nobilem Albanen Comitem Baronem vel Militem cum paucis si plurimi nequeant adesse ad dictas partes nostras volueritis mandare Parati erimus omnes unanimiter ........ dicem eo quod nomen vestrum celebre ubique publicetur expugnat si quid Saxonibus in Albaniâ per illustrem Regem fratrem vestrum ultim per vos in Hibernia per vos nos in Wallia statum vestrum pristinum per Brutum conquisitum recuperabimus ipsisque suppeditatis confusis dispersis Britannia juxta discretam vestrae dominationis ordinationem inter Britones Albaneos in posterum divisa cohaereditabitur Valeat dominatio vestra Regia per cuncta Saecula To this Letter of Sir Gruffydh Llwyd's Sir Edward Bruce returned the following Answer OMnibus desiderantibus à servitute liberari saâ—utem in eo Qui desiderant in se relevat liberat ab angustiis temporibus opportunis quia quilibet Christianus obligatur suo proximo in omni angustiâ subvenire praecipuè illis qui ex unâ radâ—ce originis sive parentelae patriae primitus processerunt ideo compatientes vestrae servituti angustiae jam ....... Anglicana molestia indigenti decrevimus auxiliante altissimo vestro gravamini occurrere innaturalem barbaricam totis viribus Anglicanam de vestris finibus expellere servitutem ut sic sicut à principio Albanicus Britannicus populus expulsis hostibus in perpetuum fiet unus Et quia nullus inimicus faciliter relevatur libenter praecipimus si jugum Anglicanum in tantum vos deprimit quantum nuper depresserat populum Scotianum ut sic ex vestro concordi conamine nostro superveniente juvamine dispenente semper divino positis jura vestra justitiam recuperare proprietatem ....... haereditatem pacificè possidere Veruntamen Dei cum omnia serviunt in isto proposito filium invocamus quod non ex praesumptione ambitione injusti dominii talia attemptamus sed ex mera compassione effusionis innocentis vestri sanguinis subjectionis intollerabilis signant ad hoc quod vellemus inimicorum vestrorum nostrorum vtres reprimere qui nec pacem nec concordiam defiderant Imo vestram nostram finalem destructionem sicut à principio ingressionis eorum in Britanniam incessanter diebus ac noctibus molientur quia nullo modo est nostrae conscientioe quemquam decipere nec etiam decipi à quocunque nostram intentionem Proposit sine â—ergiversatione aliquâ declaramus quod libenter sciremus vestram voluntatem si rationem nostri laboris conaminis intuitu relevationis vestrae acceptare decrement nobis committere prosecutionem querelae vestrae justitiae nec non capitale dominium vestri prout alius hactenus Princeps vester liberius habere consuevit Ità quod vos omnes singuli cujuscunque extiteritis conditionis pristinis haereditatibus terris libertatibus possessionibus consuetis omnibus conditionibus ad vos expectantibus integrè finaliter gaudeatis Vestram igitur voluntatem super hiis quibuscunque aliis in quibus vos consolari poterimus si videatur expediens cautè celeriter nobis remandetis Valete Domini in Domino But for all that these Letters passed betwixt them whether by reason that Bruce's Terms were conceived unreasonable nothing however was concluded upon and the whole Treaty came to nothing But Sir Gruffydh tho' without any hopes of assistance from the Scots would not lay aside what he had once undertaken and therefore having gathered all the Forces he could desperately set upon and almost in an instant over-ran all North-Wales and the Marches seising upon all the Castles and Strong-holds thro' the Country But all to no purpose for as the most violent stream is quickly over so Sir Gruffydh's Army was presently spent and then being met with by a strong Detachment of English his Party was easily discomfited and himself taken Prisoner The same Year being the 15th of the reign of King A.D. 1322 Edward the Second his eldest Son Edward born at Windsor in a Parliament holden at York was created Prince of Wales Duke of Aquitaine and Earl of Chester This Prince succeeded his Father in the Kingdom of England by the Name of Edward the Third one of the greatest and most powerful Monarchs that ever sat upon the English Throne Edward born at Woodstock eldest Son and Heir to A.D. 1343 King Edward the Third was created Prince of Wales upon the 12th day of May in the 17th year of his Father's reign being then about fourteen years of age He was a Prince of incomparable Qualifications but so signally Famous in Martial Affairs that upon the account of the several Actions he was engaged in he received the Name of Black-Prince He took John the French King Prisoner at the Battel of Poictiers and shamefully vanquished the French Army in the Battel of Cressy He did not live to enjoy the Crown but died one year before his Father in the Forty Sixth Year of his Age no Prince was in his life-time better beloved and after
his Death more lamented by the English Nation who had he lived to sit upon the Helm no one doubted but that he would have exceeded as to all Qualifications the most glorious Renown of the greatest of his Ancestors In the time of Edward the Third lived Sir Tudor Vaughan ap Grono descended lineally from Ednyfed Vaughan a Person as to Estate Power and Interest one of the Chiefest in North Wales Upon some motive either of Ambition or Fancy he assumed to himself the Honor of Knighthood requiring all People to call and stile him Sir Tudor ap Grono as if he did prognosticate and fore-see that out of his Loyns should arise those that should have Power to confer that Honor. King Edward being informed of such unparallell'd Presumption sent for Sir Tudor and asked him With what Confidence he durst invade his Prerogative by assuming the degree of Knighthood without his Authority Sir Tudor replied That by the Laws and Constitution of King Arthur he had the Liberty of taking upon himself that Title in regard he had those three Qualifications which whosoever was endued with could by those Laws claim the Honor of a Knight 1. He was a Gentleman 2. He had a sufficient Estate And 3. He was Valiant and Adventurous adding this withal If my Valour and Hardiness be doubted of loe here I throw down my Glove and for due proof of my Courage I am ready to Fight with any Man whatever he be The King appproving and liking well the Man's forwardness and resolution was easily persuaded to confirm the Honor of Knighthood upon him From this Sir Tudor lineally descended Henry the Seventh King of England who was the Son of Edmund Earl of Richmond the Son of Sir Owen Tudor Son to Meredith the Son of this Sir Tudor ap Gono After the Death of the Black Prince his Son Richard born at Bourdeaux in France being but Ten Years of age was created Prince of Wales at Havering at Bowre on the 20th day of November and in the A.D. 1377 50th Year of Edward the Third his Grandfather's reign whom he succeeded in the Crown of England Henry born at Monmouth Son and Heir to Henry the Fourth King of England upon the 15th of October in the 1st Year of his Father's reign was created Prince of Wales at Westminster who succeeded his Father in the English Crown by the Name of Henry the Fifth Whilst Richard the Second reigned one Owen ap Gruffydh Fychan descended of a younger Son of Gruffydh ap Madoc Lord of Bromfield was not a little Famous This Owen had his Education in one of the Inns-of-Court where he became Barister at Law and afterwards in very great Favour and Credit served King Richard and continued with him at Flint Castle till at length the King was taken by Henry Duke of Lancaster Betwixt this Owen and Reginald Lord Gray of Rhuthyn there happened no small Difference touching a Common lying between the Lordship of Rhuthyn whereof Reginald was Owner and the Lordship of Glyndowrdwy in the possession of Owen whence he borrowed the Name of Glyndwr During the reign of Richard the Second Owen as being a Courtier and in no mean esteem with the King did over-power Reginald who was neither so well befriended at Court nor beloved in the Country as Owen was But after King Richard's deposal the Scene was altered and Reginald as then better befriended than Owen entred upon the Common which occasioned Owen in the first Year of Henry the Fourth to make his Complaint in Parliament against him for thus divesting him of his Right No redress being found the Bishop of St. Asaph wished the Lords to take care that by thus slighting his Complaint they did not irritate and provoke the Welch to an Insurrection to which some of the Lords replied That they did not fear those rascally bare-foâ—ted People Glyndwr therefore perceiving how his Petition was slighted in Parliament and finding no other method to redress himself having several Friends and Followers put himself in Arms against Reginald and meeting him in the Field overcame and took him prisoner and spoiled his Lordship of Rhuthyn Upon this many resorted to him from all parts of Wales some thinking him to be in as great Favour now as in King Richard's days others putting in his head that now the time was come when the Britains by his means might again recover the Honor and Liberties of their Ancestors But Reginald being thus kept prisoner and very severely handled by Owen to terrify him into compliance with him in his rebellious Actings and not permitted to have his Liberty under Ten Thousand Marks for his Ransom whereof Six Thousand to be paid upon the Feast of St. Martyn in the 4th Year of Henry the Fourth and to deliver up his eldest Son with some other Persons of Quality as Hostages for the remainder the King at the humble sute of Reginald seeing no other way for his enlargement gave way thereto authorizing Sir William de Roos Sir Richard de Grey Sir William de Willughby Sir William le Zouche Sir Hugh Huls as also John Harvey William Vaus John Lee John Langford Thomas Payne and John Elnestow to treat with Owen and his Council and to conclude in what they should conceive most expedient and necessary to be done for his redemption Whereupon they consenting to give the sum demanded by Glyndwr for his deliverance the King gave License to Robert Braybroke Bishop of London as also to Sir Gerard Braybroke the Father and Sir Gerard the Son then Feoffees of divers Lordships for this Reginald to sell the Mannor of Hertelegh in the County of Kent towards the raising of that Money And for the better enabling him to pay so great a Fine the King was pleased to grant that whereas it was enacted that such Persons who were owners of Lands in Ireland and did not there reside should for such their neglect forfeit two parts of the Profits of them to the King that notwithstanding this Act he should forfeit nothing for non-residence there during the term of six years next ensuing This good Success over the Lord Gray together with the numerous resort of the Welch to him and the favourable interpretations of the Prophecies of Merdhyn which some construed very advantagioussy made the swelling mind of Glyndwr overflow its Banks and gave him some hopes of restoring this Island back to the Britains Wherefore he set upon the Earl of March who met him with a numerous party of Hereford-shire Men but when they came to close the Welch-men proved too powerful and having killed above a Thousand Men of the English they took the Earl of March Prisoner King Henry upon this was frequently requested to Ransom the Earl but to no purpose for whether by reason that Mortimer had a juster Title to the Crown than himself he being the next Heir in Blood after King Richard who was as yet living or because of some other private odium the King would
Sir David secured he had liked to undergo present Execution had not Glyndyfwr's best Friends and the greatest Upholders of his Cause pleaded in his behalf by whose intercession he was prevailed with to grant Sir David both his Life and Liberty upon condition he would ever after continue True and Loyal to him Sir David promised very loudly but with the reservation never to perform for as soon as he came to his own Country where he was a Person of very considerable Sway and Interest he did exceedingly annoy and molest those that any way favoured or adhered to Glyndyfwr While Sir David lay in Prison at Machynlleth for his attempt against Owen's Life this Englyn was made upon him Dafydd Gam dryglam dreigl iti yn wan frwydr Fradwr Rissiart Bhrenin Llwyr y rhoes Diawl hawn hwyl Flîn Y fath ystâd ei fys i th Dîn. But Glyndyfwr receiving information how that Sir David Gam contrary to the Promise he had made at his releasement endeavoured all he could to destroy his Interest among the Welch entred the Marches and among other tokens of his Indignation burned the House of Sir David and as the report goes calling to him one of Sir David's Tenants spake to him thus merrily in Verse O Gweli di wr côch Cam Yn ymofyn y Girnigwen Dywed ei bôd hi Tan y Lan A nôd y glo ar ei Phenn But Sir David had the luck to escape his reach and was constrained to retire to England where he lived for the most part at Court till the Death of Glyndyfwr When King Henry the Fifth went with an Army to France against the French King Sir David Gam brought into his service a numerous Party of Stout and Valorous Welch-Men who upon all occasions expressed their Courage and Resolution In the Battel of Agincourt News being brought to the King that the French Army was advancing towards him and that they were exceeding numerous he detached Captain Gam to observe their motion and review their number The Captain having narrowly eyed the French found them twice to exceed the English but not being in the least dâ—unted at such a multitude he returned to the King who enquiring of him what the Number of the French might be he made answer An 't please you my Liege they are enough to be killed enough to run away and enough to be taken Prisoners King Henry was well pleased and much encouraged with this resolute and undaunted answer of Sir David's whose Tongue did not express more Valor than his Hinds performed For in the heat of Battel the King's Person being in danger Sir David charged the Enemy with that eagerness and masculine Bravery that they were glad to give ground and so secured the King tho' with the loss of much Blood and also his Life himself and his Son-in-Law Roger Vaughan and his Kinsman Waâ—ter Llwyd of Brecknock having received their mortal Wounds in that encounter When the King heard of their Condition how that they were past all hopes of recovery he came to them and in recompence of their good Services Knighted them all three in the Field where they soon after died and so ended the Life but not the Fame of the signally Valiant Sir David Gam Edward of Westminster the sole Issue of that unfortunate Prince King Henry the Sixth by Margaret the Daughter of Rayner Duke of Anjou and titular King of Jerusalem Sicily and Arragon was created Prince of Wales in a Parliament held at Westminster on the 15th day of March in the Thirty Second Year of his Fathers Reign When the Day was lost at Tewksbury this young Prince thought to make his escape by flight but being unfortunately taken and brought to the presence of King Edward the Fourth who then sat upon the Helm made such resolute and unexpected Replies that he put the King to such a passion that he smote him on the Mouth with his Gauntlet and then his Brother Richard the Crouch-back ran him into the Heart with his Dagget Edward born in the Sanctuary at Westminster the eldest Son of King Edward the Fourth was after his Fathers Expulsion out of England in the Fourty Ninth Year of King Henry the Sixth created Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester in the Eleventh Year of his Fathers Reign Upon the death of Edward the Fourth this young Prince being then at Ludlow in the Marches of Wales was presently sent for to London and proclaimed King of England but never liv'd to be crowned for his Uncle Richard Duke of Glocester who was appointed his Protector most vilainously made him away together with his Brother the Duke of York and afterwards was himself proclaimed and crowned King Edward the Fourth in his Wars against Henry the Sixth was very much assisted by the Welch in recompence of which Service he design'd to reform Matters so in Wales as that intolerable Oppression which they had hitherto endured should be regulated and taken off And to that end he meant to establish a Court within the said Principality and constituted John Bishop of Worcester President of the Prince's Council in the Marches who together with Anthony Earl of Rivers sat in the Town-Hall of Shrewsbury and constituted certain Ordinances for the publick Good and Tranquility of that place But the matter proceeded no farther for the Troubles and Disquietness of his Kingdom coming heavy upon him and the shortness of his Reign after his Establishment not permitting he was forced to leave that to others which himself thought once to bring about Edward born at Middleham near Richmond in the County of York the only Son of King Richard the Third was at Ten Years of Age created by his Father Prince of Wales and dyed soon after Arthur the eldest Son of King Henry the Seventh born at Winchester was in the Seventh Year of his Fathers Reign created Prince of Wales About the Fifteenth Year of his Age being then newly married to Katherine the Infanta of Spain he was sent by his Father into Wales that by his presence he might keep that Country in better awe With him King Henry sent Dr. William Smith afterwards made Bishop of Lincoln Wokins p. 789. as President of his Council together with Sir Richard Pool his Chamberlain Sir Henry Vernon Sir Richard Crofts Sir David Philip Sir William Vdal Sir Thomas Englefield Sir Peter Newton and others to be his Counsellors and Directors in his management of Affairs But the Prince had not continu'd long there but he fell sick at his Castle at Ludlow of which Indisposition he shortly after dyed and was buried with great Solemnity in the Cathedral Church of Worcester But the creating of his Brother Henry Duke of York Prince of Wales in his stead was deferred for about the space of a Month to discover whether the Lady Katherine was got with Child by Prince Arthur But when it appeared for certain she had not conceived on the 18th day of February in the Nineteenth Year of his Father King
Henry the Seventh's Reign Henry Duke of York was created Prince of Wales King Henry the Seventh being by his Grandfather Owen Tudor descended out of Wales and having sufficiently experienced the Affection of the Welch towards him first of those who upon his first landing opportunely joyned him under Sir Rhys ap Thomas and then of those who under the command of Sir William Stanley Lord of Bromfield Yale and Chirkland aided him in Bosworth-Field could not in Honour and Equity but bear some regard to the miserable state and condition of the Welch under the English Government And therefore this prudent Prince finding the Calamities of the Welch to be insupportable and seeing what grievous and unmerciful Laws were enacted against them by his Predecessours he took occasion to redress and reform the same and granted to the Welch a Charter of Liberty and Immunity whereby they were released from the cruel Oppression which since their Subjection to the English Government they had most cruelly sustained And seeing the Birth and Quality of his Grandfather Owen Tudor was called in question and that he was by many upbraided of being of a mean and ignoble Parentage King Henry directed a Commission to the Abbot of Lhan Egwest Dr. Owen Pool Canon of Hereford and John King Herald at Arms to make inquisition concerning the Pedigree of the said Owen who coming to Wales made a diligent enquiry into this matter and by the assistance of Sir John Leyaf Guttyn Owen Bardh Gruffydh ap Lhewelyn ap Efan Fychan and others in the consultation of the British Books of Pedegrees they drew up an exact Genealogy of Owen Tudor which upon their return Vide Appâ—nd they presented to the King Edward Son to Henry the Eighth by the Lady Jane Seymour his third Wife was born at Hampton-Court on the 12th of October and upon the 18th of the said Month was created Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwal and Earl of Chester King Henry the Seventh had already abrogated those unreasonable and intollerable Laws which the former Kings of England particularly Henry the Fourth had made against the Welch and now King Henry the Eighth willing to make a plenary Reformation of what his Father had wisely begun thought it necessary towards the Good and Tranquility of both Nations to make the Welch subject to the same Laws and the same Government with the English He understood that the usual Hostilities and Depredations were still continued and kept up by both sides upon the Borders and though his Father had eased the Yoak of the Welch yet he perceived that it did contribute but little towards the disannulling of that inveterate and implacable Envy and Animosity which raged in the Marches Therefore to remedy this otherwise unavoidable Distemper he concluded that it was the only effectual Method to incorporate the Welch with the English that they being subject to the same Laws might equally A.D. 1536 fear the Violation of them And accordingly in the Twenty Seventh Year of his Reign an Act of Parliament passed to that purpose which together with another Act in the Thirty Fifth of his Reign made a plenary Incorporation of the Welch with the English which Union has had that blessed Effect that it has dispelled all those unnatural Differences which heretofore were so rife and irreconcilable When the Reformation was first established in Wales it was a mighty Inconveniency to the vulgar People such as were unacquainted with the English Tongue that the Bible was not translated into their native Language Queen Elizabeth was quickly apprehensive of the Inconveniency which the Welch incurred for the want of such a Translation and therefore A.D. 1566 in the Eighth Year of her Reign an Act of Parliament was passed whereby the Bishops of Hereford S. Davids S. Asaph Bangor and Landaff were ordered to take care that the Bible containing the Old and New Testament with the Book of Common-Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments be truly and exactly translated into the British or Welch Tongue and that the same so translated being by them perused and approved be printed to such a number at least as that every Cathedral Collegiate and Parish-Church and Chappel of ease within the said Diocess where that Tongue is vulgarly spoken might be supplyed before the First of March Anno 1566. And from that time forward the Welch Divine Service should be used in the British Tongue in all places throughout those Diocesses where the Welch is commonly spoke after the same manner as it was used in the English Tongue and that the Charge of procuring the said Bible and Common-Prayer should equally depend betwixt the Parson and the Parish the former being obliged to pay one half of the Expence and that the Price of the Book should be set by the foresaid Bishops or by Three of them at the least But this Act of Parliament was not punctually observed for the Old Testament was wholly omitted and only the New with the Book of Common-Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments then translated which Translation was chiefly owing to Richard Bishop of S. Davids who was assisted by William Salusbury a Perfect Critick in the Welch Tongue and one excellently conversant in all British Antiquities But in the Year 1588. Dr. William Morgan first Bishop of Landaff and then of S. Asaph undertook the Translation of the whole Bible and by the help of the Bishops of S. Asaph and Bangor Gabriel Goodman Dean of Westminster David Powâ—lâ— D.D. Edmund Price Archdeacon of Merionyth and Richard Vaâ—ghan he effectually finished it This was of singular Profit and Advantage to the Welch to have the whole Scripture read and perused in their own native Tongue by which means they received a clearer demonstration of the Corruptions of the Church of Rome when they saw many of their Principles apparently contradicting and others not very firmly founded upon the Holy Scriptures And on the other hand they perceived the Necessity and Advantage of the Reformation they easily discovered that the whole Doctrine of the Church of England was sound and orthodox and that they were now happily delivered from that Popish Slavery which their Forefathers ignorantly adored and therefore being convinced of the Truth of their Religion they became and continued generally very strict Adherents and firm Observers of the Doctrine and Discipline of this Church And here by the bye I cannot but observe what a reverend Writer has lately insinuated relating to the Christian Religion planted in Wales For that Learned Person in his Funeral Sermon upon Mr. Gouge would fain induce the World to believe that Christianity was very corrupt and imperfect among the Welch before it was purifyed by that whom he terms Apostolical Man Whereas it is notoriously evident that since the Reformation was setled in that Country and the Bible with the Book of Common-Prayer translated into the Welch Tongue no place has been more exact in keeping to the strict Rubrick and Constitution of the Church of
the British Race 8. Retires to Alan King of Little Britain ibid. Learned in a Vision to go to Rome and there shorn a Monk 10. Cadwalader with his Brother Owen Gwynedh from North-Wales in conjunction with several South Wales Lords made an horrible slaughter of the Normans and Flemings and drove them out of South-Wales 157 158. Cadwalader forced to flee from his Brother Owen to Ireland 163. Returns with Irish Forces concludes a Peace with his Brother made Prisoner by the Irish rescued by his Brother 164. Escapes out of Prison 171. Flies to England ibid. His Death and Issue 200. Canterbury redeemed by the Citizens from being burnt by the Danes for 3000 l. 73. Betrayed afterward to them and burnt 74. Caradoc King of North-Wales fights and is slain by the Saxons 21. His Pedigree ibid. Celibacy enjoyned to the Clergy in a Synod held at London 127. Christian Faith pure in the British Church 221. Charles Duke of York created Prince of Wales 328. Charles eldest Son of King Charles the First created Prince of Wales 328. Civil War in Wales and Edwal Son of Meyric the indisputable Heir set up in North-Wales 67. Clare Earl of possessed himself of divers Strong-holds in Cardigan 177. Clynnoc fawr an Abby in Arfon 11. When and by whom built 12. Endowed by Prince Anarawd 39. Cnute the Dane chosen King and his Cruelty to the English Hostages 75. Returns to England ibid. The Northumbers submit to him 76. Besieges London is Routed by Edmund ibid. Combats Edmund agree and divide England between them 78. Generously punishes Edmund Ironside's Murder ibid. Marries Emma Edelred's Widdow 80. Requires a Subsidy of the English ibid. Made a pompous Journey to Rome 82. Makes the Scots do him Homage ibid. Dies and is succeeded by his Son Harold Harefoot 83. Conel prognosticating the Norman Invasion and Success 100. Commotions in England 158. Conâ—n War between him and his Brother Howel 22. Dies 23. His Pedigree ibid. Conspiracy against William the Conqueror by the English and the Welch detected and the Conspirators executed 104. Constable Walter marries Nest's Daughter and has the Lordship of Brecknock 116. A strange Passage related by him to Henry the First concerning Gruffydh ap Rhys ibid. Crogens used as a Term of reproach by the English to the Welch 223. No reason for it 224. Cynric Prince Owen's Son slain 162. D. DAnes begin to disturb England 20 21. They prevail and Winter in England 28. They take and destroy Winchester 30. Kill Osbright and Elba Kings of Northumberland 31. Slew Edmund King of the Angles ibid. Fought five Battles with Ethelred ibid. They won London and Redding 33. Routed by the West-Saxons 34. Are defeated by Alfred and received the Christian Faith 37. They harrass North-Wales 39. Defeated by the Armorican Britains ibid. Forced to rise from before Exeter and spoil the Sea-Coast of Wales 41. Receive a great overthrown 42. They grow powerful not only in England but also in Ireland 44. Thrice overthrown by the English 45. Cruelly overthrown by Tottenhale 46. Routed by King Edward 48. Driven out of the Kingdom by King Edmund 52. Force the English to pay the Dane-Gelt 65. Make a terrible Havock in Wales and had Tribute paid them 66. Make fresh devastations in Wales and England 70. They are massacred by the English 71. Force the English Nobility to buy their Peace for 30000 l. 72. They beat Wolfkettel 73. Slew Ethelstan and ransack'd the Country 74 Dafydh ab Owen kiâ—l'd his Brother Howel in Battel and gâ—ts to be Prince of north-North-Wales 195. Secures â—is Brother Maelgon reduces Anglesey and banishes his Brethren 202. Sends a Band of Welch to accompany King Henry into Normandy ibid. Is dispossest by his eldest Brother's Son Lhewelyn ap Iorwerth 213. Vngrateful to Prince Lhewelyn for his Liberty 224. Dafydh ap Lhewelyn Prince of Wales did Homage at Glocester to the King of England 259. Is excommunicated by the Bishop of Bangor for detaining his Brother Gruffydh in Prison whom he refused to deliver at the King's Request 260. Submits to the King of England 262. Caâ—ols the King to detain his Brother Gruffydh Prisoner ibid. Engages the Pope on his side against the King but he proves false 264. Fights the English often with various Success ibid. Dies without Issue 268. Davids St. burnt by the West-Saxons 21. Destroyed by the Danes 45. Again by the Danes 69. Destroyed by Strangers 107. The Cathedral sacrilegiously robbed 111. Made subject to the See of Canterbury 125. Dunstan St. Bishop of Canterbury his Prediction and Death 61. E. EAster the Britains and Saxons quarrel about the Observation of it 18 19. Edgar advanced to the Kingdom in his Brother Edwin's room 56. He wasts North-Wales and agrees for a yearly Tribute of 300 Wolves ibid. Regulates drinking Vessels because of the Danes excess 57. Rowed in his Barge by six Kings on the River Dee 59. Edgar Edeling proclaimed King forced into Scotland 101. Received to King William's Mercy 103. Edmund King of England's Death and the uncertain manner of it 53. Edmund Ironside slain by Edric's Son 78. Edwal Foel and his Brother Elis fight the English and are slain 49. Their Issue ibid. Edward sent for from Normandy and made King 86 The Confessor's death 98. Edward I. King of England invades Wales and prevails 283. Insists upon Prince Lhewelyn's submission without reserve 292. Sets Prince Lhewelyn's Head upon the Tower of London and puts his Brother David to death 299. Subdues all Wales ibid. Kept his Christmas at Aber-Conwey 307. In necessity would taste no Wine for the satisfaction of his Soldiers 308. Cuts down all the Woods in Wales and builds Beumaris-Castle 309. Edward of Caernarvon first Prince of Wales of the English Blood 301. Received Homage at Chester of all the Free-holders of Wales 310. Goes farther into the Country to the same purpose ibid. Edward eldest Son to King Edward II. created Prince of Wales 313. Edward eldest Son to King Edward III. created Prince of Wales 313 His Character and Death 314. Edward Son to Henry VI. created Prince of Wales 323. Murdered ibid. Edward eldest Son to King Edward VI. created Prince of Walts murdered 223. Edward VI. inclined to favour the Welch 323. Edward Son to Richard III. created Prince of Wales 324. Edward Son to Henry VIII created Prince of Wales 325. Edwyn King of England vitious dispossess'd and dies 56. Egbert sole Mâ—narch in Britain 25. Calls the Country England ibid. He fights the Danes 26. Eincon invites the Normans into Wales and persuades them to stay 112 Elfleda Mercian Queen her Valiant Acts both against the Danes and Welch 46. Her death 47. Left a Daughter Alfwyden disinherited by King Edward ibid. Ethelwulph King of the West-Saxons paid Peter-pence to Rome 29. Learned and devout ibid. Eyes of several pluck'd out a barbarous Custom 155. Ethelbald King of Mercia invades Wales 16. In conjunction with Adelred overthrow the Britains ibid. F. FLanders a part of it drowned prejudicial to
the Welch 128. Flemings settled in part of VVales 128. G. GAllio routs the Scots and Picts 2. Builds a Wall cross the Land ibid. Gam Sir David imprisoned by Owen Glyndyfwr and released 321. Revolts from Owen ibid. His answer in France to Henry V. concerning the French Army mortally wounded at Agincourt Knighted and died 322. Gavelkind that Custom in Wales 22. Geoffrey of Monmouth made Bishop of St. Davids 171. Glamorgan Lordship described 314. The best of it Fitzhamon the Chief of the Normans kept to himself 115. Godwyn Earl rebels against King Edward 89. Invades the Land and is reconciled to the King 90. Dies suddenly sitting at the King's Table 91. Gray Reginald Lord of Ruthyn taken Prisoner by Owen Glyndyfwr and ransomed 316 317. Gruffydh ap Lhewelyn declared Prince of north-North-Wales 84. His Country invaded by the English and Danes and routed by him 85. Reduced all Wales under his subjection ibid. Routs Howel Prince of south-South-Wales at Pencader ibid. Taken Prisoner by the Irish under the command of Iago ap Edwal and recovered by his own Men 87. Overcomes and slays Gruffydh ap Rhyderch and his Army c. ibid. Concludes a Peace with Harold King Edward's General 94. His Palace at Ruthlan burnt by the English ibid. Prince Gruffydh murdered by Harold's Contrivance after he had reigned 30 years 95. Gruffydh ap Conan confirmed in the Principality of Wales 109. Refused at first an accommodation with King Henry at last sues and obtains Peace 141. Caressed by the King and promised to deliver up Gruffydh ap Rhys 143. Dies 158. His Issue 159. Gruffydh the Son of Rhys ap Tudor laid claim to South-VVales 143. Flies to North-VVales 143. Wished with his Brother Howel to withdraw into South-VVales 144. Forced to bid open defyance to the King of England ibid. The Flemings and VVelch Lords joyn together to oppose him 145. He takes Caermardhyn 146. Invited to the Government of Cardigan-shire ibid. Succeeds 147. War at Aberystwyth 148. Invidiously dispossess'd of his Estate 154. Dies 158. Gruffydh Son to the Lord Rhys succeeded his Father 116. Plagued with his Brother Maelgon 219. A hopeful Prince dies 222. Gruffydh ap Conan ap Owen ap Gwynedh buried in a Monk's Cowl the Superstition of it 221. Gruffydh Prince David's Brother endeavouring to make his escape out of the Tower of London breaks his Neck 263. His Body recovered and conveyed to Conwey and honourably buried 270. Gruffydh Llwyd Knighted by King Edward I. rebels 311. Treats with Sir Robert Bruce for Succours against the English with his Letter to him ibid. Over-runs North-Wales and the Marches and is taken Prisoner 313. Gurmundus a Norwegian from Ireland invades Britain 7. Gwenwynwyn worsted by the English 218. Refuses Homage to Prince Lhewelyn 222. At last consents to it 223. Detained Prisoner at Shrewsbury 225. Set at Liberty re-gains his Country 228. Revolts from Prince Lhewelyn and is dispossest 242. H. HArold succeeds Canute his Brother in England 83. Dies and is succeeded by Hardi Canute his Brother 85. Harold's favour with the King envied by his Brother Tosty who barbarously murder'd his Men at his House in Hereford and his Saying 7. Made King 98. Slain 100. Hasting a Dane invades France 40. His Policy to obtain Limogis 41. His Cruelty ibid. Henry I. his partiality in favour of the Normans 127. Makes his Brother Robert Prisoner and puts out his Eyes 128. Kind to Cadwgan the Father of Owen 132 Invades Wales with three Armies 140. Overcomes the French King 151. Lost his Children at Sea and marries 152. Invades Wales in danger ibid. Agrees with Meredith ap Blethyn and returns 153. his Death and Successor 156. Henry II. sends the Flemings into West-Wales 173. Invited to the Conquest of Wales ibid. Repulsed and in danger of his Life 174. Concludes a Peace with Prince Owen 175. Quarrels and concludes a Peace with France 187. Invades VVales and brings Prince Rhys to do him Homage 188. Invades VVales again with a most potent Army 190. Returns without any thing memorable and for Revenge puts out the Eyes of the Hostages 191. Makes a third Expedition into VVales to as little purpose ibid. Passes thro' VVales receiving Homage of Prince Rhys in his way to the Conquest of Ireland 198 199. Returns thro' VVales and inclined to leave it in a peaceable Condition 199 200. Engaged in a Civil War against his Son Henry 201. Makes a Peace with France and his Children forced to submit 202. Dies 209. Henry III. King of England invades Wales and is worsted 251. Inâ—ades Wales again 254. Makes Henry of Mâ—nmouth his General against the Welch but with in Suâ—â—ess 255 Laments the death of the Earl of Pembrock 256. Inâ—ades Wales and makes Prince David to submit 261 2 2 Invades Wales 263. Fights the Welch with no success and invites the Irish into Anglesey 265. Oppresses Wales and returns dissatisfied 269 270. Item 274. Wasts the Borders 275. Requires a Subsidy to subdue Wales 276. Dies 280. Henry eldest Son to Henry IV. created Prince of W. 318. Henry IV. makes unmerciful Laws against the Welch 319. Henry Duke of York created Prince of VVales 324. Henry VII grants the VVelch a Charter of Liberty and directed a Commission to enquire into the Birth and Quality of his Grandfather Owen Tudor 325. Henry VIII incorporates the VVelch with the English 326. Henry eldest Son to King James created Prince of VVales 328. Howel Dha preferred to be Prince of all VVales 50. His Laws ibid. Goes to Rome to have them confirmed 51. His Death and Issue 53. Howel ap Ievan expelled his Vncle Iago and took the Government of VVales upon him â—9 At last agree 60. Kills Edwal Fychan and the Reasons of it ibid. Overthrows the Danes 61. Invades England and is slain 62. He is succeeded by his Brother Cadwalhan who was quickly slain 63. Howel and Meredith Prince Lhewelyn's Murderers invite the Irish Scots into south-South-VVales 82. Slew Rhydderch and take the Government 83. Meredith slain by the Sons of Conan ap Sitsylht ibid. Howel attempts the recovery of South-VVales is overcome and slain by Prince Gruffydh near Tywy-Head 87. Howel ap Grono driven out of Rydcors Castle by the Normans 126. Basely betrayed to them and murthered 127. Howel ap Owen Gwynedh won the Castle of Ewyas 167. with his Brother Conan quarrel with their Vncle Cadwalader besiege and take the Castle of Cynfael from him 168. makes Cadwalader his Prisoner and possesses his Land ib. he lost all his Country to Cadelh Meredith and Rhys ap Gruffydh who put the Garison of Llanâ—hystyd to the Sword 169. I. IAgo ap Edwal recovers his Right to North-Wales 82. Slain in Battle against Gruffydh ap Lhewelyn 84. Ifor sent into Britain with an Army by his Father Alan 13. Routs the Saxons ibid. Marries Ethelburga â—entwyn's Cosin and succeeded him in the West-Saxon Kingdom 14. Founded Glastenbury-Abby ib. Dyed at Rome 15. John Arch-Deacon of Llanbadarn dies and is
leaving his Estate to Gwenwynwyn his Son 217. Owen Glendwr his Family Education and Employment 315. opposed by the Lord Ruthyn without Redress takes up Arms and makes him Prisoner 316. prevails takes the Earl of March Prisoner 317. retakes Aberystwyth Castle 319. Summons a Parliament at Machynlleth 320. Secures David Gam upon a suspicion of a design he had to murder him 321. burnt his House and his Verse upon it ibid. P. PAtent of Lands granted in Wales to the Earl of Portland 302. Commons address upon it 303. King's Answer 304. Peckham John Archbishop of Canterbury endeavours a Reconciliation of Prince Llewelyn and his Brother with the King 286. his Remonstrance to the Prince and People 287 288 289 290. Solicites the King on behalf of the Welch 291. Sends Articles to the Welch 292. Excommunicates the Prince of Wales and his Adherents 297. Peace in general between England and Wales except with Prince Rhys who was forced to comply with the King 176. Vnjustly dealt with 177. Powis Prince of removes his Seat from Pengwern to Mathraval 20. An account of it while a Principality and a Lordship with the several Divisions and Possessors thereof whether of British or English Blood 175 to 185. R. REbellion in the North caused by Earl Tosty's Insolence 97. Appeased 98. Rhydderch seizes upon South-Wales 82. Rhydderch and Rhys the Sons of Rhydderch ap Iestyn put in their Claim to South-Wales 88. Rhys Brother to Prince Gruffydh taken by the English and put to death at Bulendun 91. Rhys ap Owen and Rhydderch ap Caradoc joyntly govern south-South-Wales 105. The latter dies 106. A Rebellion against the other ibid. Invaded also from North-Wales flies pursued and slain 187. Rhys ap Theodor allowed Prince of south-South-Wales as lawful Heir 107. A Rebellion formed against him flies into Ireland returns and defeats his Enemy 110. Suppresses another Rebellion 111. Slain near Brecknock in a Fight against the invading Normans and his own rebellious Subjects 112. Rhys ap Gruffydh Prince of south-South-Wales takes Llanymddyfri Castle 177. Subdues Cardigan 178. Gives Henry II. Hostages to observe the Peace made between them ib. Besieges Carmarthen then forced to quit it 179. Possessed himself of divers Lands belonging to Foreigners in Wales as did others according to his Example 189. Takes Aberteifi Castle and razes it 191. Subdues Owen Cyfeilioc 197. Brings the Lords of South-Wales at Enmity with K. Henry to do him Homage 203. Makes a great Feast at Christmas at Aberteifi where the Bards of North-Wales and South-Wales strive for the Mastery 205 206. Takes advantage upon King Henry's death to enlarge his Country 209. His Family diminishes 210. Made Prisoner by his own Sons 211. Escapes 212. Takes two of his Sons Prisoners 214. Enlarges his Conquest and defeats the English and Normans 214 215. Dies his Character and Issue 216. Rhys Fychan takes Lhanymdhysri Castle 227. Rhys ap Gruffydh ap Rhys prevails in South-Wales 239. Does Homage to Henry III. 145. Dies 147. Rhys ap Meredith unfaithful to his Country 304. Knighted by King Edward revolts â—05 Defeated taken Prisoner and executed 306. Rhythmarch Archbishop of S. David dies 122. Richard King of England's feasts in the Holy Land 210. Taken Prisoner in Austria ibid. Died of his Wounds received at Chalons in France 219. Richard of Bourdeaux created Prince of Wales 315. Robert Cyrthois rebels against his Father in Normandy 110. Robert Earl of Salop rebels against Henry I. 122. Engages the Welch in the Quarrel 123. Seeks Aid of Magnus Harold's Son and fails banished with his Brother Arnulph into Normandy 124. Robert de Belissimo a great Disturber of the Welch committed to perpetual imprisonment by King Henry 139. Roderic Molwynoc succeeded Ifor Anno 720.15 Driven by the Saxons out of the Western Countries to his Inheritance in North-Wales 17. dyed soon after 18. Roderic the Great Prince of VVales 27. Beats the Danes out of his Country â—3 Fightâ— the English anâ— with his Brother Gwyriad it slain 34. His Pedigreâ— and Division of Wales between iâ—â—â— three Sons ibid his Imprudence herein 36. S. SAxons their Answer to the British Message 5. They first repel the Scots and Picts 6. Enter into League with the Scots ib. They incroacâ— upon the Britains 19â— Scots and Picts invade Britain 1. Sâ—ward Earl his Saying upon his Sons being slain in Battel 19. His soldierly Temper at his â—earâ— 92. South Wales invaded twice in one Year by Ieâ—af and 〈◊〉 Princes of north-North-Wales â—5 They quarres and 〈◊〉 Consequence of it 57. Embroyled 〈◊〉 between Rhyâ— ap Gruffydh and Rhys Fychan and the former supported by the English 235 236. Stephen King of England agrees with the King of Scotâ— 157. Ravages Scotland 160. Suppresses Injurie â—â—ons at home and â—ouâ—s the Scots by his Lieutenants 161. Besieges Arundel Castle in vain 162. Takes Lincoln is defeated and taken Prisoner ibid. Exchanged for Earl Robert and overthrown a second time at Wilton 163. Wins the Battel of Farendon agrees with Henry the Empress's Son and dies 172. Stewards the Family and their Original 91 92. Sulien Archb shop of S. Davids dies 111. Sulien a learned Man of Llanbadarn dies 165. Swane the Dane wasts the Isle of Man Lands in North-Wales 68. Kills Edwal Prince of the Country ib. His Success in England and esteemed King hereof 74 75. Swane King of Denmark invades England and takes York 102. forced to fly ibid. T. TRahern Fychan strangely hanged 217. Trahern ap Caradoc made Prince of north-North-Wales 105. His Country invaded from Ireland by Gruffydh ap Conan the right Heir ibid. They fight and Trahern with his Cosins worsted and all slain 108. Tâ—â—bute paid by the Prince of Wales to the Kings of England 48. Tudor Vaughan ap Grono his Family would be sâ—◠〈◊〉 Knight and his Reasons for it to King Edward III. who confirmed the Honour of it 314. V. VOrtigern invites the Saxons into Britain 5. Vortimer repels the Saxons 7. W. WAles wasted by the Merciâ—â—s 24. by King Egbert ibid. Divided into three Provinces 27. Invaded by the English 52. Forcibly managed by Ievaf and Iago Princes of north-North-Wales only 56. Afflicted by the Danes and a Murrain 65. Gives Hostages to pay the antient Tribute 95. Seldom governed by the right Heir 109. Wasted by the English as far as Anglesey 121. Embroiled with Civil Divisions 151. Item 153 154. In great scarcity 276. annnext to the Crown of England 300. Walwey King Arthur's Nephew his Tomb found whose Body was of a prodigious length 110. Welch quarrel amongst themselves 22. Ibid. 23. They defeat the Mercians at Conwey and call it Dial Rhodri 38. Disable the Danes and English that invaded them then fall out among themselves 61. Too late see the folly of foreign Aid 114. Miserably slaughter'd 130 131. Being at peace from abroad they fall to their wonted Method of destroying one another 208. Complain to their Prince of their Oppression from the English 272. Beaten by the English 279. Worst the English 297 298. Beaten in Buelht ibid. Revolt because of an heavy Tax from Edward I. every where 306. Beat the English 307. Take the King's Carriages ibid. Routed by the Earl of Warwick 308. Beat the Marchers but are at last overcome and their Leader Madoc made Prisoner 309. Welch Minstrels reformed whereof were three sorts 159. William Duke of Normandy claims the Crown of England 98. Lands at Hastings and defeats the English 100. William I. goes with an Army on Pilgrimage to S. Davids 100. William Rufus invades the Welch without Success 118. Item 120. Killed 122. FINIS BOOKS Printed for and sold by ROBERT CLAVâ—â—â— THE plausible Arguments of a Roman Catholick answered by an English Protestant in the Welch Tongue Price 4 d. The Church-History clear'd from the Roman Forgeries and Corruptions found in the Councils and Baronius in Four Parts from the beginning of Christianity to the end of the Fifth General Council By Thomas Comber D. D. Dean of Durham 40. An Historical Vindication of the Diviâ—◠〈◊〉 of Tythes from Scripture Reaso◠〈◊〉 Opinion and Practice of Jews Goâ—◠〈◊〉 Christians in all Ages to which is added a Discourse concerning Excommunication By Tho. Comber D. D. Dean of Durham 40.
buried as appears by the Testimony of Gutryn Owen who lived in the time of Edward IV. and writ the most exact and perfect Copy of the same All the most notable Occurrences being thus Registred in these Abbies were most generally compared together every third Year when the Beirdh or Bards belonging to these two Houses went their ordinary Visitations which was called Clera And this continued until the Year 1270. a little before the Death of the last Prince Lhewelyn who was slain at Buelht Humphrey Lloyd Gent. who flourished in the Reign of Henry VIII and one greatly skill'd in the British Antiquities continued this History to the Death of Prince Lhewelyn and afterwards having translated the whole into English Language had designed to commit it to the Press But his Death prevented what he purposed and stopped the publication of this History for a long time after until David Powel D. D. in the time of Queen Elizabeth having met with Humphrey Lloyd's Transtation collected what he could out of English Historians which he added by way of Annotations and so published it in the Year 1584. This being the sole History of the Princes of Wales and the only Edition of this History I was moved to prepare it for another Impression by a new modelling the Language making the Body of the History intire without troubling the Reader to see the same thing by way of Annotation Dr. Powel's Notes being for the greatest part but a repetition of the same matter of Fact out of the English Historians with what other Improvements could be made The Additions which I made to the former History I chiefly took out of the Notes of that late great Antiquarian Mr. Robert Vaughan of Hengwrt by whose help also I have corrected supplyed and continued the Chronology Sir John Price's Description of Wales will pretty well answer the Geographical part of this History til we shall be able to recover and fix several of those places whose Names are only left to us at present which we have great hopes will be successfully perfected by the unwearied Labours of my ingenious Friend Mr. Edward Lhwyd in his intended Etymological Dictionary I have added by way of Appendix the several Records belonging to this History and chose rather to insert the Articles of Peace betwixt Prince Lhewelyn and John Peckam Archbishop of Canterbury in the Original with reference thereunto than to insert all the Grievances which the Welch then made in the English Languge which do not so bandsomly bear a Translation A DESCRIPTION OF CAMBRIA Now Called WALES Drawn first by Sir John Price Knight and afterward augmented and made perfect by Humphrey Lloyd Gentleman THE Three Sons of Brutus having divided the whole Isle of Britain into Three Parts that part contained within the French Seas with the Rivers of Severn called in British Hafren Dea and Humber fell to the eldest Son Lorinus which was after his Name called Lhoyger which Name it hath in the British Tongue to this Day and in English now it is called England and 〈◊〉 augmented Northward to the River Tweed The â—econd Son Albanactus had all the Land Northward from Humber to the Sea Orkney called in the British Tongue Mor Werydh and in the Latin Mare Calodonioum The third Son Camber had to his part all that which remained undivided lying within the Spanish and Irish Seas Cambria and separated from England with the Rivers Severn and Dee and this part was after his Name called Cambria and the Inhabitants thereof Cambry and their Language Camberaâ—c and so are at this Day So that they have kept the same Country and Language this 2700 and odd years without commixtion with any other Nation especially in North-Wales as it shall hereafter appear And because the Name of this Country is changed or rather mistaken by the Inhabitants of England and not by them called Cambry but Wales I think it necessary to declare the occasion thereof which is that where the Saxons a People of Germany were the first that after the Britains inhabited and ruled the greatest part of this Isle and drove the Britains to that Corner which according to the manner of their Country they called Wales and the People Welch-men and the Tongue Welch that is to say Strange or not of them understood For at this Day the Inhabitants of the Low Countries call their next Neighbours Language of Henegaw or other that speak French Walsh as a Language to them unknown Likewise the dwellers of Tyroll and other the higher Countries of Germany do Name the Italian their next Neighbour a Welch-man and his Language Walsh And this is an evident Proof that they which harped upon a Queen Gwalaes and of a Prince Wala of whom neither British Latin nor English History maketh mention were foully deceived and so likewise was a great Historiographer of late Days which saith that it was called Wallia quasi Italia because the rest of the Romans which remained in the Isle were driven thither Neither is this any new invention although Polydore Virgil with an Italian brag doth glorify himself to be the first that espied it out for divers antient Writers do alledge the same cause of the Name of Wales of whom Sylvester Gyraldus is one who wrote in the time of Henry the Second after the Conquest before 380 years passed which is an â—vident Token that the said Polydore did either neâ—er see nor read the antient Histories of this Realm â—r dissembleth the same to the Advancement and Praise of himself and his Country which to the â—earned and indifferent Reader shall appear to be the â—nly occasion he took that work in hand for all his â—ook redoundeth only to the Praise and Honour of â—he Romans as well Spiritual as Temporal and to â—lase forth their Acts and Deeds within this Realm â—nd upon the other part doth either openly slander â—r else privily extenuate or shamefully deny the marâ—ial prowess and noble Acts as well of Saxons Danes â—nd Normans as of the Britains all Inhabiters of this â—sle Which thing he that lift to prove let him read â—nd confer Caesar's Commentaries Cornelius Tacitus Herodianus and other antient Writers as well in Latin as in Greek with his Work As for the antiâ—ent Writers of the British History as the British Chronicle the History of Gildas Ponticus Vorunnius â—ea the Golden Work of Matthew Paris Monk of St. Alban which wrote from William Bastard to the â—ast years of Henry the Third I dare well say he â—ever saw them they be in divers places to be had â—o that the truth may be easily proved To make â—n end I say that he being first a Stranger born and â—lso ignorant as well in the Histories of this Realm as â—f those Tongues and Languages wherein the same were written could never set forth the true and perfect Chronicle of the same But he having a good Grace and a pleasant Stile in the Latin Tongue and finding himself in a Country
fought withâ—â— and Rahald was slain and the rest compell'd to â—â—swear the King's Land and never to return any â—ore to England King Edward to prevent any fuâ—â—re Disturbance from such open Invaders caused a â—â—rong Army to be quartered upon the South side of â—â—vern but the Danes for all he could do enter'd â—â—vice into his Country once at Werd and then at â—ortogan but were both times overthrown by the â—nglish From thence they departed to the Isle of â—â—epen whence they were forced by Hunger to sail to â—outh Wales intending to make a considerable Prey of â—hat Country but failing of their aim they were â—onstrained to make the best of their way for Ireland But the next Year a Party of Danes fought a very â—evere Battel with the Kentish-men at Holm but which of them obtain'd the Victory is not certainly â—eported About the same time Anarawd Prince of A.D. 913 North Wales died leaving behind him two Sons Edwal Foel and Elis and some say a third named Meyric Edwal Foel AFter the death of Anarawd his eldest Son Edwal Foel took upon him the Government of Northwales Howel Dha holding the Principality of Southwales and Powis At what time a terrible Comet appeared in the Heavens The same Year the City of Chester which had been destroyed by the Danes was by the procurement of Elfleda new built and repaired as the antient Records of that City do â—â—stifie This in the antient Copy is called Leycestâ—â— by an easie mistake for Legecestria or Chester callâ—â— by the Romans Legionum Cestria The next Suâ—mer the Men of Dublin cruelly destroyed the Isle 〈◊〉 Anglesey and soon after Clydawe the Son of Caâ—â—â— was unnaturally slain by his Brother Meyric about tâ—â— same time that the Danes received a cruel overthroâ—â— by the English at Tottenhale But Elfleda did 〈◊〉 long survive the rebuilding of the City of Chester a Woman of singular Virtues and one that greaâ—â—â— strengthned the Kingdom of Mercia by buildinâ— of Towns and Castles against the Incursions of tâ—â— Danes as Strengat and Bruge by the Forrest 〈◊〉 Morph Tamworth Stafford Edelburgh Cherenburgâ— Wadeburgh and Runcofe After this she entered wâ—â— her whole Army into Wales wan Brecknock 〈◊〉 took the Queen with 33 of her Men Prisonerâ— which in Welch is called Gwaith y Ddinas Newydh 〈◊〉 the Battel of the new City From hence she marched for Derby which she took from the Danes losâ— only four of her chief Commanders in the Actioâ— The occasion of these two Expeditions according 〈◊〉 some was this Huganus Lord of West Wales peâ—ceiving King Edward to be unavoidably busie in thâ— Danish War gathered an Army of Britains and â—â—tring into England destroyed the Kings Countâ—â— Upon the News of this Elfleda came to Wales witâ— a great Army fought with the Welch at Breekâ—â— and putting Huganus to flight took his Wife anâ— some of his Men Prisoners whom she carried wiâ—â— her to Mercia Huganus being thus defeated fled 〈◊〉 Derby and being there kindly received joined hiâ—self with the Kings Enemies the Danes Elfleda being certified of that followed him with her Army but in storming the Gates of the Town had Four 〈◊〉 her best Officers kill'd by Huganus But Gwyane Loâ— of the Isle of Ely her Steward setting fire to thâ— Gates furiously ran upon the Britains and entereâ— the Town upon which Haganus perceiving himseâ—â— to be over-match'd chose rather to fall by the Sword â—â—an cowardly to yield himself to a Woman The â—ext Year Elfleda laid siege to the City of Leicester which was quickly surrender'd and the Danes thereâ—â— perfectly subdued The Fame of these several Aâ—tions being noised abroad her Neighbours became somewhat fearful and timorous and the Yorkshireâ—â—n voluntarily did her Homage and proffer'd their Service She died at Tamworth after Eight Years â—ule over Mercia and lies buried at Glocester by S. Peters After the death of Elfleda King Edward most ungratefully disinherited her Daughter Alfwyen and â—ntering into Mercia seized all the Land into his own hands upon pretence that she without his knowledg whom her Mother had appointed her Guardian had privily promised and contracted Marâ—iage with Reynald King of the Danes But this unâ—ust and unnatural Action of King Edwards might possibly bring upon him those vehement Troubles which presently ensued upon it For Leofred a Dane â—nd Gruffydh ap Madoc Brother in Law to the Prince of West Wales came from Ireland with a great Army to Snowdon and minding to bring all Wales and the Marches thereof to their subjection over-ran and subdued all the Country to Chester before King Edward was certified of their arrival Whereat being sore offended and loth to trouble his Subjects for help vowed that himself and his Sons with their single Forces would be revenged upon Leofred and Gruffydh and thereupon marching to Chester forced the City from them Then he divided his Army into â—wo Battels whereof he and his Son Ethelstan lead the first Edmund and Edred the second and followed them so close that he overtook them at the Forest of Walewode now Sherwode where Leofred and Gruffydh set upon them so fiercely that the King at first was in some danger until Athelstane stepped in and wounded the Dane in the Arm in that manner that being no longer able to hold his Spear the was taken Prisoner and committed to the custody of Atholstâ—ne In the mean time Edmund and Edred encountring with Gruffydh slew him and brought his Head to their Father and Leofreds Head being likewise cut off they were both set up upon the Town of Chester and then Edward together with his Sons victoriously returned home But King Edward having A.D. 924 built Glademutham soon after this dyed at Farandon and his Son Alfred the same time at Oxford and were both buried at Winchester Edward being dead his base Son Athelstane for many excellent Virtues appearing in him was preferred to the Crown the worthiest Prince of the Saxon Blood that ever reigned He overcame Cudfryd the Father of Raynald King of the Danes at York and being invaded by Hawlaf King of Ireland who with all the Power of the Scots and Danes marched against him gave him battel at Brimestbury and obtained a very notorious Victory King Hawlaf together with the King of the Scots five Kings of the Danes and Normans being slain upon the spot so that the whole Country of England and Scotland became subject to him which none of his Predecessoâ—â— A.D. 933 ever attempted Sometime after Owen the Son of Gruffydh was slain by the Men of Cardigan And then Athelstane entring with his Army into Wales forced the Princes thereof to pay a yearly Tribute of 20 l. in Gold 300 l. in Silver and 200 Head of Cattel which notwithstanding was not observed as appears by the Laws of Howel Dha wherein it is appointed that the Prince of Aberffraw should pay no more to the King of London than 66 l. Tribute and that the Princes of Dinefawr and Powis should
excellent Qualities both warlike and reâ—â—gious and one that founded several Monasteries and â—â—ligious Houses and particularly at Bangor For Iago ap Edwal having fled to King Edgar preâ—â—iled so far with him that he brought an Army inâ—â— north-North-Wales to restore him to his Right Being â—â—vanced as far as Bangor he was honourably receiv'd 〈◊〉 Howel who at his request was contented his Unâ—â—â— Iago should have a share in the Government as he â—â—d in his Father Ievaf's time Then Edgar founded 〈◊〉 new Church at Bangor on the South-side of the Caâ—â—edral which he dedicated to the Blessed Virgin â—ary and confirmed the antient Liberties of that â—â—â—e and bestowed Lands and Gifts upon it And â—â—en with Howel and Iago in his company he marchâ—â— towards Chester where met him by appointment â—â—x Kings more viz. Keneth King of the Scots Malâ—â— King of Cumberland Macon King of Man and â—â—fnwal Sifrethus and Ithel three British Kings â—hese Eight Princes having done Homage and sworn â—ealty to him entred with him into his Barge and â—wed him four of each side from his Palace to the â—hurch or Monastery of S. John Baptist and Divine â—ervice being ended in like state rowed him back â—gain To King Edgar succeeded his Son Edward surnamed the Younger who after four Years reign wâ— treacherously slain through the Treason of his Stepmother Elfrida to make room for her own Son Edelred upon pretence of whose minority being a Child oâ—ly of Seven Years she might have the managemeâ—â— of the Kingdom in her own hands But whilst thâ— A.D. 976 English were in this waving and unsettled conditioâ— Eineon the Son of Owen King of South-Wales tâ—â— second time entered the Country of Gwyr and havâ—â—â— spoiled and wasted it returned home again Thâ—â— though an unsufferable Affront to Howel Prince 〈◊〉 north-North-Wales yet he thought it most convenient 〈◊〉 pass by and wink at it being then warmly engagâ—â— against the Aiders and Abettors of his Uncle Iagâ— and marching against them with a numerous Aâ—â—â— consisting of Welch and English pursued them to Lâ—â—â— and Kelynnoc Fawr the very extremity of Walâ—â— where after cruel ravaging and miserable harassing 〈◊〉 the Country about Iago was at last taken Prisoneâ— but so generously received by Howel that he granâ— his Uncle to enjoy his portion of the Country peâ—â—ably for his Life But he did not deal so kindly wâ—â—â— his Uncle Edwal Fychan the Son of Edwal Foel wâ—â—â— A.D. 979 for what pretence not discover'd was slain by hâ—â— It may be that being in a manner secure of his Uâ—cle Iago he was apprehensive that Edwal Fychan woâ—â—â— put in his Pretence for the Principality and therefâ—â—â— he judged it convenient to remove this Obstacle 〈◊〉 time and to send him to seek for it in another Woâ—â—â— For nothing can be the cause of greater Injustice aâ—â— Inhumanity in Princes than the jealousie and appâ—â—hension of Rivals and Pretenders to their Governmeâ—â— to prevent which they will sacrifice any thing tâ—â—â— is just and legal so that the Person offending be 〈◊〉 moved out of the way But though Howel had â—â—thered his Uncle Edwal Fychan yet he could not 〈◊〉 move all Disputes and Pretences to North Waleâ— For at the same time that he was employed in tâ—â— unnatural Action Cystenyn Dhu or Constantine 〈◊〉 Black Son to Iago then Prisoner to Howel having â—â—red an Army of Danes under the command of Godfâ—â—â— â—â—e Son of Harold marched against his Cousin Howel â—â—d entring North-Wales destroyed Anglesey and Lhyn â—hereupon Howel having drawn his Forces together 〈◊〉 upon them at a place called Gwayth Hirbarth â—here the Danes received a very shameful overthrow â—nd Constantine the Son of Iago was slain But anoâ—â—er Army of Danes fared better in England who haâ—â—ng landed at and spoiled Southampton over-ran the â—ountries of Devon and Cornwal burnt the Town of â—odman whereby the Cathedral Church of St. Peâ—kes with the Bishop's Palace were laid in Ashes â—y reason of which Disaster that Bishop's See was â—â—anslated to St. Germains where it continued till the â—â—iting thereof to Crediton Within a while after 〈◊〉 Dunstan Archbishop of Canterbury died a Pious â—nd Religious Person who fore-told of very great and â—â—supportable Calamities the English should endure â—y the cruel Outrages of the Danes But Godfryd the Son of Harold being highly disguâ—â—ed A.D. 981 at the shameful rout he received of Howel in the Quarrel of Constantine was resolved to recover his Credit and to revenge himself of the Welch And â—ccordingly he landed with a powerful Army in West-Wales where after that he had spoiled the Land of â—yfed with the Church of St. Davids he fought the â—â—mous Battle of Lhanwanoc But Harold being forced â—pon this to retire and forsake the Country the folâ—owing A.D. 982 Year Duke Alfred with a considerable number of English came to supply his room and to conquer â—he Welch But he received as little Advantage or Honor as Harold in this Expedition for after that â—e had laid waste and destroyed the Town of Brecâ—â—ck with some part of South-Wales he was shameâ—ully vanquished and his Army almost totally cut off by the Troops of Eineon the Son of Owen Prince of south-South-Wales and Howel Prince of North Wales who had joined their Forces against him And now A.D. 983 the Welch having quite disabled the Danes and the English began to fall to their old Courses to make â—â—fe of their Prosperity and Quietness from abroad for quarrelling and creating Disturbances at home The Inhabitants of Gwentland imagined themselveâ— very Strong and Powerful and therefore must need endeavour to shake off their Allegiance to their Prince and to set up one of their own making Owen Princâ— of south-South-Wales to pacify the rebellious Humor oâ— these seditious and turbulent People sent his Soâ— Eineon to persuade them to Obedience But a diâ—stracted multitude got loose is not to be worked upon by Arguments which Eineon fatally experienceâ— who was so far from persuading them in their Allegiance by fair means that they presently set upoâ— him and thinking that they had the Bird in the fist who was next to succeed put him to preseâ—â— Death And thus most ignobly fell this worthy Prince who in his Father's time was the only Support of his Country being a stout and a valiaâ—â— Commander and one famously experienced in thâ— Art and Discipline of War He had Issue two Sonâ— Edwyn and Tewdor Mawr or Theodor the Great oâ— of whose Loins several Princes of south-South-Wales weâ—â— A.D. 984 since descended But Howel Prince of North Walâ—â— did not regard this Dissention and Rebellion in South Wales and therefore took opportunity to strengtheâ— and multiply his Army with which he marched thâ— next Year for England intending to revenge the â—â—cursions and Invasions of the English upon Wales and to destroy and waste their Country But having entred into England he was presently foughâ— with upon which being resolved either to returâ— Victoriously or to die Couragiously he fell
Death 〈◊〉 Edward to secure the Kingdom of England for h◠〈◊〉 was honourably dismissed Upon his return to England by the persuasions of Caradoc the Son of â—ruffydh ap Rytherch himself with his Brother Tosty â—iled a great Army and entred into South-Wales â—hich they destroyed after that manner that the Welch were glad to deliver up Hostages for the â—ayment of the antient Tribute which afore-time â—hey were used to pay Gruffydh hearing of the Inâ—lencies of the English in South Wales made all posâ—â—ble haste and preparation to oppose them but all 〈◊〉 no purpose Harold having already treacherously â—â—ed some of Gruffydh's nearest Friends to Murder 〈◊〉 who watching their opportunity executed their â—icked Design and brought his Head to Harold Gruffydh being dead Harold by King Edward's Orders â—â—pointed Meredith Son of Owen ap Edwyn Prince 〈◊〉 South Wales and the Government of North-Wales 〈◊〉 Blethyn and Rywaâ—hon the Sons of Coâ—fyn Brothers 〈◊〉 the Mother side to Prince Gruffydh and who proâ—ably for the desire of Rule were accessary to the Murder of that Noble Prince This Gruffydh ap Lheâ—â—â—yn enjoyed the Principality of Wales for the space of thirty four years a Prince of incomparable Verâ—â—â— both Wise and Valiant Beloved of his Subjects â—nd Formidable to his Enemies in all his Actions he â—ehaved himself Great and Princely and having Demanded his Country so bravely against all Foreign Opposition he was far unworthy of that treacherous â—nd cruel Death which his unkind Subjects and unâ—atural Friends bestowed upon him He left Issue â—ut â—â—e Daughter called Nest abused first by Fleaâ—ce â—on of Bâ—ncho and afterwards married to Trahaern â—p Caradoc Prince of north-North-Wales Blethyn and Rywalhon AFter the deplorable Murder of Prince Gruffyâ—â— Meredith the Son of Owen ap Edwyn who aâ—cording to some was Son to Howel Dha did take 〈◊〉 on him as 't is said the Government of South-Waâ—â—â— and Blethyn and Rywalhon the Sons of Confyn hâ—â— Brothers to Gruffydh as descended from Augboâ— Daughter to Meredith sometime Prince of Walâ—â— entered upon the Principality of north-North-Wales Câ—â—â—â— the Son Iago ap Edwal the right Heir to that Croâ—â— being then with his Father-in-Law in Ireland Tâ—â— partition of Wales fell much short of the expectation of Caradoc ap Gruffydh ap Rytherch who bâ—ing the chief promoter of Harold's making an â—â—pedition against Gruffydh ap Lhewolyn made no qâ—stion to attain to the Government of South-Wales â—â—case Gruffydh got the worse But it happened otheâ—wise Harold being sensible of Caradoc's Subtilty aâ—â— Knavery and doubting whether if he was maâ—â— Prince of south-South-Wales he could obtain a certain Loâ—â—â—ship nigh Hereford which he had a longing mindâ— made a Composition with Meredith ap Owen for 〈◊〉 said Lordship and created him Prince of South-Walâ—â— and on the contrary banished Caradoc out of 〈◊〉 Country Harold having obtained his Request buâ— a very magnificent House at a place called Portasâ—â— in Monmouth-shire and storing it with great quaâ—tity of Provision splendidly entertained the King who honoured him with a Visit This was by a means pleasing to Tofty to see his younger Brother in greater Esteem and Favour with the King thâ—â— himself and having concealed his displeasure for 〈◊〉 time could not forbear at length but discover 〈◊〉 grievance For one day at Windsor while Harâ—â— reached the Cup to King Edward Tosty ready to burâ— for Envy that his Brother was so much respected beyond himself could not refrain to run furiously upon him and pulling him by the Hair dragged him to the Ground for which unmannerly Action the King forbad him the Court But he with continued Rancour and Malice rides to Hereford where Harold had many Servants preparing an Entertainment for the King and setting upon them with his Followers â—â—opped off the Hands and Legs of some the Arms and Heads of others and threw them into the Buts of Wine and other Liquors which were put in for the King 's drinking and at his departure charged the Servants to acquaint him That of other fresh Meats he might carry with him what he pleased but for â—ince he should find plenty provided ready for him for which barbarous Offence the King pronounced a Sentence of perpetual Banishment upon him But Saradoc ap Gruffydh gave a finishing stroak to Harold's House and the King's Entertainment at Portascyth for coming thither shortly after Tosty's departure to be revenged upon Harold he killed all the Work-men and Labourers with all the Servants he could find and utterly defacing the Building carried away all the Costly Materials which with great Charges and Exâ—ence had been brought thither to beautify and adorn the Structure Soon after which the Northumbrians who could not endure the Insolencies of the two Brothers Harold and Tosty who bearing an uncontroulâ—ble sway in the Kingdom were used to practise most hellish Villanies to encompass any Man's Estate that displeased them in a Tumult at York beset the Palace of Tosty and having pillaged his Treasure â—â—ew all his Family as well English-men as Danes Then adjoining to themselves the People of Lincoln Nottingham and Derby shire they elected Marcher the Son of Earl Algar their General to whom came his Brother Edwyn with a considerable number of Forces â—nd a great party of Welch men Then they marched in an hostile manner to Northampton where Harold met them being sent by the King to know their Demands to whom they laid open their Grievances and the Cruelty of Tosty's Government and at last with an absolute refusal of admitting him again desired that Marcher should be appointed Earl over them which the King upon the reasonable Complaints of Injuries done by Tosty easily granted and willingly confirmed Marcher's Title Whereupon they peaceably returned back to the North and the Welch with several Prisoners and other Booties got in this Expedition returned to Wales A.D. 1066 The year following King Edward died and was buried at Westminster being the last King of the Saxon Blood before the Conquest that Governed the Kingdom of England which from Cerdic King of the West-Saxons had continued 544 and from Egbert the first Monarch 171 Years Edward being dead the next debate was about an Election of a Successor Edgar Edeling being set up by some as lawful Heir to the Crown which Harold as being a Person of greater Power and Authority in the Kingdom much wealthier and better befriended presently thwarted and brought Matters so cunningly about that himself was chosen King without any regard observed to the Oath and Promise he had formerly made to William Duke of Normandy Duke William upon notice of Harold's advancement how that he had accepted of the Crown of England contrary to the Articles between them convened together his Nobles and laid before them the several Wrongs and Affronts be had received at the Hands of Harold as the Death of his Cosin Alfred the Banishment of Archbishop Robert Earl Odan and all the Normans and lastly the Breach of his Oath and
