Edeyrneon and Dinmael which he left to his Sons Gruffydh Blethyn and Iorwerth Owen Madawc had to his Portion Mechain-Is-Coed and had Issue Lhewelyn and Owen Fychan But Gruffydh Maelor the eldest Son Lord of Bromfield had to his part both the Maelors with Mochnant-is-Raydar and married Angharad the Daughter of Owen Gwynedh Prince of North-Wales by whom he had Issue one Son named Madawc who held his Father's Inheritance intirely and left it so to his only Son Gruffydh who was called Lord of Dînas Brân because he lived in that Castle He married Emma the Daughter James Lord Audley by whom he had Issue Madawc Lhewelyn Gruffydh and Owen This Gruffydh ap Madawc took part with King Henry the Third and Edward the First against the Prince of North-Wales and therefore for fear of the said Prince he was forced to keep himself secure within his Castle of Dinas Brân which being situated upon the summity of a very steep Hill seemed impregnable to all the daring Efforts that could be used against it After his death Edward the first dealt very unkindly with his Children who were of Age to manage their own Concerns and making two of them privately away bestowed the Wardship of Madoc his eldest Son who had by his Father's Will the Lordships of Bromfield and Yale with the reversion of Maelor Saesnec Hopesdale and Mouldsdale his Mother's Joynture on John Earl Warren and the Wardship of Lhewelyn to whose share fell the Lordships of Chirke and Nanheudwy to Roger Mortimer third Son to Roger Mortimer the Son of Ralph Mortimer Lord Mortimer of Wigmor But Emma Gruffydh's Wife having in her possession for her Dowry Maelor Saesnec Hopesdale and Moulsdale with the presentation of Bangor Rectory and seeing two of her Sons disinherited and done away and the fourth dead without Issue and doubting lest Gruffydh her only surviving Child could not long continue she conveyed her Estate to the Audley's her own Kin who getting possession of it took the same from the King from whom it came to the House of Derby where it continued for a long time till at length it was sold to Sir John Glynne Serjeant at Law in whose Family it still remaineth But Earl Warren and Roger Mortimer forgetting what signal Service Gruffydh ap Madoc had performed for the King guarded their new Possessions with such caution and strictness that they took especial care they should never return to any of the Posterity of the legal Proprietor and therefore having obtained the King's Patent they began to secure themselves in the said Lordships John Earl Warren began to build Holt-Castle which was finished by his Son William and so the Lordships of Bromfield and Yale continued in the name of the Earls of Warren for three Descents viz. John William and John who dying without Issue the said Lordships together with the Earldom of Warren descended to Alice Sister and Heir to the last John Earl Warren who was married to Edmond Fitz Alan Earl of Arundel in which House they remained for three Descents namely Edmund Richard Richard his Son and Thomas Earl of Arundel But for want of Issue to this last Thomas Earl of Arundel and Warren the said Lordships fell to two of his Sisters whereof one named Elizabeth was married to Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolk and the other called Joan to William Beauchamp Lord of Abergavenny But since they came to the Hands of Sir William Stanley Knight who being attainted of High Treason they devolved by forfeiture to the Crown and now are annexed to the Principality of Wales But Roger Mortimer the other sharer in the Lands of Gruffydh ap Madoc was made Justice of North-Wales built the Castle of Chirke and married Lucia the Daughter and Heir of Sir Robert de Wafre Knight by whom he had Issue Roger Mortimer who was married to Joan Turbervill by whom he had John Mortimer Lord of Chirke This John sold the Lordship of Chirke to Richard Fitzalan Earl of Arundel Edmund's Son and so it was again annexed to Bromfield and Yale The third Son of Gruffydh Lord of Dinas Brân named also Gruffydh had for his part Glyn Dwrdwy which Gruffydh ap Gruffydh had Issue Madoc Crupl who was the Father of Madoc Fychan the Father of Gruffydh the Father of Gruffydh Fychan who was the Father of Owen Glyndwr who rebelling in the days of Henry the Fourth Glyndwrdwy by confiscation came to the King of whom it was afterwards purchased by Robert Salisbury of Rug in whose Family it still remaineth Owen the Fourth Son of Gruffydh Lord of Dinas Brân had for his share Cynlhaeth with the Rights and Priviledges thereunto belonging The other part of Powys comprehending the Countries of Arustly Cyfeilioc Lhannerch-hudol Caereneon Mochnach uwch Rayadr Mechan uwch Coed Moudhwy Deudhwr Ystrad Marchelh and Teir Tref or the three Towns rightfully descended to Gruffydh ap Meredith ap Blethyn by Henry the first created Lord Powys Who married Gweyryl or Weyryl the Daughter of Vrgene ap Howel ap Iefaf ap Cadogan ap Athlestan Glodryth by whom he had Issue Owen Surnamed Cyfeilioc This Owen enjoyed his Father's Estate intire and married Gwenlhiam the Daughter of Owen Gwynedh Prince of North-Wales who bore him one Son named Gwenwynwyn or Wenwynwyn from whom that part of Powys was afterwards called Powys Wenwynwyn He had moreover a base Brother called Caswalhon upon whom he bestowed the Countries of Swydh Lhannerch Hudol and Braniarth Gwenwynwyn succeeded his Father in all his Estate saying what Caswalhon enjoyed and married Margaret the Daughter of Rhys ap Theodor Prince of South Wales by whom he had Gruffydh ap Gwenâ—ynwyn who succeeding his Father in all his Possessions had Issue six Sons by Margaret the Daughter of Robert Corbet Brother to Thomas Lord Corbet of Cous and so the intire Estate of Gruffydh ap Meredith ap Blethyn Lord of Powys became shattered and torn into divers Pieces Owen Gruffydh ap Gwenwynwyn's eldest Son had for his part Arustly Cyfeilioc Lhannerch Hudol and a part of Caereneon Lhewelyn had Mochnant uwch Rayadr and Mechain uwch Coed John the third Son had the fourth part of Caerenion William had Moudhwy Gruffydh Fychan had Deudh rr Ystrat-Marchelh and Teir Tref and David the sixth and youngest Son had the other fourth part of Caereneon Owen ap Gruffydh had Issue one only Daughter named Hawys Gadarn or the Hardy whom he left his Heir but her Uncles Lhewolyn John Gruffydh Fychan and David thinking it an easy matter to dispossess an Orphan challenged the Lands of their Brother Owen alledging for a Cloak to their Usurpation that a Woman was not capable of holding any Lands in that Country But Hawys made such Friends in England that her Case was made known to King Edward the Second who bestowed her in Marriage upon a Servant of his named John Charleton termed Valectus Domini Regis who was born at Appley near Wellington in the County of Salop Anno One Thousand Two Hundred
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-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-Wales But the Prince being willing to gratifie the King of England whose Interest Cadwalhon has
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
Montgomery-shire and are all on the North-side Severn saving a piece of Montgomery-shire And here I think it good to let the Reader understand what the British Chronicle saith of North-Wales which affirmeth that three times it came by Inheritance to Women First to Stradwen Daughter to Cadfan ap Conan ap Endaf and Wife to Coel Godebâ—e Mother to Genaw Dyfyr and Gwawl The second time to the same Gwawl Wife to Edeyrn ap Padarn and Mother to Cunetha Wledic whâ—ch Cunetha inhabiting in the North parts of England about the year 540. after the Incarnation of Christ and hearing how the mingled Nations of Irish-Scots and Picts had over-run the Sea-shore of Cardigan which was part of his Inheritance sent his Sons thither to enjoy their Inheritance of whom Tibiaon his eldest Son died in Man which Land the said Irish-Scots had won For Gildas saith that the Children of Glam Hector which peopled a great part of Ireland Yscroeth with his People inhabited Dalrieuda which is a part of Scotland Builke with his People came to Man But I think it good to put in Gildas words which saith Builke cum filiis suis inhabitavit Euboniam insulam vâ—lgò Manaw quae est in meditullio maris inter Hyberniam Britanniam that is to say Buiâ—ke with his Children inhabited the Isle Eubonia commonly Manaw for so it was and is named in British which lieth in the middle of the Sea between Ireland and Britain This was not called Môna as Polydor faineth The Children of Bethoun inhabited Demetia which is South-Wales with Gwyr and Cydweli till they were chased thence by the Children of Cunetha Thus far Gildas Therefore the Sons of Cunetha being arrived in North Wales as well I think being driven by the Saxons as for their Inheritance divided the Country betwixt them And first Meireaon the Son of Tibiaon the Son of Cunetha had Cantref Meireaon to his part Arustel ap