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
and may be to their great Oppression in those Rights which they have purchased and hitherto enjoyed with their Estates And also on Occasion of great Vexation to many of Your Majesty's Subjects who have long had the absolute Inheritance of several Lands comprehended in the said Grant to the Earl of Portland by Antient Grants from the Crown His MAJESTY'S Answer Gentlemen I Have Kindness for my Lord Portland which he has deserved of Me by long and faithful Services but I should not have given him these Lands if I had imagined the House of Commons could have been concern'd I will therefore Recal the Grant and find some other way of shewing My Favour to him The Lordship of Ruthyn continued in the possession of the Grays till the Reign of Henry VII when George Grey Earl of Kent and Lord of Ruthyn upon some Bargain passed the same over to the King since which it has been in the possession of some of the Earls of Warwick and afterwards came to the Middletons of Chirk Castle in the County of Denbigh where it still continues being now enjoyed by the Right Worshipful Sir Richard Middleton Baronet But besides Henry Lacy and Reginald Grey several other Gentlemen of Quality came at this time with King Edward to North-Wales who in some time became to be Men of great Possessions and Sway in the Country whose Posterity enjoy the same to this time But he that expected to fare best in the distribution of these Lordships and Estates in Wales was one Rhys ap Meredith a Welch Man and one that contrary to the Allegiance sworn to his Prince and his Duty to his Native Country had served the King of England in all these Wars and done the greatest hurt of any Man to the Interest of Prince Lhewelyn For these great Services done to King Edward Rhys expected no less than to be promoted to the highest Preferments whom the King after the Prince of Wales's Overthrow first dubbed Knight and afterwards fed him with fair Words and great Promises But when he and all his Neighbours and Countrymen had submitted themselves to the Government of the King of England it happened that the Lord Pain Tiptost Warden of the King's Castles which joyned to Rhys's Country and the Lord Alan Plucknet the King's Steward in Wales cited Sir Rhys ap Meredith with all the rest of the Country to the King's Court which he refusing to do alledging his antient Priviledges and Liberties together with the King's Promises to him the foresaid Officers proceeded against him according to Law Whereupon A.D. 1289 Sir Rhys being greatly vexed to be thus served by those whole Interest he had all this while so warmly espoused thought to be revenged of Pain Tiptost and the rest of the English And to that end having drawn together some of his Tenants and Countrymen he fell upon the said Pain Tiptost between whom several Skirmishes afterwards happened and several Men were slain on both sides King Edward was now at Arragon to compose the Difference betwixt the Kings of Arragon and Naples but being informed of the Disturbances which had happened in Wales betwixt his Ministers there and Sir Rhys ap Meredith he writ to this latter requiring him to keep the Peace till his return at what time he would redress all Grievances and reduce Matters to a good and reasonable Order But Sir Rhys haveing already waited sufficiently upon the King's Promises and being now in a good condition to offend his Enemies by force of Arms would not give over the Enterprize he saw so promising but marching with his Forces to his Enemies Lands burnt and spoiled several Towns belonging to the English Upon this the King sent to the Earl of Cornwal whom he had appointed his Deputy during his absence to march with an Army into Wales to repress the Insolencies and to prevent any farther disorderly Attempts of the Welch The Earl accordingly prepared an Army and went against Sir Rhys's whose Army he quickly dispersed and overthrew his Castle of Drefolan but not without the loss of some of his Chief Men. For as they besieged and undermined the said Castle the Walls unexpectedly fell down by which unlucky Accident several of the English were oppressed and bruised to Death among whom were the Lord Strafford and the Lord William de Monchency But within a while after Robert Tiptost Lord Deputy of Wales raised a very powerful Army against Sir Rhys and after a slaughter of 4000 of the Welch took him Prisoner who the Michaelmas following at the King 's going to Scotland was condemned and executed at York A.D. 1293 But the Death of Sir Rhys did not put a final period to all the Quarrels betwixt the English and Welch for in a short time after there happened a new occasion for the Welch to murmur against and upbraid the Government of the English over them King Edward was now in actual Enmity and War with the King of France for the carrying on of which he wanted a liberal Subsidy and Supply from his Subjects This Tax was with a great deal of passion and reluctancy levied in divers places of the Kingdom but more especially in Wales the Welch being never acquainted with such large Contributions before A.D. 1294 violently stormed and exclaimed against it But not being satisfied with villifying the King's Command they took their own Captain Roger de Puelesdon who was appointed Collector of the said Subsidy and hanged him up together with divers others who abetted the collecting of the Tax Then West-Wales Men chose Maelgon Fychan for their Captain and so entring into Caermardhyn and Pembroke-shires they cruelly harassed all the Lands that belonged to the English and then returned laden with considerable Booty The Glamorgan-shire Men and they towards the South Parts chose one Morgan for their Leader and set upon the Earl of Glocester whom they forced to make his escape out of the Country and so Morgan was put in possession of those Lands which the Ancestors of the Earl of Glocester had forcibly taken away from Morgan's fore-Fathers On the other side the North-Wales Men set up one Madoc related to the last Lhewelyn slain at Buelht who having drawn together a great Number of Men came to Caernarvon and setting upon the English who in great multitudes had then resorted thither to a Fair slew a great many and afterwards spoiled and ransacked the whole Town King Edward being acquainted with these different Insurrections and Rebellions in Wales and desirous to quell the Pride and Stubborness of the Welch but most of all to revenge the Death of his great favourite Roger de Pulesdon recalled his Brother Edmund Earl of Lancaster and Henry Lacy Earl of Lincoln and Lord of Denbigh who with a considerable Army were ready to embark for Gascoign and countermanded them into Wales Being arrived there they passed quietly forward till they came to Denbigh and as soon as they drew near unto the Castle upon St. Martin's day the Welch
his Death more lamented by the English Nation who had he lived to sit upon the Helm no one doubted but that he would have exceeded as to all Qualifications the most glorious Renown of the greatest of his Ancestors In the time of Edward the Third lived Sir Tudor Vaughan ap Grono descended lineally from Ednyfed Vaughan a Person as to Estate Power and Interest one of the Chiefest in North Wales Upon some motive either of Ambition or Fancy he assumed to himself the Honor of Knighthood requiring all People to call and stile him Sir Tudor ap Grono as if he did prognosticate and fore-see that out of his Loyns should arise those that should have Power to confer that Honor. King Edward being informed of such unparallell'd Presumption sent for Sir Tudor and asked him With what Confidence he durst invade his Prerogative by assuming the degree of Knighthood without his Authority Sir Tudor replied That by the Laws and Constitution of King Arthur he had the Liberty of taking upon himself that Title in regard he had those three Qualifications which whosoever was endued with could by those Laws claim the Honor of a Knight 1. He was a Gentleman 2. He had a sufficient Estate And 3. He was Valiant and Adventurous adding this withal If my Valour and Hardiness be doubted of loe here I throw down my Glove and for due proof of my Courage I am ready to Fight with any Man whatever he be The King appproving and liking well the Man's forwardness and resolution was easily persuaded to confirm the Honor of Knighthood upon him From this Sir Tudor lineally descended Henry the Seventh King of England who was the Son of Edmund Earl of Richmond the Son of Sir Owen Tudor Son to Meredith the Son of this Sir Tudor ap Gono After the Death of the Black Prince his Son Richard born at Bourdeaux in France being but Ten Years of age was created Prince of Wales at Havering at Bowre on the 20th day of November and in the A.D. 1377 50th Year of Edward the Third his Grandfather's reign whom he succeeded in the Crown of England Henry born at Monmouth Son and Heir to Henry the Fourth King of England upon the 15th of October in the 1st Year of his Father's reign was created Prince of Wales at Westminster who succeeded his Father in the English Crown by the Name of Henry the Fifth Whilst Richard the Second reigned one Owen ap Gruffydh Fychan descended of a younger Son of Gruffydh ap Madoc Lord of Bromfield was not a little Famous This Owen had his Education in one of the Inns-of-Court where he became Barister at Law and afterwards in very great Favour and Credit served King Richard and continued with him at Flint Castle till at length the King was taken by Henry Duke of Lancaster Betwixt this Owen and Reginald Lord Gray of Rhuthyn there happened no small Difference touching a Common lying between the Lordship of Rhuthyn whereof Reginald was Owner and the Lordship of Glyndowrdwy in the possession of Owen whence he borrowed the Name of Glyndwr During the reign of Richard the Second Owen as being a Courtier and in no mean esteem with the King did over-power Reginald who was neither so well befriended at Court nor beloved in the Country as Owen was But after King Richard's deposal the Scene was altered and Reginald as then better befriended than Owen entred upon the Common which occasioned Owen in the first Year of Henry the Fourth to make his Complaint in Parliament against him for thus divesting him of his Right No redress being found the Bishop of St. Asaph wished the Lords to take care that by thus slighting his Complaint they did not irritate and provoke the Welch to an Insurrection to which some of the Lords replied That they did not fear those rascally bare-foâ—ted People Glyndwr therefore perceiving how his Petition was slighted in Parliament and finding no other method to redress himself having several Friends and Followers put himself in Arms against Reginald and meeting him in the Field overcame and took him prisoner and spoiled his Lordship of Rhuthyn Upon this many resorted to him from all parts of Wales some thinking him to be in as great Favour now as in King Richard's days others putting in his head that now the time was come when the Britains by his means might again recover the Honor and Liberties of their Ancestors But Reginald being thus kept prisoner and very severely handled by Owen to terrify him into compliance with him in his rebellious Actings and not permitted to have his Liberty under Ten Thousand Marks for his Ransom whereof Six Thousand to be paid upon the Feast of St. Martyn in the 4th Year of Henry the Fourth and to deliver up his eldest Son with some other Persons of Quality as Hostages for the remainder the King at the humble sute of Reginald seeing no other way for his enlargement gave way thereto authorizing Sir William de Roos Sir Richard de Grey Sir William de Willughby Sir William le Zouche Sir Hugh Huls as also John Harvey William Vaus John Lee John Langford Thomas Payne and John Elnestow to treat with Owen and his Council and to conclude in what they should conceive most expedient and necessary to be done for his redemption Whereupon they consenting to give the sum demanded by Glyndwr for his deliverance the King gave License to Robert Braybroke Bishop of London as also to Sir Gerard Braybroke the Father and Sir Gerard the Son then Feoffees of divers Lordships for this Reginald to sell the Mannor of Hertelegh in the County of Kent towards the raising of that Money And for the better enabling him to pay so great a Fine the King was pleased to grant that whereas it was enacted that such Persons who were owners of Lands in Ireland and did not there reside should for such their neglect forfeit two parts of the Profits of them to the King that notwithstanding this Act he should forfeit nothing for non-residence there during the term of six years next ensuing This good Success over the Lord Gray together with the numerous resort of the Welch to him and the favourable interpretations of the Prophecies of Merdhyn which some construed very advantagioussy made the swelling mind of Glyndwr overflow its Banks and gave him some hopes of restoring this Island back to the Britains Wherefore he set upon the Earl of March who met him with a numerous party of Hereford-shire Men but when they came to close the Welch-men proved too powerful and having killed above a Thousand Men of the English they took the Earl of March Prisoner King Henry upon this was frequently requested to Ransom the Earl but to no purpose for whether by reason that Mortimer had a juster Title to the Crown than himself he being the next Heir in Blood after King Richard who was as yet living or because of some other private odium the King would
Sir David secured he had liked to undergo present Execution had not Glyndyfwr's best Friends and the greatest Upholders of his Cause pleaded in his behalf by whose intercession he was prevailed with to grant Sir David both his Life and Liberty upon condition he would ever after continue True and Loyal to him Sir David promised very loudly but with the reservation never to perform for as soon as he came to his own Country where he was a Person of very considerable Sway and Interest he did exceedingly annoy and molest those that any way favoured or adhered to Glyndyfwr While Sir David lay in Prison at Machynlleth for his attempt against Owen's Life this Englyn was made upon him Dafydd Gam dryglam dreigl iti yn wan frwydr Fradwr Rissiart Bhrenin Llwyr y rhoes Diawl hawn hwyl Flîn Y fath ystâd ei fys i th Dîn. But Glyndyfwr receiving information how that Sir David Gam contrary to the Promise he had made at his releasement endeavoured all he could to destroy his Interest among the Welch entred the Marches and among other tokens of his Indignation burned the House of Sir David and as the report goes calling to him one of Sir David's Tenants spake to him thus merrily in Verse O Gweli di wr côch Cam Yn ymofyn y Girnigwen Dywed ei bôd hi Tan y Lan A nôd y glo ar ei Phenn But Sir David had the luck to escape his reach and was constrained to retire to England where he lived for the most part at Court till the Death of Glyndyfwr When King Henry the Fifth went with an Army to France against the French King Sir David Gam brought into his service a numerous Party of Stout and Valorous Welch-Men who upon all occasions expressed their Courage and Resolution In the Battel of Agincourt News being brought to the King that the French Army was advancing towards him and that they were exceeding numerous he detached Captain Gam to observe their motion and review their number The Captain having narrowly eyed the French found them twice to exceed the English but not being in the least dâ—unted at such a multitude he returned to the King who enquiring of him what the Number of the French might be he made answer An 't please you my Liege they are enough to be killed enough to run away and enough to be taken Prisoners King Henry was well pleased and much encouraged with this resolute and undaunted answer of Sir David's whose Tongue did not express more Valor than his Hinds performed For in the heat of Battel the King's Person being in danger Sir David charged the Enemy with that eagerness and masculine Bravery that they were glad to give ground and so secured the King tho' with the loss of much Blood and also his Life himself and his Son-in-Law Roger Vaughan and his Kinsman Waâ—ter Llwyd of Brecknock having received their mortal Wounds in that encounter When the King heard of their Condition how that they were past all hopes of recovery he came to them and in recompence of their good Services Knighted them all three in the Field where they soon after died and so ended the Life but not the Fame of the signally Valiant Sir David Gam Edward of Westminster the sole Issue of that unfortunate Prince King Henry the Sixth by Margaret the Daughter of Rayner Duke of Anjou and titular King of Jerusalem Sicily and Arragon was created Prince of Wales in a Parliament held at Westminster on the 15th day of March in the Thirty Second Year of his Fathers Reign When the Day was lost at Tewksbury this young Prince thought to make his escape by flight but being unfortunately taken and brought to the presence of King Edward the Fourth who then sat upon the Helm made such resolute and unexpected Replies that he put the King to such a passion that he smote him on the Mouth with his Gauntlet and then his Brother Richard the Crouch-back ran him into the Heart with his Dagget Edward born in the Sanctuary at Westminster the eldest Son of King Edward the Fourth was after his Fathers Expulsion out of England in the Fourty Ninth Year of King Henry the Sixth created Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester in the Eleventh Year of his Fathers Reign Upon the death of Edward the Fourth this young Prince being then at Ludlow in the Marches of Wales was presently sent for to London and proclaimed King of England but never liv'd to be crowned for his Uncle Richard Duke of Glocester who was appointed his Protector most vilainously made him away together with his Brother the Duke of York and afterwards was himself proclaimed and crowned King Edward the Fourth in his Wars against Henry the Sixth was very much assisted by the Welch in recompence of which Service he design'd to reform Matters so in Wales as that intolerable Oppression which they had hitherto endured should be regulated and taken off And to that end he meant to establish a Court within the said Principality and constituted John Bishop of Worcester President of the Prince's Council in the Marches who together with Anthony Earl of Rivers sat in the Town-Hall of Shrewsbury and constituted certain Ordinances for the publick Good and Tranquility of that place But the matter proceeded no farther for the Troubles and Disquietness of his Kingdom coming heavy upon him and the shortness of his Reign after his Establishment not permitting he was forced to leave that to others which himself thought once to bring about Edward born at Middleham near Richmond in the County of York the only Son of King Richard the Third was at Ten Years of Age created by his Father Prince of Wales and dyed soon after Arthur the eldest Son of King Henry the Seventh born at Winchester was in the Seventh Year of his Fathers Reign created Prince of Wales About the Fifteenth Year of his Age being then newly married to Katherine the Infanta of Spain he was sent by his Father into Wales that by his presence he might keep that Country in better awe With him King Henry sent Dr. William Smith afterwards made Bishop of Lincoln Wokins p. 789. as President of his Council together with Sir Richard Pool his Chamberlain Sir Henry Vernon Sir Richard Crofts Sir David Philip Sir William Vdal Sir Thomas Englefield Sir Peter Newton and others to be his Counsellors and Directors in his management of Affairs But the Prince had not continu'd long there but he fell sick at his Castle at Ludlow of which Indisposition he shortly after dyed and was buried with great Solemnity in the Cathedral Church of Worcester But the creating of his Brother Henry Duke of York Prince of Wales in his stead was deferred for about the space of a Month to discover whether the Lady Katherine was got with Child by Prince Arthur But when it appeared for certain she had not conceived on the 18th day of February in the Nineteenth Year of his Father King
Henry the Seventh's Reign Henry Duke of York was created Prince of Wales King Henry the Seventh being by his Grandfather Owen Tudor descended out of Wales and having sufficiently experienced the Affection of the Welch towards him first of those who upon his first landing opportunely joyned him under Sir Rhys ap Thomas and then of those who under the command of Sir William Stanley Lord of Bromfield Yale and Chirkland aided him in Bosworth-Field could not in Honour and Equity but bear some regard to the miserable state and condition of the Welch under the English Government And therefore this prudent Prince finding the Calamities of the Welch to be insupportable and seeing what grievous and unmerciful Laws were enacted against them by his Predecessours he took occasion to redress and reform the same and granted to the Welch a Charter of Liberty and Immunity whereby they were released from the cruel Oppression which since their Subjection to the English Government they had most cruelly sustained And seeing the Birth and Quality of his Grandfather Owen Tudor was called in question and that he was by many upbraided of being of a mean and ignoble Parentage King Henry directed a Commission to the Abbot of Lhan Egwest Dr. Owen Pool Canon of Hereford and John King Herald at Arms to make inquisition concerning the Pedigree of the said Owen who coming to Wales made a diligent enquiry into this matter and by the assistance of Sir John Leyaf Guttyn Owen Bardh Gruffydh ap Lhewelyn ap Efan Fychan and others in the consultation of the British Books of Pedegrees they drew up an exact Genealogy of Owen Tudor which upon their return Vide Appâ—nd they presented to the King Edward Son to Henry the Eighth by the Lady Jane Seymour his third Wife was born at Hampton-Court on the 12th of October and upon the 18th of the said Month was created Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwal and Earl of Chester King Henry the Seventh had already abrogated those unreasonable and intollerable Laws which the former Kings of England particularly Henry the Fourth had made against the Welch and now King Henry the Eighth willing to make a plenary Reformation of what his Father had wisely begun thought it necessary towards the Good and Tranquility of both Nations to make the Welch subject to the same Laws and the same Government with the English He understood that the usual Hostilities and Depredations were still continued and kept up by both sides upon the Borders and though his Father had eased the Yoak of the Welch yet he perceived that it did contribute but little towards the disannulling of that inveterate and implacable Envy and Animosity which raged in the Marches Therefore to remedy this otherwise unavoidable Distemper he concluded that it was the only effectual Method to incorporate the Welch with the English that they being subject to the same Laws might equally A.D. 1536 fear the Violation of them And accordingly in the Twenty Seventh Year of his Reign an Act of Parliament passed to that purpose which together with another Act in the Thirty Fifth of his Reign made a plenary Incorporation of the Welch with the English which Union has had that blessed Effect that it has dispelled all those unnatural Differences which heretofore were so rife and irreconcilable When the Reformation was first established in Wales it was a mighty Inconveniency to the vulgar People such as were unacquainted with the English Tongue that the Bible was not translated into their native Language Queen Elizabeth was quickly apprehensive of the Inconveniency which the Welch incurred for the want of such a Translation and therefore A.D. 1566 in the Eighth Year of her Reign an Act of Parliament was passed whereby the Bishops of Hereford S. Davids S. Asaph Bangor and Landaff were ordered to take care that the Bible containing the Old and New Testament with the Book of Common-Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments be truly and exactly translated into the British or Welch Tongue and that the same so translated being by them perused and approved be printed to such a number at least as that every Cathedral Collegiate and Parish-Church and Chappel of ease within the said Diocess where that Tongue is vulgarly spoken might be supplyed before the First of March Anno 1566. And from that time forward the Welch Divine Service should be used in the British Tongue in all places throughout those Diocesses where the Welch is commonly spoke after the same manner as it was used in the English Tongue and that the Charge of procuring the said Bible and Common-Prayer should equally depend betwixt the Parson and the Parish the former being obliged to pay one half of the Expence and that the Price of the Book should be set by the foresaid Bishops or by Three of them at the least But this Act of Parliament was not punctually observed for the Old Testament was wholly omitted and only the New with the Book of Common-Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments then translated which Translation was chiefly owing to Richard Bishop of S. Davids who was assisted by William Salusbury a Perfect Critick in the Welch Tongue and one excellently conversant in all British Antiquities But in the Year 1588. Dr. William Morgan first Bishop of Landaff and then of S. Asaph undertook the Translation of the whole Bible and by the help of the Bishops of S. Asaph and Bangor Gabriel Goodman Dean of Westminster David Powâ—lâ— D.D. Edmund Price Archdeacon of Merionyth and Richard Vaâ—ghan he effectually finished it This was of singular Profit and Advantage to the Welch to have the whole Scripture read and perused in their own native Tongue by which means they received a clearer demonstration of the Corruptions of the Church of Rome when they saw many of their Principles apparently contradicting and others not very firmly founded upon the Holy Scriptures And on the other hand they perceived the Necessity and Advantage of the Reformation they easily discovered that the whole Doctrine of the Church of England was sound and orthodox and that they were now happily delivered from that Popish Slavery which their Forefathers ignorantly adored and therefore being convinced of the Truth of their Religion they became and continued generally very strict Adherents and firm Observers of the Doctrine and Discipline of this Church And here by the bye I cannot but observe what a reverend Writer has lately insinuated relating to the Christian Religion planted in Wales For that Learned Person in his Funeral Sermon upon Mr. Gouge would fain induce the World to believe that Christianity was very corrupt and imperfect among the Welch before it was purifyed by that whom he terms Apostolical Man Whereas it is notoriously evident that since the Reformation was setled in that Country and the Bible with the Book of Common-Prayer translated into the Welch Tongue no place has been more exact in keeping to the strict Rubrick and Constitution of the Church of
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
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
canonized 160. John K. of England in his way to Ireland through Wales discharged a Criminal that murther'd a Priest 226. Famished Will de Bruce and Maud his Aunt at Windsor after his return 227. The reason of his Cruelty and Disaffection to Priests ib. Marches with a great Army into VVales and returns without Success 229 230. Makes a second Expedition ib. Orders Foulk Viscount Cardyff to subdue those that oppose in South-VVales and they at last do him Homage but quickly revolt 231 232. makes an Expedition into VVales 229. Makes a second and third and hangs the Welch Pledges reconciles himself to Rome and engages in a Civil War with his Barons 237. Dies and is succeeded by his Son Henry 242. Iorwerth ap Blethyn revolts from the Earl of Salop 124. Basely used by K. Henry for it the reason of it 125. delivered out of Prison 133. Forbids Owen and Madawc to retire to his Estate 134. Beset and slain by Madawc and Llywarch ap Trahern 137. Joseph Bishop of Llandaff dies at Rome 88. Ireland molested with Locusts 42. Ithel King of Gwent slain 28. L. LHewelyn ap Sytsylht makes himself Prince of all VVales 79. His good Government ib. Slays Meuric that rebelled against him with his own hand 80. suppresses another Rebellion 81. Basely slain ibid. Lhewelyn P. of North-VVales takes David ap Owen Prisoner 217. Receives Homage of most of the Welch Lords 222. Conquers Gwenwynwyn's Country 225. Makes an Expedition into South-VV and Maelgon flees 225 226. Marries Joan King John's Daughter 224. Sues and obtains Peace of the King by the means of his Wife 231. Animates the Lords of North-Wales to joyn with him in a Revolt against the King 233. Dispossesses the English of all their Holds in his Country 237. Takes Shrewsbury though excommunicated by the Pope 238. Subdues Cardigan and Carmarthen 240. Reconciles the â—onds in South-Wales 241. Subdues Powis 242. Refuses Assistance to King John against the Dauphine ibid. Makes Rynald Bruce who had revolted submit to him â—43 Receives the Submission and Allegiance of the Flemings in Dyfed ibid. Subdues the revolted Flemings again 246. Makes his Son Gruffydh submit ibid. Complained of to the King of England by young Rhys adjusts Matters with him 247. Seizes the Castle of William Marshal Earl of Pembroke in Wales and occasions a War between them 247 248. Worsts the English Army pays Homage to Henry III. 249. Destroys the Marches 252. Makes a Descent upon England 253. Being joyned by the Earl of Pembroke against King Henry routs his Army 254. Makes an Incursion into the King's Territories 255. Makes peace with the King 256. Sets his Son Gruffydh at liberty ibid. Buries his Princess Joan 257. Forced to quit the Siege of Ruthlan 258. Makes the Welch do Homage to his Son David ibid. Dies his Character and Issue â—59 Llewelyn ap Gruffydh and Owen Gôch his Brother declared Princes of North-Wales 269. Quarrel and Owen with his Brother David made close Prisoners 271. Recovers the In-land Country of North-Wales from the English 272. Wastes Cheshire ibid. Beats the Irish by Sea 273. Desires peace with the King but fails 277. Kind to Sir Roger Mortimer 278. Makes a Peace by the Popes Mediation with the King 279. Refuses to attend upon King Edward's Coronation 280. The Reasons for his refusal 281. An Accident made him pliable 283. Severe Conditions of Peace imposed upon him 284. Married to Elianor Earl Montfords Daughter at Worcester 285. Reconciled with his Brother David and joyn against the English 286. Offers to submit to the King conditionally 292. Sends a Letter to the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and the general Answer of the Welch to his Proposals 293 294 295. Betrayed in Buellt and killed 297. London besieged by the Danes 65. M. MAhael dispossest of his Inheritance by his unnatural Mother Nests means and how 115. Madoc ap Meredith Prince of Powis sticks to the English Interest 173. Madawc reconciled to King Henry 138. Taken Prisoner by Meredith ap Blethin 139. Has his Eyes pulled out by Owen ibid. Madawc ab Owen Gwynedh sails into America 196. Plants a Colony there ib. Maelgon disturbs South-VVales 228. Beaten by his Nephews Rhys and Owen 229. March Earl of marries Owen Glyndwr's Daughter 318. Consented by indenture to divide England between Owen Piercy and himself 318. Maud the Empress lands in England and is received at Arundel 162. Meredith ap Owen possest of all Wales 64. Dispossest of North-Wales 67. And routed by Edwal ap Meuric their new Prince 68. Died without Issue Male 69. Meredith ap Owen made Prince of South-Wales 96. Slain in Battel against Caradoc ap Gruffydh 102. Meredith and Rhys ap Gruffydh prevail in South-Wales 171. Meredith's Death and Character 172. Merfyn frych is made King of Wales 24. is slain 27. Merlyn Ambrose and Sylvester their Time Country and Prophesies 10 11. Morgan Hên dies an Hundred Years old his Marriage Estate and Issue 58. Morgan ap Owen kills Robert Fitz-Gilbert and his Son 157. slain 175. Morgan ap Cadogan repents of his Murder committed 156. Murders committed 156. Item 163. N. NEwmarch a Norman obtains the Lordship of Brecknock and marries Nest Daughter to Llewelyn ap Gruffydh 115. Normans twice decimated and put to death in England 86. They waste and plunder Dyfed 103. They seize upon the Lordship of Glamorgan 113. The Names of the Adventurers ibid. They possess themselves of several Lordships in Wales 117. Divers of them slain in Cardigan ibid. Routed again by Cadwgan ap Blethyn Prince of South-Wales and their Castles destroyed 118. Slaughter'd divers times by the Welch and forced to quit the Country 119 120. Northumberland invaded by the Scots 109. O. OFfa King of Mercia makes a Ditch from Sea to Sea 20. his death 21. Owen ap Edwyn a Traytor to his Country 121. Made Prince of Wales by the English but soon lost it 122. his Death and Pedigree 126. Owen the Son of Cadwgan enamoured of Nest the Wife of Gerald King Henry's Lieutenant in Wales 129. steals her away ibid. flies into Ireland 135. returns and wasts the Country in conjunction with Maradoc ap Riryd 133. his Men slay an English Bishop the cause of Cadwgan his Fathers being dispossessed of his Estate 135. forced to flee into Ireland with Madawc ibid. returns and is reconciled to the King 138. divides Madawc's Estate between himself and Meredith ap Blethyn 139. flees for fear of King Henry into North-VVales 140. reconciled to the King 141. Owen is brave and Knighted in Normandy 142. imployed by King Henry against Gruffydh ap Rhys 148. slain by Gerald 149. Owen Gwynedh succeeds Prince of North-Wales 160. mightily concerned at the Death of his Son Run 165. takes and rases the Castle of Mould 166. pulls out his Nephew Cunedah's Eyes and castrates him 170. being provoked invades Llandhinam 193. dies his Character and Issue 194. Owen Cyfeilioc and Owen Fychan dispossess Iorwerth Gôch of his Estate in Powis 192. Cyfeilioc dies