of those who enjoyed a great part of the Welchmens Lands but would not be satisfied till they got all For Gilbert Strongbow Earl of Strygill upon whom the King had bestowed Cardigan made great Complaints of Owen ap Cadwgan declaring how that he received and entertained such Persons as spoiled and robbed in his Country and Hugh Earl of Chester made the like of Gruffydh ap Conan Prince of north-North-Wales how that his Subjects and the Men of Grono ap Owen ap Edwyn Lord of Tegengl unreproved wasted and burnt the Country of Cheshire and to aggravate the matter the more he added farther that Gruffydh neither owed any Service nor paid any Tribute to the King Upon these Complaints King Henry was so cruelly enraged that he swore he would not leave one living Creature remaining in North-Wales and Powys-land but having extirpated utterly the present Race of People he would plant a Colony of new Inhabitants And then dividing his Army into three parts he deliver'd one to the conduct of the Earl of Strygill to go against South-Wales which comprehended the whole Power of the fourth part of England and Cornwal The next Battel was designed against North-Wales in which was all the strength of Scotland and the North and was commanded by Alexander King of the Scots and Hugh Earl of Chester the Third the King led himself against Powys wherein was contained the whole strength of the middle part of England Meredith ap Blethyn hearing of these mighty Preparations and being informed that this vast Army was design'd against Wales was quickly apprehensive that the Welch were not able to make any great Defence and therefore thought it his safest way to provide for himself before-hand and so coming to the King yielded himself up to his Mercy But Owen fearing to commit himself to those whom he knew so greedily to covet his Estate and whom he was assured were far more desirous to dispossess the Welch of their Lands than any other way to punish them for former Crimes and Miscarriages fled to Gruffydh ap Conan to North-Wales Upon that King Henry converted his whole Force that way and came himself as far as Murcastelh and the Scotch King to Pennant Bachwy but the People flying to the Mountains carried with them all the Cattel and Provision they had so that the English could not follow them and as many as attempted to come at them were either slain or wounded in the streights But Alexander King of the Scots finding that nothing could possibly be effected against the Welch as long as they kept the Rocks and Mountains sent to Prince Gruffydh advising him to submit himself to the King promising him all his Interest to obtain an honourable Peace But the Prince was too well acquainted with English Promises and therefore refused his Proposals and so King Henry being very unwilling to return without doing something in this Expedition sent to Owen to forsake the Prince who was not able to defend himself but was ready to strike a Peace with the Scottish King and the Earl of Chester But this cunning Insinuation would not take effect for Owen was for his life as distrustful of King Henry as Prince Gruffydh and therefore he would hearken to no Intreaties for revolting from him who had all this while afforded him Refuge till at length his Uncle Meredith an old insinuating Politician persuaded him with much a do not to forsake the King of England's Proposals who offered him all his Lands without Tribute in case he would come to his side and therefore Meredith advised him instantly to accept of his offer before Prince Gruffydh made a Peace with the King which if it was once done he would be glad upon any score to purchase the King's Mercy Owen being prevailed upon by such Arguments came to the King who received him very gratiously and told him that because he believed his Promise he would not only perform that but likewise exalt him above any of his Kindred and grant him his Lands free from any payment of Tribute Prince Gruffydh perceiving how that Owen had submitted to the King thought it also his wisest way to sue for Peace and so promising the King a great Sum of Money a Peace was then actually agreed upon and confirmed which the King of England was the more ready to consent to because he found it impossible to do him any hurt whilst he continued encamped in that place Some affirm that the submission as well of Prince Gruffydh as Owen was procured by the Policy of Meredith ap Blethyn and the Earl of Chester this last working with Gruffydh and assuring him that Owen had made his Peace with the King before any such thing was in agitation so that the Prince yielding somewhat to the Earl's Request if Owen had gone contrary to his Oath which they had mutually taken not to make any Peace with the English without one anothers Knowledge seemed to incline to a Peace On the other hand Meredith going in Person to his Nephew Owen affirmed for Truth that the Prince and the Earl of Chester were actually agreed and that the Prince was on his Journey to the King to make his Submission And in the mean while Meredith took especial care that all Messengers betwixt the Prince and Owen should be intercepted and by that means Owen wilfully submitted himself to the King King Henry having thus finished and brought to an end all his Business in Wales calling Owen to him told him that in case he would go over with him to Normandy and there be faithful to him he would upon his return confirm all his Promises upon him and so Owen accepting of the King's Offer went with him to Normandy where he behaved himself so gallantly that he was made a Knight and after his return A.D. 1112 the Year following he had all his Lands and Estate confirmed unto him About the same time Griffri Bishop of St. Davids died and King Henry appointed to succeed him one Barnard a Norman much against the Good-will and Inclination of the Welch who before this time were ever used to Elect their own Bishop And this Year the rumour of Gruffydh Son to Rhys ap Theodore was spread throughout South-Wales who as the report went for fear of the King had been from a Child brought up in Ireland and having come over about two Years afore past his time privately among his Relations particularly with Gerald Steward of Pembroke his Brother-in-Law And now the noise of a new Prince being spread abroad it came at last to the Ears of the King of England that a certain Person appeared in Wales who pretended to be the Son of Rhys ap Theodore late Prince of South Wales and laid Claim to that Principality which was now in the King's Hands King Henry being somewhat concerned with such a Report and fearing lest that this new Starter should create him some greater trouble he thought to nip him in the bud and sent down Orders
by their Valour than by their Birth and Parentage He had by Gwladus the Daughter of Lhywarch ap Trahaern ap Caradoc Iorwerth Drwyndwn or the broken Nose Conan Maelgon and Gwenlhian by Christian the Daughter of Grono ap Owen ap Edwyn he had David Roderic Cadwalhon Abbot of Bardsey and Angharad afterwards married to Gruffydh Maylor He had by other Women several other Children as Conan Lhewelyn Meredith Edwal Rhun Howel Cadelh Madawc Eineon Cynwric Philip and Ryrid Lord of Clochran in Ireland Of these Run Lhewelyn and Cynwric died before their Father and the rest will be mentioned in the Sequel of this History David ap Owen PRince Owen Gwynedh being dead the Succession was of right to descend to his eldest legitimate Son Iorwerth Drwyndwn otherwise called Edward with the broken Nose but by reason of that Blemish upon his Face he was laid aside as unfit to take upon him the Government of north-North-Wales Therefore his younger Brothers began every one to aspire in hopes of succeeding their Father but A.D. 1170 Howel who was of all the eldest but base born begotten of an Irish Woman finding they could not agree stept in himself and took upon him the Government But David who was legitimately born could not brook that a Bastard should ascend his Fathers Throne and therefore he made all the Preparations possible to pull him down Howel on the other hand was as resolute to maintain his ground and was not willing so quickly to deliver up what he had not very long got possession of and so both Brothers meeting together in the Field were resolved to try their Title by the point of the Sword The Battel had not lasted long but Howel was slain and then David was unanimously proclaimed and saluted Prince of north-North-Wales which Principality he enjoyed without any Molestation till Lhewelyn Iorwerth Druryndwn's Son came of age as will hereafter appear But Madawc another of Owen Gwynedh's Sons finding how his Brothers contended for the Principality and that his native Country was like to be turmoil'd in a Civil War did think it his better Prudence to try his Fortune abroad and therefore leaving North-Wales in a very unsettled condition sailed with a small Fleet of Ships which he had rigg'd and man'd for that purpose to the Westward and leaving Ireland upon the North he came at length to an unknown Country where most things appeared to him new and uncustomary and the manner of the Natives far different from what he had seen in Europe This Country says the learned H. Lhoyd must of necessity be some part of that vast tract of ground of which the Spaniards since Hanno's time boast themselves to be the first Discoverers and which by order of Cosmography seems to be some part of Nova Hispania or Florida whereby it is manifest that this Country was discovered by the Britains long before either Columbus or Americus Vesputius sailed thither But concerning Madawc's Voyage to this Country and afterwards his return from thence there be many fabulous Stories and idle Tales invented by the Vulgar who are sure never to diminish from what they hear but will add to and increase any Fable as far as their Invention will prompt them However says the same Author it is certain that Madawc arrived in this Country and after he had viewed the Fertility and Pleasantness of it he thought it expedient to invite more of his Countrymen out of Britain and therefore leaving most of those he had brought with him already behind he returned for Wales Being arrived there he began to acquaint his Friends with what a fair and extensive Land he had met with void of any Inhabitants whilst they employed all their Skill to supplant one another only for a ragged Portion of Rocks and Mountains and therefore he would persuade them to change their present state of Danger and continual Clashings for a more quiet Being of Ease and Enjoyment And so having got a considerable Number of Welch together he bid his final adieu to his Native Country and sailed with Ten Ships back to them he had left behind It is therefore to be supposed says our Authour that Madawc and his People inhabited part of that Country since called Florida by reason that it appears from Francis Loves an Author of no small Reputation that in Acusanus and other places the People honoured and worshipped the Cross whence it may be naturally concluded that Christians had been there before the coming of the Spaniards and who these Christians might be unless it were this Colony of Madawcs cannot be easily imagined But by reason that the Welch who came over were not many they intermixt in a few Years with the Natives of the Country and so following their Manners and using their Language they became at length undistinguishable from the Barbarians But the Country which Madawc landed in is by the learned Dr. Powel supposed to be part Mexico for which Conjecture he lays down these following Reasons First as it is recorded in the Spanish Chronicles of the Conquest of the West-Indies the Inhabitants and Natives of that Country affirm by Tradition that their Rulers descended from a strange Nation which came thither from a strange Country as it was confessed by King Montezeuma in a Speech at his Submission to the King of Castile before Hernando Cortez the Spanish General And then the British Words and Names of Places used in that Country even at this day do undoubtedly argue the same as when they speak and confabulate together they use this British Word Gwrando which signifies to hearken or listen and a certain Bird with a white Head they call Fengwyn which signifies the same in Welch But for a more complete confirmation of this the Island of Corroeso the Cape of Bryton the River of Gwyndor and the white Rock of Pengwyn which are all British Words do manifestly shew that it was that Country which Madawe and his People inhabited As soon as the Troubles of North-Wales were over and Prince David securely settled in his Throne A.D. 1171 the Storm fell presently upon Powys For Owen Cyfeilioc the Lord of that Country had always as much as in him lay opposed the Interest and Advantage of Rhys Prince of South Wales upon which account Prince Rhys came with a great Army against Powys and having subdued Owen Cyfeilioc his Enemy he was for all that so favourable to him that upon his delivering him Pledges for his future Behaviour he presently departed out of Powys and returned with much Honour to South Wales And now all the States of Britain being at perfect Rest and Amity with one another the whole Tide and Scene of Action returned to Ireland for Henry King of England having called together all his Nobility began to consult about the Irish Expedition which had already been determined to be taken in hand To this Consultation there came some Messengers from Richard Strongbow Earl of Strigule Marshal of England to deliver up
to Gruffydh inviting the King of England to come to invade theiâ— Country and to correct the unnatural Enmity theiâ— Prince expressed to his Brother But when all Differences were over the King of England returned with his Army shamefully back and the Prince anâ— his Nobility reconciled the Welch might have expected a very happy time of it had not Death taken the Prince so unnaturally away before he had well known what a peaceful Reign was Lhewelyn ap Gruffydh â—Rince David being dead the Principality of 〈◊〉 North Wales legally descended to Sir Ralph Morâ—â—â—er in Right of his Wife Gladys Daughter to â—â—â—welyn ap Iorwerth But the Welch Nobility beâ—â—â— assembled together for the electing and nominaâ—â—â—g a Successour thought it by no means advisaâ—â—â— to admit a Stranger to the Crown though his â—â—de was never so lawful and especially an Engâ—â—â—â—man by whose Obligations to the Crown of Engâ—â—â—d they must of necessity expect to become Subâ—â—â—s or rather Slaves to the English Government â—herefore they unanimously agreed to set up Lheâ—â—â—yn and Owen Goch the Sons of Gruffydh a base 〈◊〉 of Lhewelyn ap Iorwerth and Brother to Prince â—â—vid who being sent for and appearing before the â—â—sembly all the Nobles and Barons then present 〈◊〉 them Homage and received them for their Soâ—â—â—eigns But as soon as the King of England unâ—â—rstood of the death of the Prince of Wales he â—â—ought the Country being in an unsettled and waâ—â—ring condition he might effect great matters there â—â—d therefore he sent one Nicholas de Miles to South-â—ales with the Title of Justice of that Country â—â—th whom he joyned in Commission Meredith ap â—â—ys Gryc and Meredith ap Owen ap Gruffydh 〈◊〉 eject and disinherit Maelgon Fychan of all his â—ands and Estate in South-Wales The like injurious â—ractices were committed against Howel ap Meredith â—ho was forcibly robb'd of all his Estate in Glamorâ—â—n by the Earl of Clare These unreasonable Exâ—â—tions being insupportable Maelgon and Howel made â—â—own their Grievances to the Princes of north-North-Wales â—esiring their Succour and Assistance for the recovery â—f their lawful Inheritance from the Incroachments of the English But the King of England undâ—â—standing their Design led his Army into Wales 〈◊〉 on whose arrival the Welch withdrew themselâ—â—â— to Snowden-Hills where they so tired the Englâ—â—â— Army that the King finding he could do no goâ—â— after some stay there returned back to England Wiâ—â— in a while after Ralph Mortimer the Husband Gladys Dhu dyed leaving his whole Estate and wâ—â— it a lawful Title to the Principality of North-Waâ—â—â— to his Son Sir Roger Mortimer A.D. 1247 The next Year nothing memorable passed betweâ—â— the English and the Welch M. Paris p. 739. only the dismal Effects the last Years Expedition were not worn off 〈◊〉 ground being uncapable of Cultivation and the Câ—â—â—tel being in great measure destroyed by the Englâ—â—â— occasioned great Poverty and Want in the Countâ—â— But the greatest Calamity befel the Bishops S. Asâ—â—â— and Bangor being destroyed and burnt by the Englisâ— the Bishops thereof were reduced to that utmost Eâ—tremity as to get their Subsistence by other Meâ—â— Charity the Bishop also of S. Davids deceased aâ—â— he of Landaff had the Misfortune to fall blind 〈◊〉 the Bishoprick of S. Davids succeeded Thomas sâ—â—â—â— named Wallensis by reason that he was born in Walâ—â— who thinking himself obliged to benefit his own Coâ—â—try what lay in his power desired to be advance from the Archdeaconry of Lincoln to that Sea whicâ— the King easily granted and confirmed him in 〈◊〉 A.D. 1248 The next Summer proved somewhat more favourablâ— to the Welch Rhys Fychan Son to Rhys Mechyl woâ— from the English the Castle of Carrec Cynnen which his unkind Mother out of Malice or some ill Opinion entertained of him had some time afore privately delivered up to them And about the saâ—â— time the Body of Gruffydh ap Lhewelyn base Son 〈◊〉 Lhewelyn ap Iorwerth was recovered from the King oâ— England by the earnest sollicitations of the Abboâ—â— of Conwey and Ystratflur who conveying it to Conwey bestowed upon it a very pompous and honourable Enterment After this the Affairs of the Welch proceeded A.D. 1255 â—â—aceably for a long while and the Country had sufâ—â—â—ient opportunity to recover its former plenty but 〈◊〉 last to make good the Proverb that Plenty begets â—â—ar they began for want of a foreign Enemy to â—â—arrel and fall out among themselves Owen was too â—â—gh and ambitious to be satisfied with half the Prinpality and therefore must needs have a fling at the â—hole wherein Fortune so far deceived him that he â—â—st his own Stake as will afterwards appear But â—â—e better to encompass his Design by sly Insinuaâ—â—ons he persuaded David his younger Brother to seâ—â—nd his Cause and they with joynt Interest levied â—â—eir Power with intention to dethrone their elder â—â—other Lhewelyn But that was no easie matter 〈◊〉 Lhewelyn was prepared to receive them and with puissant Army met them in the Field and so was â—â—â—olved to venture all upon the fortune of a Battel 〈◊〉 was strange and grievous to behold this unnatural â—ivil War and the more grievous now by reason â—â—at it so manifestly weakened the strength of the Welch to withstand the Incursions of the English â—ho were extremely pleased with so fair an opportuâ—â—ty to fall upon them But they were too far enâ—â—ged to consider of future Inconveniencies and a â—â—yal of War they must have though the English â—ere ready to fall upon both Armies The Battel â—eing joyned the day proved bloody of both sides â—nd whether was like to conquer was not presently discovered till at length Owen began to give â—round and in fine was overthrown himself and his â—rother David being taken Prisoners Lhewelyn â—â—ough he had sufficient reason would not put his â—rothers to death but committing them into close Prison seized all their Estates into his own hands â—nd so enjoyed the whole Principality of Wales The English seeing the Welch at this rate oppress â—nd destroy one another thought they had full liberty to deal with them as they pleased and thereâ—pon began to exercise all manner of Wrong and Inâ—ustice against them insomuch that the next Year all A.D. 1256 the Lords of Wales came in a body to Prince Lhewelyn and declared their Grievances how unmercifully Prince Edward whom his Father had sent to Wales and others of the Nobility of England deale with them how without any colour of Justice they seized upon their Estates without any room for Appeal whereas if themselves offended in the least they were punished to the utmost extremity In fine they solemnly declared that they preferred to dye honourably in the Field before to be so unmercifully enslaved to the Will and Pleasure of Strangers Prince Lhewelyn was not a Stranger to all this and now having happily discovered the Bent and Inclination of his Subjects was resolved to prosecute if possible the Expulsion of
the English and to be revenged upon them for their most cruel and almost inhuman Practices towards the Welch Having therefore drawn all his Power together being accompany'd by Meredith ap Rhys Gryc in the space of one Week he recovered out of the hands of the English all the inland Country of North-Wales and then all Merionyth with such Lands as Prince Edward had usurped in Cardigan which he bestowed upon Meredith the Son of Owen ap Gruffydh Having also forced Rhys Fychan out of Buelht he conferr'd it upon Meredith ap Rhys and in like manner bestowed all the Lands which he recovered between his Nobles reserving nothing to his own use besides Gwerthryneon the A.D. 1257 Estate of Sir Roger Mortimer The next Summer he entered into Powys and made War against Gruffydh ap Gwenwynwyn who always had taken part with and owned Subjection to the King of England which he totally overcame excepting the Castle of Poole some small part of Caerneon and the Country lying upon the bank of the Severn But Rhys Fychan was not satisfied with the loss of Buelht and therefore was resolved to try ro recover it to which end he went to the King of England of whom he obtained a very strong Army commanded by one Stephen Bacon which being sent by Sea landed at Caermardhyn in the Whitsun-Week From thence the English marched to Dynefawr and laid Siege to the Castle which valiantly held out until Lhewelyn's Army came to its Relief Upon the arrival of the Welch the English decamped from before the Castle and put themselves in posture of Battel which the Welch perceiving they made all haste to answer and oppose them Whereupon there ensued a very terrible Engagement which lasted a very long while this being for number of Men the greatest Battel that had been fought between the English and the Welch But the Victory favoured the Welch the English-men being at length forced to fly having lost above Two Thousand Men besides several Barons and Knights who were taken Prisoners After this the Prince's Army passed to Dyfed where having burnt all the Country and destroyed the Castles of Abercorran Lhanstephan Maenclochoc and Arberth with all the Towns thereunto belonging returned to north-North-Wales with much Spoil But as soon as he was arrived great Complaints were exhibited to Prince Lhewelyn against Jeffrey Langley Lieutenant to Edward Earl of Chester who without any regard to Equity and Conscience most wrongfully oppressed the Inhabitants of Wales under his Jurisdiction Whereupon the Prince to punish the Master for the Servant's Fault entred with some part of his Army into the Earl's Estate burnt and destroyed all his Country on both sides the River Dee to the Gates of Chester Edward had no power at present to oppose him but being resolved to be revenged upon the Welch with the first opportunity he desired Aid of his Uncle then chose King of the Romans who sent him a strong Detachment with which he purposed to give Prince Lhewelyn Battel But finding him too strong he thought it more advisable to desist from Hostility the Prince's Army consisting of Ten Thousand experienced Men who were obliged by Oath rather all to die in the Field than suffer the English to gain any Advantage over the Welch But Gruffydh ap Madoc Maelor Lord of Dinas Brân a Person of notorious Reputation for Injustice and Oppression basely forsook the Welch his Country-men and with all his Forces went over to the Earl of Chester A.D. 1258 The next Year Prince Lhewelyn passed to south-South-Wales and seized into his Hands the Land of Cemaes and having reconciled the Difference betwixt Rhys Gryg and Rhys Fychan he won the Castle of Trefdraeth with the whole Country of Rhos excepting Haverford Thence he marched in an hostile manner toward Glamorgan and rased to the ground the Castle of Lhangymwch and then returning to North-Wales he met by the way with Edward Earl of Chester whom he forced precipitously to return back But before he would put an end to this Expedition he must needs be revenged upon that ungrateful fugitive Gruffydh ap Madoc Maelor and thereupon passing thro' Bromfield he miserably laid waste the whole Country Upon this the Kings of England and Scotland sent to Lhewelyn requiring him to cease from Hostility and after that unmerciful manner to devour and forcibly to take away other Mens Estates The Prince was not over sollicitous to hearken to their Request but finding the time of the year very seasonable for Action against the English he divided his Army into two Battles each of these consisting of 1500 Foot and 500 Horse with which he purposed to enlarge his Conquest Edward Earl of Chester to prevent the Blow which so desperately hung over his Head sent over for Succors from Ireland of whose coming Prince Lhewelyn being certified manned out a Fleet to intercept them which meeting with the Irish at Sea after a sharp Dispute forced them to return back with loss King Henry being acquainted with the miscarriage of the Irish resolved to come in Person against the Welch and having drawn together the whole Strength of England even from St. Michael's Mount in Cornwal to the River Tweed marched with his Son Edward in a great Rage to North-Wales and without any opposition advanced as far as Teganwy But the Prince had stopped his farther Progress and prevented any long stay he could make in Wales having before hand caused all manner of Provision and Forrage to be carried over the River and then securing the strait and narrow Passages whereby the English might get on farther into the Country the Army was in a short time so mortally fatigued that the King for want of necessary Subsistance was forced to retire in haste to England with considerable loss The Prince after that sending for all the Forces in south-South-Wales came to the Marches where Gruffydh Lord of Bromfield finding that the King of England was not able to defend his Estate yielded himself up and then passing to Powys he banished Gruffydh ap Gwenwynwyn and took all the Lands in the Country into his Hands Proceeding farther he was encountred with by Gilbert de Clare Earl of Glocester who with a choice Party of English gave him Battel But Lhewelyn's Army exceeding both in Number and Courage easily vanquished and overcame the English and so the Victory being quickly obtained the Prince presently reduced to his Power all the Castles belonging to the Earl of Glocester King Henry hearing of the Earl's overthrow was much concerned at the loss of so many brave Souldiers in whose Valor and Experience he always put a very great Confidence and therefore to revenge their Deaths he was again resolved to march against the Welch Having called his Forces together and received Supply from Gascoign and Ireland he came to Wales but not daring to venture far into the Country for fear of being forced to make another shameful retreat he only destroyed the Corn near the Borders it being Harvest
did not last long the Eâ—glish Governours in the Marches and in-land Coâ—â—tries of Wales presuming upon the Prince's submiâ—sion to the King grievously oppressed the Inhabâ—tants of the Country with new and unheard of 〈◊〉 actions and with intolerable partiality openly eâ—couraged the English to defraud and oppress tâ—â— Welch These insupportable practices moved tâ—â— Welch to go in a Body to David Lord of Denbigâ— to endeavour a reconciliation between him and 〈◊〉 Brother the Prince that they both being at Unity might easily deliver themselves and their Couâ—try from the unmerciful Tyranny of the English David was not ignorant of the miseries of his Couâ—try-men A.D. 1281 and therefore gladly submitted to be recoâ—ciled to his Brother with promise never to side agaiâ— with the King of England but to become his 〈◊〉 Enemy This happy Union being thus effected David was chose General of the Army with which he presently marched to Hawarden and surprizing the Castle slew all that opposed him and took Rogeâ— Clifford Prisoner who had been sent by King Edward Justitiar into those parts From thence being joyned by the Prince he passed to Ruthlan and laid Siege to the Castle but upon notice given that the King was marching to raise the Siege he thought convenient to withdraw and to retire back At the same time Rhys ap Maelgon and Gruffydh ap Meredith ap Owen with other Lords of South-Wales took from the English the Castle of Aberystwyth with divers others in that Country and spoiled all the People thereabouts who owned subjection to the Crown of England In the mean while John Peckham Archbishop of Canterbury perceiving how matters were like to proceed between the King and the Prince and how the Kingdom was effectually involved in a War of his own proper motion came to Prince Lhewelyn to endeavour a re-submission from him and his Brother David to King Edward and so to put a stop to any farther Hostilities But he sent before-hand to the Prince and People of Wales intimating to them That for the Love he bore to the Welch Nation he undertook this Arbitration without the knowledg and contrary to the King 's liking and therefore earnestly desired that they would submit to a Peace with the English which himself would endeavour to bring to pass And because he could make no long continuance in those Parts he wished them to consider how that if he should be forced to depart before any thing was brought to a conclusion they could hardly find another who would so heartily espouse their Cause and farther threatned that in case they contemned and derided his Endeavours he would not only instigate the English Army now greatly strengthned and increased to fall upon them but also signifie their Stubbornness to the Court and Bishop of Rome who esteemed and honoured England beyond any other Kingdom in the World Moreover he much lamented to hear of the excessive Cruelty of the Welch even beyond that of the Saracens and other Infidels who never refused to permit Slaves and Captives to be ransomed which the Welch were so far from practising that even some time they slew those for whose Redemption they received Money And whereas they were wont to esteem and reverence holy and ecclesiastical Persons they are now so far degenerated from Devotion and Sanctity that nothing is more acceptable to them than War and Sedition which they had now great need to forsake and repent of Lastly he proposed that they would signifie to him wherein and what Laws and Constitutions of theirs was violated by the English and by what means a firm and a lasting Peace might be established which if they rejected they must expect to incur the Decree and Censure of the Church as well as endure the violent In-roads and Depredations of a powerful Army To these partly Admonitions and partly Threatnings of the Archbishop Prince Lhewelyn returned an Answer That he humbly thanked his Grace for the Pains and Trouble he undertook in his and his Subjects behalf and more particularly because he would venture to come to Wales contrary to the pleasure and good liking of the King And as for concluding a Peace with him he would not have his Grace be ignorant that with all readiness he was willing to submit to it upon condition that the King would duly and sincerely observe the same And though he would be glad of his longer A.D. 1201 continuance in Wales yet he hoped that no Obstructions would happen of his side why a Peace which of all things he most desired might not be forthwith concluded and rather by his Graces procuring than any others so that there would be no farther need of acquainting the Pope with his Obstinacy nor moving the King of England to use any Force against him And though the Kingdom of England be under the immediate Protection of the See of Rome yet when his Holiness comes to understand of the great and unsufferable Wrongs done to him by the English how the Articles of Peace were broken Churches and all other religious Houses in Wales were burned down and destroyed and religious Persons unchristianly murthered he hoped he would rather pity and lament his Condition than with addition of Punishment increase and augment his Sorrow Neither shall the Kingdom of England be any wise disquieted and molested by his means in case the Peace be religiously observed towards him and his Subjects But who they are that delight themselves with War and Bloodshed manifestly appears by their Actions and Behaviour the Weâ—ch being glad to live quietly upon their own if they might be permitted by the English who coming to the Country utterly destroy whatever comes in their way without regard either to Sex Age or religious places But he was extreme sorry that any one should be slain having paid his Râ—â—â—â—â— the Author of which unworthy Action he did not pretend to maintain but would inflict upon him his condign Punishment in case he could be got out of the Woods and Desarts where as an Outlaw â—he lives undiscovered But as to commencing a War in a Season inconvenient he protested he knew nothing of that till now yet those that did so do solemnly attest that to be the only measure they had to save themselves and that they had no other security for their Lives and Fortunes than to keep themselves in Arms. Concerning his Sins and Trespasses against God with the assistance of his Grace he would endeavour to repent of neither should the War be willingly continued by him in case he might save himself harmless but before he would be unjustly dispossessed of his legal Propriety he thought it but reasonable by all possible measures to defend himself And he was very willing upon due Examination of the Trespasses committed to make Satisfaction and Retribution of all Wrongs committed by him and his Subjects so that the English would observe the same of their side and likewise was ready to conclude a Peace which he thought was impossible
and Ejection out of our Estates the sense of Oppression and tyrannical Government haveing compell'd us to take up Arms for the security of our Lives and Fortunes Therefore as the English are not disposessed of their Estates for their Offences against the King so we are willing to be punished or make other Satisfaction for our Crimes without being disinherited and as to the breach of the Peace 't is notorious that they were the Authors who never regarded either Promise or Covenant never made Amends for Trespasses nor Remedy for our Complaints When the Archbishop saw there was no likelihood of a Mediation and that a Peace was impossible to be concluded as long as the Welch stuck upon Conditions he presently relinquished his pretended Affection towards them and denounced a Sentence of Excommunication against the Prince and all his Adherents It was a subject of no little wonder that a Person of so reputed a Sanctity who esteemed the several Grievances done to the Welch to be intolerable should now condemn them for refusal of unlimited Submission to the King of England whereas he had already owned it to be unreasonable But this ecclesiastical Censure was only a Prologue to a more melancholy Scene King Edward immediately upon it sending an Army by Sea to Anglesey without any great Opposition conquered the Island and without any Mercy put all that withstood him to the Sword From thence designing to pass over to the Continent he caused a Bridg of Boats covered with Planks to be built over the Menay being an Arm of the Sea which parteth the Isle from the main Land at a place called Moel y don not far from Bangor where the Water is narrowest The Bridg being finished which was so broad as that Threescore Men might pass in a breast William Latimer with a strong Party of the best experienced Soldiers and Sir Lucas Thany Commander of the Gascoigns and Spaniards whereof a great number served the King passed over but could discover no sign or any the least intimation of an Enemy But as soon as the Tide began to appear and the Sea had overflown beside the Bridg down come the Welch fiercely out of the Mountains and setting upon the disheartned English killed or drowned their whole number excepting Latimer who by the swimming of his Horse got safe to the Bridg In this Action several worthy Soldiers of the English side were lost among whom were Sir Lucas Thany Robert Clifford Sir Walter Lyndsey two Brothers of Robert Burnel Bishop of Bath with many others in all to the number of Thirteen Knights Seventeen young Gentlemen and Two Hundred common Soldiers A little after or as some say afore another Engagement passed between the English and the Welch wherein the former lost Fourteen Colours the Lords Audley and Clifford the younger being slain and the King himself forced to retreat for safety to the Castle of Hope And while these things passed in North-Wales the Earl of Glocester and Sir Edmund Mortimer acted vigorously with their Forces in South-Wales and fighting the Welch at Lhandeilo Fawr overthrew them with the loss of no considerable Person saving William de Valence the King 's Cosin-German and Four Knights besides Prince Lhewelyn was all this while in Cardigan a wasting and destroying all the Country and principally the Lands of Rhys ap Meredith who very unnaturally held with the King of England in all these Wars But being at length tired with Action with a few Men privately separated himself from his Army and came to Buelht thinking to ease and respit himself there undiscovered But coming to the River Wye he met with Edmund Mortimer and John Gifford with a considerable Party of the People of that Country which Mortimer was Lord of But neither Party venturing to assail the other Prince Lhewelyn with one only Servant retired to a private Grove in a neighbouring Valley there to consult with certain Lords of the Country who had appointed to meet him In the mean time Mortimer descends from the Hill with intention to fall upon Lhewelyn's Men which they perceiving betook themselves to the Bridg called Pont Orewyn and manfully defended the Passage he was to cross Mortimer could effect nothing against them till he had gained the Bridg the River being unpassable and to force them to quit it seemed altogether impracticable But at last the River was discovered to be fordable a little below and so Helias Walwyn was detached with a Party through the River who unexpectedly falling upon the backs of the Defendants easily forced them to leave the Bridg and save themselves by flight Prince Lhewelyn all this while in vain expected the Lords of Buelht and in fine continued to wait so long till Mortimer having passed over the Bridg surrounded the Wood he was in with armed Men. The Prince perceiving himself to be betrayed thought to make his escape to his Men but the English so closely pursued him that before he could come in one Adam Francton not knowing who he was run him through with his Sword being unarmed The Welch still expected the arrival of their Prince and though but a few in number so gallantly maintained their ground that in spight of the far greater number of the English they were at length with much ado put to flight The Battel being over Francton returned to plunder his dead but perceiving him to be the Prince of Wales he thought himself to have obtained a sufficient Prize and thereupon presently chopt off his Head and sent it to King Edward at Conwey who very joyfully caused it to be placed upon the highest Pinacle of the Tower of London And thus fell this worthy Prince the greatest though the last of the British Blood betrayed most basely by the Lords of Buelht and being dead most unworthily dealt with by the King of England who contrary to all Presidents treated a lawful Prince like a Traytor and exposed his crowned Head to the Derision of the Multitude Not long after David the Prince's Brother was delivered up by the Welch themselves and in a Parliament for that purpose assembled at Shrewsbury was condemned to dye his Head to be sent to accompany his Brothers upon the Tower of London and his four Quarters to the four Cities of Bristol Northhampton York and Winchester Then the King for the easier keeping the Welch in due subjection built Two strong Castles in North Wales the one at Conwey and the other at Caernarvon There was none that now stood out besides Rhys Fychan of Ystratywy and he finding David was gone and himself like to do nothing to purpose fairly yielded himself up to the Earl of Hereford who by the King's Orders committed him Prisoner to the Tower of London and so all the Country of Wales became ever since subject to the Crown of England The PRINCES of WALES of English-Blood PRince Lhewelyn and his Brother David being so basely taken off and leaving no body to lay any specious Claim to the Principality of
Wales King Edward by a Statute made at Ruthlan incorporated and annexed it to the Crown of England Anno 12. Edw. I. constituting several new and wholsom Laws as concerning the Division of Wales into several Counties the Form and Manner of Writs and Proceedings in Tryals with many others not very unlike the Laws and Constitutions of the English Nation But all this could never win the Affection of the Welch toward him who by no means would own him as their Sovereign unless he would condescend and agree to live and reign among them They had not forgot the cruel Oppressions and intolerable Insolencies oâ— English Officers and therefore they flatly told him they would never yield Obedience to any other than a Prince of their own Nation of their own Language and whose Life and Conversation was spotless and unblameable King Edward perceiving the Welch to be resolute and inflexible and absolutely bent against any other Prince than one of their own Country happily thought of this politick though dangerous Expedient Queen Eleanor was now quick with Child and ready to be delivered and though the Season was very severe it being the depth of Winter the King sent for her from England and remov'd her to Caernarvon Castle the place design'd for her to â—â—ve in When the time of her Delivery was come â—â—ng Edward called to him all the Barons and chief â—ersons throughout all Wales to Ruthlan there to â—onsult about the publick Good and Safety of their â—ountry And being informed that his Queen was â—elivered of a Son he told the Welch Nobility that â—hereas they had oftentimes intreated him to appoint â—â—em a Prince he having at this time occasion to deâ—art out of the Country would comply with their â—equest upon condition they would allow of and â—â—ey him whom he should name The Welch readiâ—â— agreed to the motion only with the same Reserve â—hat he should appoint them a Prince of their own Nation King Edward assured them he would name â—â—ch an one as was born in Wales could speak no â—nglish and whose Life and Conversation no body â—ould stain whom the Welch agreeing to own and â—bey he named his own Son Edward but little before â—â—om in Caernarvon Castle King Edward having by these means deluded the Welch and reduced the whole Country of Wales to â—is own Devotion began to reward his Followers with other Mens Proprieties and bestowed whole Lordships and Towns in the midst of the Country â—pon English Lords among whom Henry Lacy Earl of Lineoln obtained the Lordship of Denbigh Reginald Grey second Son to John Lord Grey of Wilton the Lordship of Ruthyn This Henry Lacy was Son to Edmund Lacy the Son of John Lacy Lord of Halton Pomfret and Constable of Chester who married Margaret the eldest Daughter and one of the Heirs of Robert Quincy Earl of Lincoln This Henry Lacy Lord of Denbigh married the Daughter and sole Heir of William Longspear Earl of Salusbury by whom he had Issue two Sons Edmund and John who both dyed young one by a Fall into a very deep Well within the Castle of Denbigh and a Daughter named Alicia who was married to Thomas Plantagenet Earl of Lancaster who in right of his Wife was Earl of Lincoln and Sarum Lord of Denbigh Halton Pomfret and Constable of Chester After his Death King Edward II. bestowed the said Lordship of Denbigh upon Hugâ— Lord Spencer Earl of Winchester upon whose deceasâ—â— King Edward III. gave it together with many otheâ— Lordships in the Marches to Roger Mortimer Earlâ— March in performance of a Promise he had made whilst he remained with his Mother in France thaâ— as soon as he should come to the possession of thâ— Crown of England he would bestow upon the saiâ— Earl of March to the value of a Thousand Pounâ—â— yearly in Lands But within few Years after Mâ—â—timer being attainted of High Treason King Edwaâ—â— bestowed the said Lordship of Denbigh upon Montague Earl of Salusbury but it was quickly restoreâ— again to the Mortimers in which House it continued till the whole Estate of the Earls of March caâ—â— with a Daughter to the House of York and so to the Crown Richard Duke of York Grand-Father to Edward the Fourth having married the sole Daughter and Heir of the House of the Mortimers And so 〈◊〉 continued in the Crown to Queen Elizabeths time who in the Sixth Year of her Reign bestowed the said Lordship upon her great Favourite Robert Earâ— of Leicester who was then created Baron of Denbigh After him it returned again to the Crown where 〈◊〉 has continued to this present Year 1696. when his present Majesty granted a Patent under the great Seaâ— to William Earl of Portland for the Lordships of Denbigh Bromfield and Yale Some of the Welch Representatives perceiving how far such a Grant encroached upon the Properties and Priviledges of the Subject disclosed their Grievances to the Honourable House of Commons who after some consideration resolved nemine contradicente that a Petition should be presented to his Majesty by the Body of the whole House to request him to recall his Grant to the said Earl of Portland which was accordingly done in the manner following May it please Your Most Excellent Majesty WE Your Majesty's most Dutiful and Loyal Subjects the Knights Citizens and Burgesses in Parliament Assembled Humbly lay before Your Majesty That whereas there is a Grant passing to William Earl of Portland and his Heirs of the Manners of Denbigh Bromfield and Yale and divers other Lands in the Principality of Wales together with several Estates of Inheritance enjoyed by many of Your Majesty's Subjects by Virtue of Antient Grants from the Crown That the said Mannors with the large and extensive Royalties Powers and Jurisdictions to the same belonging are of great Concern to Your Majesty and the Crown of this Realm And that the same have been usually Annex'd to the Principality of Wales and Settled on the Princes of Wales for their Support And that a great number of Your Majesty's Subjects in those Parts hold their Estates by Royal Tenure under great and valuable Compositions Rents Royal-Payments and Services to the Crown and Princes of Wales and have by such Tenure great Dependance on Your Majesty and the Crown of England and have enjoyed great Privileges and Advantages with their Estates under such Tenure We therefore most humbly beseech Your Majesty to put a stop to the Passing this Grant to the Earl of Portland of the said Mannors and Lands and that the same may not be disposed from the Crown but by Consent of Parliament For that such Grant is in Diminution of the Honour and Interest of the Crown by placing in a Subject such large and extensive Royalties Powers and Jurisdictions which ought only to be in the Crown and will Sever that Dependance which so great a Number of Your Majesty's Subjects in those Parts have on Your Majesty and the Crown by reason of their Tenure
and may be to their great Oppression in those Rights which they have purchased and hitherto enjoyed with their Estates And also on Occasion of great Vexation to many of Your Majesty's Subjects who have long had the absolute Inheritance of several Lands comprehended in the said Grant to the Earl of Portland by Antient Grants from the Crown His MAJESTY'S Answer Gentlemen I Have Kindness for my Lord Portland which he has deserved of Me by long and faithful Services but I should not have given him these Lands if I had imagined the House of Commons could have been concern'd I will therefore Recal the Grant and find some other way of shewing My Favour to him The Lordship of Ruthyn continued in the possession of the Grays till the Reign of Henry VII when George Grey Earl of Kent and Lord of Ruthyn upon some Bargain passed the same over to the King since which it has been in the possession of some of the Earls of Warwick and afterwards came to the Middletons of Chirk Castle in the County of Denbigh where it still continues being now enjoyed by the Right Worshipful Sir Richard Middleton Baronet But besides Henry Lacy and Reginald Grey several other Gentlemen of Quality came at this time with King Edward to North-Wales who in some time became to be Men of great Possessions and Sway in the Country whose Posterity enjoy the same to this time But he that expected to fare best in the distribution of these Lordships and Estates in Wales was one Rhys ap Meredith a Welch Man and one that contrary to the Allegiance sworn to his Prince and his Duty to his Native Country had served the King of England in all these Wars and done the greatest hurt of any Man to the Interest of Prince Lhewelyn For these great Services done to King Edward Rhys expected no less than to be promoted to the highest Preferments whom the King after the Prince of Wales's Overthrow first dubbed Knight and afterwards fed him with fair Words and great Promises But when he and all his Neighbours and Countrymen had submitted themselves to the Government of the King of England it happened that the Lord Pain Tiptost Warden of the King's Castles which joyned to Rhys's Country and the Lord Alan Plucknet the King's Steward in Wales cited Sir Rhys ap Meredith with all the rest of the Country to the King's Court which he refusing to do alledging his antient Priviledges and Liberties together with the King's Promises to him the foresaid Officers proceeded against him according to Law Whereupon A.D. 1289 Sir Rhys being greatly vexed to be thus served by those whole Interest he had all this while so warmly espoused thought to be revenged of Pain Tiptost and the rest of the English And to that end having drawn together some of his Tenants and Countrymen he fell upon the said Pain Tiptost between whom several Skirmishes afterwards happened and several Men were slain on both sides King Edward was now at Arragon to compose the Difference betwixt the Kings of Arragon and Naples but being informed of the Disturbances which had happened in Wales betwixt his Ministers there and Sir Rhys ap Meredith he writ to this latter requiring him to keep the Peace till his return at what time he would redress all Grievances and reduce Matters to a good and reasonable Order But Sir Rhys haveing already waited sufficiently upon the King's Promises and being now in a good condition to offend his Enemies by force of Arms would not give over the Enterprize he saw so promising but marching with his Forces to his Enemies Lands burnt and spoiled several Towns belonging to the English Upon this the King sent to the Earl of Cornwal whom he had appointed his Deputy during his absence to march with an Army into Wales to repress the Insolencies and to prevent any farther disorderly Attempts of the Welch The Earl accordingly prepared an Army and went against Sir Rhys's whose Army he quickly dispersed and overthrew his Castle of Drefolan but not without the loss of some of his Chief Men. For as they besieged and undermined the said Castle the Walls unexpectedly fell down by which unlucky Accident several of the English were oppressed and bruised to Death among whom were the Lord Strafford and the Lord William de Monchency But within a while after Robert Tiptost Lord Deputy of Wales raised a very powerful Army against Sir Rhys and after a slaughter of 4000 of the Welch took him Prisoner who the Michaelmas following at the King 's going to Scotland was condemned and executed at York A.D. 1293 But the Death of Sir Rhys did not put a final period to all the Quarrels betwixt the English and Welch for in a short time after there happened a new occasion for the Welch to murmur against and upbraid the Government of the English over them King Edward was now in actual Enmity and War with the King of France for the carrying on of which he wanted a liberal Subsidy and Supply from his Subjects This Tax was with a great deal of passion and reluctancy levied in divers places of the Kingdom but more especially in Wales the Welch being never acquainted with such large Contributions before A.D. 1294 violently stormed and exclaimed against it But not being satisfied with villifying the King's Command they took their own Captain Roger de Puelesdon who was appointed Collector of the said Subsidy and hanged him up together with divers others who abetted the collecting of the Tax Then West-Wales Men chose Maelgon Fychan for their Captain and so entring into Caermardhyn and Pembroke-shires they cruelly harassed all the Lands that belonged to the English and then returned laden with considerable Booty The Glamorgan-shire Men and they towards the South Parts chose one Morgan for their Leader and set upon the Earl of Glocester whom they forced to make his escape out of the Country and so Morgan was put in possession of those Lands which the Ancestors of the Earl of Glocester had forcibly taken away from Morgan's fore-Fathers On the other side the North-Wales Men set up one Madoc related to the last Lhewelyn slain at Buelht who having drawn together a great Number of Men came to Caernarvon and setting upon the English who in great multitudes had then resorted thither to a Fair slew a great many and afterwards spoiled and ransacked the whole Town King Edward being acquainted with these different Insurrections and Rebellions in Wales and desirous to quell the Pride and Stubborness of the Welch but most of all to revenge the Death of his great favourite Roger de Pulesdon recalled his Brother Edmund Earl of Lancaster and Henry Lacy Earl of Lincoln and Lord of Denbigh who with a considerable Army were ready to embark for Gascoign and countermanded them into Wales Being arrived there they passed quietly forward till they came to Denbigh and as soon as they drew near unto the Castle upon St. Martin's day the Welch
England both as to the Substance and Form of Worship But what may more truly be attributed to Mr. Gouge is that since his Travels into Wales and the propagating of his Doctrine among the ignorant of that Country Presbytery which before had scarce taken root has daily increased and grown to a Head Henry eldest Son of King James the First being arrived to the Age of Seventeen Years was created Prince of Wales on the 30th of May Anno 1610 but he dying of a malignant Feaver about Two Years after his Brother Charles being Fifteen Years of Age was created Prince of Wales in his room Anno 1615. For joy of this new Creation the Town of Ludlow and City of London performed very great Triumphs and the more to honour this Solemnity the King made Twenty Five Knights of the Bath all Lords or Barons Sons and the Inns of Court to express their Joy elected out of their Body Forty choice Gentlemen to perform solemn Justs and Barryers Charles eldest Son of King Charles the First by Henrietta Maria Daughter to King Henry the Fourth of France was born May 29. 1630. and afterwards created Prince of Wales Since the happy Incorporation of the Welch with the English the History of both Nations as well as the People is united and therefore I shall not repeat that which is so copiously and frequenty delivered by the English Historians but shall conclude with Dr. Heylyn That since the Welch have been incorporated with the English they have shewed themselves most loyal hearty and affectionate Subjects of the State â—ordially devoted to their King and zealous in Defence â—f their Laws Liberties and Religion as well as any â—f the best of their Fellow-Subjects APPENDIX The return of a Commission sent into Wales by King Henry the Seventh to search out the Pedigrees of Owen Tudor HENRY the Seventh King of England c. Son of Edmund Earl of Richmond Son of Owen ap Meredith and of Queen Catherine his Wife Daughter â—o Charles the Sixth King of France This Owen was Son of Meredith ap Tudor ap Gronw ap Tudor ap Gronw ap Ednyfed Fychan Baron of Brinfeingle in Denbigh Land Lord of Kricâ—th Chief Justice and Chief of Council to Llewelyn ap Iorwerth Drwyndwn Prince of all Wales And in the time of Prince Llewelyn grew a Variance between King John of England and the said Prince whereupon Ednyfed came with the Prince's Host and Men of War and also a number of his own People and met these English Lords in a Morning at what time these English Lords were hostied and slain and immediately brought their Heads being yet bloody to the said Prince Llewelyn The Prince seeing the same caused Ednyfed Fychan from thenceforth to bear in his Arms or Shield three bloody Heads in token of his Victory where he had born in his Arms before a Saracen's Head and so ever after this Ednyfed bore the said Arms his Son and his Son's Son unto the time of Tuder ap Gronw ap Tudor ap Gronw ap Ednyfed Fychan And after this Ednyfed wedded one Gwenllian Daughter to Rhys Prince of South Wales and had Issue by her Gronw which Ednyfed Fychan had in Wales divers goodly Houses Royally adorn'd with Turrets and Garrets some in Anglesey some other in Caernarvon-shire and and some in Denbigh-Land but his chiefest Mannor-House was in the Commot of Crythin in Caernarvon-shire which was a Royal Palace now decay'd for want of Reparations Also he builded there a Chappel in the Worship of our Lady and had License of the Pope for evermore to sing Divine Service therein for his Soul and his Ancestors and Progenitors Souls always and had Authority to give his Tythes and Offerings to his Chaplain there Vid. an serving starving which Ednyfed Fychan was Son to Kyner ap lers ap Gwgan ap Marchudd which was one of the fifteen Tribes of North-Wales and Son to Kynan ap Elfyn ap Mor ap Mynan ap Isbwis Newintyrche ap Isbwis ap Cadrod Calch Efynydd Earl of Dunstable and Lord of Northampton ap Cywyd Cindion ap Cynfelyn ap Arthuys ap Morydd ap Cynnaw ap Coel Godeboc King of Britain of whom King Henry the Seventh descended lineally by Issue-Male and is Son to the said Coel in the thirty first Degree as it is approved by old Chronicles in Wales Which Coel was Son of Tegfan ap Deheufraint ap Tudâ—wyl ap Urban ap Gradd ap Rhyfedel ap Rhydeirne ap Endigant ap Endeyrn ap Enid ap Endos ap Enddolaw ap Afalach ap Afflech ap Beli mawr King of Britain of whom King Henry the Seventh descendeth by Issue-Male â—nd is Son to him in forty one Degree Which Beli was Son to Monnogon King ap King â—axor ap King Pyr ap King Sawl Benissel ap Rhytherech King ap Rydion King ap Eidol King ap Arthafel King ap Seissilt King ap Owen King ap Caxho King ap Bleuddyd King â—p Meirion King ap Gwrgust King ap Elydno King ap Clydawc King ap Ithel King ap Urien King ap Andrew King ap Kereni King ap Porrex King ap Coel King ap Cadell King ap Geraint King ap Elidr King ap Morydd King ap Dan King ap Seissilt King ap Cyâ—elyn King ap Gwrgan King alias Farfâ—rwch ap Beli King ap Dyfnwal King ap Dodion King ap Enyd ap Kwrwyd ap Cyrdon ap Dyfufarth Prydain ap Aedd mawr ap Antonius ap Seisillt King ap Rhegaw Daughter and Heir of King Lyr and Wife of Henwin Prince of Cornwall This Lyr was Son of Bleuddyd ab Rhunbaladr brâs ap Lleon ap Brutus darian lâs ap Effroc Cadarn ap Mymbyr ap Madoc ap Locrine ap Brutus which inherited first this Land and after his Name was called Britain and had three Sons Locrine Kamber and Albanactus Locrine the eldest parted the Isle with his Brethren and kept half the Land for himself and called it Loegria Kamber second Son had the Land beyond Severn and named it Kambria in English Wales Albanactus had Scotland which he then called Albania after his own Name Of which Brute King Henry the Seventh is lineally descended by Issue-Male saving one Woman and is Son to Brute in five score Degrees How Owen Grandsire to King Henry the Seventh cometh of Beli mawr by Angharad Mother to Ednyfed by Issue-Female by Gittin Owen and Sir John Leiaf's Books THE Mother of Ednyfed was Angharad Daughter of Hwfa ap Cyner ap Rhywallon ap Dinged ap Tudor Trefor ap Mymbyr ap Cadfarch ap Gwrgenaw ap Gwaethiawe ap Bywyn ap Biordderch ap Gwriawn ap Gwnnan ap Gwnfiw frych ap Cadell Dehurnlluc ap Pasgan ap Rhydwf ap Rhudd Fedel frych ap Cyndeirn ap Gwrtheirn Gwrthenau called in English Vertiger by whom King Henry the Seventh by the foresaid Angharad Mother to Ednyfed Fychan and Wife to Cyner ab Iers ap Gwgon is Son to the said Vortiger in thirty Degrees Which Vortiger was Son to Rhydeyrn ap
ei Diaboâ—s delegavit Praeterea in regem impungitis dicenâ— quod regales Ecclesias personas Ecclesiasticas â—udeli vastavit tyrannide consumunt Ad quod tater respondemus quod Dominus Rex praedicta mala â—ec fieri mandavit nec rata habuit quin potius nobis â—btulit ultronei quod quam citò aderit oportunitas â—cclesiarum proponit dispendia resarcire quod differt â—sque ad sedatam guerrae tempestatem ne si prius fieâ—t destruerentur iterum per latrones Praeterea timetis 〈◊〉 Anglia honorem suscipere ne consequenter vobis ocâ—asionata malitia auferatur cum tamen fateamini quod Dominus Rex nullum suum exhaeredaverit inimicum â—uod frustra vos timere credimus si legaliter vivere â—os vestri didiceritis non a pari cum domino â—estro contendere vel certare Mores vobis popuâ—o vestro causamini incognitos nos è contrario opiâ—amur quod expediret vobis omnibus in modum alium mores penitus transformari Cum enim sitis sicut â—aeteri homines donis Dei gratuitis adornati sed in veâ—tro Anglo devoramini ut nec Ecclesiam juvetis conâ—ra hostes fidei militando Nec Clerum studio sapientiae exceptis paucissimis decoretis quin potius maâ—or pars vestrûm torpet otio lasciviis ut pene neâ—ciat mundus vos esse populum nisi per paucos ex vobis qui videntur ut plurimum in mendicare Deinde â—cribitis quod creditis altissimum vos juvare pro justitia decertantes utinam inquam altissimus juvet vos salubriter dirigat ad salutem Sed ne ruinas aliquas Anglorum ex inconsideratione sua provenientes vestris velitis meritis arrogare curetis ad vertere qualiter qui iâ— coelis habitat fatuos sublimat elevat ad modicum ut perpetuo allidat sic certe olim populus Dei electuâ— ante harum repertam civitatem pro unius Anathemate Consortis versus in fugam quosdam suorum perdidiâ— bellatorum Sic certe quater centena millia bellatorum duodecim tribuum Israel in suo numero fortitudine confidentes ab unius tribus modico populo occisis ex 40 millibus bellatorum per vices varias sunt confusi Cum tamen purgato unius Anathemate praedicta Civitas finaliter deleta fuerit per illos qui prius confusi fuerant per lacrymas placato Domino cum jejuniis oblatis Sacrificiis tribus illa quae praevaluerat prius per prius confusos quasi totaliter sit deleta sic certe aliter flagellat Dominus filios quos recipit aliter quos decernit ut arbores steriles extirpare Ista vobis scribimus in cordis amaritudine ab his partibus recedentes nec prenidicare intendimus salubriori consilio si vobis coelitus destinetur nec latere vos volumus quod nullum per vos invenimus excusationis sufficiens remedium quo obstante minime debeatis in excors Irnam incidisse pernuntiari Dudum latet in Oxon consilio contra pacis regiae turbatores viam autem pacis aliam invenire non possumus nec adhuc in spe sumus aliud obtinendi Sed si nobis aliquid consultius videatur agendum vobis numquam claudemus gremium nec auxilium denegabimus opportunum Dat. apud Ruthelan 18 Calend Decemb. Ann. Dom. 1282. Lewelinus autem princeps Walliae praedictus spretis omnibus oblationibus pacis formis post scriptis invasit hostiliter terram Domini Regis Angliae destruendo eam incendio rapina nec non homines terrae illius ad se trahendo à bonitate pacis regiae separando Qui tamen princeps infra mensem illum ignominosa morte primus de exercitu suo occisus est per familiam Domini Cadmundi de mortuo mari filii Domini Rogeri de mortuo mari totus exercitus suus vel occisus vel in fugam conversus in partibus Montis Gomerici die Veneris proximo ante Festum S. Lucae videlicet 3. Id. Decemb. sub Anno Dom. 1282. In decima litera dominicali D. currente A TABLE OF THE Most Remarkable Things in this BOOK A. ABerffraw destroyed by the Irish page 57. Adelred King of the West-Saxons vanquished by the Britains 15. Adelred married Emma Daughter of the Duke of Normandy and the reasons of it 70. The consequence of the Marriage 71. Flies with his Wife and Children into Normandy 75. Returns ibid. His Death 78. Aedan ap Blegorad having slain his Competitor Conan is proclaimed Prince of north-North-Wales 69. Is slain with his four Sons in Battel 79. Alan the 2d King of Little Britain assisted Cadwalader 9. Advised him to obey the Vision 11. Alfred King an Encourager of Learning and Founder of the Vniversiity of Oxford 32. Routs the Danes ibid. Makes them forswear the sight of English Ground 33. He caused the Laws of Dyfnwal Moelmut and Queen Marsia to be translated into English c. 43. Alfred proposed to be sent for to be King over the English 85. Opposed by Earl Goodwyn 68. Had his Eyes put out ibid. Anarawd Prince of north-North-Wales succeeds his Father Rodri 37. Dyes his Issue 45. Anglesey destroyed by the Men of Dublin 46. Ravaged by Madoc ap Meredith Prince of Powys but all his Men were cut off 175. Arthur King of Britain his Sepulchre found in the Isle of Afalon 206. The Inscription upon it 207. Arthur eldest Son to King Henry the Seventh created Prince of Wales and Dies at Ludlow 324. Athelstane tho' a Bastard the worthiest Prince of the Saxon Blood 48. His Victory over the Danes Scots and Normans ibid. Removes the Britains to Cornwal Dies 49. Aulase and all his Danes received Baptism 49. Swears never to molest England 66. B. BAldwin Archbishop of Canterbury the first that made his Visitation in Wales 208. Bede his Education and Writings 16. Bible how when and by whom translated into Welch 326. Blethyn and Rhywalhon Princes of north-North-Wales asist Edric against the King of England 101. A Rebellion formed against them by Meredith and Ithel ap Gruffydh ibid. Battel wherein Rhywalhon and Ithel were slain Blethyn murdered Rich. 104. Britain how and when forsaken by the Roman Forces 1. Invaded by the Scots and Picts ibid. Britains their sad Complaints to Aetius thrice Consul 2. The Reasons of their weakness 3 and 4. Their Message to the Saxons 5. The Britains of Stratclwyd and Cumberland settle in North-Wales 38. Brochwel once Prince of Powys a great Defender of the Monks of Bangor 23. Bruce de William Lord of Brecknock under pretence of Friendship barbarously murders Sitsylht ap Dyfnwal his Son and followers 204. Bruce Sir Edward his Letter to Sir Griffydh Llwyd 312 and 313. C. CAdelh Prince of south-South-Wales dyes his Issue 44. Cadelh takes Caermardhyn and beats the Normans and Flemings 165. Like to be murdered 170. Gone upon Pilgrimage 171. Cadwgan murdered by Madawc 138. Cadwalader the last King of Britain of
THE HISTORY OF WALES Comprehending the Lives and Succession OF THE PRINCES of WALES FROM CADWALADER the last King to Lhewelyn the last Prince of British Blood WITH A short Account of the Affairs of WALES under the Kings of England Written originally in British by Caradoc of Lhancarvan and formerly published in English by Dr. Powel Now newly augmented and improved by W. WYNNE A. M. and Fellow of Jesus Colledg Oxon. LONDON Printed by M. Clark for the Author and are to be sold by R. Clavell at the Peacock at the West-End of S. Pauls 1697. TO THE Right Rev d Father in GOD HUMPHREY Lord BISHOP of BANGOR My Lord WHEN I had finished the following Book I was not long to determin under whose Patronage I should make it publick your Lordship 's Extraordinry Knowledge in all the British Antiquities especially that Part which relates to the Welch justly claiming what I now make bold to offer to your Favour For it seems to be as Natural a Design of a Dedication to present one's Labours to the greatest Judge as to him who is the greatest Encourager of his Writings and if so my Lord this single Reason would sufficiently justify me from any Presumption in submitting the following Papers to your Lordship's Protection But where the Obligation is corroborated by an equal Engagement and since your Lordship has been pleased to encourage and promote the Design before it came to any Growth I hope I may safely present now in its perfect Strength and Vigor what you were then pleased to receive in its Infancy The History of our Country my Lord has been so much neglected that there seems a very great Necessity of reviving what to the generality of the Kingdom is almost lost and there are too many otherwise very Learned Persons nay some of our own Nation who are so great Strangers to this Subject that they are almost ignorant that there is such a History in being We have hopes indeed that from your Lordship's Excelling Knowledge in the Welch History and other British Antiquities with those Curious Collections you have with great Labour made towards that Matter and from others now Travelling the same good Way we may expect that the World shall receive such Information relating to our Country that they who have hitherto despised our History will be ready to Light that Candle which they now purposely extinguish and ignorantly undervalue In the mean time if by the following History I can revive the Memories of the several Princes therein contained which in the English Histories are either totally omitted or but partially interwoven and render our History more generally Known I have my Aim and especially since I gain the Opportunity of Acknowledging my self Your Lordship 's most humble Servant W. WYNNE THE PREFACE THE History of the Britains may not improperly be distinguished into two Periods the former comprehending the interval from Brute to Cadwalader whilst the Britains are thought to have enjoyed a general Possession of the whole Island the other containing the Memoirs and Transactions of the Britains under their several Princes after their recession to that part of the Island since called Wales The former of these has been generally accounted of late absolutely false and unhistorical and 't is undoubtedly concluded that all the Passages in Geoffrey of Monmouth the only remaining Monument of the Affairs of the antient Britains which are not consonant to and agreeable with the Roman Historians that speak of Britain are absolutely fabulous and unsincere The History of the Princes of Wales has indeed met with better fortune and the Author Caradoc of Lhancarvan is accounted just and authentick so that there need no other Apology for the following Work than that it is for the best part the genuine History of that Author But because the History of Wales has no small dependance upon and relation to the History of the antient Britains published by Geoffrey I think it necessary to make some general reflection in relation to the Truth and Authority of that Copy And here in the first place I must take notice of two sorts of Opinions most widely repugnant and as I may say diametrically opposite to each other and both in my opinion equally deviating from the right apprehension of the matter in debate The one perfectly rejecting the whole foundation and process of Geoffrey's History will not believe so much as one passage relating to the antient Britains but what is delivered by Roman Writers as if nothing remarkable could happen in Britain but what must needs fall under their special Cognizance and Observation The other without any allowance to the Age when these British Affairs were transacted not to mention the utmost Antiquity of some part of this History cotemporary with which nothing is certain among the more civilized Greeks and Romans will believe the whole Frame and all the Circumstances of Geoffrey's History be they never so ridiculous and extravagant But not to insist on so bigotted an Opinion as to think that the British History is universally true and altogether authentick I will confine my self to the examination of the other Extream to see whether that History published by Geoffrey be so absolutely fabulous as is frequently represented and generally believed Now they who discredit this History either wholly attribute the Frame and Invention of it to Geoffrey or else granting him to be a faithful Translator assure themselves that the Copy he received was fictitious and perfectly owing to the unwarrantable Forgeries of the fabulous Monks So that the subject of my present enquiries will naturally fall under those two Disquisitions 1. Whether Geoffrey be the real Contriver and Composer of this History And 2ly Supposing him to be innocent of this Suspicion whether the History published by him be perfectly fabulous and in all respects a Monkish Legend 1. As to what relates to Geoffrey though methinks there need no greater Argument to evidence his Innocency from so suspected an Imposture as his being the Contriver of this History than that be professedly owns the receipt of the British Manuscript from Walter Arch Deacon of Oxford yet because the Prejudice of some Men oftentimes obscures their Understanding in things otherwise very clear and open it will be requisite to dwell somewhat more particularly upon that Subject or if the World be once perswaded that the whole Invention is owing to Geoffrey and that there was no such Account of the Britains in being before he published his History the whole series of British Affairs not mentioned in the Writings of the Roman Authors and all that long continued Succession of British Kings for so many Ages must of necessity be accounted fabulous and a perfect Legend But before that Geoffrey should be so unreasonably attainted of such notorious Forgery and his History be so generally condemned one might expect that such evident Proofs could be produced to evince so absolute a Position as to render it past all Dispute and Contradiction
those Islands of Cassiterides fairly declares he knew not where they were which cannot well be supposed if the Grecian Merchants traded thither in his time it being rational to imagin that in treating of any Country such a Learned Historian would endeavour to get the best intelligence he possibly could and Learning being at the highest pitch in Greece at this time 't is very strange we had not a better account of this Island which is supposed to be so well known to those who had a constant Trafick here But indeed all Authors who have mentioned these Cassiterides do not seem to have known where they were situated only Dionysius in his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 makes them plainly to be the same with the Hesperides those Islands lying in the Atlantick Ocean far enough from Britain concerning which the Poets have invented so many Fables 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 But admitting the Grecians to have been ignorant of any such Place as Britain and that there never was any Traffic or Communication betwixt these two Nations yet since the Gauls spoke Greek it is not very improbable but that the Britains might borrow from them That the Gauls used the Greek Tongue we have the Testimony of Caesar and it is very certain that all the Grecian Learning flourished at Marseils which was an antient and famous Vniversity and is very much celebrated by all almost both Greek and Latin Writers And by this means it may be reasonably concluded how the British and Gaulish Druids became acquainted with the Grecian Philosophy which being as to all the different Sects and Opinions of it taught at Marseils the Druids more particularly adhered to the Pythagorean to which the Druid Philosophy hears a very near resemblance both as to the Doctrine of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or the Transmigration of the Soul and the rest of their Mystical Cabala which they so superstitiously kept secret and close from the People But in opposition to this it may be with greater certainty urged that neither the Gaulish nor British Druids had any Correspondence with the Grecians and consequently could not borrow their Philosophical Mysteries from them For if Caesar may be believed The Art and Learning of the Druids was first found out in Britain Lib. VI. and from thence is thought to be brought into Gaul and at this time as he goes on such as will attain to the perfect knowledge of that Discipline do for the most part traâ—el thither to learn it Now if this be true that th◠〈◊〉 Druids were the Inventors of this kind of Learnâ—â—g and that the Gauls came over hither to be instructed in the Way and Method of it I can see no reason why they should have any communication with the Grecian Academy at Marseils much less that they borrowed it from the Disciples of Pythagoras especially since they accounted their Mysteries so Sacred that they would communicate them to none besides those of their own Order Nay it may be better questioned whether Diuidism be not much â—ntienter than Pythagoras and antecedent to that Aera when the Grecians began to Philosophize And for the same reason that the Druids of Britain did not derive their Philosophy from Marseils it will follow that they could not borrow their Language for if we suppose which is the most we can that the Gauls had some communication with those Grecians and upon that account that their Language was in some measure mingled with the Greek yet in their travel to Britain they came not to communicate but to borrow and 't is not likely that the Britains should be affected with the Language of those who came to learn of them Besides of all the number of Gaulish Words collected by Cambden which agree with the British few or none seem to be of Greek Derivation so it is highly improbable as for as we can see into this Matter that the Gauls should ever communicate the Greek Tongue to the Britains And therefore since this difficulty cannot be removed by any other way it is not unreasonable to suspect that there is some real Foundation lodged in the Ruins of the Story of Brutus and that the Truth is disfigured by the boundless accession of Poetical Invention I should tire the Reader and exceed the just bounds of what I at first proposed if I should take a particular view of the British History published by Geoffrey and therefore I shall now only take notice of the Life of King Cadwalader where the History of Wales begins and where a palpable Mistake I may call it Forgery has been committed by one side or another For the very same things which the British History relate of Cadwalader the Saxon Writers attribute to Ceadwalla King of the West Saxons how he was driven by a Famine out of his Dominions came afterwards to Rome and was received by Pope Sergius with other particulars too tedious here to relate But that which seems to charge the Fault upon Geoffrey or whoever else was the Author of the British History is that Bede an Author of established Credit and one who lived near those times says that it was the West Saxon King Ceadwalla that went to Rome in Pope Sergius's time But then on the other side it is hardly conceivable supposing the British History a perfect Contrivance that Geoffrey or any other should be so grosly over seen as to borrow the Transaction of a real King and one so well known to make up the Life of a fictitious one cotemporary with him Bede's Reputation was too firm to be shaken by an upstart History and therefore it cannot well be supposed that the Author of the British History was so unwary in case he designed a Cheat as to let himself open to so easy a detection of Forgery All then that can be said is that the agreeableness of the Names and time that these two Princes lived in and possibly their both going to Rome which was not unusual in those days might without any design of putting upon the World make a confusion in their Histories But whether the Life of Cadwalader be a Fable the Reader is at his own liberty to judge it being prefixed to the History of Wales not as it is more Authentick or any way of greater certainty than the rest of Geoffrey's History but only because the Author Caradoc of Lhangarfan began his continuace of the British History with it This Caradoo of Lhangaifan an Author of undoubted Integrity was cotemporary with Geoffrey who taking his rise from the place where the British History concluded made a continuation of it thro' the Reigns of several of the Princes of Wales till the Year 1157. about which time he flourished After him all things of moment that happened in Wales were kept and recorded in the Abbies of Conwey in North-Wales and Ystratflur in South-Wales where the Princes and Noblemen of Wales were