Cunetha had Cantref Arostly Caredic ap Cunetha had Caerdigion now called Cardigan-shire Maelor the Son of Gwran Son to Cunedha had Maeloron that is the two Maeloâ— Maelor Gymbraeg called Br. and Maelor Sâ—esneg Dunod had Cantref Dimodic Edeyrn had Edeyrnion Mael had Dynmael Coel had Colâ—yon Doguael had Dogueilyn Rhyfaon had Rhyfonioc now Denbigh-land Eineon Yrch had Caereneon in Powys Vssa had Maesuswalht now Oswestry For surely that they say commonly of Oswald King of Northumberland to be slain there and of the Well that sprung where his Arm was carried is nothing so For Beda and all other Writers testify that Peanda slew Oswald at Maserfelt in the Kingdom of Northumberland and his Body was buried in the Abby of Bradney in the Province of Lhyndesey But to my former matter These Names given by the Sons of Cunetha remain to this day After this the Irish-Picts or Scots which the Britains called Y Gwydhyl Phictiaid which is to say the Irish-Picts did over-run the Isle of Môn and were driven thence by Caswalhon Lhawhir that is Caswalhon with the long hand the Son of Eineon Yâ—ch ap Cunedha who slew Serigi their King with his own hands at Lhan y Gwydhyl which is the Irish Church at Holyhead This Caswalhon was Father to Maelgon Gwynedh whom the Latins call Maglocunus Prince and King of Britain In his time was the Famous Clerk and great Wiseman Taliessyn Ben Beiâ—dâ— that is to say the chiefest of the Beirdh or Wisemen for this word Bardh in Caesar's time signified as Lucan beareth Witness such as had knowledge of things to come and so it signifieth at this day This Maelgon had a Son called Run in whose time the Saxons invited Gurmond into Britain from Ireland who had come thither from Affric who with the Saxons was the utter destruction of the Britains and flew all that professed Christ and was the first that drove them over Severn This Run was Father to Beli who was Father to Iago for so the Britains call James who was Father to Cadfaâ—â— and not Brochwel called Brecyfal as the English Chronicle saith for this Brochwel called Ysgiâ—hroc that is long toothed was chosen Leader of such as met with Adelred alias Ethelbertus Rex Cantiaâ— and other Angles and Saxons whom Augustine had moved to make War against the Christian Britains and these put Brochwel twice to flight not far from Chester and cruelly slew a 1000 Priests and Monks of Bangor with a great number of lay-Brethren of the same House which lived by the Labour of their Hands and were come bare-footed and woolward to crave Mercy and Peace at the Saxons Hands And here you shall understand that this was not Augustine Bishop of Hippona the great Clerk but Augustine the Monk called the Apostle of England Then this Brochwel retired over Dee hard by Bangor and defended the Saxons the Passage till Cadfan King of North Wales Meredyth King of South-Wales and Bledâ—us or Bletius Prince of Cornwal came to succour him and gave the Saxons a sore Battel and slew of them the number of a 1066 and put the rest to flight After the which Battel Cadfan was chosen King of Britain and was chief Ruler within the Isle after whom his Son Cadwalhon who was Father to Cadwalader the last of the British Blood that bare the Name of King of Britain was King The third time that North-Wales came to a Woman was to Esylht the Daughter of Conan Tindaythwy the Son of Edwal Ywrch the Son of Cadwalâ—dâ—r She was Wife to Merfyn Frych and Mother to Rhodâ—ric the Great as shall be hereafter declared By this you may understand that North-Wâ—les hath been a great while the chiefest Seat of the last Kings of Britain because it was and is the strongest Country within this Isle full of high Mountains Craggy Rocks great Woods and deep Vallies strait and dangerous Places deep and swift Rivers as Dyfi which springeth in the Hills of Merâ—onyth and runneth North-West through Mowthwy and by Machynlaeth and so to the Sea at Aberdyfi dividing Nâ—râ—h and South-Wales asunder d ee called in Welch Dourdwy springing also on the other side of the same Hills runneth East through Penlhyn and the Lake Tegyd 〈…〉 and Lhangolhen between Chirke-Land and Bromfield where it boweth Northward toward â—angor to the Holt and to Chester and thence North-West to Flint-Castle and so to the Sea There is also Conwey rising likewise in Merionyth-â—â—ire and dividing Caernarvon from Denbigh-shire â—â—nneth under Snowden North-East by the Town of â—berconwey to the Sea Also Clwyd which rising in Denbigh Land runâ—eth down to Ruthyn and plain North not far from â—enbigh to St. Asaph and so by Ruthlan and to the Sea There be many other fair Rivers of which some run â—o the Sea as Mawr at Traethmawr and Afon y Saint at â—aernarvon and other that run to Severn as Murnwy 〈◊〉 Powys and to Murnwy Tanat some other to d ee â—s Ceirioc betwixt the Lordships of Chirke and Whitâ—ington Alyn through Yal and Molds dale and Hope â—ale and so
in Northumberland and was with much rejoycing received by the Inhabitants But before he could secure himself in the Government he was shamefully banished the Country and so the Northumbrians elected one Hircius the Son of Harold for their King But to shew the Inconstancy of an unsettled Multitude they soon grew weary of Hircius and after Three Years space expelled him and voluntarily submitted themselves to Edred who after he had reigned eight Years dyed and was buried at Winchester To him succeeded Edwin the Son of Edmund a Man so immoderately given to Venety that he forcibly married another Man's Wife for which and other Irregularities his Subjects after four Years reign set up his Brother Edgar who was crowned in his stead with A.D. 958 grief of which he soon ended his days The Summer that same Year proved so immoderately hot that it caused a very dismal Plague in the following Spring which swept away a great number of People before which Gwgan the Son of Gwyriad the Son of Roderie dyed At this time Ievaf and Iago forcibly managed the Government of all Wales and acted according to their own good Pleasures no one daring to confront or resist them But for all their Power the Sons of Abloio King of Ireland ventured to land in Anglesey and having burnt Holyhead wasted the Country of Lhyn Also the Son of Edwyn the Son of Colhoyn destroyed and ravaged all the Country to A.D. 961 Towyn where they were intercepted and slain About the same time dyed Meyric the Son of Cadfan Rytherch Bishop of S. Davids and Cadwalhon ap Owen Not long after the Country of North-Wales was cruelly A.D. 965 wasted by the Army of Edgar King of England the occasion of which Invasion was the non-payment of the Tribute that the King of Aberffraw by the Laws of Howel Dha was obliged to pay to the King of London But at length a Peace was concluded upon these Conditions that the Prince of North-Wales instead of Money should pay to the King of England the Tribute of 300 Wolves yearly which Creature was then very pernicious and destructive to England and Wales This Tribure being duly performed for two Years the third Year there were none to be found in any part of the Island so that afterwards the Prince of North-Wales became exempt from paying any Acknowledgment to the King of England A.D. 966 The Terror apprehended from the English being by these means vanished there threatned another Cloud from Ireland for the Irish being animated by their late Expedition landed again in Anglesey and having slain Roderic the Son of Edwal Foel they destroyed Aboffraw And this danger being over Ievaf and A.D. 967 â—ago who had jointly and agreeably till now managed the Government of Wales from the death of Howel â—ha began to quarrel and disagree among themselves and Iago having forcibly laid hands upon his Brother 〈◊〉 confined him to perpetual Imprisonment These Heats and Animosities between the two Brothers A.D. 968 gave occasion and opportunity to Owen Prince of South-Wales to carve for himself who presently â—eized to his hands the Country of Gwyr And to A.D. 969 â—ugment the Miseries of the Welch at this time Mactus the Son of Harold with an Army of Danes â—ntered the Isle of Anglescy and spoiled Penmon King Edgar was so indulgent to these Danes that he permitted them to inhabit through all England insoâ—uch that at length they became to be as numerous â—nd as strong as the English themselves and fell into â—uch lewd courses of Debauchery and such horrid Drinking that very great Mischief ensued thereupon The King to reform this immoderate Sottishness enacted a Law that very one should drink by measure and so stamped a Mark upon every Vessel how â—â—at it should be filled But Harold having taken Pennon A.D. 970 made subject to himself the whole Isle of Anglesey which however he did not keep long being forced to quit the same and to return home as did the Fleet of King Alfred which he had sent to subâ—ue Caâ—rlheon upon Vsc And now being rid of the A.D. 971 English and Danes the Welch begin to raise Commotions among themselves Ievaf