and hath these Comots Coleigion Lhannerch and Dogueilyn The fifth Cantref is Tegengl and now is a part of Flint-shire having these Comots Câ—nâ—syshe Prestatyn and Ruthlan And in this part is one of the fairest Vallies within this Isle containing 18 miles in length and 4 5 6 or 7 in breadth as the Hills either draw inward together or backward asunder which high Hills do inclose it on the East West and South parts and Northward the Sea It is plentiful of Cattel Fish and Fowl Corn Hey Grass and Wood and divided along in the midst with the River Clwyd to whom runneth Clywedoe Ystrat Whilar Elwy and a great number of other Rivers from the Hills In this Valley two miles from the Sea is the Town and Castle of Ruthlan Ann. 12. Edw. 1. where sometimes a Parliament hath been kept And two miles above it is the Seâ— of Sr. Asaph between the Rivers Clwyd and Elwy called in the old time the Bishop's See of Dhan-Elwy Four miles thence and two miles from the River is situate upon a Rock the Town and Castle of Denbigh where is one of the greatest Markets in the Marches of Wales and one of the fairest and strongest Castles within this Realm which being the House of David Brother to Lhewelyn the last Prince of the Welch-Blood was enlarged and strengthned by Henry Lacy Earl of Lincoln to whom King Edward gave the same Lordship it is also the Shire-Town of that Shire Five miles above this is the Town of Ruthyn with a fair Castle which sometimes belonged to the Lords Gray Earls of Kent This part of North-Wales hath upon the North the River Dee and the Sea Upon the West Arfon and the River Conwey South and East Merionyth and the Country then called Powys And these be the Mears and Bounds of Gwynedh or Venedotia for the Name of North Wales containeth besides this all Powys at these days So there was und r the Territory of Aberffraw fifteen Cantreds and in them thirty eight Comots The second Kingdom was Mathrafal Mathrafal or Powys which in right order was the third as that which came to the third Brother yet for the better understanding of the History following I have placed it here To this Kingdom belonged the Country of Powys and the Land betwixt Wy and Severn Which part had upon the South and West South-Wales with the Rivers Wy and Tywy and other Mears Upon the North Gwynedh and upon the East the Marches of England from Chester to Wy a little above Hereford and therefore it was most troubled with Wars as well of the Saxons as afterwards of the Normans Lords Marchers who daily wan some part thereof and by â—hat means it was the first part that served the Kings of England and therefore less esteemed of all the â—est This part called Powys was divided again into Powys Fadoc and Powys Wenwynwyn Powys Fadoc â—ontained in it self five Cantreds and fifteen Coâ—ots Cantref Y Barwn which had three Comots Dynâ—ael Edeyrneon and Glyndourdwy which are now in Merionyth shire saving Dinmael which is in Denbigh-â—ire Cantref Y Rhiw whose Comots were these Yal â—ow in Denbigh-shire Ystratalyn and Hop now in Flint-â—â—ire Cantref Vwchnant hath these Comots Merfforth in Flint-shire Maelor Gymraeg in English Bromfield now in Denbigh-shire and Maelor Saesneg in Flint-shire Cantref Trefred containeth these Comots Croesfain Tref y Wayn in English Chirke and in Denbigh-shire Croesoswallt in English Oswestrey and in Shrop-shire Cantref Rhaiyder with his Comots Mochnant Israiyder Cynlhaeth and Nanheudwy all in Chirke-Land and in Denbigh-shire Also the Lordship of Whytington now in Shrop-shire was in this part of Powys which part at this day hath lost the Name of Powys and is situated in divers Shires as it appeareth by the Discourse before passed In this part is the Castle of Holt in Bromfield and the Castle of Chirke in Chirke-Land Likewise the Lordship and Castle of Whytington which came by marriage to Foulk Fitzwarren There is beside these the Lordship of Oswestry of the which the Fitzalans have been Lords these 300 and odd years and of divers other Lordships in those Marches as Shrarden the eleven Towns Clun and many others which are all now in Shrop-shire The second part called Powys Wenwynwyn had likewise five Cantreds and twelve Comots Cantref Y Fyrnwy had these Comots Mochnant â—wch Rayader Mechain Iscoed and Lbannerch Hudol Cantref Ystlyc had these Deuthwr Gorthwr Isaf and Ystrat Marchelh Cantref Lhyswynaf had these Caerneon and Mechain Vwchcoed Cantref Cydewen had Comot Conan and Comot Hauren Cantref Conan had Cyfeilioc and Mouthwy which is now in Merionyth-shire Of all these the three first Cantreds do only at this day bear the Name of Powys which are upon the North-side of Severn and are all five saving the Comot of Mowthwy in Mongomery-shire This is a Country full of Woods Hills and Rivers and hath in it these Towns the Poole New-Town and Machynlhaeth Arustly was in old time in this part but afterwards it came to the Princes of Gwynedh These Lordships came by just descent from the Princes thereof to a Woman named Hawys the Daughter of Owen ap Gruffydh Arustly and Cyfeilioc came to the Baron of Dudley and afterwards it was sold to the King The third part belonging to Mathrafal was the Land between Wy and Severn containing four Cantreds and thirteen Comots Cantref Melienyth hath these Comots Ceri Swydhygre Rhiwalalht and Glyn Ieithon Cantref Elfel hath these Vwchmynydh Ismynydh and Lhechdhyfnog Cantref y Clawdh these Dyffryn Teyfediat Swydhynogen and Pennwelht Cantref Buelht hath these Swydh y Fam Dreulys and Isyrwon Of this part there is at this day some in Montgomery-shire some in Radnor-shire and some in Brecknock-shire In this part and in the Lordships marching to it which altho' at the time of this division which was in the time of the last Prince were not in his subjection yet to this day speak Welch and are called Wales and in these Comots are these Towns and Castles Montgomery called in Welch Trefaldwyn a pretty Town and a fair Castle The Castle of Clun called Colunwy which is the Earls of Arundel The Town of Knighton in Welch Trefyclawd The Castle of Cymaron Presteyn in Welch Lhanandras The Town and Castle of Radnor in Welch Maesyfed at this day the Shire Town The Town of Kington and the Castle of Huntingdon called in Welch Y Castelh Mayn which were the Bohuns Earls of Hereford and after the Dukes of Buckingham Castle Payne Haye Lhanfair in Buelht These Lordships with Brecknock and Abergefenny were belonging to the Bruces Lords of Brecknock and after came divers times and by sundry means to the Bohuns Nevils and Mortimers And so as I have rehearsed in this Territory or Kingdom were found fourteen Cantreds and forty Comots Two of these parts which are Powys and Gwynedh are at this day called North-Wales and divided into six Shiâ—es Mòn called Anglesey Caernarvon Merionyth Denbigh Flint and
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
of him what he was willing to pay for his Liberty Iorwerth being now almost ready to sink under a fatigue of so long Imprisonment was glad to give any thing he was able to obtain that which he had so long in vain hoped for and therefore he promised either 300 l. in specie or to the value of it in Cattel and Horses for the payment of which Iorwerth and Ithel the Sons of his Brother Ryryd were deliver'd for Pledges Then the King released him out of Prison and restored him all his Lands which were taken from him and of the due for his Liberty the King bestowed 10 l. upon Henry Cadwgan's Son by the Daughter of Pygot de Say the Norman Owen and Madawc all this while committed all the wast and destruction possible and cruelly annoyed both the English and Normans and always withdrew and retired to Iorwerth's Estate which so troubled him by reason of the King 's strict Orders not to permit Owen to come to his or Cadwgan's Territories that at length he sent to them this positive and peremptory Rebuke Since it hath pleased God to place us in the midst of our Enemies and to deliver us into their hands and hath so far weakened us as that we are not able to do any thing by our own strength and your Father Cadwgan and my self are particularly commanded under Penalty of forfeiting our Lands and Estates not to afford you any Succour or Refuge during these your rebellious Practices therefore as a Friend I intreat you command you as a Lord and desire you as a Kinsman that you come no more to mine or your Father Cadwgan's Territories Owen and Madawc receiving such a presumptuous Message were the more enraged and in the way of a malignant retribution did more frequently than heretofore shelter themselves in Iorwerth's Country in so much that at last since that they would neither by Threats nor Intreaties desist from their wonted Courses he was forced to gather his Power and to drive them out by force of Arms. Being chased out hence they made In-roads into Vchtryd's Country in Merionythshire but Vchtryd's Sons being then in Cyveilioc hearing of it they sent to the People of the Country with positive Orders to oppose and resist any offer they would make to enter the Countrey The People tho wanting a skilful Commander were resolv'd to do as much as lay in their power and so meeting with them by the way they set upon them so furiously that Owen and Madawc tho after a brave Defence were forced to bear back and to take the heels Owen to Cardigan to his Father Cadwgan and Madawc to Powys Yet all this Misfortune could not suppress the restless Spirit of Owen for as soon as he could rally together his scatter'd Troops he made divers In-roads into Dyfed and carrying away several Persons to the Ships that they came in from Ireland he first ransom'd them and then listing them under his own Command made such addition to his Army that he ventur'd to set upon a Town in Dyfed belonging to the Flemings and having rased it to the ground he returned to Cardigan having no regard to what Inconveniency might befall his Father from the King of England upon this account which a little afterwards unhappily fell out For it happen'd that some of Owen's Men having had intelligence that a certain Bishop called William de Brabant was upon his Journey through that Country to the Court of England laid wait for his coming who without any apprehension of Treachery passing through the Country was unexpectedly slain he and all his Retinue Iorwerth and Cadwgan were then at Court to speak with King Henry concerning certain Business of their own but whilst they discoursed the King in comes a Fleming that was a Brother to the deceased Bishop and with a very loud Exclamation complained how that Owen Cadwgan's Son had slain his Brother and the rest of his Company and that he was succour'd and entertained in Cadwgan's Country King Henry hearing this was wrathfully displeased at such cruel Barbarity that a Person of that Quality and Profession should be so treacherously murther'd and therefore he asked Cadwgan what he could say to the matter who answered that what had so unhappily fell out was done without the least of his knowledg or approbation and therefore desired his Majesty to impute all the Blame and Guilt of that unfortunate Action to his Son Owen But King Henry was so far from being satisfied with this Reply that he told Cadwgan in a violent passion That since he could not keep his Son so but that he was aided and continually entertained in his Country he would bestow it upon another Person who was better able and more willing to keep him out and would allow him a Maintenance upon his own proper Charges upon these Conditions That he should not enter into Wales any more without his farther Orders and so granting him Twenty Days for the ordering his Affairs he gave him liberty to retire to any part of his Dominions excepting Wales When Owen and Madawc were informed how Cadwgan was treated by the King of England and that Cardigan which was their chiefest place of refuge was to be given to another Person they thought that their Condition by this time was desperate and that they had not better stay any longer in Britain and therefore with all speed they took shipping for Ireland where they were sure to be honourably entertained by King Murkart Then King Henry sent for Gilbert Strongbow Earl of Strygill a Person of noted Worth and Valour and one who had often sued to the King for to grant him some Lands in Wales and bestowed upon him all the Lands and Inheritance of Cadwgan ap Blethyn in case he could conquer and bring the Country under Gilbert very thankfully accepted of the Proposal and having drawn together all the Forces he was able to raise he passed to Wales and being come to Cardigan without the least Trouble or Opposition he reduced the whole Country to his Subjection The first thing he did was the best he could to secure himself in this new-purchased Inheritance in order to which he erected two Castles one upon the Frontiers of North-Wales upon the Mouth of the River Ystwyth a Mile distant from Lhanbadarn the other towards Dyfed upon the River Teifi at a place called Dyngerant where as some think Roger Montgomery had sometime before laid the Foundation of Cilgarran Castle Owen and Madawc were all this while in Ireland but this latter being at length tired with the Country and not willing to endure the Manners and Customs of the Irish came over for Wales and passed to the Country of his Uncle Iorwerth Iorwerth being acquainted with his arrival was fearful to suffer the same Fate with his Brother Cadwgan by winking at his being there and therefore without any regard to Relation or Consanguinity he presently issued out a Proclamation forbidding any of his Subjects under a
great Penalty to receive him but that they should account him an open Enemy to their Country and endeavour all they could to secure him and to bring him Prisoner before him When Madawc understood this how that his Person was in continual danger whilâ—t he remained there having drawn to him all the Out-laws and Villains in the Country he kept in the Rocks and Mountains devising all the ways and means he could to be revenged upon Iorwerth and so made a private League and Agreement with Lhywarch ap Trahaern who for a long time had been a mortal Enemy of Iorwerths These two Associates having intelligence that Iorwerth lay one night at Caereineon gathered all their strength and came and encompassed the House at Midnight which when Iorwerth's Servants perceived they arose and defended the House with all the Might they could but the Assailants at last putting the House on fire they were glad as many as could to escape through the Flames the greatest part being forced to yield either to the Enemies Sword or the more conquering Fire Iorwerth seeing no remedy but that he must undergo the same Fate as his Men had done chose rather to dye in the presence of his Enemies with his Sword in his Hand than to commit his Life to the cowardly Flames and therefore rushing out with great Violence he was received upon the points of the Enemies Spears and so being tossed into the Fire he miserably perished by a double death As soon as King Henry heard of his Death he sent for Cadwgan to him and gave him all his Brother's Estate being Powys-land and promising his Son Owen his Pardon upon condition he would demean himself quietly and loyally hereafter willed him to send for him back from Ireland King Henry also about this time married his natural Son Robert to Mabil Daughter and sole Heir to Robert Fiz-hamon Lord of Glamorgan in whose Right this Robert became Lord of Glamorgan being before by the King created E. of Glocester by whom the Castle of Cardaf was built But Madawc finding the matter nothing mended and that his other Uncle Cadwgan who lay under the same Obligation to the King of England ruled the Country hid himself in the most private and inaccessible places watching only an opportunity to commit the like Fact upon Cadwgan and to murder him by one treacherous way or another And this he effected in a little time for Cadwgan having reduced the Country to some sort of Settlement and Quietness and restored the Courts of Judicature where he sate in person to administer Justice came with the rest of the Elders of the Country to Trallwng now Pool and having begun to build a Castle he thought to make that the constant Seat of his Habitation Madawc understanding his Design laid in ambush for him in his way to Trallwng and as Cadwgan unconcernedly passed by without the least suscicion of Treachery he suddenly set upon him and slew him without allowing him any time either to fight or escape Then he sent presently a message to Shrewsbury to the Bishop of London the King's Lieutenant in the Marches to put him in mind of his former Promises to him when he chased Owen out of the Country because that the Bishop bearing an inveterate Enmity to Cadwgan and his Son Owen granted Madawc such Lands as his Brother Ithel was possessed of But Meredith ap Blethyn being informed of the death of both his Brothers went in all hast to the King desiring of him the Lands of Iorwerth in Powys which he had lately granted to Cadwgan which the King granted him till such time as Owen should return from Ireland Owen did not stay long before he came over and then going to King Henry he was honourably received and had all his Fathers Estate restored to him whereupon in gratitude of this signal Favour he voluntarily promised to pay the King a considerable Fine for the due payment of which he gave very responsible Pledges Madawc finding himself alone to be left in the lurch and that he had no seeming Power to bear Head against the King thought it also his wisest way to make what Reconciliation he could and therefore he offered the King a very great Fine if he should peaceably enjoy his former Estate promising withal never to molest or disturb any one that was subject to the Crown of England King Henry willing to bring all matters to a settled condition readily granted his Request and conferred upon him all he could reasonably ask for only with this Proviso that upon his peril he should provide for the Relations of them whom he had so basely murthered A.D. 1109 And thus all matters being brought to a peaceable conclusion in Wales the next Year Robert de Belesmo who had been one of the chief Instruments of these Welch Disturbances in that great Rebellion which himself with Roger de Montgomery Earl of Salop and his Brother Arnulph Earl of Pembroke had raised against the King was taken Prisoner by King Henry in Normandy and committed to perpetual Imprisonment in Warham-Castle The Year following Meredith A.D. 1110 ap Blethyn detached a considerable Party of his Men to make Incursions into the Country of Lhywarch ap Trahaern ap Gwyn who was an inveterate Enemy of himself and Owen by reason that by his Aid and Instigation Madawc was encouraged to kill his Uncles Iorwerth and Cadwgan These Men as they passed through Madawc's Country met a Person in the night-time who belonged to Madawc who being asked where his Master was after some pretence of ignorance at last through fear confessed that he was not far from that place Therefore lying quietly there all Night by break of day they arose to look out their Game and unexpectedly surpizing Madawc they flew a great number of his Men and took himself Prisoner and so carrying him to their Lord they deliver'd him up as the greatest Honour of their Expedition Meredith was not a little proud of his Prisoner and therefore to ingratiate himself the more with his Nephew Owen he committed him to safe Custody till he was sent for who coming thither streight Meredith delivered Madawc up to him Owen though he had the greatest reason for the most cruel Revenge by reason that both his Father and Uncle were basely murthered by this Madawc would not put him to death remembring the intimate Friendship and Oaths that had passed betwixt them but however to secure him from any future Mischief he might practise he pulled out his Eyes and then set him at liberty But least he should be capable of any Revenge by reason of his Estate and Strength in the Country Meredith and Owen thought fit to divide his Lands betwixt them which were Caernarvon Aberhiw with the third part of Deuthwfyr These home-bread Disturbances being pretty well abated a greater storm arose from abroad for the A.D. 1111 next Year King Henry prepared a mighty Army to enter into Wales being provoked thereto by the request
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
interdicted and forbidden to enter any Man's House or to compose any Song of any one without the special leave and warrant of the Party concerned with many other Ordinances relating to the like purpose Owen Gwynedh AFter the death of Gruffydh ap Conan his eldest Son Owen surnamed Gwynedh succeeded in the Principality of North Wales who no sooner had entered upon the Government but together with the rest of his Brethren he made an Expedition into South-Wales and having demolished and overthrown the Castles of Stradmeyric Stephan and Humffreys and laid in Ashes the Town of Caermardhyn he returned home with no less Honor than Booty and Plunder About the same time John Arch-Deacon of Lhanbaran departed this Life a Man of singular Piety and strictness of Life who for his rigid Zeal in Religion and Virtue was thought worthy to be canonized and to be counted among the number of the Saints This Year likewise King Stephen passed over to Normandy and having concluded a Peace with the French King and the Duke of Anjou returned back to England without any further delay But the following Spring gave opportunity for greater Undertakings David King of Scots upon the King of England's going to France last Summer had entered the Borders of England and continued to make considerable Wast and Havock in that part of the Country Whereupon King Stephen to rid his Country and his Subjects from so dangerous an Enemy marched with an Army towards the North whose coming the King of Scots hearing of he relinquished the Borders of England and retired to his own Country But that would not satisfie King Stephen who desired to be further revenged for the unpardonable Hostilities committed by the Scots in his Country and therefore pursuing the Scots to their own Country he harassed and laid wast all the South part of the Kingdom of Scotland But the King's absence animated several of the English Nobility to rebel to which purpose they fortified every one their Castles and strong Holds William Earl of Glocester those of Leeds and Bristol Ralph Lunel Cari William Fitz-Allen Shrewsbury Paganellus Ludlow William de Moyun Dunester Robert de Nichol Warham Eustace Fitz-John Merton and Walklyn Dover But for all these mighty Preparations the King in a short time became Master of them all some he won by assault others upon fair Promises and advantageous Conditions were surrendred up and some he got by treacherous and under-hand Contrivances The Scots thought to make good advantage of these Commotions in England and thereupon as soon as they heard that some of the English Nobility were in actual Rebellion against the King they entered into the Borders and began as they thought without any apprehension of Opposition to ravage and lay waste the Country before ' em But William Earl of Albemarle William Pyppell Earl of Nottingham Walter Espec and Gilbert Lacy gathered together all the Forces they could raise in the North and being animated and encouraged by the eloquent and pressing Oration of Ralph Bishop of Orkneys which he delivered in the audience of the whole Army they set upon the Scots at Almerton with such unanimous Courage that after a very great slaughter of his Men King David was glad to escape with his Life by flight After this King Stephen seized to his own use the Castles of Ludlow and Leeds and pressed the Bishops of Salisbury and Lincoln so hard that to prevent their perishing by Famine they were constrained to surrender the former the Castles of Vises and Shirburn the latter those of Newark upon Trent and Sleeford This did not a little augment the King's strength against the ensuing Storm for in the Summer this Year Maud the Empress Daughter and Heir to King Henry to whom King Stephen with all the Nobility of England had sworn Allegiance landed at Arundel with her Brother Robert Earl of Glocester and was there honourably received by William de Albineto who was lately married to Queen Adeliz King Henry's Widow with whom he received the Earldom of Arundel in Dowry But as soon as King Stephen heard of her landing he marched with all possible speed to Arundel and laid siege to the Castle but finding it upon tryal impregnable he raised the siege and by that means suffered the Empress and her Brother to escape to Bristol A.D. 1138 The next Year an unlucky Accident fell out in Wales Cynric one of Prince Owen's Sons having by some means or other disgusted Madawc ap Meredith ap Blethyn ap Confyn a Person of considerable Esteem and Estate in the Country was with his connivance set upon and slain by his Men. But the Affairs of England this Year afforded greater rarity of action King Stephen with a formidable Army laid siege to the City of Lincoln to the relief of which Ranulph Earl of Chester and Robert Earl of Glocester marched with their Forces But before they could arrive the Town was taken whereupon they drew up their Forces in order to give the King battel who on the other side was as ready to receive them King Stephen drew up his Forces in three Battels the first being led by the Earls of Britain Mellent Norfolk Hampton and Warren the second by the Earl of Albemarle and William of Ypres and the third by the King himself assisted by Baldwyn Fitz-Gilbert with several others of his Nobility Of the Enemies side the disinherited Barons had the first place the Earl of Chester with a considerable Party of Welchmen far better couraged than armed led the second and the Earl of Glocester the third Battel After a hot and bloody Dispute of both sides the Victory at length favoured the Barons King Stephen being first taken Prisoner and a little after the Queen together with William of Ypres and Bryan Fitz-Count But within a while after William Martell and Geffrey de Mandeville gathered together some fresh Forces and fought the Empress and her Brother at Winchester and having put the Empress to flight took Earl Robert Prisoner for exchange of whom the King was set at liberty The next Year King Stephen would A.D. 1139 try the other Adventure and received a second Overthrow at Wilton which however did not so much discourage him but that he laid so close a siege to the Empress at Oxford that she was glad to make her escape to Wallingford The same Year dyed Madawc ap Ednerth a Person of great Quality and Note in Wales and Meredith ap Howel a Man of no mean Esteem was slain by the Sons of Blethyn ap Gwyn For the two succeeding Years nothing remarkable A.D. 1140 passed in Wales excepting that this Year Howel ap Meredith ap Rhytherch of Cantref Rychan and Rhys ap Howel were cowardly slain by the Treachery and perfidious Practices of the Flemings and the next A.D. 1141 Year Howel ap Meredith ap Blethyn was basely murthered by his own Men at which time Howel and Cadwgan the Sons of Madawc ap Ednerth upon some unhappy Quarrel did kill