and hath these Comots Coleigion Lhannerch and Dogueilyn The fifth Cantref is Tegengl and now is a part of Flint-shire having these Comots Câ—nâ—syshe Prestatyn and Ruthlan And in this part is one of the fairest Vallies 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 inclose it on the East West and South parts and Northward the Sea It is plentiful of Cattel Fish and Fowl Corn Hey Grass and Wood and divided along in the midst with the River Clwyd to whom runneth Clywedoe Ystrat 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 Ann. 12. Edw. 1. where sometimes a Parliament hath been kept And two miles above it is the Seâ— of Sr. Asaph between the Rivers Clwyd and Elwy called in the old time the Bishop's See of Dhan-Elwy 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 greatest Markets in the Marches of Wales and one of the fairest and strongest Castles within this Realm which being the House of David Brother to Lhewelyn the last Prince of the Welch-Blood was enlarged and strengthned by Henry Lacy Earl of Lincoln to whom King Edward gave the same Lordship it is also the Shire-Town of that Shire Five miles above this is the Town of Ruthyn with a fair Castle which sometimes belonged to the Lords Gray Earls of Kent This part of North-Wales hath upon the North the River Dee and the Sea Upon the West Arfon and the River Conwey South and East Merionyth and the Country then called Powys And these be the Mears and Bounds of Gwynedh or Venedotia for the Name of North Wales containeth besides this all Powys at these days So there was und r the Territory of Aberffraw fifteen Cantreds and in them thirty eight Comots The second Kingdom was Mathrafal Mathrafal or Powys which in right order was the third as that which came to the third Brother yet for the better understanding of the History following I have placed it here To this Kingdom belonged the Country of Powys and the Land betwixt Wy and Severn Which part had upon the South and West South-Wales with the Rivers Wy and Tywy and other Mears Upon the North Gwynedh and upon the East the Marches 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 daily wan some part thereof and by â—hat means it was the first part that served the Kings of England and therefore less esteemed of all the â—est This part called Powys was divided again into Powys Fadoc and Powys Wenwynwyn Powys Fadoc â—ontained in it self five Cantreds and fifteen Coâ—ots Cantref Y Barwn which had three Comots Dynâ—ael Edeyrneon and Glyndourdwy which are now in Merionyth shire saving Dinmael which is in Denbigh-â—ire Cantref Y Rhiw whose Comots were these Yal â—ow in Denbigh-shire Ystratalyn and Hop now in Flint-â—â—ire Cantref Vwchnant hath these Comots Merfforth in Flint-shire Maelor Gymraeg in English Bromfield now in Denbigh-shire and Maelor Saesneg in Flint-shire Cantref Trefred containeth these Comots Croesfain Tref y Wayn in English Chirke and in Denbigh-shire Croesoswallt in English Oswestrey and in Shrop-shire Cantref Rhaiyder with his Comots Mochnant Israiyder Cynlhaeth and Nanheudwy all in Chirke-Land and in Denbigh-shire Also the Lordship of Whytington now in Shrop-shire was in this part of Powys which part at this day hath lost the Name of Powys and is situated 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 Chirke in Chirke-Land Likewise the Lordship and Castle of Whytington which came by marriage to Foulk Fitzwarren There is beside these the Lordship of Oswestry of the which the Fitzalans have been Lords these 300 and odd years and of divers other Lordships in those Marches as Shrarden the eleven Towns Clun and many others which are all now in Shrop-shire The second part called Powys Wenwynwyn had likewise five Cantreds and twelve Comots Cantref Y Fyrnwy had these Comots Mochnant â—wch Rayader Mechain Iscoed and Lbannerch Hudol Cantref Ystlyc had these Deuthwr Gorthwr Isaf and Ystrat Marchelh Cantref Lhyswynaf had these Caerneon and Mechain Vwchcoed Cantref Cydewen had Comot Conan and Comot Hauren Cantref Conan had Cyfeilioc and Mouthwy which is now in Merionyth-shire Of all these the three first Cantreds do only at this day bear the Name of Powys which are upon the North-side of Severn and are all five saving the Comot of Mowthwy in Mongomery-shire This is a Country full of Woods Hills and Rivers and hath in it these Towns the Poole New-Town and Machynlhaeth Arustly was in old time in this part but afterwards it came to the Princes of Gwynedh These Lordships came by just descent from the Princes thereof to a Woman named Hawys the Daughter of Owen ap Gruffydh Arustly and Cyfeilioc came to the Baron of Dudley and afterwards it was sold to the King The third part belonging to Mathrafal was the Land between Wy and Severn containing four Cantreds and thirteen Comots Cantref Melienyth hath these Comots Ceri Swydhygre Rhiwalalht and Glyn Ieithon Cantref Elfel hath these Vwchmynydh Ismynydh and Lhechdhyfnog Cantref y Clawdh these Dyffryn Teyfediat Swydhynogen and Pennwelht Cantref Buelht hath these Swydh y Fam Dreulys and Isyrwon Of this part there is at this day some in Montgomery-shire some in Radnor-shire and some in Brecknock-shire In this part and in the Lordships marching to it which altho' at the time of this division which was in the time of the last Prince were not in his subjection yet to this day speak Welch and are called Wales and in these Comots are these Towns and Castles Montgomery called in Welch Trefaldwyn a pretty Town and a fair Castle The Castle of Clun called Colunwy which is the Earls of Arundel The Town of Knighton in Welch Trefyclawd The Castle of Cymaron Presteyn in Welch Lhanandras The Town and Castle of Radnor in Welch Maesyfed at this day the Shire Town The Town of Kington and the Castle of Huntingdon called in Welch Y Castelh Mayn which were the Bohuns Earls of Hereford and after the Dukes of Buckingham Castle Payne Haye Lhanfair in Buelht These Lordships with Brecknock and Abergefenny were belonging to the Bruces Lords of Brecknock and after came divers times and by sundry means to the Bohuns Nevils and Mortimers And so as I have rehearsed in this Territory or Kingdom were found fourteen Cantreds and forty Comots Two of these parts which are Powys and Gwynedh are at this day called North-Wales and divided into six Shiâ—es Mòn called Anglesey Caernarvon Merionyth Denbigh Flint and
to Dee a little above Chester And this â—â—all suffice for the perfect Description of that which 〈◊〉 old time was called Gwynedh and Powys and at â—hese days the six Shires of North-Wales Now remaineth the last Kingdom of Wales Dynefawr called Dynefawr which although it was the greatest yet was 〈◊〉 not the best as Giraldus witnesseth chiefly beâ—ause it was much molested with Flemings and Normans and also that in divers parts thereof the Lords would not obey their Prince as in Gwent and in Morganwe which was their own confusion as shall â—ereafter appear This was divided into six Parts of the which Caredigion was the first Caredigion and contained â—our Cantreds and ten Comots as Cantref Penwedic had â—n it these Comots Geneurglyn Perfedh and Creuthyn Cantref Canawl had these Mefenyth Anhunoc and Pennarth Cantref Castelh had these Comots Mabwynion and Caerwedros Cantref Syrwen had these Gwenionyth and Iscoed and this part is at this day called in English Cardigan-shi e and in Welch Swydh-Aberteifi This is a Champion Country without much Wood and hath been divers times overcome with Flemings and Normans which builded many Castles in it and at the last were beaten out of them all It hath on the East North-Wales with the River Dyfi and part of Powys upon the South Caermardhyn shire upon the West Pembroke shire with the River Teifi and upon the North the Irish Sea In this part is the Town of Cardigan upon Teifi noâ— far from the Sea The Town of Aberystwyth upoâ— the River Ystwyth by the Sea and Lhanbadarn Faâ—â— which was a great Sanctuary and a place of Religious and Learned Men in times past And in thâ— Shire were a great number of Castles as the Castlâ— of Ystratmeyric of Walter of Lhanrysted of Dynertâ— of the Sons of Wyneaon of Aber-Reidol and a greâ—â— number more with the Town of Tregaron and Lhâ—â—dhewibrefi Dyfet The second part was called Dyfed and at this daâ— Pembroke-shire and had in it eight Cantreds anâ— twenty three Comots which were these Cantreâ— Emlyn had these Comots Vwchcuch Iscuch anâ— Lefethyr Cantref Arberth had these Penrhyn ar Elays Esterâ—lef and Talacharn Cantref Daugledheu had these Amgoed Pennaâ— and Efelfre Cantref Y Coed had these Lhanhayaden and Casteâ— Gwys Cantref Penfro hath these Coed yr haf Maenor byâ— and Penfro Cantref Rhos hath these Hulfforth Castelh Gwalch mai and Ygarn Cantref Pubidioc hath these Mynyw Pencaer anâ— Pebidioc Cantref Cemais hath these Vwchnefer Isnefer anâ— Trefdraeth In this part are divers Towns and Havens at thiâ— day as Pembroke Tenby in Welch Dynbegh-y-pyscâ—â— Hereford-West in Welch Hulfforth with the fair Haven of Milford called in Welch Aberdaugledheâ— St. Davids or Menevia called in Welch Mynyw the chiefest See in all Wales Then Fiscard called Abergwayn and Newport named Trefdraeth these be along the Sea-coast or not very far off Besides these â—â—ere be divers Castles as Cilgerran Arberth Gwys â—â—anhayaden Walwyn and divers others This part was â—on first by the Montgomery's Earls of Shrewsbury and â—â—ter given to the Marshalls and so to Valence and from â—ence were the Princes of Wales most troubled with â—â—e Normans and Flemings who do remain and inâ—â—bit about Tenby Pembroke and Rhos to this day â—hich can neither Welch nor good English as yet â—â—fed for so will I call it hereafter hath on the â—â—e West and North the Irish Sea upon the South the â—anish Sea and upon the East Caermardhyn-shire â—â—d on the North-East Cardigan-shire The third â—â—rt was Caermardhyn-shire having four Cantreds Caermardhyn â—â—d fifteen Comots as Cantref Finâ—oc with the Coâ—ots of Harfâ—yn Derfedh and Isgeneny Cantref Eginoc with these Gwyr now in Glamorganâ—â—â—re Cydweli and Carnwilheon Cantref Bachan with these Malhaen Caeo and â—â—aenor Deilo Cantref Mawr with these Cethineoc Comot mabElfyw â—omot mabVchdryd and Wydigada In this Shire are the â—owns and Castles of Caermardhyn Dynefowr which was â—â—e Prince's Seat of the Country Newtown Lhandeilo â—â—anymdhyfri Emlyn Swansey now in Glamorganâ—â—â—re called in Welch Abertawy upon the Sea the â—â—stle of the Sons of Vchtryd of Lhanstephan and â—â—â—ers It hath upon the West Dyfed or Pembroke-shire 〈◊〉 the North Cardigan-shire upon the South-West 〈◊〉 Sea and upon the South-East Glamorgan and on the East Brecknock-shire This is counted the â—â—â—ongest part of all South-Wales as that which is â—â—l of high Mountains great Woods and fair Rivers â—â—ecially Tywy In this and in the other two parts 〈◊〉 South-Wales were the notablest Acts that this Hiâ—â—â—ry treateth of atchieved and done The fourth called Morganwe now Glamorgan-shire Morganwc â—â—ntaining four Cantreds with fifteen Comots As â—â—ntref Croneth with these Comots Rwngneth ac Afan 〈◊〉 yr Hwndrwd and Maenor Glynogwr Cantref Pennythen with these Meyscyn Glynrhodny â—aenor Talafan and Maenor Ruthyn Cantref Brenhinol with these Cibowr Senghennyth Vwchcaeth and Iscaeth Cantref Gwentlhwg which is now in Monmouthshire with these Comots y Rhardh Ganol and Eithafdylygion In this part are these Towns and Castles Lhandaf the Bishop's See Caerdyffe called Caerdhyf Cowbridge called in Welch Y bont faen which is as much as to say Stone-bridge Lantwyd Caerffyli and others and hath divers Rivers which run to the South-Sea as Lay Taf Tawy Neth Afan Ogwr and Lhychwr it hath on the South the Sea of Severn which divideth it from Devon-shire and Cornwall upon the West and North-West Caermardhyn-shire upon the North East Brecknock-shire and upon the East Monmouth-shire Of this you shall read very little for one Iestyn being Chief of the Country and having War with his Neighbours called one Robert Fitzhamâ—â— with a great number of Strangers to his succours which after they had atchieved the Enterprise liked so well the Country that they found occasion to falâ— out with Iestyn and inhabited the Country themselves and their Heirs to this day The fifth part was called Gwent and now in Monmouth shire which had three Cantreds and ten Comots as Cantref Gwent which hath these Comots Y mynyth Iscoed Lhefnydh and Tref y grug Cantref Iscoed these Brynbuga Vwchcoed y Teirtref and Erging ac ewyas now in Hereford-shire Cantref Côch was the seventh Cantred of Morganwc which is now in Glocester-shire and is called the Forest of Dean In this part was the antient City of Caerlheon upoâ— Vsk where was the Archbishop's See of Wales here are also divers Towns and Castles as Chepstow Glyâ— Strigul Rhos Tyntern upon the River Wy there is also Newport called y Castelh Newydh Vysc called Brynbuga Grosmont Raglan White-Castle Abergefenny and many others This is a fair and a fertile Country oâ— which likewise the Gentlemen were never obedient to their Prince which was the cause of their own destruction It hath on the West Glamorgan and Brecknock-shires upon the North Hereford-shire upon â—â—e East Glocester-shire with the River Wy and upon â—â—e South and South-East Severn Last of all cometh Brecheinoc now Brecknock-shire Brecheinoc â—hich hath three Cantreds and eight Comots As
â—antref Selef which hath these Comots Selef and â—rahayern Cantref Canol these Talgarth Ystradyw and Brwynâ—ys or Eglwys Yail Cantref Mawr these Tir Raulff Lhywel and Cerrigâ—owel In this part is the Town of Brecknock upon â—â—e meeting of Vsk and Honddi and is called Aberâ—onddi and Hay called y Gelhy with Talgarth Buelht â—hangors it hath West Caermardhyn-shire with the River Tywy upon the North Radnor-shire with Wy â—pon the East Herefordshire and Monmouth upon the â—outh Glamorgan This for the most part is full of Mountains Woods and Rivers especially Buelht And â—he Lords of this Country called Bruces with the Morâ—mers most of all others Lords Marchers sometimes by Might but oftner by Treason have molested and grieâ—ed the Princes of Wales This Land came after the Bruces to the Bohuns Earls of Hereford and so to the â—taffords Dukes of Buckingham These six Shires being subject to the Territory of Dynefawr with Radnor-shire which was belonging to Mathrafal are now commonly called South-Wales which Country is both great and large with many â—air Plains and Vallies for Corn high Mountains and Rocks full of Pasture for Cattel great and thick Woods with Forrests and Parks for Red Deer and Fallow clear and deep Rivers full of Fish of which Severn is the Chiefest which with Wy and Rheidol â—pring out of a high Mountain called Pymlhymon in the edge of Cardigan-shire and are called commonly the three Sisters Severn runneth full East through Cydewen by the Pool and under the Castle of Shraden to Shrewsbury from whence it turneth Southward and runs to Bridgenorth Bewdley Worcester Glocester and â—o to the Sea by Bristol The second Sister is Gwy in English Wy which took her Journey South-East by Rayader Gwy to Buelht where Irwon meeteth her thence to Glasbury and so to Hereford and Monmouth and to the Sea of Severn at Chepstow for so they call Môr Hafren the Sea which severeth Wales from Somerset-shire Devon shire and Cornwal The third Sister named Rheidol ran Northward to the Sea being not far off at Aberystwyth There be other fair Rivers as Vsk which rising in a high Mountain called y Mynydh dy in the South part of Brecknockshire runneth to Brecknock and so through Monmouthshire to the Town of Vsk Caerlheon and Newport and so to the said South Sea Tywy also rising not far from Wy runneth South to Lhanymdhyfri and thence South-West by Lhandcilo and Dynefawr to Abergwily and Caermardhyn and so by Lhanstephan to the Sea Teifi likewise which riseth in the edge of Caermardhyn shire and runneth North-West by Emlyn Ci gerran Cardigan and so to the North Sea In Teifi above all the Rivers in Wales 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Greek Fiber Lat. Beaver English Afanc British Giraldus in Itiner were in Giraldus's time a great number of Castors which may be Englished Bevers and are called in Welch Afanc which name only remaineth in Wales at this day but what it is very few can tell It is a Beast not much unlike an Otter but that it is bigger all hairy saving the Tail which is like a Fish Tail as broad as a Man's Hand This Beast useth as well the Water as the Land and hath very sharp Teeth and biteth cruelly till he perceives the Bones crack his Stones be of great efficacy in Physick He that will learn what strong Nests they make which Giraldus calleth Castels which they build upon the face of the Water with great Boughs which they cut with their Teeth and how some lye upon their Backs holding the Wood with the fore-Feet which the other draweth with a cross stick the which he holdeth in his Mouth to the water-side and other particularities of their Natures let him read Giraldus in his Topography of Wales There be besides these a great number of Rivers of which some run to the South and some to the West and North Sea as Tywy in Glamorgan-shire Taf also in Caermardhyn shire which runnenh to Cledheu two Rivers either called Cledheu which do give Milford the name of Aberdaugledheu in Pembroke-shire Arth Aeron and Ystwyth in Cardigan There be also divers Lordships which be added to other Shires and were taken hereâ—ofore for parts of Wales and in most part of them at this day the Welch Language is spoken as Oswestry Knocking Whittington Elsmer Masbroke Chirbury Caurs Clun which are now in Shrop-shire Ewyas-Lacy Ewyas-Haroald Clifford Winsorton Yardley Hunâ—ingdon Whitney Loghardneys in Hereford-shire Also this Country of South Wales as all the rest of Britain was first inhabited by the Britains which remain there to this day saving that in divers places especially along the Sea-shore they have been mingled with Saxons Normans which the Welch History calleth French-men and Flemings so that the Princes of Wales since the Conquest of the Normans could never keep quiet possession thereof but what for Strangers and what for disloyalty of their own People vexation and War were for the most part compelled to keep themselves in Caermardhyn-shire THE HISTORY OF WALES WHEN the Roman Empire under Valentinian the Younger began to decline and became sensibly unable to repress the perpetual Incursions of the Goths Huns Vandals and other barbarous Invaders it was found necessary to abandon the remotest Parts of that unwieldy Body and to recal the Roman Forces that defended them the better to secure the Inward and the Provinces most exposed to the Depredations of the Barbarians And in this Exigency of the Roman Affairs Britain as lying far remote from the Heart of the Empire was deprived of the Roman Garrisons which being transported into Gaul upon more urgent Occasions left it naked and exposed to the inveterate Cruelty of the Scots and Picts for no sooner had they understood of the Romans Departure out of Britain and that the Britains were to expect no further Help from the Empire but they descend in greater Number than formerly and with greater Courage and Expectation being how rid of the Fear they entertained of the Roman Legions who always used to hinder their Progress and to prevent their Incursions into the Roman Province The Britains perceiving their antient and implacable Enemies to fall upon them and finding themselves far too weak to repel their Endless Devastations with a lamentable Narrative of their own Miseries and the cruel Oppressions of their Enemies they sent over to Gaul imploring Aid of Aetius Praefect of that Province who being moved with the deplorable Condition of the Britains dispatch'd over a Legion under the Command of Gallio which unexpectedly surprising the Picts and Scots forced them with great Loss and Destruction to retire over the Seas or Friths to their own Habitations Then helping then to build a Wall of Stone cross the Land for a Bulwark against any future Irruptions the Romans at their Departure told them they could not any more undertake such dangerous Expeditions for their Defence and therefore admonished them to take Arms and like Men vindicate their Country their Wives Children and Liberties
Let but that Courage and those Arms make us Conquerors and we shall refuse no Service you shall please to impose To this Message the Saxons returned this short Answer Assure your selves the Saxons will be true Friends to the Britains and as such shall be always ready both to relieve their Necessities and to advance their Interest The Saxons being thus happily courted to what themselves had a thousand times wish'd for arriv'd soon after in Britain in three Gallies called in their own Language Kiules under the Conduct of two Brethren Hengist and Horsa Being honourably received by the King and affectionately treated by the People their Faith was given of both sides the Saxons stipulating to defend the Britains Countrey and the Britains to give the Saxons a satisfactory Reward for all the Pains and Dangers they should undergo upon their account At first the Saxons shewed themselves very diligent in their Employment and successfully repell'd the Scots and Picts who being probably ignorant of the landing of the Saxons and fearing no opposition boldly advanc'd to the Heart of the Countrey But when the Saxons became better acquainted with the Island and happily discovered the Weakness and Inability of the Britains under pretence that their Pay was not answerable to their Service and Deserts they quarrelled with the Britains and instead of supporting them according to Oath entered into a League with their Enemies the Scots Moreover Hengist perceiving with whom he had to do sent over to acquaint his Countreymen with the Beauty and Fertility of the Island the Infirmity and Effeminacy of the Inhabitants inviting them to be Sharers of his future Success and Expectations To his Invitation they readily comply and sailing over in great Numbers they thought to take possession of that Countrey which Fortune promised should be their own But they must fight for it first the Britains being resolved to the last to defend themselves and their Country against these treacherous Practices of the Saxons and if possible to drive them to their primitive Habitations For when the Britains became sensible of the undermining aim of the Saxons how they secretly endeavoured the total extirpation of the British Nation they presently betook themselves to their Swords and in a short time became signally famous for their Valour and Conduct This the Saxons afterwards grievously felt though the total recovery of Britain proved impracticable for want of Power the Saxons having by Massacres and other treacherous means most unmercifully lessened the Force and Number of the Britains King Vortigern loved his Ease too well to observe their Practices and besides became so foolishly enamour'd with the Daughter of Hengist which purposely was laid to intrap him that the Saxon upon the strength of their Marriage began to carve for himself and during Vortigern's Reign laid so firm a Foundation for the Saxon Conquest that the succeeding British Kings tho' famously valiant could never undermine it This Sottishness of his Father young Vortimer could not at length endure to see himself and his Country so openly and shamefully imposed upon by Strangers and therefore he resolved to take the British Government upon himself and to endeavour the universal Expulsion of the Saxons With him the British Nobility willingly joyn and after several famous Victories over the Saxons he was unhappily poysoned by a Saxon Lady After him the Britains bravely defended themselves against the prevailing Greatness of the Saxons under these valiant Princes Aurelius Ambrosius Vter Pendragon Arthur Constantine II. Aurelius Conanus Vortiper and Maelgon To him succeeded Careticus in whose time the Saxons aspiring to a total Conquest of Britain invited over one Gurmundus a Norwegian Pyrate who had lately signalized himself in Ireland and obtain'd a Conquest over that Kingdom Him they employ to march against Careticus who being overcome and vanquished by him the Britains were forced some to retire beyond the Rivers Severn and Dee some to Cornwal and the rest to Little Britain in France The British Affairs were now brought very low and their Government reduced within a very narrow compass so that the Title of the Kings of Britain can be but superficially attributed to the succeeding Princes Cadwan Cadwallan and Cadwalader Cadwalader Cadwalader surnamed Bbendiged or the Blessed was the last of British Race that enjoyed the Title of King of Britain after him the Welch who were the most numerous remains of the Britains disdaining to own any Subjection to the oppressing Saxons set up a new Government among themselves and alter'd the Stile of British Kings to that of Princes of Wales But whilst Cadwalader ruled in Britain a very severe Famine attended with a raging Pestilence which assuredly sprung from the continued War which was so eagerly carryed on betwixt the Britains and Saxons happen'd in the Island which occasioned a most lamentable Mortality among his Subjects insomuch that he was compell'd together with a great Number of his Nobility and others to retire for Refuge to his Cousin Alan King of Lhydaw or Little Britain in France There he was sure to meet with all Civility suitable to his Quality and Condition as well because of his own near Relation and Consanguinity to Alan as upon the account that their Subjects were originally one and the same People For the Britains of France about the year of Christ 384. went over out of this Island under the Command of Conan Lord of Meriadoc to the aid of Maximus the Tyrant against the Emperour Gratianus For this Service Maximus granted to Conan and his Followers the Country of Armorica where the Britains having driven out the former Inhabitants seated themselves and erected a Kingdom which lasted for many Years under several Kings whose Names and Succession are as follows The Catalogue of the Armorican Kings 1. Conan Meriadoc 2. Gradlonus 3. Salomon I. 4. Auldranus 5. Bâ—â—â—ous I. 6. Hoâ—â—lus Magnus 7. Howâ—lus II. 8. Alâ—mâ— I. 9. Hoâ—â—lus III. â—0 Cilâ—uâ—llus â—1 Salomon II. â—2 Alanâ—â— II. 13. Conobertus 14. Budicus II. 15. Theodoricus 16. Rubalhonus 17. Daniel Dremrost i. e. rubicunda facie 18. Aregstanus 19. Maconus 20. Neomenius 21. Haruspogius 22. Salomon III. Alan II. then reigned in Little Britain when Cadâ—alader was forced to forsake his own Dominions â—nd to retire beyond the Seas He was descended â—â—om Ruâ—â— the Son of Mailgon Gwyneth King of Great Britain by a Daughter married to Howel the Second King of Little Britain This Kingdom remained â—â—rm till Salomon III. who was treacherously slain â—y his own Subjects upon which unlucky Accident â—he Kingdom was converted to an Earldom whereof â—ne Alan was the first a valiant and warlike Prince who stoutly resisted the Normans and frequently vanâ—uished and overcame them But after that Cadwalader had continued some time with Alan the Plague being abated in Britain he â—urposed to return and if possible to recover that â—art of his Kingdom which the Saxons were now in â—ossession of He received frequent Intelligence of â—heir Number and
Forces obtained a very bloody Victory over the powerless Britains Bâ—â— Adelred who was shortly follow'd by Edwyn King 〈◊〉 the Picts did not long survive this Battel and Cudâ—â— took upon him the Government of the West-Saxons The Welch found themselves unable to cope with the Saxons and too weak to repress their endless Incursions 3. therefore they apply themselves to Cudred and joyned in league with him who upon some occasion or other was actually fallen out with Ethelbald King of Mercia But Ethelbald was so proud with the success A.D. 746 of the last Engagement that notwithstanding the League with Cudred he must needs again fall upon the Welch He advanced as far as Hereford where the Britains by the help of Cudred gave him a signal Overthrow and caused him to repent of his rash and precipitous Expedition But shortly after Cudred and Ethelbald were unluckily reconciled and made Friends together and Cudred relinquishing the Welch joyned his Forces to Ethelbalds Hereupon ensued another Battel in which the Welch being greatly overpower'd were vanquish'd by the Saxons after which Victory Cudred shortly dyed To him succeeded Sigebert a A.D. 743 Man of a loose and vicious inclination who for his ill Behaviour in the Management of his Kingdom was in a short time expell'd and depriv'd by his Nobility â—nd at last miserably slain by a rascally Swineherd After him Kenulph was chosen King of the West Saxons Ann. 750. in whose time dyed Theodore the Son of A.D. 750 Bâ—lin a Man of great Esteem and Reputation among the Britains And about the same time a remarkable Barâ—el was fought between the Britains and the Picts â—t a place call'd Magedawc in which the Picts were â—ut to a total rout and Dalargan their King casually â—lain But the Britains did not succeed so well against the Saxons for Roderic Molwynoc was at length forced to forsake the Western Countries of Britain and â—o claim his own Inheritance in North Wales The Sons of Bletius or Bledericus Prince of Cornwal and Devonshire who was one of them that vanquished Adelred and Ethelbert at Bangor on the River Dee had enjoyed the Government of North Wales ever since Cadfan was chose King of Britain Roderic therefore demanded the Government of this Country as his â—ight which he was now willing to accept of seeing â—he was forced to quit what he had hitherto possessed But he did long enjoy it but dyed in a short time leaving behind him two Sons Conan Tindaythwy and Howel after that he had in all reigned over the Britains Thirty Years Conan Tindaythwy A.D. 755 ROderic Molwynoc being dead his Son Conan Tindaythwy took upon him the Government and Principality of Wales in the Year 755. He was scarce settled in his Throne but the Saxons began to make in-Roads into his Country to spoil and destroy what they conveniently could meet with They were animated hereto by the bad Success of Roderic and having forced the Britains out of Cornwal and Devonshire they thought it practicable to drive them out of Wales too and so to reduce the Possession of the whole Island to themselves This was their Aim and this they endeavour'd to put in execution but they were met with at Hereford where a severe Battel was fought between them and the Welch in which Dyfnwal the Son of Theodor a stout and valiant Soldier was slain And shortly afterwards dyed Athelbeâ—â— King of Northumberland and was succeeded by Oâ—wald About the same time happened a religious Quarreâ— between the Britains and Saxons concerning the observation of the Feast of Easter which Elbodius 〈◊〉 learned and a pious Man endeavoured to rectifie 〈◊〉 Wales and to reduce it to the Roman Calculation which the Saxons always observed The Britains diâ— differ from the Church of Rome in the celebration oâ— this Feast and the difference was this The Church of Rome according to the order of the Council of Nicâ— always observed Easter-day the next Sunday after thâ— 14th day of the Moon so that it never happen'â— upon the 14th day it self nor passed the 21th Thâ— Britains on the other hand celebrated their Easter upon the 14th and so forward to the 20th which occasioned this Difference that the Sunday observed as Easter-day by the Britains was but Palm-Sunday with the Saxons Upon this account the Saxons did most uncharitably traduce the Britains and would scarcely allow them the Name and Title of Christians Hereupon about the Year 660. a great Contest happen'd managed on the one part by Colman and Hylda who defended the Rites and Celebration of the Britains and Gilbert and Wilfride on the part of the Saxons Hylda was the Neece of Edwine King of Northumberland educated by Pauline and Aedan She publickly opposed Wilfride and other superstitious Monks as to such Trifles and Bigotry in Religion alledging out of Polycrates the Fact of Irenaeus who withstood Victor Bishop of Rome upon the same account and the custom of the Churches of Asia observed by S. John the Evangelist Philip the Apostle Polycarpus and Melito and likewise observed in Britain by Joseph of Arimathea who first preached the Gospel here Offa was made King of Mercia and Brichtrich of A.D. 763 the West-Saxons about which time dyed Fermael the Son of Edwal and Cemoyd King of the Picts The Saxons did daily encroach upon the Lands and Territories of the Welch beyond the River Severn but more especially towards the South part of the Country These Enchroachments the Welch could not endure and therefore were resolved to recover their own and to drive the Saxons out of their Country The Britains of South-Wales as receiving the greatest A.D. 776 Injury and Disadvantage from the Saxons presently took up Arms and entered into the Country of Mercia which they ravag'd and destroyed with Fire and Sword And shortly after all the Welch joyned their Forces together fell upon the Saxons and forced them to retire beyond the Severn and then returned home with a very considerable Spoil of English Cattel The Welch finding the Advantage of this last Incursion and how that by these means they gauled and vexed the Saxons frequently practised the same and entering their Countrey by stealth they killed and destroyed all before them and driving their Cattel beyond the River ravaged and laid waste the whole Countrey Offa King of Mercia not being able to endure these daily Incursions and Depredations of the Welch entered into a League with the rest of the Saxon Kings to bend their whole Force against the Welch who having raised a very strong and numerous Army passed the Severn into Wales The Welch being far too weak to oppose and encounter so great an Army quitted the even and plain Countrey lying upon the Banks of Severn and Wye and retired to the Mountains and Rocks where they knew they could be most safe from the inveterate and revengeful Arms of the Saxons But as soon as the Saxons decamped being not able to effect any thing against them in these strong and
how sweet the Spoil of a Countrey much more fertile than their own was â—hey could not rest satisfied with what they had alâ—eady obtained but must needs make a farther Proâ—ress into the Countrey and fall upon the Kingdom â—f the East-Angles Edmund King of that Countrey â—eing not able to endure their Insolencies endeaâ—oured to oppose them but in the Undertaking was â—nfortunately slain And now after the same manâ—er that the Saxons had formerly attained to the Conquest of Britain the Danes proceeded to the Conâ—uest of England For the Saxons having found out â—he Sweetness of this Island and withal discovered â—he weakness and inability of the Britains to oppose â—hem brought over their Numbers by degrees and â—n several Companies by which they wearied and â—ired out the British Armies For it is certain that â—othing can conduce more to the Conquest of an â—sland than the landing an Army at several Places â—nd at several Times which distracts the Counsels â—nd Proceedings of the Inhabitants and which at â—his time for want of sufficient Power at Sea could â—ot be prevented And so the Danes being informed of the good Success of Hungare and Hubba in England sent over another Army under the Command of Basreck and Alding who landed in West-Sax and â—ought five Battels with King Ethelred and his Brother Alfred namely at Henglefield Estondown Redding Basing and Mereton in which two first the English overcame and the three last the Danes got the Victory Soon after this Ethelred died leaving his Kingdom to his Brother Alfred who no sooner had taken the Government upon him but considered with himself what a heavy Burthen he was to sustain and therefore he began to enquire after the Wisest and Learned est Men that he could hear of to be directed by them whom he worthily Entertained making use of their Advice as well in the Publick Government of the Kingdom as in his Private Studies and Conference of Learning He sent for two Men famously Learned out of Wales the one called John de Erigena Surnamed Scotus the other Asserius Surnamed Menevensis Dâ— Erigena was born at Menevia or St. Davids and was brought up in that College who for the sake oâ— Learning having travelled to Athens and bestowed there many Years in the Study of the Greek Hebreâ— and Caldaick Tongues and the secret Mysteries oâ— Philosophy came to France where he was well accepted of by Carolus Calvus or Charles the Bald anâ— Ludovicus Balbus or Lewis the Stammerer and therâ— translated the Works of Dionysius Areopagita Dâ— Coelesti Hierarchia out of the Greek into the Laâ—â— Tongue Being returned home to Wales he wâ—â— sent for by this King Alfred who was then foundinâ— and erecting the University of Oxford of whicâ— Erigena became the first Professor and publick Reader But King Alfred bore so great a respect tâ— Learning that he would suffer none to bear any considerable Office in his Court but such as were Learned and withal exhorted all Persons to embracâ— Learning and to Honour Learned Men. But tho' 〈◊〉 Love to Learning be seldom reconcilable with a Warlike and a Military Life King Alfred was also forceâ— to regard the Discipline of War to defend his Kingdom against the increasing Power of the Danes Foâ— he was scarce settled in his Throne but this restlesâ— and ever troublesom People began to molest and destroy his Countrey insomuch that he was of necessity forced to oppose them which he did twice upon thâ— South-side of the River Thames in which Engagements he slew of the Danes one King nine Earls together with an innumerable multitude of inferior Souldiers About the same time Gwgan ap Meyric 〈◊〉 Dunwal ap Arthen ab Sitsylht Prince of Cardigan died being as some say unfortunately drowned But the â—ate Victories which Alfred had obtained over the Danes did not so much weaken and dishearten them â—ut that in a short time they recovered their Spirits â—nd began again to look terrible and threatning For 〈◊〉 soon as they could reunite their scattered Forces â—hey set upon and destroyed the Town of Alclyde wan â—he City of London and Redding over-ran all the inâ—â—nd Countrey and the whole Kingdom of Mercia â—nother Army of Danes at the same time proved â—ery successful in the North and possessed themselves of â—he Countrey of Northumberland which Action did â—ot so much grieve the English as trouble and vex â—he Picts and Scots who were incessantly gauled and â—â—equently beat off by these Danish Troops The â—ext Year three of the Danish Captains marched â—â—om Cambridge towards Warham in Dorset-shire of â—hich Expedition King Alfred being informed preâ—â—ntly detached his Forces to oppose them and to â—ffer them Battle The Danes were so startled at â—â—is that they immediately desired Peace and wilâ—â—ngly consented forthwith to depart out of the Counâ—y and to forswear the sight of English Ground â—ccording to which Capitulation the Horse that â—â—ght marched for Exeter and the Foot being shipped â—ff were all of them drowned at Sandwich The Danes having thus abjured England were not willing â—o return home empty but thought it Prudent to â—end their Course against Wales They fancied that â—â—ey were like to meet with no great opposition from â—â—e Welch and therefore could carve for themselves â—ccording as their Fancy directed them But having â—nded their Army in Anglesey they quickly experiâ—nced the contrary Prince Roderic opposing them â—ave them two Battels one at a place called Bengole A.D. 873 â—nd the other at Menegid in Anglesey At the same time â—nother Army of Danes under the Command of â—alden and Hungare landed in south-South-Wales over-ran â—â—e whole Country destroying all before them neiâ—â—er sparing Churches nor Religious Houses But â—â—ey received their due Reward at the hands of the â—est-Saxons who meeting with them on the Coasts of Devonshire slew both Halden and Hungare with 1200 of their Men. The same Year Einion Bishop of St. Davids died and was the following Year succeeded by Hubert who was installed in his place A.D. 876 The English being rid of their powerful and ever restless Enemies the Danes began now to quarrel with the Welch entring into Anglesey with a numerous Army fought a fore Battel with Roderic who together with his Brother or as others say his Son Gwyriad was unhappily slain in the Field which Battel is called by the Welch Gwaith Duw Sul y Mon. This Roderic had Issue by his Wife Anghârad Anarawd Cadelh and Merfyn the last of which Giraldus Cambrensis contrary to the vulgar and received Opinion will have to be the eldest Son of Roderic upon whom was bestowed the Principality of North-Wales For it is unanimously granted that Rodeâ—â—â— was undoubted Proprietor of all the Dominions oâ— Wales North-Wales descending unto him by his Mother Esylht the Daughter and sole Heir of Conan Tyâ—daethwy South-Wales by his Wife Anghârad the Daugâ—ter of Meyric ap Dyfnwal ap Arthen ap Sitsylht Kâ—â—â— of Cardigan Powis by Nest the Sister and Heir oâ— Congen ap
Cadelh King of Powis his Father's Mother These three Dominions Roderic divided between hâ—â— three Sons appointing North-Wales for his eldest Soâ— Anarawd South-Wales to Cadelh who shortly after 〈◊〉 Father's Death forcibly seised upon his Brother Mâ—â—fyn's Portion upon whom Roderic had bestoweâ— Powis-Land Wales being thus divided between the three Princes they were called Y Tri Tywysoc Taâ—â—thioc or the three crowned Princes by reason thâ—â— each of them did wear on his Helmet a Coronet 〈◊〉 Gold being a broad Head-band indented upwarâ— set and wrought with Precious Stones which in 〈◊〉 British Tongue is called Talaeth To each of the Princes Roderic built a Royal Seat for the Prinâ—â— of Gwyneth or north-North-Wales at Aberffraw of Souâ—â—Wales at Dinefawr for the Prince of Powis at Mâ—thrafel Roderic had Issue also besides these threâ— Roderic Meyric Edwal or Tadwal Gwyriad aâ—â— Gathelic But Roderic having divided his Principality betwixt his eldest Sons namely Aberffraw with the fifteen Cantreds thereunto belonging to Anarawd Dinefawr with its fifteen Cantreds extending from the mouth of the River Dofi to the mouth of Severn to Cadelh and Powis with fifteen Cantreds from the mouth of the River Dee to the Bridge over Severn at Glocester to Merfyn ordained that his eldest Son Anarawd and his Successors should continue the payment of the antient Tribute to the Crown of England and the other two their Heirs and Successors should acknowledge his Sovereignty and that upon any Foreign Invasion they should mutually Aid and Protect one another And he farther appointed that when any Difference should arise betwixt the Princes of Aberffraw and Cardigan or Dynefawr the three Princes should meet at Bwlch y Pawl and the Prince of Powys should be Umpire But if the Prince of Aberffraw and Powys fell at Variance they should meet at Dôl Rhianedd probably Morva Rhianedd on the Bank of the River Dee where the King of Cardigan was to adjust the Controversy and if the Quarrel happened betwixt the Princes of Powys and Cardigan the meeting was appointed at Llys Wen upon the River Wye and to be decided by the Prince of Aberffraw And the better to frustrate any attempt of the English he ordained moreover that all Strong-holds Castles and Citradels should be fortified and kept in repair that all Churches and Religious Houses should be re-edified and adorned and that in all ages the History of Britain being faithfully registred and transcribed should be kept therein Anarawd THE Welch had often sorrowfully felt the unnatural Effects of inward Seditions and of being governed by several Princes which were now unavoidably to be renewed by reason of Roderic's imprudent Division of his Dominions between his three Sons For the several Principalities being united in him it was certainly the most politick means for the preservation of the Countrey from the inveterate Fury of the English to compose the inward Differences which would otherwise happen by perpetuating the whole Government of Wales in one Prince For it was impossible effectually to oppose the Common Enemy by separate Armies and where a different Interest interfered as if the Safety of the same Countrey and the Honor of the same Prince were unanimously regarded This was the unhappiness of the antient Britains when the Romans invaded their Countrey domestick Broils and inward Dissentions being sownâ— among themselves they could not agree to unite their Powers and jointly to oppose the Common Enemy so that Tacitus wisely concludes dum singuâ—â— pugnant universi vincuntur There are few Nationâ— but have experienced the folly of being rent into several Portions and the downfal of that greaâ— Body the Roman Empire may not be absurdly attributed to Constantine's dividing of it between hiâ— Sons But the Welch at this time presently felt the unhappiness of it Cadelh Prince of south-South-Wales being dissatisfied with his Portion and desirous to feed his Ambition with larger Territories could not spare his Brother Merfyn's Countrey but must needs forcibly dispossess him of his lawful Inheritance and so involve the Welch in a Civil War But the Succession of the Princes of Wales proceeds in Anarawd the eldest Son of Roderic who began his Reign over North-Wales in the Year 877. A.D. 877 At that time Rollo with a numerous Army of Normans descended into France and possessed themselves of the Countrey of Neustria which from them has since received the Name of Normandy But the treacherous Danes in England who had retired to the City of Exeter quickly violated the Capitulation which they had lately sworn to observe and upon that account were so warmly pursued by King Alfred that they gladly delivered up Hostages for the performance of the Articles formerly agreed upon between them But it was not their Intention to keep them long for the next Year they again broke lose possessed themselves of all the Countrey upon the North-side of Thames and passing the River put the English to flight and made themselves Masters of Chippenham in West-Sax But their whole Army did not succeed so well for Alfred meeting with a Party of them slew their Captain and took their Standard which the Danes called Raven After this he vanquished them again at Edendown where after that the Danes had given Hostages for their peaceable behaviour Godrun their Commander received the Christian Faith and so reigned in East-Angle But this opportunity seemed to threaten a great Storm upon Wales for besides the Death of Aedan the Son of A.D. 878 Melht a Noble-man of the Countrey the Articles of Composition between the English and the Danes occasioned these last to join their Power with the People of Mercia to Fight against the Welch between whom a severe Battel was fought at Conwey wherein the Welch obtained a very signal Victory which was called Dial Rodri or the Revenge of the Death of Prince Roderic The Reason why the Mercians were so irreconcilably enraged against the Welch at this time was this After the Death of Roderic the Great the Northern Britains of Stratelwyd and Cumberland were mightily infested and weakened thro' the daily Incursions of the Danes Saxons and Scots insomuch that as many of them as would not submit their Necks to the Yoke were forced to quit their Countrey and to seek for more quiet Habitations Therefore towards the beginning of Anarawd's Reign several of them came to Gwyneth under the Conduct of one Hoberet whose distressed Condition the Prince commiserating granted them all the Countrey betwixt Chester and Conwey to seat themselves in in case they could drive out the Saxons who had lately possessed themselves of it The Britains having returned their thanks to Anarawd presently fell to work and Necessity giving edge to their Valour they easily dispossessed the Saxons who were not as yet warm in their Seats For some time they continued peaceably in this part of Wales but Eadred Duke of Mercia called by the Welch Edryd Wallthîr not being able any longer to bear such an ignominious ejection made great Preparations
for the re-gaining of the said Countrey But the Northern Britains who had settled themselves there having intelligence of his Design for the better security of their Cattel and other Effects removed them beyond the River Conwey Prince Anarawd in the mean time was not idle but drawing together all the Strength he could raise encamped his Army near the Town of Conwey at a place called Cymryt where himself and his Men having made gallant Resistance against the pressing Efforts of the Saxons obtained a very compleat Victory This Battel was by some called Gwaeth Cymryt Conwey by reason that it was fought in the Township of Cymryt near Conwey But Prince Anarawd would have it called Dial Rodri because he had there revenged the Death of his Father Rodri. In this Battel Tadwal Rodri's Son received a wound in the Knee which made him be denominated Tudwal Glôff ever after but for his signal Service in this Action his Brethren bestowed upon him Vchelogoed Gwynedd But the Britains pursuing their Victory chased the Saxons quite out of Wales into Mercia where having burnt and destroyed the Borders they returned home laden with rich Spoils and so took possession of the Country betwixt Chester and Conwey which for a long time after they peaceably enjoyed But Anarawd to express his thankfulness to God for this great Victory gave very considerable Lands and Possessions to the Collegiate Churches of Bangor and Clynnoc Vawr in Arfon After this those Danes that lay at Fulhenham near London crossed the Sea to France and passing to Paris along the River Seyn spoiled the Country thereabouts and vanquished the French that came against them but in their return towards the Sea-Coast they were met with by the Britains of Armorica who slew the greatest part of them and the rest confusedly endeavouring to escape to their Ships were all drowned One should think that the several Misfortunes the Danes sustained first at Sandwich then by King Alfred and now in France would have quite drained their Number and utterly have rid Britain from so troublesome an Enemy But like ill Weeds the more you root them the faster they will grow the Danes were still supplied from abroad and if an Army was vanquished here another was sure to come in their room This the Welch found too true for not long after this famous Defeat by the Armorican Britains the Danes not able to venture upon these were resolved to revenge themselves upon their Friends of Wales and therefore landing in North-Wales they cruelly harassed and destroyed the Country Nor is it strange to consider from whence such a wonderful Number of Danes and Normans could come For the Kingdom of Denmark had under it not only Denmark which is a small Country divided by the Sea into Insulas and Peninsulas as that which joins upon Saxony and Holsatia called Cymbrica Chersonesus with the Islands of Zealand and Finnen but also Normay and the large Country of Sweden reaching to Muscovy and almost to the North-Pole This Country being then scarce known to the World did of a sudden pour out such a multitude of People which like a sudden Storm unexpectedly over-ran all Europe with a great part of the Country of Africa From hence proceeded these Danes who annoyed England And the Normans who conquer'd France both Nations being originally derived from the same Stock A.D. 890 The Danes had not appeared in England for some time and therefore are now resolved to take so sure a footing as they cannot easily be repulsed Two Hundred and Fifty Sail being landed at Lymene in Kent hard by the great Forest of Andreslege they built the Castle of Auldre or Apledore The same time Hasting with a Fleet of Eighty Sail ventured to the Thames mouth and built the Castle of Mydlton having first made an Oath to King Alfred not to molest him or any of his Subjects But having built the Castle of Beamfleet he thought himself to have obtain'd so great a Strength that there was no necessity of observing the Oath lately sworn to King Alfred and therefore invaded the Country round about him But he soon found his Mistake and was forced to betake himself back to his Castle which was quickly pulled down upon his Head and his Wife and two Sons taken Prisoners who being christened were again restored to their Father Upon this Hasting and his Danes departed from England and made their way for France where laying siege to the City of Limogis and despairing of a speedy surrender of it betook himself to his usual way of dealing sinistrously and devised this Trick to win the Town He feigned himself to be dangerously sick and sent to the Bishop and the Consul of the City desiring of them most earnestly that he might be admitted to the Christian Faith and be baptized before his departure out of this World The Bishop and Consul suspecting no Deceit were very glad not only to be delivered from the present danger of being besieged but also to win so great a Person to the Congregation of Christ Whereupon a firm Peace being concluded betwixt both Nations Hasting is baptized the Bishop and Consul being his Godfathers which being ended he was carried back by his Soldiers to his Ships in a very infirm condition as he outwardly pretended About midnight he caused himself with his Arms about him to be laid on a Bier and commanded his â—oldiers to carry their Weapons with them under â—â—eir Coats and so to be ready when he should give â—â—em the word The next day all things being in readiness he was solemnly brought by his Soldiers â—ith great Clamour and counterfeit Mourning to be â—terr'd in the chief Church of the City where the shop and Consul accompanied with all the most â—â—nourable Members of the Town came to honour â—â—e Funeral But when the Bishop had made himself â—â—ady to bury the Body and all the Citizens being 〈◊〉 the Church up starts Hasting with his Sword â—â—awn and killing first the Bishop and the Consul afâ—â—rwards fell in with his armed Soldiers upon the naâ—ed People putting all to the Sword and sparing â—either Age Sex nor Infirmity Having ransack'd â—â—e Town he sent Messengers to Charles the French â—ing to mediate for Peace which he easily obtain'd â—â—gether with the Town of Chartres towards the deâ—aying of his Charges At this time Hennith ap Bledric a Baron of Wales A.D. 891 â—â—ed and Two Years after Anarawd Prince of North A.D. 893 Wales with a considerable number of English marâ—ed against his Brother Cadelh and spoiled the â—ountries of Cardigan and Ystradgwy At the same â—â—me the Danes laid siege to the City of Excester â—nd when Alfred had marched to oppose them they â—â—at continued in the Castle of Auldre passed over to â—ssex and built another Castle at Scobrith and from â—ence marched to Budington seated upon the Severn When Alfred came near to Excester the Danes preâ—ently rais'd the Siege and betaking themselves to â—heir Ships sailed towards Wales
and spoiled the â—ea-Coast thereof and advanced as far as Buellt But the Danes at Budington being informed that King Alfred marched against them fled back to their Castle in Essex So that the King was fain to alâ—er his march and to convert his Forces against Leyâ—ester where a Party of Danes was so warmly beâ—â—eged that at length they were reduced to that Exâ—â—remity as to feed upon their Horses But the Season â—f the Year for Action being ended and the Extremity of the Weather being advanced Alfred 〈◊〉 forced to raise the Siege and to wait the next Oppoâ—tunity A.D. 895 for the recovery of the Town But before 〈◊〉 could appear before it again the Danes fairly quittâ—â— it and together with those in Northumberland passâ—â— by the North-Sea to Meresige an Isle in Essex Thâ— A.D. 896 next Year they entred the Thames and built a Caâ—â—â—â— twenty Miles distant from London upon the strengâ—â— of which they ventur'd to spoil and wast the Coâ—â—trey thereabouts but paid very dear for their Coâ—rage being accidentally met with they received 〈◊〉 bloody Overthrow having four of their Princes slâ—â— upon the Spot and the rest very glad to make their â—scape to the Castle Upon this Alfred divided the Riâ—â—â— into three Streams by which Stratagem the Waâ— became so diminished in the Thames that the Danâ—â—â— Ships could not return back into the Sea When tâ—â— Danes perceived this and found it impracticable 〈◊〉 them to escape in their Ships they left their Wiâ—â—â— and Children and all their Effects in Essex and 〈◊〉 passed by Land to Enadbryge upon the Severn aâ—â— then passing the River spoiled the Countries 〈◊〉 Brecknock Gwentland and Gwentlhwg Some of the at the same time passed over to France and anothâ—â— Company coasting about Devonshire destroyed tâ—â— maritime Countries but being met with by the Eâ—glish A.D. 897 lost Six of their Ships in the Dispute Tâ—â— following Summer the Kingdom of Ireland suffered eâ—tremely by Locusts who consumed all the Corn aâ—â— the Grass through the whole Country but were 〈◊〉 length by continued Prayers and Fasting quite destroâ—ed These are common in Africke and other hot Râ—gions but seldom seen in colder Climates and whâ—â— they happen to travel so far they are always veâ—â— pestilentious and destructive to that Country thâ—â— come to A.D. 900 This Year Igmond with a great number of Danâ—â— landed in Anglesey and was met with by the Welâ—â— at a place call'd Molerain where Merfyn was slaiâ— Though others call it Meilon and from the Batâ—â—â— fought there Maes Rhôs Meilon The same Yeâ—â— Kiâ—g Alfred dyed who translated the antient Laws 〈◊〉 â—yfnwall Moelmut King of Britain and the Laws 〈◊〉 Queen Marsia out of Brittish into English and â—â—â—â—d it Marsian Law which was afterwards called â—â—â—st Saxon Law and observed in part of Mercia â—â—â—h all the Countries on the South of Thames The â—â—â—er part of the Country having another Law call'd â—â—â—e Lex both which remained to the time of â—â—â—ard the Confessor who of these two made one 〈◊〉 It is very observable what is related of King â—â—â—â—ed concerning his division of the Natural Day inâ—â—â—hree parts the one he set apart for Devotion and â—â—â—â—dy the next for the Affairs of the Commonâ—â—alth and the third for his own Rest and Refreshâ—â—â—t â—lfred being dead Edward his eldest Son took upâ—â—â—im the Crown which so displeased the ambitious â—â—â—it of his Brother Adelwulph that presently he raisâ—â— a cruel War against him and flying to Northumâ—â—â—â—and stirred up the Danes against his Brother â—â—â—ard The Danes were glad of the opportunity â—â—â—ing now a fair pretence to render themselves â—â—sters of the whole Island and therefore Adelâ—â—ph is made King as well of the Angles as of the â—â—â—es who by this time were grown to be one Peoâ—â—â— Marching then proudly with a very considerable â—â—â—y at his heels he subdued the East Saxons spoilâ—â— the Country of Mercia and passing over the Thames â—rickland destroyed Brythend and returned home â—â—â—h very great Booty At the same time Euneth 〈◊〉 slain in Arwystly But Edward being informed of Brothers retreat pursued him very eagerly but â—â—â—sing of him over-ran and destroyed all the Counâ—â—â— betwixt Ouse and the Dike of S. Edmund and a returned home with his whole Army saving the â—â—â—tish Men who being too greedy of Plunder rashâ—â—â—arried behind For the Danes perceiving the Boâ—â— of the Army to be returned and that a small â—â—â—y still continued to ravage the Country presentâ—â—â—â—t upon them slue a great Number of them and 〈◊〉 the rest to a shameful Flight Nor were the Danes only powerful in England but molested anâ— A.D. 905 grew prevalent in Ireland For this Year they entâ—â—â—â— that Kingdom slew Carmot King and Bishop of 〈◊〉 Ireland a religious and a vertuous Person the Son 〈◊〉 Cukeman and Kyrnalt Son of Murgan King of Lâ—gines A.D. 906 The Year after dyed Asser Archbishop of S. Dâ—vids Uncle to the famous and learned Asser surnaâ—ed Menevensis who being Chancellour to his Uncâ—â— the Archbishop was sent for by King Alfred to iâ—struct his Children whose Life he afterwards wroâ—â— and was made Bishop of Shireburn Edward to force his Brother from his Countrâ— and to revenge the death of the Kentishmen dâ—â—patch'd an Army to Northumberland which havinâ— spoiled the Country returned home Upon whiâ—â— the Danes to return their Kindness destroyed a greâ—â— part of Mercia But within a while after Edwâ—â—â— having raised a very considerable Army gave tâ—â— Danes battel overthrew them and slue their Kinâ—â— Alden and Edelwulph with a great number of the Nobles This added very much to his Dominionâ— which were the more increased and strengthned 〈◊〉 the Addition of the Cities of London and Oxford which upon the death of Edelred Duke of Merâ—â—â— Edward seized into his own hands permitting 〈◊〉 Wife Elfleda to enjoy the rest of his Dukedoâ— A.D. 907 Shortly after Cadelh Prince of South Wales diâ—â— leaving behind him three Sons Howel Dha or tâ—â— Good who succeeded his Father in the Kingdom 〈◊〉 South Wales Meyric and Clydawe King Edward â—â—ving obtained so signal a Victory over the Danes aâ—â— rendered his Kingdom for some time quiet began 〈◊〉 build places of strength which might be serviceabâ—â— against a future Storm He built a Castle at Hartforâ— betwixt the Rivers Benefic Minier and Lige anâ— also erected the Burrough of Wytham in Essex anâ— continued sometime in Wealdyne to keep those Couâ—tries in awe But in spite of all this precaution thâ— Danes of Leycester and Hampton began the followinâ— Year to be very troublesom slew a great number 〈◊〉 English at Hotchnorton and in their return homâ— â—ard destroyed the Country of Oxford About the â—â—me time a considerable Fleet from Tydwike under â—â—e command of Vther and Rahald sailed by the Weâ—â—ern Sea to Wales and destroyed S. Davids where â—as fought the Battel of Dinarth and Mayloc the â—on of Peredur Gam was slain After this they enâ—â—â—ed A.D. 911 into Herefordshire where they were
pay the like Sum to the Prince of Aberffraw But King Ethelstane was not less terrible abroad than he was awed and feared at home the Kings of France and Norwâ—â— sending him very great and costly Presents to obtain his Favour and to gain his good Will A.D. 936 This Year Euneth the Son of Clydawe and Meyriâ— the Son of Cadelh died The same time King Athelstane removed the Britains who lived at Excester and the neighbouring Country to Cornwal bounding theâ— with the River Cambria now Tamar as the Britains of Wâ—les with the Wey Not long after the A.D. 939 noble Prince Athelstane dyed to the great and inexpressible sorrow of all his Subjects and was buried at Malmesbury and succeeded by his Brother Edmund not inferiour to him in Courage but preferable by right of Nativity being born in Wedlock In the first Year of his reign he gave a very considerable blow to the Danes took from them the Cities of Leycester Darby Scafford Lincoln and Nottinham Then Aulafe King of the Danes finding it impracticable to withstand the force of King Edmund desired peace and withal to be initiated in the Christian Faith which being granted him he and all his Danes received Baptism King Edmund standing Godfather at the Font after which both Parties concluding a firm and a lasting Peace Edmund honourably returned to West-Sex The same Year dyed Abloic chief King of Ireland And the Year following Cadelh the Son of Arthuael a Nobleman of Wales was for what reason not discovered imprisoned by the English To revenge which Indignity Edwal Foel and his Brother Elis gathered their Forces together and fought against the English and Danes but were both unhappily slain This Edwal â—oel had six Sons Meyric Ievaf Iago Conan Edwal Fychan and Roderic And his Brother Elis had Issue Conan and a Daughter named Trawst the Mother of Conan ap Sitsylht Gruffydh ap Sitsylht and Blethyn ap Confyn which two last were afterwards Princes of Wales Howel Dha HOwel Dha had been for a considerable time Prince of south-South-Wales and Powis in which Government A.D. 940 he had so justly and discreetly behaved himself that upon the death of Edwal Foel he was worthily preferred to the Principality of Wales Notwithstanding that Edwal had left behind him several Sons who at first seem'd to murmure at and resent the Election of Howel Dha The first thing he took care of was to enact good and wholsom Laws for the benefit of his Country which held in force in Wales till the time of Edward the First when the Welch received the Laws of England yet not so generally but that in some places they continued long after and are still to be seen in the Welch and Latin Tongue For Howel Dha perceiving the Laws and Customs of his Country to have grown to great abuse sent for the Archbishop of Menevia with the rest of the Bishops and chief Clergy to the number of 140. and all the Barons and Nobles of Wales and ordered that Six of the wisest and best esteemed Persons in every Commote should be cited before him at his Palace called y Ty Gwyn ar Taf or the white House upon the River Taf. Thither coming himself he remained with his Nobles Prelates and Subjects for all the Lent in Prayers and Fasting imploring the assistance and direction of Gods Holy Spirit that he might reform the Laws and Customs of the Country of Wales to the Honour of God and the peaceable Government of his Subjects Towards the end of Lent he chose out of that Assembly Twelve of the wisest and gravest and Persons of the greatest Experience to whom he added Blegored a Man of singular Learning and one exquisitely versed in the Laws To these he gave commission to examine the antient Laws and Customs of Wales and to collect out of them what was requisite towards the Government of the Country according to which Charge they retained those that were wholsom and profitable expounded those that were doubtful and ambiguous and abrogated them that were superfluous and hurtful And so these Laws were distinguished into three sorts The first concerned the Order and Regulation of the King's Houshold and Court The second the Affairs of the Country and Common-wealth and the last had regard to special Customs belonging to particular Persons and Places All which being publickly proclaimed and generally allow'd of Prince Howel ordered three Copies to be written one for his own use another to be laid up at his Palace of Aberffraw and the third at Dinefawr so that the three Provinces of Wales might have easie recourse to either of them when need required And for the better observation of these Laws he caused the Archbishop of S. Davids to denounce Sentence of Excommunication against all such of his Subjects as would not obey the same Within a while after Howel to omit nothing that might procure any Countenance or Authority to these his Laws accompanied with Lambert Archbishop of S. Davids Mordaf Bishop of Bangor and Chebur of S. Asaph and Thirteen of the most prudent and learnedst Persons in Wales took a Journey to Rome where the said Laws being recited before the Pope were by his Holiness ratified and confirmed After which Howel with all â—his Retinue returned home to his Country The particulars of these Laws are too numerous to be here â—nserted only it is observable that all matters of Inheritance of Land were determined and adjudged by the Prince in Person or if sick by his special Deputy And that upon view of the same Land citing together the Freeholders of that place two Elders of his Council the chief Justice always attending in the Court the ordinary Judge of the Country where the Land lay and the Priest The Method of their proceeding was in this manner the Prince sate in his â—udicial-Seat above the rest of the Court with an â—â—lder on each hand next to whom the Freeholders on both sides who upon that account were probably called Vchelwyr Below the Prince at a certain distance sate the chief Justice having the Priest on his â—ight hand and the ordinary Judg of the Country concerned upon the left The Court being thus sate â—he Plaintiff with his Advocate Champion and Rhingylh or Sergeant stood on the left side of the Court as did the Defendant in like manner on the â—ight And lastly the Witnesses on both sides appearâ—d and stood at the lower end of the Hall directly opposite to the chief Justice to testifie the best of their knowledg in the matter in debate After the taking the Depositions of the Witnesses and a full pleading of the Cause in open Court upon notice given by the Sergeant the chief Justice the Priest and the ordinary Judg withdrew themselves for a while to consult of the matter and then secundum allegata probata brought in their Verdict Whereupon the Prince after Consultation had with the Elders that sate next him gave definitive Sentence excepting the Cause was so obscure and
intricate that the Justice of it could not appear and then the two Champions put an end to the Controversie by Combate Whilst Howel Dha is thus regulating the Customs and meliorating the Laws and Constitutions of Wales Aulafe and Regnald Kings of the Danes forcibly entered the Country of King Edmund who being vexed with their incessant Hostility gathered his Forces together and as some say by the help of Lhewelyn ap Sitsylht who was afterwards Prince of Wales followed them to Northumberland and having overcome them in a pitch'd Battel utterly chased them out of his Kingdom and remained a whole Year in those Parts to regulate and bring that Country to some quiet order But finding it impracticable to reduce the Inhabitants of Cumberland to any peaceable Constitution having spoiled and wasted the Country he gave it up to Malcolme King of Scotland upon condition that he should send him Succours in A.D. 942 his Wars whenever demanded of him In the mean time the Welch had but little occasion to rejoyce Hubert Bishop of S. Davids Marclois Bishop of Bangor A.D. 944 and Vssa the Son of Lhafyr being dead And shortly after the English entering into Wales with a very strong Army put the Country into a great consternation but being satisfied with the Destruction and Spoil of Strat Clwyd they returned home without doing any more Mischief The same time Conan the Son of Elis was like to be treacherously put to death by Poyson and Everus Bishop of S. Davids dyed The next Year Edmund King of England was unluckily slain upon S. Augustines day but the manner of his Death is variously delivered some say that discovering a noted Thief who was out-law'd sitting among his Guests being transported with Indignation against so confident a Villain ran upon him very furiously who expecting nothing less than Death thought to dye not unrevenged and therefore with a short Dagger gave the King a mortal Wound in the Breast Others report that as the King would have rescued a Servant of his from an Officer who had arrested him he was unwittingly and unhappily slain by the same But however his Death happened he lies buried at Glastenbury in whose place his Brother Edred was crowned King of England who no sooner had entered upon his Government but he made an Expedition against Scotland and Northumberland which being subdued he received Fealty and Homage by Oath of the Scots and Northumbrians which they did not long observe Shortly after Howel Dha after a A.D. 948 long and peaceable Reign over Wales dyed much lamented and bewailed of all his Subjects being a Prince of a religious and a virtuous inclination and one that ever regarded the Welfare and Prosperity of his People He left Issue behind him Owen Run Roderic and Edwyn betwixt whom and the Sons of Edwal Foel late Prince of North Wales great Wars and Commotions arose afterwards about the chief Rule and Government of Wales But the Sons of Howel Dha as some Writers record were these viz. Owen who did not long survive his Father Eineon Meredyth Dyfnwal and Rodri the two last whereof as is conceived were slain in the Battel fought near Lhanrwst in the Year 952. by the Sons of Edwal Foel Run Lord of Cardigan who was slain before the death of his Father Conan y Cwn who possessed Anglesey Edwin who was also slain as is supposed in the forementioned Battel There was also another Battel fought betwixt Howel and Conan ap Edwal Foel for the Isle of Anglesey wherein Conan fell and Gruffydh his Son renewing the War was likewise overcome and so Cyngar a powerful Person being driven out of the Island Howel enjoyed quiet possession thereof and of the rest of Gwynedh It is supposed that this Howel Dha was chosen Governour of Wales during the minority of his Uncle Anarawd's Sons who at the death of their Father were too young to manage the Principality which he kept till his return from Rome at which time Edwal Foel being come of age he resigned to him the Kingdom of Gwynedh or North-Wales together with the Sovereignty of all Wales Before which time Howel is styled Brenhin Cymry oll that is King of all Wales as is seen in the Preface to that Body of Laws compiled by him Ievaf and Iago the Sons of Edwal Foel AFter the death of Howel Dha his Sons divided betwixt them the Principalities of South-Wales and Powis laying no claim to North-Wales though their Father had been a general Prince of all Wales But Ievaf and Iago the Sons of Edwal Foel having put by their elder Brother Meyric as a Person uncapable of Government and being dissatisfied with the Rule of North Wales only imagined that the Principality of all Wales was their Right as descending from the elder House which the Sons of Howel Dha denyed them Indeed they had been wrongfully kept out of the Government of North Wales during the Reign of Howel in whose time the recovery of their own was impracticable by reason that for his Moderation and other good Qualities he had attracted to himself the universal Love of all the Welch But now he being gone they are resolved to revenge the Injury received by him upon his Sons and upon a small pretence endeavour to reduce the whole Country of Wales to their own subjection Ievaf and Iago were indeed descended from the elder branch but since Roderic the great conferred the Principality of South Wales upon his yonger Son Cadelh the Father of Howel Dha it was but just his Sons should enjoy what was legally descended to them by their Father But Ambition seldom gives place to Equity and therefore right or wrong Ievaf and Iago must have a touch for South-Wales which they enter with a great Army and being opposed they obtained a very opportune Victory over Owen and his Brethren the Sons of Howel at the Hills of Carno The next Year the A.D. 950 two Brothers entred twice into South-Wales destroyed and wasted Dyfet and slew Dwnwalhon Lord of the Countrey Shortly after which Roderic the third A.D. 951 Son of Howel Dha dyed But his Brethren perceiving the Folly of standing only upon the defensive muster'd A.D. 952 all their Forces together and entering North-Wales marched as far as Lhanrwst upon the River Conwy where Ievaf and Iago met them A very cruel Battel ensued upon this and a very great number were slain on both sides among whom were Anarawd the Son of Gwyriad the Son of Roderic the Great and Edwyn the Son of Howel Dha But the Victory plainly favoured the Brothers Ievaf and Iago so that the Princes of south-South-Wales were obliged to retire to Cardiganshire whither they were warmly pursued and that Country cruelly harrass'd with Fire and Sword The next Year Merfyn was unhappily A.D. 953 drowned and shortly after Congelach King of Ireland was slain The Scots and Northumbrians having lately sworn Allegiance to King Edred he was scarce returned to his own Country but Aulafe with a great Army landed