continued still in Prison A.D. 972 to rescue whom his Son Howel raised his Power and marched against his Uncle Iago who being vanquished in sight was forced to quit the Country to â—ave himself Howel having won the day took his eldest Uncle Meyric the Son of Edwal Prisoner and pulled out both his Eyes clapt him in Prison where in a woful condition he shortly dyed leaving behind him two Sons Edwal and Ionafal the first of which lived to be afterwards Prince of Wales and to revenge upon the Posterity of Howel that unnatural Barbarity shewed to his Father But though Howel delivered his Father from his long and tedious Imprisonment yet he did not think fit to restore him to his Principality for whether by Age or Infirmity he was incapable Howel took upon him the sole Government of Wales which he kept and maintained for his life-time but afterwards it descended to his Brethren For Ievaf had Issue besides this Howel Meyric Iâ—vaf and Cadwalhan all three Men of great Repuâ—â— and Esteem About this time dyed Morgan Hên in his younger days called Morgan Mawr being an Hundred Yearâ— old having lived Fifty Years after the death of hâ—â— Wife Elen Daughter of Roderic the Great by whoâ— he had one Son called Owen Morgan was a valiant anâ— a victorious Prince and well beloved of his Subjects 〈◊〉 but sometime before his death Owen the Son oâ— Prince Howel Dha laid claim to Ystradwy and Eâ—y called the two Sleeves of Gwent Vwchcoed being thâ— Right of Morgan and seized upon them to his owâ— use But the matter through the mediation of the Clergy and Nobility being by both Parties referred to the decision of Edgar King of England it was by him adjudged that the said Lands did of right belong to Morgan and to the Diocess of Lhandaff and that Owen ap Howel Dha had wrongfully possessed himself of them The Charter of the said Award waâ— made before the Archbishops Bishops Earls and Barons of England and Wales at may be seen at Lhandaff in an old Manuscript called y Cwtta Cyfarwydd 〈◊〉 Forgannwg And there is somewhat to the same purpose in the old Book of Lhandaff only the mistake in both is that they make Howel Dha the Intruder into the said Lands who had been dead at least Twenty Years before King Edgar began his Reign Howel ap Ievaf HOwel after that he had expelled his Uncle Iago and forced him to quit his own Dominions â—â—ok upon himself the Government of Wales in â—â—ght of his Father who tho alive yet by reason of â—â—s Years was willing to decline it About the same 〈◊〉 Dwnwalhon Prince of Stradclwyd took his Jourâ—â—y for Rome and Edwalhon Son of Owen Prince â—f South-Wales died But the English received a â—â—eater Blow by the Death of King Edgar who was Prince of
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-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
with loud Acclamations and joyfully saluted Prince of 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-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-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-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
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-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
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-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-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-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-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
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-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-Wales a new revolution of Affairs happened in North-Wales Prince David had now enjoyed the Sceptre of 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-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-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-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-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-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
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
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
the British Race 8. Retires to Alan King of Little Britain ibid. Learned in a Vision to go to Rome and there shorn a Monk 10. Cadwalader with his Brother Owen Gwynedh from North-Wales in conjunction with several South Wales Lords made an horrible slaughter of the Normans and Flemings and drove them out of South-Wales 157 158. Cadwalader forced to flee from his Brother Owen to Ireland 163. Returns with Irish Forces concludes a Peace with his Brother made Prisoner by the Irish rescued by his Brother 164. Escapes out of Prison 171. Flies to England ibid. His Death and Issue 200. Canterbury redeemed by the Citizens from being burnt by the Danes for 3000 l. 73. Betrayed afterward to them and burnt 74. Caradoc King of North-Wales fights and is slain by the Saxons 21. His Pedigree ibid. Celibacy enjoyned to the Clergy in a Synod held at London 127. Christian Faith pure in the British Church 221. Charles Duke of York created Prince of Wales 328. Charles eldest Son of King Charles the First created Prince of Wales 328. Civil War in Wales and Edwal Son of Meyric the indisputable Heir set up in North-Wales 67. Clare Earl of possessed himself of divers Strong-holds in Cardigan 177. Clynnoc fawr an Abby in Arfon 11. When and by whom built 12. Endowed by Prince Anarawd 39. Cnute the Dane chosen King and his Cruelty to the English Hostages 75. Returns to England ibid. The Northumbers submit to him 76. Besieges London is Routed by Edmund ibid. Combats Edmund agree and divide England between them 78. Generously punishes Edmund Ironside's Murder ibid. Marries Emma Edelred's Widdow 80. Requires a Subsidy of the English ibid. Made a pompous Journey to Rome 82. Makes the Scots do him Homage ibid. Dies and is succeeded by his Son Harold Harefoot 83. Conel prognosticating the Norman Invasion and Success 100. Commotions in England 158. Conâ—n War between him and his Brother Howel 22. Dies 23. His Pedigree ibid. Conspiracy against William the Conqueror by the English and the Welch detected and the Conspirators executed 104. Constable Walter marries Nest's Daughter and has the Lordship of Brecknock 116. A strange Passage related by him to Henry the First concerning Gruffydh ap Rhys ibid. Crogens used as a Term of reproach by the English to the Welch 223. No reason for it 224. Cynric Prince Owen's Son slain 162. D. DAnes begin to disturb England 20 21. They prevail and Winter in England 28. They take and destroy Winchester 30. Kill Osbright and Elba Kings of Northumberland 31. Slew Edmund King of the Angles ibid. Fought five Battles with Ethelred ibid. They won London and Redding 33. Routed by the West-Saxons 34. Are defeated by Alfred and received the Christian Faith 37. They harrass North-Wales 39. Defeated by the Armorican Britains ibid. Forced to rise from before Exeter and spoil the Sea-Coast of Wales 41. Receive a great overthrown 42. They grow powerful not only in England but also in Ireland 44. Thrice overthrown by the English 45. Cruelly overthrown by Tottenhale 46. Routed by King Edward 48. Driven out of the Kingdom by King Edmund 52. Force the English to pay the Dane-Gelt 65. Make a terrible Havock in Wales and had Tribute paid them 66. Make fresh devastations in Wales and England 70. They are massacred by the English 71. Force the English Nobility to buy their Peace for 30000 l. 72. They beat Wolfkettel 73. Slew Ethelstan and ransack'd the Country 74 Dafydh ab Owen kiâ—l'd his Brother Howel in Battel and gâ—ts to be Prince of North-Wales 195. Secures â—is Brother Maelgon reduces Anglesey and banishes his Brethren 202. Sends a Band of Welch to accompany King Henry into Normandy ibid. Is dispossest by his eldest Brother's Son Lhewelyn ap Iorwerth 213. Vngrateful to Prince Lhewelyn for his Liberty 224. Dafydh ap Lhewelyn Prince of Wales did Homage at Glocester to the King of England 259. Is excommunicated by the Bishop of Bangor for detaining his Brother Gruffydh in Prison whom he refused to deliver at the King's Request 260. Submits to the King of England 262. Caâ—ols the King to detain his Brother Gruffydh Prisoner ibid. Engages the Pope on his side against the King but he proves false 264. Fights the English often with various Success ibid. Dies without Issue 268. Davids St. burnt by the West-Saxons 21. Destroyed by the Danes 45. Again by the Danes 69. Destroyed by Strangers 107. The Cathedral sacrilegiously robbed 111. Made subject to the See of Canterbury 125. Dunstan St. Bishop of Canterbury his Prediction and Death 61. E. EAster the Britains and Saxons quarrel about the Observation of it 18 19. Edgar advanced to the Kingdom in his Brother Edwin's room 56. He wasts North-Wales and agrees for a yearly Tribute of 300 Wolves ibid. Regulates drinking Vessels because of the Danes excess 57. Rowed in his Barge by six Kings on the River Dee 59. Edgar Edeling proclaimed King