known deprived of his Estate and banished the Country Also Madoc ap Meredith Prince of Powis who maligned the Liberty and Priviledge of the Princes of North-Wales who owned subjection to no other than the King of England whereas those of Powis were obliged to do homage to the Prince of North-Wales did joyntly consent to this Invitation The King of England accepting of their Proposals led his Army to West-Chester and encamped upon the Marsh called Saltney in Welch Morfa-Caer-Lleon Prince Owen all this while was not ignorant of this intended Invasion and therefore having made all possible Preparations to confront the Enemy he marched his Army to the Frontiers of England and encamping at Basingwerk resolved to give the English Battel King Henry understanding of the Prince's Resolution detached some of the chiefest Troops out of the Main-body under the command of several Earls and other Lords and sent them towards the Prince's Camp But after they had advanced some little way and were passing thro' a Wood called Coed-Eulo David and Conan Prince Owen's Sons unexpectedly set upon them and what by the advantage of the Ground and the suddeness of the Action the English were born down with a great Slaughter and those who survived narrowly escaped to the King's Camp This was a very unwelcome beginning to King Henry but however in order to prosper better hereafter he thought it advisable to decamp from Saltney and to rank his Troops along the Sea-Coast thinking thereby to get betwixt Prince Owen and his Country which if he could effect he was sure to reduce the Welch to a very great inconveniency But the Prince foreseeing the Danger of this retired with his Army to a place called Cîl Owen that is Owen's Retreat which when King Henry perceived he let fall his Design Lib. 2. Cap. 5. and came to Ruthlan W. Parnus writes that in this Expedition against the Welch King Henry was in great danger of his Life in passing thro' a strait at Counsylth near Flint where Henry Earl of Essex who by inheritance enjoyed the Office of bearing the Standard of England being over-charged by the Enemy cast down the same and fled This accident so incouraged the Welch that they bore on so violently that the King himself narrowly escaped having of his Party Eustace Fitz-John and Rob. Curcie two valiant Knights together with several others of his Nobility and Gentry slain in the Action After this Prince Owen decamped from Cîl Owen and intrenched himself upon Bryn y Pin where little of moment passed betwixt the two Armies only some slight Skirmishes happened frequently King Henry in the mean time fortified the Castle of Ruthlan and during his stay there Madoc ap Meredith Prince of Powis sailed with the English Fleet to Anglesey and having put some Men on shoar they burnt two Churches and ravaged part of the Country about But they paid very dear for it for all the Strength of the Island being met together they set upon them in their return to their Ships and cut them off in such a manner that not one remained to bring Tidings to the Fleet of what had befel them But they on Board quickly perceived what had happened and therefore thought it not very safe harbouring upon that Coast but judging it more advisable to weigh Anchor they presently set Sail for Chester when they were arrived thither they found that a Peace was actually concluded betwixt King Henry and Prince Owen upon these Articles That Cadwalader should have all his Lands restored to him and he received to the Favour and Friendship of his Brother Then King Henry leaving the Castles of Ruthlan and Basingwerk well manned and fortified and having near the latter founded a Publick Structure for the Order of Knights Templars returned to England But the troubles of Wales did not end with him for Iorwerdh Goch ap Meredith who had taken part with the King of England during this War laid Siege to the Castle of Yale which was built by Prince Owen and making himself Master of it rased it to the ground The next Year commenced with a very unfortunate A.D. 1157 Action Ifor ap Meyric having long before cast a very wishful Eye upon the Land and Estate of Morgan ab Owen was now resolved to put in execution what he had before contrived and as Covetousness seldom bears any regard to Vertue or Honor he treacherously set upon him and slew him and with him fell Gurgan ap Rhys the most Famous British Poet of his time Morgan's Estate Ifor bestowed upon his Brother Iorwerth who about the same time got also possession of the Town of Caer-Lheon But these inward and home-bread Disturbances were quickly mitigated by a general Peace which was presently after this concluded betwixt the King of England and all the Princes and Lords of Wales Rhys ab Gruffydh ap Rhys Prince of South-Wales only excepted For this Prince Rhys who probably would not rely too far upon the King of England's Fidelity refused to consent to a Peace but however to secure himself the best he could from the English whom he had no small reason to be afraid of he thought it his best Prudence to issue out his Orders commanding his Subjects to remove their Cattel and other Effects to the Wilderness of Tywy where they were like to remain securest from the Eyes and reach of the Enemies But he had not continued there long when he received a more positive Express from King Henry commanding him to appear forthwith at his Court and to accept of the Proposals of Peace before the joynt Forces of England and Wales were sent to fetch him up Prince Rhys having received such a threatning Message thought it now high time to repent of what he had afore so rashly resolved upon and therefore after long Consultation he judged it his wisest way to accept of the King's Proposals and to appear at Court There it was agreed upon that Rhys whose Lands heretofore lay scattered about and were intermixed with other Person 's Estate should enjoy Cantref Mawr and any other Cantref which the King should be pleased to bestow upon him But contrary to this Article the King assigned him several Lordships and other Lands far remote from each other and particularly intermixed them with the Estates of English-men whom he was sure would be a watch and a curb to all the motions of Prince Rhys This was indeed a very politick Contrivance or King Henry to keep under the high and restless Spirit of Rhys but the Justice of the Action does not so evidently appear in breaking one of the chiefest Articles of the Peace and chopping and bestowing that which was not justly in his Power to give But 't is manifestly apparent that the English of these times were mainly concerned right or wrong to oppress and keep under the Welch of whose mortal hatred to subjection they had so frequently and so cruelly felt Prince Rhys was not at all ignorant of these
wrongful and deceitful Dealings of King Henry but knowing himself to be unable to redress these Grievances he thought it more advisible for a time to live quietly with a little than rashly to hazard all But in a short time he had opportunity either to demand redress from the King or else to endeavour it himself by Force of Arms. For as soon as Roger Earl of Clare was informed of the distribution which the King of England had granted to Prince Rhys he came to King Henry requesting of his Majesty that he would grant him such Lands in Wales as he could win by force of Arm◠The King readily complied with his Request being always very forward to grant any thing which seemed to curb and discommode the Welch and therefore the Earl of Clare marched with a great Army into Cardigan and having fortified the Castles of Ystrat-Meyric Humphrey Dyfi Dynerth and Lhanrhystyd he made several Incursions into the Country In the same manner Walter Clyfford who was Governour of Lhanymdhyfri Castle made in-roads into the Territories of Prince Rhys and after he had slain several of the Welch and made great waste in the Country returned with considerable Booty Prince Rhys as he was unable to bear these outrages so he was resolved either to have immediate redress or else to proclaim open War against the English and therefore he sent an Express to King Henry complaining of the Hostilities which his Subjects the Earl of Clare and Walter Clifford had committed in in his Country But finding the King to put him still off with only smooth Words and fair Promises and that he always winked at the Faults of the English and Normans without any farther Consultation about the Matter he laid Siege to the Castle of Lhanymdhyfri and in short time made himself Matter of it Also Eineon the Son of Anarawd Rhy's Brother's Son and a Person of great Valor being desirous to free his Country from that miserable servitude they now groaned under and judging withal that his Uncle was now discharged from the Oath he had lately sworn to the King of England sat before the Castle of Humphrey and having forcibly made his entrance into it he put all the Garrison to the Sword where he found a great number of Horses and Armour enough to arm a considerable Body of Men And whilst Eineon was thus engaged at Humphrey's Castle Prince Rhys perceiving that he could not enjoy any part of his Inheritance but what he afterwards got by the Sword drew all his Power together and entred Cardigan where like a most violent Torrent he over-run the Country that he left not one Castle standing of those which his Enemies had fortified and so brought all the Country to his subjection King Henry being sore offended at the progress which Prince Rhys so suddenly made against him returned with a great Army into South-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
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
by their Valour than by their Birth and Parentage He had by Gwladus the Daughter of Lhywarch ap Trahaern ap Caradoc Iorwerth Drwyndwn or the broken Nose Conan Maelgon and Gwenlhian by Christian the Daughter of Grono ap Owen ap Edwyn he had David Roderic Cadwalhon Abbot of Bardsey and Angharad afterwards married to Gruffydh Maylor He had by other Women several other Children as Conan Lhewelyn Meredith Edwal Rhun Howel Cadelh Madawc Eineon Cynwric Philip and Ryrid Lord of Clochran in Ireland Of these Run Lhewelyn and Cynwric died before their Father and the rest will be mentioned in the Sequel of this History David ap Owen PRince Owen Gwynedh being dead the Succession was of right to descend to his eldest legitimate Son Iorwerth Drwyndwn otherwise called Edward with the broken Nose but by reason of that Blemish upon his Face he was laid aside as unfit to take upon him the Government of North-Wales Therefore his younger Brothers began every one to aspire in hopes of succeeding their Father but A.D. 1170 Howel who was of all the eldest but base born begotten of an Irish Woman finding they could not agree stept in himself and took upon him the Government But David who was legitimately born could not brook that a Bastard should ascend his Fathers Throne and therefore he made all the Preparations possible to pull him down Howel on the other hand was as resolute to maintain his ground and was not willing so quickly to deliver up what he had not very long got possession of and so both Brothers meeting together in the Field were resolved to try their Title by the point of the Sword The Battel had not lasted long but Howel was slain and then David was unanimously proclaimed and saluted Prince of North-Wales which Principality he enjoyed without any Molestation till Lhewelyn Iorwerth Druryndwn's Son came of age as will hereafter appear But Madawc another of Owen Gwynedh's Sons finding how his Brothers contended for the Principality and that his native Country was like to be turmoil'd in a Civil War did think it his better Prudence to try his Fortune abroad and therefore leaving North-Wales in a very unsettled condition sailed with a small Fleet of Ships which he had rigg'd and man'd for that purpose to the Westward and leaving Ireland upon the North he came at length to an unknown Country where most things appeared to him new and uncustomary and the manner of the Natives far different from what he had seen in Europe This Country says the learned H. Lhoyd must of necessity be some part of that vast tract of ground of which the Spaniards since Hanno's time boast themselves to be the first Discoverers and which by order of Cosmography seems to be some part of Nova Hispania or Florida whereby it is manifest that this Country was discovered by the Britains long before either Columbus or Americus Vesputius sailed thither But concerning Madawc's Voyage to this Country and afterwards his return from thence there be many fabulous Stories and idle Tales invented by the Vulgar who are sure never to diminish from what they hear but will add to and increase any Fable as far as their Invention will prompt them However says the same Author it is certain that Madawc arrived in this Country and after he had viewed the Fertility and Pleasantness of it he thought it expedient to invite more of his Countrymen out of Britain and therefore leaving most of those he had brought with him already behind he returned for Wales Being arrived there he began to acquaint his Friends with what a fair and extensive Land he had met with void of any Inhabitants whilst they employed all their Skill to supplant one another only for a ragged Portion of Rocks and Mountains and therefore he would persuade them to change their present state of Danger and continual Clashings for a more quiet Being of Ease and Enjoyment And so having got a considerable Number of Welch together he bid his final adieu to his Native Country and sailed with Ten Ships back to them he had left behind It is therefore to be supposed says our Authour that Madawc and his People inhabited part of that Country since called Florida by reason that it appears from Francis Loves an Author of no small Reputation that in Acusanus and other places the People honoured and worshipped the Cross whence it may be naturally concluded that Christians had been there before the coming of the Spaniards and who these Christians might be unless it were this Colony of Madawcs cannot be easily imagined But by reason that the Welch who came over were not many they intermixt in a few Years with the Natives of the Country and so following their Manners and using their Language they became at length undistinguishable from the Barbarians But the Country which Madawc landed in is by the learned Dr. Powel supposed to be part Mexico for which Conjecture he lays down these following Reasons First as it is recorded in the Spanish Chronicles of the Conquest of the West-Indies the Inhabitants and Natives of that Country affirm by Tradition that their Rulers descended from a strange Nation which came thither from a strange Country as it was confessed by King Montezeuma in a Speech at his Submission to the King of Castile before Hernando Cortez the Spanish General And then the British Words and Names of Places used in that Country even at this day do undoubtedly argue the same as when they speak and confabulate together they use this British Word Gwrando which signifies to hearken or listen and a certain Bird with a white Head they call Fengwyn which signifies the same in Welch But for a more complete confirmation of this the Island of Corroeso the Cape of Bryton the River of Gwyndor and the white Rock of Pengwyn which are all British Words do manifestly shew that it was that Country which Madawe and his People inhabited As soon as the Troubles of North-Wales were over and Prince David securely settled in his Throne A.D. 1171 the Storm fell presently upon Powys For Owen Cyfeilioc the Lord of that Country had always as much as in him lay opposed the Interest and Advantage of Rhys Prince of South Wales upon which account Prince Rhys came with a great Army against Powys and having subdued Owen Cyfeilioc his Enemy he was for all that so favourable to him that upon his delivering him Pledges for his future Behaviour he presently departed out of Powys and returned with much Honour to South Wales And now all the States of Britain being at perfect Rest and Amity with one another the whole Tide and Scene of Action returned to Ireland for Henry King of England having called together all his Nobility began to consult about the Irish Expedition which had already been determined to be taken in hand To this Consultation there came some Messengers from Richard Strongbow Earl of Strigule Marshal of England to deliver up to 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
inveterate Enmity to the Welch and upon whose account King Henry had chiefly brought his Army into Wales He was succeeded both in his Title and Estate by his Brother Richard who was much more favourably enclined towards the Welch and never attempted any thing against them But the King of England was resolved to retrieve the Honour he had lost in the late Expedition against the Welch and therefore being returned from France whither he had made a Descent to recover what his Father had lost in that Kingdom he came to Wales and having remained some time in the Marches he returned again to England leaving his Army under the command of Hubert Burgh Earl of Kent to defend the Marches against any in-road which the Welch might attempt And he had not remained there long when he received Intelligence that a Party of Welch had entered the Marches near Montgomery whom he forthwith pursued and setting upon them surprizedly he put a great number of them to the Sword Prince Lhewylyn hearing this came in Person with a great Army to the Marches and fitting before Montgomery Castle he forced Hubert to withdraw and then making himself Master of the place he burnt it to the ground and put the Garrison to the Sword the like Fate attended the Castles of Radnor Aberhondhy Rhayadr Gwy Caerlheon Neth and Cydwely though Caerlheon held out very stubbornly and the Prince had several of his Men destroyed before the Place King Henry being informed of what miserable Desolation the Prince of Wales so successfully committed upon his Subjects in these Countries had him presently excommunicated and then coming to Hereford with a mighty Army he detached the greatest part of it with a great number of his Nobility to Wales These by the direction of a Fryar of Cymer unexpectedly as they thought fell upon a Party of Welch who at the first Encounter seemed to fly till they had allured the English to pursue them to a place where a greater Party of Welch lay in ambuscade who rushing of a sudden upon the English put them in such a confusion that the greatest part of them was cut off The King being sensible that this was a treacherous Insinuation of the Friar was resolved to be revenged by burning the Abby of Cymer but the Prior for Three Hundred Marks prevented it and so the King returned to England having effected nothing in this Expedition besides the building of Mawd Castle In the mean time Maelgon Son of Maelgon ap Rhys laid siege to Aberteifi and having by force got entry into the Town he put all the Inhabitants to the Sword then destroyed all before him to the Castle Gates which were so strongly fortified that it seemed almost impracticable to take it in any short time But Maelgon being joyned by his Cosin Owen Gruffydh ap Rhys's Son was resolved to try the utmost that could be effected and therefore taking with him some of Prince Lhewelyn's most experienced Officers â—e brake down the Bridg upon the River Teifi and â—hen investing the Castle more closely he so batter'd â—nd undermin'd it that he became in a little time Master of it The Year following Prince Lhewelyn made a Deâ—cent A.D. 1232 upon England and having committed very considerable Waste and Destruction upon the Borders he â—eturned to North-Wales with a rich Booty both of Men and Cattel King Henry to correct the Welch for these grievous Devastations and to prevent their further Incursions into England demanded a very great Subsidy of his Subjects to carry on the War against the Welch which being granted him he made all possible Preparations for his Expedition to Wales In the mean time Randulph Earl of Chester dyed and was succeeded in that Honour by John his Sisters Son who was afterwards married to Prince Lhewelyn's Daughter But the English in Wales being in expectation of King Henry's coming thither began to repair and fortifie their Castles and particularly Richard Earl of Cornwal rebuilt Radnor Castle A.D. 1233 which the Prince had lately destroyed Prince Lhewelyn was sufficiently sensible that the King of England intended an Invasion and therefore to be before-hand with him he came with an Army to Brecknock destroyed all the Towns and Castles throughout the Country excepting Brecknock Castle which held out so manfully that after a Months sitting before it he was at last constrained to raise the Siege In his return to North-Wales he burnt the Town of Clûn recoverâ—â— all that Country called Dyffryn Tefeidiat in the possession of John Fitz-Alan destroyed Red Castle in Powys and burnt Oswestry But what happened very fortunately to the Welch Richard Marshal Earl of Pembroke being faln at variance with King Henry took part with Prince Lhewelyn with whom joyned Hubert de Burgh who had lately made his escape out of the Castle of Devizes where the King upon some Articles of Information brought against him had committed him to Prison But the Earl of Pembrock attended by Owen ap Gruffydh ap Rhys came to S. Davids and being very glad of an opportunity to revenge himself upon the King slew every one thaâ— owned any Dependance upon the Crown of England Maelgon and Rhys Gryc with all the Forces of Prince Lhewelyn quickly joyned the Earl who in their march through the Country took the Castles of Caâ—dyff Abergevenny Pencelhy Blaenlhefyni and Bwlch y Ddinas which all excepting Cardyff they burnt to the ground The King receiving intelligence that the Earl of Pembrock had entered into a Confederacy with the Prince of Wales and that he was now iâ— open Hostility against his Subjects in that Country gathered a very formidable Army consisting besides English of Flemings Normans and Gascoigns and coming to Wales he encamped at Grosmont where the Earl with the Welch Army met him But when the English would have endeavoured to advance further into the Country the Welch opposed them and so a Battel ensued wherein the English lost Five Hundred Horse besides a far greater number of their Infantry The Welch having gained a considerable Victory in this Action the King was advised to withdraw his Forces for fear lest that the Welch should again set upon them and so sustain a greater Loss which Counsel the King willingly hearkened unto and so he returned for England The English being withdrawn the Earl likewise decamped and marched to Caermardhyn which he besieged but after Three Months in vain Assault the Garrison most bravely defending the place and the English Fleet having thrown in new Provisions he thought it most adviseable to raise the Siege Shortly after Rhys Gryc Son to Prince Rhys dyed at Lhandeilo Fawr and was honourably interr'd by his Father at S. Davids About the same time Maelgon Fychan Maelgon ap Rhys his Son finished Trefilan Castle which was begun in his Fathers time A.D. 1234 King Henry was not willing to hazard any more Campaigns in Wales and therefore he appointed John of Monmouth a great Soldier and General of the English Forces
to Gruffydh inviting the King of England to come to invade theiâ— Country and to correct the unnatural Enmity theiâ— Prince expressed to his Brother But when all Differences were over the King of England returned with his Army shamefully back and the Prince anâ— his Nobility reconciled the Welch might have expected a very happy time of it had not Death taken the Prince so unnaturally away before he had well known what a peaceful Reign was Lhewelyn ap Gruffydh â—Rince David being dead the Principality of 〈◊〉 North Wales legally descended to Sir Ralph Morâ—â—â—er in Right of his Wife Gladys Daughter to â—â—â—welyn ap Iorwerth But the Welch Nobility beâ—â—â— assembled together for the electing and nominaâ—â—â—g a Successour thought it by no means advisaâ—â—â— to admit a Stranger to the Crown though his â—â—de was never so lawful and especially an Engâ—â—â—â—man by whose Obligations to the Crown of Engâ—â—â—d they must of necessity expect to become Subâ—â—â—s or rather Slaves to the English Government â—herefore they unanimously agreed to set up Lheâ—â—â—yn and Owen Goch the Sons of Gruffydh a base 〈◊〉 of Lhewelyn ap Iorwerth and Brother to Prince â—â—vid who being sent for and appearing before the â—â—sembly all the Nobles and Barons then present 〈◊〉 them Homage and received them for their Soâ—â—â—eigns But as soon as the King of England unâ—â—rstood of the death of the Prince of Wales he â—â—ought the Country being in an unsettled and waâ—â—ring condition he might effect great matters there â—â—d therefore he sent one Nicholas de Miles to South-â—ales with the Title of Justice of that Country â—â—th whom he joyned in Commission Meredith ap â—â—ys Gryc and Meredith ap Owen ap Gruffydh 〈◊〉 eject and disinherit Maelgon Fychan of all his â—ands and Estate in South-Wales The like injurious â—ractices were committed against Howel ap Meredith â—ho was forcibly robb'd of all his Estate in Glamorâ—â—n by the Earl of Clare These unreasonable Exâ—â—tions being insupportable Maelgon and Howel made â—â—own their Grievances to the Princes of North-Wales â—esiring their Succour and Assistance for the recovery â—f their lawful Inheritance from the Incroachments of the English But the King of England undâ—â—standing their Design led his Army into Wales 〈◊〉 on whose arrival the Welch withdrew themselâ—â—â— to Snowden-Hills where they so tired the Englâ—â—â— Army that the King finding he could do no goâ—â— after some stay there returned back to England Wiâ—â— in a while after Ralph Mortimer the Husband Gladys Dhu dyed leaving his whole Estate and wâ—â— it a lawful Title to the Principality of North-Waâ—â—â— to his Son Sir Roger Mortimer A.D. 1247 The next Year nothing memorable passed betweâ—â— the English and the Welch M. Paris p. 739. only the dismal Effects the last Years Expedition were not worn off 〈◊〉 ground being uncapable of Cultivation and the Câ—â—â—tel being in great measure destroyed by the Englâ—â—â— occasioned great Poverty and Want in the Countâ—â— But the greatest Calamity befel the Bishops S. Asâ—â—â— and Bangor being destroyed and burnt by the Englisâ— the Bishops thereof were reduced to that utmost Eâ—tremity as to get their Subsistence by other Meâ—â— Charity the Bishop also of S. Davids deceased aâ—â— he of Landaff had the Misfortune to fall blind 〈◊〉 the Bishoprick of S. Davids succeeded Thomas sâ—â—â—â— named Wallensis by reason that he was born in Walâ—â— who thinking himself obliged to benefit his own Coâ—â—try what lay in his power desired to be advance from the Archdeaconry of Lincoln to that Sea whicâ— the King easily granted and confirmed him in 〈◊〉 A.D. 1248 The next Summer proved somewhat more favourablâ— to the Welch Rhys Fychan Son to Rhys Mechyl woâ— from the English the Castle of Carrec Cynnen which his unkind Mother out of Malice or some ill Opinion entertained of him had some time afore privately delivered up to them And about the saâ—â— time the Body of Gruffydh ap Lhewelyn base Son 〈◊〉 Lhewelyn ap Iorwerth was recovered from the King oâ— England by the earnest sollicitations of the Abboâ—â— of Conwey and Ystratflur who conveying it to Conwey bestowed upon it a very pompous and honourable Enterment After this the Affairs of the Welch proceeded A.D. 1255 â—â—aceably for a long while and the Country had sufâ—â—â—ient opportunity to recover its former plenty but 〈◊〉 last to make good the Proverb that Plenty begets â—â—ar they began for want of a foreign Enemy to â—â—arrel and fall out among themselves Owen was too â—â—gh and ambitious to be satisfied with half the Prinpality and therefore must needs have a fling at the â—hole wherein Fortune so far deceived him that he â—â—st his own Stake as will afterwards appear But â—â—e better to encompass his Design by sly Insinuaâ—â—ons he persuaded David his younger Brother to seâ—â—nd his Cause and they with joynt Interest levied â—â—eir Power with intention to dethrone their elder â—â—other Lhewelyn But that was no easie matter 〈◊〉 Lhewelyn was prepared to receive them and with puissant Army met them in the Field and so was â—â—â—olved to venture all upon the fortune of a Battel 〈◊〉 was strange and grievous to behold this unnatural â—ivil War and the more grievous now by reason â—â—at it so manifestly weakened the strength of the Welch to withstand the Incursions of the English â—ho were extremely pleased with so fair an opportuâ—â—ty to fall upon them But they were too far enâ—â—ged to consider of future Inconveniencies and a â—â—yal of War they must have though the English â—ere ready to fall upon both Armies The Battel â—eing joyned the day proved bloody of both sides â—nd whether was like to conquer was not presently discovered till at length Owen began to give â—round and in fine was overthrown himself and his â—rother David being taken Prisoners Lhewelyn â—â—ough he had sufficient reason would not put his â—rothers to death but committing them into close Prison seized all their Estates into his own hands â—nd so enjoyed the whole Principality of Wales The English seeing the Welch at this rate oppress â—nd destroy one another thought they had full liberty to deal with them as they pleased and thereâ—pon began to exercise all manner of Wrong and Inâ—ustice against them insomuch that the next Year all A.D. 1256 the Lords of Wales came in a body to Prince Lhewelyn and declared their Grievances how unmercifully Prince Edward whom his Father had sent to Wales and others of the Nobility of England deale with them how without any colour of Justice they seized upon their Estates without any room for Appeal whereas if themselves offended in the least they were punished to the utmost extremity In fine they solemnly declared that they preferred to dye honourably in the Field before to be so unmercifully enslaved to the Will and Pleasure of Strangers Prince Lhewelyn was not a Stranger to all this and now having happily discovered the Bent and Inclination of his Subjects was resolved to prosecute if possible the Expulsion of