in Northumberland and was with much rejoycing received by the Inhabitants But before he could secure himself in the Government he was shamefully banished the Country and so the Northumbrians elected one Hircius the Son of Harold for their King But to shew the Inconstancy of an unsettled Multitude they soon grew weary of Hircius and after Three Years space expelled him and voluntarily submitted themselves to Edred who after he had reigned eight Years dyed and was buried at Winchester To him succeeded Edwin the Son of Edmund a Man so immoderately given to Venety that he forcibly married another Man's Wife for which and other Irregularities his Subjects after four Years reign set up his Brother Edgar who was crowned in his stead with A.D. 958 grief of which he soon ended his days The Summer that same Year proved so immoderately hot that it caused a very dismal Plague in the following Spring which swept away a great number of People before which Gwgan the Son of Gwyriad the Son of Roderie dyed At this time Ievaf and Iago forcibly managed the Government of all Wales and acted according to their own good Pleasures no one daring to confront or resist them But for all their Power the Sons of Abloio King of Ireland ventured to land in Anglesey and having burnt Holyhead wasted the Country of Lhyn Also the Son of Edwyn the Son of Colhoyn destroyed and ravaged all the Country to A.D. 961 Towyn where they were intercepted and slain About the same time dyed Meyric the Son of Cadfan Rytherch Bishop of S. Davids and Cadwalhon ap Owen Not long after the Country of North-Wales was cruelly A.D. 965 wasted by the Army of Edgar King of England the occasion of which Invasion was the non-payment of the Tribute that the King of Aberffraw by the Laws of Howel Dha was obliged to pay to the King of London But at length a Peace was concluded upon these Conditions that the Prince of north-North-Wales instead of Money should pay to the King of England the Tribute of 300 Wolves yearly which Creature was then very pernicious and destructive to England and Wales This Tribure being duly performed for two Years the third Year there were none to be found in any part of the Island so that afterwards the Prince of north-North-Wales became exempt from paying any Acknowledgment to the King of England A.D. 966 The Terror apprehended from the English being by these means vanished there threatned another Cloud from Ireland for the Irish being animated by their late Expedition landed again in Anglesey and having slain Roderic the Son of Edwal Foel they destroyed Aboffraw And this danger being over Ievaf and A.D. 967 â—ago who had jointly and agreeably till now managed the Government of Wales from the death of Howel â—ha began to quarrel and disagree among themselves and Iago having forcibly laid hands upon his Brother 〈◊〉 confined him to perpetual Imprisonment These Heats and Animosities between the two Brothers A.D. 968 gave occasion and opportunity to Owen Prince of south-South-Wales to carve for himself who presently â—eized to his hands the Country of Gwyr And to A.D. 969 â—ugment the Miseries of the Welch at this time Mactus the Son of Harold with an Army of Danes â—ntered the Isle of Anglescy and spoiled Penmon King Edgar was so indulgent to these Danes that he permitted them to inhabit through all England insoâ—uch that at length they became to be as numerous â—nd as strong as the English themselves and fell into â—uch lewd courses of Debauchery and such horrid Drinking that very great Mischief ensued thereupon The King to reform this immoderate Sottishness enacted a Law that very one should drink by measure and so stamped a Mark upon every Vessel how â—â—at it should be filled But Harold having taken Pennon A.D. 970 made subject to himself the whole Isle of Anglesey which however he did not keep long being forced to quit the same and to return home as did the Fleet of King Alfred which he had sent to subâ—ue Caâ—rlheon upon Vsc And now being rid of the A.D. 971 English and Danes the Welch begin to raise Commotions among themselves Ievaf continued still in Prison A.D. 972 to rescue whom his Son Howel raised his Power and marched against his Uncle Iago who being vanquished in sight was forced to quit the Country to â—ave himself Howel having won the day took his eldest Uncle Meyric the Son of Edwal Prisoner and pulled out both his Eyes clapt him in Prison where in a woful condition he shortly dyed leaving behind him two Sons Edwal and Ionafal the first of which lived to be afterwards Prince of Wales and to revenge upon the Posterity of Howel that unnatural Barbarity shewed to his Father But though Howel delivered his Father from his long and tedious Imprisonment yet he did not think fit to restore him to his Principality for whether by Age or Infirmity he was incapable Howel took upon him the sole Government of Wales which he kept and maintained for his life-time but afterwards it descended to his Brethren For Ievaf had Issue besides this Howel Meyric Iâ—vaf and Cadwalhan all three Men of great Repuâ—â— and Esteem About this time dyed Morgan Hên in his younger days called Morgan Mawr being an Hundred Yearâ— old having lived Fifty Years after the death of hâ—â— Wife Elen Daughter of Roderic the Great by whoâ— he had one Son called Owen Morgan was a valiant anâ— a victorious Prince and well beloved of his Subjects 〈◊〉 but sometime before his death Owen the Son oâ— Prince Howel Dha laid claim to Ystradwy and Eâ—y called the two Sleeves of Gwent Vwchcoed being thâ— Right of Morgan and seized upon them to his owâ— use But the matter through the mediation of the Clergy and Nobility being by both Parties referred to the decision of Edgar King of England it was by him adjudged that the said Lands did of right belong to Morgan and to the Diocess of Lhandaff and that Owen ap Howel Dha had wrongfully possessed himself of them The Charter of the said Award waâ— made before the Archbishops Bishops Earls and Barons of England and Wales at may be seen at Lhandaff in an old Manuscript called y Cwtta Cyfarwydd 〈◊〉 Forgannwg And there is somewhat to the same purpose in the old Book of Lhandaff only the mistake in both is that they make Howel Dha the Intruder into the said Lands who had been dead at least Twenty Years before King Edgar began his Reign Howel ap Ievaf HOwel after that he had expelled his Uncle Iago and forced him to quit his own Dominions â—â—ok upon himself the Government of Wales in â—â—ght of his Father who tho alive yet by reason of â—â—s Years was willing to decline it About the same 〈◊〉 Dwnwalhon Prince of Stradclwyd took his Jourâ—â—y for Rome and Edwalhon Son of Owen Prince â—f south-South-Wales died But the English received a â—â—eater Blow by the Death of King Edgar who was Prince of
in among them but in the Action was slain leaving no Issuâ— behind him to succeed in his Principality tho' 〈◊〉 some antient Genealogies he is reputed to have a Soâ— called Conan y Cwn Cadwalhon ap Ievaf HOwel the Son of Ievaf had for a long time enjoyed the Principality of North-Wales more by â—ain Force and Usurpation than any right of Sucâ—ssion he could pretend to it For Ionafal and Edwal â—â—e Sons of Meyric the eldest Son of Edwal Foel â—ere living and tho' their Father had been rejected 〈◊〉 unfit for Government yet that was no reason to â—eprive them of their Right Indeed Howel could â—â—etend to no other Right or Title than that his Faâ—â—er Ievaf had been Prince of north-North-Wales before 〈◊〉 and this he thought sufficient to maintain his â—ossession against the rightful Heir who was far unâ—â—le to oppose or molest his wrongful Usurpation â—â—â—t he being slain in this rash Expedition against the English and leaving no Issue to succeed him in the â—rown his Brother Cadwalhon thought he might rightâ—â—lly take upon him the Government of North-Wales â—eing his Father and his Brother had without any â—olestation enjoyed the same However to make his â—itle secure he thought fit to remove all manner of â—â—bs which might create any Dispute concerning his â—â—ght of Succession and to that end concluded it â—ecessary to make away his Cosins Ionafal and â—dwal the lawful Heirs the first of which he â—xecuted accordingly but Edwal being aware of his â—ntention privately made his escape and so prevented â—is wicked Design This unnatural Dealing with his Cousins Ionafal and Edwal cost Cadwalhon not only â—is Life but the loss of his Principality and the utter â—uin of his Father's House For he had scarce enjoyâ—d A.D. 985 his Government one Year but Meredith the Son â—f Owen Prince of south-South-Wales entred into North-Wales slew Cadwalhon and his Brother Meyric the â—nly remains of the House of Ievaf and under the pretence of Conquest possessed himself of the whole Country Here we may observe and admire the Wisdom of Providence in permitting Wrong and Oppression for some time to flourish and wax great and afterwards by secret and hidden Methods in restoring the Posterity of the right and lawful Heir 〈◊〉 the just and pristine Estate of his Ancestors Foâ— after the Death of Edwal Foel Meyric who by righâ— of Birth was legally to succeed was not only deprived of his just and righful Inheritance but had 〈◊〉 Eyes most inhumanly put out and being condemneâ— to perpetual Imprisonment for grief of being so barbarously treated quickly ended his Days But thâ—â— his Brothers Ievaf and Iago and Howel and Caâ—walhon the Sons of the former successively enjoyâ—â— the Principality of North-Wales yet not one diâ— naturally or free from the Revenge of Meyric's ejâ—ction For Ievaf was imprison'd by his Brother Iagâ— and he with his Son Constantine by Howel the Sâ—â— of Ievaf and afterwards Howel fell by the hands oâ— the English and his Brethren Cadwalhon and Meyâ—â— were both slain by Meredith ap Owen On the otheâ— side Edwal ab Meyric who was right Heir of North Wales after the Death of his Brother Ionafal escapâ—â— the snare intended by Cadwalhon and Meredith 〈◊〉 Owen after some time leaving North Wales exposeâ— to the Enemies by reason he had enough to do to preserve South-Wales Edwal was received of the North-Wales Men as their true Prince Meredith ap Owen A.D. 986 MEredith having won the Field and slain Cadwalhâ—â— and his Brother Meyric the only seeming Pretenders to the Principality of north-North-Wales took upoâ— himself the Rule and Government of it But before â—e could be well confirmed in his Dominions Godfryâ— â—he Son of Harold the third time entred into the â—sle of Anglesey and having taken Lhyarch the Son of Owen with 2000 Men Prisoners most cruelly put out â—is Eyes which so startled and struck such a Terror â—nto Prince Meredith that with the rest of his Army â—e forthwith made his escape and fled to Cardigan This loss to the Welch was the same Year seconded â—y another but of another sort for there happened â—uch a dismal and unusual Murren that the best part â—f the Cattle of Wales perished Neither were the â—nglish at this time free from Adversities and Trouâ—les for the Danes landed again in England with seâ—eral Armies and at Westport and Wâ—test gave two â—nglish Lords Godan and Britchwould such a blow â—hat the King was forced to buy his Peace with the â—ayment of 10000 Pound which was termed Dane â—elt But within a while after King Edelred violated â—nd brake the Peace himself and prepared a great â—eet thinking to vanquish the Danes at Sea But 〈◊〉 proved far otherwise and much contrary to his exâ—â—ctation all his Ships being either destroyed or â—aken together with the Admiral Alfric Earl of Mercin The Danes being animated with this Victoâ—y failed up to the Mouth of the Hâ—mber and landâ—â—g in York shire spoiled and destroyed the City of â—â—rk and Lindsey but in their march through Norâ—humberland were routed and put to flight by Godwyn â—nd Fridgist two English Generals who were sent to â—ppose them The same time Anâ—â—f King of Norway â—nd Swane of Denmark with 94 Gallies sailed up the Thames and besieged London which the Citizens to â—ravely defended that at length the Danes thought â—est to raise and quit the Siege But though they â—ould effect nothing upon the City yet the Country â—as at their mercy and therefore leaving their Ships â—hey landed and wasted with Fire and Sword all Kent Essex Sussex Surry and Hampshire Wherefore King Edelred instead of manly opposition in the Field â—ends Ambassadors to treat about another payment â—nd so the Danes being satisfied with a great Sum of Money and Victuals lay quiet that Winter at Southampton Upon this Composition Anlaf was invited by Adelred and Royally entertained and being dismissed with very many rich Presents he promised upon Oath to depart the Kingdom and never to molest it any more which he faithfully performed A.D. 987 Whilst the English and the Danes were thus for aâ— time agreed Ievaf the Son of Edwal having speâ—â— for several Years a retired and a private Life died And was quickly followed by Owen the Son of Hoâ—â—â— Dha Prince of south-South-Wales This Owen had thrâ—â— Sons Eineon who in his Father's time was slain by thâ— Rebels of Gwentland and Lhywarch who had 〈◊〉 Eyes put out by Godfryd the Son of Harold the Dâ—â— and Prince Meredith who had already Conquereâ— North Wales and now upon his Father's Death takeâ— possession also of South-Wales without any regard had to Edwyn and Theodore the Sons of Eineon his eldeâ—â— Brother But upon his advancement to his new Principality he was like to meet with no very small troubles for the Danes at Hampton quickly broke tâ—â— League with King Adelred and sailing towards thâ— West mightily annoyed the Coasts of Cornwal and Dâ—vonshire and at last landed in South-Wales
Haviâ—â— destroyed St Davids Lhanbadarn Lhanrhystyd Lhaâ—dydoch and several other Religious places the Couâ—try was so cruelly harassed and weakened that Princâ— Meredith was forced to compound with them and 〈◊〉 A.D. 988 pay a Tribute of one Peny for every Person withâ—â— his Dominions which in Welch was called Glwmaâ— otherwise the Tribute of the Black Army Anâ— Ireland too at this time received no inconsiderablâ— blow from the Danes who slew Elwmaen the Son 〈◊〉 Abloic King of the Country and so spoiled and râ—vaged that Kingdom that a great Number of the Naâ—tives perished by Famine A.D. 989 The year following Owen the Son of Dyfnwal a Maâ— of a considerable Note and Reputation among the Welcâ— was slain besides which nothing remarkable happeâ—ed this year But the next year Edwyn ap Eineon whâ— was right Heir to the Principality of South-Waleâ— having drawn to his help a great Army of English A.D. 990 â—nd Danes hostibly entered into Meredith's Country â—poiled all the Land of Cardigan Dyfed Gwyr Kydâ—ely and St. Davids and received Hostages of the Chief Persons of those Countries to own him as their rightful Prince To return these Outrages upon Edwyn Meredith destroyed the Town of Radnor spoilâ—d A.D. 991 Glamorgan and carried the Chiefest Men therein Prisoners who paying their Ransom were set at Liberty But whilâ— Wales was in this tottering Conâ—ition and scarce any place free from Hostility it happily fell out that Meredith and Edwyn were made Friends and the Differences composed between them â—o that the English and Danes who came in with Edwyn â—nd who expected to fare best by these Civil Disturbances of the Welch were unexpectedly cashiered and sent home And soon after this agreement Cadwalhon the only Son of Meredith died which rendered the Composition between Meredith and Edwyn more firm by reason that this latter thought now without any Dispute to succeed Meredith in his Principality But this fell short of his aim for Meredith being very much disturbed in South-Wales had â—o much work upon his hands to defend that Counâ—ry that he left North-Wales open and exposed to the Common Enemy which the Danes were quickly acquainted with and so landing in Anglesâ—y they ravaged and laid waste the whole Island The North-Wales Men finding themselves thus forsaken by Meredith and their Country like to be over-run by the Danes if not timely prevented set up Edwal the Son A.D. 992 of Meyric the indisputable Heir of North-Wales though long kept from it and owned him for their Prince But those incessant Wars and Commotions in south-South-Wales occasioned a very dismal Famine and Scarcity in the Country of which a very considerable number of People perished And thus Meredith who had once conquered North-Wales and for a long time had got possession of South-Wales without any Right or Title to either was now obliged to relinquish the one and was scarce able to maintain the other Edwal ap Meyric A.D. 993 EDwal after a long and tedious expectation being now joyfully received by the North-Wales Men for their Prince endeavoured the first thing to defend his Subjects from the Injuries and Depredations they received from the Danes And having in a measure effected that he was accosted by another Enemy for Meredith being resolved to Revenge the Indignity and Disgrace put upon him by the north-North-Wales Men in depriving him of the Government of their Country gathered and mustered together all his Power intending to recover again that Principality Being advanced as far as Lhangwm Edwal met him and in plain Battel routed his Army in which Action Theodor or Tewdor Mawr Meredith's Nephew was slain leaving behind him two Sons Rhys and Rytherch and a Daughter named Elen. But 't is probable that it was not Tewdor Mawr but his Brother Edwyn that was slain in this Battel which also seems rather to have been fought at Hengwm in Ardudwy in Merioneth shire than at Lhangwm for in that place there are to this Day certain Monuments of Victory to be seen as heaps of Stones Tomb-Stones and Columns which they call Carneddi Hengwm Edwal returning home triumphantly after this Victory thought he had now secured himself in his Government and expected to enjoy his Dominions quietly and without any molestation But he had scarce recovered the Fatigue of the last Engagement when Swane the Son of Harold having lately pillaged and wasted the Isle of Man landed in North-Wales whom Edwal endeavouring to oppose was slain in the Encounter leaving one Son behind him called Iago Within a while after the Danes returned again against St. Davids and destroying all before them with Fire and Swords slew Morgency or Vrgeney Bishop of that Diocese Prince Meredith being highly concerned at the Mischiefs these Barbarous People continually did to his Country and the more because he was not able to â—epel their Insolencies out of Grief and Vexation died having Issue one Only Daughter named Angharad who was twice Married first to Lhewelyn ap Sitsylhe and after his Death to Confyn Hirdref or â—as others think to Confyn ap Gwerystan She had Children by both Husbands which occasioned afterwards great Disturbances and Civil Commotions in Wales the Issue of both Adventures pretending a Right of Succession to the Principality of South-Wales Aedan ap Blegorad EDwal Prince of north-North-Wales being killed in the Battel against Swane and having no other Issue â—han Iago who was a Minor and too young to take upon him the Government and Meredith Prince of south-South-Wales dying without any other Issue than a Daughter caused very heavy Quarrels and Contentions among the Welch several without any colour of Right putting in their Claims and Pretensions to the Government In North-Wales Conan the Son A.D. 1003 of Howel and Aedan the Son of Blegorad were the chief Aspirers to that Principality and because they could not agree who should be the Man they fairly consented to try the matter in open Field where Conan had the misfortune to be slain and so Aedan was Victoriously proclaimed Prince of Noâ—th Wales But who this Aedan was descended from or what Colour or Pretence he could lay to this Principality cannot be as much as guessed at there being none of that Name to be met with in any Welch Records excepting that Blegorad who is mentioned in the Lire of Howel Dha whose Estate and Quality was too mean that his Posterity should lay any Claim to the Principality of Wales But be that how it will Aedâ— after his Victory over Conan ap Howel was owned Prince by the north-North-Wales Men over whom he bore Rule for the space of twelve Years tho' besides his Conquest of Conan ap Howel there be nothing recorded of him excepting his being slain together with his four Sons by Lhewelyn ap Sitsylhe But whilst the Welch are in this inconstant and unsettled Condition the Scots in Ireland began to grow powerful and having destroyed the Town and Country of Develyn they took Gulfath and Vbiad two Irish Lord prisoners whose Eyes they most
at Brentford and came to Kent in pursuit of â—nute who upon engaging was so shamefully defeatâ—d at first and his Men put to that terrible flight that â—ere wanted nothing of a full and absolute Victory â—â—t the true Loyalty of the Traytor Edric who perâ—â—iving the Victory to incline to Edmund and the â—anes like to receive their mortal and final Blow â—â—yed aloud Fled Engle Fled Engle Edmund is dead â—nd thereupon fled with that part of the Army under â—â—s command leaving the King over-power'd with â—umber By this Desertion the English were at the â—â—st overthrown and a great number slain among â—hom were Duke Edmund Duke Alfric Duke Godâ—yn and Vlfkettel the valiant Duke of the East-Anâ—â—es together with all the English Cavalry and a â—â—eat part of the Nobility After this Victory Cnute â—arched triumphantly to London and was crowned King but Edmund preparing to try his Fortune in anâ—ther Field muster'd together all the Forces he could â—nd meeting with Cnute in Gloucestershire intended â—o give him battel But considering what cruel and â—nnatural Bloodshed had already happen'd both geâ—erally agreed to put an end to this tedious Quarrel by â—â—ngle Combat and the place being appointed Edmund â—nd Cnute fell to it very vigourously till at last Cnute â—erceiving it impracticable to vanquish a Man of Iron Sides laid down his Weapon moving this Composition to divide the Kingdom fairly betwixt them Edmund was not displeased at the Offer and therefore both Parties submitted to this Decision that Edmund should rule the West-Saxons and the South Cnute in Mercia and all the North and so they parted Friends Cnute moving to London and Edmund to Oxford But Edric was not pleased that Edmund should have any share at all of the Government and therefore he is resolved to conspire against his Life and to deliver the whole Kingdom of England into the hands of Cnute of whom he might reasonably expect for this and other traiterous Services a very ample and an answerable return This he committed to one of his own Sons to put in execution an 〈◊〉 of the old stock and one early versed in wicked and traiterous Designs who perceiving the King to go 〈◊〉 stool thrust up a sharp Knife up his Fundament 〈◊〉 which Wound he presently dyed Edric being quickly certified of the Fact posted it up to London and with great Joy and loud Acclamations came to Cnutâ— greeting him as sole King of England and withal telling him in what manner and by whose means hâ—â— old Enemy King Edmund was assassinated and killed at Oxford Cnute though pleased at the death of Edmund was a Person of greater Honour than to commend so horrible a Deed though done to an Enemy and therefore told Edric that he would without faâ—â— take care to reward him as his Deserts required anâ— would advance him above all the Nobility of England which was quickly performed his Head being placeâ— upon the highest Tower in London for a Terrour 〈◊〉 such villainous Traytors to their King Edric being thus deservedly disappointed of the mighty Thoughâ— he entertained of Greatness upon the Advancemenâ— of King Cnute this generous Dane scorned his Basâ—ness and so having paid him a Traytors Reward caused Execution to be done upon all Edric's Complâ—ces and those that consented to the base Murther oâ— that brave Prince King Edmund About the same time there happen'd no small Disturbance A.D. 1015 and Commotions in Wales Lhewelyn ap Sytsylht having for some Years sate still and quiet began now to bestir himself and having drawn all his Forces together marched against Aedan who â—orcibly and without any legal Pretence had entred upon and for all this time had kept himself in the Government of North-Wales Aedan would not easily â—eject himself from what had been so long in his possession to maintain which he gave Lhewelyn Battel But the day going against him himself with his four Sons were slain upon the spot upon which Lheweâ—yn without any regard had to Iago the Son of Edwal the right Heir took upon himself the Title and Authority of Prince of all Wales His pretence to North-Wales was as being descended from Trawst Daughâ—er to Elis second Son to Anarawd who was the eldest Son of Roderic the Great and to South Wales as having married Angharad the onely Daughter of Meredith Prince of south-South-Wales by virtue of which Pretensions he assumed to himself the Government of all Wales Lhewelyn ap Sitsylht LHewelyn having as is said taken upon him the general Government of Wales managed his Charge with such Prudence and Moderation that the Countrey in a short time became very flourishing and prosperous Peace and Tranquility being established produced plenty and increase of all things necessary to humane Subsistence For there was none that could â—ay any Claim or Pretence to either of the Principalities excepting Iago the Son of Edwal who was indeed lawful Heir of North-Wales but either too weak to withstand or unwilling to disturb Lhewelyn's Title he lay quiet for a time expecting a better opportunity to recover his Right In the mean time Cnute being crowned King of all England marrieâ— Emma the Widow of King Edelred and for the better securing the English Crown to himself and his Heirs he thought it expedient to dispatch Edmund and Edward the Sons of Ironside out of the way But lefâ— such an execrable Fact should seem too black to be done in England he sent the two Youths to Solomâ—n King of Hungary willing him to use some convenient opportunity to take away their Lives which seemed to Solomon so very unnatural that instead of complying with Cnute's Request he educated and brought them up as his own Children But Cnute imagined now that his Fear was over and his busâ—ness effectually finished so that he could the more boldly demand of his Subjects what either his Necessity or Curiosity would prompt him to And reflecting with himself what excessive Expence he had been at in the Conquest of England was resolved that the English should repay him and therefore required a Subsidy of Seventy Two Thousand Pounds beside Eleven Thousand which the City of London contributed The same time Meyric the Son of Arthfael a Person of Quality in Wales rebelled and raised aâ— Army against Prince Lhewelyn who no sooner appeared in the Field to quell this male-contented General but manfully slew him with his own hand and easily discomfited his Followers The same time Cnute sailed over into Denmark and made War upon the Vaâ—dals who for all that they had a greater Army 〈◊〉 the Field were overcome by the imcomparable Valour of Earl Godwyn for which famous Action Cnutâ— had the English in great esteem ever after A.D. 1020 But Lhewelyn Prince of Wales though he had lately quell'd the Rebels headed by Meyric was now to encounter with another Difficulty which seemed to threaten greater Disturbance and trouble to him For a certain Person of a mean Quality in Scotland coming to South-Wales assumed the
Name of Run and puâ— out that he was the Son of Meredith Prince of south-South-Wales to whom joyned a great Number of the Nobility who had no great Affection to Lhewelyn and proclaimed Run Prince of south-South-Wales Lhewelyn being then in North Wales and certified of this famous Impostor drawing his Army together marched to meet him who with the whole strength of South-Wales then lay at Abe gwili where he abode the arrival of Lhewelyn When both Armies were ready to joyn battel Run makes a vaunting Speech to his Soldiers assuring them of Victory and so persuading them couragiously to fall on privately himself retired out of harms way there one might have observed on the one side a valiant Army under a cowardly General and on the other part a valiant and a noble Commander engaging with a slow and a faint-hearted Army for Lhewelyn like a bold and couragious Prince ventur'd into the midst of his Enemies whilst Run priâ—â—tely sneaked off out all danger and the south-South-Wales Men were more fierce and eager in the Cause of a Preâ—ender than the North Wales Men to maintain the Qâ—â—rrel of a Prince of their own Blood But after great slaughter on both sides the North Wales Men calling to mind the several Victories they had obtained and withal being in a very great measure animated by the incomparable Valour of their Prince fell on so warmly that they put their Enemies to flight and pursu'd Râ—â— so close that notwithstanding his several shifts he was at last overtaken and slain Lhewelyn after this Victory returned laden with Spoil into north-North-Wales and for some time lived peaceably and without Disturbance But the next Year Howel and Meredith the Sons of Edâ—yn conspired against him and slew him â—aving behâ—nd him a Son called Gruffydh ap Lhewelyn who afterwards though not immediately ascended to the Principality of North-Wales Iago ap Edwal AFter the death of Lhewelyn Iago the Son of Edwal the true Heir to the Principality of North-Wales who had been all his time wrongfully kept from it thought this the best opportunity to enter upon his Right by reason of the minority of Gruffydh the Son of Lhewelyn upon which pretence likewise Rytherch the Son of Iestyn forcibly assumed the Principality of South-Wales About the same time Cnute King of England sailed over to Denmark and Sweden against Vlf and Alaf who had moved the Finlanders against him whom he subdued with the loss of a great part of his Army as well English as Danes Within a while after his return to England he made 〈◊〉 very pompous and magnificent Journey to Rome more to satisfie his ambitious Temper and to signifie to the World his Greatness and Might which he express'd by his costly Presents and princely Behaviour than any way to make atonement for the Oppression and Bloodshed by which he had established himself in his Kingdom For what Holiness and Mortification he had learnt at Rome presently appeared upon his return to England for upon no provocation he marched with an Army into Scotland and forced Malcolm the King thereof together with Molbeaâ—â— and Jermare the Kings of the Orkners and Ewist to do him Homage A.D. 1031 But the Affairs of Wales were at this time very turbulent and uneasie for Howel and Meredith after the Murther of Prince Lhewelyn expected to enjoy some part of his Principality themselves but finding Iago to have seized upon north-North-Wales and Rytherch upon South-Wales and withal perceiving their own Power too weak to oppose their Designs they invited over the Irish-Scots to their aid against Rytherch ap Iestâ—â— Prince of south-South-Wales By the help of these Howel and Meredith prevailed over Rytherch who being at length slain they joyntly took upon them the Rule and Government of South Wales But this was not a sufficient title to establish them so firmly in it that their Usurpation would not be called in question for A.D. 1032 the Sons of Râ—therch presently after their Fathers death gathered their Forces together to fight with the Brothers Howel and Meredith who met at Irathwy where a cruel Battel was fought called Gwaith Irathwy and at last the Sons of Rytherch were put to flight But though these Victories the one over Rytherch and the second over his Sons seemed in a great measure to favour Howel and Meredith's pretence to and establishment in the Principality yet so unpardonable a Crime as the murther of â—hewelyn a Prince of so A.D. 1033 extraordinary Qualities could not remain long unrevenged for the Sons of Conan the Son of Sitsylht Prince Lhewelyn's Brother were resolved to return their Uncles Murther upon the two Usurpers which in a short time they effected against Meredith who met with the same end from the Sons of Conan that he had formerly inflicted upon Lhewelyn But these civil A.D. 1034 Discords in Wales were quickly discovered by the English who taking advantage of so fair an opportunity entered with a great Army into the Land or Gwent where after they had committed considerable Wasts for some time Caradoc the Son of Rytherch ap Iestyn gave them battel but was in that Engagement unhappily slain And shortly afterwards dyed King Cnute A.D. 1035 the most famous and mightiest Prince then in the Western Parts of the World whose Dominions extended over all Sweden from Germany almost to the North-Pole together with the Kingdoms of Norway and Denmark and the noble Island of Britain To him succeeded his Son Harold for his Swiftness surnamed Harefoot begotten upon Alwyn the Daughter of Duke Alselyn though several stickled firmly for Harâ—â—enute his other Son by Emma who was then in Denmark But Harold being once advanced into the Throne took care to establish himself as firmly as he could in it and to that end thought it expedient to banish out of his Dominions his Mother in Law Emma who was restless to promote the Interest of her own Son Hardycnute and to bring him to the Crown of England A.D. 1037 And whilst Harold was by these measures settled in his Throne Iago ap Edwal was just upon the point of losing his Principality of North Wales For Gruffydh the Son of Lhewelyn ap Sitsylht sometime Prince of north-North-Wales having once hinted a Rebellion against Iago was so generally encouraged and universally follow'd by all People for the love they bore to his Father that in a short time his Army mounted to an invincible number However Iago was not so throughly affrighted that he would deliver up his Principality without drawing Sword for it but providing for himself as well as he could and drawing together what Forces he was able he gave Gruffydh battel But his number being far too weak to oppose so great an Army as sided with Gruffydh was presently over-power'd and put to the rout and himself slain leaving after him a Son called Conan by his Wife Afandred Daughter to Gweir the Son of Pylh. Gruffydh ap Lhewelyn IAgo ap Edwal being killed Gruffydh ap Lhewelyn was received
with loud Acclamations and joyfully saluted Prince of north-North-Wales who treading in his Father's steps behaved himself in his Government with that Prudence and Conduct that he manfully defended his Country from the frequent Invasions of the English and Danes For he was scarce settled in his Throne when these inveterate Enemies of the Welch entered in an hostile manner into Wales and advanced as far as Crosford upon the Severn where Gruffydh met them and forced them shamefully to fly and retire back to their own Country From thence Gruffydh passed to Lhanbadarn Vawr in Cardiganshire which he laid in Ashes and afterwards marched through all the Country of South Wales receiving of the People Oaths of Fidelity and Subjection to him In the mean time Howel ap Edwyn Prince of south-South-Wales fled to Edwyn Brother to Leofric Earl of Chester and prevailed with him to come with an Army consisting of English and Danes to his aid against Gruffydh who meeting his Enemies in the Field easily overcame them Edwyn being slain upon the spot and Howel forced to preserve his Life by flight After which Victory Gruffydh having reduced all the Country of Wales to subjection returned again to North Wales But Howel as soon as he could recover himself and A.D. 1039 recruit his Army entred again into South-Wales intending the recovery of that Principality which he was now so well assur'd of that he brought his Wife with him to the Field to let her see how easily he could conquer and overcome Prince Gruffydh 〈◊〉 too great an assurance of Victory seldom proves prosperous which Howel presently experienced for Gruffydh meeting with him at Pencadair gave him so warm an Entertainment that he was forced presently to take his Heels which however could not so well secure him but that he was narrowly pursued and his Wife who was to be entertained with the Conquest of Gruffydh on the contrary saw her self taken Prisoner by him and forced to comply so far to his humour as to be his Concubine The same time Harold King of England died and was succeeded by his Brother Hardycnute a Prince very famous for Hospitality and a great lover of good Chear having his Table covered four times a day with great plenty and variety of Dishes with other Superfluities for all Comers But he likewise dying at Lambeth after two Years reign the English agreed to send for Alfred the eldest Son of Edelred from Normandy and to make him King This Message by no means pleased Earl Godwyn a Man of great sway now in England who knowing Alfred to be a person of greater spirit than to permit him to domineer as he pleased endeavoured all he could to dissuade the English from sending for Alfred He shewed them how dangerous it was to permit a warlike Nation to take root in their Country and how well Alfred was accompanied with Normans to whom he had promised the chief Places and Rule of the Kingdom by which and other like Insinuations he so disgusted the English Nobility against the Normans that to diminish their number they put every tenth Man to death But seeing this was not sufficient they acted the same part over again and tythed them the second time and being highly enraged against the Normans they lead Alfred who had brought them over from Gilford where this Execution was committed to Gillingham where having put out his Eyes they removed him to Ely and there at length pitifully murthered him Then they sent for Edward out of Normandy and made him King who according to his promise to Earl Godwyn married â—is Daughter Edith a Lady much commended not only for Beauty Modesty and other feminine Qualifications but also beyond what is requisite for a Woman Learning But King Edward did not deal so favourably with her Brother Swane Son to Earl Godwyn who upon some Distaste was banished England and thereupon forced to betake himself to Baldwyn Earl of Flanders by whom he was very honourably received A.D. 1041 These Troubles and Revolutions in England were succeeded by others of no less consequence in Wales For Howel not brooking to be kept so shamefully out of his Kingdom returns again the third time into South-Wales where he had not continued long but a great number of Strangers landed in the West of Wales and advancing farther into the Country pillaged and destroyed all places they came to Howel tho desirous to reserve his Army to fight with Prince Gruffydh yet could not behold his Country so miserably wasted and over-run by Strangers and thinking moreover that by so charitable an Action he should win the universal Love of the south-South-Wales Men drew up his Forces against them and overtaking them at Pwll Fynach forced them with much loss to retire to their Ships which Action was call'd in Welch Gwaith Pwll Fynach At the same time Conan the Son of Iago ap Edwal who was forced for fear of Prince Gruffydh to flee to Ireland with the Forces of Alfred King of Dublin whose Daugher named Ranulph he had married landed in north-North-Wales and having by some treacherous Stratagem taken Gruffydh triumphantly carried him Prisoner towards his Ships This unhappy accident being discovered and publickly known the North Wales Men did rise on a sudden and so unexpectedly overtook the Irish that they easily recover'd their Prince and drove his Enemies with great slaughter to their Ships who without any farther consultation were glad to strike sail with Conan for Ireland And now Wales both North and South is free from all foreign Invasion and Howel as yet too weak to dispute his Title with Gruffydh so that A.D. 1042 the next Year could be subject to no great Action in which nothing happen'd remarkable saving the death of Howel the Son of Owen Lord of Glamorgan a Man of great Quality and Esteem in Wales But as A.D. 1043 soon as Howel could call in his Danes to whom he added all the Forces he could raise in South-Wales he intended presently to march against Prince Gruffydh But he being aware aforehand to what end those Levies were designed prepared against the ensuing storm and to avert the War from his own Country marched courageously to South Wales not fearing to face an Enemy whom he had shamefully vanquished twice already Both Armies being joyned Gruffydh easily overcame and pursued Howel as far as the Spring-Head of the River Towy where after a long and a bloody Fight Howel was at last slain and his Army so universally routed that few escaped with their Lives But though Howel was dead yet there remained still more Pretenders to the Principality of South-Wales so that Gruffydh was in no great prospect to enjoy the same peaceably For as soon as it was published that Howel's Army was defeated and himself slain Rytherch and Rhys the Sons of Rytherch ap Iestyn put in their claim to South-Wales in right of their Father who had once enjoyed the Sovereignty of that Country And in order to the recovery of the same they
drew together a great Army consisting partly of Strangers and partly of such as they could raise in Gwentland and Glamorgan and marched to fight with Gruffydh The Prince according to his usual manner detracted no time but animating and solacing his Soldiers with the remembrance of their former Victories and Conquests bid the Enemies battel which proved so very bloody and terrible that nothing could part them beside the darkness of the Night This Battel so tired and tamed both Armies that neither was very desirous of another Engagement and so one being unwilling to set upon the other they both agreed to return to their own Habitations The same time Joseph Bishop of Teilo or Llandaf died at Rome But both Armies being separated Prince Gruffydh enjoyed a quiet and unmolested Possession of all Wales for about Two Years after which the Gentry of Ystrad Towy treacherously slew 140 of the choice of his Army which he took in so high an indignation that to revenge their death he destroyed all Dyfed and Ystrad Towy About the same time Lothen and Hyrling two Danish Pyrats with a great number of Danes landed at Sandwich and having plundered the Town returned again to their Ships and sailed for Holland where they sold the Booty they had taken and then returned to their own Country Shortly afterwards Earl Swayn came out of Denmark with Eight Ships and returned to England and coming to his Fathers House at Pevenese humbly requested of him and his Brothers Harold and Tostie to endeavour his reconciliation with the King Earl Beorned too promised to intercede for him and going to Swayn's Fleet to sail to Sandwich where the King then lay he was by the way most treacherously and ungratefully murthered and his Body cast upon the shoar which lay there exposed till his Friends heating of the Fact came and carried it to Winchester and buried it by the Body of King Cnute â—eorned 's Uncle Swayn having committed this most testable Murder put himself again under the Proâ—â—ction of the Earl of Flanders not daring to shew 〈◊〉 Face in England till his Father by earnest Mediâ—â—on wrought his Peace with the King This Year Conan the Son of Iago raised again an â—â—my of his Friends in Ireland and sailed towards â—ales purposing to recover his Inheritance in 〈◊〉 Country But when he was come near the â—â—lch Coast there suddenly arose such a violent â—â—â—rm that his Fleet was presently scattered and â—â—st of his Ships drowned which rendered this Expeâ—â—â—ion ineffectual About the same time Robert Archâ—â—â—hop of Canterbury impeached Earl Godwyn and his 〈◊〉 Swayn and Harold of Treason and the Queen 〈◊〉 Adultery and upon the account of their non-â—â—â—earance when cited before the Peers at Glocester 〈◊〉 Queen was divorced and Godwyn and his Sons â—â—nished who with his Son Swayn fled to Flanders 〈◊〉 Harold to Ireland But these unlucky Clashings â—â—d the many Troubles that ensued thereupon hapâ—â—â—ed upon this occasion Eustace Earl of Bologne beâ—â—â— Married to Goda the King's Sister came over this â—aâ— to England to pay King Edward a Visit and in 〈◊〉 return to Canterbury one of his Retinue forcibly â—â—manding a Lodging provoked the Master of the â—â—use so far as by Chance or Anger to kill him Euâ—â—â—e upon this Affront returns back to the King and 〈◊〉 the insinuâ—tions of the Archbishop makes a loud â—â—mplaint against the Kentish-men to repress whose â—â—olencies Earl Godwyn is commanded to raise Forâ—â—â— which he refusing to do for the Kindness he bore 〈◊〉 his Country-men of Kent the King summons a â—â—rliament at Glocester and commands Godwyn to â—â—pear there But he mistrusting either his own â—use or the Malice of his Adversaries gathered a â—â—werful Army out of his own and his Sons Earlâ—â—ms and marched towards Glocester giving out â—â—â—t their Forces were to go against the Welch who â—â—â—ended to invade the Marshes But King Edward â—â—â—ng satisfied by the Welch that they had no such Design in hand commanded Godwyn to dismiss his Aâ—my and to appear himself to answer to the Articles exhibited against him Godwyn refusing to obey the Kiâ—â— by the Advice of Earl Leofrick summoned an Asseâ—bly at London whither a great Number of Forces aâ—rived from Mercia which Godwyn perceiving and wiâ—â—al finding himself unable to withstand the King â— proceedings privately retired with his Sons out 〈◊〉 the Kingdom and fled into Flanders Whereupon the King issued out an Edict proclaiming Godwâ—â— and his Sons Out-Laws and then confiscating thâ—â—â— Estates bestowed them upon others of his Nobiliâ—â— And to pursue his Displeasure the farther he Divâ—â—ced his Queen Edith Earl Godwyn's Daughter aâ—â— committed her to a Cloyster where in a mean Coâ—dition she spent some part of her Life In the distâ—â—bution of the forfeited Estates Adonan obtained 〈◊〉 Earldoms of Devon and Dorset and Algar the Sâ—â— of Leofrick that of Harold But Godwyn could 〈◊〉 patiently behold his Estate bestowed upon anotheâ— and therefore having hired some Men and Ships 〈◊〉 Flanders he sailed to the Isle of Wight where aâ—â—â—â— that he had made a sufficient havock he put in 〈◊〉 Portland which he treated after the same manâ—â—â— The same time Harold having sailed from Ireland 〈◊〉 length met with his Father and then with their unâ—â—â—â— Navy they burnt Preveneseny Romney Heath Fâ—â—â—ston Dover and Sandwich and entering the Thâ—â—â—â— they destroyed Cheppey and burnt the King's Hoâ—â— at Middletown Then they sailed up the River â—â—wards London where the King's Army being reaâ—â— to oppose them a Treaty of Peace was by the meâ— of Bishop Stigand agreed upon which proved so â—â—fectual of Godwyn's side that the King received 〈◊〉 again to his Favour restored him and Sons to all thâ— Estates re-called the Queen and banished the Arâ—â—bishop with all the French-men who had been pâ—â—moters of that unhappy Suspicion the King had enâ—â—â—tained of them About this time Rhys Brother to Gruffydh Prâ—â—â—â— of Wales who by several Irruptions upon the Bordeâ—◠〈◊〉 considerably gauled and damaged the English â—â—s taken and put to Death at Bulendun whose â—â—â—d being cut off was presented to the King then Glocester But he received better News some time 〈◊〉 from the North for Siward Earl of Northumberâ—â—â—d having sent his Son against Macbeth King of â—â—gland vanquished the Scots tho not without the 〈◊〉 of his Son and many others both English and â—â—nes But Siward was not cast down at his Son 's â—â—â—th but enquiring whether he received his Death's â—â—nd before or behind and being assured that it 〈◊〉 before replied He was very glad of it for he â—â—d not wish his Son to die otherwise After this â—tory King Edward marched in Person to Scotland and having again overcome Macbeth in Battel made the whole Kingdom of Scotland Tributary the Crown of England The next year Earl â—â—â—â—yn sitting with the King at Table sunk down â—â—d of a sudden being choak'd as 't is thought in â—â—llowing a morsel of Bread whose Earldom the â—â—ng bestowed upon his
Promise Then he declared to them the Pretence he had to Claim the Crown of England that Edward had given him formerly an absolute Promise in Normandy that if ever he enjoyed the English Crown William should be his Heir which Title tho' in it self weak and insignificant served William's purpose well enough to make an Expedition against an Intruder Duke William's Pretence seemed plausible enough to the Norman Nobility but the Difficulty of the Undertaking and the Danger of this Expedition was something perplexive and made them less inclinable to encourage so precipitous an Undertaking which they the more disliked upon the persuasion of William Fitzosbert the Duke's Sewer whom they pitched upon to deliver their thoughts as to the Expedition unto the Duke But he instead of disswading him from this Voyage politickly declared that himself with all his Power were ready to live and die with him in this Expedition which the rest hearing could not but offer the Duke their Service in the same manner and so all things were prepared for an Invasion of England In the mean while Tosty full of Indignation at his Brother's advancement to the Crown entered the River Humber with forty Sail but meeting with Earl Edwyn who came to oppose him he was forced after a considerable Encounter to bear off and secure himself by flight But meeting with Harold King of Norway upon the Coast of Scotland coming for England with 300 Sail he joined his Forces with Harold and so both together entring the Humber they landed their Army and marched to York where the Earls Edwyn and Marcher unsuccessfully gave them Battel Having pillaged and destroyed that City they passed on to Stamford-Bridge and there met with King Harold who with a well disciplined Army was come to stop their farther carreer After a long and a terrible Fight and much blood-shed on both sides the Norwegians began at last to give back which the English perceiving sell on so manfully that few or none escaped with their Lives Harold and Tosty being also slain upon the spot One of the Norwegians is deservedly recorded for his incomparable Exploits performed in this Battel who with incredible Valour maintaining the Bridge against the whole Strength of the English Army for above an hour with his single Resistance delayed their Victory and having slain a great number of his Enemies he seemed invincible till in the end no one daring to grapple with him fairly he was run through with a Spear from under the Bridge and so by his fall a Passage was opened for pursuit to compleat the Victory King Harold over-joyed with this Success triumphantly entered into York and whilst he was making merry with his Nobles at a sumptuous Feast News came that Duke William of Normandy was safely landed at and began to Fortify himself in Hastings with which Tidings being no way dashed as fearing nothing after his late Victory he forthwith marched towards him and as soon as he was arrived in Sussex without any consideration of the Fatigue his Army had underwent in their March bid William Battel The Duke dividing his Army into five Battalions made a long harangue to his Soldiers wherein he repeated and commended the Noble Acts of their Ancestors the Danes and Norwegians who had perpetually vanquished the English and French and other Nations as many as they had to do with how that themselves being well Horsed and Armed were now to engage with a People void of both who had no other Defence to trust to than the nimbleness and swiftness of their Heels Both Armies being joyned upon the 14th of October Duke William after some hours Engaging ordered his Army so to retire as if they seemed to fly which the English perceiving broke their Ranks in haste of pursuing the supposed Chase which falling out according to the Duke's expectation he sent in a fresh supply of Normans who falling upon the confused Battalions of the English easily overcame them and Harold receiving first a Wound by an Arrow was at length slain and then both the Field and the Victory was left to the Normans The day being thus won William from this time called the Conqueror went strait to London where he was received with all possible Formality and upon Christmas-Day solemnly Crowned King of England This change and Alteration in England was afore prognosticated by a Comet which appeared in the Spring of this Year upon which a certain Poet made the following Verses Anno milleno sexageno quoque seno Anglorum metae stammas censere Cometae King William having established himself in the A.D. 1067 Crown of England passed over the next Year to Normandy so to settle Affairs there as afterwards they might have no need of his presence In the mean while Edgar Edeling taking Avantage of his absence returned from Scotland to York being declared King by the Inhabitants of that Country who had already slain Robert upon whom William had bestowed that Earldom with 900 of his Men. But the King upon his return from Normandy presently marched to the North and having sufficiently revenged himself upon the Inhabitants by wasting and destroying their Country chased Edgar to Scotland again The like Advantage Edric Sylvaticus the Son of Alfric Earl of Mercia embraced who refusing to own any Submission to the Conqueror took the opportunity of his departure to Normandy to fall foul upon such as were appointed Vicegerents and Governours of the Kingdom in his absence Whereupon Richard Fitzscrope Governor of the Castle of Hereford with the Forces under his Command so bitterly gauled him by wasting and consuming his Lands and carrying off the Goods of his Tenants that he was compelled to desire Aid of Blethyn and Rywalhon Princes of Wales by whose help to recompence the Loss he had received he passed into Hereford and after that he had over-run and pillaged the Country to Wyebridge returned back with exceeding great Booty But no sooner were Blethyn and Rywalhon arrived in North-Wales but they received News of a Rebellion raised against them by Meredith and Ithel the Sons of Gruffydh ap Lhewelyn who had drawn together a considerable number of Men upon pretence of recovering the Principality of North-Wales which they said was fraudulently detained from them Blethyn and Rywalhon did not delay to march to find the Enemies and meeting with them at a place called Mechain without any farther Ceremonies set upon the Rebels who behaved themselves so gallantly that after a Fight of several hours they wanted nothing but Number to compleat the Victory There fell in this Battel on the one side Prince Rywalhon and on the other Ithel who being slain Meredith was forced to give Ground and endeavour to save himself by flight which could not secure him he being narrowly pursued by Blethyn that in fine he was glad to escape to the Mountains where for want of Victuals and other Necessaries he quickly perished leaving Blethyn ap Confyn sole Prince of north-North-Wales and Powis During these Welch
Disturbances Swane King of Denmark and Osburn his Brother with 300 Sail came up the Humber and being joyned by Edgar Edeling and Earl Waltelfe marched to York and taking the Castle disposed of their Forces to Winter Quarters betwixt the Rivers of Ouse and Trent The King understanding the Matter posted to the North whose coming so dashed the Confederates that they quickly dispersed their Power and the Danes escaped to their Ships and the King having taken Vengeance upon the rebellious Inhabitants of the Country and upon his submission having pardoned Earl Waltelfe returned back to London Blethyn ap Confyn A.D. 1070 ABout the same time Caradoc Son to Gruffydh ap Rytherch ap Iestyn all this while being sorely dissatisfied that he could not attain to the Principality of South Wales invited over a great Number of Normans to whom he joined all the Forces he could raise out of Gwentland and other Parts of Wales Then setting upon Prince Meredith who was far too weak to Encounter so considerable an Army gave him an easy over-throw near the River Rymhy where Meredith was slain and so Caradoc obtained the Government of south-South-Wales which for a long time he had endeavoured sinistrously to encompass He had sometime afore procured Harold to make an Invasion upon Gruffydh ap Lhewelyn purposely that himself might arrive at the Principality of South-Wales and failing then of his expectation he now invites over the Normans not being willing to trust the English any more by reason that he had so ungratefully been balked by Harold So that it seems he cared not by what course or by whose means he should gain his point though it were by the Ruin and Destruction of his Country which hitherto he had earnestly promoted Being at length advanced to his long expected Government of South-Wales which though not recorded seems yet very probable by reason that his Son Rytherch ap Caradoc enjoyed the same very soon after he did not enjoy this Honour long but dying in a short time after his Advancement left to succeed him his Son Rytberch ap Caradoc At the same time that Caradoc carried on this Rebellion in Wales the Earls Edwyn Marcher and Hereward revolted from the King of England but Edwyn suspecting the success of their Affairs and determining to retire to Malcolm King of Scotland in his Journey thither was betrayed and slain by his own Followers Then Marcher and Hereward betook themselves to the Isle of Ely which though sufficiently fortified was so warmly besieged by the King that Marcher and his Accomplices were in a short time forced to surrender themselves up Prisoners only Hereward made his escape to Scotland But the King followed him close and after he had received Homage of Malcolm King of Scotland returned back to England and after a short stay here passed over to Normandy where he received Edgar Edeling again to Mercy The next Year the Normans having already tasted A.D. 1071 of the sweetness of wasting and plundering a Country came over again to Wales and having spoiled and destroyed Dyfed and the Country of Cardigan returned home with very great Spoil and the following Year sailed over again for more Booty About the same time Bleythyd Bishop of S. Davids died and was succeeded by one Sulien But this was not all the Misfortune that befel the Welch for Radulph Earl of the East-Angles together with Roger Earl of Hereford and Earl Waltelpe entered into a Conspiracy against King William appointing the day of Marriage between Radulph and Roger's Sister which was to be solemnized in Essex to treat of and conclude their Design Radulph's Mother was come out of Wales and upon that account he invited over several of her Friends and Relations to the Wedding meaning chiefly by this seeming Affection by their help and procurement to bring over the Princes and People of Wales to favour and assist his Undertaking But King William being acquainted with the whole Plot quickly ruined all their Intrigues unexpectedly coming from Normandy surprized the Conspirators only Radulph who either doubted of the success of their Affairs or else had intimation given him of the King 's landing before hand took shipping at Norwich and fled to Denmark Waltelpe and Roger were executed and all the other Adherents more particularly the Welch some of whom were hanged others had A.D. 1073 their Eyes put out and the rest were banished Soon after Blethyn ap Confyn Prince of Wales was basely and treacherously murthered by Rhys ap Owen ap Edwyn and the Gentlemen of Ystrad Tywy after he had reigned 13 Years A Prince of singular Qualifications and Virtues and a great Observer of Justice and Equity towards his Subjects he was very liberal and magnificent being indeed very able having a prodigious and almost an incredible Estate as appears by these Verses made upon him Blethyn ap Confyn bôb Cwys Ei hûn bioedh hên Bowis He had four Wives by whom he had Issue Meredith by Haer Daughter of Gylhyn his first Wife Lhywarch and Cadogan by the second Madoc and Riryd by the third and Iorwerth by his last Trahaern ap Caradoc BLethyn being as is said traiterously Murdered there was no regard had to his Issue as to their fight of Succession but Trahaern ap Caradoc his Couâ—in-German being a Person of great Power and Sway â—n the Country was unanimously elected Prince of north-North-Wales and Rhys ap Owen with Rytherch ap Caradoc did joyntly govern South-Wales Trahaern indeed had none of the least Pretence to that Principality as having married Nest the only surviving Issue of that great Prince Gruffydh ap Lhewelyn his two Sons Meredith and Ithel being lately slain in their attempt against Blethyn and Rywalhon But his Title could not secure him in his Government as much as his possession since there was one still living tho' not much regarded who without any Dispute was true Heir â—nd Proprietor of the Principality of North-Wales And this was Gruffydh Son to Conan Son to Iago ap Edwal who being informed of the Death of Blethyn ap Confyn and the Advancement of Trahaern thought this a proper time to endeavour the Recovery of what was truly his Right and out of which he had been all this time most wrongfully excluded Wherefore having obtained help in Ireland where he privately sojourned during the Reign of Blethyn ap Confyn from Encumalhon King of Vltonia Ranalht and Mathawn two other Kings of that Country he sailed for Wales and landed in the Isle of Anglesey which he easily reduced and brought to subjection At the same time Cynwric ap Rywalhon a Noble-Man of Maeler or Bromfield was slain in North-Wales but how or upon what account is not known But whilst Gruffydh ap Conan endeavours to dispossess Trahaern out of North-Wales Gronow and Lhewelyn the Sons of Cadwgan ap Blethyn having united their Forces with Caradoc ap Gruffydh ap Rytherch intended to revenge the Murther of their Grandfather Blethyn ap Confyn upon Rys ap Owen
and Rytherch 〈◊〉 Caradoc the joynt Rulers of South-Wales And the marching confidently to find them both Armies meâ— together and fought at a place called Camdhwr wheâ— after a sore Engagement the Sons of Cadwgan at length obtained a glorious Victory In North Wales the same time Gruffydh ap Conan having established his Possession of the Isle of Anglesey intended to proceed farther in the Continent of Wales to which end having transported his Forces over the River incampâ—â—â— in the neighbouring Countrey of Carnarvonshire prâ—posing to reduce North-Wales by degrees Trahaâ—â— ap Caradoc being informed of this Descent of Grâ—fydh's made all possible speed to prevent his farther progress and having made all necessary Preparation that the shortness of the Opportunity would permit he drew up his Forces to Bronyr Erw where he gave Gruffydh battel and in fine put him to a shamefuâ— flight so that he was glad to retire back safe tâ— Anglesey A.D. 1074 The next Year Rytherch ap Caradoc Prince of south-South-Wales dyed being murthered through the unnaturaâ— Villainy of his Cosin-German Meyrchaon ap Rhys ap Rytherch after whom Rhys ap Owen obtained the soâ—â— Government of South-Wales But his enjoyment oâ— the whole Principality was not very lasting and scarcâ— A.D. 1075 at all void of Trouble and Vexation of War Foâ— shortly after the death of Caradoc the Sons of Cadwgan thinking they might easily now foil and vanquish one seeing they had sometime ago victoriously overcome both Princes together with all the Forces they could raise set upon Rhys again at a place called Gwanyffyd who not being able to endure their Number was rouâ—ed and forced to flee however the Blow was not so mortal but that Rhys gathered together new Levies by the help of which he was embolden'd still to maintain himself in his Principality But Fortune which had advanced him to the Crown seemed now to frown at and cross all his Endeavours and Undertakeings and being reduced to a very weak condition in the 〈◊〉 Battel he was set upon by a fresh Enemy before 〈◊〉 could have sufficient time to recover and recruit â—â—self For Trahaern ap Caradoc Prince of North-â—ales perceiving the Weakness and Inability of Rhys make opposition against any foreign Enemy that â—â—â—aded his Territories thought it now very feasible 〈◊〉 obtain the Conquest of south-South-Wales and then 〈◊〉 annex it to his own Principality of North-Wales â—â—ing egg'd on by these pleasant Imaginations he disâ—â—â—ched his Army to South-Wales to fight with Rhys 〈◊〉 so with all the Forces he could possibly levie as layâ—â—g his whole Fortune upon the event of this Battel â—â—dly met him at Pwlhgwttic where after a tedious â—â—ght on both sides Rhys having lost the best part of his â—â—my was put to flight and so warmly pursu'd that â—â—er long shifting from place to place himself with his â—â—other Howel fell at length into the hands of Caradoc 〈◊〉 Gruffydh who put them both to death in revenge 〈◊〉 the base Murther of Blethyn ap Confyn by them â—â—merly transacted The Principality of South-Wales â—â—ing thus vacant by the death of Rhys ap Owen Rhys â—â—n to Theodor ap Eineon ap Owen ap Howel Dha â—â—lawful Heir to that Government put in his Claim â—hich being very plain and evident so prevailed with â—â—e People of the Country that they unanimously â—â—ected him for their Prince much against the expeâ—â—tion of Trahaern ap Caradoc Prince of north-North-Wales â—he next Year S. Davids suffer'd greatly by Strangers A.D. 1077 â—ho landing there in a considerable number spoiled â—â—d destroyed the whole Town shortly after which â—â—rbarous Action Abraham Bishop of that Sea â—â—ed and then Sulien who the Year before had â—â—linquished and resigned up that Bishoprick was â—ompelled to resume it The Government of all Wales both North and A.D. 1079 â—â—uth had been now for a long time supply'd by Usurâ—ers and forcibly detained from the right and legal â—nheritors but Providence would suffer Injustice to â—eign no longer and therefore restored the rightful Heirs to their Principalities Rhys ap Theodor had actual possession of South-Wales and there wanteâ— no more at this time but to bring in Gruffydh ap Câ—nan to the Principality of North-Wales both the Princes being indisputably right and lawful Heirs 〈◊〉 their respective Governments as lineally descendeâ— from Roderic the Great who was legal Proprietor 〈◊〉 all Wales Gruffydh ap Conan had already reduced thâ— Isle of Anglesey but not being able to levy a sufficieâ— Army from thence to oppose Trahaern he invited oâ— a great Party of Irish and Scots and then with 〈◊〉 whole Army joyned with Rhys ap Theodor Prince 〈◊〉 south-South-Wales Trahaern in like manner associating himself Caradoc ap Gruffydh and Mailyr the Sons 〈◊〉 Rywalhon ap Gwyn his Cosin-Germans the greatest aâ—â— most powerful Men then in Wales drew up his Fâ—â—ces together with resolution to fight them Boâ—â— Armies meeting upon the Mountains of Carno a teâ—rible and a cruel Battel ensued presently thereupon which proved the more fierce and bloody by reasâ—â— that both Parties resolutely referred their whole Foâ—tune to the success of their Arms and Life woâ—â—â— prove vain if the Day was lost But after a disâ—â—â— Fight on both sides the Victory fell at last to Gruffyâ—â— and Rhys Trahaern with his Cosins being all slain 〈◊〉 the Field after whose death Gruffydh took possessâ—â—â— of North Wales and so the Rule of all Wales afâ—â—â— a tedious interval was again restored to the rigâ—â— Line About the same time Vrgency ap Sitsyâ—â—â—â— Person of noble Quality in Wales was treacherouâ— murthered by the Sons of Rhys Sais or the Englisâ—man by which Name the Welch were accustomâ—â— to denominate all Persons as either had lived any coâ—siderable time in England or could fluently and hanâ—somly speak the English Tongue Gruffydh ap Conan GRuffydh ap Conan being confirmed in the Principality of North-Wales and Rhys ap Theodor in â—â—â—t of South-Wales there was no body that could â—â—â—ate them any Molestation or Disturbance upon the â—â—count of Right which was unquestionably just that they quietly enjoyed for some time their reâ—â—â—ctive Dominions without apprehension of any other â—â—â—â—etender Indeed it had seldom been known before â—â—â—t that one of the Princes was an Usurper and parâ—â—â—ularly in north-North-Wales where from the time of Edâ—â—â— Foel none had legally ascended to the Crown â—â—â—cepting Edwal the Son of Meyric eldest Son to â—â—wal Foel in whose Line the undoubted Title of â—â—rth-Wales lawfully descended And the right Line â—â—â—ng now restored in Gruffydh ap Conan the same leâ—â—lly continued to Lhewelyn ap Gruffydh the last â—â—ince of the British Blood But during these Revoâ—â—tions in Wales some things memorable were transaâ—â—ed in England Malcolm King of the Scots descenâ—â—ng into Northumberland ravaged and destroyed the â—ountry without Mercy carrying away a great numâ—â—r of Prisoners after which the Northumbrians fell â—â—on Walter Bishop of Durham whom they slew toâ—â—ther with a hundred Men whilst he sate keeping
of â—â—ourt not dreaming of any such treacherous Villainy â—â—he same time Robert Curthoys the Bastards eldest Son â—â—eing for some reason disgusted against his Father and â—â—t on by the instigation of the King of France enâ—â—red Normandy with an Army and claimed it as his â—â—ight which King William being acquainted with â—â—ssed over to Normandy and meeting with his Son â—and to hand in Battel was by him overthrown â—ut being returned from Normandy he entered with 〈◊〉 great Army into Wales and marching after the manner of a Pilgrimage as far as S. Davids he offered aâ—â— paid his Devotion to that Saint and afterwards â—â—ceived Homage of the Kings and Princes of the Coâ—â—try About the same time the Tomb of Walwey Kiâ—â— Arthurs Sister Son a most valiant Person in his tiâ—â— and Governour of that Country from him calâ—â—â— Walwethey was discovered in the Country of 〈◊〉 nigh the Sea-shoar whose Body proved monstrouâ—â—â— prodigious being in length about fourteen foot A.D. 1086 This year Madawc Cadwgan and Riryd the Son 〈◊〉 Blethyn ap Confyn sometime Prince of Wales raise◠〈◊〉 Rebellion against Rhys ap Tewdor and having draâ—â— together a great number of licentious and maleconteâ—ted People thought to eject him out of the Principâ—lity of South-Wales Rhys had not Power and fâ—â—ces enough to oppose them the Rebels Army increâ—sing daily by the addition of the discontented Muâ—â—â—tude who always rejoyce at any new Commotion 〈◊〉 Disturbance and therefore he was compell'd to 〈◊〉 to Ireland where he obtained a very considerable pâ—â—â— of Irish and Scots upon promise of a sufficient Râ—ward in case he was restored again to his Principaliâ—â— Having by this measure got a very sensible increase his former strength he landed in South-Wales tâ—â— News of whose arrived being blazed abroad 〈◊〉 Friends from all quarters presently retired to him that in a short time his Army became numerous aâ—â— able to confront the Enemy The Rebels were seâ—sible how the Princes Forces daily multiplyed aâ—â— therefore to prevent any farther addition they maâ— all possible haste to force him to a Battel which iâ— a short time after happened at Lhech y Creu where thâ— Rebels were vanquished Madawc and Riryd being slaiâ— and Cadwgan glad to save his Life by flight Rhys having won so signal a Victory and fearing no farther Disturbance dismissed the Irish and Scots with greaâ— Rewards who honourably returned to their owâ— A.D. 1087 Country Within a while after an unaccountablâ— Sacriledg was committed at S. Davids the Shriâ—â— belonging to the Cathedral being feloniously convey'd out of the Church all the Plate and other Utensiâ—â— were stoln and only the Shrine left empty behind â—he same Year a Civil-War broke out in England â—â—d several Armies in several parts of the Kingdom â—ere up in Arms at the same time and among the â—â—st the Welch who entering into Glocester and Worâ—â—ster Shires burnt and destroyed all before them to â—â—e Gate of Worcester The King having drawn his â—rmy together proceeded against his Enemies by deâ—â—ees and falling upon their seperate Parties without â—â—y great difficulty reduced all to Obedience Withâ—â— A.D. 1089 two Years after Archbishop Sulien the most pious â—â—d learned Person in Wales dyed in the Eightieth â—ear of his Age and in the Sixteenth Year of his Biâ—oprick presently after whose death the Town of 〈◊〉 Davids suffered a more sensible Calamity being first â—undered and afterwards burnt by a company of Pyâ—â—ts who sorely infested the British Coasts About â—â—e same time also dyed Cadifor the Son of Calhoyn â—ord of Dyfed whole Sons Lhewelyn and Eineon moâ—â—d Gruffydh ap Meredith to take up Arms against his â—overeign Prince Rhys ap Tâ—wdor with whom they â—yned all the Forces they couly levy among their â—enants and Dependants then passing with their Arâ—y to Lhandydoch boldly challenged Rhys to fight â—ho thereupon gave them battel and after a resolute â—ngagement of both sides the Rebels were at length â—orsted and put flight and then so narrowly pursued â—hat Gruffydh ap Meredith was taken Prisoner and in â—ne executed as a Traitor But Eineon made his â—scape and not daring to trust himself with any of â—is own Kindred he fled to Iestyn ap Gurgant Lord â—f Morganwc who was then in actual Rebellion â—gainst Prince Rhys And to ingratiate himself the â—hore in Iestyn's favour he promised upon condition â—f the performance of certain Articles one of which more especially was That he should receive his Daughter in Matrimony That he would bring over â—o his aid a considerable Body of Normans with whom he was singularly acquainted as having served a long time in England These Articles being agreed to and recorded Eineon posted to England and in a little time brought matters so about that he prevailed with Robert Fitzhamon and Twelve more Knights to levâ— A.D. 1090 a strong Army of Normans and to come to Wales tâ— the protection and aid of Iestyn The beginning of the following Year they landed in Glamorganshire and were honourably received by Iestyn who joyning his Power to theirs marched to Prince Rhys his Domininions where without the least shew of Mercy to his own Countrymen he encouraged the Normans by his own Example to spoil and destroy all that came before them Prince Rhys was mightily grieved to finâ— his Country so unmercifully harassed and though aâ— this time very antient being above 98 Years of age he could not refrain but meet his Enemies and having with all possible speed raised a convenient Army hâ— met with them near Brecnock where after a terrible Fight and a great slaughter on both sides he was unhappily slain With him fell the Glory and Grandeâ—â— of the Principality of South-Wales being afterwards rent in pieces and divided into several parts and piece-meals among these Norman Captains as shall be by and by more particularly related Prince Rhys less Issue behind him by the Daughter of Rywalhon ap Coâ—fyn two Sons Gruffydh and Grono the latter of which was detained Prisoner by the King of England thâ—â— the Author of the winning of the Lordship of Glamagan affirms that he was slain together with his Father in this Battel against the Normans The Normans having received a sufficient Reward from Iestyn upon the account of their Service against Prince Rhys returned to their Ships in order to their Voyage homeward But before they could loose Anchor to sail off Eineon recalled them being ungratefully affronted by Iestyn who absolutely refused to make good to him the Conditions which they had agreed upon before the Normans were invited to Wales Upon this account Eineon was so irreconcilably incensed against Iestyn that to be revenged upon him he was willing to sacrifice his native Country into the hands of strangers and therefore endeavoured to persuade the Normans concerning the Fatness and Fertility of the Country and how easily they might conquer and make themselves Masters of it But he needed not many Arguments to persuade a People that were willing of themselves