forced into Scotland 101. Received to King William's Mercy 103. Edmund King of England's Death and the uncertain manner of it 53. Edmund Ironside slain by Edric's Son 78. Edwal Foel and his Brother Elis fight the English and are slain 49. Their Issue ibid. Edward sent for from Normandy and made King 86 The Confessor's death 98. Edward I. King of England invades Wales and prevails 283. Insists upon Prince Lhewelyn's submission without reserve 292. Sets Prince Lhewelyn's Head upon the Tower of London and puts his Brother David to death 299. Subdues all Wales ibid. Kept his Christmas at Aber-Conwey 307. In necessity would taste no Wine for the satisfaction of his Soldiers 308. Cuts down all the Woods in Wales and builds Beumaris-Castle 309. Edward of Caernarvon first Prince of Wales of the English Blood 301. Received Homage at Chester of all the Free-holders of Wales 310. Goes farther into the Country to the same purpose ibid. Edward eldest Son to King Edward II. created Prince of Wales 313. Edward eldest Son to King Edward III. created Prince of Wales 313 His Character and Death 314. Edward Son to Henry VI. created Prince of Wales 323. Murdered ibid. Edward eldest Son to King Edward VI. created Prince of Walts murdered 223. Edward VI. inclined to favour the Welch 323. Edward Son to Richard III. created Prince of Wales 324. Edward Son to Henry VIII created Prince of Wales 325. Edwyn King of England vitious dispossess'd and dies 56. Egbert sole Mâ—narch in Britain 25. Calls the Country England ibid. He fights the Danes 26. Eincon invites the Normans into Wales and persuades them to stay 112 Elfleda Mercian Queen her Valiant Acts both against the Danes and Welch 46. Her death 47. Left a Daughter Alfwyden disinherited by King Edward ibid. Ethelwulph King of the West-Saxons paid Peter-pence to Rome 29. Learned and devout ibid. Eyes of several pluck'd out a barbarous Custom 155. Ethelbald King of Mercia invades Wales 16. In conjunction with Adelred overthrow the Britains ibid. F. FLanders a part of it drowned prejudicial to
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
natural Fortifications the Welch still made In-roads into their Territories and seldom returned without some considerable Booty and Advantage The Saxons were heartily nettled at these bo-peeping Ravagers and would compliment them still to their Holes but durst not pursue them further for fear they should be entrapp'd by such as defended the Streights and Passages into the Rocks King Offa perceiving that he could effect nothing by these Measures annexed the Country about Severn and Wye to his Kingdom of Mercia and planted the same with Saxons And for a farther security against the endless Invasions of the Welch he made a deep Ditch extending from one Sea to the other called Clawdâ— Offa or Offa's Dike upon which account the Royal Seat of the Princes of Powys was translated from Pengwern now Shrewsbury to Mathraval in Montgâ—meryshire A.D. 795 While these things are transacted in the West the Danes began to grow powerful at Sea and durst venture to land in the North of England but without doing any great hurt being forced to betake themselves to their Ships again Within Six Years after they landed again in greater numbers and proved much more terrible they ravaged and destroyed a great part of Linsey and Northumberland over-ran the best part of Ireland and miserably wasted Rechreyn At the same time a considerable Battel was fought at Ruthlan between the Saxons and the Welch wherein Caradoc King of North Wales was killed The Government of Wales was as yet green and not firmly rooted by reason of the perpetual Quarrels and Disturbances between the Welch and the Saxons so that the chief Person or Lord of any Country assumed to himself the Title of King Caradoc was a Person of great Esteem and Reputation in North Wales and one that did very much contribute towards the Security of the Countrey against the Incursions of the Saxons He was Son to Gwyn the Son of Colhoyn the Son of Ednowen Son to Blethyn the Son of Blecius or Bledericus Prince of Cornwal and Devonshire Offa King of Mercia did not long survive him and was succeeded by his Son Egfert who in a short time left his Kingdom also to Kenulphus a year after that Egbertus was created King of the West Saxons About the same time dyed Arthen Son to Sitsylht the Son of Clydawc King of Cardigan and sometime after Run King of Dyfed and Cadelh King of Powys who were followed by Elbodius Archbishop of North Wales before whose Death happen'd a very severe Eclipse of the Sun The Year following the Moon was likewise A.D. 808 eclipsed upon Christmas-day These Fatalities and Eclipses did portend no Success to the Welch Affairs the laying of S. Davids in Ashes by the West Saxons being followed by a general and a very grievous Murrain of Cattel which was like to impoverish the whole Country The following Year Owen the Son of Meredith the Son of Terudos dyed and the Castle of Deganwy was ruined and destroyed by Thunder But these several Losses which the Welch sustained could not reconcile Prince Conan and his Brother Howel but they must needs quarrel and contend with one another when they had the greatest occasion to embrace and unite their endeavours against the common Enemy Howel claimed the Isle of Anglesey as part of his Father's Inheritance which Conan would by no means hearken to nor consent that his Brother should take possession of it It was the custom of Wales that a Fathers Estate should be equally distributed between all his Sons and Howel by virtue of this Custom commonly called Gavelkind from the word Gafel to hold claimed that Island as his Fathers Estate This Custom of Gavelkind has been the occasion of the Ruin and Diminution of the Estates of all the antient Nobility in Wales which being endlesly divided between the several Sons of the same Family were at length reduced to nothing From hence also proceeded several unnatural Wars and Disturbances between Brothers who being either not satisfied with their Portions or displeased with the Country they were to possess disputed their Right by Dint of the Sword This proved very true in this present instance for Howel would not suffer himself to be cheated out of his paternal Inheritance and therefore he would endeavour to recover it by Force of Arms. Both Armies being engaged the Victory fell to Howel who immediately thereupon possessed himself of the Island and valiantly maintained it against the Power and Strength of his Brother Conan The Welch being thus at variance and enmity among themselves and striving how to destroy one another had yet another Disaster added to their Misfortune For the following Year they received a very considerable Loss by Thunder which very much spoiled and annoyed the Country and laid several Houses and Towns in Ashes About the same time Gruffith the Son of Run a Person of considerable Quality in Wales dyed and Griffri the Son of Kyâ—gen was treacherously murthered by the Practices of his Brother Elis. But Conan could not rest satisfied with his Brother Howels forcible possession of the Island of Anglesey and therefore he was resolved to give him another Battel and to force him to restore and yield up the Possession of that Country which he had now violently kept in his hands Howel on the other hand being as resolutely bent to maintain his Ground and not to deliver up a foot of what he was now upon a double respect viz. his Fathers Legacy and his late Conquest Owner of willingly met his Brother put him to flight and killed a great number of his Forces Conan was cruelly enraged at this shameful Overthrow and therefore made a firm resolution either to recover the Island from his Brother or to sacrifice his Life and his Crown in the Quarrel Having drawn up all A.D. 817 the Forces he could raise together he marched to Anglesey to seek his Brother Howel who being too weak to encounter and oppose so considerable a Number was compell'd to make his Escape to the Isle of Man and to leave the Island of Anglesey to the mercy of his Brother But Conan did not live long to reap the satisfaction of this Victory but dyed in a short time leaving Issue behind him one onely Daughter called Esylht married to a Nobleman of Wales named Merfyn Frych He was Son to Gwyriad or Vriet the Son of Elidure who lineally descended from Belinus the Brother of Brennus King of the Britains His Mother was Nest the Daughter of Cadelh King of Powys the Son of Brochwel Yscithroc who together with Cadfan King of Britain Morgan King of Demetia and Bledericus King of Cornwal gave that memorable Overthrow to Ethelred King of Northumberland upon the River Dee in the Year 617. This Brochwel by the Latin Writers named Brecivallus and Brochmaelus was a very considerable Prince in that part of Britain called Powys-land as also Earl of Chester and lived in the Town then called Pengwern Powys now Salop in the House where since the College of S.