time and so returned to England But Lord James Audley whose Daughter was married to Gruffydh Lord of Bromfield did more mischief and hurt to the Welch who having brought over a great Number of Horsemen from Germany to serve against the Welch so terrified them with the unusual largeness of the Horses and the unaccustomed manner of sighting that in the first Encounter the Welch were easily overcome Buâ— minding to revenge this Disgrace and withal being better acquainted with their method of Arms the Welch in a little after made in-roads into the Lord Audley's Lands where the Germans presently set upon them and pursued them to certain straits which the Welch discovered for a politick retreat The Germans thinking they had entirely drove the Welch away returned carelesly back but being set upon of the sudden without any thought of an Enemy behind they were all in a manner slain by the rallying Welch This year a very great scarcity of Beefs and Horses happened in England whereof several Thousands yearly were supplied out of Wales by reason of which the Marches were perfectly robbed of all their Breed and not so much as a Beast to be seen in all the Borders A.D. 1259 The next Spring all the Nobility of Wales convened together and took their mutual Oaths to defend their Country to Death against the oppressing Invasions of the English and not to relinquish and forsake one another upon pain of Perjury tho' notwithstanding Meredith ap Rhys of South-Wales violated this Agreement and put himself in the Service of the King of England King Henry was ready to fall upon the Welch to which purpose he summoned a Parliament wherein he proposed to raise a Subsidy towards the Conquest of Wales being not able of himself to bear the Expences of this War by reason of several Losses he had already received the Country of Pembroke being lately destroyed and taken by the Welch where they found plenty of Salt which before they were in great necessity of But William de Valentia accusing the Earls of Leicester and Glocester as the Authors of all this Mischief quite broke all their measures so the King was forced to prorogue the Parliament for a time without any grant of a Subsidy But within a while after it sat at Oxford where King Henry and Edward his Son took a Solemn Oath to observe the Laws and Statutes of the Realm and the same being tendred to Guy and William the King's Brothers and to Henry Son to the King of Almain and to Earl Warren they refused to take it and so departed In this Parliament the Lords of Wales fairly proffered to be tryed by the Laws for any Offence they had unjustly commirted against the King which was mainly opposed by Edward who caused one Patrick de Canton to whom the Lordship of Cydwely was given in case he could win and keep the same to be sent to Caermardhyn as Lieutenant for the King with whom Meredith ap Rhys was joyned in Commission Being arrived at Caermardhyn Patrick sent to the Prince to desire him to appoint Commissioners to treat with him concerning a Peace which he consented to and without any suspicion of treachery sent Meredith ap Owen and Rhys ap Rhys to Emlyn if possible to conclude the same But Patrick meaning no such thing laid an ambuscade for the Welch who coming honestly forward were by the way villanously set upon by the English and a great many slain but those that happily escaped calling up the Country presently gave chase to Patrick and his Accomplices who being at length overtaken were almost all put to the Sword But Prince Lhewelyn was now altogether bent upon a Peace and did not only desire it but was willing to purchase it for a summ of Money to which purpose he offered to give the King 4000 Marks to his Son 300 and 200 to the Queen which the King utterly refused replying That it was not a sufficient recompence for all the Damages he had suffered by the Welch Matthew of Westminster reporteth that about Michaelmas this year the Bishop of Bangor was commissioned by the Prince and Nobility of Wales to treat with the King of England about a Peace and to offer him 16000 Pound for the same upon these Conditions that according to their antient Custom the Welch should have all Causes tryed and determined at Chester and that they should freely enjoy the Laws and Customs of their own Country but what was the result of this Treaty my Author does not mention There being no hopes of a Peace Prince Lhewelyn A.D. 1260 early next year appeared in the Field and passed to South-Wales and first fell foul upon Sir Râ—ger Mortimer who contrary to his Oath maintained the King of England's Quarrel Having forcibly dispossessed him of all Buelht and without any opposition taken the Castle where was found a plentiful Magazine he marched thro' all South-Wales confirming his Conquest and afterwards returned to his Palace at Aber A.D. 1261 betwixt Bangor and Conwey The year following A.D. 1262 Owen ap Meredith Lord of Cydewen died But the next Summer was somewhat more noted for Action a party of Prince Lhewelyn's Men took by surprise the Castle of Melienyth belonging to Sir Roger Mortimer and having put the rest of the Garrison to the Sword they took Howel ap Meyric the Governour with his Wife and Children Prisoners and after that the Castle was demolished by the Prince's Order Sir Roger Mortimer hearing of this with a great Body of Lords and Knights came to Melienyth where Prince Lhewelyn met him bur Sir Roger not daring to hazard a Battel planted himself within the Ruins and finding he could do no good desired leave of the Prince to retire peaceably The Prince upon the account of Relation and near Consanguinity betwixt them and withal because he would not be so mean spirited as to fall upon an Enemy who had no power to resist him let him safely depart with his Forces and then passing on himself to Brecknock at the request of the People of that Country who swore Fidelity unto him so passed on and returned to Noâ—th-Wales And now being Confederate with the Barons against King Henry he was resolved to practise something in the prejudice of the English and so set upon the Earldom of Chester destroyed the Castles of Tygannâ—y and Diserth belonging to Edward who coming thither was yet not able to prevent the Mischief done A.D. 1263 to him by the Welch The next year John Strange Junior Constable of Montgomery with a great Number of Marchers came a little before Easter by night thro' Ceri to Cydewen intending to surprise the Castle which when the People of the Country understood they gathered together and setting upon them slew 200 of his Men but Strange with a few got safely back Within a while after the Marchers and the Welch met again near a place called Clun where a hot Engagement happened between them in which the Welch were worsted
and Ejection out of our Estates the sense of Oppression and tyrannical Government haveing compell'd us to take up Arms for the security of our Lives and Fortunes Therefore as the English are not disposessed of their Estates for their Offences against the King so we are willing to be punished or make other Satisfaction for our Crimes without being disinherited and as to the breach of the Peace 't is notorious that they were the Authors who never regarded either Promise or Covenant never made Amends for Trespasses nor Remedy for our Complaints When the Archbishop saw there was no likelihood of a Mediation and that a Peace was impossible to be concluded as long as the Welch stuck upon Conditions he presently relinquished his pretended Affection towards them and denounced a Sentence of Excommunication against the Prince and all his Adherents It was a subject of no little wonder that a Person of so reputed a Sanctity who esteemed the several Grievances done to the Welch to be intolerable should now condemn them for refusal of unlimited Submission to the King of England whereas he had already owned it to be unreasonable But this ecclesiastical Censure was only a Prologue to a more melancholy Scene King Edward immediately upon it sending an Army by Sea to Anglesey without any great Opposition conquered the Island and without any Mercy put all that withstood him to the Sword From thence designing to pass over to the Continent he caused a Bridg of Boats covered with Planks to be built over the Menay being an Arm of the Sea which parteth the Isle from the main Land at a place called Moel y don not far from Bangor where the Water is narrowest The Bridg being finished which was so broad as that Threescore Men might pass in a breast William Latimer with a strong Party of the best experienced Soldiers and Sir Lucas Thany Commander of the Gascoigns and Spaniards whereof a great number served the King passed over but could discover no sign or any the least intimation of an Enemy But as soon as the Tide began to appear and the Sea had overflown beside the Bridg down come the Welch fiercely out of the Mountains and setting upon the disheartned English killed or drowned their whole number excepting Latimer who by the swimming of his Horse got safe to the Bridg In this Action several worthy Soldiers of the English side were lost among whom were Sir Lucas Thany Robert Clifford Sir Walter Lyndsey two Brothers of Robert Burnel Bishop of Bath with many others in all to the number of Thirteen Knights Seventeen young Gentlemen and Two Hundred common Soldiers A little after or as some say afore another Engagement passed between the English and the Welch wherein the former lost Fourteen Colours the Lords Audley and Clifford the younger being slain and the King himself forced to retreat for safety to the Castle of Hope And while these things passed in North-Wales the Earl of Glocester and Sir Edmund Mortimer acted vigorously with their Forces in South-Wales and fighting the Welch at Lhandeilo Fawr overthrew them with the loss of no considerable Person saving William de Valence the King 's Cosin-German and Four Knights besides Prince Lhewelyn was all this while in Cardigan a wasting and destroying all the Country and principally the Lands of Rhys ap Meredith who very unnaturally held with the King of England in all these Wars But being at length tired with Action with a few Men privately separated himself from his Army and came to Buelht thinking to ease and respit himself there undiscovered But coming to the River Wye he met with Edmund Mortimer and John Gifford with a considerable Party of the People of that Country which Mortimer was Lord of But neither Party venturing to assail the other Prince Lhewelyn with one only Servant retired to a private Grove in a neighbouring Valley there to consult with certain Lords of the Country who had appointed to meet him In the mean time Mortimer descends from the Hill with intention to fall upon Lhewelyn's Men which they perceiving betook themselves to the Bridg called Pont Orewyn and manfully defended the Passage he was to cross Mortimer could effect nothing against them till he had gained the Bridg the River being unpassable and to force them to quit it seemed altogether impracticable But at last the River was discovered to be fordable a little below and so Helias Walwyn was detached with a Party through the River who unexpectedly falling upon the backs of the Defendants easily forced them to leave the Bridg and save themselves by flight Prince Lhewelyn all this while in vain expected the Lords of Buelht and in fine continued to wait so long till Mortimer having passed over the Bridg surrounded the Wood he was in with armed Men. The Prince perceiving himself to be betrayed thought to make his escape to his Men but the English so closely pursued him that before he could come in one Adam Francton not knowing who he was run him through with his Sword being unarmed The Welch still expected the arrival of their Prince and though but a few in number so gallantly maintained their ground that in spight of the far greater number of the English they were at length with much ado put to flight The Battel being over Francton returned to plunder his dead but perceiving him to be the Prince of Wales he thought himself to have obtained a sufficient Prize and thereupon presently chopt off his Head and sent it to King Edward at Conwey who very joyfully caused it to be placed upon the highest Pinacle of the Tower of London And thus fell this worthy Prince the greatest though the last of the British Blood betrayed most basely by the Lords of Buelht and being dead most unworthily dealt with by the King of England who contrary to all Presidents treated a lawful Prince like a Traytor and exposed his crowned Head to the Derision of the Multitude Not long after David the Prince's Brother was delivered up by the Welch themselves and in a Parliament for that purpose assembled at Shrewsbury was condemned to dye his Head to be sent to accompany his Brothers upon the Tower of London and his four Quarters to the four Cities of Bristol Northhampton York and Winchester Then the King for the easier keeping the Welch in due subjection built Two strong Castles in North Wales the one at Conwey and the other at Caernarvon There was none that now stood out besides Rhys Fychan of Ystratywy and he finding David was gone and himself like to do nothing to purpose fairly yielded himself up to the Earl of Hereford who by the King's Orders committed him Prisoner to the Tower of London and so all the Country of Wales became ever since subject to the Crown of England The PRINCES of WALES of English-Blood PRince Lhewelyn and his Brother David being so basely taken off and leaving no body to lay any specious Claim to the Principality of
Gruffydh Llwyd Son of Rhys ap Gruffydh ap Ednyfed Fychan a stout and a valiant Gentleman tho' not very fortunate and as Florus says of Sertorius he was magnae quidem sed calamitosae virtutis He was Knighted by King Edward the First upon his bringing the first News of the Queen 's safe delivery of a Son at Caernarvon Castle the King holding then a Parliament at Ruthlan This Sir Gruffydh continued for some time very gratious with the King of England but observing at length the intolerable Oppression and Tyranny exercised by the English Officers especially by Sir Roger Mortimer Lord of Chirke and Justice of North-Wales towards his Country-men the Welch became so far concerned and discontented with such unwarrantable Practices that he presently brake out into open Rebellion against the English And the better to effect what he purposed he treated with Sir Edward Bruce Brother to Robert then King of Scotland who had conquered Ireland to bring or send over some Forces to assist him in his Design against the English upon which account he sent him the following Letter Nobili in Christo Conquestori Domino Edvardo Illustrissimo Regi Hiberniae suus si placet Griffinus Llwyd in North-Wall reverentiam debitam in honore AVditâ nobis vestri in terrarum conquisitione fama egregia in partibus nostris praecipuè debelland aemulos nostros vestros qui tam vos quam nos ab Haereditatibus vi injustè expellendo destruxerunt nomen nostrum memoriamque in terris delere conati fuerunt ab initio supra modum applaudimus ut meritò debemus omnes unanimiter in partibus nostris unde vobis ex parte Wallensium Nobilium significo per praesentes quod si ad Walliam cum hominibus vestris dignemini venire vel si vos in propriâ personâ accedere illuc non poteritis aliquem Nobilem Albanen Comitem Baronem vel Militem cum paucis si plurimi nequeant adesse ad dictas partes nostras volueritis mandare Parati erimus omnes unanimiter ........ dicem eo quod nomen vestrum celebre ubique publicetur expugnat si quid Saxonibus in Albaniâ per illustrem Regem fratrem vestrum ultim per vos in Hibernia per vos nos in Wallia statum vestrum pristinum per Brutum conquisitum recuperabimus ipsisque suppeditatis confusis dispersis Britannia juxta discretam vestrae dominationis ordinationem inter Britones Albaneos in posterum divisa cohaereditabitur Valeat dominatio vestra Regia per cuncta Saecula To this Letter of Sir Gruffydh Llwyd's Sir Edward Bruce returned the following Answer OMnibus desiderantibus à servitute liberari saâ—utem in eo Qui desiderant in se relevat liberat ab angustiis temporibus opportunis quia quilibet Christianus obligatur suo proximo in omni angustiâ subvenire praecipuè illis qui ex unâ radâ—ce originis sive parentelae patriae primitus processerunt ideo compatientes vestrae servituti angustiae jam ....... Anglicana molestia indigenti decrevimus auxiliante altissimo vestro gravamini occurrere innaturalem barbaricam totis viribus Anglicanam de vestris finibus expellere servitutem ut sic sicut à principio Albanicus Britannicus populus expulsis hostibus in perpetuum fiet unus Et quia nullus inimicus faciliter relevatur libenter praecipimus si jugum Anglicanum in tantum vos deprimit quantum nuper depresserat populum Scotianum ut sic ex vestro concordi conamine nostro superveniente juvamine dispenente semper divino positis jura vestra justitiam recuperare proprietatem ....... haereditatem pacificè possidere Veruntamen Dei cum omnia serviunt in isto proposito filium invocamus quod non ex praesumptione ambitione injusti dominii talia attemptamus sed ex mera compassione effusionis innocentis vestri sanguinis subjectionis intollerabilis signant ad hoc quod vellemus inimicorum vestrorum nostrorum vtres reprimere qui nec pacem nec concordiam defiderant Imo vestram nostram finalem destructionem sicut à principio ingressionis eorum in Britanniam incessanter diebus ac noctibus molientur quia nullo modo est nostrae conscientioe quemquam decipere nec etiam decipi à quocunque nostram intentionem Proposit sine â—ergiversatione aliquâ declaramus quod libenter sciremus vestram voluntatem si rationem nostri laboris conaminis intuitu relevationis vestrae acceptare decrement nobis committere prosecutionem querelae vestrae justitiae nec non capitale dominium vestri prout alius hactenus Princeps vester liberius habere consuevit Ità quod vos omnes singuli cujuscunque extiteritis conditionis pristinis haereditatibus terris libertatibus possessionibus consuetis omnibus conditionibus ad vos expectantibus integrè finaliter gaudeatis Vestram igitur voluntatem super hiis quibuscunque aliis in quibus vos consolari poterimus si videatur expediens cautè celeriter nobis remandetis Valete Domini in Domino But for all that these Letters passed betwixt them whether by reason that Bruce's Terms were conceived unreasonable nothing however was concluded upon and the whole Treaty came to nothing But Sir Gruffydh tho' without any hopes of assistance from the Scots would not lay aside what he had once undertaken and therefore having gathered all the Forces he could desperately set upon and almost in an instant over-ran all North-Wales and the Marches seising upon all the Castles and Strong-holds thro' the Country But all to no purpose for as the most violent stream is quickly over so Sir Gruffydh's Army was presently spent and then being met with by a strong Detachment of English his Party was easily discomfited and himself taken Prisoner The same Year being the 15th of the reign of King A.D. 1322 Edward the Second his eldest Son Edward born at Windsor in a Parliament holden at York was created Prince of Wales Duke of Aquitaine and Earl of Chester This Prince succeeded his Father in the Kingdom of England by the Name of Edward the Third one of the greatest and most powerful Monarchs that ever sat upon the English Throne Edward born at Woodstock eldest Son and Heir to A.D. 1343 King Edward the Third was created Prince of Wales upon the 12th day of May in the 17th year of his Father's reign being then about fourteen years of age He was a Prince of incomparable Qualifications but so signally Famous in Martial Affairs that upon the account of the several Actions he was engaged in he received the Name of Black-Prince He took John the French King Prisoner at the Battel of Poictiers and shamefully vanquished the French Army in the Battel of Cressy He did not live to enjoy the Crown but died one year before his Father in the Forty Sixth Year of his Age no Prince was in his life-time better beloved and after
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
the Welch 128. Flemings settled in part of VVales 128. G. GAllio routs the Scots and Picts 2. Builds a Wall cross the Land ibid. Gam Sir David imprisoned by Owen Glyndyfwr and released 321. Revolts from Owen ibid. His answer in France to Henry V. concerning the French Army mortally wounded at Agincourt Knighted and died 322. Gavelkind that Custom in Wales 22. Geoffrey of Monmouth made Bishop of St. Davids 171. Glamorgan Lordship described 314. The best of it Fitzhamon the Chief of the Normans kept to himself 115. Godwyn Earl rebels against King Edward 89. Invades the Land and is reconciled to the King 90. Dies suddenly sitting at the King's Table 91. Gray Reginald Lord of Ruthyn taken Prisoner by Owen Glyndyfwr and ransomed 316 317. Gruffydh ap Lhewelyn declared Prince of North-Wales 84. His Country invaded by the English and Danes and routed by him 85. Reduced all Wales under his subjection ibid. Routs Howel Prince of South-Wales at Pencader ibid. Taken Prisoner by the Irish under the command of Iago ap Edwal and recovered by his own Men 87. Overcomes and slays Gruffydh ap Rhyderch and his Army c. ibid. Concludes a Peace with Harold King Edward's General 94. His Palace at Ruthlan burnt by the English ibid. Prince Gruffydh murdered by Harold's Contrivance after he had reigned 30 years 95. Gruffydh ap Conan confirmed in the Principality of Wales 109. Refused at first an accommodation with King Henry at last sues and obtains Peace 141. Caressed by the King and promised to deliver up Gruffydh ap Rhys 143. Dies 158. His Issue 159. Gruffydh the Son of Rhys ap Tudor laid claim to South-VVales 143. Flies to North-VVales 143. Wished with his Brother Howel to withdraw into South-VVales 144. Forced to bid open defyance to the King of England ibid. The Flemings and VVelch Lords joyn together to oppose him 145. He takes Caermardhyn 146. Invited to the Government of Cardigan-shire ibid. Succeeds 147. War at Aberystwyth 148. Invidiously dispossess'd of his Estate 154. Dies 158. Gruffydh Son to the Lord Rhys succeeded his Father 116. Plagued with his Brother Maelgon 219. A hopeful Prince dies 222. Gruffydh ap Conan ap Owen ap Gwynedh buried in a Monk's Cowl the Superstition of it 221. Gruffydh Prince David's Brother endeavouring to make his escape out of the Tower of London breaks his Neck 263. His Body recovered and conveyed to Conwey and honourably buried 270. Gruffydh Llwyd Knighted by King Edward I. rebels 311. Treats with Sir Robert Bruce for Succours against the English with his Letter to him ibid. Over-runs North-Wales and the Marches and is taken Prisoner 313. Gurmundus a Norwegian from Ireland invades Britain 7. Gwenwynwyn worsted by the English 218. Refuses Homage to Prince Lhewelyn 222. At last consents to it 223. Detained Prisoner at Shrewsbury 225. Set at Liberty re-gains his Country 228. Revolts from Prince Lhewelyn and is dispossest 242. H. HArold succeeds Canute his Brother in England 83. Dies and is succeeded by Hardi Canute his Brother 85. Harold's favour with the King envied by his Brother Tosty who barbarously murder'd his Men at his House in Hereford and his Saying 7. Made King 98. Slain 100. Hasting a Dane invades France 40. His Policy to obtain Limogis 41. His Cruelty ibid. Henry I. his partiality in favour of the Normans 127. Makes his Brother Robert Prisoner and puts out his Eyes 128. Kind to Cadwgan the Father of Owen 132 Invades Wales with three Armies 140. Overcomes the French King 151. Lost his Children at Sea and marries 152. Invades Wales in danger ibid. Agrees with Meredith ap Blethyn and returns 153. his Death and Successor 156. Henry II. sends the Flemings into West-Wales 173. Invited to the Conquest of Wales ibid. Repulsed and in danger of his Life 174. Concludes a Peace with Prince Owen 175. Quarrels and concludes a Peace with France 187. Invades VVales and brings Prince Rhys to do him Homage 188. Invades VVales again with a most potent Army 190. Returns without any thing memorable and for Revenge puts out the Eyes of the Hostages 191. Makes a third Expedition into VVales to as little purpose ibid. Passes thro' VVales receiving Homage of Prince Rhys in his way to the Conquest of Ireland 198 199. Returns thro' VVales and inclined to leave it in a peaceable Condition 199 200. Engaged in a Civil War against his Son Henry 201. Makes a Peace with France and his Children forced to submit 202. Dies 209. Henry III. King of England invades Wales and is worsted 251. Inâ—ades Wales again 254. Makes Henry of Mâ—nmouth his General against the Welch but with in Suâ—â—ess 255 Laments the death of the Earl of Pembrock 256. Inâ—ades Wales and makes Prince David to submit 261 2 2 Invades Wales 263. Fights the Welch with no success and invites the Irish into Anglesey 265. Oppresses Wales and returns dissatisfied 269 270. Item 274. Wasts the Borders 275. Requires a Subsidy to subdue Wales 276. Dies 280. Henry eldest Son to Henry IV. created Prince of W. 318. Henry IV. makes unmerciful Laws against the Welch 319. Henry Duke of York created Prince of VVales 324. Henry VII grants the VVelch a Charter of Liberty and directed a Commission to enquire into the Birth and Quality of his Grandfather Owen Tudor 325. Henry VIII incorporates the VVelch with the English 326. Henry eldest Son to King James created Prince of VVales 328. Howel Dha preferred to be Prince of all VVales 50. His Laws ibid. Goes to Rome to have them confirmed 51. His Death and Issue 53. Howel ap Ievan expelled his Vncle Iago and took the Government of VVales upon him â—9 At last agree 60. Kills Edwal Fychan and the Reasons of it ibid. Overthrows the Danes 61. Invades England and is slain 62. He is succeeded by his Brother Cadwalhan who was quickly slain 63. Howel and Meredith Prince Lhewelyn's Murderers invite the Irish Scots into South-VVales 82. Slew Rhydderch and take the Government 83. Meredith slain by the Sons of Conan ap Sitsylht ibid. Howel attempts the recovery of South-VVales is overcome and slain by Prince Gruffydh near Tywy-Head 87. Howel ap Grono driven out of Rydcors Castle by the Normans 126. Basely betrayed to them and murthered 127. Howel ap Owen Gwynedh won the Castle of Ewyas 167. with his Brother Conan quarrel with their Vncle Cadwalader besiege and take the Castle of Cynfael from him 168. makes Cadwalader his Prisoner and possesses his Land ib. he lost all his Country to Cadelh Meredith and Rhys ap Gruffydh who put the Garison of Llanâ—hystyd to the Sword 169. I. IAgo ap Edwal recovers his Right to North-Wales 82. Slain in Battle against Gruffydh ap Lhewelyn 84. Ifor sent into Britain with an Army by his Father Alan 13. Routs the Saxons ibid. Marries Ethelburga â—entwyn's Cosin and succeeded him in the West-Saxon Kingdom 14. Founded Glastenbury-Abby ib. Dyed at Rome 15. John Arch-Deacon of Llanbadarn dies and is
leaving his Estate to Gwenwynwyn his Son 217. Owen Glendwr his Family Education and Employment 315. opposed by the Lord Ruthyn without Redress takes up Arms and makes him Prisoner 316. prevails takes the Earl of March Prisoner 317. retakes Aberystwyth Castle 319. Summons a Parliament at Machynlleth 320. Secures David Gam upon a suspicion of a design he had to murder him 321. burnt his House and his Verse upon it ibid. P. PAtent of Lands granted in Wales to the Earl of Portland 302. Commons address upon it 303. King's Answer 304. Peckham John Archbishop of Canterbury endeavours a Reconciliation of Prince Llewelyn and his Brother with the King 286. his Remonstrance to the Prince and People 287 288 289 290. Solicites the King on behalf of the Welch 291. Sends Articles to the Welch 292. Excommunicates the Prince of Wales and his Adherents 297. Peace in general between England and Wales except with Prince Rhys who was forced to comply with the King 176. Vnjustly dealt with 177. Powis Prince of removes his Seat from Pengwern to Mathraval 20. An account of it while a Principality and a Lordship with the several Divisions and Possessors thereof whether of British or English Blood 175 to 185. R. REbellion in the North caused by Earl Tosty's Insolence 97. Appeased 98. Rhydderch seizes upon South-Wales 82. Rhydderch and Rhys the Sons of Rhydderch ap Iestyn put in their Claim to South-Wales 88. Rhys Brother to Prince Gruffydh taken by the English and put to death at Bulendun 91. Rhys ap Owen and Rhydderch ap Caradoc joyntly govern South-Wales 105. The latter dies 106. A Rebellion against the other ibid. Invaded also from North-Wales flies pursued and slain 187. Rhys ap Theodor allowed Prince of South-Wales as lawful Heir 107. A Rebellion formed against him flies into Ireland returns and defeats his Enemy 110. Suppresses another Rebellion 111. Slain near Brecknock in a Fight against the invading Normans and his own rebellious Subjects 112. Rhys ap Gruffydh Prince of South-Wales takes Llanymddyfri Castle 177. Subdues Cardigan 178. Gives Henry II. Hostages to observe the Peace made between them ib. Besieges Carmarthen then forced to quit it 179. Possessed himself of divers Lands belonging to Foreigners in Wales as did others according to his Example 189. Takes Aberteifi Castle and razes it 191. Subdues Owen Cyfeilioc 197. Brings the Lords of South-Wales at Enmity with K. Henry to do him Homage 203. Makes a great Feast at Christmas at Aberteifi where the Bards of North-Wales and South-Wales strive for the Mastery 205 206. Takes advantage upon King Henry's death to enlarge his Country 209. His Family diminishes 210. Made Prisoner by his own Sons 211. Escapes 212. Takes two of his Sons Prisoners 214. Enlarges his Conquest and defeats the English and Normans 214 215. Dies his Character and Issue 216. Rhys Fychan takes Lhanymdhysri Castle 227. Rhys ap Gruffydh ap Rhys prevails in South-Wales 239. Does Homage to Henry III. 145. Dies 147. Rhys ap Meredith unfaithful to his Country 304. Knighted by King Edward revolts â—05 Defeated taken Prisoner and executed 306. Rhythmarch Archbishop of S. David dies 122. Richard King of England's feasts in the Holy Land 210. Taken Prisoner in Austria ibid. Died of his Wounds received at Chalons in France 219. Richard of Bourdeaux created Prince of Wales 315. Robert Cyrthois rebels against his Father in Normandy 110. Robert Earl of Salop rebels against Henry I. 122. Engages the Welch in the Quarrel 123. Seeks Aid of Magnus Harold's Son and fails banished with his Brother Arnulph into Normandy 124. Robert de Belissimo a great Disturber of the Welch committed to perpetual imprisonment by King Henry 139. Roderic Molwynoc succeeded Ifor Anno 720.15 Driven by the Saxons out of the Western Countries to his Inheritance in North-Wales 17. dyed soon after 18. Roderic the Great Prince of VVales 27. Beats the Danes out of his Country â—3 Fightâ— the English anâ— with his Brother Gwyriad it slain 34. His Pedigreâ— and Division of Wales between iâ—â—â— three Sons ibid his Imprudence herein 36. S. SAxons their Answer to the British Message 5. They first repel the Scots and Picts 6. Enter into League with the Scots ib. They incroacâ— upon the Britains 19â— Scots and Picts invade Britain 1. Sâ—ward Earl his Saying upon his Sons being slain in Battel 19. His soldierly Temper at his â—earâ— 92. South Wales invaded twice in one Year by Ieâ—af and 〈◊〉 Princes of North-Wales â—5 They quarres and 〈◊〉 Consequence of it 57. Embroyled 〈◊〉 between Rhyâ— ap Gruffydh and Rhys Fychan and the former supported by the English 235 236. Stephen King of England agrees with the King of Scotâ— 157. Ravages Scotland 160. Suppresses Injurie â—â—ons at home and â—ouâ—s the Scots by his Lieutenants 161. Besieges Arundel Castle in vain 162. Takes Lincoln is defeated and taken Prisoner ibid. Exchanged for Earl Robert and overthrown a second time at Wilton 163. Wins the Battel of Farendon agrees with Henry the Empress's Son and dies 172. Stewards the Family and their Original 91 92. Sulien Archb shop of S. Davids dies 111. Sulien a learned Man of Llanbadarn dies 165. Swane the Dane wasts the Isle of Man Lands in North-Wales 68. Kills Edwal Prince of the Country ib. His Success in England and esteemed King hereof 74 75. Swane King of Denmark invades England and takes York 102. forced to fly ibid. T. TRahern Fychan strangely hanged 217. Trahern ap Caradoc made Prince of North-Wales 105. His Country invaded from Ireland by Gruffydh ap Conan the right Heir ibid. They fight and Trahern with his Cosins worsted and all slain 108. Tâ—â—bute paid by the Prince of Wales to the Kings of England 48. Tudor Vaughan ap Grono his Family would be sâ—◠〈◊〉 Knight and his Reasons for it to King Edward III. who confirmed the Honour of it 314. V. VOrtigern invites the Saxons into Britain 5. Vortimer repels the Saxons 7. W. WAles wasted by the Merciâ—â—s 24. by King Egbert ibid. Divided into three Provinces 27. Invaded by the English 52. Forcibly managed by Ievaf and Iago Princes of North-Wales only 56. Afflicted by the Danes and a Murrain 65. Gives Hostages to pay the antient Tribute 95. Seldom governed by the right Heir 109. Wasted by the English as far as Anglesey 121. Embroiled with Civil Divisions 151. Item 153 154. In great scarcity 276. annnext to the Crown of England 300. Walwey King Arthur's Nephew his Tomb found whose Body was of a prodigious length 110. Welch quarrel amongst themselves 22. Ibid. 23. They defeat the Mercians at Conwey and call it Dial Rhodri 38. Disable the Danes and English that invaded them then fall out among themselves 61. Too late see the folly of foreign Aid 114. Miserably slaughter'd 130 131. Being at peace from abroad they fall to their wonted Method of destroying one another 208. Complain to their Prince of their Oppression from the English 272. Beaten by the English 279. Worst the English 297 298. Beaten in Buelht ibid. Revolt because of an heavy Tax from Edward I. every where 306. Beat the English 307. Take the King's Carriages ibid. Routed by the Earl of Warwick 308. Beat the Marchers but are at last overcome and their Leader Madoc made Prisoner 309. Welch Minstrels reformed whereof were three sorts 159. William Duke of Normandy claims the Crown of England 98. Lands at Hastings and defeats the English 100. William I. goes with an Army on Pilgrimage to S. Davids 100. William Rufus invades the Welch without Success 118. Item 120. Killed 122. FINIS BOOKS Printed for and sold by ROBERT CLAVâ—â—â— THE plausible Arguments of a Roman Catholick answered by an English Protestant in the Welch Tongue Price 4 d. The Church-History clear'd from the Roman Forgeries and Corruptions found in the Councils and Baronius in Four Parts from the beginning of Christianity to the end of the Fifth General Council By Thomas Comber D. D. Dean of Durham 40. An Historical Vindication of the Diviâ—◠〈◊〉 of Tythes from Scripture Reaso◠〈◊〉 Opinion and Practice of Jews Goâ—◠〈◊〉 Christians in all Ages to which is added a Discourse concerning Excommunication By Tho. Comber D. D. Dean of Durham 40.