especially being encouraged thereto by a Person of some esteem in the Country whereupon without any more Questions they presently fell to their business and from Friends became unexpectedly Foes Iestyn was much surprised to find the Normans whom he had but lately honourably dismissed from his service and as he thought with Satisfaction so soon become his Enemies but â—erceiving a Serpent in the Hedg and Eineon so amiâ—ably great among them he quickly guessed at the â—eason of which there was no other remedy left but â—o bewail the unnecessary Folly of his own Knavery The Normans easily dispossessed Iestyn of the whole Lordship of Glamorgan the most pleasant and fertile â—art of which they divided among themselves leaâ—ing the more mountainous and craggy ground to the â—hare of Eineon The Knights who accompanied Fitzhamon in this Expedition were William de Lonâ—res or London Richard de Grena villa oâ— Greenfield Paganus de Turberville Robert de S. Quintino or Quinâ—n Richard de Sywarde Gilbert de Humfrevile Roâ—er de Berkrolles Reginald de Sully Peter le Soore Iohn le Fleming Oliver de S. John William de Esterâ—ing or Strading These Persons having distributed â—hat fair and pleasant Lordship among themselves and â—onsidering that they were much better provided for â—ere than they could be at home settled in Glamorgan where their Posterity have continued to this time And â—ere we may observe what a Train of Circumstances â—oncurr'd together in favour of the Normans having â—ossession of this Lordship For had not Eineon beâ—ng vanquished by Prince Rhys fled to Iestyn rather â—han to another or had not Iestyn been so vain as to â—ttempt the Conquest of south-South-Wales and to that end â—onsented to the Advice of Eineon there had been â—o necessity of inviting the Normans at all to Wales And then the Normans being arrived had not Iestyn â—â—ngenteely violated his Promise and refused to perform the Articles agreed upon between him and Eineon or had not Eineon pursued so desperate a Revenge but satisfied his Passion upon Iestyn without prejudice to his Country the Normans would have returned home with satisfaction and consequently could never have been Proprietors of that noble Country they then forcibly possessed And now again the Welch experienced the dangerous Consequence of calling in a foreign Nation to their aid the Saxons had already dispossessed them of the best part of the Island of Britain and now the Normanâ— seized upon a great part of that small Country which had escaped the Sovereignty and Conquest of the Enâ—lish But here it will be necessary to lay down the state and condition of this Lordship of Morgannwe oâ— Glamorgan and what share each particular Knight obtained in the distribution of it The Lordship of Glamorgan reaches in length 2â— Miles even from Rymny-Bridge to the East to Pâ—â—â— Conan Westward and in breadth from Aberthâ—â— otherwise Aberdaon on the South-part to the Confines of Brecnockshire above Morleys Castle 22 Miles This being a Royal Lordship the Lords thereof owing no other Subjection than Obedience only to the Crown assumed to themselves all the Priviledges of 〈◊〉 regal Court excepting only the pardoning of Criminals in case of Treason And not only Glamorgan but the several petty Lordships of which it consisted namely Sengennyth Myscyn Ruthin Lhanblethâ—â— Tir Iarlh Glyn Rothney Avan Neth Coyty Talava and Lantuit or Boviarton exercised the same Privelege of Jura Regalia with this difference only that in case of wrong Judgment in these Courts appeâ—â— might be made in the County-Court of Glamorgan which being superiour to the rest had power to reverse any Judgment given in them Within thâ— Lordship were 18 Castles and 36 Knights Fees besides the Town and Castle of Kynfig the Town of Cowbridge or Pont Vaen and the Town and Castle of Caerdà f in the latter of which the Lord of Glamorgan chiefly resided wherein the County-Couâ—â— was monthly kept The annual Revenue of this Lordship amounted to a Thousand Marks whereof Four Hundred was allowed for the Fees and Sallary of the several Officers belonging to the same This Lordship of Glamorgan Robert Fitzhamon kept to himself and the others he distributed between his several Followers namely to William de Londres he gave the Castle and Mannor of Ogmore to Richard Greenfield the Lordship of Neth to Paine Turberville that of Coyty to Robert S Quintine Lhan Blechyan to Richard Syward Talavan to Gilbert Humfrevile the Castle and Mannor of Penmarc to Reginald Sully the Castle and Mannor of Sully to Roger Berkrolles that of East Orchard to Peter le Scor that of Peâ—erton to John Fleming that of S. George to John S. John that of Fonmon or Fenvon and lastly to William le Esterling or Stradling that of S. Donats But that these Knights should have dependence upon and might seem to hold their several Lordships and Estate from him Robert Fitzhamon appointed them their several Apartments in his Castle of Caerdà f where they were obliged to give their attendance at every Court-day which was monthly kept upon Monday But about the same time that Robert Fitzhamon took the Lordship of Glamorgan Barnard Newmarch a Nobleman likewise of Normandy obtained by Conquest the Lordship of Brecknock and Henry de Newburgh Son to Roger de Bellemont by the Conquerour made Earl of Warwick the Country of Gower But Barnard Newmarch gave the People of Wales some small Satisfaction and Content by marrying Nest the Daughter also of Nest Daughter to Lhewelyn ap Gruffydh Prince of Wales by whom he had Issue a Son called Mahael This worthy Gentleman being legally to succeed his Father in the Lordship of Brecknock was afterwards disinherited by the Malice and Baseness of his own unnatural Mother The occasion was thus Nest happening to fall in admiration of a certain Knight with whom she had more than ordinary Familiarity even beyond what she exprest to her own Husband Mahael perceiving her dissolute and loose Behaviour counselled her to take care of her Fame and Reputation and to leave off that scandalous Liberty which she took and afterwards meeting casually her Gallant coming from her fought and grievously wounded him Upon this Nest to be revenged upon her Son went to Henry the First King of England and in his presence took her corporal Oath that her Son Mahael was illegitimate and not begot by Barnard Newmarch her Husband but another Person by virtue of which Oath or rather Perjury Mahael was disinherited and his Sister whom her Mother attested to be legitimate was bestowed by the King upon Milo the Son of Walter Constable afterward Earl of Hereford who in right of his Wife enjoyed the whole estate of Barnard Newmarch Lord of Brecnock Of this Milo it is reported that telling King Henry of a strange Accident which had occurred to him by Lhyn Savathan in Wales where the Birds upon the Pond at the passing by of Gruffydh the Son of Rhys ap Theodor seemed by their chirping to be in a manner overjoy'd The King
replyed It was not so wonderful for although says he we have violently and injuriously oppressed that Nation yet it is manifestly known that they are the lawful and original Inheritors of that Country But whilst the Normans were thus carving for themselves in Glamorgan and Brecnock Cadogan ap Blethyn ap Confyn towards the end of April entered into Dyved and having ravaged and destroyed the Country returned back But within Eight Weeks after there succeeded him a more fatal Enemy for the Normans landing in Dyved and Cardigan began to fortifie themselves in Castles and other strong places and to inhabit the Country upon the Sea-shoar which before was not in their possession Indeed the Normans having by the connivance of the Conquerour already got into their hands all the best Estates in England began now to spy out the Commodities of Wales and perceiving moreover how bravely Robert Fitzhamon and Barnard Newmarch had sped there thought they might as well expect the like fortune Wherefore having obtained a Grant from King William who readily consented to their Request because by this means he killed two Birds with one Stone procured to himself their utmost Service upon occasion and withal provided for them without any Charge to himself they came to Wales and so entered upon the Estates appointed them by the King which they held of him by Knight-service having first done Homage and sworn Fealty for the same Roger Montgomery Earl of Arundel did Homage for the Lordships of Powis and Card gan Hugh Lupus Earl of Chester for Tegengl and Râ—fonioc together with all the Land lying upon the Sea shoar to the River Câ—nwey Arnulph a younger Son of Roger Montgomery for Dyved Barnard Newmarch for Brecnock Ralph Mortimer for Eluel Hugh de Lacy for the Land of Ewyas Eustace Omer for Mold and Hapredale and several others did the like Homage for other Lands But Roger Montgomery who by the Conquerour was created Earl of Arundel and Shrewsbury entered in an hostile manner into Powys-land and having won the Castle and Town of Baldwyn fortified it in his own right and called it Montgomery after his own Name King William of England was now in Normandy and busily engaged in a War against his Brother Robert by the advantage of whose absence Gruffydh ap Conan Prince of north-North-Wales and Cadogan ap Blethyn who now ruled in South Wales with joynt Forces entered into Cardigan and slew a great number of Normans whose Pride and excessive Cruelties towards the Welch were altogether intolerable But after sufficient execution there being returned home the Normans sent for more Aid from England which being arrived they thought to make a private in-road into North-Wales and so to be revenged upon the Welch But their Design being happily discovered to Cadogan he drew up his Forces to meet them and then unexpectedly setting upon them in the Forest of Yspys after a very warm Resistment of the Normans side forced them to retire by slight and then triumphantly marching through Cardigan and Dyved he destroyed all the Castles and Fortifications in the Country besides Pembrock and Rydcors which proved too strong and impregnable A.D. 1093 The next Year the Normans who inhabited the Country of Glamorgan fell upon and destroyed the Countries of Gwyr Kidwely and Ysâ—â—âd Tywy which they harrassed in such a cruel manner that they left them bare of any People to inhabit And to increase as it was thought the Miseries of the Welch King William Rufus being informed of the great slaughter which Gruffydh ap Conan and the Sons of Blethyn ap Confyn had lately committed upon the English as well within Cheshire Shropshire Worcestershire and Herefordshire as within Wales entered the Country at Montgomery which place the Welch having sometime since demolished King William lately rebuilt But the Welch kept all the Passages through the Woods and Rivers and all other Streights so close that the King could effect nothing considerable against them and therefore when he perceived that his labour was but lost in continuing in those Parts he forthwith decamped and returned with no great Honour back to England But this retreat of King William was not altogether so favourable to the Interest of the A.D. 1094 Welch as the death of William Fitz-Baldwyn who was Owner of the Castle of Rydcors and did the greatest mischief and hurt to the South-Wales Men of any other He being dead the Garrison of Rydcors which was wont to keep the Welch in continual a we forsook that place and by that means gave opportunity to the Inhabitants of Gwyr Brecnock Gwent and Gwentlhwe to shake off that intolerable Yoak the Normans forced upon them who after they had rob'd them of their Lands kept them in perpetual subjection But now William Fitz-Baldwyn being dead and the Garrison of Rydcors scatter'd they ventur'd to lay violent hands upon the Normans who thought themselves free from all fear and prevailed so successfully that they drove them all out of the Countrey and recover'd their own antient Estates But the Normans liked that Country so well that they were resolved not to be so easily befooled out of what they had with a great deal of Pains and Danger once possessed and therefore having drawn a great number of English and Normans to their aid they were desirous to venture another touch with the Welch and to return if possible to their once acâ—uir'd Habitations But the Welch so abhorr'd their Pride and tyrannical Dominion over them when they were Masters that they were resolved not to â—e subject to such Tyrants again and therefore they â—oldly met them at a place called Celly Iarfawc and â—et upon them so manfully the very apprehension of Servitude whetting their Spirits that they put them â—o flight with great slaughter and drove them out of â—he Country The Normans however were not so absolutely routed with this Overthrow but like a Fly in the night which destroys it self in the Candle they must needs covet their own Distruction their greediness egging them on to venture with few what was not practicable to be effected by many Therefore they came as far as Brecnock with this absolute â—ow and Resolution not to leave one living thing remaining in that Country But they fell short of their Policy the People of the Country being removed to a narrow Streight to expect their passing â—hrough whither the Normans being advanced they fell upon them and killed a great number of them About the same time Roger Montgomery Earl of Salop and Arundel William Fitzeustace Earl of Glocester Arnold de Harecourt and Neal le Vicount were slain by the Welch between Caerdà f and Brecnock and Walter Eureux Earl of Sarum Rosmer and Mantiâ—ake Hugh Earl of Gourney were wounded who afterwards dyed in Normandy The Normans finding that they continually lost ground thought it not advisable to stay any longer and therefore having placed sufficient Garrisons in those Castles which they had formerly built they returned with what speed they
could to England But all the haste they did make could not secure them from the Fury of the Welch for Gruffydh and Ifor the Sons of Ednerth ap Cadogan expected them privately at a place called Aberlhech where falling unexpectedly upon them they slew the greatest part of their number the rest narrowly escaping safe to England But the Norman Garrisons which were left behind defended themselves with a great deal of Bravery till at last finding no prospect of Relief they were forced for their own safety to deliver them up to the Welch who from that time became again Proprietors of those Places which the Normans had dispossess'd them from And this encouraged the Welch to undertake other things against the English for immediately after this certain of the Nobility of North-Wales Vchthed the Son of Edwyn ap Grono by name together with Howel ap Grono and the Soâ—â— of Cadogan ap Blethyn of Powys-land passed by Cardigan into Dyved which Country King William had given to Arnulph Son to Roger Montgomery who had built thereon the Castle of Pembrock and appointed Gerald de Windsore Governour of the same and destroying all the Country with Fire and Sword excepting Pembrock Castle which was impregnable they returned home with a great deal of Booty In recompence of this when the Lords of North-Wales were returned Gerald issued out of the Castle and spoiled all the Country about S. Davids and after he had got sufficient Plunder and taken divers Prisoners returned back into the Castle A.D. 1095 The Year following King William being return'd from Normandy and having heard how that the Welch had cut off a great number of his Subjects in Wales gathered all his Power together and with great Pomp and Ostentation entered the Marches resolving utterly to eradicate the rebellious and implacable humour of the Welch Nation But after all this Boast and seeming Resolution he durst venture no farther than the Marches where having built some few Castles he returned with no greater Honour A.D. 1096 than he came But the next Spring Hugh de Montgomery Earl of Arundel and Salop by the Welch â—â—med Hugh Goch and Hugh Fras or the sat Earl 〈◊〉 Chester being invited by some disaffected Welch â—â—rds came into North-Wales with a very great â—â—my Prince Gruffydh ap Conan and Cadogan ap â—â—â—thyn perceiving themselves to be too weak to â—â—pose so numerous an Army and what was worse â—â—â—ng very suspicious of the Fidelity and Honesty of â—â—â—ir own Forces thought it their best way to take 〈◊〉 Hills and Mountains for their safety where they â—â—re like to remain most secure from the Enemy â—â—en the English Army marched towards Anglesey 〈◊〉 being come over against the Island they built 〈◊〉 Castle of Aberlhiennawc But Gruffydh and Caâ—â—an could no longer endure to see their Country â—â—er run by the English and therefore they descendâ—â— from the Mountains and came to Anglesey thinkâ—â—g with what Succours they should receive from â—â—â—land of which they were disappointed to be able 〈◊〉 defend the Island from any attempt that should 〈◊〉 made upon it And now the whole Treason and 〈◊〉 occasion of the English coming to Wales was â—â—â—covered for Owen ap Edwyn the Prince his chiefâ—â—â— Counsellour whose Daughter Gruffydh had marâ—â—â—d having himself also married Everyth the Daughâ—â—â— of Confyn Aunt to Cadogan upon some private â—â—rudge or other called in the English into Wales â—â—d at this time openly joyned his Forces with â—â—eirs and led the whole Army over into Anglesey â—ruffydh and Cadogan finding how they were beâ—â—ayed by their dearest Friend as they thought for â—â—â—r of farther Treachery judged it prudent to sail â—â—â—vately for Ireland after whose departure the Engâ—â—â—h fell cruelly to work destroying all they could â—â—me at without any respect to either Age or Sex â—nd whilst the English continued in Anglesey Magâ—â—s the Son of Harold lately King of England came â—ver with a great Fleet intending to lay faster hold â—pon that Kingdom than his Father had done and 〈◊〉 recover the same to himself But whilst he steered â—is Course thitherward he was driven by contrary Winds to the Coasts of Anglesey where he would fain have landed had not the English Army kept him off But in this Skirmish Magnus accidentally wounded Hugh Earl of Salop with an Arrow in the Face whereof he dyed and then of a sudden both Armies relinquished the Island the English returning A.D. 1097 to England appointing Owen ap Edwyn who invited them over Prince of the Country But Owen did not enjoy the Principality long for in the beginning of the following Spring Gruffydh ap Conan and Cadogan ap Blethyn returned from Ireland and having concluded a Peace with the Normans for some part of their Lands in Wales Gruffydh remained in Anglesey and Cadogan had Cardigan with part of Powys But though Cadogan recovered his Estate yet in a little while after he lost his Son Lhewelyn who was treacherously murthered by the Men of Brecnock at which time also dyed Rythmarch Archbishop of S. Davids the Son of Sulien being in the 43 Year of his Age a Man of the greatest Piety Wisdom and Learning as had flourished a long time in Wales excepting his Father under whose A.D. 1098 Tutelage he was educated The Year following King William Rufus as he was hunting in the new Forrest was accidentally stain with an Arrow which one Walter Tyrrell shot at a Stag and his eldest Brother being then engaged in the Holy War Henry his younger Brother whom in his life-time he had nominated his Successor was crowned in his stead The same Year Hugh Earl of Chester Grono ap Cadogan and Gwyn ap Gruffydh departed this life A.D. 1100 About two Years after a Rebellion broke out in England Robert de Belesmo the Son of Roger de Montgomery Earl of Salop and Arnulph his Brother Earl of Pembrock took up Arms against King Henry which he being informed of sent them a very gracious Message to come before him and declare their Grievances and the reason of their rising up in Arms against his Majesty But the Earls instead of appearing in Person sent him flight and frivolous Excuses and in the mean while made all necessary Preparations for the War both by raising of Forces and fortifying their Castles and strong Holds And to strengthen themselves the more they sent rich Presents and made large Promises to Iorwerth Cadogan and Meredith the Sons of Blethyn ap Confyn for to bring them to their side Robert fortified four Castles namely Arundel Tekinhil Shrewsbury and Brugge which last by reason that Robert built it without the consent of the King was the chief occasion of this War and Arnulph fortified his Castle at Pembrock After this they entered in an hostile manner into the Territories of the King of England wasting and destroying all before them And to augment their strength Arnulph sent Gerald his Steward to Murkart King of Ireland desiring his Daughter in Wedlock which was
easily granted with the Promise too of great Succours and large Supplies King Henry to put a stop to their bold Adventures marched in person against them and laying siege to the Castle of Arundel wan it without any great Opposition and quickly afterwards the Castle of Tekinhill but that of Brugge by reason of the scituation of the place and the depth of the Ditch about it seemed to require longer time and harder service and therefore King Henry was advised to send privately to Iorwerth ap Blethyn promising him great Rewards if he forsook the Earl's part and came over to him urging to him what Mischief Roger Earl Robert's Father and his Brother Hugh had continually done to the Welch-Men And to make him the more willing to accept of his Proposals he promised to give him all such Lands as the Earl and his Brother had in Wales without either Tribute or Homage which was a part of Powys Cardigan and half Dyfed the other part being in the possession of William Fitz-Baldwyn Iorwerth receiving these Offers accepted of them very gladly and then coming to the King he sent all his Forces to Earl Robert's Lands who having received very strict Orders destroyed without Mercy every thing they met with and what made the Spoil the greater Earl Robert upon his rebelling against King Henry had caused his People to convey all their Goods to Wales for fear of the English not thinking how his Father's Memory sounded among the Welch But when the News of Iorwerth's Revolt reached the Ears of the Earl Cadogan and Meredith Iorwerth's Brothers their Spirits began to faint as despairing any longer to oppose the King since Iorwerth who was the Person of greatest strength in Wales had left and forsaken them Arnulph was gone to Ireland to fetch home his Wife and to bring over what succour his Father in Law King Murkart could afford to send him but he not coming in time some other Method was to be tryed how to get some Aid against the English A little before this Rebellion broke out Magnus Harold's Son landed the second time in the Isle of Anglesey and being kindly received by Gruffydh ap Conan he had leave to cut down what Timber he had need for and so returning to the Isle of Man which he had got by Conquest he built there three Castles and then sent to Ireland to have the Daughter of Murkart in marriage to his Son which being obtained he created him King of Man Earl Robert hearing this sent to Magnus for Aid against King Henry but receiving none he thought it now high time to look to his own Safety and therefore he sent to the King requesting that he might quietly depart the Kingdom in case he should lay down his Arms which the King having granted he sail'd to Normandy And then King Henry sent an Express to his Brother Arnulph requiring him either to follow his Brother out of the Kingdom or to deliver himself up to his Mercy and so Arnulph went over also for Normandy When the King was returned to London Iorwerth took his Brother Meredith Prisoner and committed him to the King's custody his other Brother Cadogan having reconciled himself beforehand to whom Iorwerth gave Cardigan with a part of Powys Then Iorwerth went to London to put the King in mind of his Promise and the Service he had done him against Earl Robert but the King finding now all matters at quiet was deaf to all such Remembrances and instead of promising what he had once voluntarily proposed against all Rules of Equity and Gratitude he took away Dyfed from Iorwerth and gave it to a Knight of his own called Saer and Stratywy Cydwely and Gwyr he bestowed upon Howel ap Grono and sent Iorwerth away more empty than he came Nor was this sufficient Reward for his former Services but the next Year King Henry must send some of his Counsel to Shrewsbury and cite Iorwerth to appear there A. D. 1101. under pretence of consulting about the King's Business and Affairs in those Parts But the Plot was laid deeper and when without any suspicion of Treachery he made his appearance he was surprizedly attainted of High-Treason and then contrary to all Right and Justice actually condemn'd to perpetual Imprisonment the true reason of this unparallel'd Severity being the King feared his Strength and was apprehensive that he would revenge the Wrong and Affront he received at his hands And indeed well had he reason to fear that when he so ungratefully treated him whose Service he had experienced to be so greatly advantagious to him But the Policy of Princes is unaccountable and whether to value an eminent Person for his Service or to fear him for his Greatness is a Subject that frequently disturbs their most settled Considerations But the Noblemen that were at this time sent by the King to Shrewsbury were Richard de Belmersh who being chief Agent about Roger Montgomery Earl of Salop was preferred to the Bishoprick of London and afterwards appointed by this King to be Warden of the Marches and Governour of the County of Salop. With him were joyned in company Walter Constable the Father of Milo Earl of Hereford and Rayner the King's Lieutenant in the County of Salop. About this time as Bale writes the Church of Menevia or S. Davids began to be subject to the See of Canterbury being always afore the Metropolitan Church of all Wales A.D. 1102 Shortly after this Owen ap Edwyn who had been Author of no small Mischief and Disturbance to the Welch in moving the English against his natural Prince and Son in Law Gruffydh ap Conan departed this Life after a tedious and miserable Sickness of which he was so much the less pityed by how much he had proved an Enemy and a Traytor to his native Country He was the Son of Grono by his Wife Edelflede the Widow of Edmund surnamed Ironside King of England and had the Title of Tegengl though the English when they had compelled Gruffydh ap Conan to flee to Ireland for safety constituted him Prince of all north-North-Wales After his death Richard Fitz-Baldwyn laid siege to and took the Castle of Rydcors and forcibly drove Howel ap Grono to whom King Henry had committed the custody of it out of the Country But Howel quickly returned and with a high Spirit of Revenge began to destroy and burn whatsoever he could meet with and then meeting a Party of the Normans in their return homewards he fell upon the flank of them with a very considerable slaughter and so brought all the Country to his subjection excepting some few Garrisons and Castles which would not surrender to him The same time King Henry took away from Saer the Government of Dyfed which formerly was Iorwerth ap Blethyn's and bestowed it upon Gerald who had been some time Earl Arnulph's Steward in those Parts and therefore by reason of his knowledg of the Country was in all probability best able to take
to apprehend him But Gruffydh ap Rhys being aware of the Traps laid against him sent to Gruffydh ap Conan Prince of north-North-Wales desiring his Assistance and that he might have Liberty to remain safe in his Country which Gruffydh for his Father's account readily granted and treated him honourably A little after his Brother Howel who was imprisoned by Ardulph Earl of Pembroke in the Castle of Montgomery where he had remained for a great while made his escape and fled to his Brother then with Gruffydh ap Conan in North-Wales But King Henry being informed that Gruffydh ap Rhys and his Brother Howel were entertained by the Prince of north-North-Wales sent very smooth Letters to Gruffydh ap Conan desiring to speak with him who being come he received him with all the Tokens of Honor and Friendship and bestowed upon him very rich Presents just after the Norman Policy who usually make very much of those whom they design afterwards to be serviceable to them After some time 's general Discourse King Henry came at length to the main Point and promised the Prince even Mountains of Gold in case he would send Gruffydh ap Rhys or his Head to him which the Prince overcome by such fair Words and large Promises promised to perform and so returned joyfully home big with the expectation of his future Reward But some who wished better to Gruffydh ap Rhys and his Brother Howel presently suspected the occasion of the King's Message and therefore they advised them to withdraw themselves privately for some time till Prince Gruffydh's mind be better understood and whether he had made any agreement with the King of England to betray them to him As soon as the Prince was returned to his Palace at Aberffraw he presently enquired for Gruffydh ap Rhys and learning in a little time where he was he sent a Troop of Horse to re-call him to his Court but Gruffydh hearing of their approach with all speed made his escape to the Church of Aberdaron and took Sanctuary there But Prince Gruffydh was so resolute to make his Promise good to the King of England that without any respect to the Religious place he had escaped too commanded the same Messengers to return and to bring him away by Force which the Clergy of the Country unanimously withstood protesting that they would not see the Liberties of the Church in the least infringed And whilst the Clergy and the Prince's Officers were thus at debate that same night some who had Compassion upon the young Prince and seeing how greedily his Life was thirsted for conveyed him away out of north-North-Wales to Straywy in South-Wales And so being delivered from the treacherous and more dishonourable Practices of the Prince of North Wales he was forced for the Defence of his own Life to bid open Defiance to the King of England and thereupon having raised all the Forces which the shortness of the opportunity would permit he made War upon the Flemings and Normans A.D. 1113 The next year he laid Siege to the Castle which stood over-against Arberth and winning the same made it plain with the Ground and from thence marched to Lhanymdhyfry Castle belonging to Richard de Pwns upon whom the King had bestowed Cantref Bychan but the Garrison commanded by Meredith ap Rytherch ap Caradoc so manfully defended it that Gruffydh after killing only some few of the Besieged and burning the Out-works was forced to remove with no small Loss of his own Men. Finding this place impregnable he came before Abertawy-Castle which was built by Henry Beaumont Earl of Warwick but this proving too strong to be quickly surrendered after he had burnt some of the outward Buildings he returned to Stratywy burning and destroying all the Country as he went along And now his Fame being spread abroad thro' all the Country all the wild and head-strong Youth and they whose Fortunes were desperate resorted unto him from all Parts by which means being waxed Strong and Numerous he made in Roads into Ros and Dyfed spoiling and destroying the Country before him The Normans and Flemings were cruelly enraged with these continual Depredations and how to remedy this Mischief was not easily determined but after long Consultation they thought it the best way to call together such Welch Lords as were Friends to the King of England such were Owen ap Rhytherch and Rhytherch ap Theodore with his Sons Meredith and Owen whose Mother was Heynyth the Daughter of Blethyn ap Confyn and Owen ap Caradoc the Son of Gwenlhian another Daughter of Blethyn and Meredith ap Rhytherch These protesting their Loyalty and Fidelity to King Henry were desired to defend the King's Castle of Carmardhyn and that by turns Owen ap Caradoc the first Fortnight and then by succession by Rhytherch ap Theodore and Mered th ap Rhytherch Owen undertook the Defence of Carmardhyn Castle for the time required of him and Blethyn ap Gadifor had committed to him the Government of Abercomyn or Abercorran-Castle which appertained to Robert Courtmain But for all these Preparations Gruffydh ap Râ—ys had a wishful Eye upon Carmardhyn and therefore he sent out some Spies to learn the Strength and Condition of the Town who bringing him a very kind and hopeful Account he decamped by Night and rushing suddenly into the Town ordered his Men to make a great shout thereby to strike a great Terror into those within Owen ap Caradoc the Governour being surprized with such an unexpected uproar made all possible haste to the place where he had heard the shouting and thinking that his Men were at his Heels fell in among the Enemy but having none to support him his Men being all fled he was after a manful Defence cut in pieces and so the Town being taken Gruffydh burnt every thing to the ground excepting the Castle which was also sore defaced And then returning with a great deal of Spoil and Booty to his usual residence at Stratywy his Forces were considerably increased by the accession of many stout young Men who came to him from all Quarters and thought that Fortune so prospered his Arms that no body was able to stand before him After this he marched to Gwyr but William de Londres thinking it impossible to stand before him forsook the Castle with all his Men in all haste so that when Gruffydh was come thither he found a great deal of Cattel and Spoil and none to own them and therefore having burnt down the Castle he carried away every thing of Value in the Country When the Cardigan-shire Men heard how fortunately he succeeded in all his Attempts and being extreamly fearful lest his next Expedition should be against them sent to him desiring him as being their near Relation and Country man to take upon him the Rule and Government over them Gruffydh willingly accepted of their Offer and coming thither was joyfully received by the Chief Men in the Country who were Cadifor ap Grono Howel ap
first On-let struck with an Arrow into the Heart of which Wound he presently dyed which when his Men saw they all fled and brought word to Lhywarch and the rest of their Fellows of what had happen'd and so suspecting the King's Army seeing they could not be trusted in their Service they all returned to their respective Countries Owen being in this manner unhappily slain his Brethren divided his Lands betwixt them excepting Caereneon which properly belonged to Madawc ap Ryryd ap Blethyn and which he had forcibly taken away from his Uncle Meredith His Father Cadwgan had several Children by different Women and besides himself he had Issue Madawc by Gwenlhian the Daughter of Gruffydh ap Conan Eineon by Sanna the Daughter of Dyfnwal Morgan by Efelhiw or Elhiw the Daughter of Cadifor ap Colhoyn Lord of Dyfed Henry and Gruffydh were by the Daughter of the Lord Pigot his wedded Wife Meredith by Eururon Hoedliw and himself by Inerth the Daughter of Edwyn But a while afterwards Eineon ap Cadwgan and Gruffydh ap Meredith ap Blethyn besieged the Castle of Cymmer in Merionythshire which was lately built by Vchtryd ap Edwyn for Cadwgan had bestowed upon Vchtryd his Cofin-German Merionyth and Cyfeilioc upon condition that in all Cases he should appear his Friend and his Sons after him contrary to which Promise he bore no manner of regard to Cadwgan's Children after Owen's death but to strengthen himself the better he erected this Castle of Cymmer which very much displeased many of Cadwgan's Sons And therefore Eineon and Gruffydh to make Vchtryd sensible of his Error in despising of them furiously set upon Cymmer Castle and having slain divers of the Garrison the rest surrender'd themselves and so taking possession of it they divided the Country betwixt them Mowdhwy Cyfyeilioc and half Penlhyn to Gruffydh ap Meredith and the other half of Penthyn with all Merionyth to Eineon The next Year King Henry failed with a great Army into Normandy against the French King who with the Earl of Flanders and others went about to make William the Son of Robert Curthoise Duke of Normandy but at the appearance of the King of England they all scatter'd and laid aside their intended Design About the same time Gilbert Strongbow Earl of Strigill to whom King Henry had given all Cardigan departed this Life after a long Fit of a Consumption much to the Joy and Satisfaction of the Welch who were in great measure displeased that they should be deprived of their own natural Lord Cadwgan from whom this Country was taken away and be forced to serve and be subject to a Stranger whose Kindness they had no great reason to expect But the Year following A.D. 1115 an irreconcilable Quarrel happen'd betwixt Howel ap Ithel Lord of Ros and Ryfonioc now Denbigh-land and Riryd and Lhywarch the Sons of Owen ap Edwyn And when they could not otherwise agree they broke out into open War and thereupon Howel sent to Meredith ap Blethyn and to Eineon and Madawc Cadwgan's Sons who came down from Merionyth with a Party of Four Hundred well-disciplin'd Men and encamped in Dyffryn Clwyd Riryd and Lhywarch on the other hand deâ—â—red the Assistance of their Cosins the Sons of Vchtryd and so both Armies meeting in the Vale of Clwyd they fell to Blows with a great deal of Spirit and Alacrity and after a tedious and a bloody Fight Lhywarch Owen ap Edwyn's Son was at last slain and with him Iorwerth the Son of Nudh a noble and a valorous Person and Riryd was forced to make his Escape by flight But though Howel obtained the Victory yet he did not long survive his slain Enemies for having received a desperate Wound in the Action dyed of it within Fourty Days and then Meredith ap Blethyn and the Sons of Cadwgan finding it dangerous to stay longer there for fear of some French who lay garrisoned in Chester returned home with all speed King Henry was still in Normandy and about this A.D. 1116 time a very great Battel was fought betwixt him and the French King who was shamefully vanquished and overthrown and had a great number of his Nobles taken Prisoners But as King Henry returned the following A.D. 11 7. Year for England one of the Ships happened by the negligence of the Pilot to be cast away wherein perished the King's two Sons William who was legitimate and Heir apparent to the Crown and Richard his base Son together with his Daughter and Neece and several others of his Nobility to the number in all of 150 Persons This unparallel'd Loss of so many Kindred and Friends did not perplex his Mind so long but that within a short time he began to solace and raise his drooping Spirits with the thoughts of a new Wife and having married Adelice A.D. 1118 the Daughter of the Duke of Lovain he purposed to go against Wales and having prepared his Forces he led them in person to Powys-land When Meredith ap Blethyn and Eineon Madawc and Morgan the Sons of Cadwgan and Lords of the Country heard of it they sent to Gruffydh ap Conan Prince of North Wales desiring some help at his hands who flatly refused assuring them that because he was at peace with the King of England he could neither with Honour nor Safety send them any Succour nor permit them to come within his Dominions The Lords of Powys receiving this unwelcom Answer and having now no manner of hopes of any Aid were resolved however to defend themselves as well as they could and therefore they thought it the most effectual means to annoy the Enemy and to keep them from entering into the Country was to observe and defend the Streights by which the Enemy must of necessity pass Neither were they out in their Policy for it happened that the King himself with a small number advanced to one of these narrow Passages the rest of the Army by reason of their Carriages having taken some compass about which the Welch perceiving presently poured a Shower of Arrows upon them and the advantage of the ground giving help to their Execution they slew and wounded a great many of the English The King himself was struck in the Breast but for all that the Arrow could not hurt him by reason of his Armour yet he was so terrified with this unexpected Conflict and considering with himself that he must receive several such Brushes before he could advance to the plain Country and what was above all being sensible that by such rash Misfortune he might lose all the Honour and Fame which he had before obtained sent a Message to parly with them who kept the Passage and with all assurance of Safety to desire them to come to the King The Welch being come and question'd how they had such Confidence to oppose the King and to put his Life in so much danger made Answer that they belonged to Meredith ap Blethyn and according to their Master's Orders they were
resolved to keep the Passage or to dye upon the spot The King finding them so resolute desired them to go to Meredith and propose to him an agreement of Peace which he and his Cosins the Sons of Cadwgan accepted of and promised to pay the King 10000 Head of Cattel in Retribution for former Offences And so King Henry leaving all things in a peaceable and quiet posture in Wales and appointing the Lord Fitz-Warren Warden or Lieutenant of the Marches returned to England But when a foreign Enemy was removed out of the Country the Welch could never forbear quarrelling A.D. 1120 with each other for Gruffydh ap Rhys ap Theodore who had been now for some time quiet fell upon Gruffydh ap Sulhaern and for what reason not discovered treacherously slew him But the next Year A.D. 1121 there happened another occasion of Disturbances and falling out among the Welch for Eineon the Son of Cadwgan dying left all his share of Powys and Merionyth to his Brother Meredith But his Uncle Meredith ap Blethyn thinking that these Lands more properly belonged to him ejected his Nephew Meredith to whom his Brother Eineon had left them and took possession of them himself And what augmented these Differences King Henry set now at liberty Ithel ap Riryd ap Blethyn Meredith's Nephew who had been for a long time detained in Prison who coming to his own Country was in expectation to enjoy his Estate which upon his being put in custody his Relations had divided betwixt them of which the greatest share fell to his Uncle Meredith But when Gruffydh ap Conan was informed how that Meredith ap Blethyn contrary to all Justice had taken away by force the Lands of his Nephew Meredith ap Cadwgan he sent his Sons Cadwalhon and Owen with an Army into Merionyth who conquering and bringing to subjection all the Country carryed away the chief of the People and all the Cattle to Lhyn And at the same time the Sons of Cadwgan entered into the Lands of Lhywarch ap Trahaern and cruelly wasted and destroyed it by reason that he had countenanced the Doings of their Uncle Meredith ap Blethyn But these inward Clashings and Animosities concerning Estates and Titles were seconded by most unnatural Bloodshed and unparallell'd Cruelties for Meredith ap Blethyn when he found that his Nephew Meredith ap Cadwgan was assisted by the Prince of north-North-Wales and that it A.D. 1122 was impracticable to keep Merionyth from him he was resolved to practice that upon his Nephew which he had failed to effect upon another And therefore lest his other Nephew Ithel ap Riryd should meet with the like Help and Encouragement to recover those Lands which during his Imprisonment were taken away from him of which his Uncle actually enjoyed a considerable share Meredith thought it his wisest way to prevent all manner of Disputes by sending Ithel out of the World which upon mature Deliberation he treacherously effected Nor was this the only Murther committed at this time for Cadwalhon the Son of Gruffydh ap Conan exceeded him far and slew his three Uncles Grono Riryd and Meilyr the Sons of Owen ap Edwyn but which was most unnatural of all Morgan ap Cadwgan with his own hands killed his Brother Meredith a Crime most execrable tho he did afterwards repent of it A.D. 1124 Not long after this Gruffyth ap Rhys by the false and invidious Accusations of the Normans was dispossessed of all the Lands which King Henry had formerly granted him and which he had for a considerable time peaceably enjoyed And towards the end of the same Year dyed Daniel ap Sulgien Bishop of S. Davids and Archdeacon of Powys a Man of extraordinary Piety and Learning and one who made it his continual Employment to endeavour to work a Reconciliation betwixt North-Wales and Powys which in his time were at perpetual Variance and Enmity with one another The next Year dyed likewise A.D. 1125 Gruffydh the Son of Meredith ap Blethyn and about the same time Owen ap Cadwgan having got into his hands Meredith ap Lhywarch delivered him to Pain Fitz-John to be kept safe Prisoner in the Castle of Bridgnorth The reason of this was because Meredith had slain Meyric his Cosin-German and very barbarously had pulled out the Eyes of two more of his Cosins the Sons of Griffri This cruel and inhuman Custom of plucking out the Eyes of such as they hated or feared was too frequently practised in Wales for the A.D. 1126 following Year Ievaf the Son of Owen served two of his Brethren after this unnatural manner and thinking that too little passed a Sentence of perpetual Banishment upon them A little after his Brother Lhewelyn ap Owen slew Iorwerth ap Lhywarch but all this Mischief practised by these two Brothers Ievaf and Lhewelyn turned at last upon themselves for their Uncle Meredith ap Blethin being apprehensive that his two Nephews were a considerable Rub in his way and if they trooped off that all their Estate would of right fall to him slew Ievaf out-right and having pluck'd out Lhewelyn's Eyes castrated him for fear he should beget any Children to inherit his Lands after him These no doubt were implacable Times when for the least Offence nay sometime Suspicion Murther was so openly and incorrigibly committed which must of necessity be attributed to this one Principle That so many petty States having equal Power and Authority in their own Territories and being subject to none but the King of England still endeavoured to out-vie and over-top each other And so nearness of Relation giving way to Ambition they never regarded those of the same Blood so that themselves might add to their strength and increase their Estate by their Fall and for this reason Meyric slew Lhywarch and his Son Madawc his own Cosins but before he could make any Advantage of their Death he was himself served after the same manner But the only Person who afterwards repented of such a foul Crime was Morgan ap Cadwgan who being severely troubled in mind for the Murther he had lately committed upon his Brother Meredith took a Journey to Jerusalem to expiate for his Crime and in his return from thence dyed in the Isle of Cyprus But this treacherous way of private murdering those by whom they were offended could not be forgot among the Welch for Eineon the Son of Owen ap Edwyn A.D. 1129 calling to mind how that Cadwalhon the Son of Gruffydh ap Conan had basely slain three of his Brothers and taking the opportunity of his being at Nanhewdwy assisted by Cadwgan ap Grono ap Edwyn set upon him and slew him About the same time that great Usurper Meredith ap Blethyn ap Confyn who by most unnatural and most hellish Practices had got the Lands of all his Brothers and Nephews and by that means was become a Man of the greatest strength and sway in Powys dyed of a severe Fit of Sickness which reduced him to that
apprehension of his former Miscarriages that he endured Penance for the expiation of former Guilts A.D. 1134 In the Year 1134. till which time nothing of moment was transacted in Wales Henry the first of that Name King of England dyed in Normandy in the Month of October after whom Stephen Earl of Buloign Son to the Earl of Bloys his Sisters Son by the means of Hugh Bygod was crowned King by the Archbishop of Canterbury all the Nobility of England consenting thereunto though contrary to a former Oath they had taken to Maud the Empress The first thing that employed his Thoughts after his accession to the Government was against David King of the Scots who taking advantage of this new Revolution in England by some treacherous means or other got the Towns of Carlisle and Newcastle into his hands But King Stephen tho scarcely settled in his Throne presently marched towards the North of whose coming David being assured and fearing to meet him voluntarily restored Newcastle and compounded for Carlisle but would not swear to him by reason of his Oath to Maud which however his Son Henry did not stick at and thereupon was by King Stephen created Earl of Huntington This change and alteration of Affairs in England made also A.D. 1135 the Welch bestir themselves for Morgan ap Owen a Man of considerable Quality and Estate in Wales remembring the Wrong and Injury he had received at the hands of Richard Fitz-Gilbert slew him together with his Son Gilbert And shortly after Cadwalader and Owen Gwyneth the Sons of Gruffydh ap Conan Prince of north-North-Wales having raised a mighty Army marched against the Normans and Flemmings and comming to Cardigan committed very considerable Waste and Havock in the Country and took two of the strongest Places one belonging to Walter Espec and the Castle of Aberystwyth In this last place they were joyned by Howel ap Meredith and Rhys ap Madawc ap Ednerth who marching forward took the Castle of Richard de la Mare together with those of Dinerth and Caerwedros and then returned with very valuable Booty But having succeeded so well in this Expedition they could not rest satisfied till they had rid the whole Country from the intolerable Pride and Oppression of the Normans and Flemings and therefore returning the same Year to Cardigan with 6000 Foot and 2000 Horse well disciplined and experienced Soldiers and being joyned by Gruffydh ap Rhys and Howel ap Meredith of Brecknock with his Sons and Madawc ap Ednerth they over-ran the Country as far as Aberteifi restoring all the former Inhabitants to their proper Inheritances and discarding all such Strangers as the late Earl of Strygil had placed in the Country But when Stephen who was Governour of Aberteifi saw that he called to him Robert Fitz-Martyn the Sons of Gerald and William Fitz-John with all the strength of the Normans Flemings and English in Wales or the Marches and meeting with the Welch betwixt Aber Ned and Aber Dyfi gave them battel But after a very sore and Bloody Encounter the English began to give ground and according to their usual manner trusting too much to the strength of their Towns and Fortifications began to look how to save themselves that way But the Welch pressed upon 'em so hard that they killed above 3000 Men besides several that were drowned and taken Prisoners This Victory being so happily obtained Cadwalader and Owen over-ran the whole Country forcing all the Normans and Flemings to depart the Country with all speed and placing in their room those miserable Welch who had been so long deprived and kept from their own Estates and after they had weeded the Country of those insatiable Caterpillars they returned to North Wales laden with very rich Spoils and acceptable Plunder The King of England was not in a condition to take notice to what Extremities his Subjects were reduced to in Wales by reason that his own Nobles of England were risen in Arms against him the reason of which Tumult among the Nobility was occasioned by a fallacious Report that went about of the King's Death who lay then sick of a Lethargy They that bore him no good Will verified the Rumour as much as they could and stirred up the common People in behalf of the Empress whereas on the other hand the King's Friends betook themselves to Castles and strong Holds for fear of the Empress and among others Hugh Bigod secured the Castle of Norwich and after that he was assured that the King was well again he was loth to deliver the same out of his possession A.D. 1136 unless it were to the King 's own hands But during these Commotions and Troubles in England Gruffydh ap Rhys Son to Rhys ap Theodore the right Heir to the Principality of South-Wales dyed leaving Issue behind him a Son called Rhys commonly known by the Name of Lord Rhys by Gwenlhian the Daughter of Gruffydh ap Conan who by some is said to have poisoned her Husband Towards the end of the same Year dyed likewise Gruffydh ap Conan Prince of north-North-Wales after he had reigned 57 Years to the great Grief and Discontent of all his Subjects as being a Prince of incomparable Qualities and one who after divers Victories obtained over the English had throughly purged north-North-Wales from all Strangers and Foreigners He had Issue by Angharad the Daughter of Owen ap Edwyn three Sons namely Owen Cadwalader and Cadwalhon and five Daughters Marret Susanna Ranulht Agnes and Gwenlhian and by a Concubine Iago Ascain Edwal Abbot of Penmon Dolhing and Elen who was married to Hova ap Ithel Felyn of Yal There were several good and wholsom Laws and Statutes enacted in his time and among the rest he reformed the great Disorders of the Welch Minstrels which were then grown to great Abuse Of these there were three sorts in Wales the first were called Beirdh who composed several Songs and Odes of various Measures wherein the Poet's Skill was not only required but also a natural Endowment or a Vein which the Latins term furor Poeticus These likewise kept the Records of all Gentlemens Arms and Pedegrees and were principally esteemed among all the Degrees of the Welch Poets The next were such as plaid upon Musical Instruments chiefly the Harp and the Crowd which Musick Gruffydh ap Conan first brought over into Wales who being born in Ireland and descended by his Mothers side of Irish Parents brought with him from thence several skilful Musicians who invented almost all the Instruments as were afterwards plaid upon in Wales The last sort were called Atcaneaid whose Business it was to sing to the Instrument plaid upon by another Each of these by the same Statute had their several Reward and Encouragement allotted to them their Life and Behaviour was to be spotless and unblameable otherwise their Punishment was very severe and rigid every one having Authority to punish and correct them even to the Deprivation of all they had They were also
each other But A.D. 1142 shortly after this an irreconcilable Difference fell out betwixt Anarawd Son to Gruffydh ap Rhys Prince of south-South-Wales and his Father in Law Cadwalader the Son of Gruffydh ap Conan and Brother to Prince Owen Gwynedh which from Words quickly proceeded to Blows In this Scuffle Anarawd was unhappily slain which so exasperated Prince Owen against his Brother Cadwalader that together with his Son Howel he marched with an army into his Brothers Country and after a considerable Waste and Destruction burnt to the ground the Castle of Aberystwyth Cadwalader upon the News of Prince Owen's approach withdrew himself and fled to Ireland where having hired a great number of Irish and Scots for Two Thousand Marks under the Command of Octer and the Sons of Turkel and Cherulf he struck sail for Wales and landed at Abermenay in Carnarvonshire The Prince to protract no time marched with all speed to prevent their farther progress into the Country and both Armies being come in view of each other a Peace was happily concluded betwixt the two Brothers The Irish understanding this and how that their coming over was like to prove but a Fool 's Errant to them they surprized and secured Cadwalader till their Wages and Arrears were paid who to obtain his Liberty deliver'd to them two thousand Heads of Cattel besides many Prisoners and other Booty which they had taken in the Country But as soon as the Prince was informed that his Brother Cadwalader was set loose without any farther demur upon the case he fell in upon the Irish and having slain a very considerable number of them recovered all the Booty they purposed to ship off and forced as many as could escape to return with great loss and a greater shame back to Ireland But the Normans sped far better in Wales Hugh Son to Radulph Earl of Chester having fortified his Castle of Cymaron set upon and won the Country of Melienyth a second time and the Castle of Clun being fortified by another Lord all Eluel became subject to the Normans The same time King Stephen took Geffry Mandeville Prisoner at S. Albans where the Earl of Arundel by the slip of his Horse was like to be drowned in the River But the Earl of Mandeville to obtain his liberty delivered up to the King the Tower of London with the Castles of Walden and Plassey which reduced him to that condition that he was forced to live upon the Plunder and Spoil of Abbies and other religious Houses till at length he was slain in a Skirmish against the King and his Son banished the Kingdom The next Year a Skirmish happened betwixt Hugh A.D. 1144 de Mortimer and Rhys ap Howel wherein the latter was taken Prisoner with many others of his Accomplices who were all committed to Prison by the English But it fared much better with Howel and Conan the Sons of Prince Owen who having raised an Army against the Flemings and Normans gain'd a considerable Victory at Aberteifi and having placed a Garrison in the Town returned home with great Honour and much Booty About the same time Sulien ap Rhythmarch one of the Colledg of Lhanbadarn and a Person of great Reading and extensive Learning departed this Life Shortly after Gilbert Earl of Clare came with a great number of Forces to Dyfed and built the Castle of Caermardhyn and the Castle of the Sons of Vchtryd Hugh Mortimer A.D. 1145 likewise slew Meyric ap Madawc ap Riryd ap Bleddu and Meredic ap Madawc ap Ednerth And so far it went of the side of the English but now the Welch begin to gain ground Cadelh the Son of Gruffydh ap Rhys Prince of South Wales laid siege to the Castle of Dynefowr belonging to Earl Gilbert which being surrender'd up Cadelh assisted by his Brethren Meredith and Rhys brought his Army before the Castle of Caermardhyn which after a short siege yielded in like manner reserving only this one Condition that the Garison should not be put to the Sword From thence he marched to Lhanstephan and set before the Castle to the Relief of which the Normans and Flemings coming with their Forces were shamefully vanquished and overcome and so the Castle was easily deliver'd up to the Welch But the Normans were so cruelly nettled at this that they muster'd up all the Forces they could possibly draw together out of the neighbouring Countries and unexpectedly surrounded the Castle intending by all possible means to recover the same But the Governour Meredith ap Gruffydh a Man of great Years and no less Experience so animated and encouraged the besieged that when the Normans and Flemings ventured to scale the Walls they were bear back with such Vigour and Loss of their side that at length they were compell'd to raise the Siege and leave the Welch in possession of the Castle Shortly after this Run the Son of Prince Owen of north-North-Wales a Youth of excellent hopes and incomparable Qualifications dyed whose Death his Father took so much to heart that for some time he seemed to be past all Comfort being faln into such a melancholy Disposition that he was diverted with nothing but Retirement But an Accident fell out which rouz'd him out of this lethargical Fit of Sorrow and Discontent the Castle of Mould was so very strong and well garrison'd by the English that it mightily annoyed the Country thereabouts and had been frequently besieged but could never be taken Prince Owen at this time levied an Army and laid close siege to it and the Garison for several assaults behaved it self so manfully that the place seemed impregnable and invincible But the Presence and Example of Prince Owen so encouraged his Men that they fell on with all possible Vigour and Might and at last forced their entrance into the Castle Having put a great number of the Garrison to the Sword and taken the rest Prisoners the Castle was rased to the ground and this fortunate Attempt so pleased the Prince that he forgot all Sorrow for his Son and returned to his usual Temper and accustomed Merriments At the same time King Stephen of England obtained a remarkable Victory over his Enemies at Farendon and although the ensuing Year Rondel Earl of Chester and he were reconciled yet he thought it more adviseable to detain him Prisoner though contrary to his promise until such time as the Earl would deliver up the Castle of Lincoln with all the Forts and places of strength in his custody A.D. 1146 The next Year Cadelh Meredith and Rhys the Sons of Gruffydh ap Rhys ap Theodor brought an Army before the Castle of Gwys but finding themselves too weak to master it they desired Howel Son to Prince Owen Gwynedh a Person famously remarkable for martial Endowments to come to their assistance Howel who was ever very desirous to signalize himself and to evidence his Valour to the World readily consented to their Request and having drawn his Forces together marched directly towards
Gwys where being arrived he was joyfully received and honourably entertain'd by such Lords as desired his help Having viewed the Strength and Fortification of the Castle he found it was impracticable to take the place without the Walls could be destroyed and therefore he gave orders that certain battering Engines should be provided whilst the rest should gaul and molest the besieged by throwing of great Stones into the Castle The Enemies perceiving what irresistible Preparations the Besiegers contrived thought it to no purpose to withstand their Fury and therefore to do that voluntarily which must be done by compulsion they presently yielded up the Castle Shortly after this a great Difference happen'd betwixt the Sons of Prince Owen Howel and Conan and their Uncle Cadwalader whereupon the former entered with an Army into the Country of Merionyth and committed great Wastes and Hostilities there insomuch that the Inhabitants flock'd into Sanctuaries to save their Lives But the young Lords finding what fearful and unstable condition the People were in and the better to draw them to their side issued out their Proclamation assuring that all who would favour their Country should not only enjoy their Lives but their former Liberty and accustomed Priviledges upon the publication of which Edict the People returned to their own Habitations Having by this Stratagem brought all the Country under their own Pleasure and good Will they lead their Army before the Castle of Cynfael belonging to Cadwalader which he had built and strongly fortified The government of this Castle Cadwalader had committed to Merfyn Abbot of Tygwyn or the White-House who being summoned to surrender by the Brothers Howel and Conan did not only refuse but defied their utmost Efforts upon the place The Lords finding they could do no good by Threats and Menaces judged it more convenient to make use of the other Extream and therefore promised the Abbot a very high Reward if he would deliver the Castle into their hands But all proved to no effect the Abbot being a Person of more Honesty and greater Honour than to be corrupted to betray his Trust told them flatly That he would not deceive his Masters expectation and therefore would choose rather to dye with Honour than to live with Shame The Lords finding him inexorable and withal being vexed that a Church-man should put such a stop to their fortunate Proceedings made such a vigorous Assault upon the Castle that after they had pulled down some part of the Walls they entred in by force and ravaged so furiously that they killed and wounded the whole Garrison the Abbot only escaping who by the help of some of his Friends in Howel's Army got away safe Towards the close of this Year several Persons of Note departed this Life among whom were Robert Earl of Glocester and Gilbert Earl of Clare as also Vchthryd Bishop of Llandaf a Man of great Piety and Learning in whose See succeeded Nicholas ab Gurgant A.D. 1147 The following Year also died Bernard Bishop of St. Davids and was succeeded by David Fitzgerald A.D. 1148 then Archdeacon of Cardigan Sometime after Prince Owen Gwynedh built a Castle in Yale called Castelh y Rodwyth and his Brother Cadwalader built another at Lhanrystid and bestowed his part of Cardigan upon his Son Cadwgan Also Madoc the Son of Meredith ap Blethyn founded the Castle of Oswestry and gave his Nephews Owen and Meyric the Sons of Gruffydh ap Meredith his share of Cyfeilioc A.D. 1149 The next Year Conan Son to Prince Owen Gwynedh for certain Faults and Miscarriages committed against his Father tho' the particulars are not discovered was put in Prison where for some time he continued in Custody But it fared better with his Brother Howel who having made his Uncle Cadwalader his Prisoner reduced all his Country together with his Castle subject to himself In South-Wales some Business of moment happened this Year Cadelh the Son of Gruffydh ap Rhys having fortified the Castle of Carmardhyn marched with his Army towards Cydwely wasted and destroyed the whole Country and being returned home joyned his Army with his Brothers Meredith and Rhys who entring into the Country of Cardigan won that part called Is Aeron This was succeeded by an Action of greater Importance in North-Wales some irreconcilable Difference arising betwixt Prince Owen and Rondel Earl of Chester quickly broke out into open War The Earl made all the possible Preparations the opportunity would permit and drew together a considerable Army from all parts of England and which strengthened and incouraged him the more he was joyned by Madoc ap Meredith Prince of Powys who disdaining to hold his Lands of Prince Owen Gwynedh chose rather to side with and abet his Enemies The Prince on the other hand was not backward in his Preparations and perceiving the Enemy to come upon him thought it not advisable to suffer him to advance too far into the Country but to stop and prevent his Carreer before he should take too firm a footing in his Dominions To this end he marched with his whole Power as far as Counsylht with full Resolution to give the Earl of Chester Battel which the English were glad of as thinking themselves far more numerous and much better Armed and Disciplined than the Welch But both Armies having joyned Battel they quickly faltered in their expectation of undoubted Success and finding the Welch to press so irresistibly severe upon them they thought it wiser to retire and endeavour to save themselves by flight But the Welch pursued them so hard that few escaped without being either slain or taken Prisoners and they some of the Chief Commanders who thro' the fleetness of their Horses avoided the Fury of their pursuers The next Year the Scene of Action removed to A.D. 1150 South-Wales Cadelh Meredith and Rhys the Sons of Gruffydh ap Rhys Prince of south-South-Wales being entred with an Army into Cardigan wan all the Country from Howel the Prince of north-North-Wales Son excepting the Castle of Lhanfihangel in Pengwern The Siege of Lhanrystyd Castle proved so difficult and unmanagable that the young Lords of South-Wales lost a great part of their bravest Souldiers before it which so troubled and vexed them that when they got possession of the Castle they put all the Garrison to the Sword From thence they marched to Ystratmerric Castle which after they had won manned and re-fortified they disbanded their Forces and returned home But Cadelh the eldest of the Brothers was upon the point of receiving his last Blow by treachery at home which he had escaped from the Enemies abroad For some of the Inhabitants of Tenbigh in Pembroke shire having conceived some displeasure and hatred against Cadelh were resolved to revenge themselves and to lay a Trap for his Life and having observed what pleasure he took in Hunting were resolved to execute their Plot whilst he was hot and eager at his Sport Observing therefore one day how he went a Hunting with only a few Companions
they placed themselves in an ambuscade and when the Game came that way they unexpectedly set upon the unarmed Sports-men and having easily made all the rest fly away they wounded Cadelh so cruelly that he narrowly escaped their hands alive who making shift to get home lay for a long time dangerously ill and with great difficulty at length recovered his Life Upon this his Brothers Meredith and Rhys passed with an Army into Gwyr and having burnt and destroyed the Country thereabouts they besieged and took the Castle of Aberlhychwr but finding they could not keep it they rased it to the Ground and after that returned home with great Booty to Dynefawr and repaired the Fortifications of the Castle there About the same time also Howel Prince Owen Gwynedh's Son fortified Humphry's Castle in the Valley of Caletwr A.D. 1151 But the following Year Prince Owen did a very barbarous Action to Cunetha his Brother Cadwalhon's Son for fearing lest that this young Man should lay claim to any part of his Estate as his Father 's right he first pulled out his Eyes and afterwards castrated him for fear he should beget any Children who might some time or other renew their claim and right to Cadwalhon's Estate This inhuman severity was succeeded by another of no small remark Lhewelyn Son to Madoc ap Meredith having watched a convenient Opportunity set upon and slew Stephen the Son of Baldwin But Cadwalader Prince Owen's Brother after a tedious Imprisonment which he had sustained thro' the Malice and Rancour of his Nephew Howel at length made his escape and flying to the Isle of Anglesey brought a considerable part of that Island under his subjection But Prince Owen hearing how that his Brother had got loose from custody and that he was in actual possession of a great part of Anglesey he presently dispatched an Army over which proving too formidable to Cadwalader's Party he was constrained to escape to England and to desire Succor from his Wife's Relations who was the Daughter of Gilbert Earl of Clare This Year Galfrede Arthur commonly called Geffrey of Monmouth was made Bishop of St. Asaph and at the same time Simon Archdeacon of Cyfeilioc a Man of great Worth and Esteem in his Country died But the Year following Meredith and Rhys the Sons A.D. 1152 of Gruffydh ap Rhys Prince of south-South-Wales laid Siege to Penwedic Castle which belonged to Howel Prince Owen's Son and after great pains and considerable loss of Men of their side at last made themselves Masters of it From thence they marched by Night to Tenby and unexpectedly falling upon the Castle of which one William Fitzgerald was Governor they scaled the Walls before the Garrison were aware of any Danger and so possessing themselves of the Castle they fell foul upon the Garrison in Revenge of the Mischief they had done and further designed to their Brother Cadelh For Cadelh at this time was gone upon a Pilgrimage and during his absence had committed his whole Inheritance and all other concerns in Wales to the Care of his Brethren Meredith and Rhys But after the taking Tenby-Castle they divided their Army into two Parties with one of which Rhys marched to Ystratcongen and after great havock and waste committed there he passed to Cyfeilioc which fared in like manner with Ystratcongen Meredith with the other Party sat before Aberavan-Castle and after a short Siege won and got possession of it and then returned home with very considerable Booty and many rich Spoils About the same time Rondel Earl of Chester who had lived in continual Enmity and frequent Hostility with Prince Owen of north-North-Wales departed this Life leaving his Son Hugh to enjoy both his Titles and Estate in England and to prosecute the Feuds and Hostilities against the Welch A.D. 1153 And shortly after died Meredith Son to Gruffydh ap Rhys Prince of south-South-Wales who was Lord of Cardigan Ystratywy and Dyfed being not passed the Twenty Fifth Year of his Age a Person of incomparable Valor and Audacity and in all his Warlike Attempts and Atchievements very Fortunate He was presently followed by Geoffrey Bishop of Llandaf a Man as Famous for Learning and a good Life as the other was for Masculine Bravery and Martial Prowess In England the face of things looked very lowring Henry Surnamed Shortmantel the Empress Son landed in England and in his progress thro' the Country took several Castles among which were Malmesbury Wallingford and Shrewsbury But his Fury was quickly appeased by the Death of Eustace King Stephen's Son so that the sole obstacle for his succeeding to the Crown being now removed he willingly concluded a Peace with King Stephen permitting him to enjoy the Crown peaceably for his life upon Condition A. D 1154 that himself was declared his Successor But King Stephen did not long survive this Treaty and then Henry Plantagenet the Empress Son was Crowned in A.D. 1155 his stead Towards the beginning of King Henry's reign Rhys Gruffydh ap Rhys King of South Wales upon apprehension that Owen Gwynedh had raised an Army for the Conquest of South-Wales drew together all his Strength and marched to Aberdyfi to face the Enemy upon their own Borders But finding the Rumor to be false and that the Prince of north-North-Wales had no such Design in hand having built a Castle at Aberdyfi which might defend the Frontiers from any future Design of his Country he returned back without attempting any thing farther At the same time Madoc ap Meredith built a Castle at Caereneon near Cymer and then Eglwys Fair in Myfot was founded About this time also Meyric Nephew to Prince Madoc ap Meredith made his escape out of Prison wherein he had been detained by his Uncle for a considerable time The same Year King Henry being displeased with the Flemings whom his Predecessor King Stephen had brought over into England issued out a Proclamation charging the greatest part of them to depart his Dominions and to retire to their Country-men in West-Wales where his Grandfather Henry the First the Bastard's Son had planted them And thus that part of Wales called Pembroke-shire was over-run with these Strangers who being better befriended by the Kings of England than the Welch could well expect to be made sure footing in that Country where they have ever since continued firm It was the English Policy of those times to accept of any opportunity to curb and keep under the Welch whom they experienced to be none of the safest Neighbours and therefore the Kings of England did grant any Lands and Privileges in Wales to any that would accept of them which honestly they had no Power to bestow But this was not enough in detriment to the Welch A.D. 1156 for the Year following King Henry raised a very great Army which he gathered from all parts of England with purpose to subdue all North-Wales being principally moved hereto by the instigation of Cadwalader the Prince's Brother whom Owen Gwynedh for what Reasons not
known deprived of his Estate and banished the Country Also Madoc ap Meredith Prince of Powis who maligned the Liberty and Priviledge of the Princes of north-North-Wales who owned subjection to no other than the King of England whereas those of Powis were obliged to do homage to the Prince of north-North-Wales did joyntly consent to this Invitation The King of England accepting of their Proposals led his Army to West-Chester and encamped upon the Marsh called Saltney in Welch Morfa-Caer-Lleon Prince Owen all this while was not ignorant of this intended Invasion and therefore having made all possible Preparations to confront the Enemy he marched his Army to the Frontiers of England and encamping at Basingwerk resolved to give the English Battel King Henry understanding of the Prince's Resolution detached some of the chiefest Troops out of the Main-body under the command of several Earls and other Lords and sent them towards the Prince's Camp But after they had advanced some little way and were passing thro' a Wood called Coed-Eulo David and Conan Prince Owen's Sons unexpectedly set upon them and what by the advantage of the Ground and the suddeness of the Action the English were born down with a great Slaughter and those who survived narrowly escaped to the King's Camp This was a very unwelcome beginning to King Henry but however in order to prosper better hereafter he thought it advisable to decamp from Saltney and to rank his Troops along the Sea-Coast thinking thereby to get betwixt Prince Owen and his Country which if he could effect he was sure to reduce the Welch to a very great inconveniency But the Prince foreseeing the Danger of this retired with his Army to a place called Cîl Owen that is Owen's Retreat which when King Henry perceived he let fall his Design Lib. 2. Cap. 5. and came to Ruthlan W. Parnus writes that in this Expedition against the Welch King Henry was in great danger of his Life in passing thro' a strait at Counsylth near Flint where Henry Earl of Essex who by inheritance enjoyed the Office of bearing the Standard of England being over-charged by the Enemy cast down the same and fled This accident so incouraged the Welch that they bore on so violently that the King himself narrowly escaped having of his Party Eustace Fitz-John and Rob. Curcie two valiant Knights together with several others of his Nobility and Gentry slain in the Action After this Prince Owen decamped from Cîl Owen and intrenched himself upon Bryn y Pin where little of moment passed betwixt the two Armies only some slight Skirmishes happened frequently King Henry in the mean time fortified the Castle of Ruthlan and during his stay there Madoc ap Meredith Prince of Powis sailed with the English Fleet to Anglesey and having put some Men on shoar they burnt two Churches and ravaged part of the Country about But they paid very dear for it for all the Strength of the Island being met together they set upon them in their return to their Ships and cut them off in such a manner that not one remained to bring Tidings to the Fleet of what had befel them But they on Board quickly perceived what had happened and therefore thought it not very safe harbouring upon that Coast but judging it more advisable to weigh Anchor they presently set Sail for Chester when they were arrived thither they found that a Peace was actually concluded betwixt King Henry and Prince Owen upon these Articles That Cadwalader should have all his Lands restored to him and he received to the Favour and Friendship of his Brother Then King Henry leaving the Castles of Ruthlan and Basingwerk well manned and fortified and having near the latter founded a Publick Structure for the Order of Knights Templars returned to England But the troubles of Wales did not end with him for Iorwerdh Goch ap Meredith who had taken part with the King of England during this War laid Siege to the Castle of Yale which was built by Prince Owen and making himself Master of it rased it to the ground The next Year commenced with a very unfortunate A.D. 1157 Action Ifor ap Meyric having long before cast a very wishful Eye upon the Land and Estate of Morgan ab Owen was now resolved to put in execution what he had before contrived and as Covetousness seldom bears any regard to Vertue or Honor he treacherously set upon him and slew him and with him fell Gurgan ap Rhys the most Famous British Poet of his time Morgan's Estate Ifor bestowed upon his Brother Iorwerth who about the same time got also possession of the Town of Caer-Lheon But these inward and home-bread Disturbances were quickly mitigated by a general Peace which was presently after this concluded betwixt the King of England and all the Princes and Lords of Wales Rhys ab Gruffydh ap Rhys Prince of south-South-Wales only excepted For this Prince Rhys who probably would not rely too far upon the King of England's Fidelity refused to consent to a Peace but however to secure himself the best he could from the English whom he had no small reason to be afraid of he thought it his best Prudence to issue out his Orders commanding his Subjects to remove their Cattel and other Effects to the Wilderness of Tywy where they were like to remain securest from the Eyes and reach of the Enemies But he had not continued there long when he received a more positive Express from King Henry commanding him to appear forthwith at his Court and to accept of the Proposals of Peace before the joynt Forces of England and Wales were sent to fetch him up Prince Rhys having received such a threatning Message thought it now high time to repent of what he had afore so rashly resolved upon and therefore after long Consultation he judged it his wisest way to accept of the King's Proposals and to appear at Court There it was agreed upon that Rhys whose Lands heretofore lay scattered about and were intermixed with other Person 's Estate should enjoy Cantref Mawr and any other Cantref which the King should be pleased to bestow upon him But contrary to this Article the King assigned him several Lordships and other Lands far remote from each other and particularly intermixed them with the Estates of English-men whom he was sure would be a watch and a curb to all the motions of Prince Rhys This was indeed a very politick Contrivance or King Henry to keep under the high and restless Spirit of Rhys but the Justice of the Action does not so evidently appear in breaking one of the chiefest Articles of the Peace and chopping and bestowing that which was not justly in his Power to give But 't is manifestly apparent that the English of these times were mainly concerned right or wrong to oppress and keep under the Welch of whose mortal hatred to subjection they had so frequently and so cruelly felt Prince Rhys was not at all ignorant of these