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-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-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
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
intricate that the Justice of it could not appear and then the two Champions put an end to the Controversie by Combate Whilst Howel Dha is thus regulating the Customs and meliorating the Laws and Constitutions of Wales Aulafe and Regnald Kings of the Danes forcibly entered the Country of King Edmund who being vexed with their incessant Hostility gathered his Forces together and as some say by the help of Lhewelyn ap Sitsylht who was afterwards Prince of Wales followed them to Northumberland and having overcome them in a pitch'd Battel utterly chased them out of his Kingdom and remained a whole Year in those Parts to regulate and bring that Country to some quiet order But finding it impracticable to reduce the Inhabitants of Cumberland to any peaceable Constitution having spoiled and wasted the Country he gave it up to Malcolme King of Scotland upon condition that he should send him Succours in A.D. 942 his Wars whenever demanded of him In the mean time the Welch had but little occasion to rejoyce Hubert Bishop of S. Davids Marclois Bishop of Bangor A.D. 944 and Vssa the Son of Lhafyr being dead And shortly after the English entering into Wales with a very strong Army put the Country into a great consternation but being satisfied with the Destruction and Spoil of Strat Clwyd they returned home without doing any more Mischief The same time Conan the Son of Elis was like to be treacherously put to death by Poyson and Everus Bishop of S. Davids dyed The next Year Edmund King of England was unluckily slain upon S. Augustines day but the manner of his Death is variously delivered some say that discovering a noted Thief who was out-law'd sitting among his Guests being transported with Indignation against so confident a Villain ran upon him very furiously who expecting nothing less than Death thought to dye not unrevenged and therefore with a short Dagger gave the King a mortal Wound in the Breast Others report that as the King would have rescued a Servant of his from an Officer who had arrested him he was unwittingly and unhappily slain by the same But however his Death happened he lies buried at Glastenbury in whose place his Brother Edred was crowned King of England who no sooner had entered upon his Government but he made an Expedition against Scotland and Northumberland which being subdued he received Fealty and Homage by Oath of the Scots and Northumbrians which they did not long observe Shortly after Howel Dha after a A.D. 948 long and peaceable Reign over Wales dyed much lamented and bewailed of all his Subjects being a Prince of a religious and a virtuous inclination and one that ever regarded the Welfare and Prosperity of his People He left Issue behind him Owen Run Roderic and Edwyn betwixt whom and the Sons of Edwal Foel late Prince of North Wales great Wars and Commotions arose afterwards about the chief Rule and Government of Wales But the Sons of Howel Dha as some Writers record were these viz. Owen who did not long survive his Father Eineon Meredyth Dyfnwal and Rodri the two last whereof as is conceived were slain in the Battel fought near Lhanrwst in the Year 952. by the Sons of Edwal Foel Run Lord of Cardigan who was slain before the death of his Father Conan y Cwn who possessed Anglesey Edwin who was also slain as is supposed in the forementioned Battel There was also another Battel fought betwixt Howel and Conan ap Edwal Foel for the Isle of Anglesey wherein Conan fell and Gruffydh his Son renewing the War was likewise overcome and so Cyngar a powerful Person being driven out of the Island Howel enjoyed quiet possession thereof and of the rest of Gwynedh It is supposed that this Howel Dha was chosen Governour of Wales during the minority of his Uncle Anarawd's Sons who at the death of their Father were too young to manage the Principality which he kept till his return from Rome at which time Edwal Foel being come of age he resigned to him the Kingdom of Gwynedh or North-Wales together with the Sovereignty of all Wales Before which time Howel is styled Brenhin Cymry oll that is King of all Wales as is seen in the Preface to that Body of Laws compiled by him Ievaf and Iago the Sons of Edwal Foel AFter the death of Howel Dha his Sons divided betwixt them the Principalities of South-Wales and Powis laying no claim to North-Wales though their Father had been a general Prince of all Wales But Ievaf and Iago the Sons of Edwal Foel having put by their elder Brother Meyric as a Person uncapable of Government and being dissatisfied with the Rule of North Wales only imagined that the Principality of all Wales was their Right as descending from the elder House which the Sons of Howel Dha denyed them Indeed they had been wrongfully kept out of the Government of North Wales during the Reign of Howel in whose time the recovery of their own was impracticable by reason that for his Moderation and other good Qualities he had attracted to himself the universal Love of all the Welch But now he being gone they are resolved to revenge the Injury received by him upon his Sons and upon a small pretence endeavour to reduce the whole Country of Wales to their own subjection Ievaf and Iago were indeed descended from the elder branch but since Roderic the great conferred the Principality of South Wales upon his yonger Son Cadelh the Father of Howel Dha it was but just his Sons should enjoy what was legally descended to them by their Father But Ambition seldom gives place to Equity and therefore right or wrong Ievaf and Iago must have a touch for South-Wales which they enter with a great Army and being opposed they obtained a very opportune Victory over Owen and his Brethren the Sons of Howel at the Hills of Carno The next Year the A.D. 950 two Brothers entred twice into South-Wales destroyed and wasted Dyfet and slew Dwnwalhon Lord of the Countrey Shortly after which Roderic the third A.D. 951 Son of Howel Dha dyed But his Brethren perceiving the Folly of standing only upon the defensive muster'd A.D. 952 all their Forces together and entering North-Wales marched as far as Lhanrwst upon the River Conwy where Ievaf and Iago met them A very cruel Battel ensued upon this and a very great number were slain on both sides among whom were Anarawd the Son of Gwyriad the Son of Roderic the Great and Edwyn the Son of Howel Dha But the Victory plainly favoured the Brothers Ievaf and Iago so that the Princes of South-Wales were obliged to retire to Cardiganshire whither they were warmly pursued and that Country cruelly harrass'd with Fire and Sword The next Year Merfyn was unhappily A.D. 953 drowned and shortly after Congelach King of Ireland was slain The Scots and Northumbrians having lately sworn Allegiance to King Edred he was scarce returned to his own Country but Aulafe with a great Army landed
in 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-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-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-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-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-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-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-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-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-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
Name of Run and puâ— out that he was the Son of Meredith Prince of South-Wales to whom joyned a great Number of the Nobility who had no great Affection to Lhewelyn and proclaimed Run Prince of 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-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-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-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-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-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
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-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
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-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-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-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
and Rytherch 〈◊〉 Caradoc the joynt Rulers of South-Wales And the marching confidently to find them both Armies meâ— together and fought at a place called Camdhwr wheâ— after a sore Engagement the Sons of Cadwgan at length obtained a glorious Victory In North Wales the same time Gruffydh ap Conan having established his Possession of the Isle of Anglesey intended to proceed farther in the Continent of Wales to which end having transported his Forces over the River incampâ—â—â— in the neighbouring Countrey of Carnarvonshire prâ—posing to reduce North-Wales by degrees Trahaâ—â— ap Caradoc being informed of this Descent of Grâ—fydh's made all possible speed to prevent his farther progress and having made all necessary Preparation that the shortness of the Opportunity would permit he drew up his Forces to Bronyr Erw where he gave Gruffydh battel and in fine put him to a shamefuâ— flight so that he was glad to retire back safe tâ— Anglesey A.D. 1074 The next Year Rytherch ap Caradoc Prince of South-Wales dyed being murthered through the unnaturaâ— Villainy of his Cosin-German Meyrchaon ap Rhys ap Rytherch after whom Rhys ap Owen obtained the soâ—â— Government of South-Wales But his enjoyment oâ— the whole Principality was not very lasting and scarcâ— A.D. 1075 at all void of Trouble and Vexation of War Foâ— shortly after the death of Caradoc the Sons of Cadwgan thinking they might easily now foil and vanquish one seeing they had sometime ago victoriously overcome both Princes together with all the Forces they could raise set upon Rhys again at a place called Gwanyffyd who not being able to endure their Number was rouâ—ed and forced to flee however the Blow was not so mortal but that Rhys gathered together new Levies by the help of which he was embolden'd still to maintain himself in his Principality But Fortune which had advanced him to the Crown seemed now to frown at and cross all his Endeavours and Undertakeings and being reduced to a very weak condition in the 〈◊〉 Battel he was set upon by a fresh Enemy before 〈◊〉 could have sufficient time to recover and recruit â—â—self For Trahaern ap Caradoc Prince of North-â—ales perceiving the Weakness and Inability of Rhys make opposition against any foreign Enemy that â—â—â—aded his Territories thought it now very feasible 〈◊〉 obtain the Conquest of South-Wales and then 〈◊〉 annex it to his own Principality of North-Wales â—â—ing egg'd on by these pleasant Imaginations he disâ—â—â—ched his Army to South-Wales to fight with Rhys 〈◊〉 so with all the Forces he could possibly levie as layâ—â—g his whole Fortune upon the event of this Battel â—â—dly met him at Pwlhgwttic where after a tedious â—â—ght on both sides Rhys having lost the best part of his â—â—my was put to flight and so warmly pursu'd that â—â—er long shifting from