that means to have imposed upon the World Can it be supposed that upon so plain Conviction of falshood he would believe and give Credit to an History which he was satisfied was altogether a Fable But on the contrary we find him assenting to the Story of Brutus and the division of the Island betwixt his three Sons and in short excepting in this one place he expresses himself to be an absolute Votary of the British History whence 't is evident he apprehended Geoffrey to be no more than a faithful Translator of an antient British Copy I need not take notice of William of Malmsbury because that by the best account he is supposed to have been dead before Geoffrey published his History and consequently he could never see it so that this Expression in him Lib. I. Hic est Arthurus de quo Britonum Nuge hodicque delirant must likely refer to the then present Traditions and Accounts of the Welch concerning King Arthur which probably might be too great and extravagant For 't is certain that a traditional Account of any Person or Action the farther it recedes from the Spring and Original the more corrupt and imperfect it still proceeds and like a Ball of Snow it gathers and augments in its journey so that it may be reasonably supposed that the vulgar Account which the Welch in Malmsbury's time delivered of King Arthur was too far incredible and surprising But since the Reasons produced for proving Geoffrey to be the Author of the British History seem not to be satisfactory and evincing let us see whether the contrary assertion can be more reasonably maintained And first 't is manifest that Geoffrey could not be the total Inventor of the British History by reason that several things and some of the most material Passages therein contained are agreeable with the Histories of Gildas and Nennius the Poetical Fragments of Taliessyn not to mention the Saxon Manuscript Notes upon Bede quoted by Mr. Wheelock and other Authors far more antient than Geoffrey 'T is owned indeed Geoffrey might borrow the ground and Plat-form of his Romance from Merlyn or Taliessyn or rather from Nennius in whose Writings there is some slight Account of the Britains being descended from the Trojans but the superstructure is all his own who living in an ignorant Age and well knowing he could not well be disproved took the Liberty to make what Invention he pleased and then recommended it to the World for a true undoubted History But notwithstanding all this concession I think there is as little reason to attribute the Frame and Composition of this History to Geoffrey as there can be to think him Contriver of the Ground and Plot of it For it seems to me very unaccountable that if Geoffrey was to invent and compose this History why in this account of the Transactions betwixt the Britains and Romans he should so widely disagree with and deviate from the Writings of the Roman Historians For certainly nothing could add more Authority to a Fable than exactly to follow the steps of creditable Authors in those things they both had occasion to treat of This in all probability would not only render that part of the History unsuspicious but likewise Credit and Authorize the rest of which there was no account in Roman Authors And this disagreement betwixt the British History and the Writings of the Roman Historians tho' frequently produced to overthrow the Authority of it induces me to believe not only that Geoffrey was not the Author but likewise that the Manuscript was antient and much elder than the time in which it was first made publick But besides Geoffrey dedicates his Translation to Robert Earl of Glocester Son to King Henry the First which in all likelihood he would never have ventured to do had the Original been of his own Contrivance for fear least that the Cheat being discovered he should be found to put upon a Person of Eminent Quality with whom the British History was then in great Esteem For to him it is that Geoffrey owns the Receipt of this Manuscript from the Archdeacon of Oxford which he affirms to be very antient and by his Request was persuaded to translate it into the Latin Tongue It was a very easie matter for the Earl of Glocester to find out Geoffrey's Integrity by enquiring of the Archdeacon who by all Accounts is reckoned his co-temporary whether he had delivered such an antient British Copy into Geoffrey's hands and whether the Translation justly answered the Original These Enquiries were natural upon the publication of any new History which made such considerable noise and clamour in the World and which gave such an Account of the antient Britains as was never before thought or heard of among the English Nation And supposing the Earl of Glocester to have omitted these Enquiries yet it is scarce conceivable but that in case of so open a Forgery the Archdeacon would discover the Cheat unless it can be thought that he was privy to and had a hand in the Contrivance But he was so far from detecting Geoffrey's Imposture that he himself owns too to have translated the British History first into Latin and then in his latter days to British again from the Latin as may he still seen in the Archives of Jesus-College Library Now if there be any heed to or dependance upon this if it be true that the Archdeacon did translate and consequently allow of this History it appears very evident to me that Geoffrey can be in no wise the Author or Contriver of it But that Robert of Glocester took a fancy to Geoffrey's Translation more upon the account that his Father had lately subdued the Welch and therefore seemed to add to his Father's Glory than that he did credit and believe the History does not seem to be so true and evincing For wherein could the publication of this History contribute to the advancement of his Father's Name Was it because he had Conquered a People whose Ancestors appeared by this History to be formerly Valiant and Warlike This was performed by others before him and I can conceive no great addition to any Man's Fame to Conquer a handful of People with a numerous Army tho' their Fore-fathers had been Stout and Victorious This is surely too slight a Pretence for the reception of the British History by the Earl of Glocester and too weak an Argument to destroy the Truth and Authority of it 'T is certain that it took exceeding well in the World at that time nor was it opposed till after Robert's Death when William of Newborough more out of Malice and Discontent than any Love he bore to Truth began to charge both the Original and Translator with insincerity I cannot see upon the whole the least Reason why the Contrivance and Invention of this History should he attributed to Geoffrey or that the Authority of it depends any way upon him more than the Fidelity of his Translation I shall
â—anes Passing from thence to Cambridge they met â—ith Ethelstan King Edelred's Nephew by his Sister who with an Army was come to oppose them but the Danes proving too powerful he with many other Noblemen were slain among whom were Duke Oswyn and the Earls Edwyn and Wolfrike From hence they passed through Essex leaving no manner of Cruelty and Barbarity unpractised and returned laden with Booty to their Ships which lay in the A.D. 1010 Thames But they could not contain themselves long in their Vessels and therefore sallying out they passed by the River side to Oxford which they ransack'd over again adding to their Prey Buckingham Bedford Hartford and Northamptonshire and having accomplished that Years Cruelties at Christmas they returned to their Ships Yet the Prey of the Countrey from the Trent Southward would not satisfie these unmerciful Barbarians but as soon as the Season A.D. 1011 gave them leave to peep out of their Dens they laid siege to the City of Canterbury which being deliver'd up by the Treachery of Almarez the Archdeacon was condemned to Blood and Ashes and Alfegoâ— the Archbishop carried Prisoner to the Danish Fleet where he was at length most cruelly put to death A.D. 1012 The next Year Swane King of Denmark came up the Humber and landed at Gainesborow whitheâ— repaired to him Vthrâ—d Earl of Northumberland with his People the Inhabitants of Lindsey with all thâ— Countries Northward of Watling-street being a high-way crossing from the East to the West Sea and gave their Oath and Hostages to obey him Whereupon King Swane perceiving his Undertaking to prove 〈◊〉 fortunate beyond expectation committed the care oâ— his Fleet to his Son Cnute and marched himself 〈◊〉 to Oxford and then to Winchester which Citieâ— whether for fear of further Calamities readily acknowledged him for their King From thence hâ— marched for London where King Edelred then layâ— and which was so stoutly defended by the Citizens that he was like to effect nothing against that Town and therefore he directed his course to Wallingforâ— and Bath where the principal Men of West-Saxoâ— yielded him Subjection The Londoners too at last â—earing his Fury and Displeasure made their peace â—nd sent him Hostages which City being received to â—ercy Swane from that time was accounted King of â—ll England King Edelred perceiving all his Astairs â—n England to go against him and his Authority and Government reduced to so narrow a compass having sent his Queen with his two Sons Edward and Alfred â—o Normandy he thought convenient within a while â—fter to follow himself Being honourably received by his Brother in Law Richard he had not been there â—ong but News arrived of the death of Swane and that he was desired by the English to return to his Kingdom Being animated and comforted with this surprising News he set forward with a great Army â—or England and landing at Lyndsey he cruelly harâ—ssed that Province by reason that it had owned Subjection to Cnute the Son of Swane whom the Danes â—ad elected King in his Fathers stead King Cnute being at Ipswich and certified of the arrival of King Edelred and the Devastation of Lyndsey fearing that â—is Authority was going down the wind barbarously cut off the Hands and Noses of all the Hostages he received from the English and presently struck sail for Denmark And whilst England was in this general Confusion there fell out no less a storm in Ireland for Brian King of that Island and his Son Murâ—th with other Kings of the Countrey subject to â—â—rian joyned their Forces against Sutric the Son of Aâ—loic King of Dublin and Mailmorda King of Lagoâ—es Sutric being of himself too weak to encounter so numerous a Multitude hired all the Pyrates and Rovers who cruised upon the Seas and then gave Brian battel who with his Son Murcath was slain and on the other side Maihnorda and Broderic General of the Auxiliaries But Cnute though he was in a manner forced to A.D. 1013 forsake England upon the recalling of King Edelred yet he did not abandon all his pretence to the Kingdom and therefore the next year he came to renew his Claim and landed with a strong Fleet in West-â—ex where he exercised very great Hostility To prevent his Incursions Edric and Edmund Bastard-Son to Edelred raised their Forces separately bâ—â— when both Armies were united they durst not whâ—ther for fear or the Dissention of the two Generals fight with the Danes Edmund therefore passed to the North and joyned with Vthred Duke of Northumberland and both together descended and spoiled Stafford Leicester and Shropshire On the otheâ— side Cnute marched forcibly through Buckingham Bedford Huntingtonshire and so by Stafford passed toward York whither Vthred hastened and finding 〈◊〉 other remedy submitted himself with all the Northumbrians to Cnute giving Hostages for the performance of what they then agreed upon But nevertheless this Submission Vthred was treacherously slain not without the permission of Cnute and hiâ— Dukedom bestowed upon one Egrick a Dane whereupon Edmund left them and went to his Father whâ— lay sick at London Cnute returning to his Ships presently followed and sailed up the Thames towardâ— London but before he could draw nigh the City King Edelred was dead having prolonged a long and troublesom Reign for Thirty Seven Years After his decease the English Nobility chose his base Son Edmund for his eminent strength and hardiness in War surnamed Ironside for their King Upon this Cnuâ—â— brought his whole Fleet up the River to London and having cut a deep Trench round about the Town invested it on all sides but being valourously repulsed by the Defendants he detached the best part of his Army to fight with Edmund who was marching to raise the Siege and both Armies coming to battel at Proman by Gillingham Cnute with his Danes were put to flight But as soon as time and opportunity would give him leave to increase his Forces Cnute gave Edmund a second Battel at Caerstane but Edric Almar and Algar under-hand siding with the Danes Edmund was hard put to it to maintain the fight obstinately till Night and Weariness parted them Both Armies having sufficiently suffered in this action Edmund went to West-Sex to reinforce himself and the Danes returned to the siege of London where Edmund â—â—ickly followed raised the siege and forced Cnute â—â—d his Danes confusedly to betake themselves to their â—â—ips and then entered triumphantly into the City â—wo days after passing the Thames at Brentford he â—â—ll upon the Enemies backs by which lucky opporâ—â—nity obtaining a considerable Victory he returned â—gain to raise Recruits among the West-Saxons Cnute â—â—on Edmund's removal appeared again before Lonâ—â—n and invested it by Land and Water but all in â—â—in the besieged so manfully and resolutely defenâ—â—ng themselves that it was impracticable to master â—â—e Town before Edmund could come to the relief of 〈◊〉 And this they presently experienced for Edmund â—â—ter having augmented his Forces crossed again the â—hames
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
drew together a great Army consisting partly of Strangers and partly of such as they could raise in Gwentland and Glamorgan and marched to fight with Gruffydh The Prince according to his usual manner detracted no time but animating and solacing his Soldiers with the remembrance of their former Victories and Conquests bid the Enemies battel which proved so very bloody and terrible that nothing could part them beside the darkness of the Night This Battel so tired and tamed both Armies that neither was very desirous of another Engagement and so one being unwilling to set upon the other they both agreed to return to their own Habitations The same time Joseph Bishop of Teilo or Llandaf died at Rome But both Armies being separated Prince Gruffydh enjoyed a quiet and unmolested Possession of all Wales for about Two Years after which the Gentry of Ystrad Towy treacherously slew 140 of the choice of his Army which he took in so high an indignation that to revenge their death he destroyed all Dyfed and Ystrad Towy About the same time Lothen and Hyrling two Danish Pyrats with a great number of Danes landed at Sandwich and having plundered the Town returned again to their Ships and sailed for Holland where they sold the Booty they had taken and then returned to their own Country Shortly afterwards Earl Swayn came out of Denmark with Eight Ships and returned to England and coming to his Fathers House at Pevenese humbly requested of him and his Brothers Harold and Tostie to endeavour his reconciliation with the King Earl Beorned too promised to intercede for him and going to Swayn's Fleet to sail to Sandwich where the King then lay he was by the way most treacherously and ungratefully murthered and his Body cast upon the shoar which lay there exposed till his Friends heating of the Fact came and carried it to Winchester and buried it by the Body of King Cnute â—eorned 's Uncle Swayn having committed this most testable Murder put himself again under the Proâ—â—ction of the Earl of Flanders not daring to shew 〈◊〉 Face in England till his Father by earnest Mediâ—â—on wrought his Peace with the King This Year Conan the Son of Iago raised again an â—â—my of his Friends in Ireland and sailed towards â—ales purposing to recover his Inheritance in 〈◊〉 Country But when he was come near the â—â—lch Coast there suddenly arose such a violent â—â—â—rm that his Fleet was presently scattered and â—â—st of his Ships drowned which rendered this Expeâ—â—â—ion ineffectual About the same time Robert Archâ—â—â—hop of Canterbury impeached Earl Godwyn and his 〈◊〉 Swayn and Harold of Treason and the Queen 〈◊〉 Adultery and upon the account of their non-â—â—â—earance when cited before the Peers at Glocester 〈◊〉 Queen was divorced and Godwyn and his Sons â—â—nished who with his Son Swayn fled to Flanders 〈◊〉 Harold to Ireland But these unlucky Clashings â—â—d the many Troubles that ensued thereupon hapâ—â—â—ed upon this occasion Eustace Earl of Bologne beâ—â—â— Married to Goda the King's Sister came over this â—aâ— to England to pay King Edward a Visit and in 〈◊〉 return to Canterbury one of his Retinue forcibly â—â—manding a Lodging provoked the Master of the â—â—use so far as by Chance or Anger to kill him Euâ—â—â—e upon this Affront returns back to the King and 〈◊〉 the insinuâ—tions of the Archbishop makes a loud â—â—mplaint against the Kentish-men to repress whose â—â—olencies Earl Godwyn is commanded to raise Forâ—â—â— which he refusing to do for the Kindness he bore 〈◊〉 his Country-men of Kent the King summons a â—â—rliament at Glocester and commands Godwyn to â—â—pear there But he mistrusting either his own â—use or the Malice of his Adversaries gathered a â—â—werful Army out of his own and his Sons Earlâ—â—ms and marched towards Glocester giving out â—â—â—t their Forces were to go against the Welch who â—â—â—ended to invade the Marshes But King Edward â—â—â—ng satisfied by the Welch that they had no such Design in hand commanded Godwyn to dismiss his Aâ—my and to appear himself to answer to the Articles exhibited against him Godwyn refusing to obey the Kiâ—â— by the Advice of Earl Leofrick summoned an Asseâ—bly at London whither a great Number of Forces aâ—rived from Mercia which Godwyn perceiving and wiâ—â—al finding himself unable to withstand the King â— proceedings privately retired with his Sons out 〈◊〉 the Kingdom and fled into Flanders Whereupon the King issued out an Edict proclaiming Godwâ—â— and his Sons Out-Laws and then confiscating thâ—â—â— Estates bestowed them upon others of his Nobiliâ—â— And to pursue his Displeasure the farther he Divâ—â—ced his Queen Edith Earl Godwyn's Daughter aâ—â— committed her to a Cloyster where in a mean Coâ—dition she spent some part of her Life In the distâ—â—bution of the forfeited Estates Adonan obtained 〈◊〉 Earldoms of Devon and Dorset and Algar the Sâ—â— of Leofrick that of Harold But Godwyn could 〈◊〉 patiently behold his Estate bestowed upon anotheâ— and therefore having hired some Men and Ships 〈◊〉 Flanders he sailed to the Isle of Wight where aâ—â—â—â— that he had made a sufficient havock he put in 〈◊〉 Portland which he treated after the same manâ—â—â— The same time Harold having sailed from Ireland 〈◊〉 length met with his Father and then with their unâ—â—â—â— Navy they burnt Preveneseny Romney Heath Fâ—â—â—ston Dover and Sandwich and entering the Thâ—â—â—â— they destroyed Cheppey and burnt the King's Hoâ—â— at Middletown Then they sailed up the River â—â—wards London where the King's Army being reaâ—â— to oppose them a Treaty of Peace was by the meâ— of Bishop Stigand agreed upon which proved so â—â—fectual of Godwyn's side that the King received 〈◊〉 again to his Favour restored him and Sons to all thâ— Estates re-called the Queen and banished the Arâ—â—bishop with all the French-men who had been pâ—â—moters of that unhappy Suspicion the King had enâ—â—â—tained of them About this time Rhys Brother to Gruffydh Prâ—â—â—â— of Wales who by several Irruptions upon the Bordeâ—◠〈◊〉 considerably gauled and damaged the English â—â—s taken and put to Death at Bulendun whose â—â—â—d being cut off was presented to the King then Glocester But he received better News some time 〈◊〉 from the North for Siward Earl of Northumberâ—â—â—d having sent his Son against Macbeth King of â—â—gland vanquished the Scots tho not without the 〈◊〉 of his Son and many others both English and â—â—nes But Siward was not cast down at his Son 's â—â—â—th but enquiring whether he received his Death's â—â—nd before or behind and being assured that it 〈◊〉 before replied He was very glad of it for he â—â—d not wish his Son to die otherwise After this â—tory King Edward marched in Person to Scotland and having again overcome Macbeth in Battel made the whole Kingdom of Scotland Tributary the Crown of England The next year Earl â—â—â—â—yn sitting with the King at Table sunk down â—â—d of a sudden being choak'd as 't is thought in â—â—llowing a morsel of Bread whose Earldom the â—â—ng bestowed upon his
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
Promise Then he declared to them the Pretence he had to Claim the Crown of England that Edward had given him formerly an absolute Promise in Normandy that if ever he enjoyed the English Crown William should be his Heir which Title tho' in it self weak and insignificant served William's purpose well enough to make an Expedition against an Intruder Duke William's Pretence seemed plausible enough to the Norman Nobility but the Difficulty of the Undertaking and the Danger of this Expedition was something perplexive and made them less inclinable to encourage so precipitous an Undertaking which they the more disliked upon the persuasion of William Fitzosbert the Duke's Sewer whom they pitched upon to deliver their thoughts as to the Expedition unto the Duke But he instead of disswading him from this Voyage politickly declared that himself with all his Power were ready to live and die with him in this Expedition which the rest hearing could not but offer the Duke their Service in the same manner and so all things were prepared for an Invasion of England In the mean while Tosty full of Indignation at his Brother's advancement to the Crown entered the River Humber with forty Sail but meeting with Earl Edwyn who came to oppose him he was forced after a considerable Encounter to bear off and secure himself by flight But meeting with Harold King of Norway upon the Coast of Scotland coming for England with 300 Sail he joined his Forces with Harold and so both together entring the Humber they landed their Army and marched to York where the Earls Edwyn and Marcher unsuccessfully gave them Battel Having pillaged and destroyed that City they passed on to Stamford-Bridge and there met with King Harold who with a well disciplined Army was come to stop their farther carreer After a long and a terrible Fight and much blood-shed on both sides the Norwegians began at last to give back which the English perceiving sell on so manfully that few or none escaped with their Lives Harold and Tosty being also slain upon the spot One of the Norwegians is deservedly recorded for his incomparable Exploits performed in this Battel who with incredible Valour maintaining the Bridge against the whole Strength of the English Army for above an hour with his single Resistance delayed their Victory and having slain a great number of his Enemies he seemed invincible till in the end no one daring to grapple with him fairly he was run through with a Spear from under the Bridge and so by his fall a Passage was opened for pursuit to compleat the Victory King Harold over-joyed with this Success triumphantly entered into York and whilst he was making merry with his Nobles at a sumptuous Feast News came that Duke William of Normandy was safely landed at and began to Fortify himself in Hastings with which Tidings being no way dashed as fearing nothing after his late Victory he forthwith marched towards him and as soon as he was arrived in Sussex without any consideration of the Fatigue his Army had underwent in their March bid William Battel The Duke dividing his Army into five Battalions made a long harangue to his Soldiers wherein he repeated and commended the Noble Acts of their Ancestors the Danes and Norwegians who had perpetually vanquished the English and French and other Nations as many as they had to do with how that themselves being well Horsed and Armed were now to engage with a People void of both who had no other Defence to trust to than the nimbleness and swiftness of their Heels Both Armies being joyned upon the 14th of October Duke William after some hours Engaging ordered his Army so to retire as if they seemed to fly which the English perceiving broke their Ranks in haste of pursuing the supposed Chase which falling out according to the Duke's expectation he sent in a fresh supply of Normans who falling upon the confused Battalions of the English easily overcame them and Harold receiving first a Wound by an Arrow was at length slain and then both the Field and the Victory was left to the Normans The day being thus won William from this time called the Conqueror went strait to London where he was received with all possible Formality and upon Christmas-Day solemnly Crowned King of England This change and Alteration in England was afore prognosticated by a Comet which appeared in the Spring of this Year upon which a certain Poet made the following Verses Anno milleno sexageno quoque seno Anglorum metae stammas censere Cometae King William having established himself in the A.D. 1067 Crown of England passed over the next Year to Normandy so to settle Affairs there as afterwards they might have no need of his presence In the mean while Edgar Edeling taking Avantage of his absence returned from Scotland to York being declared King by the Inhabitants of that Country who had already slain Robert upon whom William had bestowed that Earldom with 900 of his Men. But the King upon his return from Normandy presently marched to the North and having sufficiently revenged himself upon the Inhabitants by wasting and destroying their Country chased Edgar to Scotland again The like Advantage Edric Sylvaticus the Son of Alfric Earl of Mercia embraced who refusing to own any Submission to the Conqueror took the opportunity of his departure to Normandy to fall foul upon such as were appointed Vicegerents and Governours of the Kingdom in his absence Whereupon Richard Fitzscrope Governor of the Castle of Hereford with the Forces under his Command so bitterly gauled him by wasting and consuming his Lands and carrying off the Goods of his Tenants that he was compelled to desire Aid of Blethyn and Rywalhon Princes of Wales by whose help to recompence the Loss he had received he passed into Hereford and after that he had over-run and pillaged the Country to Wyebridge returned back with exceeding great Booty But no sooner were Blethyn and Rywalhon arrived in North-Wales but they received News of a Rebellion raised against them by Meredith and Ithel the Sons of Gruffydh ap Lhewelyn who had drawn together a considerable number of Men upon pretence of recovering the Principality of North-Wales which they said was fraudulently detained from them Blethyn and Rywalhon did not delay to march to find the Enemies and meeting with them at a place called Mechain without any farther Ceremonies set upon the Rebels who behaved themselves so gallantly that after a Fight of several hours they wanted nothing but Number to compleat the Victory There fell in this Battel on the one side Prince Rywalhon and on the other Ithel who being slain Meredith was forced to give Ground and endeavour to save himself by flight which could not secure him he being narrowly pursued by Blethyn that in fine he was glad to escape to the Mountains where for want of Victuals and other Necessaries he quickly perished leaving Blethyn ap Confyn sole Prince of North-Wales and Powis During these Welch
Disturbances Swane King of Denmark and Osburn his Brother with 300 Sail came up the Humber and being joyned by Edgar Edeling and Earl Waltelfe marched to York and taking the Castle disposed of their Forces to Winter Quarters betwixt the Rivers of Ouse and Trent The King understanding the Matter posted to the North whose coming so dashed the Confederates that they quickly dispersed their Power and the Danes escaped to their Ships and the King having taken Vengeance upon the rebellious Inhabitants of the Country and upon his submission having pardoned Earl Waltelfe returned back to London Blethyn ap Confyn A.D. 1070 ABout the same time Caradoc Son to Gruffydh ap Rytherch ap Iestyn all this while being sorely dissatisfied that he could not attain to the Principality of South Wales invited over a great Number of Normans to whom he joined all the Forces he could raise out of Gwentland and other Parts of Wales Then setting upon Prince Meredith who was far too weak to Encounter so considerable an Army gave him an easy over-throw near the River Rymhy where Meredith was slain and so Caradoc obtained the Government of South-Wales which for a long time he had endeavoured sinistrously to encompass He had sometime afore procured Harold to make an Invasion upon Gruffydh ap Lhewelyn purposely that himself might arrive at the Principality of South-Wales and failing then of his expectation he now invites over the Normans not being willing to trust the English any more by reason that he had so ungratefully been balked by Harold So that it seems he cared not by what course or by whose means he should gain his point though it were by the Ruin and Destruction of his Country which hitherto he had earnestly promoted Being at length advanced to his long expected Government of South-Wales which though not recorded seems yet very probable by reason that his Son Rytherch ap Caradoc enjoyed the same very soon after he did not enjoy this Honour long but dying in a short time after his Advancement left to succeed him his Son Rytberch ap Caradoc At the same time that Caradoc carried on this Rebellion in Wales the Earls Edwyn Marcher and Hereward revolted from the King of England but Edwyn suspecting the success of their Affairs and determining to retire to Malcolm King of Scotland in his Journey thither was betrayed and slain by his own Followers Then Marcher and Hereward betook themselves to the Isle of Ely which though sufficiently fortified was so warmly besieged by the King that Marcher and his Accomplices were in a short time forced to surrender themselves up Prisoners only Hereward made his escape to Scotland But the King followed him close and after he had received Homage of Malcolm King of Scotland returned back to England and after a short stay here passed over to Normandy where he received Edgar Edeling again to Mercy The next Year the Normans having already tasted A.D. 1071 of the sweetness of wasting and plundering a Country came over again to Wales and having spoiled and destroyed Dyfed and the Country of Cardigan returned home with very great Spoil and the following Year sailed over again for more Booty About the same time Bleythyd Bishop of S. Davids died and was succeeded by one Sulien But this was not all the Misfortune that befel the Welch for Radulph Earl of the East-Angles together with Roger Earl of Hereford and Earl Waltelpe entered into a Conspiracy against King William appointing the day of Marriage between Radulph and Roger's Sister which was to be solemnized in Essex to treat of and conclude their Design Radulph's Mother was come out of Wales and upon that account he invited over several of her Friends and Relations to the Wedding meaning chiefly by this seeming Affection by their help and procurement to bring over the Princes and People of Wales to favour and assist his Undertaking But King William being acquainted with the whole Plot quickly ruined all their Intrigues unexpectedly coming from Normandy surprized the Conspirators only Radulph who either doubted of the success of their Affairs or else had intimation given him of the King 's landing before hand took shipping at Norwich and fled to Denmark Waltelpe and Roger were executed and all the other Adherents more particularly the Welch some of whom were hanged others had A.D. 1073 their Eyes put out and the rest were banished Soon after Blethyn ap Confyn Prince of Wales was basely and treacherously murthered by Rhys ap Owen ap Edwyn and the Gentlemen of Ystrad Tywy after he had reigned 13 Years A Prince of singular Qualifications and Virtues and a great Observer of Justice and Equity towards his Subjects he was very liberal and magnificent being indeed very able having a prodigious and almost an incredible Estate as appears by these Verses made upon him Blethyn ap Confyn bôb Cwys Ei hûn bioedh hên Bowis He had four Wives by whom he had Issue Meredith by Haer Daughter of Gylhyn his first Wife Lhywarch and Cadogan by the second Madoc and Riryd by the third and Iorwerth by his last Trahaern ap Caradoc BLethyn being as is said traiterously Murdered there was no regard had to his Issue as to their fight of Succession but Trahaern ap Caradoc his Couâ—in-German being a Person of great Power and Sway â—n the Country was unanimously elected Prince of North-Wales and Rhys ap Owen with Rytherch ap Caradoc did joyntly govern South-Wales Trahaern indeed had none of the least Pretence to that Principality as having married Nest the only surviving Issue of that great Prince Gruffydh ap Lhewelyn his two Sons Meredith and Ithel being lately slain in their attempt against Blethyn and Rywalhon But his Title could not secure him in his Government as much as his possession since there was one still living tho' not much regarded who without any Dispute was true Heir â—nd Proprietor of the Principality of North-Wales And this was Gruffydh Son to Conan Son to Iago ap Edwal who being informed of the Death of Blethyn ap Confyn and the Advancement of Trahaern thought this a proper time to endeavour the Recovery of what was truly his Right and out of which he had been all this time most wrongfully excluded Wherefore having obtained help in Ireland where he privately sojourned during the Reign of Blethyn ap Confyn from Encumalhon King of Vltonia Ranalht and Mathawn two other Kings of that Country he sailed for Wales and landed in the Isle of Anglesey which he easily reduced and brought to subjection At the same time Cynwric ap Rywalhon a Noble-Man of Maeler or Bromfield was slain in North-Wales but how or upon what account is not known But whilst Gruffydh ap Conan endeavours to dispossess Trahaern out of North-Wales Gronow and Lhewelyn the Sons of Cadwgan ap Blethyn having united their Forces with Caradoc ap Gruffydh ap Rytherch intended to revenge the Murther of their Grandfather Blethyn ap Confyn upon Rys ap Owen
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