wrongful and deceitful Dealings of King Henry but knowing himself to be unable to redress these Grievances he thought it more advisible for a time to live quietly with a little than rashly to hazard all But in a short time he had opportunity either to demand redress from the King or else to endeavour it himself by Force of Arms. For as soon as Roger Earl of Clare was informed of the distribution which the King of England had granted to Prince Rhys he came to King Henry requesting of his Majesty that he would grant him such Lands in Wales as he could win by force of Arm◠The King readily complied with his Request being always very forward to grant any thing which seemed to curb and discommode the Welch and therefore the Earl of Clare marched with a great Army into Cardigan and having fortified the Castles of Ystrat-Meyric Humphrey Dyfi Dynerth and Lhanrhystyd he made several Incursions into the Country In the same manner Walter Clyfford who was Governour of Lhanymdhyfri Castle made in-roads into the Territories of Prince Rhys and after he had slain several of the Welch and made great waste in the Country returned with considerable Booty Prince Rhys as he was unable to bear these outrages so he was resolved either to have immediate redress or else to proclaim open War against the English and therefore he sent an Express to King Henry complaining of the Hostilities which his Subjects the Earl of Clare and Walter Clifford had committed in in his Country But finding the King to put him still off with only smooth Words and fair Promises and that he always winked at the Faults of the English and Normans without any farther Consultation about the Matter he laid Siege to the Castle of Lhanymdhyfri and in short time made himself Matter of it Also Eineon the Son of Anarawd Rhy's Brother's Son and a Person of great Valor being desirous to free his Country from that miserable servitude they now groaned under and judging withal that his Uncle was now discharged from the Oath he had lately sworn to the King of England sat before the Castle of Humphrey and having forcibly made his entrance into it he put all the Garrison to the Sword where he found a great number of Horses and Armour enough to arm a considerable Body of Men And whilst Eineon was thus engaged at Humphrey's Castle Prince Rhys perceiving that he could not enjoy any part of his Inheritance but what he afterwards got by the Sword drew all his Power together and entred Cardigan where like a most violent Torrent he over-run the Country that he left not one Castle standing of those which his Enemies had fortified and so brought all the Country to his subjection King Henry being sore offended at the progress which Prince Rhys so suddenly made against him returned with a great Army into south-South-Wales but finding it to no purpose to attempt any thing against the Prince he thought it more advisable to permit him to enjoy all that he had gotten and only to take Hostages for his observing of Peace during his absence out of the Kingdom which Prince Rhys promising to do he forthwith returned to England and soon after went for Normandy where he concluded a Peace with the French King A.D. 1158 But the Year following Prince Rhys of south-South-Wales without any respect to his promise to King Henry last Year led his Forces to Dyfed and destroyed all the Castles that the Normans had fortified in that Country and then laid Siege to Caermardhyn But Reynold Earl of Bristol the King 's base Son being informed of it called together the Earl of Clare his Brother-in-Law Cadwalader Prince Owen of North-Wales's Brother Howel and Conan Owen's Sons with two Earls more who with their joynt Forces marched to raise the Siege But Prince Rhys was wiser than to abide their coming and therefore upon the first intimation of such great Opposition he retired to the Mountains called Cefn Rester and there encamped being sufficiently secure from any Enemy by the natural Fortification of the place The Confederate Army lay at Dynwylhîr and there built a Castle but finding no news or tidings of Prince Rhys they returned home without effecting any thing of Note King Henry was still in Normandy and there made War against the Earl of St. Giles for the City and Earldom of Tholouse Towards the beginning of this Year Madoc ap Meredith ap Blethyn Prince of Powis died at Winchester whence his Body was honourably conveyed to Powis and buried at Myfod He was a Prince very much affected to Piety and Religion very charitable to the necessitous and good to the distressed but his great Fault was that he stickled too hard for the Interest of the English and was always in Confederacy with King Henry against the good Success of his Native Country He had Issue by his Wife Susanna the Daughter of Gruffydh ap Conan Prince of north-North-Wales three Sons Gruffydh Maylor Owen and Elis and a Daughter named Marred He had also three natural Sons Owen Brogynton Cynwric Efelh and Eineon Efelh who tho' base born yet according to the Custom of Wales co-inherited with their Brethren who were legitimate And here it will not be amiss once for all to give a particular account of the Principality afterwards the Lordships of Powis how it came to be divided into many shares and portions and by that means became so irrecoverably broken and weakened that it was made subject to the Normans before the rest of Wales For Powis before King Offa's time reached Eastward to the Rivers of Severn and Dee in a right Line from the end of Broxen Hills to Salop and comprehended all the Country between the Wye and Severn which was antiently the Estate of Brochwel Yscithroc of whom mention is made before But after the making of Offa's dike Powis was contracted into a narrower compass the plain Country toward Salop being inhabited by Saxons and Normans so that the length of it reached North-East from Pulford-Bridge to Lhangiric-Parish on the Confines of Cardigan-shire to the South-West and the breadth from the farthest part of Cyfeilioc Westward to Elsmere on the East-side This Principality Roderic the Great gave to his youngest Son Merfyn in whose Posterity it remained intire till the death of Blethyn ap Confyn who tho' he had divided it betwixt his Sons Meredith and Cadwgan yet it came again whole and intire to the possession of Meredith ap Blethyn But he again broke the Union and left it between his two Sons Madawe and Gruffydh the first of which was Married to Susanna the Daughter of Gruffydh ap Conan Prince of north-North-Wales and had with her that part afterward called by his Name Powis Fadoc After his death this Lordship was divided also betwixt his Sons Gruffydh Maelor Owen ap Madawc and Owen Brogynton which last tho' basely born had however for his incomparable Valour and Courage a share of his Father's Estate namely
Sixty Eight and in her Right created him Lord Powys This John Charleton Lord Powys being aided and supported by the King of England quickly broke all their Measures and having taken Lhewelyn John and David his Wives Uncles he put them in safe custody in the Kings Castle of Harlech and then obtained a Writ from the King to the Sheriff of Shropshire and to Sir Roger Mortimer Lord of Chirkland and Justice of North-Wales for the Apprehension of Gruffydh Fychan with his Sons in Law Sir Roger Chamber and Hugh Montgomery who were then in actual Hostility against him and his Wife Hawys But Gruffydh Fychan and his Accomplices suspecting their own Strength and having lost Thomas Earl of Lancaster their main support thought it most advisable to submit themselves to the King's Pleasure touching the Difference betwixt them and Hawys who finding upon record how that Gruffydh ap Meredith Ancestor to the said Hawys upon his Submission to King Henry the First became Subject to the King of England and thereupon was created Baron of Powys which Barony he and his Posterity had ever since held in capite from the King was of opinion that Hawys had more Right to her Fathers Possessions now in their hands than any pretence they could lay to her Estate But to make a final determination of this matter and to compose the Difference more amicably betwixt them it was agreed that Hawys should enjoy her Inheritance in Fee-Simple to her and her Heirs for ever after the Tenure of England and that her Uncles Lhewelyn John David and Gruffydh should quietly enjoy their Portion and the same to descend to their Heir Males perpetually but in default of such Heir Males the same was to descend to Hawys and her Heirs But William Lord of Mowdhwy the Fourth Brother called otherwise Wilcock Mowdhwy because he did not joyn with the rest against Hawys had all his Lands confirmed to him and to all his Heirs both Male and Female for ever He married Elianor the Sister of Elen Owen Glyndwr's Mother who was lineally descended from Rhys ap Theodore Prince of south-South-Wales by whom he had Issue John de Mowdhwy whose Daughter Elizabeth being Heir to his whole Estate was married to one Sir Hugh Burgh Knight His Son Sir John Burgh Lord of Mowdhwy married Jane the Daughter of Sir William Clapton of Glocestershire by whom he had four Daughters Elizabeth Ancreda Isabel and Elianor the first of whom was married to Thomas Newport the second to John Leighton of Stretton the third to John Lingen and the younger to Tho. Mytton who by equal Distribution had the Lordship of Mowdhwy divided betwixt them But John Charleton Lord of Powys had Issue by his Wife Hawys a Son named John who enjoyed the same Lordship for about Seven Years and then left it to his Son of the same Name who was Lord of Powys Fourteen Years and then it descended to his Son called also John Charleton who enjoyed his Fathers Estate Twenty Seven Years but dying without Issue the Lordship of Powys fell to his Brother Edward Charleton This Edward had Issue by his Wife Elianor the Daughter and one of the Heirs of Thomas Earl of Kent and the Widow of Roger Mortimer Earl of March two Daughters Jane and Joyce the first of which was married to Sir John Gray Knight and the second to John Lord Tipâ—oft whose Son was by King Henry VI. created Earl of Worcester But after the death of Elianor this Edward Lord Powys marryed Elizabeth the Daughter of Sir John Barkley Knight and so after his death which happened in the Year 1420. the Lordship of Powys was divided into three parts whereof his Widow Elizabeth had for her Joynture Lhannorch Hudol Ystrad Marchelâ— Deudhwr and Teirtref and was afterwards married to Lord Dudley Jane his eldest Daughter had Caereneon Mechain Mochnant and Flasdinas and Joyce had Cyfeilioc and Arustly But the Lordship of Powys continued in the Family of Sir John Gray for five Descents in right of his Wife Jane the last of whom Edward Gray Lord Powys married Anne one of the Daughters and Co-Heirs of Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk and dyed without any lawful Issue Dugdale Bar. Engl. Tom. II. p. 284. This Edward Lord Powys in 15 Henry VIII accompanied the Duke of Suffolk in the Expedition then made into France and was at the taking of Bray and other places then won from the French And in 36 Henry VIII being again ready to march in the King's Service he made his last Testament whereby he setled the Succession of his whole Barony and Lordship of Powys his Castle and Mannor of Pool with divers other Lordships in the County of Montgomery and all the rest of his Estate in the County of Salop upon the Heirs of his own Body lawfully begotten or to be begotten and in default of such Issue his Castle and Mannor of Charlton and Pontisbury in Shropshire upon Jane Orwell Daughter of Sir Lewis Orwell Knight and her Assigns during her natural Life And in case he should dye without any Issue of his own Body lawfully begotten that then Edward Grey his illegitimate Son by the same Jane Orwell should have and enjoy his said Barony and Mannor of Powys his Castle and Mannor of Pool and all other his Lordships in the County of Montgomery with the Reversion of the Castle and Mannor of Charlton and Pontysbury to him and his Heirs lawfully begotten and for lack of such Issue to remain to that Child in case it should be a Son wherewith the same Jane Orwell was then great by him and to the Heirs of his Body lawfully begotten But if it should not prove a Son or if the Son dye without Issue then that the whole Barony of Powys and all the Premises before-mentioned should come to Jane Grey his Daughter and to the Heirs of her Body lawfully begotten and for lack of such Issue to Anne Grey his other Daughter and the Heirs of her Body lawfully begotten and lastly for default of such Issue to such Woman-Child as should be born of the Body of the said Jane Orwell But after Edward Grey the Title of Lord of Powys lay extinct to the Fifth Year of K. Charles I. when Sir William Herbert Son of Sir Edward Herbert of Redcastle antiently call'd Pool-Castle now Powys-Castle in the County of Montgomery second Son to William Earl of Pembrock was advanced to the Dignity of a Baron of the Realm by the Title of Lord Powys of Powys in the Marches of Wales in whose Family it still continues though the Title has been changed from a Baron to an Earl and since to a Marquess About the same time that the Prince of Powys dyed Cadwalhon ap Madawc ap Ednerth who had been for some considerable time at variance with his Brother Eineon Clyd was taken Prisoner by him who deliver'd him up to Owen Prince of north-North-Wales But the Prince being willing to gratifie the King of England whose Interest Cadwalhon has
as much as in him lay opposed sent him to the King's Officers to be imprisoned at Winchester from whence he quickly found a way to escape And by the advice of the rest of his Brethren he returned home to his Country King Henry continued all this while in Normandy and during his stay there a Match was concluded upon betwixt his Son Henry and Margaret Daughter to Lewis King of France But this new alliance could not prevent these two Monarchs from A.D. 1160 falling at variance with each other which happened the Year following and thereupon King Henry marched with his Army to Gascoyne to quell certain Rebels who upon first notice of this Breach between both Kings were up in Arms against the English But the next Year a Peace was again concluded and so all things returned to their former state of A.D. 1161 Amity and Quietness But it was not so in Wales for Howel the Son of Ievaf ap Cadwgan ap Athlestlan Glodryth having got to his hand the Castle of Walwern in Cyfeilioc rased it to the ground which so incensed Prince Owen who was Owner of it that nothing could lay his fury till he had drawn his Forces together and made an incursion into Lhandhinam in Arustly Howel's Country which he cruelly harrassed and carried away considerable Booty The People of the Country perceiving these Devastations of the north-North-Wales Men came together to the number of 300 Men offering their Service to their natural Lord Howel ap Iefaf who upon this addition of strength followed the Enemy to the Banks of Severn where they were encamped Prince Owen finding them to march after him was glad of the opportunity to be further revenged upon Howel and so turning suddenly upon them he slew about Two Hundred Men the rest narrowly escaping with Howel to the Woods and Rocks Owen being more joyful for the Revenge he had taken of Howel than for any Victory he had gained rebuilt Walwern Castle and having well fortified and mann'd it returned home to North-Wales A.D. 1162 The Year following the like thing happened Owen the Son of Gruffydh ap Meredith commonly called Owen Cyfeilioc o Wynedh together with Owen ap Madawc ap Meredith and Meredith ap Howel set upon Carrechofa Castle near Oswestry and having over-power'd the Garison committed great Waste and Destruction therein But about the same time a pleasant passage happened in England Robert Mountford and Henry de Essex who had both fought against the Welch upon the Marches and both run began now to impeach each other as being the first occasion of flying The Dispute was to be tryed by Combat in which being engaged Henry was overcome and for his false accusing of Robert he was sentenced to have his Estate forfeited and then having his Crown shorn he was entered a Monk at Redding Within a little after King Henry calling to mind what Prince Rhys had committed during his absence out of the Kingdom drew up a great Army against south-South-Wales and having marched as far as Pencadyr near Brecknock Rhys met him and did his Homage and having delivered up Hostages for his future Behaviour stopp'd the King's farther progress so that thence he returned to England But after the King's departure two very unlucky Accidents happened in Wales Eineon the Son of Anarawd ap Gruffydh Nephew to Prince Rhys being villainously murthered in his Bed by his own Servant called Walter ap Lhywarch as also Cadwgan ap Meredith in like manner by one Walter ap Riccart But the loss of his Nephew Prince Rhys made up by possessing himself of that large Country called Cantref Maâ—r and the Land of Dynefowr which he afterwards enjoyed Of men of Learning there dyed this Year Cadifor ap Daniel Archdeacon of Cardigan and Henry ap Arthen the greatest Scholar that had flourished in Wales for many Years The next Year a total Rupture broke forth betwixt A.D. 1163 the English and Welch Prince Rhys a Man of an active and uncontroulable Spirit being now experimentally sensible he could never carry on the Greatness and Grandeur of his Quality with such lands as the King of England had allotted him made an Invasion into the Lordship of Roger de Acre Earl of Glocester being moved thereto in a great measure by reason that his Nephew Anarawd ap Gruffydh was murthered by his motive and instigation Being advanced with a strong Army into the Earl of Glocester's Estate without any great opposition he took Aberheidol Castle with those belonging to the Sons of Wyhyaon all which he rased to the ground Thence he marched to Cardigan bringing all that Country under his subjection and from thence he marched against the Flemings whose Country he cruelly harassed with Fire and Sword The rest of the Estates of Wales perceiving Prince Rhys to prosper so successfully against the English thought they might equally succeed and shake off the English Yoke which so unreasonably oppressed them And therefore they unanimously agreed to cast off their Subjection to the English whose Tyranny they could no longer bear and to put over them Princes of their own Nation whose Superiority they could better tolerate And so this Year concluded with making suitable Preparations for the following Campaign A.D. 1164 And therefore as soon as the time of year for action was advanced David Son of Owen Prince of north-North-Wales fell upon Flintshire which pertained to the King of England and carrying off all the People and Cattel with him brought them to Dyffryn Clwyd otherwise Ruthyn Land King Henry understanding this gathered together his Forces and with all speed marched to defend both his Subjects and Towns from the Incursions and Depredations of the Welch Being come to Ruthlan and encamped there three days he quickly perceived he could do no great matter by reason that his Army was not sufficiently numerous and therefore he thought it more advisable to return back to England and to augment his Forces before he should attempt any thing against the Welch And accordingly he levied the most chosen Men throughout all his Dominions of England Normandy Anjou Gascoin and Gwien besides those Succours from Flanders and Britain and then set forward for North-Wales purposing to destroy without Mercy every living thing he could possibly meet with and being advanced as far as Croes-Oswalt called Oswestry he incamped there On the other side Prince Owen and his Brother Cadwalader with all the strength of North-Wales Prince Rhys with those of south-South-Wales Owen Cyfeilioc and Madawc ap Meredith with all the Power of Powys the two Sons of Madawc ap Ednerth with the People living betwixt the Rivers of Severn and Wye met together and pitched their Camp at Corwen in Edeyrneon intending unanimously to defend their Country against the King of England King Henry understanding that they were so near was very desirous to come to Battel and to that end he removed to the Banks of the River Ceireoc causing all the Woods thereabouts to be cut down for fear of
any Ambushment lurking therein and for a more clear prospect of the Enemy But some of the Welch took advantage of this opportunity who being well acquainted with the Passage without the knowledg of their Officers fell upon the King's Guard where all the Pike-men were posted and after a hot Skirmish several were slain on both sides But in fine the King wan the passage and so marched on to the Mountain of Berwyn where he lay sometime without any Hostility on either side both Armies standing in fear of each other The English kept the open Plains and were afraid to be entrapp'd in the Streights and narrow Passages and the Welch on the other hand watched the Advantage of the place and observed the English so narrowly that neither Forage or Victuals could pass to the King's Camp And what augmented the misery of the English Army there happened to fall such a Rain that mightily disturbed their Encampment in so much that the Soldiers could scarcely stand for the disadvantage of those slippery Hills But in the end King Henry was forced to decamp and after a very considerable loss of Men and Ammunition besides the great Charges of this Expedition was compell'd to return back to England But to express the great dissatisfaction he entertained of this Enterprize in a great fury he plucked out the Eyes of the Hostages which he had some time afore received from the Welch which were Rhys and Cadwalhon the Sons of Owen Prince of north-North-Wales and Cynric and Meredith the Sons of Rhys of South-Wales Some write that in assailing of a Bridg the King was in no small danger of his Life one of the Welch having aimed directly at him was like to pierce him through the Body had not Hubert de Clare Constable of Colchester who perceived the Arrow a coming thrust himself betwixt the King and it though to the loss of his own Life But though King Henry was shamefully forced to return to England yet he did not give over the thoughts of subduing the Welch and therefore after a long Consultation he made a third Expedition into Wales conveying his Army by Sea as far as Chester There he staid for some time till all his Fleet as well those Ships that he had hired out of Ireland as his own were all arrived But when they were all come together and got safely to Chester his mind was altered and instead of a design against Wales he unexpectedly dismissed his whole Army Prince Rhys was glad of this opportunity and therefore withdrawing his Forces from the Confederate Army he marched to the Siege of Aberteifi Castle which being surrendred to him he rased to the ground From thence he got before Cilgerran which he used after the same manner and therein took Prisoner Robert the Son of Stephen his Cosin-German who was the Son of Nest his Aunt who after the death of Gerald had married Stephen Constable The joy of these happy Successes on the part of the Welch was somewhat clouded by the death of Lhewelyn Son of Owen Prince of north-North-Wales a Person of great Worth and exceedingly well beloved of all his Country A.D. 1165 And now the Welch being something secure from any Invasion from the English there rose up another Enemy to create them Disturbance the Flemings and Normans finding the English to fail in their Attempt against the Welch thought they might with better success quell and subdue them And therefore they came to West-Wales with a great Army and laid siege to the Castle of Cilgerran which Rhys had lately fortified but after two different Assaults they were manfully beat back and forced to depart home again But what the Flemings could not effect against the Welch in South-Wales the Welch easily brought about against the English in North-Wales for Prince Owen having besieged Basingwerk Castle then in the possession of the King of England without much time spent made himself Master of it But it was always the misfortune of the Welch that when they found themselves secure from any Enemy abroad they were sure to quarrel and fall out at home though indeed it could not be well otherwise expected where so many petty States endeavoured still to surmount and out-vie one another And now when all things went very successfully of their sides in opposition to the English two ambitious Persons began to kindle a Flame in their own bosoms Owen Cyfeilioc the Son of Gruffydh ap Maredith Lord of Powys and Owen Fychan second Son to Madawc ap Meredith forcibly dispossessed Iorwerth Goch of his Estate in Powys which they divided betwixt themselves Mochnant Vwch Rayadr to Owen Cyfeilioc and Mochnant is Rayadr to Owen Fychan But the rest of the Princes of Wales could not brook this Injury done to Iorwerth Goch and therefore A.D. 1166 Owen Prince of north-North-Wales with his Brother Cadwalader and Rhys Prince of south-South-Wales went with an Army into Powys against Owen Cyfeilioc and having chased him out of the Country they bestowed Caereneon upon Owen Fychan to hold it of Prince Owen and Rhys had Walwern by reason that it lay near his own Territories But within a while after Owen Cyfeilioc returned with a numerous band of Normans and English along with him and laid siege to the Castle of Caereneon which he burnt to the ground But the loss of this place was made up by the taking of Ruthlan Castle which Owen Rhys and Cadwalader joyntly besieged and which was so strongly fortified and so manfully defended that it cost them three Months before they could make themselves Masters of the place Afterwards they won the Castle of Prestatyn and reduced the whole Country of Tegengl subject to Prince Owen and then returned home to their respective Dominions And from henceforward nothing of moment was transacted during the remainder of Prince Owen's Reign A.D. 1167 only his Son Conan most unmercifully slew Vrgeney Abbot of Lhwythlawr together with his Nephew Lhawthen But a little after Prince Rhys of south-South-Wales A.D. 1168 released out of Prison his Nephew Robert Son to Stephen Constable whom as is said before he had taken at the Siege of Calgarran Castle and sent him to Ireland to the aid of Dermot the Son of Murchart King of Linster who was then in actual war with the King of Leimster With him and his Brother Morris Fitz-Gerald and their Nephews Robert Meyler and Raymond went over a strong Detachment of Welchmen under the command of Richard Strongbow Earl of Strigule who were the chief motive of the Conquest of Ireland when it was first brought in subjection to the Crown of England A.D. 1169 But the next Year Owen Gwynedh Son of Gruffydh ap Conan Prince of north-North-Wales departed this Life in the Two and Thirtieth Year of his Reign He was a wise and a valourous Prince ever fortunate and victorious in all his Undertakings insomuch as he never undertook any Design but what he accomplished He had by different Women several Issues who gat themselves greater Esteem
to the Kings hands the City of Dublyn the Town of Waterford with all such Towns and Castles as he got in right of his Wife whereupon the King restored to him all his Lands both in England and Normandy and created him Lord Steward of Ireland For this Earl of Strigule had lately without the King's Permission gone over to Ireland and had married the Daughter of Dermott King of Dublyn which King Henry took in such an indignation that he presently seized upon all his Lands in England and Normandy Therefore the King having now some footing in Ireland the Expedition was unanimously concluded upon and so the King set upon his Journey and coming towards Wales he was received by Prince Rhys whose Submission the King liked so well that he presently confirmed to him all his Lands in south-South-Wales To return the King's Favour Rhys promised his Majesty 300 Horses and 4000 Oxen toward the Conquest of Ireland for the sure payment of which he delivered Fourteen Pledges Then King Henry marching forward came to Caeriheon upon Vske and entering the Town he dispossessed the right Owner Iorwerth ap Owen ap Caradoc and kept it for his own proper use placing a Garrison of his own Men therein But Iorwerth was not so easie-mouth'd as to be so unreasonably curb'd by the King and therefore departing in a great fury from the King's presence he called to him his two Sons Owen and Howel whom he had by Angharad the Daughter of Vchtryd Bishop of Llandaf and his Sisters Son Morgan ap Sitsylht ap Dyfnwal and bringing together all the Forces they were able upon the King's departure they entered the Country and committing all the Waste and Destruction as they came along they at last came before Caerlheon which when they took they used in the like manner spoiling and destroying whatever they could meet with so that nothing escaped their Fury excepting the Castle which they could not win The King was in the mean time upon his Journey to Pembroke where being accompanied by Prince Rhys he gave him a grant of all Cardigan Ystratywy Arustly and Eluel in Recompence of all the Civilities and Honour he paid him And so Rhys returned to Aberteifi a Town he had lately won from the Earl of Glocester and there having prepared his Present about the beginning of October he returned again to Pembrock having ordered Eighty Six Horses to follow him which being presented to the King he accepted of Thirty Six of the choicest and returned the rest with great Thanks The same day King Henry went to S. Davids and after he had offered to the Memory of that Saint he dined with the Bishop who was the Son of Gerald Cosin-German to Rhys whither Richard Strongbow Earl of Strygile came from Ireland to confer with the King Within a while after King Henry being entertained by Rhys at the White-House restored to him his Son Howel who had been for a considerable time detained as a Pledg and appointed him a certain day for payment of his Tribute at which time all the rest of the Pledges should be set at liberty The day following being the next after the Feast of S. Luke the King went on board and the Wind blowing very favourably set sail for Ireland and being safely arrived upon those Coasts he landed at Dublyn where he rested for that whole Winter in order to make greater Preparations against the following Campaign But the change of the Air and Climate occasion'd such a raging Distemper and Infection among the Soldiers that to prevent the perishing of his whole Army A.D. 1172 the King was forced to return with what speed he could back for England and so having shipp'd off all his Army and Effects he loosed Anchor and landed in Wales in the Passion Week next Year and coming to Pembrock he stayed there on Easter-day and then proceeded upon his Journey towards England Rhys hearing of the King's return was very officious to pay him his Devotion and would gladly feign to be one of the first who should welcome him over and so meeting with him at Talacharn he expressed all the Ceremonies of Duty and Allegiance Then the King passed on and as he came from Caerdyf by the new Castle upon Vsk meaning to leave Wales in a peaceable condition he sent for Iorwerth ap Owen ap Caradoc who was the only Person in open Enmity against him and that upon very just ground willing him to come and treat about a Peace and assuring him of a safe Conduct for himself his Sons and all the rest of his Associates Iorwerth was willing to accept of the Proposal and thereupon set forward to meet the King having sent an Express to his Son Owen a valourous young Gentleman to meet him by the way Owen according to his Fathers Orders set forward on his Journey with a small retinue without any thing of Arms or Weapons of War as thinking it Folly to clog himself with such needless Carriage when the King had promised a safe Conduct But he did not find it so safe for as he passed the new Castle upon Vske the Earl of Bristol's Men who were garrison'd therein laid in wait for him as he came along and setting cowardly upon him slew him with most of his Company But some few escaped to acquaint his Father Iorwerth of such a treacherous Action who hearing that his Son was so basely murthered contrary to the King 's absolute promise of a safe Passage without any farther consultation about the matter presently returned home with Howel his Son and all his Friends and would no longer put any trust or confidence in any thing that the King of England or any of his Subjects promised to do But on the other side to avenge the Death of his Son who was so cowardly cut off he presently raised all the Forces that himself and the rest of his Friends were able to do and so entering into England he destroyed with Fire and Sword all the Country to the Gates of Hereford and Glocester But the King was so intent upon his return that he seemed to take no great notice of what Iorwerth was doing and therefore having by Commission constituted Lord Rhys Chief Justice of all South-Wales he forthwith took his Journey to Normandy About this time dyed Cadwalader ap Gruffydh the Son of Gruffydh ap Conan sometime Prince of north-North-Wales who by his Wife Alice the Daughter of Richard Clare Earl of Glocester had Issue Cunetha Radulph and Richard and by other Women Cadfan Cadwalader Eineon Meredith Goch and Cadwalhon Towards the end of this Year Sitsylht ap Dyfnwal and Iefan ap Sitsylht ap Riryd surprized the Castle of Abergavenny which belonged to the King of England and having made themselves Masters of it they took the whole Garrison Prisoners A.D. 1173 But the following Year there happened a very great difference and a falling out betwixt King Henry and his Son of the same Name this latter being upholded by
the Queen his Mother his Brothers Geffrey and Richard the French King the Earl of Flanders together with the Earl of Chester William Patrick with several other valiant Knights and Gentlemen But the old King having a stout and a faithful Army consisting of Almanes and Brabanters was not in the least dismay'd or discourag'd at such a seeming Storm and which made him more bold and adventurous he was joyned by a strong Party of Welchmen which Lord Rhys had sent him under the command of his Son Howel King Henry overthrew his Enemies in divers Encounters and having either killed or taken Prisoners most of them who were rose up against him he easily dissipated the Cloud which at first seemed so black and threatning Iorwerth ap Owen was not very sory to see the English clash and fall into civil Dissentions among themselves and therefore taking advantage of such a seasonable opportunity he drew his Army against Caerlheon which stood out very stifly against him But after many warm Disputes of both sides Iorwerth at length prevailed and entering the Town by force he took most of the Inhabitants Prisoners and then laying siege to the Castle it was surrender'd up in exchange for the Prisoners he had taken in the Town Howel his Son at the same time was busie in Gwent îs Coed and having reduced all that Country excepting the Castle to subjection he took Pledges of the Inhabitants to be true and faithful to him and to withdraw their Allegiance from the King of England At the same time something of action passed in North-Wales for David ap Owen Gwynedh Prince of north-North-Wales bringing an Army over the River Menai into Anglesey against his Brother Maelgon who kept that Island from him forced him to make his escape to Ireland in his return from whence the following Year he was accidentally discovered and seized upon and then by his Brothers orders committed to close Prison Prince David having brought the Isle of Anglesey to its pristine state of subjection to him was resolved to move all manner of Obstacles which might at any time for the future endanger its falling off from him and these he judged to be his own next Relations A.D. 1174 and therefore he expell'd and banish'd all his Brethren and Cosins out of his Territories of North-Wales But before this Sentence was put in execution his Brother Conan dyed and so escaped the Ignominy of being banished his native Country for no other reason but the Jealousie of an ambitious Brother About the same time Howel the Son of Iorwerth ap Owen of Caerlheon took Prisoner his Uncle Owen Pencarn who was right Heir of Caerlheon and Gwent and now having him secure and to prevent his getting any Children to inherit those places which himself was next Heir to he first pulled out his Eyes and then very inhumanly cut off his Testicles But Vengeance did not permit such a base Action to go unpunished for upon the Saturday following a great Army of Normans and Englishmen came unexpectedly before the Town and wan both it and the Castle notwithstanding all the Opposition which Howel and his Father Iorwerth made though this last was not privy to his Sons Action About the same time King Henry came over to England a little after whose arrival William King of Scots and Roger de Moubray were taken Prisoners at Alnewike by the Barons of the North as they came to destroy the Northern part of the Country in the Quarrel of the young King But old King Henry having committed them to the safe custody of the Earl of Leicester and received Hugh Bygod Earl of Chester to his Mercy returned to Normandy with a very considerable Army of Welchmen which David Prince of north-North-Wales had sent him in return of which he gave him his Sister Emme in Marriage When he was arrived in Normandy he sent a Detachment of the Welch to cut off some Provisions which were going to the Enemies Camp but in the mean time the French King came to a Treaty of Peace which was shortly afterwards concluded upon so that all the Brethren who had all this time maintained such an unnatural Rebellion against their Father were forced to beg the old King's Forgiveness and Pardon for all their former Misdemeanours David Prince of north-North-Wales began to grow very bold and assuming by reason of his new Alliance with the King of England and nothing would serve his turn but he must put his Brother Roderic in Prison and secure him with Fetters for no other account than because he demandod his share of his Fathers Lands It was the custom of Wales as is said before to make an equal division of the Father's Inheritance between all the Children and therefore David had no colour of Reason or Pretence to deal so severely with his Brother unless it were to verifie that Proverb Might overcomes Right But though Prince David might depend much upon his Affinity with the King of England yet Rhys Prince of south-South-Wales gained his Favour and Countenance the more by reason that he let slip no opportunity to further the King's Interest and Affairs in Wales and by that means was a very necessary and useful Instrument to keep under the Welch and to promote the surer Settlement of the English in the Country Not that he bore any Love or Affection to either King Henry or his Subjects but because he was sufficiently rewarded for former Services and was still in expectation of receiving more Favours at the King's hands he was resolved to play the Politician so far as to have regard to his own Interest more than the Good of his native Country And what did ingratiate him to King Henry most of all upon the Feast of S. James he brought all such Lords of South-Wales as were at Enmity with the King to do him Homage at Glocester namely Cadwalhon ap Madawc of Melyenyth his Cosin-German Eineon Clyt of Eluel and Eineon ap Rhys of Gwerthrynion his Sons in Law Morgan ap Caradoc ap Iestyn of Glamorgan Gruffydh ap Ifor ap Meiric of Sengennyth and Sitsylht ap Dyfnwal of Higher Gwent all three his Brothers in Law who had married his Sisters together with Iorwerth ap Owen of Caerlheon King Henry was so well pleased with this Stratagem of Rhys that notwithstanding these Persons had been his implacable Enemies he readily granted them their Pardon and received them to Favour and restored to Iorwerth ap Owen the Town and Castle of Caerlheon which he had unjustly taken from him A.D. 1175 This Reconciliation betwixt King Henry and these Welch Lords some of the English in Wales took advantage of and more particularly William de Bruce Lord of Brecnock who having for a long time a great longing to Gwentland could not bring about his Design by reason that Sitsylht ap Dyfnwal the Person of greatest sway and Power in the Country was an inveterate Enemy to all the English But being now reconciled to the King William de
Bruce under pretence of congratulating this new Peace and Agreement betwixt the English and Welch invited Sitsylht and Geffrey his Son with several others of the Persons of chiefest note in Gwentland to a Feast in his Castle of Abergavenny which by composition he had lately received from them Sitsylht with the rest came according to appointment and without the least suspicion of any treasonable Designs but after they had been civilly entertained for some time William Bruce to move a Quarrel against them began at last to propound certain Articles to them to be by them kept and performed and among other unreasonable Conditions they were to swear that none of them should at any time carry with them Bow or Sword The Welch refusing to consent to and sign such improper Articles as these William Bruce presently calls out his Men who were ready for that purpose and bidding them fall to their business they most treacherously fell upon and slew the innocent and naked Welch and as if it did not sufficiently express their Cruelty and Inhumanity they immediately went to Sitsylht's House which stood not far from Abergavenny and taking hold of Gwladus his Wife they slew her Son Cadwalader before her face and then setting fire to the House they pack'd her away to the Castle This execrable Murther being thus most barbarously and which was worst of all under pretence of Friendship and Kindness committed Wâ—lliam Bruce to cloak his Treason with some reasonable Excuse and to make the World believe it was not for any private Interest or Expectation he had done such an Act as he knew would be by all Men abhorred caused it to be reported abroad that he had done such a thing in revenge of the death of his Uncle Henry of Hereford whom the Welch on the Easter-Even before had slain But whilst these things passed in South-Wales Roderic David Prince of North-Wales's Brother made his escape by some means or other out of Prison and fleeing to Anglesey he was receiv'd and acknowledg'd by all the Country t'other side the River Conwey for their Lord and Prince which they were the more willing to do by reason that they conceived an utter Abhorrence of Prince David who contrary to all Rules of Equity and almost Nature had disinherited all his Brethren and Cosins as boldly relying upon his Affinity and Relation to the King of England But David perceiving the Storm to grow very violent and that the Country did numerously flock and adhere to his Brother Cadwalader thought it his best way to stay a while till the Storm was abated and so retired over the River Conwey Towards the end of this Year Cadelh the Son of Gruffydh ap Rhys and Brother to Lord Rhys after a tedious fit of Sickness and taken upon him the Monkish Order departed this Life whose Body was very honourably enterred at Stratflur In the Spring of the following Year dyed also David A.D. 1176 Fitz Gerald Bishop of Menevia or S. Davids whose See was supplyed by one Piers being nominated thereunto by the King of England But what happened most remarkable this Year the Lord Rhys Prince of South Wales made a very great Feast at Christmas in his Castle of Aberteifi which he caused to be proclaimed through all Britain Ireland and the Islands adjacent some considerable time before and according to their Invitation many Hundreds of English Normans and others coming to Aberteifi were very honourably received and courteously entertained by Prince Rhys But among other tokens of their Welcome and Entertainment Rhys caused all the Bards or Poets throughout all Wales to come thither and for a better Diversion to the Company he provided Chairs to be set in the Hall in which the Bards being seated they were to answer each other in Rhyme and those that acquitted themselves most handsomly and overcame the rest were promised great Rewards and rich Presents In this poetical Disceptation the North-Wales Bards obtained the Victory with the Applause and Approbation of the whole Company and among the Professors of Musick between whom there was A.D. 1177 no small Strife Prince Rhys's own Servants were accounted the most expert But for all this civil and obliging Treatment of Prince Rhys the Normans upon the Marches fell to their accustomed manner of treacherous way-laying and privately assaulting the harmless and undesigning Welch and therefore Eineon Clyt Rhys his Son in Law and Morgan ap Meredith falling into the Net which the Normans had deceitfully laid for them were treacherously murthered Therefore to keep the Normans under greater fear and awe for the future Prince Rhys built a Castle at Rhayadr Gwy being a place where the River Wye falls with a very great Noise and Precipitation down a great Rock A.D. 1178 But this Castle was like to stand him in a double stead for it was not long after he had perfectly finished it that the Sons of Conan ap Owen Gwynedh made War against him but finding upon tryal that their Design against Rhys was impracticable they thought it more advisable to retire back to North-Wales A.D. 1179 The next Year Cadwalhon Brother to Owen Gwynedh and Uncle to David and Roderic who for fear of his Brother had some time ago fled for Refuge to the King of England as he was conveyed home by some of the King's Servants to enjoy his patrimonial Estate in Wales was by those barbarous and treacherous Villains murthered in his Journey This Year the Sepulchre of that famous and noble British King Arthur with his Wife Gwenhofar by the means of some Welch Bard whom King Henry had heard at Pembrock relate in a Song the worthy and mighty Acts of that great Prince and the place where he was buried was found in the Isle of Afalon without the Abbey of Glastenbury their Bodies being laid in a hollow Elder Tree buried Fifteen Foot in the Earth The Bones of King Arthur were of marvelous and almost incredible bigness having ten Wounds in the Skull whereof one being considerably larger than the rest seemed to be his Death-Blow and the Queens Hair seemed to the sight to be fair and yellow but when touch'd crumbled presently to Dust Over the Bones was laid a Stone with a Cross of Lead upon the lower side of which Stone were engraven these words HIC JACET SEPULTUS INCLYTUS REX ARTHURUS IN INSULA AVALONIA Here lies buried the famous King ARTHUR in the Isle of Afalon No Action of moment had passed in Wales this long time and the Welch were in perfect Amity and Concord with the King of England but some unlucky Accident fell out at last to dissolve this happy A.D. 1182 Union and Agreement One Ranulph de Poer who was Sheriff of Glocestershire or rather as Giraldus Cambrensis observes of Herefordshire being a cruel and unreasonable Oppressor of the Welch put the Lord of Gwentland to death in revenge of whom a certain young Person of that Country set upon Ranulph with several other Gentlemen his
Companions and slew them to a Man King Henry was implacably enrag'd at this News and so cruelly incensed that he presently raised and drew together all his Power and came to Worcester intending to march forward to Wales and to invade the Enemies Country But the Lord Rhys ap Gruffydh a subtile and a politick Prince thinking it impossible to withstand the English Army and fearing the King's Puissance which he perceived to be so implacably bent against the Welch went in person to Worcester and swearing Fealty to the King became his perpetual Liege-Man and for the due observance of this Contract he promised to send his Sons and Nephews for Pledges But when he would have persuaded them to answer his request the young Men considering with themselves how former Pledges had not been very genteely treated by the English refused to go and so the whole matter rested for that time What became of the matter afterwards we know not but probable it is that King Henry returned to England satisfied with Rhys's Submission for we hear no more of his coming to Wales And so the Country remained quiet and undisturbed for a long time till at length the Welch began to fall to their wonted Method of killing and murdering one another A.D. 1186 Cadwalader Prince Rhys's Son was privately murdered in west-West-Wales and buried in the Ty Gwyn And the Year following Owen Fychan the Son of Madawe A.D. 1187 ap Meredith was slain by night in the Castle of Carrergova near Oswestry by Gwenwynwyn and Cadwalhon the Sons of Owen Cyfeilioc But what was most unnatural of all Lhewelyn whose Father Cadwalhon ap Gruffydh ap Conan was lately murdered by the Englishmen was taken by his own Brothers who very barbarously put out his Eyes About the same time Baldwyn Archbishop of Canterbury being attended by Giraldus Cambrensis took a Progress into Wales being the first Archbishop of Canterbury that visited that Country whose Authority the Clergy of Wales in vain opposed though they stifly alledged the Liberties and Priviledges of their Metropolitan Church of S. Davids In this Visitation described by Giraldus in his Itinerarium Cambriae he persuaded many of the Nobility of Wales to go to the Holy Land against those prevailing Enemies of Christianity the Saracens to whose prevailing Greatness Jerusalem it self was now in great danger A.D. 1188 to become subject The Archbishop having left the Country Maelgon the Son of Lord Rhys brought all his Power against Tenbigh and having by force made himself Master of it burnt the whole Town to the ground and so carried away very considerable Spoil He was a Person of such civil Behaviour and easie Access of so comly Personage and Honesty in all his Actions that he attracted the most earnest Love and Affection of all his Friends by which means he became very terrible and formidable to his Enemies especially the Flemings of whom he obtained divers Victories and Conquests The next Year being the Year of Christ 1189. A.D. 1189 Henry the Second surnamed Courtmantel King of England dyed and was buried at Fonteverard after whom his Son Richard called Curdelyon was by the unanimous consent of all the Peers and Nobility of England crowned in his place Prince Rhys being thus deprived of his greatest Friend thought it his wisest way to make the best provision he could for himself by enlarging his Dominions and extending the Bounds of his present Territories and therefore having raised all the Strength he could he wan the Castles of Seynclere Abercorran and Lhanstephan and having taken and committed to Prison Maelgwn his Son who was the greatest Thorn in his Side as one that was most passionately beloved by the South-Wales Men he brought the whole Country to his subjection Then he built the Castle of Cydwely but A.D. 1190 what took away from him the Joy of all this good Fortune he lost his Daughter Gwenlhian a Woman of such incomparable Beauty and exceeding in all feminine Qualifications that she was accounted the fairest and best accomplished Lady in all the Country And not long after her dyed Gruffydh Maylor Lord of Bromfield A.D. 1191 a Man of great Prudence and Experience and one that excelled all the Nobility of his time in Hospitality and all other Acts of Generosity and Liberality His Corps were carried to Myfod and honourably interr'd there being attended by most of the Persons of Quality throughout the whole Country He had Issue by his Wife Angharad Daughter of Owen Gwynedh Prince of north-North-Wales a Son called Madawc who succeeded his Father in that part of Powys called from him Powys Fadawc Rhys Prince of south-South-Wales was growing very powerful and had made himself Master of the greatest part of South-Wales only with some few places more Dynefowr held out still which however upon the first Assault he made against it was delivered up to him But as he increased 〈◊〉 â—he number of Towns and Castles he had the Misfortune to have that of his Children diminished for his Daughter Gwenlhian was lately deceased and now he had no sooner got Dynefowr Castle into his possession but his Son Owen dyed at Strata Florida or Ystratflur King Richard was gone to the Holy Land against the Saracens but in his return to England he wan the Kingdom of Cyprus and gave it to Gwido King of Jerusalem upon condition he would resign his former Title to him During his stay in this Island he marryed Berengaria the Daughter of the King of Navarr A.D. 1192 Maeâ—gon Prince Rhys's Son had been now detain'd a long time in Prison where his Father had shut him up but being at last utterly weary of such a close Confinement he found some means or other to get out and to make his escape His Father Prince Rhys was not so troubled at his being broke out and that he had got his liberty as to give over the Conquest which all this while he had gone so furiously on with but laying siege to Lhanhayaden Castle he took it without any great Opposition and brought all the Country about to his subjection And what favoured him more in his Attempts against the English King Richard A.D. 1193 having most bravely signalized himself against the Infidels in his return home through Austria was taken Prisoner by Duke Leopold who presented him to the Emperour Henry who demanded 200000 Marks for his Ransom laying to his charge that he had spoiled and plundered the Island of Sicily in his Voyage to the Holy Land And as Rhys took the advantage of King Richard's absence to subject South-Wales so Roderic Brother to David Prince of North Wales made use of Gothrike's the King of Man's help to get the Principality of North-Wales to himself and eject his Brother And therefore entring into Anglâ—sey he quickly reduced the whole Island to his subjection But he did not enjoy it long for before the Year was over the Sons of his Brother Conan came with an Army against him and forcing him together with the
King of Man to fly the Island they took present Possession of it themselves And while these things were done in North Wales Maelgon Prince Rhys of south-South-Wales his Son who was lately escaped from Prison besieged Ystratmeyric Castle and after some small Opposition got it into his own hands upon Christmas night which encouraged him to farther Attempts And at the same time his Brother Howel surnamed Says or the Englishman by reason that he had served for some time under the King of England another Son of Prince Rhys got by surprize the Castle of Gwys and having secured Philip de Gwys the Owner with his Wife and two Sons he made them all Prisoners of War Then the two Brothers Howel and Maelgon joyned their Forces but fearing that they had more Castles than what they were able to defend they thought it convenient to rase Lhanhayaden Castle which the Flemings having notice of they gathered all their Power together and coming to Lhanhayaden at the day appointed they unexpectedly set upon the Welch and slew a great number of them But notwitstanding this sudden and unhappy accident they thought it necessary to destroy the Castle and so coming to Lhanhayaden the second time they rased it to the ground without any Molestation from or appearance of any Enemy to disturb them But when Anarawd another Son of Pr Rhys saw how prosperously his Brothers succeeded he thought to make himself as rich as they and by a shorter and an easier Method And therefore having under a smooth pretence of Friendship and Love got his Brothers Howel and Madawc in private being moved with Ambition and Covetousness to enjoy their Estates he first made them Prisoners and then very unnaturally pulled out their Eyes But Maelgon escaped this Snare and hearing what a foul Action was committed he promised his Brother Anarawd the Castle of Ystratmeyric for the Liberty and Releasment of his two Brothers which Anarawd granted But 't is A.D. 1194 no wonder that those Brothers could be unnatural and cruel to one another who could joyn and agree to rebel against their Father and now Prince Rhys having rebuilt the Castle of Rhayadr Gwy was laid wait for and taken Prisoner by his own Sons who were afraid that in case their Father had them once in his power he would severely revenge their cruel and unnatural Deedâ— But Howel proved more kind and dutiful than the rest who though blind found a way to let his Father escape out of Maelgon's Prison and so Prince Rhys being set at liberty he took and destroyed the Castle of Dynefowr which belonged to his Son Maelgon But though he succeeded in this Attempt yet he lost another castle elsewhere for the Sons of Cadwalhon ap Madawc of Melyenydh being informed that Prince Rhys was detained Prisoner by his Son Maelgon they besieged Rhayadr Gwy Castle which being surrendred up to them they fortified for their own use But whilst these unhappy Differences and unnatural Clashings betwixt Prince Rhys and his Sons continue and rage in south-South-Wales a new revolution of Affairs happened in North-Wales Prince David had now enjoyed the Sceptre of north-North-Wales for above Twenty Four Years and one would think that so long a Possession would secure him in his Throne that it could not be very easie to pull him down But Possession is not always the surest Card which proved very true in Prince David's case at this time for Lhewelyn the Son of Iorwerth Drwyndwn who was the eldest Son of Owen Gwynedh Prince of north-North-Wales being now arrived to Years of maturity and having Sense enough to understand what a just Title and Claim he had to the Principality of North-Wales of which his Uncle David had so unjustly kept him out he thought it high time to endeavour to recover what was lawfully his own which however he was well persuaded his Uncle David would never easily part with And therefore being well assured that the justness of his Title would never mount him up to the Throne without he had an Army at his heels to help him on he called together all his Friends and Relations by his Mothers side who was Marred the Daughter of Madawc ap Meredith Prince of Powys and having drawn to his side his Cosins the Sons of Conan ap Owen Gwynedh and Rhodri ap Owen he came into North Wa es proclaiming how against all Justice his Uncle David had first disinherited his Father Iorwerth and then had kept the Government from him who was the right Heir And though his Father Iorwerth had been incapable of taking upon him the Government by reason of some Infirmity yet there was no reason that his Fathers Weakness should exclude and turn him out and therefore being now sensible of what he was not capable to understand in his youth he laid claim to the Principality which was justly his own But there was no great need of conjuring to understand his Claim nor of much Rhetorick to persuade the People to own him for their Prince whose Affection was cooled and almost worn off from David ever since he had dealt so unnaturally with his Brothers whom after he had deprived of their Estates he banished out of the Country And therefore before Lhewelyn could expect to have any sure footing the whole Country of north-North-Wales was at his devotion excepting only Three Castles which David by the help of the English in whom by reason of his Affinity with the late King Henry he depended much upon kept to himself And thus David being deprived of almost all that he formerly possessed we shall reckon him no more among the Princes of north-North-Wales but restore the Principality to the true Heir Lhewelyn ap Iorwerth Lhewelyn ap Iorwerth LHewelyn ap Iorwerth the Son of Owen Gwynedh having thus successfully carried on his just Claim to the Dominion of North-Wales and being quietly settled in the Government of it Roger Mortimer A.D. 1195 marches with a strong Body to Melyenith and built the Castle of Cymaron whereby he reduced that Country to his subjection and forced thence the two Sons of Cadwalh n ap Madawc that were Governours thereof About this time Rhys and Meredith two valiant but undutiful Sons of Prince Rhys having got together a Body of hot headed daring Soldiers came before Dynefawr and took the Castle that was garrison'd by their Fathers Men Hence they proceeded to Cantre-Fychan where the Country civily received them and surrender'd up the Castle to them At this their Father was justly incensed and therefore to put a stop to their farther Proceedings he endeavoured by all means to take them which not long after happened for their Adherents now began to be touched with the Sense as well of their Treason against as of their Allegiance due to their lawful Lord Prince Rhys and therefore to attone for their past Faults and to procure his future Favour they betrayed their rebellious Leaders to their offended Father who immediatly committed them to safe custody A.D. 1196 The
ensuing Year Prince Rhys levies a great Army whose first Attempt was upon the Town and Castle of Caermadthyn both which he took in a short time and destroyed and then returned with considerable Booty Not long after he led the said Army to the Marches and invested the Castle of Clun which was not so easily taken as the former for this cost him a long Siege and many a fierce Assault and therefore to be revenged of it when he took it he laid it in Ashes thence he proceeded to the Castle of Radnor which he likewise wan but immediately after it cost him a bloody Battel for he was no sooner Master of the Castle but Roger Mortimer and Hugh de Say came with a numerous and well-disciplin'd Army consisting of Normans and English to the relief of it Whereupon Prince Rhys thinking it not his best course to confine his Men within the Walls led 'em up into a Champion Ground hard by and there like a valiant Prince resolved to give his Enemies Battel though they had much the advantage of him for his Men were neither so well armed nor so much accustomed to Battel as the others were however their Courage made amends for their Arms and their Leaders Prudence and Conduct supply'd the Defects of their Discipline for they chose rather to die honourably in the Defence of their Country than shamefully to survive the Loss of it and therefore they attack'd their Enemies so valiantly that they were not long able to withstand their Force but quitted the Field in great Disorder leaving a great number of their Men behind them slain upon the spot and Prince Rhys pursued them so warmly that they were glad of the shelter of the Night to protect them from his Fury After this Victory he besieged the Castle of Payne in Elfel which he easily took and kept in his own hands till William de Bruce the Owner thereof came to him and humbly desired Peace of him which he granted him and withal deliver'd him up his Castle again Not long after the Archbishop of Canterbury whom King Richard had substituted his Lieutenant in England marches with a powerful Army towards Wales and besieges the Castle of Gwenwynwyn at the Pool but the Garrison made such a vigorous Defence that he lost a great many of his Men and all his Aâ—â—empts proved ineffectual therefore he sent for some Pyoneers whom he ordered to undermine the Walls which when the besieged understood they bethought of securing themselves on the most honourable Terms they could they were not willing to put themselves to the hazard of a Battel for their Enemies were thrice their Number therefore they proposed to surrender up the Castle on condition they should carry off all their Arms along with them Which Offer the Archbishop accepted of and so permitted the Garrison to march out quietly Then fortifying the Castle for the King's use and putting a strong Garrison in it for its defence he returned again to England But Gwenwynwyn was not so willing to part from his Castle as never to attempt the Recovery of it therefore as soon as he understood that the Archbishop was gone back he immediately besieged it and shortly after received it on the same Terms that his Men had deliver'd it up and afterwards kept it for his own use A.D. 1197 The following Year there broke out a terrible Plague which spread over all Britain and France and carried off a great number of the Nobility besides common People This Year likewise dyed the valiant Rhys Prince of south-South-Wales the only Stay and Defence of that part of Wales for he it was that got them their Liberty and secured it to them He often very readily exposed his own Life for the defence of theirs and their Country generally he got the better of his Enemies and at last either brought them entirely under his Subjection or forced them to quit their Country He was no less illustrious for his virtuous Endowments than for his Valour and Extraction so that it was with good reason that the British Bards and others wrote so honourably of him and so mightily deplored his Death To this Prince were born many Sons and Daughters whereof his elder Son Gruffydh succeeded him the others were Cadwalhon Maelgon Meredith and Rhys Of his Daughters one called Gwenthtan was married to Ednyfed Fychaâ— Ancestor to Owen Tudor that married Kitharine Queen-Dowager to King Henry the Fifth And the rest were very well match'd with some of the Nobility of the Country Prince Gruffydh being settled in the Government of his Country did not long enjoy it peaceably for his troublesom Brother Maelgon thought it now a fit time to endeavour the recovery of the Inheritance his Father had deprived him of To this purpose he makes a League with Gwenwynwyn the Son of Owen Cyfeilioc Lord of Powys and by their joynt Interest got together a considerable Body of Men wherewith they surprized Prince Gruffydh at Aberystwyth whom after they had slain a great many of his Men they took Prisoner Thus Maelgon effectually accomplished his Design in the recovery of the Castle and the whole Country of Cardigan His unfortunate Brother he committed to the custody of his spiteful Confederate Gwenwynwyn who immediately out of Malice deliver'd him up to the Mercy of his inveterate Enemies the English After this Gwenwynâ—yn having got together an Army entered Arustly and brought it to his subjection David ap Owen whom Prince Lhewelyn had forâ—ed to quit his Usurpation of the Principality of north-North-Wales had hitherto lived quietly and peaceably not so much out of kindness to his Nephew as because he knew not how to redress himself but now having got a great Army of English and Welch he used his utmost Efforts to recover his Principality Whereupon Prince Lhewelyn who was the right Heir and in possession of it came on boldly to meet him and gave him battel wherein he shamefully routed his Army and took his Uncle David Prisoner whom he delivered into safe custody whereby he secured to himself and his Country Peace and Quietness Towards the close of this Year Owen Cyfeilioc Lord of the higher Powys departed this Life and left his Estate to Gwenwynwyn his Son after whom that part of Powys was called Powys-Wenwynwyn to distinguish it from the other called Powys Fadoc the Inheritance of the Lords of Bromfield Much about this time Trahaern Fychan a Man of great Power and Authority in the County of Brecknock was suddenly seized upon as he was going to Llancors to confer about some business with William de Bruce Lord thereof and by an Order of the Lords tyed to an Horse Tail and dragged through the Streets of Brecknock to the Gallows where he was beheaded and his Body hung up by the Feet for three Days Which Barbarity inflicted upon him for no known just Cause so frightned his Brothers Wife and Children that they fled their Country for fear of the same Usage The A.D. 1198 Year
following Maelgon who had before routed his Brother Prince Gruffydh's Army and taken him Prisoner begins now to enlarge his Territories and takes in his Brothers Castles of Aberteifi and Ystratmeyric Also the youngest Son of Prince Rhys about this time recovered the Castle of Dynefowr from the Normans The same Summer Gwenwynwyn took up a resolution of attempting to extend Wales to its antient Limits and for this purpose he raises a powerful Army with which he first designs to be avenged of William de Bruce for the inhuman Death of his Cosin Trahaern Fychan and therefore he besiegeth his Castle of Payn in Elfel where he makes a Protestation that as soon as he had taken it for a farther satisfaction to his Revenge he would unmercifully ravage the whole Country as far as Severn But these mighty Menaces were soon blown over for he had neither Battering Engins nor Pioneers so that he was forced to lay before the Castle for three Weeks without effecting any thing whereby the Murtherers had time enough to apply themselves to England for Succours which they obtained For upon this Geoffrey Fitz-Peter Lord Chief Justice of England levies a considerable Army to which he joyns all the Lords Marchers and comes in all hast to the Relief of the place where he meets Gwenwynwyn with whom before he would hazard a Battel he was desirous to have a Treaty of Peace to which Gwenwynwyn and his Adherents would in no wise hearken or condescend but returned in answer that their business there was to be revenged of old Injuries done them Hereupon the English Lords resolved to enlarge Prince Gruffydh of south-South-Wales whom they knew to be an inveterate Enemy of Gwenwynwyn as he that delivered him up to their hands and likewise to be a Man of great Authority in his Country therefore they rightly concluded he might be more serviceable to them when at liberty than under confinement wherein they were not disappointed for he immediately got together a strong Body of his Countrymen and joyning with the English advanced towards the Castle where they furiously attack'd Gwenwynwyn who made no less vigorous defence hereupon there ensued a bloody Battel with a great slaughter on both sides but at length the English got the Victory and Gwenwynwyn lost a great number of common Soldiers if we believe Matthew Paris 3700 Men besides a great many of his best Commanders among whom were Anarawd Son of Eineon Owen ap Cadwalhon Richard ap Iestyn and Robert ap Howel Meredith ap Conan was likewise taken Prisoner with many more After this the English returned home triumphantly and requited Prince Gruffydh's Service with a perfect Liberty who immediately partly by his own Force partly by the Affection of his People repossessed himself of all his Dominions save the Castles of Aberteifi and Ystratmeyrie which his usurping Brother Maelgon by the Assistance of Gwenwynwyn had during his Confinement by the English taken from him and still unjustly detained Hereupon some of Prince Gruffydh's prime Nobility and Clergy came to him and offered him their Endeavours of reconciling him to his Brother and made him so apprehensive of his just Displeasure at him that he took a solemn Oath before them that in case his Brother would give him Hostages for the security of his own Person he would deliver him up his Castle of Aberteifi by a day appointed which Proposals Prince Gruffydh accepted of and accordingly sent him his Demands But it was the least of Maelgon's intention to make good his part or else he was very unconstant in his resolution for he had no sooner received the Hostages but instead of delivering up the Castle he fortifies it and puts in a Garrison for his own use and commits the Hostages to the custody of Gwenwynwyn Prince Gruffydh's mortal Enemy but not long after their Innocency procured them an opportunity of an Escape In the Year 1199 Maelgon still pursuing his Hatred A.D. 1199 of his Brother Prince Gruffydh gets an Army wherewith he besiegeth his Castle of Dynerth which he was Master of in a short time and then put all the Garrison to the Sword But about the same time Prince Gruffydh in lieu of this wan the Castle of Cilgerran and strongly fortified it This Year Richard the First of England as he was besieging the Castle of Chalons in France was shot from the Walls with an Arrow whereof he not long after dyed and left his Kingdom to his Brother John who thereupon was with great Solemnity crown'd at Westminster But he could not expect to enjoy this Kingdom peaceably for his elder Brother Geoffry Plantagenet had left a Son behind him named Arthur whose Right the Crown of England was by lineal descent which now therefore he justly lays claim to and by the assistance of King Philip of France who espoused his Quarrel endeavours to recover But before Prince Arthur had made sufficient Preparations to carry on his Design he was unexpectedly set upon by his Uncle his Army routed and he himself taken Prisoner and committed to safe custody not long after which he dyed and so King John was rid of his Competitor A.D. 1200 The following Year Gruffydh ap Conan ap Owen Gwynedh dyed and was buried in a Monk's Cawl in the Abby of Conway which way of burying was very much practised especially by the better sort in those days for the Monks and Friers had deluded the People into a strong Conceit of the Merits of it and had firmly persuaded them it was highly conducing to their future Happiness to be thus interr'd But this Superstition together with the Propagators of it they had lately received from England For the first Abby or Monastery we read of in Wales since the Destruction of that famous House of Bangor which favour'd of Romish Dregs was the Ty-Gwyn built in the Year 1146. after which they mightily increased and spread over all the Country and now the Fountain Head began to be corrupted for the Clergy maintained a Doctrin which their Ancestors abhorr'd as may easily be gathered from the Writings of that worthy Divine Ambrosius Telesinus who flourished in the Year 540. when the Christian Faith which we suppose to be deliver'd at the Isle of Afalon by Joseph of Arimathea flowed in this Land in a pure and uncorrupted Stream before it was infected and polluted by that proud and blood-thirsty Monk Augustine I say he then wrote and left behind him as his own Opinion and the Opinion of those days these following Verses Gwae'r offeiriad byd Nys angreifftia gwyd Ac ny phregetha Gwae ny cheidw ei gail Ac ef yn figail Ac nys areilia Gwae ni cheidw ei dhefaid Rhae bleidhie Rhufeniaid A'i ffon gnwppa From whence it is apparent that the Church of Rome was then corrupt and that the British Churches persevered in the primitive and truly Apostolical Profession of Christianity as it was at first planted in the Island and that no Roman Innovations had crept in