place to place himself with his â—â—other Howel fell at length into the hands of Caradoc 〈◊〉 Gruffydh who put them both to death in revenge 〈◊〉 the base Murther of Blethyn ap Confyn by them â—â—merly transacted The Principality of South-Wales â—â—ing thus vacant by the death of Rhys ap Owen Rhys â—â—n to Theodor ap Eineon ap Owen ap Howel Dha â—â—lawful Heir to that Government put in his Claim â—hich being very plain and evident so prevailed with â—â—e People of the Country that they unanimously â—â—ected him for their Prince much against the expeâ—â—tion of Trahaern ap Caradoc Prince of North-Wales â—he next Year S. Davids suffer'd greatly by Strangers A.D. 1077 â—ho landing there in a considerable number spoiled â—â—d destroyed the whole Town shortly after which â—â—rbarous Action Abraham Bishop of that Sea â—â—ed and then Sulien who the Year before had â—â—linquished and resigned up that Bishoprick was â—ompelled to resume it The Government of all Wales both North and A.D. 1079 â—â—uth had been now for a long time supply'd by Usurâ—ers and forcibly detained from the right and legal â—nheritors but Providence would suffer Injustice to â—eign no longer and therefore restored the rightful Heirs to their Principalities Rhys ap Theodor had actual possession of South-Wales and there wanteâ— no more at this time but to bring in Gruffydh ap Câ—nan to the Principality of North-Wales both the Princes being indisputably right and lawful Heirs 〈◊〉 their respective Governments as lineally descendeâ— from Roderic the Great who was legal Proprietor 〈◊〉 all Wales Gruffydh ap Conan had already reduced thâ— Isle of Anglesey but not being able to levy a sufficieâ— Army from thence to oppose Trahaern he invited oâ— a great Party of Irish and Scots and then with 〈◊〉 whole Army joyned with Rhys ap Theodor Prince 〈◊〉 South-Wales Trahaern in like manner associating himself Caradoc ap Gruffydh and Mailyr the Sons 〈◊〉 Rywalhon ap Gwyn his Cosin-Germans the greatest aâ—â— most powerful Men then in Wales drew up his Fâ—â—ces together with resolution to fight them Boâ—â— Armies meeting upon the Mountains of Carno a teâ—rible and a cruel Battel ensued presently thereupon which proved the more fierce and bloody by reasâ—â— that both Parties resolutely referred their whole Foâ—tune to the success of their Arms and Life woâ—â—â— prove vain if the Day was lost But after a disâ—â—â— Fight on both sides the Victory fell at last to Gruffyâ—â— and Rhys Trahaern with his Cosins being all slain 〈◊〉 the Field after whose death Gruffydh took possessâ—â—â— of North Wales and so the Rule of all Wales afâ—â—â— a tedious interval was again restored to the rigâ—â— Line About the same time Vrgency ap Sitsyâ—â—â—â— Person of noble Quality in Wales was treacherouâ— murthered by the Sons of Rhys Sais or the Englisâ—man by which Name the Welch were accustomâ—â— to denominate all Persons as either had lived any coâ—siderable time in England or could fluently and hanâ—somly speak the English Tongue Gruffydh ap Conan GRuffydh ap Conan being confirmed in the Principality of North-Wales and Rhys ap Theodor in â—â—â—t of South-Wales there was no body that could â—â—â—ate them any Molestation or Disturbance upon the â—â—count of Right which was unquestionably just that they quietly enjoyed for some time their reâ—â—â—ctive Dominions without apprehension of any other â—â—â—â—etender Indeed it had seldom been known before â—â—â—t that one of the Princes was an Usurper and parâ—â—â—ularly in North-Wales where from the time of Edâ—â—â— Foel none had legally ascended to the Crown â—â—â—cepting Edwal the Son of Meyric eldest Son to â—â—wal Foel in whose Line the undoubted Title of â—â—rth-Wales lawfully descended And the right Line â—â—â—ng now restored in Gruffydh ap Conan the same leâ—â—lly continued to Lhewelyn ap Gruffydh the last â—â—ince of the British Blood But during these Revoâ—â—tions in Wales some things memorable were transaâ—â—ed in England Malcolm King of the Scots descenâ—â—ng into Northumberland ravaged and destroyed the â—ountry without Mercy carrying away a great numâ—â—r of Prisoners after which the Northumbrians fell â—â—on Walter Bishop of Durham whom they slew toâ—â—ther with a hundred Men whilst he sate keeping
of â—â—ourt not dreaming of any such treacherous Villainy â—â—he same time Robert Curthoys the Bastards eldest Son â—â—eing for some reason disgusted against his Father and â—â—t on by the instigation of the King of France enâ—â—red Normandy with an Army and claimed it as his â—â—ight which King William being acquainted with â—â—ssed over to Normandy and meeting with his Son â—and to hand in Battel was by him overthrown â—ut being returned from Normandy he entered with 〈◊〉 great Army into Wales and marching after the manner of a Pilgrimage as far as S. Davids he offered aâ—â— paid his Devotion to that Saint and afterwards â—â—ceived Homage of the Kings and Princes of the Coâ—â—try About the same time the Tomb of Walwey Kiâ—â— Arthurs Sister Son a most valiant Person in his tiâ—â— and Governour of that Country from him calâ—â—â— Walwethey was discovered in the Country of 〈◊〉 nigh the Sea-shoar whose Body proved monstrouâ—â—â— prodigious being in length about fourteen foot A.D. 1086 This year Madawc Cadwgan and Riryd the Son 〈◊〉 Blethyn ap Confyn sometime Prince of Wales raise◠〈◊〉 Rebellion against Rhys ap Tewdor and having draâ—â— together a great number of licentious and maleconteâ—ted People thought to eject him out of the Principâ—lity of South-Wales Rhys had not Power and fâ—â—ces enough to oppose them the Rebels Army increâ—sing daily by the addition of the discontented Muâ—â—â—tude who always rejoyce at any new Commotion 〈◊〉 Disturbance and therefore he was compell'd to 〈◊〉 to Ireland where he obtained a very considerable pâ—â—â— of Irish and Scots upon promise of a sufficient Râ—ward in case he was restored again to his Principaliâ—â— Having by this measure got a very sensible increase his former strength he landed in South-Wales tâ—â— News of whose arrived being blazed abroad 〈◊〉 Friends from all quarters presently retired to him that in a short time his Army became numerous aâ—â— able to confront the Enemy The Rebels were seâ—sible how the Princes Forces daily multiplyed aâ—â— therefore to prevent any farther addition they maâ— all possible haste to force him to a Battel which iâ— a short time after happened at Lhech y Creu where thâ— Rebels were vanquished Madawc and Riryd being slaiâ— and Cadwgan glad to save his Life by flight Rhys having won so signal a Victory and fearing no farther Disturbance dismissed the Irish and Scots with greaâ— Rewards who honourably returned to their owâ— A.D. 1087 Country Within a while after an unaccountablâ— Sacriledg was committed at S. Davids the Shriâ—â— belonging to the Cathedral being feloniously convey'd out of the Church all the Plate and other Utensiâ—â— were stoln and only the Shrine left empty behind â—he same Year a Civil-War broke out in England â—â—d several Armies in several parts of the Kingdom â—ere up in Arms at the same time and among the â—â—st the Welch who entering into Glocester and Worâ—â—ster Shires burnt and destroyed all before them to â—â—e Gate of Worcester The King having drawn his â—rmy together proceeded against his Enemies by deâ—â—ees and falling upon their seperate Parties without â—â—y great difficulty reduced all to Obedience Withâ—â— A.D. 1089 two Years after Archbishop Sulien the most pious â—â—d learned Person in Wales dyed in the Eightieth â—ear of his Age and in the Sixteenth Year of his Biâ—oprick presently after whose death the Town of 〈◊〉 Davids suffered a more sensible Calamity being first â—undered and afterwards burnt by a company of Pyâ—â—ts who sorely infested the British Coasts About â—â—e same time also dyed Cadifor the Son of Calhoyn â—ord of Dyfed whole Sons Lhewelyn and Eineon moâ—â—d Gruffydh ap Meredith to take up Arms against his â—overeign Prince Rhys ap Tâ—wdor with whom they â—yned all the Forces they couly levy among their â—enants and Dependants then passing with their Arâ—y to Lhandydoch boldly challenged Rhys to fight â—ho thereupon gave them battel and after a resolute â—ngagement of both sides the Rebels were at length â—orsted and put flight and then so narrowly pursued â—hat Gruffydh ap Meredith was taken Prisoner and in â—ne executed as a Traitor But Eineon made his â—scape and not daring to trust himself with any of â—is own Kindred he fled to Iestyn ap Gurgant Lord â—f Morganwc who was then in actual Rebellion â—gainst Prince Rhys And to ingratiate himself the â—hore in Iestyn's favour he promised upon condition â—f the performance of certain Articles one of which more especially was That he should receive his Daughter in Matrimony That he would bring over â—o his aid a considerable Body of Normans with whom he was singularly acquainted as having served a long time in England These Articles being agreed to and recorded Eineon posted to England and in a little time brought matters so about that he prevailed with Robert Fitzhamon and Twelve more Knights to levâ— A.D. 1090 a strong Army of Normans and to come to Wales tâ— the protection and aid of Iestyn The beginning of the following Year they landed in Glamorganshire and were honourably received by Iestyn who joyning his Power to theirs marched to Prince Rhys his Domininions where without the least shew of Mercy to his own Countrymen he encouraged the Normans by his own Example to spoil and destroy all that came before them Prince Rhys was mightily grieved to finâ— his Country so unmercifully harassed and though aâ— this time very antient being above 98 Years of age he could not refrain but meet his Enemies and having with all possible speed raised a convenient Army hâ— met with them near Brecnock where after a terrible Fight and a great slaughter on both sides he was unhappily slain With him fell the Glory and Grandeâ—â— of the Principality of South-Wales being afterwards rent in pieces and divided into several parts and piece-meals among these Norman Captains as shall be by and by more particularly related Prince Rhys less Issue behind him by the Daughter of Rywalhon ap Coâ—fyn two Sons Gruffydh and Grono the latter of which was detained Prisoner by the King of England thâ—â— the Author of the winning of the Lordship of Glamagan affirms that he was slain together with his Father in this Battel against the Normans The Normans having received a sufficient Reward from Iestyn upon the account of their Service against Prince Rhys returned to their Ships in order to their Voyage homeward But before they could loose Anchor to sail off Eineon recalled them being ungratefully affronted by Iestyn who absolutely refused to make good to him the Conditions which they had agreed upon before the Normans were invited to Wales Upon this account Eineon was so irreconcilably incensed against Iestyn that to be revenged upon him he was willing to sacrifice his native Country into the hands of strangers and therefore endeavoured to persuade the Normans concerning the Fatness and Fertility of the Country and how easily they might conquer and make themselves Masters of it But he needed not many Arguments to persuade a People that were willing of themselves