replyed It was not so wonderful for although says he we have violently and injuriously oppressed that Nation yet it is manifestly known that they are the lawful and original Inheritors of that Country But whilst the Normans were thus carving for themselves in Glamorgan and Brecnock Cadogan ap Blethyn ap Confyn towards the end of April entered into Dyved and having ravaged and destroyed the Country returned back But within Eight Weeks after there succeeded him a more fatal Enemy for the Normans landing in Dyved and Cardigan began to fortifie themselves in Castles and other strong places and to inhabit the Country upon the Sea-shoar which before was not in their possession Indeed the Normans having by the connivance of the Conquerour already got into their hands all the best Estates in England began now to spy out the Commodities of Wales and perceiving moreover how bravely Robert Fitzhamon and Barnard Newmarch had sped there thought they might as well expect the like fortune Wherefore having obtained a Grant from King William who readily consented to their Request because by this means he killed two Birds with one Stone procured to himself their utmost Service upon occasion and withal provided for them without any Charge to himself they came to Wales and so entered upon the Estates appointed them by the King which they held of him by Knight-service having first done Homage and sworn Fealty for the same Roger Montgomery Earl of Arundel did Homage for the Lordships of Powis and Card gan Hugh Lupus Earl of Chester for Tegengl and Râ—fonioc together with all the Land lying upon the Sea shoar to the River Câ—nwey Arnulph a younger Son of Roger Montgomery for Dyved Barnard Newmarch for Brecnock Ralph Mortimer for Eluel Hugh de Lacy for the Land of Ewyas Eustace Omer for Mold and Hapredale and several others did the like Homage for other Lands But Roger Montgomery who by the Conquerour was created Earl of Arundel and Shrewsbury entered in an hostile manner into Powys-land and having won the Castle and Town of Baldwyn fortified it in his own right and called it Montgomery after his own Name King William of England was now in Normandy and busily engaged in a War against his Brother Robert by the advantage of whose absence Gruffydh ap Conan Prince of North-Wales and Cadogan ap Blethyn who now ruled in South Wales with joynt Forces entered into Cardigan and slew a great number of Normans whose Pride and excessive Cruelties towards the Welch were altogether intolerable But after sufficient execution there being returned home the Normans sent for more Aid from England which being arrived they thought to make a private in-road into North-Wales and so to be revenged upon the Welch But their Design being happily discovered to Cadogan he drew up his Forces to meet them and then unexpectedly setting upon them in the Forest of Yspys after a very warm Resistment of the Normans side forced them to retire by slight and then triumphantly marching through Cardigan and Dyved he destroyed all the Castles and Fortifications in the Country besides Pembrock and Rydcors which proved too strong and impregnable A.D. 1093 The next Year the Normans who inhabited the Country of Glamorgan fell upon and destroyed the Countries of Gwyr Kidwely and Ysâ—â—âd Tywy which they harrassed in such a cruel manner that they left them bare of any People to inhabit And to increase as it was thought the Miseries of the Welch King William Rufus being informed of the great slaughter which Gruffydh ap Conan and the Sons of Blethyn ap Confyn had lately committed upon the English as well within Cheshire Shropshire Worcestershire and Herefordshire as within Wales entered the Country at Montgomery which place the Welch having sometime since demolished King William lately rebuilt But the Welch kept all the Passages through the Woods and Rivers and all other Streights so close that the King could effect nothing considerable against them and therefore when he perceived that his labour was but lost in continuing in those Parts he forthwith decamped and returned with no great Honour back to England But this retreat of King William was not altogether so favourable to the Interest of the A.D. 1094 Welch as the death of William Fitz-Baldwyn who was Owner of the Castle of Rydcors and did the greatest mischief and hurt to the South-Wales Men of any other He being dead the Garrison of Rydcors which was wont to keep the Welch in continual a we forsook that place and by that means gave opportunity to the Inhabitants of Gwyr Brecnock Gwent and Gwentlhwe to shake off that intolerable Yoak the Normans forced upon them who after they had rob'd them of their Lands kept them in perpetual subjection But now William Fitz-Baldwyn being dead and the Garrison of Rydcors scatter'd they ventur'd to lay violent hands upon the Normans who thought themselves free from all fear and prevailed so successfully that they drove them all out of the Countrey and recover'd their own antient Estates But the Normans liked that Country so well that they were resolved not to be so easily befooled out of what they had with a great deal of Pains and Danger once possessed and therefore having drawn a great number of English and Normans to their aid they were desirous to venture another touch with the Welch and to return if possible to their once acâ—uir'd Habitations But the Welch so abhorr'd their Pride and tyrannical Dominion over them when they were Masters that they were resolved not to â—e subject to such Tyrants again and therefore they â—oldly met them at a place called Celly Iarfawc and â—et upon them so manfully the very apprehension of Servitude whetting their Spirits that they put them â—o flight with great slaughter and drove them out of â—he Country The Normans however were not so absolutely routed with this Overthrow but like a Fly in the night which destroys it self in the Candle they must needs covet their own Distruction their greediness egging them on to venture with few what was not practicable to be effected by many Therefore they came as far as Brecnock with this absolute â—ow and Resolution not to leave one living thing remaining in that Country But they fell short of their Policy the People of the Country being removed to a narrow Streight to expect their passing â—hrough whither the Normans being advanced they fell upon them and killed a great number of them About the same time Roger Montgomery Earl of Salop and Arundel William Fitzeustace Earl of Glocester Arnold de Harecourt and Neal le Vicount were slain by the Welch between Caerdà f and Brecnock and Walter Eureux Earl of Sarum Rosmer and Mantiâ—ake Hugh Earl of Gourney were wounded who afterwards dyed in Normandy The Normans finding that they continually lost ground thought it not advisable to stay any longer and therefore having placed sufficient Garrisons in those Castles which they had formerly built they returned with what speed they
could to England But all the haste they did make could not secure them from the Fury of the Welch for Gruffydh and Ifor the Sons of Ednerth ap Cadogan expected them privately at a place called Aberlhech where falling unexpectedly upon them they slew the greatest part of their number the rest narrowly escaping safe to England But the Norman Garrisons which were left behind defended themselves with a great deal of Bravery till at last finding no prospect of Relief they were forced for their own safety to deliver them up to the Welch who from that time became again Proprietors of those Places which the Normans had dispossess'd them from And this encouraged the Welch to undertake other things against the English for immediately after this certain of the Nobility of North-Wales Vchthed the Son of Edwyn ap Grono by name together with Howel ap Grono and the Soâ—â— of Cadogan ap Blethyn of Powys-land passed by Cardigan into Dyved which Country King William had given to Arnulph Son to Roger Montgomery who had built thereon the Castle of Pembrock and appointed Gerald de Windsore Governour of the same and destroying all the Country with Fire and Sword excepting Pembrock Castle which was impregnable they returned home with a great deal of Booty In recompence of this when the Lords of North-Wales were returned Gerald issued out of the Castle and spoiled all the Country about S. Davids and after he had got sufficient Plunder and taken divers Prisoners returned back into the Castle A.D. 1095 The Year following King William being return'd from Normandy and having heard how that the Welch had cut off a great number of his Subjects in Wales gathered all his Power together and with great Pomp and Ostentation entered the Marches resolving utterly to eradicate the rebellious and implacable humour of the Welch Nation But after all this Boast and seeming Resolution he durst venture no farther than the Marches where having built some few Castles he returned with no greater Honour A.D. 1096 than he came But the next Spring Hugh de Montgomery Earl of Arundel and Salop by the Welch â—â—med Hugh Goch and Hugh Fras or the sat Earl 〈◊〉 Chester being invited by some disaffected Welch â—â—rds came into North-Wales with a very great â—â—my Prince Gruffydh ap Conan and Cadogan ap â—â—â—thyn perceiving themselves to be too weak to â—â—pose so numerous an Army and what was worse â—â—â—ng very suspicious of the Fidelity and Honesty of â—â—â—ir own Forces thought it their best way to take 〈◊〉 Hills and Mountains for their safety where they â—â—re like to remain most secure from the Enemy â—â—en the English Army marched towards Anglesey 〈◊〉 being come over against the Island they built 〈◊〉 Castle of Aberlhiennawc But Gruffydh and Caâ—â—an could no longer endure to see their Country â—â—er run by the English and therefore they descendâ—â— from the Mountains and came to Anglesey thinkâ—â—g with what Succours they should receive from â—â—â—land of which they were disappointed to be able 〈◊〉 defend the Island from any attempt that should 〈◊〉 made upon it And now the whole Treason and 〈◊〉 occasion of the English coming to Wales was â—â—â—covered for Owen ap Edwyn the Prince his chiefâ—â—â— Counsellour whose Daughter Gruffydh had marâ—â—â—d having himself also married Everyth the Daughâ—â—â— of Confyn Aunt to Cadogan upon some private â—â—rudge or other called in the English into Wales â—â—d at this time openly joyned his Forces with â—â—eirs and led the whole Army over into Anglesey â—ruffydh and Cadogan finding how they were beâ—â—ayed by their dearest Friend as they thought for â—â—â—r of farther Treachery judged it prudent to sail â—â—â—vately for Ireland after whose departure the Engâ—â—â—h fell cruelly to work destroying all they could â—â—me at without any respect to either Age or Sex â—nd whilst the English continued in Anglesey Magâ—â—s the Son of Harold lately King of England came â—ver with a great Fleet intending to lay faster hold â—pon that Kingdom than his Father had done and 〈◊〉 recover the same to himself But whilst he steered â—is Course thitherward he was driven by contrary Winds to the Coasts of Anglesey where he would fain have landed had not the English Army kept him off But in this Skirmish Magnus accidentally wounded Hugh Earl of Salop with an Arrow in the Face whereof he dyed and then of a sudden both Armies relinquished the Island the English returning A.D. 1097 to England appointing Owen ap Edwyn who invited them over Prince of the Country But Owen did not enjoy the Principality long for in the beginning of the following Spring Gruffydh ap Conan and Cadogan ap Blethyn returned from Ireland and having concluded a Peace with the Normans for some part of their Lands in Wales Gruffydh remained in Anglesey and Cadogan had Cardigan with part of Powys But though Cadogan recovered his Estate yet in a little while after he lost his Son Lhewelyn who was treacherously murthered by the Men of Brecnock at which time also dyed Rythmarch Archbishop of S. Davids the Son of Sulien being in the 43 Year of his Age a Man of the greatest Piety Wisdom and Learning as had flourished a long time in Wales excepting his Father under whose A.D. 1098 Tutelage he was educated The Year following King William Rufus as he was hunting in the new Forrest was accidentally stain with an Arrow which one Walter Tyrrell shot at a Stag and his eldest Brother being then engaged in the Holy War Henry his younger Brother whom in his life-time he had nominated his Successor was crowned in his stead The same Year Hugh Earl of Chester Grono ap Cadogan and Gwyn ap Gruffydh departed this life A.D. 1100 About two Years after a Rebellion broke out in England Robert de Belesmo the Son of Roger de Montgomery Earl of Salop and Arnulph his Brother Earl of Pembrock took up Arms against King Henry which he being informed of sent them a very gracious Message to come before him and declare their Grievances and the reason of their rising up in Arms against his Majesty But the Earls instead of appearing in Person sent him flight and frivolous Excuses and in the mean while made all necessary Preparations for the War both by raising of Forces and fortifying their Castles and strong Holds And to strengthen themselves the more they sent rich Presents and made large Promises to Iorwerth Cadogan and Meredith the Sons of Blethyn ap Confyn for to bring them to their side Robert fortified four Castles namely Arundel Tekinhil Shrewsbury and Brugge which last by reason that Robert built it without the consent of the King was the chief occasion of this War and Arnulph fortified his Castle at Pembrock After this they entered in an hostile manner into the Territories of the King of England wasting and destroying all before them And to augment their strength Arnulph sent Gerald his Steward to Murkart King of Ireland desiring his Daughter in Wedlock which was
away from him But Owen was so amorously inexorable with respect to the Woman that he would by no means part with her however upon her request he was willing to restore Gerald his Children back again which forthwith he performed But when Richard Bishop of London whom King Henry had constituted Warden of the Marches being now at Shrewsbury heard of this he sent for Ithel and Madoc the Sons of Ryryd ap Blethyn Persons of great Power and Interest in Wales promising them very considerable Reward besides the Government of the whole Country in case they could bring Owen and his Father Cadwgan either dead or alive to him that he might revenge that hainous Affront which they had done to the King of England With them he joyned Lhywarch the Son of Trahaern ap Caradoc whose two Brethren Owen had slain and Vchtryd the Son of Edwyn which Four undertook to answer effectually the Bishop's Proposal to them But when they had united their Forces and began in an hostile manner to destroy the Country as they passed along Vchtryd sent private notice before him requiring all who were any way desirous of their own Safety to come to him because no Quarters was to be given to any that was found in the Country The People being thus so opportunely forewarned began to bethink with themselves how they might best avoid so eminent a danger and thereupon some fled to Arustly others to Melienyth some to Stradtywy and some to Dyfed but in this latter place they met with very cold welcom for Gerald who was then very busie in exercising Revenge upon that Country falling in among them cut off a considerable number of them The like fate befel them who escaped to Arustly and Melienyth for Walter Bishop of Hereford having raised an Army in defence of the Town of Caermyrdhyn before he could come thither accidentally met with these stragling Fugitives and knowing what Country they belonged to without any further Ceremony he fell upon them and put most of them to the Sword But they who fled to Stradtywy were gently received by Meredith ap Rytherch and such as resorted to Vchtryd were kindly entertained by him and so he marched with the rest of his Confederates to Rydcors Castle it being the general opinion that it was best to enter the Country by Night and to take Cadwgan and Owen his Son by surprize But Vchtryd reflecting upon the Difficulty of the Country and how easily they might be entrapp'd by an Ambuscade dissuaded them from any such nocturnal Undertakings and told them that it was far more advisable to enter the Country in good order when the light gave the Soldiers opportunity to keep and observe their ranks But whilst they were thus considering of the most effectual way to carry on their purpose Owen got a Ship at Aberdyfi bound for Ireland and escaping thither avoided the narrow search that was the following day made for them But when neither Father nor Son could be found all the fault was laid upon Vchtryd who had dissuaded them from falling upon the Castle unexpectedly and therefore all they could do since their escape was to burn and destroy the Country which they did effectually excepting the two Sanctuaries of Lhanpadarn and Lhandewi Brefi out of which however they took several Persons who had escaped thither and carried them away Prisoners to their several Countries But Owen with them who were accessary to the burning of Rydcors Castle being fled into Ireland desired the Umbrage and Protection of King Murcart who received him very gladly upon the account of their former acquaintance for Owen during the War betwixt the Earls of Arundel and Chester and the Welch had fled to King Murcart and brought him very rich Presents from Wales Cadwgan all this while lay privately in Powys but thinking it impossible to continue there long undiscovered he adjudged it his wiser way to send to King Henry and to declare his Innocency and Abhorrence of that Fact which his Son had committed The King was easily persuaded that the old Man was guiltless and wholly ignorant of his Son's Crime and therefore he gave him permission to remain in the Country and to enjoy the Town and Lands he received by his Wife who was the Daughter of a Norman Lord called Pygot de Say But his Lands in Powys were otherwise distributed for his Nephews Madoc and Ithel finding what Circumstances their Uncle Cadwgan lay under upon the account of his Son Owen they divided betwixt themselves such Lands as he and his Son possessed in Powys though afterwards they could never agree about the equal distribution of it To counter-ballance this Cadwgan made such Friends to the King of England that upon paying the Fine of 100 l. he had a grant of all his Lands in Cardigan and a power to recall all the Inhabitants who had rubb'd off upon the publication of the King 's late Order That no Welchman or Norman should dwell in Cardigan Upon information of this grant to Cadwgan several of them that retired to Ireland returned again privately to Wales and lurkingly remained with their Friends but Owen durst not appear in Cardigan by reason that his Father had received that Country from King Henry upon condition that he would never entertain or receive his Son nor by any means succour him either with Men or Money Nevertheless Owen came to Powys and would fain be reconciled to the King and make an Attonement for his late Misdemeanour but he could find no body that would venture to speak in his behalf nor make the King acquainted with his desire and willingness to submit And thus being hopeless and full of Despair he could not possibly divine which way to turn himself till at last a very unexpected opportunity offered him means and occasion to oppose the English The matter was this there happened a Difference betwixt Madoc ap Râ—ryd and the Bishop of London Lieutenant of the Marches of Wales about certain English Felons who being under the Protection of Madoc he would not restore at the Bishop's request The Bishop being much offended at Madawc's denyal threatned him very severely and therefore to make all possible Preparations against an ensuing storm Madawc sent to Owen who heretofore was his greatest Enemy desiring his help against the Bishop and by this means being reconciled they took their mutual Oaths not to betray each other and that neither should make a separate Agreement with the English without the Knowledg and Approbation of the other And so uniting their Power they spoiled and ravaged all the Country about them destroying whatever they could meet with which belonged to those they had no kindness or affection for without the least distinction of English or Welch Iorwerth ap Blethyn had been very unjustly detain'd A.D. 1107 in Prison all this time and now King Henry calling to mind what Hardship he laboured under and that he committed him to custody upon no pretence of Reason sent to know
of those who enjoyed a great part of the Welchmens Lands but would not be satisfied till they got all For Gilbert Strongbow Earl of Strygill upon whom the King had bestowed Cardigan made great Complaints of Owen ap Cadwgan declaring how that he received and entertained such Persons as spoiled and robbed in his Country and Hugh Earl of Chester made the like of Gruffydh ap Conan Prince of North-Wales how that his Subjects and the Men of Grono ap Owen ap Edwyn Lord of Tegengl unreproved wasted and burnt the Country of Cheshire and to aggravate the matter the more he added farther that Gruffydh neither owed any Service nor paid any Tribute to the King Upon these Complaints King Henry was so cruelly enraged that he swore he would not leave one living Creature remaining in North-Wales and Powys-land but having extirpated utterly the present Race of People he would plant a Colony of new Inhabitants And then dividing his Army into three parts he deliver'd one to the conduct of the Earl of Strygill to go against South-Wales which comprehended the whole Power of the fourth part of England and Cornwal The next Battel was designed against North-Wales in which was all the strength of Scotland and the North and was commanded by Alexander King of the Scots and Hugh Earl of Chester the Third the King led himself against Powys wherein was contained the whole strength of the middle part of England Meredith ap Blethyn hearing of these mighty Preparations and being informed that this vast Army was design'd against Wales was quickly apprehensive that the Welch were not able to make any great Defence and therefore thought it his safest way to provide for himself before-hand and so coming to the King yielded himself up to his Mercy But Owen fearing to commit himself to those whom he knew so greedily to covet his Estate and whom he was assured were far more desirous to dispossess the Welch of their Lands than any other way to punish them for former Crimes and Miscarriages fled to Gruffydh ap Conan to North-Wales Upon that King Henry converted his whole Force that way and came himself as far as Murcastelh and the Scotch King to Pennant Bachwy but the People flying to the Mountains carried with them all the Cattel and Provision they had so that the English could not follow them and as many as attempted to come at them were either slain or wounded in the streights But Alexander King of the Scots finding that nothing could possibly be effected against the Welch as long as they kept the Rocks and Mountains sent to Prince Gruffydh advising him to submit himself to the King promising him all his Interest to obtain an honourable Peace But the Prince was too well acquainted with English Promises and therefore refused his Proposals and so King Henry being very unwilling to return without doing something in this Expedition sent to Owen to forsake the Prince who was not able to defend himself but was ready to strike a Peace with the Scottish King and the Earl of Chester But this cunning Insinuation would not take effect for Owen was for his life as distrustful of King Henry as Prince Gruffydh and therefore he would hearken to no Intreaties for revolting from him who had all this while afforded him Refuge till at length his Uncle Meredith an old insinuating Politician persuaded him with much a do not to forsake the King of England's Proposals who offered him all his Lands without Tribute in case he would come to his side and therefore Meredith advised him instantly to accept of his offer before Prince Gruffydh made a Peace with the King which if it was once done he would be glad upon any score to purchase the King's Mercy Owen being prevailed upon by such Arguments came to the King who received him very gratiously and told him that because he believed his Promise he would not only perform that but likewise exalt him above any of his Kindred and grant him his Lands free from any payment of Tribute Prince Gruffydh perceiving how that Owen had submitted to the King thought it also his wisest way to sue for Peace and so promising the King a great Sum of Money a Peace was then actually agreed upon and confirmed which the King of England was the more ready to consent to because he found it impossible to do him any hurt whilst he continued encamped in that place Some affirm that the submission as well of Prince Gruffydh as Owen was procured by the Policy of Meredith ap Blethyn and the Earl of Chester this last working with Gruffydh and assuring him that Owen had made his Peace with the King before any such thing was in agitation so that the Prince yielding somewhat to the Earl's Request if Owen had gone contrary to his Oath which they had mutually taken not to make any Peace with the English without one anothers Knowledge seemed to incline to a Peace On the other hand Meredith going in Person to his Nephew Owen affirmed for Truth that the Prince and the Earl of Chester were actually agreed and that the Prince was on his Journey to the King to make his Submission And in the mean while Meredith took especial care that all Messengers betwixt the Prince and Owen should be intercepted and by that means Owen wilfully submitted himself to the King King Henry having thus finished and brought to an end all his Business in Wales calling Owen to him told him that in case he would go over with him to Normandy and there be faithful to him he would upon his return confirm all his Promises upon him and so Owen accepting of the King's Offer went with him to Normandy where he behaved himself so gallantly that he was made a Knight and after his return A.D. 1112 the Year following he had all his Lands and Estate confirmed unto him About the same time Griffri Bishop of St. Davids died and King Henry appointed to succeed him one Barnard a Norman much against the Good-will and Inclination of the Welch who before this time were ever used to Elect their own Bishop And this Year the rumour of Gruffydh Son to Rhys ap Theodore was spread throughout South-Wales who as the report went for fear of the King had been from a Child brought up in Ireland and having come over about two Years afore past his time privately among his Relations particularly with Gerald Steward of Pembroke his Brother-in-Law And now the noise of a new Prince being spread abroad it came at last to the Ears of the King of England that a certain Person appeared in Wales who pretended to be the Son of Rhys ap Theodore late Prince of South Wales and laid Claim to that Principality which was now in the King's Hands King Henry being somewhat concerned with such a Report and fearing lest that this new Starter should create him some greater trouble he thought to nip him in the bud and sent down Orders
to 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
each other But A.D. 1142 shortly after this an irreconcilable Difference fell out betwixt Anarawd Son to Gruffydh ap Rhys Prince of South-Wales and his Father in Law Cadwalader the Son of Gruffydh ap Conan and Brother to Prince Owen Gwynedh which from Words quickly proceeded to Blows In this Scuffle Anarawd was unhappily slain which so exasperated Prince Owen against his Brother Cadwalader that together with his Son Howel he marched with an army into his Brothers Country and after a considerable Waste and Destruction burnt to the ground the Castle of Aberystwyth Cadwalader upon the News of Prince Owen's approach withdrew himself and fled to Ireland where having hired a great number of Irish and Scots for Two Thousand Marks under the Command of Octer and the Sons of Turkel and Cherulf he struck sail for Wales and landed at Abermenay in Carnarvonshire The Prince to protract no time marched with all speed to prevent their farther progress into the Country and both Armies being come in view of each other a Peace was happily concluded betwixt the two Brothers The Irish understanding this and how that their coming over was like to prove but a Fool 's Errant to them they surprized and secured Cadwalader till their Wages and Arrears were paid who to obtain his Liberty deliver'd to them two thousand Heads of Cattel besides many Prisoners and other Booty which they had taken in the Country But as soon as the Prince was informed that his Brother Cadwalader was set loose without any farther demur upon the case he fell in upon the Irish and having slain a very considerable number of them recovered all the Booty they purposed to ship off and forced as many as could escape to return with great loss and a greater shame back to Ireland But the Normans sped far better in Wales Hugh Son to Radulph Earl of Chester having fortified his Castle of Cymaron set upon and won the Country of Melienyth a second time and the Castle of Clun being fortified by another Lord all Eluel became subject to the Normans The same time King Stephen took Geffry Mandeville Prisoner at S. Albans where the Earl of Arundel by the slip of his Horse was like to be drowned in the River But the Earl of Mandeville to obtain his liberty delivered up to the King the Tower of London with the Castles of Walden and Plassey which reduced him to that condition that he was forced to live upon the Plunder and Spoil of Abbies and other religious Houses till at length he was slain in a Skirmish against the King and his Son banished the Kingdom The next Year a Skirmish happened betwixt Hugh A.D. 1144 de Mortimer and Rhys ap Howel wherein the latter was taken Prisoner with many others of his Accomplices who were all committed to Prison by the English But it fared much better with Howel and Conan the Sons of Prince Owen who having raised an Army against the Flemings and Normans gain'd a considerable Victory at Aberteifi and having placed a Garrison in the Town returned home with great Honour and much Booty About the same time Sulien ap Rhythmarch one of the Colledg of Lhanbadarn and a Person of great Reading and extensive Learning departed this Life Shortly after Gilbert Earl of Clare came with a great number of Forces to Dyfed and built the Castle of Caermardhyn and the Castle of the Sons of Vchtryd Hugh Mortimer A.D. 1145 likewise slew Meyric ap Madawc ap Riryd ap Bleddu and Meredic ap Madawc ap Ednerth And so far it went of the side of the English but now the Welch begin to gain ground Cadelh the Son of Gruffydh ap Rhys Prince of South Wales laid siege to the Castle of Dynefowr belonging to Earl Gilbert which being surrender'd up Cadelh assisted by his Brethren Meredith and Rhys brought his Army before the Castle of Caermardhyn which after a short siege yielded in like manner reserving only this one Condition that the Garison should not be put to the Sword From thence he marched to Lhanstephan and set before the Castle to the Relief of which the Normans and Flemings coming with their Forces were shamefully vanquished and overcome and so the Castle was easily deliver'd up to the Welch But the Normans were so cruelly nettled at this that they muster'd up all the Forces they could possibly draw together out of the neighbouring Countries and unexpectedly surrounded the Castle intending by all possible means to recover the same But the Governour Meredith ap Gruffydh a Man of great Years and no less Experience so animated and encouraged the besieged that when the Normans and Flemings ventured to scale the Walls they were bear back with such Vigour and Loss of their side that at length they were compell'd to raise the Siege and leave the Welch in possession of the Castle Shortly after this Run the Son of Prince Owen of North-Wales a Youth of excellent hopes and incomparable Qualifications dyed whose Death his Father took so much to heart that for some time he seemed to be past all Comfort being faln into such a melancholy Disposition that he was diverted with nothing but Retirement But an Accident fell out which rouz'd him out of this lethargical Fit of Sorrow and Discontent the Castle of Mould was so very strong and well garrison'd by the English that it mightily annoyed the Country thereabouts and had been frequently besieged but could never be taken Prince Owen at this time levied an Army and laid close siege to it and the Garison for several assaults behaved it self so manfully that the place seemed impregnable and invincible But the Presence and Example of Prince Owen so encouraged his Men that they fell on with all possible Vigour and Might and at last forced their entrance into the Castle Having put a great number of the Garrison to the Sword and taken the rest Prisoners the Castle was rased to the ground and this fortunate Attempt so pleased the Prince that he forgot all Sorrow for his Son and returned to his usual Temper and accustomed Merriments At the same time King Stephen of England obtained a remarkable Victory over his Enemies at Farendon and although the ensuing Year Rondel Earl of Chester and he were reconciled yet he thought it more adviseable to detain him Prisoner though contrary to his promise until such time as the Earl would deliver up the Castle of Lincoln with all the Forts and places of strength in his custody A.D. 1146 The next Year Cadelh Meredith and Rhys the Sons of Gruffydh ap Rhys ap Theodor brought an Army before the Castle of Gwys but finding themselves too weak to master it they desired Howel Son to Prince Owen Gwynedh a Person famously remarkable for martial Endowments to come to their assistance Howel who was ever very desirous to signalize himself and to evidence his Valour to the World readily consented to their Request and having drawn his Forces together marched directly towards