among them which afterwards mightily increased when they were once introduced by Augustin the Monk This Year likewise we find the spiteful and turbulent Maelgon choosing rather to persist still in his Rebellion than to return to his Allegiance and to prefer a small Lucre to the Love and Safety of his Country For now finding that the Castle of Aberteifi was not tenable by his own Power and Force yet rather than deliver it up to his Brother Prince Gruffydh and thereby procure his Favour he chose to sell it to his bitter Enemies the English for an inconsiderable Sum of Money whereby he opened them a free passage into all Wales this being reckoned one of its chief Defences and Bulwarks About this time Madawc Son of Gruffydh Maylor Lord of Bromfield built the Abby of Lanegwest commonly known by the English by the Name of Vale Crucii In the Year 1201. the valiant Lhewelyn ap Iorwerth A.D. 1201 Prince of north-North-Wales banished out of his Territories his Cosin Meredith the Son of Conan ap Owen Gwynedh whom he suspected of treasonable Practices and therefore confiscated his Lands which were the Cantref of Lhyn and Efyonyth Much about the same time Meredith the Son of Prince Rhys was slain at Carâ—wilhion by Treason whereupon his elder Brother Gruffydh possessed himself of his Castle in Lhanymdhyfri and all his Lands This Gruffydh was a valiant and discreet Prince and one that was like to bring all south-South-Wales to good order and Obedience for in all things he trod in his Fathers steps and made it his business to succeed him as well in his Valour and vertuous Endowments as in his Government But the vast hopes conceived of him soon proved abortive for in the ensuing A.D. 1202 Year on S. James's day he dyed to the great Grief and Loss of his Country and shortly after was buried at Ystratflur with great Pomp and Solemnity He left behind him for a Successor a Son called Rhys which Maud the Daughter of William de Bruce had bore him The following Year some of the Welch Nobility marched with an Army towards the Castle of Gwerthrynion which belonged to Roger Mortimer and after a short Siege they took it and levell'd it with the ground This Year Lhewelyn ap Iorwerth calling to mind his Estate and Title and how all the Welch Princes were obliged both by the Laws of Roderic the Great and those of Howel Dha to acknowledg the King or Prince of north-North-Wales for their Sovereign Lord and to do Homage to him for their Dominions Yet notwithstanding that they knew this to be their duty and that they formerly had readily performed it yet because of late Years his Predecessors had neglected to call them to their Duty they now began to imagin themselves exempted from it and some thought themselves accountable to no superiour Prince others denyed Subjection to Prince Lhewelyn and held their Dominions of the King of England To put a stop therefore to the further growth of this Contempt and to assert his own Right Prince Lhewelyn summons all the Welch Lords who for the most part appeared and swore Allegiance to him But Gwenwynwyn Lord of Powys neither came to this meeting nor would own the Princes Supremacy Which Stubborness and Disobedience the Prince acquainted his Lords with whereupon they delivered their Opinion that it was but reasonable that Gwenwynwyn should be compell'd to his Duty or else forfeit his Estate This all the Lords consented to but Elis ap Madawc who was an intimate Friend of Gwenwynwyn and therefore would not consent to the enacting any thing that might be prejudicial to him but broke off from the Meeting much dissatisfied with their Proceedings Notwithstanding which Prince Lhewelyn pursuant to the Advice of the rest of his Lords raises an Army and marches towards Powys but before he made any use of it he was by the Mediation of some learned and able Men reconciled to Gwenwynwyn and so Gwenwynwyn became his dutiful Subject which he confirmed both by Oath and Writing and indeed it was not without good reason that Prince Lhewelyn used all the caution imaginable to bind this Man for he had sworn Allegiance before to the King of England Lhewelyn having thus subjected Gwenwynwyn he thought it now convenient to shew likewise some Marks of his Resentments against his Adherent Elis ap Madawc and therefore he strips him of all his Lands whereupon Elis fled the Country but not long after yielding himself to the Prince's Mercy he received of him the Castle of Crogen and Seven Townships besides And now having mentioned Crogen it will not be improper to step a little out of the way and here take notice of the reason why the English formerly when they had a mind to reproach the Welch called them Crogens The first occasion of it was this King Henry the Second in his Expedition against the Welch to the Mountains of Berwin lay a while at Oswestre during which time he detached a number of his Men to try the Passages into Wales who as they would have passed Offa's Ditch at the Castle of Crogen at which place there was a narrow way through the same Ditch which appears now very deep through all that Country and bears its old Name these Men I say as they would have passed this Streight were met by a Party of Welch and a great many of them strain and buried in that Ditch as appears by their Graves there to be seen and the Name of the Streight imports as much being called in Welch Adwy'r bedhaw The English therefore bearing in mind this Slaughter when ever they got any of the Welch into their Clutches upbraided them with the Name of Crogen intimating thereby that they should expect no more Favour or Mercy at their hands than they shew'd them in the Skirmish But this word which at first was rather a Badg of Reputation than Disgrace to the Welch came afterwards to be used in a bad Sense and only then applyed when they designed to reproach and abuse them But to return to Prince Lhewelyn whom we find returning home after he had successfully asserted his Sovereignty over all Wales and set all things in good order And by the way he fortifies the Castle of Bala in Penlhyn About this time Rhys the Son of Gruffydh ap Rhys the right Prince of south-South-Wales took the Castle of Lhanymdhyfry upon Michaelmas-day This Year Lhewelyn Prince of Wales took to Wife Joan the Daughter of King John which Agatha Daughter of Robert Ferrers Earl of Derby bore him with whom he gave the Prince for a Dowry the Lordship of Elsmere in the Marches of Wales A.D. 1203 Prince Rhys whom we mentioned the Year before to have taken the Castle of Lhanymdhyfri wins likewise the Castle of Llangadoc and puts a Garrison therein but he enjoyed neither of them long for shortly after his Unkle Maelgon with his Friend Gwenwynwyn levied a powerful Army and with it besieged and took the Castle
of Lhanymdhyfri thence they removed to Lhangadoc and wan the Castle likewise upon this Condition that the Garrison be permitted to march out quietly When they had taken these two Castles they went to Dinerth where Maelgon finished the Castle he had formerly begun there This Year likewise Prince Lhewelyn set at liberty his Uncle David ap Owen Gwynedh who made but a sorry return to this Kindness for instead of living peaceably at home and enjoying that Liberty that was granted him he flees to England and there gets an Army wherewith he attempts to restore himself to his antient Estate of North-Wales but he missed his Mark for his prudent Nephew immediately met him on his March and gave him a shameful Over-throw wherewith David was so mightily disheartened that he presently returned for England and shortly after died for meer sorrow The next Year Howel a blind A.D. 1204 Son of Prince Rhys was slain at Camaes by his Brother Maelgon's Men and buried just by his Brother Gruffydh at Ystratflur But notwithwanding that Maelgon in those days usurped all the Rule and Government of south-South-Wales yet his Brother Gruffydh's Sons Rhys and his Brethren wan from him the chief Defence of all that Country to wit the Castles of Dynefowr and Lhanymdhyfri About this time William Marshal Earl of Pembrock besieged the Castle of Cilgerran and took it and not long after Maelgon A.D. 1205 hired an Irishman to kill Gadifor ap Griffri after which horrid Fact Maelgon seized upon his Four Sons and put them to death these were forward promising young Gentlemen and descended from a Noble Stock for their Mother Susanna was a Daughter of the said Howel ap Rhys by a Daughter of Madawc ap Meredith Prince of Powys In the Year 1206. Maelgon A.D. 1206 built a Castle at Abereneon At which time there was such abundance of Fish seen at Aberystwyth that the like number was never known to have come there in the memory of Man before A.D. 1207 This Year the King of England banished the Realm William de Bruce and his Wife on the account of a Grudg that he bore his Son and then seized upon all his Lands whereupon William with his Wife and Son fled to Ireland and there continued for some time And this Hardship he now underwent was the less pitied because he exercised the great Power he had in the Marches of Wales with extreme Cruelty and Injustice The same Year Gwenwynwyn came to Shrewsbury to speak with the King's Council where he was detained Prisoner Whereupon Prince Lhewelyn conquered all his Country took all his Towns and Castles and garrison'd them for his own use This Expedition of Prince Lhewelyn mightily alarm'd the usurping Maelgon and the more because he had intelligence that Lhewelyn was on his march towards south-South-Wales therefore he now puts himself in the best posture he could to receive him but finding himself not able to abide the Prince's coming and to withstand his Forces he demolisheth his Castles of Aberystwyth Ystratmeyric and Dinerth which before he had fortified Notwithstanding which the Prince comes to Aberystwyth and rebuildeth the Castle and puts a Garrison therein after this he seized upon the Cantref of Penwedic and the Land betwixt Dyfi and Aeron which he gave to Maelgon's Nephews the Sons of Gruffydh ap Rhys and then returned home with great Joy and Triumph Not long after Rhys Fychan Son to Prince Rhys besieged the Castle of Lhangadoc and took it contrary to the Promise and League he had made with his Nephews forgetting likewise how freely and readily they had administred to him in his necessity therefore to be avenged of this Ingratitude and breach of promise Rhys and Owen no sooner heard of it but they furiously attack'd the Castle and took it by assault and put to the Sword or took Prisoners all the Garrison and then burnt the Castle to the ground A.D. 1209 This Year King John levied a powerful Army with which he made a Voyage to Ireland but as he was on the Borders of Wales on his Journey thitherwards there was a Criminal brought before him who had murther'd a Priest The Officer desired to know the King's Pleasure how he would have the Delinquent punished but the King instead of ordering any Punishment to be inflicted upon him suitable to the heinousness of his Crime discharged him with a Well done thou good Servant thou hast slain mine Enemy for such he reckon'd the Clergy of those days who were very ill-affected to his usurped arbitrary Government and therefore he slightly regarded any Injuries that were done them nay thought those did him good service who did them wrong He had not been long in Ireland but he got into his clutches the unfortunate William de Bruce the younger and his Mother Mawd de Saint Valerike whom we have mentioned afore to have quitted England for fear of him and to have fled here for shelter Upon his return to England he brought these in triumph along with him and committed them to Windsor-Castle where by his Orders not long after they were inhumanly famished The reason of King John's Displeasure against William de Bruce Lord of Brecnock Pag. 303. Matthew Paris delivers to be this When the Pope had excommunicated the Realm of England the King to prevent any Inconveniences that might ensue thereupon took Pledges of such of his Nobles as he thought were disaffected to him and would be like if occasion offered to countenance and promote a Rebellion Amongst others he sends Messengers to William de Bruce to demand his Sons for Pledges to whom Mawd de Bruce's Wife being the readier speaker answered though what she said was no less her Husband's Sentiment than her own Thar the King who had proved so base a Guardian to his Nephew Prince Arthur whom instead of setting in he deprived of his Right should have none of her Children This Answer the Messengers deliver'd to the King whereat he was highly displeased that he ordered some Soldiers should be sent to seize this Lord but he having timely intelligence of this Order fled into Ireland with his Wife and Children where now his Wife Mawd with her Son were unfortunately taken by King John but he himself escaped and fled into France where not long after he dyed This Year the Earl of Chester rebuilt the Castle of Dyganwy situate on the Sea-shore East of the River Conway which Prince Lhewelyn had before demolished He likewise fortifies the Castle of Treffynon or S. Wenefrid Upon this Lhewelyn enters into the Earl's Land which when he had ravaged sufficiently he returns home with considerable Booty About this time Rhys Fychan Son to Prince Rhys fearing lest Prince Lhewelyn should fall upon him for the wrong he had done to his Nephews whom he Prince Lhewelyn stifly defended in their right made his Application to the King of England who readily granted him what Succours he desired and with these he besieged the Castle of Lhanymdhyfri the Garrison
for some time made a vigorous defence but having no hopes of any Relief they thought it their wisest course to Capitulate and so they desired they might march out with their Arms Bag and Baggage and all that belonged to them which was granted them About this time likewise Gwenwynwyn was set at Liberty whom the King had hitherto detained Prisoner and withal lends him some Forces to attempt the recovery of his Country which Prince Lhewelyn had seized upon during his Imprisonment and tho' by his own Strength he was not able to cope with the Prince yet by this Assistance granted him by the King he soon re-possessâ—d himself of his Dominions This Success of Gwenwynwyn encouraged Maelgon likewise to endeavour the recovery of that part of his Country which the Prince had taken from him in the same Expedition Now he makes his application to the King of England and swears Allegiance to him Hereupon the King grants him a considerable Army as well English as Normans to these he joyns what Forces he could raise in Wales and then contrary to the Oath and Agreement he had made with his Nephews Rhys and Owen he in a hostile manner enters their Country when he was come to Cantred Penwedic he encamped at Cilcenny where he staid some time to take measures for the better accomplishment of his Designs by this time his Nephews had got together about 300 chosen well disciplined Men but with so small a Number durst not oppose their Uncle's numerous Army in open Field therefore they were to endeavour to overthrow those by a Stratagem which they could not do by main force Herein they proved very successful for coming as near their Enemies as they could without being discovered they sent out their Spies that Night for Intelligence who brought back the good News that all was quiet in Maelgon's Camp and that they kept no strict Watch being not aware of an approaching Enemy This Intelligence mightily encouraged the Brothers to prosecute their Designs and now they march as silently as they can towards their Enemies Camp where they met with no opposition being not discovered because all were fast asleep When they were advanced as they thought as far as Maelgon's Tent they furiously fell on and slew a great number of his Men afore they awak'd the rest being frightened with the noise and shouts of their Enemies and withal thinking their Numbers to be far greater than it was were glad to make use of the darkness of the Night to quit the Field only Maelgon's Guard valiantly kept their Post and defended their Lord till he had time and opportunity to escape But Maelgon's Army suffered very much in this Action his Nephew Conan ap Howel with his Chief Counsellor Gruffydh ap Cadwgan were both taken Prisoners and Eineon ap Caradoc with a great number more were slain upon the spot About the same time Gilbert Earl of Glocester fortified the Castle of Buelht where a little before he had lost a considerable number of his Men by reason that the place was not very strong and tenable And towards the conclusion of this year Mallt or Mawd de Bruce the Wife of Gruffydh ap Rhys departed this Life and was interred by her Husband in a Monk's Coul in Ystratflur But the following Year a great Storm threatened A.D. 1210 North-Wales by reason that the Marchers made frequent and grievous Complaints to King John how that Prince Lhewelyn perpetually molested their Country slew their Men and committed all the waste and destruction possible as he passed along The King hearing of such intolerable Depredations continually exercised by the north-North-Wales Men thought it high time to redress his Subjects and therefore he raised a mighty Army throughout all England and called to him all the Lords and Princes of Wales as held their Lands and Patents from him as Howel ap Gruffydh ap Conan ap Owen Gwynedh whom Prince Lhewelyn had banished out of north-North-Wales Madoc ap Gruffydh Maylor Lord of Bromfield Chirke and Yale Meredith ap Rotpert Lord of Cydewen Gwenwynwyn Lord of Powys Maelgon and Rhys the Sons of Prince Rhys and Governours of South Wales With this formidable Army he came to Chester intending to enter into North-Wales by that way and being fully resolved to execute the severest Vengeance upon the Inhabitants and not to let one living Soul remain alive throughout the whole Country But Matters of this nature are easier resolved upon than accomplished Prince Lhewelyn was no sooner informed of these mighty preparations against him comprehending the whole Strength of the English Nation and what was worst of all being assisted by his own Country-men but he issued forth his Orders commanding all his Subjects of the In-land Counties of Denbigh and Flint together with them of the Island of Anglesey to remove for a time all their Cattel and other Effects to Snowden-Hills where they were sure to remain securest from their Enemies But King John marched his Army along the Sea-Coast to Ruthlan and there passing the River Clwyd he came to the Castle of Teganwy where he encamped for some time to refresh and recreate his Army which by reason of the long Marches they made was in a great measure weary and fatigued But what the more augmented their misery Lhewelyn getting behind them cut off all their hopes of Provision from England and the Welch by the Advantage of being acquainted with the straits and narrow Passages cut off all that straggled from the English Camp so that in time they were glad to take up with Horse-flesh and any thing were it never so mean which might till up their greedy and empty Stomachs At last King John finding no other Remedy and perceiving it impossible to continue longer there so hungry and fainty thought it his wisest way to march for England and leave the Welch to themselves and so he decamped in a great fury leaving Lhewelyn to bury that great number of Dead which had starved in this successless Expedition But to recover the Honour he had now lost he was resolved to try another touch with the Welch but possibly not with the same confidence and assurance of Victory And therefore returning to Wales in the next August he entred with such another terrible Army of English and was assisted by the same Welch Lords at Blanchmonastery now Oswestry being in the Lordship of John the Son of William Fitzalan In this Expedition King John passing the River Conwey and encamping at the other side towards Snowden-Hills sent part of his Army conducted by Guides who were acquainted with the Country to burn Bangor which they effectually did and taking Roâ—pert Bishop of that See out of Church they carried him Prisoner to the English Camp where he continued for some time till he obtained his Ransom for a present of two hundred Hawks But Prince Lhewelyn finding the whole Strength of England and almost Wales to fight against him and judging it impossible for himself alone to
withstand so great a multitude thought it his best way to endeavour to find out some method or other to reconcile himself to the King And no better measures could possibly be thought of than to send Joan his Wife King John's Daughter to intreat with her Father about a Peace and a cessation of all Hostilities who being a prudent sly Woman so prevailed upon the King that he granted Prince Lhewelyn her Husband a safe Conduct to come to him and to renew the former Peace and Amity that was betwixt them And so Lhewelyn having done Homage promised the King towards his Expences in this Expedition 20000 Head of Cattel and forty Horses and what was more than all he granted all the in-land Countries of Wales with the Appurtenances to him and his Heirs for ever And then King John having received better Success in this than the former Expedition returned to England in great Triumph having subdued all Wales excepting that part which Rhys and Owen the Sons of Gruffydh ap Rhys still kept and maintained against the English But having no leisure to march against them himself at his departure out of the Country he gave strict charge to Foulke Vicount of Caerdyff Warden of the Marches a cruel Tyrant tho' well beloved and favoured by the King to take an Army with him and so joyning with Maelgon and Rhys Fychan to compel the Sons of Gruffydh ap Rhys to acknowledge him for their Sovereign and to do him Homage Foulke having received so positive a Command presently raised his Forces and calling Maelgon and Rhys came to the Cantref of Penwedic which when the young Lords Rhys and Owen heard of and being assured that this Blow was levelled against them which they knew they were not able to bear before the Stroak was struck they sent to Foulke to sue for Peace and a safe Conduct for them to pass to the Court of England This being granted they came to London and making their submission to the King and requesting his Pardon for all former Misdemeanors they gave up all pretence to their Lands betwixt Aeron and Dyfi and so paying their Homage they were dismissed very graciously But Foulke before his departure out of the Country fortified the Castle of Aberystwyth and placing a strong Garrison therein kept it to the King's use But Maelgon and Rhys Fychan a couple of head-strong inconstant People quickly repented them of the Peace they had made with the King of England and thereupon without the least reason or provocation they laid Siege to Aberystwyth Castle and with much ado having made themselves Masters of it they destroyed those Fortifications which Foulke had lately erected and defaced the Castle to the ground But they paid sawce for this another way for as soon as Rhys and Owen had heard that their Uncles had broken and violated the King's Peace they made in-roads into Isaeron which was Maelgon's Country and having slain a considerable number of his Men among whom was one brave and lusty Youth called Bachglâs they returned with very rich Booty A.D. 1211 Maelgon and Rhys Fychan were quickly followed by the North-Wales Men in their revolt from the King of England for Prince Lhewelyn being not able to endure any longer the tyranny and oppreission which the King's Garrisons exercised in his Country called together Gwenwynwyn from Powys Maelgon ap Rhys from south-South-Wales Madoc ap Gruffydh Maylor from Bromfield and Meredith ap Rotpert from Cydewen and plainly declared before them the Pride and insolency of the English and how that they who were always used to have a Prince of their own Nation were now by their own wilfulness and neglect become subject to Strangers However it was not too late to recover their antient Liberty and if they did but unanimously agree among themselves they might easily cast off that Yoke which was so intolerably burdersome to them Then the Lords being sensible of the truth and reasonableness of what Prince Lhewelyn delivered and being conscious to themselves that their present slavery and subjection to the English was wholly owing to their own fear and cowardise swore fealty to Prince Lhewelyn and swore to be true and faithful to him and to stick by each other to the utmost of their Lives and Fortunes And so joyning their Forces together they took all the Castles in north-North-Wales which were in the hands of the English excepting Ruthlan and Dyganwy and then going to Powys they laid Siege to the Castle which Robert Vspont had built at Mathrafal But King John being informed how the Welch had conspired against him and that they had taken and sezied upon almost all his Castles in North-Wales and how that they were now in actual besiegement of Mathrafal presently drew up his Army and coming to Mathrafal quickly raised the Siege and to prevent the Welch from coming any more against it he burnt it to the ground and so returned to England having no time to stay any longer in Wales by reason of the Differences that happened betwixt him and his Nobility But being afterwards at Nottingham and hearing how that Prince Lhewelyn cruelly harrassed and destroyed the Marches he caused all the Welch Pledges which he had received the last year to be hanged among whom were Howel the Son of Cadwalhon and Madoc the Son of Maelgon with many others of the Nobilities Sons to the number of Twenty Eight And about the same time Robert Vepont caused Rhys the Son of Maelgon to be hanged at Shrewsbury being a Youth of about seventeen years of age and so cruelly murdered the innocent Child to revenge the Crimes and Offences committed by his Father and others But tho' King John was so severe to the Welch yet the Princess of North-Wales was more dutiful and favourable to him for whilst he staid at Nottingham she sent him an Express declaring how that the Barons had entred into a Conspiracy with the French King against him and that this latter was a preparing and raising an Army to come over to England upon pretence that the King was a Rebel and bid open Defiance to the Holy Church in as much as he would not condescend nor yield to the Bishop of Rome's Request And in confirmation of all this she told him that Robert Fitzwalter Eustace de Vescy and Stephen Redell were secretly fled into France to promote and carry on this intrigue And that this design against King John was no feigned surmise the next A.D. 1212 year Pope Innocent the Third detached one of his Nuncio's to Wales who absolved Prince Lhewelyn Gwenwynwyn and Maelgon from their Oaths of Allegiance to King John and withal gave them a strict command under the penalty of Excommunication to molest and annoy him with all their Endeavours as an open Enemy to the Church of God Prince Lhewelyn you may be sure was not in the least troubled at this for now he gained the fittest opportunity imaginable to restore such Lands as he had formerly much against
his mind delivered up to the King being the in-land Country of Denbigh and Flint which Lhewelyn at this time repossessed himself of And well it was he was so quick for within a little while after King John by the persuasions of Pandulph the Pope's Legate granted his Holiness all his Request and so obtained Absolution at Pandulph's hands and upon performance of his Promises an assurance of a releasement from that Ecclesiastical Bull which had so formidably roared against him A.D. 1213 South-Wales had now been quiet for a considerable time and they that used to be commonly very turbulent and contentious were now pretty easy and amicable But it was impossible that such a peaceable Course of Life should hold long where Injustice and Oppression had so much Liberty and where People were wrongfully kept out of their just and rightful Inheritance And this was the occasion of the breach of that quietness which for the two or three years last past they had so satisfactorily enjoyed For Rhys the Son of Gruffydh ap Rhys who was right Heir to Prince Rhys finding he could have no share of his Father's Estate but that his Uncles forcibly kept all from him thought it his best way to make his Case known to the King of England and to desire a remedy and redress from him King John in compassion of the young Man's hard Condition sent to his Deputy Foulke Vicount of Caerdyff Warden of the Marches and to the Steward of Hereford commanding them to take away all Ystratywy from Rhys Fychan by some called Rhys Gryg unless he would permit his Nephews to enjoy Lhanymdhyfry-Castle with all the Lands and Priviledges thereunto belonging Foulke having received such Orders from his Master the King of England sent to acquaint Rhys of the Proposals and so demand of him whether or no he would deliver up Lhanymdhyfry to his Nephews according to the Kin'gs Command who returned answer that he did not know of any such Obligation due from him to the King of England as to part with his Lands at his Command and therefore assured him peremptorily and in plain terms that he would not willingly part with one foot of what he was in present possession of Foulke therefore having received this resolute Answer was likewise as resolute to get that by force which he could not obtain by fair means and so having raised a great Army he marched to Talhwynelgain to meet with young Rhys who was to come thither with all the Forces he could raise in Brecknock and from thence they marched in three Battles towards Dynefawr the first being commanded by young Rhys the second by Foulke and Owen Brother to Rhys led the third Rhys Fychan was not in the least dismayed at their Number but thinking it more advisable to meet them in the Field rather than suffer them to block him up at Dynefawr came out very boldly and gave them Battel but after a warm Engagement on both sides Rhys Fychan in the end got the worse and after a loss of a great number of his Men he was glad at last to make his escape by flight And so retiring to Dynefawr he doubled the Garrison of that place but thinking the Town of Lhandeilo-fawr not to be Tenable he burnt it to the Ground and then kept himself private in the Woods and other desart places But young Rhys and Foulke laid Siege to Dynefawr and in the first Assault came on so fiercely that they forced the Garrison to retire to the Castle which for some time they defended very manfully But the besiegers began to play so violently with their battering Engines and to undermine the Wall in such a manner that the Governour after a short defence began to Capitulate giving three Pledges for security that if they received no Relief by the morrow at Noon the Castle should be surrendred up conditionally that the Garrison should march out with all the Tokens of Honour and carry their Arms and all other Implements of War along with them No Relief being arrived the Castle the next day was accordingly surrendred and all the Articles of the Capitulation observed and so young Rhys being possessed of Dynefawr in a little time afterward brought all Cantref-fawr to his subjection When Rhys Fychan was sensible how the stream run violently against him he thought it his wisest way to remove his Wife and Children and all his other Effects to his Brother Maelgon's Country and so leaving Lhanymdhyfry Castle well manned and fortified he departed towards Aberystwyth But as soon as Foulke was returned to the Marches young Rhys came with an Army consisting of Welch and Normans before Lhanymdhyfry intending to besiege that place but before they were encamped before the Town the Governour thought it his best way to surrender upon Condition only that the Garrison should depart away with their Lives And shortly afterwards Rhys Fychan was taken at Caermarâ—dhyn and committed to the King's Prison and so all the Disturbances and Troubles of South-Wales came to a peaceable issue But it was not so in North-Wales for Prince Lhewelyn being desirous to rid his Country from the insupportable Tyranny and Oppression of the English Garrisons laid Siege to the Castles of Dyganwy and Ruthlan the only places now remaining in the hands of the English which he took without any great opposition and so freed his Country from any Title or Pretence the King of England might claim in North-Wales King John indeed was engaged another way and consequently in no good Condition to help himself for having repented of all the indignities and stubborness he expressed against Pope Innocent at this time he received Penance at the hands of the Archbishop of Canterbury to attone for all the severities he had practised against the Church And to restore himself the more to his Holiness Favour he made the Kingdom of England Tributary to the Church of Rome to be holden of the Pope in paying him the summ of 1000 Marks yearly for ever and withal recalled and restored to their former Preferments and Places all such as had been banished or had voluntarily fled the Kingdom upon the account of their strict adherence and submission to the Pope of Rome Nor was this all for the next year King John with A.D. 1215 two of his Nobility the Earls of Chester and Derby was resolved upon a Voyage to the Holy-Land but was unfortunately prevented of his Journey by the Rebellion of his Barons which now broke forth violently by reason that the King would not grant them some antient Laws and Priviledges such as their fore-Fathers always enjoyed Therefore the Barons entered into a Confederacy with Prince Lhewelyn of north-North-Wales desiring him to make what Diversion he could on his part which they were resolved to do on theirs and so having raised an Army they appointed Robert Fitzwalter their General Coming to Bedford they were honourably received into the Castle by William Beauchamp and from thence marching to London they were
entertained with all the Expressions and Tokens of Joy King John perceiving how powerful they were like to prove and how that the Country did in a great measure favour their Cause thought it his wisest way to nip them in the bud and to fall upon them before they grew too strong and therefore having levied his Forces he marched together with William Marshall Earl of Pembroke towards the Castle of Rochester Being arrived there he laid close Siege to the Castle but the Governour William de Abbineto so bravely defended it that it could hardly be taken after three Months Siege but at length the King's Men bore on so violently that they took it by a Storm where besides William de Abbineto the King took several of the Barons Prisoners This was an ill beginning to the Design of the Confederates and what did not add a little to their Misfortune the Pope presently issues out his Bull of Excommunication against Lhewelyn Prince of Wales and all the English Barons as made War against King John who was under the protection of the Church of Rome But Prince Lhewelyn did not regard his threatning Anathemas and therefore having raised an Army he came to Shrewsbury which was delivered up to him without any resistance And whilst Lhewelyn remained there Giles de Bruce Bishop of Hereford one of the chief of this Conspiracy sent his Brother Reynold to Brecnock whom all the People readily owâ—ed for their Lord and so without the least grumbling or opposition he received the Castles of Abergefenny and Pencelhy the Castelh Gwyn or the White Castle together with Grosmont Castle and the Island of Cynuric But when the Bishop came thither in Person he had the Castles of Aberhondhy Hay Buelht and Blaenlhyfny delivered up to him but thinking he had enough himself and being rather desirous to secure his Interest and to strengthen his Party in the Country than to heap more upon his own shoulders than he was well able â—o support he bestowed Payn Castle Clune and all Eluel upon Walter Fychan the Son of Eineon Clyd In the mean time young Rhys the Son of Gruffydh â—p Rhys and his Uncle Maelgon were reconciled and made Friends and so coming both to Dyfed they destroyed Arberth and Maenclochoc Castles and recovered all such Lands as formerly belonged to them exâ—epting Cemais But Rhys's Brothers Maelgon and Owen went to North-Wales and did Homage and Fealâ—y to Prince Lhewelyn whilst their Brother Prince Rhys marched forward to Cydwely and having rased the Castles of Carnwylheon and Lhyâ—hwr brought all the Country about under his subjection But this was â—ot enough to satisfy the ambitious humour of that young Prince for having once tasted the pleasure of Victory and the taking and demolishing of Towns â—e was resolved to prosecute his Conquest whilst Fortune seemed to favour his Undertakings and therefore he lead his Army against Talybont Castle which belonged to Hugh de Miles and forcing his entrance into the same he put a great number of the Garrison to the Sword The next day he marched to Sengennyth Castle but the Garrison which kept it thinkâ—ng it fruitless and to no purpose to oppose him burnt the place and departed to Ystymlhwynarth But he followed them at the Heels and the next day took it and rased it to the ground and over-ran the Country in such a violent manner that in three days time he became Master of all the Castles and Fortresses in all Gowerland and Morgannwe and so returned home with great Victory and Triumph At the same time Rhyt Fychan otherwise Rhys Gryg young Prince Rhys's Uncle obtained his Liberty from the King of England leaving his Son with two more for Pledges for his modest and peaceable Behaviour towards his Subjects whom at other times he was wont to molest and oppress About this time the Abbots of Tal y Llecheu and Tuy Gwyn were consecrated Bishops the former of St. Davids and the other of Bangor But the Bishop of Hereford who seemed to be the most violently inclined against King John and was otherwise unwilling to part with what he had got in Wales's could not for all that refuse the Injunction of the Pope by whose express Command he was constrained to make Peace with the King which being concluded in his return homeward he died at Glocester leaving his Estate to his Brother Reginald who had married the Daughter of Prince Lhewelyn But for all that Giles de Bruce Bishop of Hereford was fallen off and reconciled to King John yet Prince Lhewelyn did not think it convenient to follow his Example and therefore with his whole Army he marched against Carmardhyn and took the Castle in five days having rased it to the ground he successively laid Siege to the Castles of Lhanstephan St. Cleare and Talacharn which he used after the same manner From thence he went to Cardigan and winning Emlyn Castle he subdued Cemaes and then laying Siege to Trefdraeth Castle in English called Newport he quickly took it and afterwards rased it to the ground His next Design was upon Aberteifi and Cilgerraâ— Castles but the Garrisons which defended them finding it to no purpose to wait his coming and so to withstand all his Attempts against those places voluntarily surrendred and by that means prevented all the Mischief which in opposing him would in all probability unavoidably attend them And so Prince Lhewelyn having successfully over-run and subdued all Carmardhyn and Cardigan triumphantly returned to north-North-Wales being attended by several of the Welch Nobility such as Howel ap Gruffydh ap Conan Lhewelyn ap Meredith Gwenwynwyn Lord of Powys Meredith ap Rotpert Maelgon and Rhys Fychan the Sons of Prince Rhys of South Wales Rhys and Owen the Sons of Gruffydh ap Rhys together with all the Power of Madoc ap Gruffydh Maylor Lord of Bromfield A.D. 1216 But the next year Prince Lhewelyn returned to Aberteifi to compose a Difference which since his departure had happened betwixt Maelgon and Rhys Fychan Prince Rhys's Sons on the one side and Rhys and Owen Gruffydh ap Rhys's Sons on the other Therefore to make up this Quarrel and to reduce all Matters to a quiet and amicable issue Prince Lhewelyn made an equal distribution of south-South-Wales betwixt them allotting to Maelgâ—n three Cantrefs in Dyfed viz. Gwarthaf Penlhwynoc Cemaes and Emlyn with Cilgerran Castle to young Rhys two Castles in Ystratywy Hiruryn and Maelhaen Maenor Bydfey with the Castle of Lhanymdhyfry and two in Cardigan Gwyâ—tâ—yth and Mabwyneon His Brother Owen had to his share the Castles of Aberteifi and Nant yr Arian with three Cantress in Cardigan and Rhys Fychan otherwise called Rhys Gryc had Dynefawr Castle the Cantref Mawr the Cantref Bychan excepting Hiruryn and Midhfey together with the Comotes of Cydwely and Carnwylhion This Division being accomplished to every one's Satisfaction and all the Lords of South-Wales being amicably reconciled Prince Lhewelyn took his Journey for north-North-Wales but he had not advanced very far when
News was brought him that Gwenwynwyn Lord of Powys was revolted and was become again the King of England's Subject This unwelcome News struck very deep in the Prince's Mind by reason that Gwenwynwyn was a Man of great Power and Strength in the Country and went a great way to repel the Incursions of the English upon the Marches which now he being gone off could not he feared be so well effected But however to make the best of a bad Market he endeavoured to take him off from the English and to restore him to his former Allegiance due to himself as his Natural Prince and to that end he sent to him some Bishops and Abbots to put him in mind of his Oath and Promise how that he with the rest of the Lords of Wales had obliged himself to oppose the English to the utmost of his Power and had delivered Pledges for the sure performance of what he had then by Oath engaged in and lest he should have forgot what he had then promised he was desired to read his own hand Writing whereby it was apparent that he had very unjustly violated both his Oath and Promise But all the Rhetorick the Bishops could make use of was not of force enough to work Gwenwynwyn to reconciliation with the Prince and an aversion to the King of England and therefore seeing nothing would do Prince Lhewelyn was resolved to make him incapable of serving the English and so entring Powys with a strong Army he subdued the whole Country to himself Gwenwynwyn being forced to fly for Succor to the Earl of Chester Whilst these things passed in Wales Lewis the Dauphin of France being invited by the English Barons against King John landed in the Island of Thanet and marching forward to London he there received Homage of all the Barons that were in actual War against the King And then setting forward to Winchester where King John then lay he took in his way the Castles of Rygat Guildford and Farnham and coming to Winchester had the Town presently surrendred to him King John did not think fit to abide his coming but removing to Hereford in the Marches of Wales he sent to Prince Lhewelyn and Reynold Bruce desiring their Friendship and imploring their Aid aad Assistance against the French But they refusing to hearken to his Proposals he destroyed Radnor and Hay Castles and marching forward to Oswestry which belonged to John Fitzalan he burnt it to the ground and then departed towards the North. But after that he had settled his Affairs there and appointed Governours in all the Towns and Places of Strength whilst he was making all necessary Preparations at Newark to confront the Barons he fell sick and in a short time died and was buried at Worcester After his Death his Son Henry was by several of the English Nobility proclaimed King and in a little while most of the Barons who upon their hatred to King John had maintained an open War against him came in and owned their Allegiance to his Son Henry tho contrary to their Oath to Lewis the Dauphine A.D. 1217 But what was most pernicious to the Welch Reynald de Bruce who had all this while maintained a Confederacy with Prince Lhewelyn his Father-in-Law against King John underhand made his Peace with King Henry But he suffered severely for his Treachery for young Rhys and Owen his Nephew by his Sister seeing that he in whom they put their greatest Confidence had deceitfully forsaken them came upon him with all their Power and took from him all Buelht excepting only the Castle Prince Lhewelyn was presently made acquainted with Bruce's revolt but as soon as he was informed that his Son-in-Law was gone over to the King of England he went in great fury to Brecknoc and laying Siege to the Town of Aberhondhy he was with much ado prevailed upon by young Rhys to raise the Siege for the summ of a Hundred Marks and then crossing the Mountanous part of Glamorgan called the Black Mountains where his Carriages suffered very much he came to Gwyr and encamping at Lhangruc Reynald Bruce with six Knights in his Company came to meet him desiring his Pardon for his passed Offence assuring him that for the future he would be true and faithful to him and would to his endeavour assist him against the King of England Prince Lhewelyn was too good natured to reject his submission and so did not only receive him to his Favour but bestowed upon him also the Castle of Senghennyth which Reynald committed to the Custody of Rhys Fychan Prince Lhewelyn having settled all things in good Order in Gwyr marched to Dyfed and being at Cefn Cynwarchan the Flemings sent their Agents to him to desire Peace which the Prince by reason that they always adhered to the English Interest would not grant them And so young Rhys having the first Man passed the River Cledeu to Storm the Town Iorwerth Bishop of St. Davids with the rest of his Clergy came to the Prince to intreat for a Peace for the Flemings which after a long debate was granted and concluded upon these Terms First That all the â—nhabitants of Rhôs and the Country of Pembroke should from thence forward swear Allegiance to Prince Lhewelyn and ever after acknowledge his Sovereignty Secondly That towards the defraying of his Charges in this Expedition they should pay one Thousand Marks to be delivered to him before the ensuing Feast of St. Michael Thirdly That for the sure performance of these Articles they should deliver up Twenty Hostages who were to be some of the most Principal Persons in their Country Then Prince Lhewelyn having now brought all Wales subject to himself and put Matters in a settled posture in South Wales returned to North-Wales having purchased very considerable Honour and Esteem for his Martial Achievements in this Expedition And now all Matters of Differences being adjusted and the Welch in good hopes of a durable Freedom from all Troubles and Hostilities another Accident unhappily fell out to cross their Expectation Lewis the Dauphin perceiving the English Barons to slight and forsake him concluded a Peace with King Henry and returned to France and then the Barons the King promising to answer all their Request and to redress their Grievances made their submission without including the Welch in their Articles They had all this while gladly embraced the Friendship and Aid of the Prince of Wales but now upon their Reconciliation to the King thinking they had no farther need of him they very basely forsook him who had been the principal Support and Succour of their Cause And not only so but they conspired together to convert their Arms against Wales thinking they could without any breach of Equity or Conscience take away the Lands of the Welch to make addition to what some of them had already unjustly possessed themselves of William Marshall Earl of Pembroke opened the Scene and coming unexpectedly upon the Welch took the Town of Caerlheon But he
got nothing by this for Rhys Fychan perceiving what he would fain be at raâ—ed Senghennyth Castle and all the rest in his Custody in that Country and banishing the English with their Wives and Children divided the Country betwixt A.D. 1218 the Welch who kept sure possession of it Prince Lhewelyn also finding those to become his Foes who had but lately courted his Friendship and fearing lest that the English being now in Arms should make any Attempt upon his Castles augmented the Garrisons of Carmardhyn and Aberteifi to make them capable of withstanding the English in case they should come against them But tho' the Welch and English were at open Variance and in actual Hostility one against another yet young Rhys with Prince Lhewelyn's approbation and consent thought it advisable to go and do Homage to the King of England for his Lands in Wales This might be thought a matter of Supererogation to make courtship to one who was declared Enemy to all the Welch and one that would not in all probability suffer him to enjoy a quiet possession of his Estate in case he had Ability and Opportunity to eject him But the Welch Interest was A.D. 1219 in a great measure augmented by a new Alliance with some of the most powerful among the English Rhys Gryc Prince Rhys's Son being married to the Earl of Clare's Daughter and Marret Prince Lhewelyn's Daughter to John Bruce The Prince of Wales had quickly an occasion to A.D. 1220 experience his Power for the Flemings in Dyfed who had lately sworn Allegiance to him began now to repent of what they had but a little time ago gladly submitted to and contrary to their Oaths and the League they had sworn to observe they fell upon Aberteifi Castle which they took Prince Lhewelyn being highly displeased with the treacherous practices of these perjured Flemings marched with all speed to Aberteifi and having recovered the Castle which he afterwards rased he put all the Garrison to the Sword Gwys was served in the same manner and the Town of Haverford was burnt to the ground and over-running Rhos and Daugledhau he committed a lamentable Destruction throughout the whole Country This the Flemings received as the due reward of their sinistrous Dealing which made them quickly apprehensive of their folly and their imprudent Behaviour towards the Prince of Wales and therefore being sorrowfully sensible how unable they were to put a stop to his farther progress by force of Arms they made Overtures for Cessation of all Hostilities till the May following which being granted them upon strict Conditions Prince Lhewelyn returned to north-North-Wales In the mean time some Welch Lords besieged Buelht Castle which was in the possession of Reynald Bruce but before they could take it King Henry brought an Army to the Marches and raised the Siege and then marching forward to Montgomery built a new Castle in that Town A.D. 1221 The next year an unhappy dissention fell out betwixt Prince Lhewelyn and his Son Gruffydh this latter having kept himself in possession of the Cantref of Merionyth contrary to the Consent and well-liking of his Father The Prince therefore having now no great matter of moment abroad was resolved to curb the Insolency of his Son and therefore sent to him to command his appearance and to wish him to deliver up the Cantref quietly lest he should be forced to take it violently out of his Hands Gruffydh was not in the least dismayed at his threatnings but being resolved to keep what at present he enjoyed would neither go to his Father nor deliver up the Cantref to him The Prince being enraged that he should be so slighted by his Son made a vehement Protestation that he would be severely revenged both of him and all his accomplices and therefore coming to Merionyth with a great Army was resolved to drive his Son out of the Country But Gruffydh made all possible preparations to oppose his Father and drew up his Forces to give him Battel but when both Armies were ready to joyn the Differences betwixt thâ—m was happily composed and Gruffydh prevailed upon to make his submission to his Father But the Prince tho' he forgave his Son his Offence and received him to favour would not however permit him to enjoy Meâ—ionyth and Ardydwy but taking them away from him and building a Castle in the latter returned home But he had not continued long at his Palace aâ— Aberffraw when another occasion called him abroad for young Rhys being disappointed of Aberteifi which in the division of South Wales was allotted to his share forsook the Prince and put himself under the protection of Willam Marshal Earl of Pembrock Prince Lhewelyn hearing this marched in great haste to Aberystwyth and being desirous to punish Rhys for his desertion from his Allegiance due to him seized to his own use that Castle together with all the Demain and Lands belonging to it When Rhys understood what the Prince had done he presently made his Complaint to the King of England who coming to Shrewsbury and sending for Prince Lhewelyn adjusted matters so betwixt them that the Prince promised to treat with Rhys for Aberteifi after the same manner as he had done with Maelgon for Caermardhyn And towards the close of the Year John Bruce Prince Lhewelyn's Son in Law obtained leave to fortifie Senghennyth Castle which in right to the Prince's grant to Raynald Bruce belonged to him But young Rhys did not long survive the Agreement betwixt him and Prince Lhewelyn for he dyed the following A.D. 1222 Year and was buried at Ystratflur after whose death the Prince divided his Estate betwixt his Brother Owen and his Uncle Maelgon William Marshal Earl of Pembrock was now in Ireland and very busie in prosecuting the War against the King of England's Enemies in that Kingdom the opportunity of whose absence Prince Lhewelyn taking advantage of won the Castles of Aberteifi and Caermardhyn belonging to the Earl and putting both the Garrisons to the Sword placed in their room a strong Party of his own Men. But when the Earl was informed of what the Prince of Wales had done he presently left Ireland and landed at S. Davids with a great Army and having recovered his Castles he treated the Welch after the same manner as Prince Lhewelyn had used his Garrisons and passing forward into the Prince's Country destroyed all before him as he went along The Prince understanding how violently he came forward sent his Son Gruffydh with a considerable Body of Men to check his Fury who coming to Cydwely and receiving intelligence that the Magistrates of that place had a private design to betray him to the Enemy he put the whole Town in Flames and burnt it to the ground without sparing either Churches or other Religious Houses The Earl of Pembrock had passed the River Tywy at Caermardhyn where Gruffydh met him and gave him battel but the Victory proved so uncertain that the Night was forced to part them and
so the English retired over the River Matthew Paris writes that the Earl obtained a very signal Victory and that of the Welch there were Nine Thousand slain and taken though the Welch Account which in this case is in all likelihood the best makes the whole Army of the Welch to consist but of that number But both Armies having layn for certain Days in that posture and the River Tywy being betwixt them Gruffydh by reason that Provision began to grow scarce in his Camp returned back and then the Earl decamped and marched to Cilgerran where he began to build a very strong Castle But before he could have time to finish it he received an Express from the King with orders to come to him and so he went by Sea to London leaving his Army at Cilgerran to continue the Work which he had begun Shortly after the King together with the Archbishop of Canterbury came to Ludlow and sending for Prince Lhewelyn thither they had good hopes to adjust all Differences and to make an amicable Composition betwixt him and the Earl But when this could not be effected both Parties sticking close to their private Interest the Earl being assisted by the Earl of Derby and Henry Pyggot Lord of Ewyas designed to pass by Land to Pembrock but his purpose being discovered to the Prince he detached his Son to secure the Passage of Carnwylhion and came in person to Mabedryd which when the Earl understood finding it dangerous to prosecute his Design any further he returned to England and then the Prince marched to north-North-Wales The next Action that passed in Wales A.D. 1227 was somewhat rare and not redounding much to the Credit and Esteem of the Welch for Rhys Fychan having by some sinistrous means or other taken his Father Rhys Gryc contrary to all filial Affection and Duty detained him Prisoner and would not set him at liberty till he had delivered up Lhanymdhyfri Castle to him About the same time Meredith Archdeacon of Cardigan Prince Rhys's Son departed this Life and was honourably interred at S. Davids by his Father But a while after a great Storm threatned the A.D. 1228 Welch King Henry having raised a great Army was resolved to make a violent Prosecution of the Earl of Pembrock's Quarrel against the Prince of Wales and if possible to make all that Country for ever subject to the Crown of England and so being advanced into the Marches he encamped at Ceri Prince Lhewelyn on the other hand being informed of these mighty Preparations in England and understanding that they were intended against him did use all the Endeavours possible to make a vigorous Resistance and having drawn together all the Forces he was able to levy thought it his wisest way to meet the English upon the Marches and not to permit the Enemy to enter his Country Both Armies being come in sight of each other frequent Skirmishes happened betwixt 'em but one day almost the whole Armies engaged and after a vigorous Attack of both sides the English at last got the worst and were forced to retire having a great many Men slain and taken Prisoners Among the latter was William Bruce Reynald's Son who offered for his Ransom all Buelht together with a considerable Sum of Money which the Prince would not accept of But King Henry finding that his Army was worsted in this Rencounter thought it best to make Peace with the Prince of Wales which being concluded Lhewelyn came to the King and having paid him all other Respects besides that of Submission and Allegiance he returned in great Honour to North-Wales But this Action is somewhat otherwise laid down by Matthew Paris who writes that this Skirmish betwixt the English and Welch happened upon an other account for the Garrison of Montgomery issuing out of the Castle to enlarge a certain Passage leading through a Wood where the Welch were wont to rob and kill all Passengers began to fell the Timber and cut down all the Bushes which lessened the Road thereby to make the Passage more clear and secure The Welch receiving intelligence of this came presently upon him in great Numbers and surprizing the Enemies being busie at their Labour forced as many as could escape to betake themselves for refuge into the Castle which afterwards having first cast a deep Trench about it they smartly invested Hâ—bert de Burgh Lord Chief Justice of England and Owner of the Castle having notice of this sent presently to King Henry desiring his speedy help against the Welch who thereupon came in Person with part of his Army and raised the Siege Then the rest of his Forces being arrived he marched into the Wood which was Five Miles in length and by reason of the thickness of the growth impassable and for an easie passage through it caused it to be burnt down After that he led his Army farther into the Country and coming to an Abby called Cridia which the Welch were wont to take for refuge he caused it to be burnt down but finding it a very convenient place for a Fortress he granted leave to Hubert de Burgh to build a Castle there But whilst the Work was going on the Welch-men gauled the English and skirmished with them frequently so that many were slain on both sides but at last William Bruce with many others that went abroad to fetch Provision was intercepted by the Welch and taken Prisoner and most of his Company were slain among whom one who was knighted a few days before seeing some of his Fellows in great danger rushed boldly into the midst of his Enemies and after a manful defence bravely lost his Life Several of King Henry's Men were corrupted by Prince Lhewelyn and upon that account took no great pains to repulse the Enemy which when the King perceived and finding withal the Provision was grown very scarce in his Camp he was forced to conclude a dishonourable Peace with the Welch consenting to demolish that Castle which with so great an Expence both of Men and Mony was now almost finished upon his own Charges Prince Lhewelyn paying only Three Thousand Pounds towards it Then both Armies separated Prince Lhewelyn marching to north-North-Wales and the King leaving William Bruce Prisoner with the Welch returned to England having purchased no small Discredit in this Expedition William Bruce was brought to Wales and there had A.D. 1230 an honourable Confinement in the Prince his Palace but he had not continued there very long when he began to be suspected of being too familiar with the Princess King Henry's Sister and as the report went was takeâ— in the very act of Adultery for which the Prince caused him to be hanged forthwith About the same time Lhewelyn Maelgon's Son dyed in north-North-Wales and was buried at Conwey and Maelgon Prince Rhys his Son in south-South-Wales and was buried in Ystratflur whose Estate descended to his Son Maelgon And a little after William Marshall Earl of Pembrock A.D. 1231 dyed one that ever entertained an
inveterate Enmity to the Welch and upon whose account King Henry had chiefly brought his Army into Wales He was succeeded both in his Title and Estate by his Brother Richard who was much more favourably enclined towards the Welch and never attempted any thing against them But the King of England was resolved to retrieve the Honour he had lost in the late Expedition against the Welch and therefore being returned from France whither he had made a Descent to recover what his Father had lost in that Kingdom he came to Wales and having remained some time in the Marches he returned again to England leaving his Army under the command of Hubert Burgh Earl of Kent to defend the Marches against any in-road which the Welch might attempt And he had not remained there long when he received Intelligence that a Party of Welch had entered the Marches near Montgomery whom he forthwith pursued and setting upon them surprizedly he put a great number of them to the Sword Prince Lhewylyn hearing this came in Person with a great Army to the Marches and fitting before Montgomery Castle he forced Hubert to withdraw and then making himself Master of the place he burnt it to the ground and put the Garrison to the Sword the like Fate attended the Castles of Radnor Aberhondhy Rhayadr Gwy Caerlheon Neth and Cydwely though Caerlheon held out very stubbornly and the Prince had several of his Men destroyed before the Place King Henry being informed of what miserable Desolation the Prince of Wales so successfully committed upon his Subjects in these Countries had him presently excommunicated and then coming to Hereford with a mighty Army he detached the greatest part of it with a great number of his Nobility to Wales These by the direction of a Fryar of Cymer unexpectedly as they thought fell upon a Party of Welch who at the first Encounter seemed to fly till they had allured the English to pursue them to a place where a greater Party of Welch lay in ambuscade who rushing of a sudden upon the English put them in such a confusion that the greatest part of them was cut off The King being sensible that this was a treacherous Insinuation of the Friar was resolved to be revenged by burning the Abby of Cymer but the Prior for Three Hundred Marks prevented it and so the King returned to England having effected nothing in this Expedition besides the building of Mawd Castle In the mean time Maelgon Son of Maelgon ap Rhys laid siege to Aberteifi and having by force got entry into the Town he put all the Inhabitants to the Sword then destroyed all before him to the Castle Gates which were so strongly fortified that it seemed almost impracticable to take it in any short time But Maelgon being joyned by his Cosin Owen Gruffydh ap Rhys's Son was resolved to try the utmost that could be effected and therefore taking with him some of Prince Lhewelyn's most experienced Officers â—e brake down the Bridg upon the River Teifi and â—hen investing the Castle more closely he so batter'd â—nd undermin'd it that he became in a little time Master of it The Year following Prince Lhewelyn made a Deâ—cent A.D. 1232 upon England and having committed very considerable Waste and Destruction upon the Borders he â—eturned to north-North-Wales with a rich Booty both of Men and Cattel King Henry to correct the Welch for these grievous Devastations and to prevent their further Incursions into England demanded a very great Subsidy of his Subjects to carry on the War against the Welch which being granted him he made all possible Preparations for his Expedition to Wales In the mean time Randulph Earl of Chester dyed and was succeeded in that Honour by John his Sisters Son who was afterwards married to Prince Lhewelyn's Daughter But the English in Wales being in expectation of King Henry's coming thither began to repair and fortifie their Castles and particularly Richard Earl of Cornwal rebuilt Radnor Castle A.D. 1233 which the Prince had lately destroyed Prince Lhewelyn was sufficiently sensible that the King of England intended an Invasion and therefore to be before-hand with him he came with an Army to Brecknock destroyed all the Towns and Castles throughout the Country excepting Brecknock Castle which held out so manfully that after a Months sitting before it he was at last constrained to raise the Siege In his return to North-Wales he burnt the Town of Clûn recoverâ—â— all that Country called Dyffryn Tefeidiat in the possession of John Fitz-Alan destroyed Red Castle in Powys and burnt Oswestry But what happened very fortunately to the Welch Richard Marshal Earl of Pembroke being faln at variance with King Henry took part with Prince Lhewelyn with whom joyned Hubert de Burgh who had lately made his escape out of the Castle of Devizes where the King upon some Articles of Information brought against him had committed him to Prison But the Earl of Pembrock attended by Owen ap Gruffydh ap Rhys came to S. Davids and being very glad of an opportunity to revenge himself upon the King slew every one thaâ— owned any Dependance upon the Crown of England Maelgon and Rhys Gryc with all the Forces of Prince Lhewelyn quickly joyned the Earl who in their march through the Country took the Castles of Caâ—dyff Abergevenny Pencelhy Blaenlhefyni and Bwlch y Ddinas which all excepting Cardyff they burnt to the ground The King receiving intelligence that the Earl of Pembrock had entered into a Confederacy with the Prince of Wales and that he was now iâ— open Hostility against his Subjects in that Country gathered a very formidable Army consisting besides English of Flemings Normans and Gascoigns and coming to Wales he encamped at Grosmont where the Earl with the Welch Army met him But when the English would have endeavoured to advance further into the Country the Welch opposed them and so a Battel ensued wherein the English lost Five Hundred Horse besides a far greater number of their Infantry The Welch having gained a considerable Victory in this Action the King was advised to withdraw his Forces for fear lest that the Welch should again set upon them and so sustain a greater Loss which Counsel the King willingly hearkened unto and so he returned for England The English being withdrawn the Earl likewise decamped and marched to Caermardhyn which he besieged but after Three Months in vain Assault the Garrison most bravely defending the place and the English Fleet having thrown in new Provisions he thought it most adviseable to raise the Siege Shortly after Rhys Gryc Son to Prince Rhys dyed at Lhandeilo Fawr and was honourably interr'd by his Father at S. Davids About the same time Maelgon Fychan Maelgon ap Rhys his Son finished Trefilan Castle which was begun in his Fathers time A.D. 1234 King Henry was not willing to hazard any more Campaigns in Wales and therefore he appointed John of Monmouth a great Soldier and General of the English Forces
Warden of the Marches of Wales who thinking to get to himself an eternal Name in conquering the Welch raised all the Power he could and imagining that the Welch could not be privy to his purpose he apprehended he could fall upon the Earl-Marshal unexpected But in this he was to his sorâ—ow most widely mistaken for the Earl having received private intimation of his Design hid himself â—n a certain Wood by which the English were to march and when they were come so far the Welch of a sudden gave a great shout and leaping out of the place they had absconded themselves in they fell â—pon the English being unprovided and putting their whole Army to flight they slew an infinite number both of the English and their Auxiliaries John of Monmouth himself made his escape by flight but the Earl-Marshal entering his Country destroyed it with Fire and Sword And what added to the Misery of the English Prince Lhewelyn in the Week after Epiphany joyning the Earl-Marshal made an Incursion into the King's Territories destroying all before them from the Confines of Wales to Shrewsbury a great part of which they laid in Ashes King Henry was all this while with the Bishop of Winchester at Glocester and for want of sufficient Power or Courage to confront the Enemy durst not take the Field of which being at length perfectly ashamed he removed to Winchester leaving the Marches naked to the mercy of the Enemy And now there being no apprehension of fear from the English the Earl of Pembrock by the Counsel of Geoffrey de Marisco transported his Army into Ireland thinking to obtain a Conquest in that Kingdom but in the first Encounter with the Irish he was unfortunately slain through the Treachery of his own Men And so his Estate and Title descended to his Brother Gilbert But King Henry finding it impracticable to force the Welch to a Submission and being in a great measure weary of continual Wars and incessant Hostilities thought it his best Prudence to make some honourable Agreement with the Prince of Wales and therefore he deputed Edmund Archbishop of Canterbury the Bishops of Rochester Coventry and Lichfield and Chester to treat with Prince Lhewelyn about a Peace When the King came to meet with them in their return from this Negotiation being at Woodstock he was certified of the death of the Earl of Pembrock which he took so much to heart that he presently melted into Tears being afflicted for the death of so great a Person whom he openly declared had not left his Second in all his Kingdom Going from thence to Glocester he met with the Archbishop and Bishops who delivered to him the * See the Appendix Form of the Treaty of Peace with Prince Lhewelyn which he would not conclude unless upon this condition That all the English Nobility who were confederated with him and by evil Counsel were exil'd should be recalled and restored to the King's Favour The Archbishop further acquainted his Majesty with what Difficulty he had brought the matter to this conclusion being sometimes forced to add Threatnings on the King's behalf with his Clergy to which Menaces the Prince is said to have answered That he bore more regard to the King's Charity and Piety than he did fear his Arms or dread his Clergy But the King who was very desirous of a Peace readily consented to what the Prince required and therefore he issued out his Letters recalling all the Nobles who were out-law'd or otherwise exil'd requiring them to appear at Glocester upon Sunday next before Ascension day where they should receive their Pardons and be restored to their Estates which the King had taken into his own hands The Peace being thus concluded betwixt the English and Welch Prince Lhewelyn set his Son Gruffydh at liberty whom for his disobedient and restless Humour he had detained in close Prison for the space of Six Years About the same time Cadwalhon ap Maelgon of Melienydh departed this Life who was quickly follow'd by Owen Gruffydh ap Rhys's Son a Person of great Worth and exceedingly beloved and A.D. 1235 was buried at Ystratflur by his Brother Rhys And the Year following dyed Owen ap Meredith ap Rotpert of Cydewen and not long after him Madawc A. D. 1236. the Son of Gruffydh Mayelor Lord of Bromfield Chirk and Yale who was buried at the Abby of Lhan Egwest or Vale Crucis which he had built leaving Issue behind him one Son called Gruffydh who succeeded into the Possession of all these Lordships A little after Gilbert Earl of Pembrock got by Treachery Marchen Castle which belonged to Morgan ap Howel and fortified the same very strongly for fear of Prince Lhewelyn The next Spring Joan King John's Daughter and Princess of Wales departed this Life and was A.D. 1237 buried according to her own desire upon the Sea-shore at a place called Lhanfaes in the Isle of Anglesey where the Prince in memory of her afterwards founded a religious House for the Order of Mendicant-Friars About the same time also dyed John Scot Earl of Chester without any Issue upon which account the King seized that Earldom into his own hands Hugh Lupus was the first that enjoyed this Honour who coming over to England with the Conquerour was by him created Earl of Chester and Sword-bearer of England Habendum tenendum dictum comitatum Cestriae sibi haeredibus suis ita liberè ad gladium sicut ipse Rex totam tenebat Angliam ad coronam To have and to hold the said County of Chester to him and his Heirs by right of the Sword so freely and securely as the King held the Realm of England in the right of the Crown After Five Descents Randulph Bohun came to be Earl of Chester who was Uncle to this John the last Earl This Randulph had several Encounters with Prince Lhewelyn and was in continual agitation against him but once more particularly meeting with the Prince and being sensible of his Inability to withstand him he was obliged to retire for Refuge to the Castle of Ruthlan which the Prince presently besieged Randulph perceiving himself to be in danger sent to Roger Lacy Constable of Chester requesting him to raise what strength he could possible and come to succour him in this Extremity Wherefore Lacy having received this Express called to him presently all his Friends desiring them to make all the Endeavours imaginable to rescue the Earl from that imminent Danger which so severely threatned him At whose request Ralph Dutton his Son in Law a valorous Youth assembled together all the Players and Musicians and such as then being Fair-time had met to make merry and presenting them to the Constable he forthwith marched to Ruthlan raised the Siege and delivered the Earl from all his fear In recompence of this Service the Earl granted the Constable several Freedoms and Priviledges and to Dutton the ruling and ordering all Players and Musicians within the said Country to be