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-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
upon him the Management of it But the Normans in Rydcors Castle being sensible that they were not able to effect any thing against Howel ap Grono in open Field after their accustomed manner began to put that in execution by Treachery which they could not compass by force of Arms. And how to make Howel a Sacrifice to those Normans he had lately slain they could find no safer way than by corrupting one Gwgan ap Meyric a Man in great Favour and Esteem with Howel upon the account chiefly that one of his Children was nursed by Gwgan's Wife This ungrateful Villain to carry on his wicked Intrigue the more unsuspected gave Howel a very earnest invitation to his House to a Merriment where without any suspicion of Treachery being come he was welcomed with all the seeming Affection and Kindness imaginable But no sooner was he settled A.D. 1103 but Gwgan gave notice thereof to the Norman Garrisons and therefore by break of day they entered the Town and coming about the House where Howel lay in Bed they presently gave a great shout Howel hearing the noise suspected something of Mischief and therefore leaping in all haste out of Bed he made to his Weapons but could not find them by reason that Gwgan had conveyed them away whilst he was asleep And now being assured of Treachery in the case and finding that his Men had fled for their Lives he endeavour'd all he could to make his escape but Gwgan and his Company were too quick for him and so being secured they strangled him and deliver'd his Body to the Normans who having cut off his Head convey'd it to the Castle of Rydcors This most villainous Murther so barbarously committed upon the King's Lieutenant was not in the least taken notice of for King Henry was so unreasonably prejudiced in favour of the Normans that whatever Misdemeanour be it of never so high a nature was by them committed it was presently winked at and let fall to the ground whereas if the Welch trespassed but against the least injunction of the King's Laws they were most severely punished which was the cause that they afterwards stood up against the King in their own defence being by experience assured that he minded nothing more than their utter Destruction About this time Anselm Archbishop of Canterbury convened a Synod at London wherein among other Injunctions then decreed the Celibacy of the Clergy was enjoyned Marriage being before ever allowed of in Britain to them in Holy Orders But this new Injunction created a great deal of Heat and Animosities among the Clergy some approving of it as reasonable and orthodoxical others condemning it as an innovation and contrary to the plain Letter of Scripture But during these Disputes between the Clergy King Henry being now in the Fifth Year of his Reign sailed over with a great Army into Normandy where his Brother Robert together with Robert de Belesmo Arnulph and William Earl of Mortaign gave him battel but the King having obtained the Victory took the Duke his Brother with William of Mortaign Prisoners and carrying them into England he caused first his Brother Robert's Eyes to be plucked out and then condemned them A.D. 1104 both to perpetual imprisonment in the Castle of Cardyff About the same time Meyric and Gruffydh the Sons of Trahaern ap Caradoc were both slain by the means of Owen ap Cadogan ap Blethyn whose Uncle Meredith ap Blethyn who had been Prisoner for a long time in England now brake open the Prison wherein he was very narrowly confined and returning to his own Country had his Estate restored which afterwards he quietly enjoyed A.D. 1105 The next Year a very dismal and calamitous Accident happening in the Low-Countries proved very incommodious and prejudicial to the Welch for a great part of Flanders being drowned by the overflowing of the Sea the Inhabitants were compell d to seek for some other Country to dwell in their own being now covered with Water And therefore a great many being come over to England they requested of King Henry to assign them some part of his Kingdom which was empty and void of Inhabitants where they might settle and plant themselves The King taking advantage of this charitable opportunity and being in a manner assured that these Flemings would be a considerable Thorn in the side of the Welch bestowed upon them very liberally what was not justly in his power to give and appointed them the Country of Ros in Dyfed or West-Wales where they continue to this day But Gerald the King's Lieutenant in those Parts was resolved to be afore-hand with them and rebuilt the Castle of Pembrock in a place called Congarth Fechan whither he removed his Family and all his Goods A. D. 1106. But here a very unfortunate accident happened to him for Cadwgan ap Blethyn having prepared a sumptuous Feast in the Christmas invited all the Lords to his Country-House in Dyfed and among the rest his Son Owen who lived in Powys This young Gentleman being at his Father's House and hearing Nest the Wife of Gerald universally praised for her incomparable Beauty was so smitten with the rumour that went abroad of her that by all means he must see the Lady who was by all so much admired And forasmuch as Gwladys Wife to Rhys ap Theodore and Mother to Nest was the Daughter of Râ—walhon ap Confyn Cosin-German to Cadwgan his Father under pretence of Friendship and Relation he made bold to pay her a Visit But finding the truth far to surpass the Fame that went of her he returned home so inflam'd with her Charms that not being able to keep the Mastery over himself he went back again the very same night and being attended by a company of wild head-strong Youths they privily entered into the Castle and encompassing the Chamber about where Gerald and his Wife lay they set the House on fire Gerald hearing a noise would fain go out to know the meaning of such unseasonable Disturbance but his Wife fearing some Treachery persuaded him to make as private an Escape as he could and then pulling up a Board in the Privy let him go that way Then returning to her Chamber she would fain assure those notorious Youths that there was no body besides her self and Children there but this being not satifactory they forcibly broke in and having searched every the most private Corner and not finding Gerald they took his Wife and two Sons with a Son and a Daughter born by a Concubine and carried them away to Powys having first set fire to the Castle and destroyed the Country as they went along Cadwgan Owen's Father hearing of what outragious Crime his Son had committed was exceedingly concerned and sorry chiefly because hereby he was like to incur King Henry's great Displeasure and therefore he went with all speed to Powys and desired his Son with all Intreaties to send home to Gerald his Wife and Children with whatever else he had taken
away from him But Owen was so amorously inexorable with respect to the Woman that he would by no means part with her however upon her request he was willing to restore Gerald his Children back again which forthwith he performed But when Richard Bishop of London whom King Henry had constituted Warden of the Marches being now at Shrewsbury heard of this he sent for Ithel and Madoc the Sons of Ryryd ap Blethyn Persons of great Power and Interest in Wales promising them very considerable Reward besides the Government of the whole Country in case they could bring Owen and his Father Cadwgan either dead or alive to him that he might revenge that hainous Affront which they had done to the King of England With them he joyned Lhywarch the Son of Trahaern ap Caradoc whose two Brethren Owen had slain and Vchtryd the Son of Edwyn which Four undertook to answer effectually the Bishop's Proposal to them But when they had united their Forces and began in an hostile manner to destroy the Country as they passed along Vchtryd sent private notice before him requiring all who were any way desirous of their own Safety to come to him because no Quarters was to be given to any that was found in the Country The People being thus so opportunely forewarned began to bethink with themselves how they might best avoid so eminent a danger and thereupon some fled to Arustly others to Melienyth some to Stradtywy and some to Dyfed but in this latter place they met with very cold welcom for Gerald who was then very busie in exercising Revenge upon that Country falling in among them cut off a considerable number of them The like fate befel them who escaped to Arustly and Melienyth for Walter Bishop of Hereford having raised an Army in defence of the Town of Caermyrdhyn before he could come thither accidentally met with these stragling Fugitives and knowing what Country they belonged to without any further Ceremony he fell upon them and put most of them to the Sword But they who fled to Stradtywy were gently received by Meredith ap Rytherch and such as resorted to Vchtryd were kindly entertained by him and so he marched with the rest of his Confederates to Rydcors Castle it being the general opinion that it was best to enter the Country by Night and to take Cadwgan and Owen his Son by surprize But Vchtryd reflecting upon the Difficulty of the Country and how easily they might be entrapp'd by an Ambuscade dissuaded them from any such nocturnal Undertakings and told them that it was far more advisable to enter the Country in good order when the light gave the Soldiers opportunity to keep and observe their ranks But whilst they were thus considering of the most effectual way to carry on their purpose Owen got a Ship at Aberdyfi bound for Ireland and escaping thither avoided the narrow search that was the following day made for them But when neither Father nor Son could be found all the fault was laid upon Vchtryd who had dissuaded them from falling upon the Castle unexpectedly and therefore all they could do since their escape was to burn and destroy the Country which they did effectually excepting the two Sanctuaries of Lhanpadarn and Lhandewi Brefi out of which however they took several Persons who had escaped thither and carried them away Prisoners to their several Countries But Owen with them who were accessary to the burning of Rydcors Castle being fled into Ireland desired the Umbrage and Protection of King Murcart who received him very gladly upon the account of their former acquaintance for Owen during the War betwixt the Earls of Arundel and Chester and the Welch had fled to King Murcart and brought him very rich Presents from Wales Cadwgan all this while lay privately in Powys but thinking it impossible to continue there long undiscovered he adjudged it his wiser way to send to King Henry and to declare his Innocency and Abhorrence of that Fact which his Son had committed The King was easily persuaded that the old Man was guiltless and wholly ignorant of his Son's Crime and therefore he gave him permission to remain in the Country and to enjoy the Town and Lands he received by his Wife who was the Daughter of a Norman Lord called Pygot de Say But his Lands in Powys were otherwise distributed for his Nephews