the Queen his Mother his Brothers Geffrey and Richard the French King the Earl of Flanders together with the Earl of Chester William Patrick with several other valiant Knights and Gentlemen But the old King having a stout and a faithful Army consisting of Almanes and Brabanters was not in the least dismay'd or discourag'd at such a seeming Storm and which made him more bold and adventurous he was joyned by a strong Party of Welchmen which Lord Rhys had sent him under the command of his Son Howel King Henry overthrew his Enemies in divers Encounters and having either killed or taken Prisoners most of them who were rose up against him he easily dissipated the Cloud which at first seemed so black and threatning Iorwerth ap Owen was not very sory to see the English clash and fall into civil Dissentions among themselves and therefore taking advantage of such a seasonable opportunity he drew his Army against Caerlheon which stood out very stifly against him But after many warm Disputes of both sides Iorwerth at length prevailed and entering the Town by force he took most of the Inhabitants Prisoners and then laying siege to the Castle it was surrender'd up in exchange for the Prisoners he had taken in the Town Howel his Son at the same time was busie in Gwent îs Coed and having reduced all that Country excepting the Castle to subjection he took Pledges of the Inhabitants to be true and faithful to him and to withdraw their Allegiance from the King of England At the same time something of action passed in North-Wales for David ap Owen Gwynedh Prince of North-Wales bringing an Army over the River Menai into Anglesey against his Brother Maelgon who kept that Island from him forced him to make his escape to Ireland in his return from whence the following Year he was accidentally discovered and seized upon and then by his Brothers orders committed to close Prison Prince David having brought the Isle of Anglesey to its pristine state of subjection to him was resolved to move all manner of Obstacles which might at any time for the future endanger its falling off from him and these he judged to be his own next Relations A.D. 1174 and therefore he expell'd and banish'd all his Brethren and Cosins out of his Territories of North-Wales But before this Sentence was put in execution his Brother Conan dyed and so escaped the Ignominy of being banished his native Country for no other reason but the Jealousie of an ambitious Brother About the same time Howel the Son of Iorwerth ap Owen of Caerlheon took Prisoner his Uncle Owen Pencarn who was right Heir of Caerlheon and Gwent and now having him secure and to prevent his getting any Children to inherit those places which himself was next Heir to he first pulled out his Eyes and then very inhumanly cut off his Testicles But Vengeance did not permit such a base Action to go unpunished for upon the Saturday following a great Army of Normans and Englishmen came unexpectedly before the Town and wan both it and the Castle notwithstanding all the Opposition which Howel and his Father Iorwerth made though this last was not privy to his Sons Action About the same time King Henry came over to England a little after whose arrival William King of Scots and Roger de Moubray were taken Prisoners at Alnewike by the Barons of the North as they came to destroy the Northern part of the Country in the Quarrel of the young King But old King Henry having committed them to the safe custody of the Earl of Leicester and received Hugh Bygod Earl of Chester to his Mercy returned to Normandy with a very considerable Army of Welchmen which David Prince of North-Wales had sent him in return of which he gave him his Sister Emme in Marriage When he was arrived in Normandy he sent a Detachment of the Welch to cut off some Provisions which were going to the Enemies Camp but in the mean time the French King came to a Treaty of Peace which was shortly afterwards concluded upon so that all the Brethren who had all this time maintained such an unnatural Rebellion against their Father were forced to beg the old King's Forgiveness and Pardon for all their former Misdemeanours David Prince of North-Wales began to grow very bold and assuming by reason of his new Alliance with the King of England and nothing would serve his turn but he must put his Brother Roderic in Prison and secure him with Fetters for no other account than because he demandod his share of his Fathers Lands It was the custom of Wales as is said before to make an equal division of the Father's Inheritance between all the Children and therefore David had no colour of Reason or Pretence to deal so severely with his Brother unless it were to verifie that Proverb Might overcomes Right But though Prince David might depend much upon his Affinity with the King of England yet Rhys Prince of South-Wales gained his Favour and Countenance the more by reason that he let slip no opportunity to further the King's Interest and Affairs in Wales and by that means was a very necessary and useful Instrument to keep under the Welch and to promote the surer Settlement of the English in the Country Not that he bore any Love or Affection to either King Henry or his Subjects but because he was sufficiently rewarded for former Services and was still in expectation of receiving more Favours at the King's hands he was resolved to play the Politician so far as to have regard to his own Interest more than the Good of his native Country And what did ingratiate him to King Henry most of all upon the Feast of S. James he brought all such Lords of South-Wales as were at Enmity with the King to do him Homage at Glocester namely Cadwalhon ap Madawc of Melyenyth his Cosin-German Eineon Clyt of Eluel and Eineon ap Rhys of Gwerthrynion his Sons in Law Morgan ap Caradoc ap Iestyn of Glamorgan Gruffydh ap Ifor ap Meiric of Sengennyth and Sitsylht ap Dyfnwal of Higher Gwent all three his Brothers in Law who had married his Sisters together with Iorwerth ap Owen of Caerlheon King Henry was so well pleased with this Stratagem of Rhys that notwithstanding these Persons had been his implacable Enemies he readily granted them their Pardon and received them to Favour and restored to Iorwerth ap Owen the Town and Castle of Caerlheon which he had unjustly taken from him A.D. 1175 This Reconciliation betwixt King Henry and these Welch Lords some of the English in Wales took advantage of and more particularly William de Bruce Lord of Brecnock who having for a long time a great longing to Gwentland could not bring about his Design by reason that Sitsylht ap Dyfnwal the Person of greatest sway and Power in the Country was an inveterate Enemy to all the English But being now reconciled to the King William de
his mind delivered up to the King being the in-land Country of Denbigh and Flint which Lhewelyn at this time repossessed himself of And well it was he was so quick for within a little while after King John by the persuasions of Pandulph the Pope's Legate granted his Holiness all his Request and so obtained Absolution at Pandulph's hands and upon performance of his Promises an assurance of a releasement from that Ecclesiastical Bull which had so formidably roared against him A.D. 1213 South-Wales had now been quiet for a considerable time and they that used to be commonly very turbulent and contentious were now pretty easy and amicable But it was impossible that such a peaceable Course of Life should hold long where Injustice and Oppression had so much Liberty and where People were wrongfully kept out of their just and rightful Inheritance And this was the occasion of the breach of that quietness which for the two or three years last past they had so satisfactorily enjoyed For Rhys the Son of Gruffydh ap Rhys who was right Heir to Prince Rhys finding he could have no share of his Father's Estate but that his Uncles forcibly kept all from him thought it his best way to make his Case known to the King of England and to desire a remedy and redress from him King John in compassion of the young Man's hard Condition sent to his Deputy Foulke Vicount of Caerdyff Warden of the Marches and to the Steward of Hereford commanding them to take away all Ystratywy from Rhys Fychan by some called Rhys Gryg unless he would permit his Nephews to enjoy Lhanymdhyfry-Castle with all the Lands and Priviledges thereunto belonging Foulke having received such Orders from his Master the King of England sent to acquaint Rhys of the Proposals and so demand of him whether or no he would deliver up Lhanymdhyfry to his Nephews according to the Kin'gs Command who returned answer that he did not know of any such Obligation due from him to the King of England as to part with his Lands at his Command and therefore assured him peremptorily and in plain terms that he would not willingly part with one foot of what he was in present possession of Foulke therefore having received this resolute Answer was likewise as resolute to get that by force which he could not obtain by fair means and so having raised a great Army he marched to Talhwynelgain to meet with young Rhys who was to come thither with all the Forces he could raise in Brecknock and from thence they marched in three Battles towards Dynefawr the first being commanded by young Rhys the second by Foulke and Owen Brother to Rhys led the third Rhys Fychan was not in the least dismayed at their Number but thinking it more advisable to meet them in the Field rather than suffer them to block him up at Dynefawr came out very boldly and gave them Battel but after a warm Engagement on both sides Rhys Fychan in the end got the worse and after a loss of a great number of his Men he was glad at last to make his escape by flight And so retiring to Dynefawr he doubled the Garrison of that place but thinking the Town of Lhandeilo-fawr not to be Tenable he burnt it to the Ground and then kept himself private in the Woods and other desart places But young Rhys and Foulke laid Siege to Dynefawr and in the first Assault came on so fiercely that they forced the Garrison to retire to the Castle which for some time they defended very manfully But the besiegers began to play so violently with their battering Engines and to undermine the Wall in such a manner that the Governour after a short defence began to Capitulate giving three Pledges for security that if they received no Relief by the morrow at Noon the Castle should be surrendred up conditionally that the Garrison should march out with all the Tokens of Honour and carry their Arms and all other Implements of War along with them No Relief being arrived the Castle the next day was accordingly surrendred and all the Articles of the Capitulation observed and so young Rhys being possessed of Dynefawr in a little time afterward brought all Cantref-fawr to his subjection When Rhys Fychan was sensible how the stream run violently against him he thought it his wisest way to remove his Wife and Children and all his other Effects to his Brother Maelgon's Country and so leaving Lhanymdhyfry Castle well manned and fortified he departed towards Aberystwyth But as soon as Foulke was returned to the Marches young Rhys came with an Army consisting of Welch and Normans before Lhanymdhyfry intending to besiege that place but before they were encamped before the Town the Governour thought it his best way to surrender upon Condition only that the Garrison should depart away with their Lives And shortly afterwards Rhys Fychan was taken at Caermarâ—dhyn and committed to the King's Prison and so all the Disturbances and Troubles of South-Wales came to a peaceable issue But it was not so in North-Wales for Prince Lhewelyn being desirous to rid his Country from the insupportable Tyranny and Oppression of the English Garrisons laid Siege to the Castles of Dyganwy and Ruthlan the only places now remaining in the hands of the English which he took without any great opposition and so freed his Country from any Title or Pretence the King of England might claim in North-Wales King John indeed was engaged another way and consequently in no good Condition to help himself for having repented of all the indignities and stubborness he expressed against Pope Innocent at this time he received Penance at the hands of the Archbishop of Canterbury to attone for all the severities he had practised against the Church And to restore himself the more to his Holiness Favour he made the Kingdom of England Tributary to the Church of Rome to be holden of the Pope in paying him the summ of 1000 Marks yearly for ever and withal recalled and restored to their former Preferments and Places all such as had been banished or had voluntarily fled the Kingdom upon the account of their strict adherence and submission to the Pope of Rome Nor was this all for the next year King John with A.D. 1215 two of his Nobility the Earls of Chester and Derby was resolved upon a Voyage to the Holy-Land but was unfortunately prevented of his Journey by the Rebellion of his Barons which now broke forth violently by reason that the King would not grant them some antient Laws and Priviledges such as their fore-Fathers always enjoyed Therefore the Barons entered into a Confederacy with Prince Lhewelyn of North-Wales desiring him to make what Diversion he could on his part which they were resolved to do on theirs and so having raised an Army they appointed Robert Fitzwalter their General Coming to Bedford they were honourably received into the Castle by William Beauchamp and from thence marching to London they were
entertained with all the Expressions and Tokens of Joy King John perceiving how powerful they were like to prove and how that the Country did in a great measure favour their Cause thought it his wisest way to nip them in the bud and to fall upon them before they grew too strong and therefore having levied his Forces he marched together with William Marshall Earl of Pembroke towards the Castle of Rochester Being arrived there he laid close Siege to the Castle but the Governour William de Abbineto so bravely defended it that it could hardly be taken after three Months Siege but at length the King's Men bore on so violently that they took it by a Storm where besides William de Abbineto the King took several of the Barons Prisoners This was an ill beginning to the Design of the Confederates and what did not add a little to their Misfortune the Pope presently issues out his Bull of Excommunication against Lhewelyn Prince of Wales and all the English Barons as made War against King John who was under the protection of the Church of Rome But Prince Lhewelyn did not regard his threatning Anathemas and therefore having raised an Army he came to Shrewsbury which was delivered up to him without any resistance And whilst Lhewelyn remained there Giles de Bruce Bishop of Hereford one of the chief of this Conspiracy sent his Brother Reynold to Brecnock whom all the People readily owâ—ed for their Lord and so without the least grumbling or opposition he received the Castles of Abergefenny and Pencelhy the Castelh Gwyn or the White Castle together with Grosmont Castle and the Island of Cynuric But when the Bishop came thither in Person he had the Castles of Aberhondhy Hay Buelht and Blaenlhyfny delivered up to him but thinking he had enough himself and being rather desirous to secure his Interest and to strengthen his Party in the Country than to heap more upon his own shoulders than he was well able â—o support he bestowed Payn Castle Clune and all Eluel upon Walter Fychan the Son of Eineon Clyd In the mean time young Rhys the Son of Gruffydh â—p Rhys and his Uncle Maelgon were reconciled and made Friends and so coming both to Dyfed they destroyed Arberth and Maenclochoc Castles and recovered all such Lands as formerly belonged to them exâ—epting Cemais But Rhys's Brothers Maelgon and Owen went to North-Wales and did Homage and Fealâ—y to Prince Lhewelyn whilst their Brother Prince Rhys marched forward to Cydwely and having rased the Castles of Carnwylheon and Lhyâ—hwr brought all the Country about under his subjection But this was â—ot enough to satisfy the ambitious humour of that young Prince for having once tasted the pleasure of Victory and the taking and demolishing of Towns â—e was resolved to prosecute his Conquest whilst Fortune seemed to favour his Undertakings and therefore he lead his Army against Talybont Castle which belonged to Hugh de Miles and forcing his entrance into the same he put a great number of the Garrison to the Sword The next day he marched to Sengennyth Castle but the Garrison which kept it thinkâ—ng it fruitless and to no purpose to oppose him burnt the place and departed to Ystymlhwynarth But he followed them at the Heels and the next day took it and rased it to the ground and over-ran the Country in such a violent manner that in three days time he became Master of all the Castles and Fortresses in all Gowerland and Morgannwe and so returned home with great Victory and Triumph At the same time Rhyt Fychan otherwise Rhys Gryg young Prince Rhys's Uncle obtained his Liberty from the King of England leaving his Son with two more for Pledges for his modest and peaceable Behaviour towards his Subjects whom at other times he was wont to molest and oppress About this time the Abbots of Tal y Llecheu and Tuy Gwyn were consecrated Bishops the former of St. Davids and the other of Bangor But the Bishop of Hereford who seemed to be the most violently inclined against King John and was otherwise unwilling to part with what he had got in Wales's could not for all that refuse the Injunction of the Pope by whose express Command he was constrained to make Peace with the King which being concluded in his return homeward he died at Glocester leaving his Estate to his Brother Reginald who had married the Daughter of Prince Lhewelyn But for all that Giles de Bruce Bishop of Hereford was fallen off and reconciled to King John yet Prince Lhewelyn did not think it convenient to follow his Example and therefore with his whole Army he marched against Carmardhyn and took the Castle in five days having rased it to the ground he successively laid Siege to the Castles of Lhanstephan St. Cleare and Talacharn which he used after the same manner From thence he went to Cardigan and winning Emlyn Castle he subdued Cemaes and then laying Siege to Trefdraeth Castle in English called Newport he quickly took it and afterwards rased it to the ground His next Design was upon Aberteifi and Cilgerraâ— Castles but the Garrisons which defended them finding it to no purpose to wait his coming and so to withstand all his Attempts against those places voluntarily surrendred and by that means prevented all the Mischief which in opposing him would in all probability unavoidably attend them And so Prince Lhewelyn having successfully over-run and subdued all Carmardhyn and Cardigan triumphantly returned to North-Wales being attended by several of the Welch Nobility such as Howel ap Gruffydh ap Conan Lhewelyn ap Meredith Gwenwynwyn Lord of Powys Meredith ap Rotpert Maelgon and Rhys Fychan the Sons of Prince Rhys of South Wales Rhys and Owen the Sons of Gruffydh ap Rhys together with all the Power of Madoc ap Gruffydh Maylor Lord of Bromfield A.D. 1216 But the next year Prince Lhewelyn returned to Aberteifi to compose a Difference which since his departure had happened betwixt Maelgon and Rhys Fychan Prince Rhys's Sons on the one side and Rhys and Owen Gruffydh ap Rhys's Sons on the other Therefore to make up this Quarrel and to reduce all Matters to a quiet and amicable issue Prince Lhewelyn made an equal distribution of South-Wales betwixt them allotting to Maelgâ—n three Cantrefs in Dyfed viz. Gwarthaf Penlhwynoc Cemaes and Emlyn with Cilgerran Castle to young Rhys two Castles in Ystratywy Hiruryn and Maelhaen Maenor Bydfey with the Castle of Lhanymdhyfry and two in Cardigan Gwyâ—tâ—yth and Mabwyneon His Brother Owen had to his share the Castles of Aberteifi and Nant yr Arian with three Cantress in Cardigan and Rhys Fychan otherwise called Rhys Gryc had Dynefawr Castle the Cantref Mawr the Cantref Bychan excepting Hiruryn and Midhfey together with the Comotes of Cydwely and Carnwylhion This Division being accomplished to every one's Satisfaction and all the Lords of South-Wales being amicably reconciled Prince Lhewelyn took his Journey for North-Wales but he had not advanced very far when
News was brought him that Gwenwynwyn Lord of Powys was revolted and was become again the King of England's Subject This unwelcome News struck very deep in the Prince's Mind by reason that Gwenwynwyn was a Man of great Power and Strength in the Country and went a great way to repel the Incursions of the English upon the Marches which now he being gone off could not he feared be so well effected But however to make the best of a bad Market he endeavoured to take him off from the English and to restore him to his former Allegiance due to himself as his Natural Prince and to that end he sent to him some Bishops and Abbots to put him in mind of his Oath and Promise how that he with the rest of the Lords of Wales had obliged himself to oppose the English to the utmost of his Power and had delivered Pledges for the sure performance of what he had then by Oath engaged in and lest he should have forgot what he had then promised he was desired to read his own hand Writing whereby it was apparent that he had very unjustly violated both his Oath and Promise But all the Rhetorick the Bishops could make use of was not of force enough to work Gwenwynwyn to reconciliation with the Prince and an aversion to the King of England and therefore seeing nothing would do Prince Lhewelyn was resolved to make him incapable of serving the English and so entring Powys with a strong Army he subdued the whole Country to himself Gwenwynwyn being forced to fly for Succor to the Earl of Chester Whilst these things passed in Wales Lewis the Dauphin of France being invited by the English Barons against King John landed in the Island of Thanet and marching forward to London he there received Homage of all the Barons that were in actual War against the King And then setting forward to Winchester where King John then lay he took in his way the Castles of Rygat Guildford and Farnham and coming to Winchester had the Town presently surrendred to him King John did not think fit to abide his coming but removing to Hereford in the Marches of Wales he sent to Prince Lhewelyn and Reynold Bruce desiring their Friendship and imploring their Aid aad Assistance against the French But they refusing to hearken to his Proposals he destroyed Radnor and Hay Castles and marching forward to Oswestry which belonged to John Fitzalan he burnt it to the ground and then departed towards the North. But after that he had settled his Affairs there and appointed Governours in all the Towns and Places of Strength whilst he was making all necessary Preparations at Newark to confront the Barons he fell sick and in a short time died and was buried at Worcester After his Death his Son Henry was by several of the English Nobility proclaimed King and in a little while most of the Barons who upon their hatred to King John had maintained an open War against him came in and owned their Allegiance to his Son Henry tho contrary to their Oath to Lewis the Dauphine A.D. 1217 But what was most pernicious to the Welch Reynald de Bruce who had all this while maintained a Confederacy with Prince Lhewelyn his Father-in-Law against King John underhand made his Peace with King Henry But he suffered severely for his Treachery for young Rhys and Owen his Nephew by his Sister seeing that he in whom they put their greatest Confidence had deceitfully forsaken them came upon him with all their Power and took from him all Buelht excepting only the Castle Prince Lhewelyn was presently made acquainted with Bruce's revolt but as soon as he was informed that his Son-in-Law was gone over to the King of England he went in great fury to Brecknoc and laying Siege to the Town of Aberhondhy he was with much ado prevailed upon by young Rhys to raise the Siege for the summ of a Hundred Marks and then crossing the Mountanous part of Glamorgan called the Black Mountains where his Carriages suffered very much he came to Gwyr and encamping at Lhangruc Reynald Bruce with six Knights in his Company came to meet him desiring his Pardon for his passed Offence assuring him that for the future he would be true and faithful to him and would to his endeavour assist him against the King of England Prince Lhewelyn was too good natured to reject his submission and so did not only receive him to his Favour but bestowed upon him also the Castle of Senghennyth which Reynald committed to the Custody of Rhys Fychan Prince Lhewelyn having settled all things in good Order in Gwyr marched to Dyfed and being at Cefn Cynwarchan the Flemings sent their Agents to him to desire Peace which the Prince by reason that they always adhered to the English Interest would not grant them And so young Rhys having the first Man passed the River Cledeu to Storm the Town Iorwerth Bishop of St. Davids with the rest of his Clergy came to the Prince to intreat for a Peace for the Flemings which after a long debate was granted and concluded upon these Terms First That all the â—nhabitants of Rhôs and the Country of Pembroke should from thence forward swear Allegiance to Prince Lhewelyn and ever after acknowledge his Sovereignty Secondly That towards the defraying of his Charges in this Expedition they should pay one Thousand Marks to be delivered to him before the ensuing Feast of St. Michael Thirdly That for the sure performance of these Articles they should deliver up Twenty Hostages who were to be some of the most Principal Persons in their Country Then Prince Lhewelyn having now brought all Wales subject to himself and put Matters in a settled posture in South Wales returned to North-Wales having purchased very considerable Honour and Esteem for his Martial Achievements in this Expedition And now all Matters of Differences being adjusted and the Welch in good hopes of a durable Freedom from all Troubles and Hostilities another Accident unhappily fell out to cross their Expectation Lewis the Dauphin perceiving the English Barons to slight and forsake him concluded a Peace with King Henry and returned to France and then the Barons the King promising to answer all their Request and to redress their Grievances made their submission without including the Welch in their Articles They had all this while gladly embraced the Friendship and Aid of the Prince of Wales but now upon their Reconciliation to the King thinking they had no farther need of him they very basely forsook him who had been the principal Support and Succour of their Cause And not only so but they conspired together to convert their Arms against Wales thinking they could without any breach of Equity or Conscience take away the Lands of the Welch to make addition to what some of them had already unjustly possessed themselves of William Marshall Earl of Pembroke opened the Scene and coming unexpectedly upon the Welch took the Town of Caerlheon But he
got nothing by this for Rhys Fychan perceiving what he would fain be at raâ—ed Senghennyth Castle and all the rest in his Custody in that Country and banishing the English with their Wives and Children divided the Country betwixt A.D. 1218 the Welch who kept sure possession of it Prince Lhewelyn also finding those to become his Foes who had but lately courted his Friendship and fearing lest that the English being now in Arms should make any Attempt upon his Castles augmented the Garrisons of Carmardhyn and Aberteifi to make them capable of withstanding the English in case they should come against them But tho' the Welch and English were at open Variance and in actual Hostility one against another yet young Rhys with Prince Lhewelyn's approbation and consent thought it advisable to go and do Homage to the King of England for his Lands in Wales This might be thought a matter of Supererogation to make courtship to one who was declared Enemy to all the Welch and one that would not in all probability suffer him to enjoy a quiet possession of his Estate in case he had Ability and Opportunity to eject him But the Welch Interest was A.D. 1219 in a great measure augmented by a new Alliance with some of the most powerful among the English Rhys Gryc Prince Rhys's Son being married to the Earl of Clare's Daughter and Marret Prince Lhewelyn's Daughter to John Bruce The Prince of Wales had quickly an occasion to A.D. 1220 experience his Power for the Flemings in Dyfed who had lately sworn Allegiance to him began now to repent of what they had but a little time ago gladly submitted to and contrary to their Oaths and the League they had sworn to observe they fell upon Aberteifi Castle which they took Prince Lhewelyn being highly displeased with the treacherous practices of these perjured Flemings marched with all speed to Aberteifi and having recovered the Castle which he afterwards rased he put all the Garrison to the Sword Gwys was served in the same manner and the Town of Haverford was burnt to the ground and over-running Rhos and Daugledhau he committed a lamentable Destruction throughout the whole Country This the Flemings received as the due reward of their sinistrous Dealing which made them quickly apprehensive of their folly and their imprudent Behaviour towards the Prince of Wales and therefore being sorrowfully sensible how unable they were to put a stop to his farther progress by force of Arms they made Overtures for Cessation of all Hostilities till the May following which being granted them upon strict Conditions Prince Lhewelyn returned to North-Wales In the mean time some Welch Lords besieged Buelht Castle which was in the possession of Reynald Bruce but before they could take it King Henry brought an Army to the Marches and raised the Siege and then marching forward to Montgomery built a new Castle in that Town A.D. 1221 The next year an unhappy dissention fell out betwixt Prince Lhewelyn and his Son Gruffydh this latter having kept himself in possession of the Cantref of Merionyth contrary to the Consent and well-liking of his Father The Prince therefore having now no great matter of moment abroad was resolved to curb the Insolency of his Son and therefore sent to him to command his appearance and to wish him to deliver up the Cantref quietly lest he should be forced to take it violently out of his Hands Gruffydh was not in the least dismayed at his threatnings but being resolved to keep what at present he enjoyed would neither go to his Father nor deliver up the Cantref to him The Prince being enraged that he should be so slighted by his Son made a vehement Protestation that he would be severely revenged both of him and all his accomplices and therefore coming to Merionyth with a great Army was resolved to drive his Son out of the Country But Gruffydh made all possible preparations to oppose his Father and drew up his Forces to give him Battel but when both Armies were ready to joyn the Differences betwixt thâ—m was happily composed and Gruffydh prevailed upon to make his submission to his Father But the Prince tho' he forgave his Son his Offence and received him to favour would not however permit him to enjoy Meâ—ionyth and Ardydwy but taking them away from him and building a Castle in the latter returned home But he had not continued long at his Palace aâ— Aberffraw when another occasion called him abroad for young Rhys being disappointed of Aberteifi which in the division of South Wales was allotted to his share forsook the Prince and put himself under the protection of Willam Marshal Earl of Pembrock Prince Lhewelyn hearing this marched in great haste to Aberystwyth and being desirous to punish Rhys for his desertion from his Allegiance due to him seized to his own use that Castle together with all the Demain and Lands belonging to it When Rhys understood what the Prince had done he presently made his Complaint to the King of England who coming to Shrewsbury and sending for Prince Lhewelyn adjusted matters so betwixt them that the Prince promised to treat with Rhys for Aberteifi after the same manner as he had done with Maelgon for Caermardhyn And towards the close of the Year John Bruce Prince Lhewelyn's Son in Law obtained leave to fortifie Senghennyth Castle which in right to the Prince's grant to Raynald Bruce belonged to him But young Rhys did not long survive the Agreement betwixt him and Prince Lhewelyn for he dyed the following A.D. 1222 Year and was buried at Ystratflur after whose death the Prince divided his Estate betwixt his Brother Owen and his Uncle Maelgon William Marshal Earl of Pembrock was now in Ireland and very busie in prosecuting the War against the King of England's Enemies in that Kingdom the opportunity of whose absence Prince Lhewelyn taking advantage of won the Castles of Aberteifi and Caermardhyn belonging to the Earl and putting both the Garrisons to the Sword placed in their room a strong Party of his own Men. But when the Earl was informed of what the Prince of Wales had done he presently left Ireland and landed at S. Davids with a great Army and having recovered his Castles he treated the Welch after the same manner as Prince Lhewelyn had used his Garrisons and passing forward into the Prince's Country destroyed all before him as he went along The Prince understanding how violently he came forward sent his Son Gruffydh with a considerable Body of Men to check his Fury who coming to Cydwely and receiving intelligence that the Magistrates of that place had a private design to betray him to the Enemy he put the whole Town in Flames and burnt it to the ground without sparing either Churches or other Religious Houses The Earl of Pembrock had passed the River Tywy at Caermardhyn where Gruffydh met him and gave him battel but the Victory proved so uncertain that the Night was forced to part them and