enjoyed by his Heirs for ever A.D. 1238 In the Year 1238. Prince Lhewelyn being discomposed in Body called unto him all the Lords and Barons of Wales to Ystratflur where each of them swore to remain true and faithful Subjects and did Homage to David Lhewelyn's Son whom he had named to succeed him Matthew Paris writes that Prince Lhewelyn being impotent by reason of a Palsie and sore disquieted by his Son Gruffydh sent Embassadours to the King of England signifying to him that for as much as he could not expect to live long by reason of his Age he was desirous to lead the remainder of his days in Peace and Tranquility and therefore now purposed to submit himself to the Government and Protection of the King and would hold his Lands of him promising withal that whenever the King should stand in need of his help he would serve him both with Men and Money to the utmost of his power The Bishops of Hereford and Chester were sent Mediators in this behalf though some of the Nobility of Wales openly and peremptorily withstood it and upon no condition whatsoever would accept of such a Peace But David being declared Successor to the Principality began to plague his Brother Gruffydh who though elder was yet base-born and took from him Arustly Ceri Cyfeilioc Mowdhwy Mochnant and Careneon and let him only enjoy the Cantref of Lhyn But a little afterwards he dispossessed him of all and contrary to his Oath to the Bishop of Bangor in whose protection Gruffydh then remained took him Prisoner having upon promise of no Violence obtained to speak with him and sent him to Cricieth Castle But whilst these two Brothers continued to entertain an irreconcilable Odium one to another their Father Prince Lewelyn ap Iorwerth A.D. 1240 to the great Grief and Dissatisfaction of all the Welch departed this Life and was very honourably interred in the Abby of Conwey after he had reigned Six and Fifty Years He was a Prince of great Courage and Audacity and had no less Prudence in contriving than Boldness in executing any martial Adventure he was a great Support to the Welch and no less a Plague to the English he made very considerable Conquests upon the Borders and extended the Frontiers of Wales much beyond their former Limits He had Issue by his only Wife Joan Daughter to King John of England one Son called David who afterwards succeeded in the Principality of Wales and a Daughter named Gladys who was married to Sir Ralph Mortimer He had also a base Son named Gruffydh whom his Brother David kept a close Prisoner to his dying day David ap Lhewelyn PRince Lhewelyn ap Iorwerth being deceased his only legitimate Son David whom all the Barons of Wales had as is said in his Fathers Life-time sworn to obey legally succeeded in the Goverment wherein being actually confirmed he went to the King of England to Glocester and there did him Homage See Appendix for his Principality Then all the Barons both English and Welch who held any Lands in Wales in like manner did Homage and Fealty for the same But the English could not long refrain from their wonted Hostilities towards the Welch and thereupon Gilbert Marshal taking advantage of this Revolution before Matters were throughly settled brought an Army before the Castle of Aberteifi which being delivered up to him he fortified with a strong Garrison Prince David was as yet too weak to appear in the Field and indeed the more by reason that several of his Nobility and others could not affectionately love him for that unnatural Spleen he shew'd to his Brother Gruffydh whom for no visible reason he detained in close custody But above the rest Richard Bishop of Bangor stormed at the Prince and finding that he violated his Promise in setting his Brother at liberty whom under pretence of an amicable Consultation he had fraudulently seized upon in the Bishop's presence without more ado excommunicated him and then retiring to England made a very querimonious relation of the whole matter to the King desiring him to release Gruffydh out of Prison before the Rumour of so heinous a Fact should reach the Court of Rome and so reflect upon his Majesty's Reputation King Henry thereupon sent to his Nephew Prince David blaming him highly for such a treacherous Action and dealing so severely with his Brother and then earnestly requested him to deliver Gruffydh out of custody both to save himself from perpetual Defamation and to deserve an Absolution from the severe Sentence pronounced against him But David absolutely refused to comply to the King's desire assuring him that Wales could never enjoy a peaceable time as long as his Brother Gruffydh had his liberty Gruffydh being acquainted with his Brothers Resolution and thinking that thereby he had unavoidably displeased the King of England privately sent to King Henry assuring him that if by Force he would deliver him out of Prison he would not only hold his Lands for ever from him but also pay him the yearly Acknowledgment of Three Hundred Marks offering both to give his corporal Oath and to deliver up sufficient Pledges for the performance of it and withall to assist the King with all his Power in bringing in the rest of the Welch to his subjection Moreover Gruffydh ap Madawc Lord of Bromfield positively assured the King that in case he would lead an Army into Wales to revenge the Falsity and injurious Practices of David he would give him all possible Aid and Assistance Indeed King Henry besides this solemn Invitation had no weak Pretence to come to Wales for Richard Bishop of Bangor a fiery Man had prosecuted the matter so warmly at Rome that he obtained of the Pope also to excommunicate David which Excommunication being denounced against him his Lands were pretendedly forfeited But the King being chiefly allured with the Promises of the Welch in the behalf of Gruffydh levied a very formidable Army to lead to Wales strictly commanding by Proclamation all the English who owed him any Martial-Service to repair armed to Glocester by the beginning of Autumn This Rendezvouz being accordingly performed the King came thither in person at the time appointed and having regulated his Troops and put all Matters in convenient order he marched to Shrewsbury where he remained Fifteen Days to refresh his Army During his stay there several of the Nobility became Suitors unto him on behalf of Gruffydh whose Condition they desired he would commiserate among whom were Ralph Lord Mortimer of Wigmore Walter Clifford Roger de Monte Alto Steward of Chester Maelgon ap Maelgon Meredith ap Rotpert Lord of Cydewen Gruffydh ap Madawc of Bromfield Howel and Meredith the Sons of Conan ap Owen Gwynedh and Gruffydh ap Gwenwynwyn Lord of Powys These Noblemen prevailed so far with King Henry that a League was concluded between him and Senena the Wife of Gruffydh See Appendix For the performance of these Articles the aforesaid
Noblemen offered to be Securities and bound themselves by their several Writings But as if all things had conspired together against Prince David See Appendix several Persons that had been at continual variance and enmity among themselves to this time were now by reason that they equally favoured Gruffydh's Cause made Friends among one another Morgan ap Howel Lord of Cery made his Reconciliation to Sir Ralph Mortimer See Appendix and his Submission to King Henry in a very solemn manner In the same form several others of the Nobility submitted to the King as Owen ap Howel Maelgon ap Maelgon Meredith ap Meredith Howel ap Cadwalhon and Cadwalhon ap Howel David finding himself thus relinquished by the greatest part of his Nobility and particularly by Gruffydh ap Madawc Lord of Bromfield whom he chiefly feared by reason of his great Wisdom and Power and that he was much esteemed by the King of England could not easily conclude how to carry himself in this perplexity of Affairs But in fine considering with himself what a puissant Army King Henry brought against him and how himself was considerably weakened by the defection of his Subjects he thought it most adviseable to truckle to the King and therefore with all speed sent him his Submission See Appendix Prince David having given a plenary Submission to the King desired that being his Nephew and the lawful Heir and Successor of his Father Prince Lhewelyn he should enjoy the Principality of Wales rather than Gruffydh who was illegitimate and in no wise related to the King assuring him further that the War would never be at an end if he was set at liberty King Henry knowing well the truth of all this and withal being assured that Gruffydh was not only valiant himself but had likewise very powerful Abettors and Promoters of his Cause was very inclinable to assent to David's Request and to prevent any farther Troubles willingly granted it Therefore David in a while after sent his Brother Gruffydh to the King together with the Pledges promised for the performance of the Articles lately agreed upon who were all sent to the Tower of London to be kept in safe custody Gruffydh being allowed a Noble a day to provide himself with Necessaries Shortly after David came himself to London and after he had done his Homage and sworn Fealty to the King of England returned to Wales being honourably and peaceably dismissed But as soon as Gruffydh found out King Henry's mind and that it was the least part of his design to set him at liberty having flatly denyed the Bishop of Bangor his request therein he began to set his Brains a working and to devise a means whereby he might make his escape out of the Tower Whereupon having one night deceived his Keepers he let himself down from the top of the Building by a Line which he had composed out of the Sheets and Hangings of the Room which being too weak to bear his weight being a heavy corpulent Person let him down headlong to the ground by the greatness of which Fall he was crushed to pieces and so presently expired King Henry being informed of this unhappy Accident severely punished the Officers for their inexcusable Carelesness and ordered that his Son who was kept Prisoner with him in the Tower should be more narrowly observed After this King Henry fortified the Castle of Dyserth in Flintshire and for their passed Service or rather to oblige them to the like after granted to Gruffydh ap Gwenwynwyn all his Estate in Powys and to the Sons of Conan ap Owen Gwynedh their Lands in Merionyth And the next Year Maelgon Fychan fortifyed A.D. 1242 the Castle of Garthgrugyn John de Mynoc the Castle of Buelht and Roger Mortimer that of Melyenyth But all these Preparations were not to no purpose for the following Year early King Henry came with A.D. 1243 an Army into Wales and began very unreasonably to molest the Welch and without any just pretence forcibly to seize upon their Lands and Estates Indeed after the death of Gruffydh he had a mind no longer to keep his Promise to David and therefore entitled his eldest Son Edward to the Principality of Wales whom he thought to oblige the Welch to obey But Prince David understanding his design levyed all his Power for the defence of his just Right yet finding himself unable to withstand the Army of the English purposed to effect that by Policy which he could not attain by Force He sent therefore to the Pope complaining how that King Henry of England compelled him unjustly to hold his Lands of him and that upon no legal pretence he seized the Estates of the Welch at his pleasure telling him moreover that Prince Lhewelyn his Father had left him and the Principality of Wales to the Protection of the See of Rome to which he was willing to pay the yearly Sum of Five Hundred Marks obliging himself and his Successors by Oath for the due performance of this Payment The Pope you may be sure gladly accepted of the Offer and thereupon gave commission to the two Abbots of Aberconwey and Cymer to absolve David from his Oath of Allegiance to the King of England and having enquired into the whole Estate of the Quarrel to transmit an account of it to him The Abbots See Appendâ—x according to their Commission directed a very positive Mandat to the King of England King Henry admiring the strange Presumption and Confidence of these Abbots or more the unsatiable Avarice and Greediness of the Pope sent also to Rome and with a greater Sum of Money easily adjusted all matters his Holyness being very desirous to make the best advantage of both Parties But Prince David finding that the Pope minded his own Gain more than to justifie his Complaints against the King of England thought it to no purpose to rely upon his Faith but judged it more advisable to vindicate himself by force of Arms. Having therefore gathered his Forces together being now reconciled to and followed by all the Nobility of Wales excepting Gruffydh ap Gwenwynwyn and Morgan ap Howel who also shortly after submitted to him he drew up his Army to the Marches intending to be revenged upon the Earls of Clare and Hereford John de Monmouth Roger de Monte Alto and others who injured and oppressed his People with whom he fought divers times and with various success A.D. 1245 But in the Lent-time next Year the Marchers and the Welch met near Montgomery between whom was fought a very severe Battel the Governour of that Castle being General of the English and having â—unningly placed an Ambuscade of Men pretended â—fter some short Engagement to flee whom the Welch daringly pursued not thinking of any Treaâ—hery Bat as soon as they were past the Ambushment â—p rises an unexpected Party of Men who falling upâ—n the backs of the Welch put them to a very great â—isorder and killed about Three Hundred
time and so returned to England But Lord James Audley whose Daughter was married to Gruffydh Lord of Bromfield did more mischief and hurt to the Welch who having brought over a great Number of Horsemen from Germany to serve against the Welch so terrified them with the unusual largeness of the Horses and the unaccustomed manner of sighting that in the first Encounter the Welch were easily overcome Buâ— minding to revenge this Disgrace and withal being better acquainted with their method of Arms the Welch in a little after made in-roads into the Lord Audley's Lands where the Germans presently set upon them and pursued them to certain straits which the Welch discovered for a politick retreat The Germans thinking they had entirely drove the Welch away returned carelesly back but being set upon of the sudden without any thought of an Enemy behind they were all in a manner slain by the rallying Welch This year a very great scarcity of Beefs and Horses happened in England whereof several Thousands yearly were supplied out of Wales by reason of which the Marches were perfectly robbed of all their Breed and not so much as a Beast to be seen in all the Borders A.D. 1259 The next Spring all the Nobility of Wales convened together and took their mutual Oaths to defend their Country to Death against the oppressing Invasions of the English and not to relinquish and forsake one another upon pain of Perjury tho' notwithstanding Meredith ap Rhys of South-Wales violated this Agreement and put himself in the Service of the King of England King Henry was ready to fall upon the Welch to which purpose he summoned a Parliament wherein he proposed to raise a Subsidy towards the Conquest of Wales being not able of himself to bear the Expences of this War by reason of several Losses he had already received the Country of Pembroke being lately destroyed and taken by the Welch where they found plenty of Salt which before they were in great necessity of But William de Valentia accusing the Earls of Leicester and Glocester as the Authors of all this Mischief quite broke all their measures so the King was forced to prorogue the Parliament for a time without any grant of a Subsidy But within a while after it sat at Oxford where King Henry and Edward his Son took a Solemn Oath to observe the Laws and Statutes of the Realm and the same being tendred to Guy and William the King's Brothers and to Henry Son to the King of Almain and to Earl Warren they refused to take it and so departed In this Parliament the Lords of Wales fairly proffered to be tryed by the Laws for any Offence they had unjustly commirted against the King which was mainly opposed by Edward who caused one Patrick de Canton to whom the Lordship of Cydwely was given in case he could win and keep the same to be sent to Caermardhyn as Lieutenant for the King with whom Meredith ap Rhys was joyned in Commission Being arrived at Caermardhyn Patrick sent to the Prince to desire him to appoint Commissioners to treat with him concerning a Peace which he consented to and without any suspicion of treachery sent Meredith ap Owen and Rhys ap Rhys to Emlyn if possible to conclude the same But Patrick meaning no such thing laid an ambuscade for the Welch who coming honestly forward were by the way villanously set upon by the English and a great many slain but those that happily escaped calling up the Country presently gave chase to Patrick and his Accomplices who being at length overtaken were almost all put to the Sword But Prince Lhewelyn was now altogether bent upon a Peace and did not only desire it but was willing to purchase it for a summ of Money to which purpose he offered to give the King 4000 Marks to his Son 300 and 200 to the Queen which the King utterly refused replying That it was not a sufficient recompence for all the Damages he had suffered by the Welch Matthew of Westminster reporteth that about Michaelmas this year the Bishop of Bangor was commissioned by the Prince and Nobility of Wales to treat with the King of England about a Peace and to offer him 16000 Pound for the same upon these Conditions that according to their antient Custom the Welch should have all Causes tryed and determined at Chester and that they should freely enjoy the Laws and Customs of their own Country but what was the result of this Treaty my Author does not mention There being no hopes of a Peace Prince Lhewelyn A.D. 1260 early next year appeared in the Field and passed to south-South-Wales and first fell foul upon Sir Râ—ger Mortimer who contrary to his Oath maintained the King of England's Quarrel Having forcibly dispossessed him of all Buelht and without any opposition taken the Castle where was found a plentiful Magazine he marched thro' all South-Wales confirming his Conquest and afterwards returned to his Palace at Aber A.D. 1261 betwixt Bangor and Conwey The year following A.D. 1262 Owen ap Meredith Lord of Cydewen died But the next Summer was somewhat more noted for Action a party of Prince Lhewelyn's Men took by surprise the Castle of Melienyth belonging to Sir Roger Mortimer and having put the rest of the Garrison to the Sword they took Howel ap Meyric the Governour with his Wife and Children Prisoners and after that the Castle was demolished by the Prince's Order Sir Roger Mortimer hearing of this with a great Body of Lords and Knights came to Melienyth where Prince Lhewelyn met him bur Sir Roger not daring to hazard a Battel planted himself within the Ruins and finding he could do no good desired leave of the Prince to retire peaceably The Prince upon the account of Relation and near Consanguinity betwixt them and withal because he would not be so mean spirited as to fall upon an Enemy who had no power to resist him let him safely depart with his Forces and then passing on himself to Brecknock at the request of the People of that Country who swore Fidelity unto him so passed on and returned to Noâ—th-Wales And now being Confederate with the Barons against King Henry he was resolved to practise something in the prejudice of the English and so set upon the Earldom of Chester destroyed the Castles of Tygannâ—y and Diserth belonging to Edward who coming thither was yet not able to prevent the Mischief done A.D. 1263 to him by the Welch The next year John Strange Junior Constable of Montgomery with a great Number of Marchers came a little before Easter by night thro' Ceri to Cydewen intending to surprise the Castle which when the People of the Country understood they gathered together and setting upon them slew 200 of his Men but Strange with a few got safely back Within a while after the Marchers and the Welch met again near a place called Clun where a hot Engagement happened between them in which the Welch were worsted
and had a great Number of their Men slain After this nothing remarkable fell out for a considerable time unless it were that David being released out of Prison by Prince Lhewelyn his Brother most ungratefully forsook him and with all his might sided with his Enemies the English also Gruffydh ap Gwenwynwyn having taken the Castle of Mold demolished it to the ground During this quiet and unactive interval in Wales Meredith ap Owen the main Support and Defender of South-Wales died to the great disadvantage of the Affairs of that Country And now indeed the Welch were like to be A.D. 1268 made sensible of the Loss of so considerable a Person for King Henry was resolved once more to lead an Army into Wales and to see if he could have better Success than he had hitherto against the Welch But when he was prepared to undertake this Expedition Ottobonus Pope Clement's Legate in England interposed and mediated a Peace which was concluded upon at the Castle of Montgomery wherein it was articled that Prince Lhewelyn should give the King 30000 Marks and the King was to grant the Prince a Charter from thenceforth to receive Homage and Fealty of all the Nobility and Barons of Wales besides one so that they could hold their Lands of no other but himself and from thence forward he was to be lawfully stiled Prince of Wales This Charter being ratified and confirmed as well by the Authority of the Pope as the King's Seal Prince Lhewelyn desisted from any farther Acts of Hostility and punctually observed all the Articles of Agreement betwixt him and King Henry so that nothing more was outragiously transacted between the English and Welch during the remainder of this King's reign Within that space died Grono ap Ednyfed Fychan one of the Chief Lords of the Prince's Council and shortly after him Gruffydh Lord of Bromfield who lies buried at Vale-Crucis A.D. 1272 But the Death of King Henry put an end to the observations of the Peace betwixt the English and Welch who dying on the 16th day of November this year left this Kingdom to his Son Edward Prince Edward was then in the Holy-Land and very active against those Enemies of Christianity the Turks where he had already continued above a year but understanding of his Father's Death and that in his absence he was proclaimed King of England he made all haste to return to receive the Solemnity of Coronation But what by the tediousness of the Journey and what by being honourably detained at Princes Courts in his way it was two years before he could get into England then upon the 15th of August and in the year 1274. he was Crowned at Westminster Prince Lhewelyn was summoned to attend at his Coronation but he flatly refused to appear unless upon sure Terms of safe Conduct for having offended several of the English Nobility he could not in safety pass thro' their Country without the danger of exposing his Person to the inveterate Malice and acceptable Revenge of some of them And thâ—refore without the King's Brother the Earl of Glocester and Robert Burnell Lord Chief Justice of England were delivered up as Pledges for his safe Conduct he would not come up to do his Homage and Fealty at his Coronation according to the Writ directed to him And indeed seeing King Edward had broke the Peace lately concluded upon before the Pope's Legate and did receive and honourably entertain such Noblemen of Wales as for their disloyalty were banished by Prince Lhewelyn by whom he feared some treachery there was no reason that the Prince should pay him any subjection but by the breach of Peace was exempted from all Homage However Prince Lhewelyn to shew that it was not out of any stubborness or disrespect to the King of England that he refused to come sent up his Reasons by the Abbots of Ystratflur and Conwey to Robert Kilwarby Archbishop of Canterbury and the rest of the Bishops then sitting â—n Convocation in the New-Temple at London which were to this effect To the most Reverend Fathers in God Robert Archbishop of Canterbury and Metropolitan of all England the Archbishop of York and the rest of the Bishops in Convocation Lhewelyn Prince of Wales and Lord of Snowden sendeth Greeting WE would have your Lordships to understand that whereas formerly most terrible and incessant Wars were continually managed betwixt Henry King of England and our self the same were at last composed and all matters of Differences were adjusted by the means of his Excellency Cardinal Ottobonus the Pope's Legate who having drawn the Articles and Conditions of the Peace agreâ—d upon they were signed and swore to not only by the Kâ—ng but also the Prince his Son now King of England Among these Articles were comprehended that we and our Successors should hold of the King and his Successor the Principality of Wales so that all the Welch Lords one Baron excepted should hold their Baronies and Estates in Capite of us and should pay their Homage and Fealty for the same to us we in like manner doing Homage to the King of England and his Successors And besides that the King and his Successors should never offer to receive and entertain any of our Enemies nor any such of our own Subjects as were lawfully banished and excluded our Dominions of Wales nor by any means defend and uphold such against us Contrary to which Articles King Edward has forcibly seized upon the Estates of certain Barons of Wales of which they and their Ancestors have been immemorably possessed of and detains a Barony which by the form of Peace should have been delivered to us and moreover has hitherto entertained David ap Gruffydh our Brother and Gruffydh ap Gwenwynwyn with several others of our Enemies who are Out-laws and Fugitives of our Country And tho' we have often exhibited our Grievances and Complaints against them for destroying and pillaging our Country yet we could never obtain of the King any relief or redress for the several Wrongs and Injuries we received at their hands but on the contrary they still persist to commit wastes and other outrages in our Dominions And for all this he summons us to do him Homage at a place which is altogether dangerous to our Person where our inveterate Enemies and which is worse our own unnatural Subjects bear the greatest sway and respect w th the King And tho' we have alledged several Reasons to the King and his Council why the place by him assigned is nâ—t safe and indifferent for us to come and desire him to appoint another whereto we might with more safety resort or else that he would send Commissioners to receive our Oath and Homage till he could more opportunely receive them in Person yet he would not assent to our just and reasonable Request nor be satisfied with the Reasons we exhibited for our non-appearance Therefore we desire your Lordships earnestly to weigh the dismal effects that will happen to the Subjects
both of England and Wales upon the breach of the Articles of Peace and that you would be pleased to inform the King of the sad Consequence of another War which can no way be prevented but by using us according to the Conditions of the former Peace which for our part we will in no measure transgress But if the King will not hearken to your Counsel we hope that you will hâ—ld us excused if the Nation be disquieted and troubled thereupon which as much as in us lieth we endeavour to prevent King Edward would admit of no Excuse noâ— hearken to any manner of Reason in the case but was unmercifully enraged and conceived an unpardonable displeasure against Prince Lhewelyn which yet he thought convenient to conceal and dissemble for a time Indeed he could never abide Lhewelyn â—â—nce the time that he was vanquished and put to â—ight by him at the Marches so that the chief Cause â—f King Edward's anger originally proceeded from 〈◊〉 point of Honor which this refusal of Homage â—â—rved sufficiently to increase But to prosecute his Revenge which upon this score is in Princes very â—erce and unforgetful in a short time he came to â—hester meaning to recover by force what he could â—ot obtain by fair means From hence he sent to â—â—e Prince of Wales requiring him to come over and 〈◊〉 him Homage which Lhewelyn either absolutely reâ—â—sing or willingly detracting to do King Edward â—ade ready his Army to force him to it But there A.D. 1277 â—â—ppened an Accident which took off a great part of â—rince Lhewelyn's stubborness for at this time the â—ountess of Leicester the Widow of Simon Montfort â—ho lived at Montargis a Nunnery in France sent over 〈◊〉 Wales her Daughter the Lady Eleanor whom â—hewelyn extreamly loved with her Brother Aemeâ—ke to be married to the Prince according to the Aâ—reement made in her Father Earl Montfort's time â—ut Aemerike fearing to touch upon the Coast of â—ngland steered his course towards the Islands of â—cilly where by the way they were all taken by four â—ristol Ships and brought to King Edward who reâ—eived the Lady very honourably but committed her â—â—other Prisoner to the Castle of Coff whence he was â—fterward removed to the Castle of Shirburne The â—ing having obtained this unexpected Advantage over â—hewelyn began boldly to fall upon him and so diâ—â—ding his Army into two Battalions led one himself â—â—to North-Wales and advanced as far as Ruthlan where he strongly fortified the Castle The other he ommitted to Paganus de Camurtiis a great Souldier â—ho entring into West-Wales burned and destroyed 〈◊〉 great part of the Country But the People of South-Wales fearing that his next Expedition was levelled â—gainst them voluntarily submitted themselves to the â—ing and did him Homage and then delivered upâ—â—â—he Castle of Ystratywy to Paganus Prince Lhewelyn hearing of this and finding his own Subjects to forsake him but more especially being desirous to recover his espouse the Lady Eleanor thought it likewise advisable to submit and therefore sued to King Edward for a Peace who granted it but upon very severe Conditions upon Lhewelyns side The Agreement consisted of ten Articles which were 1. That the Prince should set at liberty all manner of Prisoners that upon the King's Account were detained in Custody 2. That for the King's favour and good will he should pay 50000 Marks to be received at the King's pleasure 3. That these four Cantreds or Hundreds viz. Cantref Ros where the King's Castle of Teganwy stands Ryfonioc where Denbigh Tegengl where Ruthlan Dyffryn Clwyd where Rhuthyn stands should remain in the King's hands 4. That the Lords Marchers should quietly enjoy all the Lands they had conquered within Wales excepting in the Isle of Anglesey which was wholly granted to the Prince 5. That in consideration of this Island the Prince should pay 5000 Marks in hand with the reserve of a 1000 Marks yearly to begin at Michaelmas and in case the Prince died without Issue the whole Island should return to the King 6. That the Prince should come every year to England to pay his Homage to the King for all his Lands 7. That all the Barons of Wales excepting five in Snowden should hold their Lands and Estates of the King and no other 8. That the Title of Prince should remain only for his Life and not descend to his Successors and after his Death the five Lords of Snowden should hold their Lands only from the King 9. That for the performance of these Articles the Prince should deliver up for Hostages ten Persons of the best Quality in the Country without imprisoning disinheriting and any time of redemption determined And farther that the King should chuse Twenty Persons within north-North-Wales who besides the Prince should take their Oaths for the due performance of these Articles and in case the Prince should swerve and recede from them and upon admonition â—hereof not repent they should forsake him and beâ—ome his Enemies 10. The Prince was obliged to â—uffer his Brethren quietly to enjoy their Lands in Wales whereof David for his Service was dubbed Knight by the King and had the Earl of Derby's Widow given him in Matrimony and with her as 〈◊〉 Portion the Castle of Denbigh in North-Wales beâ—ides a 1000 Pounds in Lands His other Brother Roderic was lately escaped out of Prison into England â—nd the younger called Owen was upon his Composition delivered out of Prison King Edward having imposed these severe and unmerciful Conditions upon Prince Lhewelyn and for a better security for the performance of them built a Castle at Aberystwyth returned very honourably into England upon whose arrival the People willingly granted him a Subsidy of the Twentieth part of their Estates towards his Charges in this War But it seems very probable that Prince Lhewelyn submitted to these intolerable Conditions more upon the account of his Amours and to regain the Lady Eleanora out of the King of England's hand than that he was apprehensive of any considerable Danger he might receive by the English Troops For it is hardly conceivable that a Prince of such notorious Conduct and Valour would so easily accept of such hard Terms and in a measure deliver up his Principality when there was no necessity so to do without resisting an Enemy whom he had frequently overcome and forced to retire back with greater inequality than the English had at present over him But the force of â—ove worked Wonders and in this case proved moâ—t irresistible which to obtain Lhewelyn did not think hard to forfeit his proper Right to his inveterate Enemies and for ever to exclude his Posterity from succeeding in their lawful Inheritance The next year A.D. 1273 therefore he had his Wish accomplished and was married to Eleanora at Worcester the King and Queen with all the Nobility and Persons of Quality in England honouring the Wedding with their pâ—esence But this specious Amity and the Peace laâ—â— concluded betwixt them
to be established as long as the English had no regard to Articles and still oppress his People with new and unwarrantable Exactions Therefore seeing his Subjects were unchristianly abused by the King's Officers and all his Country most tyrannically harassed he saw no reason why the English upon any fault of his side should threaten to bring a formidable Army to his Country nor the Church pretend to censure him seeing also he was very willing upon the aforesaid Conditions to submit to a Peace And lastly he desired his Grace that he would not give the more credit to his Enemies because they were near his Person and could deliver their Complaints frequently and by word of mouth for they who made no conscience of oppressing would not in all probability stick to defame and make false Accusations and therefore his Grace would make a better Estimation of the whole matter by examining their Actions rather than believing their Words Prince Lhewelyn having to this purpose replyed in general to the Archbishops Articles presented him with a Copy of the several Grievances which himself and others of his Subjects had wrongfully and unjustly received at the hands of the English And these though somewhat tedious are thought necessary to be particularly inserted in the Appendix by reason that they demonstrably vindicate the Welch Nation from the unreasonable Aspersions which the English of these times cast upon it For the breach of Peace and the occasion of those dismal Disturbances in the Kingdom are by the English Writers of those times wholly attributed to the restless and rebellious Humour and unconstant Temper of the Welch Whereas had they looked at home they might have found the Original of all these Troubles to have proceeded from the intolerable Extortions and insupportable Oppressions of their own Nation For whoever considers these unmerciful Grievances and the manifold Wrongs the Welch endured it cannot in reason be expected but that they would endeavour to vindicate themselves and repel Force by Force For had the English the liberty of dispossessing them wrongfully of their proper Inheritance and Estates and it was not lawful for the Welch to endeavour the defending and keeping their own And must they be reckoned disobedient and Promoters of Sedition upon the account that they would not be trampled under and enslaved by the English These Measures were too hard and intolerable and scarce allowable in an Infidel Nation to oppress and what in them lay eradicate a People for no other reason than because they were weaker and more helpless than themselves and then what is worse to accuse them of being Authors of Sedition because they would not suffer themselves to be peaceably enslaved but endeavoured to vindicate their Right by main Force But it is highly probable that King Edward had no inclination to observe what Articles of Agreement soever were concluded upon and therefore encouraged his Deputies in the Marches and inland Country of Wales in all their Oppressions and sinistrous Dealings towards the Welch This was the best Method and the most expedient Means to reduce the Country of Wales to subjection to the Crown of England which the King had long ago intentionally effected And to accuse the Welch of not observing the Conditions of Peace was a specious Pretence to bring that actually to pass and to lead an Army into the Country But whaever the English might pretend 't is evident the Welch had the greater occasion to complain See the Appendix as appears from the Grievances committed as well against the Prince himself as others of his Subjects The Archbishop having read over these Grievances and finding the Welch to be upon good reason guiltless of that severe Character which by the malicious Insinuations of the English he had conceived of them went to King Edward requesting him to take into consideration the unjust Wrongs and Injuries done to the Welch which if he would not redress at least he might excuse them from any breach of Obedience to him seeing they had so just a reason for what they did The King replyed That he willingly forgave them and would make reasonable Satisfaction for any Wrong done so that they had free access to declare their Greivances before him and then might safely depart in case it would appear just and lawful they should The Archbishop upon this thought he had obtained his purpose and therefore without any stay posted it to Snowden where the Prince and his Brother David resided and having acquainted them with the King's mind earnestly desired that they and the rest of the Nobility of Wales would submit themselves and by him be introduced to the King's presence Prince Lhewelyn after some times Conference and Debate declared that he was ready to submit to the King with the reserve only of two particulars namely his Conscience whereby he was obliged to regard the Safety and Liberties of his People and then the decency of his own State and Quality But the King understanding by the Archbishop how that the Prince stood upon Terms positively refused to consent to any more Treaty of Peace than that he should simply submit without any farther Conditions The Archbishop had experience enough that the Welch would never agree to such Proposals and therefore desired of his Majesty that he would give him leave with the rest of the English Nobility present to confer and conclude upon the matter which being granted they unanimously resolved upon the following Articles and sent them to the Prince by John Wallensis Bishop of S. Davids I. The King will have no Treaty of the four Cantreds and other Lands which he has bestowed upon his Nobles nor of the Isle of Anglesey II. In case the Tenants of the four Cantreds submit themselves the King purposeth to deal kindly and honourably with them which we are sufficiently satisfied of and will what in us lyes endeavour to further III. We will do the like touching Prince Lhewelyn concerning whom we can return no other Answer than that he must barely submit himself to the King without hopes of any other Conditions These were the publick Articles agreed upon by the English Nobility and sent to Prince Lhewelyn besides which they sent some private Measures of Agreement relating both to him and his Brother David promising that in case he would submit and put the King in quiet possession of Snowden his Majesty would bestow an English County upon him with the yearly Revenue of a Thousand Pound Sterling And moreover his Daughter should be provided for suitable to her Birth and Quality and all his Subjects according to their Estate and Condition and in case he should have Male Issue by a second Wife the aforesaid County and a Thousand Pound should remain to his Posterity for ever As for David the Prince's Brother if he would consent to go to the Holy Land upon condition not to return but upon the King's Pleasure all things should be honourably prepared for his Journey with
respect to his Quality and his Child maintain'd and provided for by the King To these the Archbishop added his Threats That in case they did not comply and submit themselves to the King's Mercy there were very severe and imminent Dangers hanging over their Heads a formidable Army was ready to make an inroad into their Country which would not only gaul and oppress them but in all probability totally eradicate the whole Nation Besides which they were to expect the severest Censure and Punishment of the Church But all this could not force so unlimited a Submission from the Prince but that he would stick upon some certain Conditions and therefore by Letter he acquainted the Archbishop That he was with all willingness desirous to submit himself to the King but withal that he could not do it but in such a manner as was safe and honest for him And because the Form of Submission contained in the Articles sent to him were by himself and his Council thought pernicious and illegal for him to consent to as tending rather to the Destruction than the Security of himself and his Subjects he could in no wise agree to it and in case himself should be willing the rest of his Nobility and People would never admit of it as knowing for certain the Mischief and Inconveniency that would ensue thereby Therefore he desired his Lordship that for a Confirmation of an honest and a durable Peace which he had all this while earnestly laboured for he would manage Matters circumspectly and with due regard to the following Articles For it was much more honourable for the King and far more consonant to Reason that he should hold his Lands in the Country where he was born and dwelt in than that by dispossessing of him his Estate should be bestowed upon Strangers With this was sent the general Answer of the Welch to the Archbishop's Articles viz. 1. Though the King would not consent to treat of the four Cantreds nor of the Isle of Anglesey yet unless these be comprehended in the Treaty the Prince's Council will not conclude a Peace by reason that these Cantreds have ever since the time of Camber the Son of Brutus properly and legally belonged to the Princes of Wales besides the Confirmation which the present Prince obtained by the Consent of the King and his Father at the Treaty before Cardinal Ottobonus the Pope's Legate whose Letters Patents do still appear And more the Justice of the thing it self is plainly evident that it is more reasonable for our Heirs to hold the said Cantreds for Money and other Services due to the King than that Strangers enjoy the same who will forcibly abuse and oppress the People 2. All the Tenants of the Cantreds of Wales do unanimously declare that they dare not submit themselves to the King's Pleasure by reason that he never from the beginning took care to observe either Covenant Oath or any other Grant to the Prince and his People and because his Subjects have no regard to Religion but most cruelly and unchristianly tyranize over Churches and religious Persons and then for that we do not understand our selves any way obliged thereunto seeing we be the Princes Tenants who is willing to pay the King all usual and accustomed Services 3. As to what is required that the Prince should simply commit himself to the King's Will we all declare that for the aforesaid Reasons none of us dare come neither will we permit our Prince to come to him upon those Conditions 4. That some of the English Nobility will endeavour to procure a provision of a Thousand Pounds a Year in England we would let them know that we can accept of no such Pension because it is procured for no other end than that the Prince being disinherited themselves may obtain his Lands in Wales 5. The Prince cannot in honesty resign his paternal Inheritance which has for many Ages been enjoyed by his Predecessours and accept of other Lands among the English of whose Customs and Language he is ignorant and upon that score may at length be fraudulently deprived of all by his malicious and inveterate Enemies 6. Seeing the King intends to deprive him of his antient Inheritance in Wales where the Land is more barren and untilled it is not very probable that he will bestow upon him a more fruitful and an aâ—able Estate in England 7. As to the Clause that the Prince should give the King a perpetual Possession of Snowden we only affirm that seeing Snowden essentially belongs to the Principality of Wales which the Prince and his Predecessors have enjoyed since Brute the Prince's Council will not permit him to renounce it and accept another Estate in England to which he has not equal Right 8. The People of Snowden declare That though the Prince should give the King possession of it they would never own and pay Submission to Strangers for in so doing they would bring upon themselves the same Misery that the People of the Four Cantreds have for a long time groaned under being most rudely handled and unjustly oppressed by the King's Officers as wofully appears by their several Grievances 9. As for David the Prince's Brother we see no reason why against his Will he should be compell'd to take a Journey to the Holy-Land which if he happens to undertake hereafter upon the account of Religion it is no cause that his Issue should be disinherited but rather encouraged Now seeing neither the Prince nor any of his Subjects upon any account whatsoever have moved and begun this War but only defended themselves their Properties Laws and Liberties from the Encroachments of other Persons and since the English for either Malice or Covetousness to obtain our Estates have unjustly occasioned all these Troubles and Broils in the Kingdom we are assured that our Defence is just and lawful and therein depend upon the Aid and Assistance of Heaven which will be most cruelly revenged upon our sacrilegious and inhumane Enemies who have left no manner of Enormities in relation to God and Man uncommitted Therefore your Grace would more justly threaten your Ecclesiastical Censures against the Authors and Abettors of such unparallell'd Villanies than the innocent Sufferers And besides we much admire that you should advise us to part with our own Estates and to live among our Enemies as if when we cannot peaceably enjoy what is our own unquestionable Right we might expect to have quiet possession of another Mans And though as you say it be hard to live in War and perpetual Danger yet much harder it is to be utterly destroyed and reduced to nothing especially when we seek but the Defence of our own Liberties from the insatiable Ambition of our Enemies And seeing your Grace has promised to fulminate Sentence against all them that either for Malice or Profit would hinder and obstruct the Peace it is evident who in this respect are Transgressors and Delinquents the fear and apprehension of Imprisonment
with great Fury and Courage faced them and joyning Battels forced them back with a very considerable loss Polydore Virgil says but upon what Authority is not known that the Welch obtained this Victory rather upon the account that the English Army was hired with such Money as had been wrongfully taken out of the Abbies and other Religious places so that it was a Judgment from above more than the Force of the Welch that overcame the English Army But be the cause of it what it will 't is certain the English were vanquished upon which account King Edward came in Person to Wales and kept his Christmas at Aberconwey where Robert Winchelsey Archbishop of Canterbury being returned from Rome came to him and having done Homage returned honourably again to England But as the King advanced farther into the Country having but one part of his Army with him the Welch set upon and took most of his Carriages which contained a great quantity of Victuals and Provision so that the King with all his followers were constrained to endure a great deal of hardships in so much that at last Water mixed with Honey and very course and ordinary Bread with the saltest Meat were accounted the greatest Delicacies for his Majesty 's own Table But their misery was like to be greater had not the other part of the Army come in time because the Welch had encompassed the King round in hopes to reduce him to the utmost distress by reason that the Water was so risen that the rest of the Army could not get to him But the Water within some time after abating the remainder of the Army came in whereupon the Welch presently retired and made their escape One thing is very remarkable of King Edward during his distress at Snowden that when the Army was reduced to very great extremity a small quantity of Wine was found which they thought to reserve for the King 's own use But he to prevent any discontent which might thereupon be raised in his Souldiers absolutely refused to taste thereof telling them That in time of Necessity all things should be common and as he was the Cause and Author of thâ—ir Distress he would not be preferred before them in his Diet. But whilst the King remained in Snowden the Earl of Warwick being informed that a great Number of Welch were assembled and had lodged themselves â—n a certain Valley betwixt two Woods chose out a Troop of Horse together with some Cross-Bows and Archers and set upon them in the Night time The Welch being thus surprised and unexpectedly encompassed about by their Enemies made the best they could to oppose them and so pitching their Spears in the ground and directing the points towards their Enemies endeavoured by such means to keep off the Horse But the Earl of Warwick having ordered his Battel so as that between every two Horse there stood a Cross-Bow so gauled the Welch with the shot of the quarrels that the Spear-men fell apace and then the Horse breaking easily in upon the rest bare them down with so great a slaughter as the Welch had never received before After this King Edward to prevent any more rebellious attempts of the Welch cut down all the Woods in Wales wherein in any time of Danger they were wont to hide and save themselves And for a farther security he repaired and fortified all the Castles and places of Strength in Wales and built the Castle of Bewmoris in the Isle of Anglesey and so having put all things in a settled posture and punished those that had been the occasion of the Death of Roger de Pulesdon he returned with his Army into England But as soon as the King had left the Welch Madoc who as it is said before was chosen Captain by the North-Wales Men gathered some Forces together and came to Oswestry which presently yielded to him And then meeting with the Lord Strange near Knookine who with a Detachment of the Marchers came to oppose him gave him Battel vanquished his Forces and miserably ravaged his Country The like Success he obtained a second time against the Marchers but at last they brought together a very great Number of Men and met Madoc marching towards Shâ—ewsbury upon the Hills of Cefn Digolh not far from Camrs Castle where after a bloody Fight on both sides Madoc was taken Prisoner and his Army vanquished and put to flight Then he was sent to London and there sentenced to remain in perpetual Imprisonment in the Tower tho' others affirm that Madoc was never taken but that after several Adventures and severe Conflicts whereby the Welch were reduced to great extremities he came in and submitted himself to the King who received him upon Condition he would not desist to pursue Morgan Captain of the Glamorgan-shire Men till he brought him Prisoner before him Madoc having performed this and the whole Country being peaceable and undisturbed several Hostages from the Chiefest Nobility of Wales for their orderly and quiet behaviour were delivered to the King who disposed of them into divers Castles in England where they continued in safe Custody till the end of the War which was presently-commencâ—d with Scotland A.D. 1301 In the 29th year of King Edward's reign the Prince of Wales came down to Chester and received Homage of all the Free-holders in Wales as follows Henry Earl of Lancaster for Monmouth Reginald Gray for Ruthyn Foulke Fitzwarren for his Lands the Lord William Martyn for his Lands in Cemaes Roger Mortimer for his Lands in Wales Henry Lacy Earl of Lincoln for Rhos and Rhyfoneioc Robert Lord Montalt for his Lands and Gruffydh Lord of Poole for the Lordship of Powys at the same time paid their Homage Tudor ap Grono of Anglesey Madoc ap Tudor Archdeacon of Anglesey Eineon ap Howel of Caernarvon Tudor ap Gruffydh Lhewelyn ap Ednyfed Gruffydh â—ychan Son of Gruffydh ap Iorwerth Madoc Fychan Denglfield Lhewelyn Bishop of St. Asaph and Richard de Pulesdon This last in the Twelfth Year of King Edward was constituted Sheriff of Caernarvon for life with the stipend of Forty Pounds sterling yearly At the same place Gruffydh ap Tudor Ithel Fychan Ithel ap Blethyn with many more did their Homage Then the Prince came to Ruthlan where the Lord Richard de Sutton Baron of Malpas paid Homage and Fealty for the said Barony of Malpas Thence the Prince removed to Conwey where Eineon Bishop of Bangor and David Abbot of Maynan did their Homage as did Lewis de Felton Son of Richard Felton for the Lands which his Father held of the Prince in Maelor Saesneg or English Maelor John Earl Warren swore Homage for the Lordships of Bromfield and Yale and his Lands in Hope-Dale at London in the Chappel of the Lord John de Kirkby sometime Bishop of Ely as also a while after Edmund Mortimer for his Lands of Cery and Cydewen But besides all these there paid Homage to the Prince of Wales at Chester Sir
never hearken to his Redemption alledging that he wilfully threw himself into the hands of Glyndwr But about the midst of August to correct the presumptuous Attempts of the Welch the King went in Person with a great Army into Wales but by reason of extraordinary excess of weather which some attributed to the Magic of Glyndwr he was glad to return safe But the Earl of March perceiving that he was not like to obtain his Liberty by King Henry's means whether out of compliance by reason of his tedious Captivity or Affection to the young Lady he agreed to take part with Owen against the King of England and to marry his Daughter with them joyned the Earl of Worcester and his Brother the Earl of Northumberland with his Son the valiant Lord Percy who conspiring to depose the King of England in the House of the Archdeacon of Bangor by their Deputies divided the Realm amongst them causing a tripartite Indenture to be made and to be sealed with every one's Seal by which Covenant all that Country lying betwixt the Severn and the Trent Southward was assigned to the Earl of March all Wales and the Lands beyond the Severn Westward were appointed Glyndwr and all from the Trent Northward to the Lord Percy This was done as some said thro' a foolish Credit they gave to a vain Prophecy as tho' King Henry was the execrable Moldwarp and they three the Dragon the Lion and the Wolf which should pull him down and distribute his Kingdom among themselves After that they exhibited Articles of their Grievances to King Henry and divulged their Reasons for taking up Arms at length they marched with all their Power towards Shrewsbury to fight the King depending mainly upon the arrival of Glyndwr and his Welch-men But the matter was gone so far that whether he came in or no they must fight and so both Armies being joyned the King's Party prevailed young Percy being slain upon the spot and Douglas besides most of the English of Quality who with a Party of Scotch had come to the Aid of the Confederates was taken Prisoner but afterwards honourably set at Liberty by the Intercession of the Prince of Wales In the mean time the Earl of Northumberland was a marching forward with a great Party from the North but the King having settled Matters about Shrewsbury coming to York and sending to him to lay down his Arms he voluntarily submitted and dismissed his Forces Then the King returning from York-shire determined to pass over to North-Wales to chastise the presumptuous Practices of the immorigerous Welch who after his departure from Shrewsbury had made in-Roads into the Marches and done much hurt to his English Subjects But other Business of greater Consequence intervening he detached his Son the Prince of Wales who took the Castle of Aberystwyth which was quickly again retaken by Owen Glyndwr who thrust into it a strong Garrison of Welch But â—n the Battel of Huske sought upon the fifteenth of March the Welch received a very considerable Blow from the Prince's Men Glyndwr's Son being taken Prisoner besides Fifteen Hundred more taken and slain After this we hear little of Glyndwr excepting that he continued and persisted to vex and plague the English upon the Marches to the tenth year of King Henry's reign when he miserably ended his life being as Holingshed reporteth Holins towards his â—atter days driven to that extremity that despairing of all comfort he fled and lurked in Caves and other the most solitary places fearing to shew his face to any Creature till at length being starved for hunger and lack of sustenance he miserably ended his life But these rebellious Practices of Glyndwr highly exasperated King Henry against the Welch insomuch that several rigorous and unmerciful Laws were enacted relating to Wales which in effect destroyed all the Liberties of the Welch Subject They were made incapable of purchasing any Lands or to be elected Members of any County or Burrough and to undertake any Office whether Civil or Military in any Town incorporated If any Suit at Law happened betwixt an English Man and a Welch Man the former could not be convicted but by the Sentence of an English Judge and the Verdict of an English Jury besides that any English Man who married a Welch Woman was thereby forthwith disfranchised from all the Liberties of an English Subject It was farther enacted that no Welch Man should be in possession of any Castle or other place of Strength and that no Victuals or Armour should be brought into Wales without a special Warrant from the King or his Council and farther that no Welch Man was capable of undertaking the Office of Justice Chamberlain Sheriff or any other place of Trust in any part of Wales notwithstanding any Patent or License heretofore given to the contrary These with many others most rigorous and unjust Laws particularly that forbidding any Welch Man to bring up his Children to Learning or to bind them Apprentices to any Trade or Occupation were enacted by the King against the Welch so that nothing could cool his displeasure but that a whole Nation should be wrongfully oppressed for the fault and miscarriage of one Person But one might think that this was no politick method to secure a Nation in its Allegiance which upon lighter Affronts was used to defend its Priviledges and therefore we may well attribute the quiet disposition of the Welch towards this time to the moderation of Henry the Fifth who within a little time succeeded his Father in the Crown of England Co-temporary with Glyndwr was Sir David Gam so called by reason he had but one Eye the Son of Lhewelyn ap Howel Vaughan of Brecknock by Mawd the Daughter of Iefan ap Rhys ap Ifor of Eluel He was a great stickler for the Duke of Lancaster and for that reason became mortal Enemy to Glyndwr who having his Education as is said before at one of the Inns of Court got to be preferred to the service of King Richard the Second who as Walsingham says made him his Scutifer or Shield-bearer But being informed that his Master Richard was deposed and murdered and withal being provoked by several Wrongs and Affronts done him by his Neighbour the Lord Gray of Rhuthyn whom King Henry greatly countenanced and looking upon Henry as an Usurper he caused himself to be proclaimed Prince of Wales And for a better grace of the matter he feigned himself to be descended by a Daughter from Lhewelyn ap Gruffydh the last Prince whereas in truth he came Paternally but from a younger Brother of the House of Powys But as Ambition has no moderation so Glyndwr for a time acted the part of a Prince and summoned a Parliament to meet at Machynlleth whither the Nobility and Gentry of Wales appeared and among the rest Sir David Gam but not upon the same design with the rest having an intention in this meeting to murder Glyndyfwr But the Plot being discovered and
Deheufraint ap Eidigant ap Endeirn ap Enid ap Endos ap Enddolau ap Afallach ap Afflech ap Beli mawr to whom King Henry the Seventh is Son by Angharad Mother to Ednyfed Fychan in forty Degrees How King Henry the Seventh cometh of Beli mawr by Gwenllian Wife to Ednyfed Fychan and Daughter to the Lord Rhys called Arglwydd Rhys by Issue-Female Owen ap Meredith ap Tudor ap Gronw ap Tudor ap Gronw ap Gwenllian Daughter to Rhys Prince of south-South-Wales ap Gruffydh Prince 〈◊〉 Rhys Prince ap Tudor mawr Prince ap â—adell Prince ap Rodri mawr Prince of all Wales This Rodri had three Sons and diâ—â—ded the Principality of Wales between them 〈◊〉 three Parts to Merfyn his first Son Prince â—f North-Wales all North-Wales which died â—ithout Issue and Anarawd Prince of Powys â—nd Cadell Prince of south-South-Wales of whom King Henry the Seventh descendeth by â—wenllian Daughter to Prince Rhys called Arglwydd Rhys Wife to Ednyfed Fychan and â—he said King Henry the Seventh is Son to Rodri mawr in the seventeenth Degree which Rodri mawr was Son to Merfyn first King of Man which wedded Essillt Daughter and Heir â—o Cynan Dyndaethwy This Merfyn frych was Son to Gwriad ap Elidur ap Handdear Alcwn ap Tegid ap Gwiar â—p Dwywc ap Llywarch hên ap Elidur Lydanwin â—p Meirchion ap Grwst ap Cenaw ap Coel â—odeboc King of Britain as before This Coel was King of Britain and Earl of Colchester a â—ight worthy King to whom King Henry the â—eventh is Son by the said Gwenllian Wife to Ednyfed Fychan in the thirty first Degree by â—he said Gittin Owen and Sir John Leia's Books How Owen Grandsire to King Henry the Seventh cometh of Beli mawr by Essillt Daughter to Cynan Dyndaethwy Owen ap Meredith ap Tudor ap Gronw ap Tudor ap Gronw ap Gwenllian Daughter of Prince Rhys ap Gruffydh ap Rhys ap Tudor mawr ap Engion ab Owen ap Howell Dda ap Cadell ap Rodri mawr ap Essillt Daughter of Cynan Dyndaethwy and Heir Prince of Wales ap Rodri Moelwynoc ap Idwal jwrch ap Cadwalader Fendigaid King of all Britain to whom King Henry the Seventh is Son in the twenty second Degree Cadwalader was Son to Cadwallan King ap Cadfan King ap Iago ap Beli ap Rhun ap Maelgwn Gwynedd King ap Casswallan Lawhîr ap Eineoâ—irth ap Cynedda weledig ap Edeirn which wedded Gwawl Ferch Coel Godeboc King which Edeirn was Son to Padarn Peisrydd ap Tegid ap Iago ap Genedawc ap Cain ap Gwrgain ap Doli ap Gwrtholi ap Dufu ap Gorddufu ap Amwerid ap Omwedd ap Diwe Brichwain ap Owen ap Affallach ap Afflech ap Beli mawr to whom King Henry the Seventh is Son by the said Gwenllian in the fiftieth Degree Owen ap Meredith ap Tudor ap Gronw ap Tudor ap Gronw ap Gwenllian Daughter to Arglwydd Rhys Son to Gwenllian Daughter of Gruffydh Prince ap Cynan Prince of north-North-Wales Son of Iago Prince ap Idwall Prince ap Meuric Prince ap Idwall Foel Prince ap Anarawd Prince ap Rodri mawr Prince of all Wales to whom King Henry the Seventh is Son by Gwenllian Mother to the Arglwydd Rhys in the seventeenth Degree Owen ap Meredith ap Tudor ap Gronw ap Tudor ap Gronw ap Gwenllian Ferch Arglwydd Rhys ap Gwladis Ferch Rhywallâ—n ap Cynfyn Prince of Powys and Angharad Wife to Cynfyn Daughter and Heir to Meredith Prince of Powys Son of Owen Prince of Powys and south-South-Wales Son to Cadell Prince there Which Owen ap Howell dda had two Sons Meredith and Eineon and Owen their Father gave the Principality of south-South-Wales to Eineon his Son and the Principality of Powys to Meredith his other Son Which Meredith had Issue Angharad that wedded Cynfyn by whom he was Prince of Powys which Cadell was Son to Rodri mawr Prince of all Wales Son to Merfyn frych c. to Beli mawr as above written by Guttin Owen 's Book Owen ap Meredith ap Tudor ap Gronw ap Tudor ap Gronw ap Gwenllian Ferch Arglwydd Rhys ap Gruffydh ap Rhys ap Tudor ap Eineon ap Eineon ap Howell Dda ap Cadell ap Angharad Wife to Rodri mawr Daughter to Meyric ap Dyfnwal ap Arthen ap Seissillt ap Clydawc ap Artholes ap Arnothen ap Brothan ap Seirwell ap Ussa ap Caredic ap Cwnedda weledic ap Edeirn ap Padarn Peisrydd which Edeirn wedded Gwawl ferch Coel Godeboc Mother to Cwnedda weledyc c. How Owen cometh of Meuryc Lord of Gwent by Morfydd's Daughter Wife to Gronw ap Ednyfed Fychan Owen ap Meredith ap Tudor ap Gronw ap Tudor ap Morfydd Ferch Meuryc L. of Gwent How Owen cometh of Rodri mawr by Angharad Daughter to Ithel Fychan ap Ithel Llwyd and Wife of Tudor ap Gronw ap Ednyfed Fychan Owen ap Meredith ap Tudor ap Gronw ap Angharad ferch Ithel Fychan ap Ithel Llwyd ap Ithel Gam ap Meredith ap Vchdrud ap Edwin King of Tegengle in Flintshire How Owen cometh of Rodri mawr by Adleis Wife to Ithel Fychan Daughter to Ricart Owen ap Meredith ap Tudor ap Gronw ap Angharad Ferch Adleis Wife to Ithel Fychan Daughter to Ricart ap Cadwalader ap Gruffydh ap Kynan Prince of north-North-Wales ap Iago ap Idwal Foel ap Anarawd ap Rodri Mawr c. All this by Gyttin Owen 's Book How Owen cometh of Beli Mawr by Gwerfill Ferch Madawc o'r hên dwr Wife to Gronw ap Tudor ap Gronw ap Ednysed Fychan Owen ap Meredith ap Tudor ap Gwerfill Ferch Madawc o'r hên dwr ap Iers ap Madawc ap Meredith ap Bleddyn ap Kynfin Prince of Powis c. and so to Beli Mawr How Owen cometh to Beli Mawr by the Mother of the said Gwerfill Ferch Madawc Owen ap Meredith ap Tudor ap Gwerfill Ferch Madawc o'r hên dwr ap Lleucu Ferch Angharad Ferch Meredith ap Madawc ap Gruffudh Maelor Prince of Powis This Madawc ap Gruffudh Maelor builded the Abby of Valacrucis in Welsh Manachlog Llan Egwestl the Year of our Lord 12â—â— and lyeth there buried and this Gruffudh Maelor was Son to Madawc ap Meredith ap Bleddin ap Cynfin ap Gweristan ap Gwalthfoed ap Gwrydor ap Cariadawc ap Lles Llaw Ddeawc ap Edwal ap Gwnnan ap Gwnnawc Farf Sych ap Keidic ap Corf ap Cadnawc ap Tegonwy ap Teon ap Gwinaf Daufreuddwyd ap Powyr lêw ap Bywdec ap Rhun rhudd baladr ap Llary ap Casfar Wledic ap Lludd ap Beli Mawr King of all England and Wales to whom King Henry the Seventh is Son this way by Ludd in 36 degrees How Owen cometh to Beli Mawr by the Mothers side of Gwerfill Ferch Madawc Owen ap Meredith ap Tudor ap Gwerfill Ferch Eva Ferch Llewelyn ap Gruffydh ap Gwenwynwin ap Owen Cyfeilioc ap Gruff ap Madawc ap Meredith of Powis ap Bleddyn ap Cynfin c. to Beli
Mawr Owen ap Meredith ap Tudor ap Gwerfill Ferch Eva Ferch Margret Ferch Meredith gôch ap Meredith ap Iers Fychan ap Iers gôch ap Meredith ap Bleddyn ap Cynfin c. to Beli. Owen ap Meredith ap Tudor ap Gwerfyll Ferch Eva Ferch Margret Ferch Meredith gôch ap Christin ap Bledrws ap Edwal Owen Bendew one of the fifteen Tribes of North-Wales Son to Cynan Feiniard ap Gwalthfoed ap Gwlyddien ap Gwridor ap Caradawc ap Lles Llaw ddeawc ap Edwal ap Gwnnan ap Gwnnawc Farf sych ap Ceidio ap Corf ap Cadnawc ap Tegonwy ap Teon ap Gwinau dau Freuddwyd c. and so to Beli. Owen ap Meredith ap Margret Ferch Tomas ap Lhewelin ap Owen ap Meredith Lord Iscoed ap Owen ap Gruffydh ap Rhys Prince of South Wales so to Rodri Mawr Owen ap Meredith ap Margret Ferch Tomas ap Llywelin ap Angharad Ferch Arglwydd Sion John of Hasson by William ap David ap Gruffydh Dubium Owen ap Meredith ap Margret Ferch Tomas ap Llewelyn ap Angharad Ferch Margret Ferch Philip ap Ifor Lord Iscoed by William ap Gruffydh Dubium Owen ap Meredith ap Margret Ferch Tomas ap Llewelyn ap Angharad Ferch Margret Ferch Angharad Ferch Llewelyn ap Iers drwyndwn Prince of all Wales This Llewelyn wedded Inet Daughter of King John which was Son to Henry the Second Son to Mawd the Empress Daughter to Henry the First Son to William the Conquerour Son to Robert Duke of Normandy Owen ap Meredith ap Margret Ferch Tomas ap Elinor Ferch ..... Lord Barre by Gyttin Owen by information of Dr. Owen Pool and Mr. Lingam 's Wife by an old Pedigree Owen ap Meredith ap Margret Ferch Tomas ap Elinor ferch Elinor Ferch Edward Longshanks King of England Owen ap Meredith ap Margret Ferch Tomas ap Elinor Ferch Elinor Ferch Elinor second to King Edward abovesaid Dubium Owen ap Meredith ap Margret Ferch Elinor Ferch Meredith ap Owen ap Gruffydh ap Rhys Prince of south-South-Wales by Madawc ap Llewelyn ap Howel his Books Owen ap Meredith ap Margret Ferch Elinor Ferch Catrin ferch Llewelyn ap Gruffydh last Prnce of Wales Owen ap Meredith ap Margret Ferch Elinor Ferch Llewelyn ap Gruffydh ap Tangwistl Ferch Llywarch gôch ap Lhowarch ap Pyll ap Cynan ap Einion ap Gwridor gôch ap Helic ap Glannawc ap Gwgon Gleddyfrudd ap Cariadawc Freichfras ap Llir Merini ap Einion irth ap Cunedda wledic Owen ap Meredith ap Margret Ferch Elinor Ferch Caterin Ferch Elinor ap Gruffydh ap Tangwistl Ferch Tangwistl Ferch Llowarch ap Bran ap Dinawal ap Efnydd ap Alawe Alser ap Tudwal ap Rodri mawr by Gyttin Owen Gwen ap Meredith ap Margret Ferch Elinor Fychan Ferch Simon Montford Earl of Leicester by Gyttin Owen Owen ap Meredith ap Margret Ferch Elinor Ferch Caterin Ferch Elinor Fychan Ferch Elenor Ferch John King of England Hereafter followeth the antient Lineage of the said Owen's Mother Margret Wife to Meredith ap Tudor Owen ap Margret Ferch Dafydd Fychan ap Dafydd Llwyd ap Cyner ap Gronw ap Cyner ap Iers ap Hwfa ap Cwmus ap Cillin ap Maeloc dda ap Gredef ap Kwmus du ap Cillin Ynad ap Predur Teirnoe ap Meilir Eryr gwyr gorsedd ap Tiday ap Tyfodde ap Gwybfyw ap Marchwin ap Branap Pill ap Cerfyr ap Meilir Meilirion ap Goron ap Cunedda wledic ap Gwawl Ferch Coel Godeboc as before Owen ap Margret Ferch Dafydd Fychan ap Dafydd Llwyd ap Cyner ap Gronw ap Cyner ap Iers ap Hwfa ap Generis Ferch Ednowain Bendew ap Cynon Finiaid ap Gwarthfoed ap Gwridr ap Cradoc ap Lles llaw ddeuawc ap Edwal ap Gwynnan and so to Ludd ap Beli mawr as before by Gyttin Owen Owen ap Margret Ferch Dafydd Fychan ap Dafydd Lhwyd ap Cyner ap Llaysedd Daughter to Sir William Twychet Knight by William Indub Owen ap Margret Ferch Dafydd Fychan ap Dafydd Lhwyd ap Alis Ferch Robert ap Turstan Holland Capitain of Harlech by William Owen ap Margret Ferch Dafydd Fychan ap Dafydd Lhwyd ap Alis Ferch Margret Ferch Alan Norris Knight by William Indub Owen ap Margret Ferch Dafydd Fychan ap Angharad Ferch Howell ap Meredith ap Iers ap Cadwgan ap Llywarch ap Bran as before c. Owen ap Margret Ferch Dafydd Fychan ap Angharad Ferch Howell ap Meredith ap Iers ap Gwenllian Ferch Cynan ap Owen Gwynedd ap Gruffydh ap Cynan c. Owen ap Margret Ferch Dafydd Fychan ap Angharad Ferch Owen ap Bleddin ap Owen Bregennwn ap Madawc ap Meredith ap Bleddin ap Cynfin Prince of Powis these 3 by Gyttin Owen Owen ap Margret Ferch Dafydd Fychan ap Angharad Ferch Gwladis Ferch Llewelin gethni ap Edwal ap Gruffydh ap Meuric ap Cadhayarn ap Gwrydd ap Rhys gôch one of the 15 Tribes of North Wales which was Son to Sandwr ap Iarddwr ap Mor ap Tegerin ap Aelaw ap Gredres ap Cwmus du ap Cillin Ynad c. to Coel Godeboc Owen ap Margret Ferch Dafydd Fychan ap Angharad Ferch Gwladus Ferch Mali Llwyd Ferch Iers ap Engion ap Geraint ap Tegwared ap Cynfawr ap Madawc diffaeth which were Rulers and Great Men in Pentraeth Owen ap Margaret Ferch Nest Ferch Jermy ap Gruffydh ap Howell ap Meredith ap Engion ap Gwgon ap Merwydd ap Golwyn one of the 15 Tribes of North-Wales Son to Tangno ap Cadfael ap Lludd ap Llen ap Llaminod Angel ap Pasgen ap Urien Rheged ap Meirchion ap Grwst ap Cennaf ap Coel godeboc King as before Owen ap Margret Ferch Nest Ferch Jermy ap Gwerfill ferch Gwladus Ferch Edwal Fychan as before Owen ap Margret Ferch Nest Ferch Angharad Ferch Gruffydh ap Dafydd gôch ap Gruffydh ap Llewelyn Prince of Wales Owen ap Margret Ferch Nest Ferch Angharad Ferch Gruffydh ap Dafydd gôch ap Dafydd ap Gruffydh ap Tangwistl Ferch Llowarch gôch ap Llowarch Holbwrch ap Pill ap Cynan ap Gwridor gôch ap Helic ap Glannoc as before Owen ap Margret Ferch Nest Ferch Angharad Ferch Gruffydh ap Dafydd gôch ap Rhanullt Ferch Rheinallt King of Man Owen ap Margret Ferch Nest Ferch Angharad Ferch Gruffydh ap Angharad Ferch Heylyn ap Tudor ap Ednyfed Fychan Owen ap Margret Ferch Nest Ferch Anghahad Ferch Gruffydh ap Angharad Ferch Heylyn ap Adleir Ferch Ricart ap Cadwalader ap Gruffydh ap Cynan Prince These 4 by Gyttin Owen Owen ap Margret Ferch Nest Ferch Angharad ferch Gruffydh ap Angharad ferch Heylyn ap Adleis Ferch Ricart ap Cadwalader ap Gruffydh ap Cynan ap Afandrec Wife to Iago Daughter to Gwayr ap Pill ap Cynan ap Cynddelw gam ap Elgudi ap Grwyfnad ap Diwgludd ap Tegawc ap Cyfnerth ap Madoc Madogion ap Sauddl bryd Angel ap Llylwarch
canonized 160. John K. of England in his way to Ireland through Wales discharged a Criminal that murther'd a Priest 226. Famished Will de Bruce and Maud his Aunt at Windsor after his return 227. The reason of his Cruelty and Disaffection to Priests ib. Marches with a great Army into VVales and returns without Success 229 230. Makes a second Expedition ib. Orders Foulk Viscount Cardyff to subdue those that oppose in South-VVales and they at last do him Homage but quickly revolt 231 232. makes an Expedition into VVales 229. Makes a second and third and hangs the Welch Pledges reconciles himself to Rome and engages in a Civil War with his Barons 237. Dies and is succeeded by his Son Henry 242. Iorwerth ap Blethyn revolts from the Earl of Salop 124. Basely used by K. Henry for it the reason of it 125. delivered out of Prison 133. Forbids Owen and Madawc to retire to his Estate 134. Beset and slain by Madawc and Llywarch ap Trahern 137. Joseph Bishop of Llandaff dies at Rome 88. Ireland molested with Locusts 42. Ithel King of Gwent slain 28. L. LHewelyn ap Sytsylht makes himself Prince of all VVales 79. His good Government ib. Slays Meuric that rebelled against him with his own hand 80. suppresses another Rebellion 81. Basely slain ibid. Lhewelyn P. of North-VVales takes David ap Owen Prisoner 217. Receives Homage of most of the Welch Lords 222. Conquers Gwenwynwyn's Country 225. Makes an Expedition into South-VV and Maelgon flees 225 226. Marries Joan King John's Daughter 224. Sues and obtains Peace of the King by the means of his Wife 231. Animates the Lords of North-Wales to joyn with him in a Revolt against the King 233. Dispossesses the English of all their Holds in his Country 237. Takes Shrewsbury though excommunicated by the Pope 238. Subdues Cardigan and Carmarthen 240. Reconciles the â—onds in South-Wales 241. Subdues Powis 242. Refuses Assistance to King John against the Dauphine ibid. Makes Rynald Bruce who had revolted submit to him â—43 Receives the Submission and Allegiance of the Flemings in Dyfed ibid. Subdues the revolted Flemings again 246. Makes his Son Gruffydh submit ibid. Complained of to the King of England by young Rhys adjusts Matters with him 247. Seizes the Castle of William Marshal Earl of Pembroke in Wales and occasions a War between them 247 248. Worsts the English Army pays Homage to Henry III. 249. Destroys the Marches 252. Makes a Descent upon England 253. Being joyned by the Earl of Pembroke against King Henry routs his Army 254. Makes an Incursion into the King's Territories 255. Makes peace with the King 256. Sets his Son Gruffydh at liberty ibid. Buries his Princess Joan 257. Forced to quit the Siege of Ruthlan 258. Makes the Welch do Homage to his Son David ibid. Dies his Character and Issue â—59 Llewelyn ap Gruffydh and Owen Gôch his Brother declared Princes of north-North-Wales 269. Quarrel and Owen with his Brother David made close Prisoners 271. Recovers the In-land Country of North-Wales from the English 272. Wastes Cheshire ibid. Beats the Irish by Sea 273. Desires peace with the King but fails 277. Kind to Sir Roger Mortimer 278. Makes a Peace by the Popes Mediation with the King 279. Refuses to attend upon King Edward's Coronation 280. The Reasons for his refusal 281. An Accident made him pliable 283. Severe Conditions of Peace imposed upon him 284. Married to Elianor Earl Montfords Daughter at Worcester 285. Reconciled with his Brother David and joyn against the English 286. Offers to submit to the King conditionally 292. Sends a Letter to the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and the general Answer of the Welch to his Proposals 293 294 295. Betrayed in Buellt and killed 297. London besieged by the Danes 65. M. MAhael dispossest of his Inheritance by his unnatural Mother Nests means and how 115. Madoc ap Meredith Prince of Powis sticks to the English Interest 173. Madawc reconciled to King Henry 138. Taken Prisoner by Meredith ap Blethin 139. Has his Eyes pulled out by Owen ibid. Madawc ab Owen Gwynedh sails into America 196. Plants a Colony there ib. Maelgon disturbs South-VVales 228. Beaten by his Nephews Rhys and Owen 229. March Earl of marries Owen Glyndwr's Daughter 318. Consented by indenture to divide England between Owen Piercy and himself 318. Maud the Empress lands in England and is received at Arundel 162. Meredith ap Owen possest of all Wales 64. Dispossest of North-Wales 67. And routed by Edwal ap Meuric their new Prince 68. Died without Issue Male 69. Meredith ap Owen made Prince of south-South-Wales 96. Slain in Battel against Caradoc ap Gruffydh 102. Meredith and Rhys ap Gruffydh prevail in South-Wales 171. Meredith's Death and Character 172. Merfyn frych is made King of Wales 24. is slain 27. Merlyn Ambrose and Sylvester their Time Country and Prophesies 10 11. Morgan Hên dies an Hundred Years old his Marriage Estate and Issue 58. Morgan ap Owen kills Robert Fitz-Gilbert and his Son 157. slain 175. Morgan ap Cadogan repents of his Murder committed 156. Murders committed 156. Item 163. N. NEwmarch a Norman obtains the Lordship of Brecknock and marries Nest Daughter to Llewelyn ap Gruffydh 115. Normans twice decimated and put to death in England 86. They waste and plunder Dyfed 103. They seize upon the Lordship of Glamorgan 113. The Names of the Adventurers ibid. They possess themselves of several Lordships in Wales 117. Divers of them slain in Cardigan ibid. Routed again by Cadwgan ap Blethyn Prince of south-South-Wales and their Castles destroyed 118. Slaughter'd divers times by the Welch and forced to quit the Country 119 120. Northumberland invaded by the Scots 109. O. OFfa King of Mercia makes a Ditch from Sea to Sea 20. his death 21. Owen ap Edwyn a Traytor to his Country 121. Made Prince of Wales by the English but soon lost it 122. his Death and Pedigree 126. Owen the Son of Cadwgan enamoured of Nest the Wife of Gerald King Henry's Lieutenant in Wales 129. steals her away ibid. flies into Ireland 135. returns and wasts the Country in conjunction with Maradoc ap Riryd 133. his Men slay an English Bishop the cause of Cadwgan his Fathers being dispossessed of his Estate 135. forced to flee into Ireland with Madawc ibid. returns and is reconciled to the King 138. divides Madawc's Estate between himself and Meredith ap Blethyn 139. flees for fear of King Henry into North-VVales 140. reconciled to the King 141. Owen is brave and Knighted in Normandy 142. imployed by King Henry against Gruffydh ap Rhys 148. slain by Gerald 149. Owen Gwynedh succeeds Prince of north-North-Wales 160. mightily concerned at the Death of his Son Run 165. takes and rases the Castle of Mould 166. pulls out his Nephew Cunedah's Eyes and castrates him 170. being provoked invades Llandhinam 193. dies his Character and Issue 194. Owen Cyfeilioc and Owen Fychan dispossess Iorwerth Gôch of his Estate in Powis 192. Cyfeilioc dies