Madoc and Ithel finding what Circumstances their Uncle Cadwgan lay under upon the account of his Son Owen they divided betwixt themselves such Lands as he and his Son possessed in Powys though afterwards they could never agree about the equal distribution of it To counter-ballance this Cadwgan made such Friends to the King of England that upon paying the Fine of 100 l. he had a grant of all his Lands in Cardigan and a power to recall all the Inhabitants who had rubb'd off upon the publication of the King 's late Order That no Welchman or Norman should dwell in Cardigan Upon information of this grant to Cadwgan several of them that retired to Ireland returned again privately to Wales and lurkingly remained with their Friends but Owen durst not appear in Cardigan by reason that his Father had received that Country from King Henry upon condition that he would never entertain or receive his Son nor by any means succour him either with Men or Money Nevertheless Owen came to Powys and would fain be reconciled to the King and make an Attonement for his late Misdemeanour but he could find no body that would venture to speak in his behalf nor make the King acquainted with his desire and willingness to submit And thus being hopeless and full of Despair he could not possibly divine which way to turn himself till at last a very unexpected opportunity offered him means and occasion to oppose the English The matter was this there happened a Difference betwixt Madoc ap Râ—ryd and the Bishop of London Lieutenant of the Marches of Wales about certain English Felons who being under the Protection of Madoc he would not restore at the Bishop's request The Bishop being much offended at Madawc's denyal threatned him very severely and therefore to make all possible Preparations against an ensuing storm Madawc sent to Owen who heretofore was his greatest Enemy desiring his help against the Bishop and by this means being reconciled they took their mutual Oaths not to betray each other and that neither should make a separate Agreement with the English without the Knowledg and Approbation of the other And so uniting their Power they spoiled and ravaged all the Country about them destroying whatever they could meet with which belonged to those they had no kindness or affection for without the least distinction of English or Welch Iorwerth ap Blethyn had been very unjustly detain'd A.D. 1107 in Prison all this time and now King Henry calling to mind what Hardship he laboured under and that he committed him to custody upon no pretence of Reason sent to know
to apprehend him But Gruffydh ap Rhys being aware of the Traps laid against him sent to Gruffydh ap Conan Prince of 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-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-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
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-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-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-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
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-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-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-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-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
to the Kings hands the City of Dublyn the Town of Waterford with all such Towns and Castles as he got in right of his Wife whereupon the King restored to him all his Lands both in England and Normandy and created him Lord Steward of Ireland For this Earl of Strigule had lately without the King's Permission gone over to Ireland and had married the Daughter of Dermott King of Dublyn which King Henry took in such an indignation that he presently seized upon all his Lands in England and Normandy Therefore the King having now some footing in Ireland the Expedition was unanimously concluded upon and so the King set upon his Journey and coming towards Wales he was received by Prince Rhys whose Submission the King liked so well that he presently confirmed to him all his Lands in South-Wales To return the King's Favour Rhys promised his Majesty 300 Horses and 4000 Oxen toward the Conquest of Ireland for the sure payment of which he delivered Fourteen Pledges Then King Henry marching forward came to Caeriheon upon Vske and entering the Town he dispossessed the right Owner Iorwerth ap Owen ap Caradoc and kept it for his own proper use placing a Garrison of his own Men therein But Iorwerth was not so easie-mouth'd as to be so unreasonably curb'd by the King and therefore departing in a great fury from the King's presence he called to him his two Sons Owen and Howel whom he had by Angharad the Daughter of Vchtryd Bishop of Llandaf and his Sisters Son Morgan ap Sitsylht ap Dyfnwal and bringing together all the Forces they were able upon the King's departure they entered the Country and committing all the Waste and Destruction as they came along they at last came before Caerlheon which when they took they used in the like manner spoiling and destroying whatever they could meet with so that nothing escaped their Fury excepting the Castle which they could not win The King was in the mean time upon his Journey to Pembroke where being accompanied by Prince Rhys he gave him a grant of all Cardigan Ystratywy Arustly and Eluel in Recompence of all the Civilities and Honour he paid him And so Rhys returned to Aberteifi a Town he had lately won from the Earl of Glocester and there having prepared his Present about the beginning of October he returned again to Pembrock having ordered Eighty Six Horses to follow him which being presented to the King he accepted of Thirty Six of the choicest and returned the rest with great Thanks The same day King Henry went to S. Davids and after he had offered to the Memory of that Saint he dined with the Bishop who was the Son of Gerald Cosin-German to Rhys whither Richard Strongbow Earl of Strygile came from Ireland to confer with the King Within a while after King Henry being entertained by Rhys at the White-House restored to him his Son Howel who had been for a considerable time detained as a Pledg and appointed him a certain day for payment of his Tribute at which time all the rest of the Pledges should be set at liberty The day following being the next after the Feast of S. Luke the King went on board and the Wind blowing very favourably set sail for Ireland and being safely arrived upon those Coasts he landed at Dublyn where he rested for that whole Winter in order to make greater Preparations against the following Campaign But the change of the Air and Climate occasion'd such a raging Distemper and Infection among the Soldiers that to prevent the perishing of his whole Army A.D. 1172 the King was forced to return with what speed he could back for England and so having shipp'd off all his Army and Effects he loosed Anchor and landed in Wales in the Passion Week next Year and coming to Pembrock he stayed there on Easter-day and then proceeded upon his Journey towards England Rhys hearing of the King's return was very officious to pay him his Devotion and would gladly feign to be one of the first who should welcome him over and so meeting with him at Talacharn he expressed all the Ceremonies of Duty and Allegiance Then the King passed on and as he came from Caerdyf by the new Castle upon Vsk meaning to leave Wales in a peaceable condition he sent for Iorwerth ap Owen ap Caradoc who was the only Person in open Enmity against him and that upon very just ground willing him to come and treat about a Peace and assuring him of a safe Conduct for himself his Sons and all the rest of his Associates Iorwerth was willing to accept of the Proposal and thereupon set forward to meet the King having sent an Express to his Son Owen a valourous young Gentleman to meet him by the way Owen according to his Fathers Orders set forward on his Journey with a small retinue without any thing of Arms or Weapons of War as thinking it Folly to clog himself with such needless Carriage when the King had promised a safe Conduct But he did not find it so safe for as he passed the new Castle upon Vske the Earl of Bristol's Men who were garrison'd therein laid in wait for him as he came along and setting cowardly upon him slew him with most of his Company But some few escaped to acquaint his Father Iorwerth of such a treacherous Action who hearing that his Son was so basely murthered contrary to the King 's absolute promise of a safe Passage without any farther consultation about the matter presently returned home with Howel his Son and all his Friends and would no longer put any trust or confidence in any thing that the King of England or any of his Subjects promised to do But on the other side to avenge the Death of his Son who was so cowardly cut off he presently raised all the Forces that himself and the rest of his Friends were able to do and so entering into England he destroyed with Fire and Sword all the Country to the Gates of Hereford and Glocester But the King was so intent upon his return that he seemed to take no great notice of what Iorwerth was doing and therefore having by Commission constituted Lord Rhys Chief Justice of all South-Wales he forthwith took his Journey to Normandy About this time dyed Cadwalader ap Gruffydh the Son of Gruffydh ap Conan sometime Prince of North-Wales who by his Wife Alice the Daughter of Richard Clare Earl of Glocester had Issue Cunetha Radulph and Richard and by other Women Cadfan Cadwalader Eineon Meredith Goch and Cadwalhon Towards the end of this Year Sitsylht ap Dyfnwal and Iefan ap Sitsylht ap Riryd surprized the Castle of Abergavenny which belonged to the King of England and having made themselves Masters of it they took the whole Garrison Prisoners A.D. 1173 But the following Year there happened a very great difference and a falling out betwixt King Henry and his Son of the same Name this latter being upholded by
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-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-Wales a Son called Madawc who succeeded his Father in that part of Powys called from him Powys Fadawc Rhys Prince of 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
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-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-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-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-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
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
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
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-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-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-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-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-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-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-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
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-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