so the English retired over the River Matthew Paris writes that the Earl obtained a very signal Victory and that of the Welch there were Nine Thousand slain and taken though the Welch Account which in this case is in all likelihood the best makes the whole Army of the Welch to consist but of that number But both Armies having layn for certain Days in that posture and the River Tywy being betwixt them Gruffydh by reason that Provision began to grow scarce in his Camp returned back and then the Earl decamped and marched to Cilgerran where he began to build a very strong Castle But before he could have time to finish it he received an Express from the King with orders to come to him and so he went by Sea to London leaving his Army at Cilgerran to continue the Work which he had begun Shortly after the King together with the Archbishop of Canterbury came to Ludlow and sending for Prince Lhewelyn thither they had good hopes to adjust all Differences and to make an amicable Composition betwixt him and the Earl But when this could not be effected both Parties sticking close to their private Interest the Earl being assisted by the Earl of Derby and Henry Pyggot Lord of Ewyas designed to pass by Land to Pembrock but his purpose being discovered to the Prince he detached his Son to secure the Passage of Carnwylhion and came in person to Mabedryd which when the Earl understood finding it dangerous to prosecute his Design any further he returned to England and then the Prince marched to North-Wales The next Action that passed in Wales A.D. 1227 was somewhat rare and not redounding much to the Credit and Esteem of the Welch for Rhys Fychan having by some sinistrous means or other taken his Father Rhys Gryc contrary to all filial Affection and Duty detained him Prisoner and would not set him at liberty till he had delivered up Lhanymdhyfri Castle to him About the same time Meredith Archdeacon of Cardigan Prince Rhys's Son departed this Life and was honourably interred at S. Davids by his Father But a while after a great Storm threatned the A.D. 1228 Welch King Henry having raised a great Army was resolved to make a violent Prosecution of the Earl of Pembrock's Quarrel against the Prince of Wales and if possible to make all that Country for ever subject to the Crown of England and so being advanced into the Marches he encamped at Ceri Prince Lhewelyn on the other hand being informed of these mighty Preparations in England and understanding that they were intended against him did use all the Endeavours possible to make a vigorous Resistance and having drawn together all the Forces he was able to levy thought it his wisest way to meet the English upon the Marches and not to permit the Enemy to enter his Country Both Armies being come in sight of each other frequent Skirmishes happened betwixt 'em but one day almost the whole Armies engaged and after a vigorous Attack of both sides the English at last got the worst and were forced to retire having a great many Men slain and taken Prisoners Among the latter was William Bruce Reynald's Son who offered for his Ransom all Buelht together with a considerable Sum of Money which the Prince would not accept of But King Henry finding that his Army was worsted in this Rencounter thought it best to make Peace with the Prince of Wales which being concluded Lhewelyn came to the King and having paid him all other Respects besides that of Submission and Allegiance he returned in great Honour to North-Wales But this Action is somewhat otherwise laid down by Matthew Paris who writes that this Skirmish betwixt the English and Welch happened upon an other account for the Garrison of Montgomery issuing out of the Castle to enlarge a certain Passage leading through a Wood where the Welch were wont to rob and kill all Passengers began to fell the Timber and cut down all the Bushes which lessened the Road thereby to make the Passage more clear and secure The Welch receiving intelligence of this came presently upon him in great Numbers and surprizing the Enemies being busie at their Labour forced as many as could escape to betake themselves for refuge into the Castle which afterwards having first cast a deep Trench about it they smartly invested Hâ—bert de Burgh Lord Chief Justice of England and Owner of the Castle having notice of this sent presently to King Henry desiring his speedy help against the Welch who thereupon came in Person with part of his Army and raised the Siege Then the rest of his Forces being arrived he marched into the Wood which was Five Miles in length and by reason of the thickness of the growth impassable and for an easie passage through it caused it to be burnt down After that he led his Army farther into the Country and coming to an Abby called Cridia which the Welch were wont to take for refuge he caused it to be burnt down but finding it a very convenient place for a Fortress he granted leave to Hubert de Burgh to build a Castle there But whilst the Work was going on the Welch-men gauled the English and skirmished with them frequently so that many were slain on both sides but at last William Bruce with many others that went abroad to fetch Provision was intercepted by the Welch and taken Prisoner and most of his Company were slain among whom one who was knighted a few days before seeing some of his Fellows in great danger rushed boldly into the midst of his Enemies and after a manful defence bravely lost his Life Several of King Henry's Men were corrupted by Prince Lhewelyn and upon that account took no great pains to repulse the Enemy which when the King perceived and finding withal the Provision was grown very scarce in his Camp he was forced to conclude a dishonourable Peace with the Welch consenting to demolish that Castle which with so great an Expence both of Men and Mony was now almost finished upon his own Charges Prince Lhewelyn paying only Three Thousand Pounds towards it Then both Armies separated Prince Lhewelyn marching to North-Wales and the King leaving William Bruce Prisoner with the Welch returned to England having purchased no small Discredit in this Expedition William Bruce was brought to Wales and there had A.D. 1230 an honourable Confinement in the Prince his Palace but he had not continued there very long when he began to be suspected of being too familiar with the Princess King Henry's Sister and as the report went was takeâ— in the very act of Adultery for which the Prince caused him to be hanged forthwith About the same time Lhewelyn Maelgon's Son dyed in North-Wales and was buried at Conwey and Maelgon Prince Rhys his Son in South-Wales and was buried in Ystratflur whose Estate descended to his Son Maelgon And a little after William Marshall Earl of Pembrock A.D. 1231 dyed one that ever entertained an
Warden of the Marches of Wales who thinking to get to himself an eternal Name in conquering the Welch raised all the Power he could and imagining that the Welch could not be privy to his purpose he apprehended he could fall upon the Earl-Marshal unexpected But in this he was to his sorâ—ow most widely mistaken for the Earl having received private intimation of his Design hid himself â—n a certain Wood by which the English were to march and when they were come so far the Welch of a sudden gave a great shout and leaping out of the place they had absconded themselves in they fell â—pon the English being unprovided and putting their whole Army to flight they slew an infinite number both of the English and their Auxiliaries John of Monmouth himself made his escape by flight but the Earl-Marshal entering his Country destroyed it with Fire and Sword And what added to the Misery of the English Prince Lhewelyn in the Week after Epiphany joyning the Earl-Marshal made an Incursion into the King's Territories destroying all before them from the Confines of Wales to Shrewsbury a great part of which they laid in Ashes King Henry was all this while with the Bishop of Winchester at Glocester and for want of sufficient Power or Courage to confront the Enemy durst not take the Field of which being at length perfectly ashamed he removed to Winchester leaving the Marches naked to the mercy of the Enemy And now there being no apprehension of fear from the English the Earl of Pembrock by the Counsel of Geoffrey de Marisco transported his Army into Ireland thinking to obtain a Conquest in that Kingdom but in the first Encounter with the Irish he was unfortunately slain through the Treachery of his own Men And so his Estate and Title descended to his Brother Gilbert But King Henry finding it impracticable to force the Welch to a Submission and being in a great measure weary of continual Wars and incessant Hostilities thought it his best Prudence to make some honourable Agreement with the Prince of Wales and therefore he deputed Edmund Archbishop of Canterbury the Bishops of Rochester Coventry and Lichfield and Chester to treat with Prince Lhewelyn about a Peace When the King came to meet with them in their return from this Negotiation being at Woodstock he was certified of the death of the Earl of Pembrock which he took so much to heart that he presently melted into Tears being afflicted for the death of so great a Person whom he openly declared had not left his Second in all his Kingdom Going from thence to Glocester he met with the Archbishop and Bishops who delivered to him the * See the Appendix Form of the Treaty of Peace with Prince Lhewelyn which he would not conclude unless upon this condition That all the English Nobility who were confederated with him and by evil Counsel were exil'd should be recalled and restored to the King's Favour The Archbishop further acquainted his Majesty with what Difficulty he had brought the matter to this conclusion being sometimes forced to add Threatnings on the King's behalf with his Clergy to which Menaces the Prince is said to have answered That he bore more regard to the King's Charity and Piety than he did fear his Arms or dread his Clergy But the King who was very desirous of a Peace readily consented to what the Prince required and therefore he issued out his Letters recalling all the Nobles who were out-law'd or otherwise exil'd requiring them to appear at Glocester upon Sunday next before Ascension day where they should receive their Pardons and be restored to their Estates which the King had taken into his own hands The Peace being thus concluded betwixt the English and Welch Prince Lhewelyn set his Son Gruffydh at liberty whom for his disobedient and restless Humour he had detained in close Prison for the space of Six Years About the same time Cadwalhon ap Maelgon of Melienydh departed this Life who was quickly follow'd by Owen Gruffydh ap Rhys's Son a Person of great Worth and exceedingly beloved and A.D. 1235 was buried at Ystratflur by his Brother Rhys And the Year following dyed Owen ap Meredith ap Rotpert of Cydewen and not long after him Madawc A. D. 1236. the Son of Gruffydh Mayelor Lord of Bromfield Chirk and Yale who was buried at the Abby of Lhan Egwest or Vale Crucis which he had built leaving Issue behind him one Son called Gruffydh who succeeded into the Possession of all these Lordships A little after Gilbert Earl of Pembrock got by Treachery Marchen Castle which belonged to Morgan ap Howel and fortified the same very strongly for fear of Prince Lhewelyn The next Spring Joan King John's Daughter and Princess of Wales departed this Life and was A.D. 1237 buried according to her own desire upon the Sea-shore at a place called Lhanfaes in the Isle of Anglesey where the Prince in memory of her afterwards founded a religious House for the Order of Mendicant-Friars About the same time also dyed John Scot Earl of Chester without any Issue upon which account the King seized that Earldom into his own hands Hugh Lupus was the first that enjoyed this Honour who coming over to England with the Conquerour was by him created Earl of Chester and Sword-bearer of England Habendum tenendum dictum comitatum Cestriae sibi haeredibus suis ita liberè ad gladium sicut ipse Rex totam tenebat Angliam ad coronam To have and to hold the said County of Chester to him and his Heirs by right of the Sword so freely and securely as the King held the Realm of England in the right of the Crown After Five Descents Randulph Bohun came to be Earl of Chester who was Uncle to this John the last Earl This Randulph had several Encounters with Prince Lhewelyn and was in continual agitation against him but once more particularly meeting with the Prince and being sensible of his Inability to withstand him he was obliged to retire for Refuge to the Castle of Ruthlan which the Prince presently besieged Randulph perceiving himself to be in danger sent to Roger Lacy Constable of Chester requesting him to raise what strength he could possible and come to succour him in this Extremity Wherefore Lacy having received this Express called to him presently all his Friends desiring them to make all the Endeavours imaginable to rescue the Earl from that imminent Danger which so severely threatned him At whose request Ralph Dutton his Son in Law a valorous Youth assembled together all the Players and Musicians and such as then being Fair-time had met to make merry and presenting them to the Constable he forthwith marched to Ruthlan raised the Siege and delivered the Earl from all his fear In recompence of this Service the Earl granted the Constable several Freedoms and Priviledges and to Dutton the ruling and ordering all Players and Musicians within the said Country to be
enjoyed by his Heirs for ever A.D. 1238 In the Year 1238. Prince Lhewelyn being discomposed in Body called unto him all the Lords and Barons of Wales to Ystratflur where each of them swore to remain true and faithful Subjects and did Homage to David Lhewelyn's Son whom he had named to succeed him Matthew Paris writes that Prince Lhewelyn being impotent by reason of a Palsie and sore disquieted by his Son Gruffydh sent Embassadours to the King of England signifying to him that for as much as he could not expect to live long by reason of his Age he was desirous to lead the remainder of his days in Peace and Tranquility and therefore now purposed to submit himself to the Government and Protection of the King and would hold his Lands of him promising withal that whenever the King should stand in need of his help he would serve him both with Men and Money to the utmost of his power The Bishops of Hereford and Chester were sent Mediators in this behalf though some of the Nobility of Wales openly and peremptorily withstood it and upon no condition whatsoever would accept of such a Peace But David being declared Successor to the Principality began to plague his Brother Gruffydh who though elder was yet base-born and took from him Arustly Ceri Cyfeilioc Mowdhwy Mochnant and Careneon and let him only enjoy the Cantref of Lhyn But a little afterwards he dispossessed him of all and contrary to his Oath to the Bishop of Bangor in whose protection Gruffydh then remained took him Prisoner having upon promise of no Violence obtained to speak with him and sent him to Cricieth Castle But whilst these two Brothers continued to entertain an irreconcilable Odium one to another their Father Prince Lewelyn ap Iorwerth A.D. 1240 to the great Grief and Dissatisfaction of all the Welch departed this Life and was very honourably interred in the Abby of Conwey after he had reigned Six and Fifty Years He was a Prince of great Courage and Audacity and had no less Prudence in contriving than Boldness in executing any martial Adventure he was a great Support to the Welch and no less a Plague to the English he made very considerable Conquests upon the Borders and extended the Frontiers of Wales much beyond their former Limits He had Issue by his only Wife Joan Daughter to King John of England one Son called David who afterwards succeeded in the Principality of Wales and a Daughter named Gladys who was married to Sir Ralph Mortimer He had also a base Son named Gruffydh whom his Brother David kept a close Prisoner to his dying day David ap Lhewelyn PRince Lhewelyn ap Iorwerth being deceased his only legitimate Son David whom all the Barons of Wales had as is said in his Fathers Life-time sworn to obey legally succeeded in the Goverment wherein being actually confirmed he went to the King of England to Glocester and there did him Homage See Appendix for his Principality Then all the Barons both English and Welch who held any Lands in Wales in like manner did Homage and Fealty for the same But the English could not long refrain from their wonted Hostilities towards the Welch and thereupon Gilbert Marshal taking advantage of this Revolution before Matters were throughly settled brought an Army before the Castle of Aberteifi which being delivered up to him he fortified with a strong Garrison Prince David was as yet too weak to appear in the Field and indeed the more by reason that several of his Nobility and others could not affectionately love him for that unnatural Spleen he shew'd to his Brother Gruffydh whom for no visible reason he detained in close custody But above the rest Richard Bishop of Bangor stormed at the Prince and finding that he violated his Promise in setting his Brother at liberty whom under pretence of an amicable Consultation he had fraudulently seized upon in the Bishop's presence without more ado excommunicated him and then retiring to England made a very querimonious relation of the whole matter to the King desiring him to release Gruffydh out of Prison before the Rumour of so heinous a Fact should reach the Court of Rome and so reflect upon his Majesty's Reputation King Henry thereupon sent to his Nephew Prince David blaming him highly for such a treacherous Action and dealing so severely with his Brother and then earnestly requested him to deliver Gruffydh out of custody both to save himself from perpetual Defamation and to deserve an Absolution from the severe Sentence pronounced against him But David absolutely refused to comply to the King's desire assuring him that Wales could never enjoy a peaceable time as long as his Brother Gruffydh had his liberty Gruffydh being acquainted with his Brothers Resolution and thinking that thereby he had unavoidably displeased the King of England privately sent to King Henry assuring him that if by Force he would deliver him out of Prison he would not only hold his Lands for ever from him but also pay him the yearly Acknowledgment of Three Hundred Marks offering both to give his corporal Oath and to deliver up sufficient Pledges for the performance of it and withall to assist the King with all his Power in bringing in the rest of the Welch to his subjection Moreover Gruffydh ap Madawc Lord of Bromfield positively assured the King that in case he would lead an Army into Wales to revenge the Falsity and injurious Practices of David he would give him all possible Aid and Assistance Indeed King Henry besides this solemn Invitation had no weak Pretence to come to Wales for Richard Bishop of Bangor a fiery Man had prosecuted the matter so warmly at Rome that he obtained of the Pope also to excommunicate David which Excommunication being denounced against him his Lands were pretendedly forfeited But the King being chiefly allured with the Promises of the Welch in the behalf of Gruffydh levied a very formidable Army to lead to Wales strictly commanding by Proclamation all the English who owed him any Martial-Service to repair armed to Glocester by the beginning of Autumn This Rendezvouz being accordingly performed the King came thither in person at the time appointed and having regulated his Troops and put all Matters in convenient order he marched to Shrewsbury where he remained Fifteen Days to refresh his Army During his stay there several of the Nobility became Suitors unto him on behalf of Gruffydh whose Condition they desired he would commiserate among whom were Ralph Lord Mortimer of Wigmore Walter Clifford Roger de Monte Alto Steward of Chester Maelgon ap Maelgon Meredith ap Rotpert Lord of Cydewen Gruffydh ap Madawc of Bromfield Howel and Meredith the Sons of Conan ap Owen Gwynedh and Gruffydh ap Gwenwynwyn Lord of Powys These Noblemen prevailed so far with King Henry that a League was concluded between him and Senena the Wife of Gruffydh See Appendix For the performance of these Articles the aforesaid
the English and to be revenged upon them for their most cruel and almost inhuman Practices towards the Welch Having therefore drawn all his Power together being accompany'd by Meredith ap Rhys Gryc in the space of one Week he recovered out of the hands of the English all the inland Country of North-Wales and then all Merionyth with such Lands as Prince Edward had usurped in Cardigan which he bestowed upon Meredith the Son of Owen ap Gruffydh Having also forced Rhys Fychan out of Buelht he conferr'd it upon Meredith ap Rhys and in like manner bestowed all the Lands which he recovered between his Nobles reserving nothing to his own use besides Gwerthryneon the A.D. 1257 Estate of Sir Roger Mortimer The next Summer he entered into Powys and made War against Gruffydh ap Gwenwynwyn who always had taken part with and owned Subjection to the King of England which he totally overcame excepting the Castle of Poole some small part of Caerneon and the Country lying upon the bank of the Severn But Rhys Fychan was not satisfied with the loss of Buelht and therefore was resolved to try ro recover it to which end he went to the King of England of whom he obtained a very strong Army commanded by one Stephen Bacon which being sent by Sea landed at Caermardhyn in the Whitsun-Week From thence the English marched to Dynefawr and laid Siege to the Castle which valiantly held out until Lhewelyn's Army came to its Relief Upon the arrival of the Welch the English decamped from before the Castle and put themselves in posture of Battel which the Welch perceiving they made all haste to answer and oppose them Whereupon there ensued a very terrible Engagement which lasted a very long while this being for number of Men the greatest Battel that had been fought between the English and the Welch But the Victory favoured the Welch the English-men being at length forced to fly having lost above Two Thousand Men besides several Barons and Knights who were taken Prisoners After this the Prince's Army passed to Dyfed where having burnt all the Country and destroyed the Castles of Abercorran Lhanstephan Maenclochoc and Arberth with all the Towns thereunto belonging returned to North-Wales with much Spoil But as soon as he was arrived great Complaints were exhibited to Prince Lhewelyn against Jeffrey Langley Lieutenant to Edward Earl of Chester who without any regard to Equity and Conscience most wrongfully oppressed the Inhabitants of Wales under his Jurisdiction Whereupon the Prince to punish the Master for the Servant's Fault entred with some part of his Army into the Earl's Estate burnt and destroyed all his Country on both sides the River Dee to the Gates of Chester Edward had no power at present to oppose him but being resolved to be revenged upon the Welch with the first opportunity he desired Aid of his Uncle then chose King of the Romans who sent him a strong Detachment with which he purposed to give Prince Lhewelyn Battel But finding him too strong he thought it more advisable to desist from Hostility the Prince's Army consisting of Ten Thousand experienced Men who were obliged by Oath rather all to die in the Field than suffer the English to gain any Advantage over the Welch But Gruffydh ap Madoc Maelor Lord of Dinas Brân a Person of notorious Reputation for Injustice and Oppression basely forsook the Welch his Country-men and with all his Forces went over to the Earl of Chester A.D. 1258 The next Year Prince Lhewelyn passed to South-Wales and seized into his Hands the Land of Cemaes and having reconciled the Difference betwixt Rhys Gryg and Rhys Fychan he won the Castle of Trefdraeth with the whole Country of Rhos excepting Haverford Thence he marched in an hostile manner toward Glamorgan and rased to the ground the Castle of Lhangymwch and then returning to North-Wales he met by the way with Edward Earl of Chester whom he forced precipitously to return back But before he would put an end to this Expedition he must needs be revenged upon that ungrateful fugitive Gruffydh ap Madoc Maelor and thereupon passing thro' Bromfield he miserably laid waste the whole Country Upon this the Kings of England and Scotland sent to Lhewelyn requiring him to cease from Hostility and after that unmerciful manner to devour and forcibly to take away other Mens Estates The Prince was not over sollicitous to hearken to their Request but finding the time of the year very seasonable for Action against the English he divided his Army into two Battles each of these consisting of 1500 Foot and 500 Horse with which he purposed to enlarge his Conquest Edward Earl of Chester to prevent the Blow which so desperately hung over his Head sent over for Succors from Ireland of whose coming Prince Lhewelyn being certified manned out a Fleet to intercept them which meeting with the Irish at Sea after a sharp Dispute forced them to return back with loss King Henry being acquainted with the miscarriage of the Irish resolved to come in Person against the Welch and having drawn together the whole Strength of England even from St. Michael's Mount in Cornwal to the River Tweed marched with his Son Edward in a great Rage to North-Wales and without any opposition advanced as far as Teganwy But the Prince had stopped his farther Progress and prevented any long stay he could make in Wales having before hand caused all manner of Provision and Forrage to be carried over the River and then securing the strait and narrow Passages whereby the English might get on farther into the Country the Army was in a short time so mortally fatigued that the King for want of necessary Subsistance was forced to retire in haste to England with considerable loss The Prince after that sending for all the Forces in South-Wales came to the Marches where Gruffydh Lord of Bromfield finding that the King of England was not able to defend his Estate yielded himself up and then passing to Powys he banished Gruffydh ap Gwenwynwyn and took all the Lands in the Country into his Hands Proceeding farther he was encountred with by Gilbert de Clare Earl of Glocester who with a choice Party of English gave him Battel But Lhewelyn's Army exceeding both in Number and Courage easily vanquished and overcame the English and so the Victory being quickly obtained the Prince presently reduced to his Power all the Castles belonging to the Earl of Glocester King Henry hearing of the Earl's overthrow was much concerned at the loss of so many brave Souldiers in whose Valor and Experience he always put a very great Confidence and therefore to revenge their Deaths he was again resolved to march against the Welch Having called his Forces together and received Supply from Gascoign and Ireland he came to Wales but not daring to venture far into the Country for fear of being forced to make another shameful retreat he only destroyed the Corn near the Borders it being Harvest
and had a great Number of their Men slain After this nothing remarkable fell out for a considerable time unless it were that David being released out of Prison by Prince Lhewelyn his Brother most ungratefully forsook him and with all his might sided with his Enemies the English also Gruffydh ap Gwenwynwyn having taken the Castle of Mold demolished it to the ground During this quiet and unactive interval in Wales Meredith ap Owen the main Support and Defender of South-Wales died to the great disadvantage of the Affairs of that Country And now indeed the Welch were like to be A.D. 1268 made sensible of the Loss of so considerable a Person for King Henry was resolved once more to lead an Army into Wales and to see if he could have better Success than he had hitherto against the Welch But when he was prepared to undertake this Expedition Ottobonus Pope Clement's Legate in England interposed and mediated a Peace which was concluded upon at the Castle of Montgomery wherein it was articled that Prince Lhewelyn should give the King 30000 Marks and the King was to grant the Prince a Charter from thenceforth to receive Homage and Fealty of all the Nobility and Barons of Wales besides one so that they could hold their Lands of no other but himself and from thence forward he was to be lawfully stiled Prince of Wales This Charter being ratified and confirmed as well by the Authority of the Pope as the King's Seal Prince Lhewelyn desisted from any farther Acts of Hostility and punctually observed all the Articles of Agreement betwixt him and King Henry so that nothing more was outragiously transacted between the English and Welch during the remainder of this King's reign Within that space died Grono ap Ednyfed Fychan one of the Chief Lords of the Prince's Council and shortly after him Gruffydh Lord of Bromfield who lies buried at Vale-Crucis A.D. 1272 But the Death of King Henry put an end to the observations of the Peace betwixt the English and Welch who dying on the 16th day of November this year left this Kingdom to his Son Edward Prince Edward was then in the Holy-Land and very active against those Enemies of Christianity the Turks where he had already continued above a year but understanding of his Father's Death and that in his absence he was proclaimed King of England he made all haste to return to receive the Solemnity of Coronation But what by the tediousness of the Journey and what by being honourably detained at Princes Courts in his way it was two years before he could get into England then upon the 15th of August and in the year 1274. he was Crowned at Westminster Prince Lhewelyn was summoned to attend at his Coronation but he flatly refused to appear unless upon sure Terms of safe Conduct for having offended several of the English Nobility he could not in safety pass thro' their Country without the danger of exposing his Person to the inveterate Malice and acceptable Revenge of some of them And thâ—refore without the King's Brother the Earl of Glocester and Robert Burnell Lord Chief Justice of England were delivered up as Pledges for his safe Conduct he would not come up to do his Homage and Fealty at his Coronation according to the Writ directed to him And indeed seeing King Edward had broke the Peace lately concluded upon before the Pope's Legate and did receive and honourably entertain such Noblemen of Wales as for their disloyalty were banished by Prince Lhewelyn by whom he feared some treachery there was no reason that the Prince should pay him any subjection but by the breach of Peace was exempted from all Homage However Prince Lhewelyn to shew that it was not out of any stubborness or disrespect to the King of England that he refused to come sent up his Reasons by the Abbots of Ystratflur and Conwey to Robert Kilwarby Archbishop of Canterbury and the rest of the Bishops then sitting â—n Convocation in the New-Temple at London which were to this effect To the most Reverend Fathers in God Robert Archbishop of Canterbury and Metropolitan of all England the Archbishop of York and the rest of the Bishops in Convocation Lhewelyn Prince of Wales and Lord of Snowden sendeth Greeting WE would have your Lordships to understand that whereas formerly most terrible and incessant Wars were continually managed betwixt Henry King of England and our self the same were at last composed and all matters of Differences were adjusted by the means of his Excellency Cardinal Ottobonus the Pope's Legate who having drawn the Articles and Conditions of the Peace agreâ—d upon they were signed and swore to not only by the Kâ—ng but also the Prince his Son now King of England Among these Articles were comprehended that we and our Successors should hold of the King and his Successor the Principality of Wales so that all the Welch Lords one Baron excepted should hold their Baronies and Estates in Capite of us and should pay their Homage and Fealty for the same to us we in like manner doing Homage to the King of England and his Successors And besides that the King and his Successors should never offer to receive and entertain any of our Enemies nor any such of our own Subjects as were lawfully banished and excluded our Dominions of Wales nor by any means defend and uphold such against us Contrary to which Articles King Edward has forcibly seized upon the Estates of certain Barons of Wales of which they and their Ancestors have been immemorably possessed of and detains a Barony which by the form of Peace should have been delivered to us and moreover has hitherto entertained David ap Gruffydh our Brother and Gruffydh ap Gwenwynwyn with several others of our Enemies who are Out-laws and Fugitives of our Country And tho' we have often exhibited our Grievances and Complaints against them for destroying and pillaging our Country yet we could never obtain of the King any relief or redress for the several Wrongs and Injuries we received at their hands but on the contrary they still persist to commit wastes and other outrages in our Dominions And for all this he summons us to do him Homage at a place which is altogether dangerous to our Person where our inveterate Enemies and which is worse our own unnatural Subjects bear the greatest sway and respect w th the King And tho' we have alledged several Reasons to the King and his Council why the place by him assigned is nâ—t safe and indifferent for us to come and desire him to appoint another whereto we might with more safety resort or else that he would send Commissioners to receive our Oath and Homage till he could more opportunely receive them in Person yet he would not assent to our just and reasonable Request nor be satisfied with the Reasons we exhibited for our non-appearance Therefore we desire your Lordships earnestly to weigh the dismal effects that will happen to the Subjects
both of England and Wales upon the breach of the Articles of Peace and that you would be pleased to inform the King of the sad Consequence of another War which can no way be prevented but by using us according to the Conditions of the former Peace which for our part we will in no measure transgress But if the King will not hearken to your Counsel we hope that you will hâ—ld us excused if the Nation be disquieted and troubled thereupon which as much as in us lieth we endeavour to prevent King Edward would admit of no Excuse noâ— hearken to any manner of Reason in the case but was unmercifully enraged and conceived an unpardonable displeasure against Prince Lhewelyn which yet he thought convenient to conceal and dissemble for a time Indeed he could never abide Lhewelyn â—â—nce the time that he was vanquished and put to â—ight by him at the Marches so that the chief Cause â—f King Edward's anger originally proceeded from 〈◊〉 point of Honor which this refusal of Homage â—â—rved sufficiently to increase But to prosecute his Revenge which upon this score is in Princes very â—erce and unforgetful in a short time he came to â—hester meaning to recover by force what he could â—ot obtain by fair means From hence he sent to â—â—e Prince of Wales requiring him to come over and 〈◊〉 him Homage which Lhewelyn either absolutely reâ—â—sing or willingly detracting to do King Edward â—ade ready his Army to force him to it But there A.D. 1277 â—â—ppened an Accident which took off a great part of â—rince Lhewelyn's stubborness for at this time the â—ountess of Leicester the Widow of Simon Montfort â—ho lived at Montargis a Nunnery in France sent over 〈◊〉 Wales her Daughter the Lady Eleanor whom â—hewelyn extreamly loved with her Brother Aemeâ—ke to be married to the Prince according to the Aâ—reement made in her Father Earl Montfort's time â—ut Aemerike fearing to touch upon the Coast of â—ngland steered his course towards the Islands of â—cilly where by the way they were all taken by four â—ristol Ships and brought to King Edward who reâ—eived the Lady very honourably but committed her â—â—other Prisoner to the Castle of Coff whence he was â—fterward removed to the Castle of Shirburne The â—ing having obtained this unexpected Advantage over â—hewelyn began boldly to fall upon him and so diâ—â—ding his Army into two Battalions led one himself â—â—to North-Wales and advanced as far as Ruthlan where he strongly fortified the Castle The other he ommitted to Paganus de Camurtiis a great Souldier â—ho entring into West-Wales burned and destroyed 〈◊〉 great part of the Country But the People of South-Wales fearing that his next Expedition was levelled â—gainst them voluntarily submitted themselves to the â—ing and did him Homage and then delivered upâ—â—â—he Castle of Ystratywy to Paganus Prince Lhewelyn hearing of this and finding his own Subjects to forsake him but more especially being desirous to recover his espouse the Lady Eleanor thought it likewise advisable to submit and therefore sued to King Edward for a Peace who granted it but upon very severe Conditions upon Lhewelyns side The Agreement consisted of ten Articles which were 1. That the Prince should set at liberty all manner of Prisoners that upon the King's Account were detained in Custody 2. That for the King's favour and good will he should pay 50000 Marks to be received at the King's pleasure 3. That these four Cantreds or Hundreds viz. Cantref Ros where the King's Castle of Teganwy stands Ryfonioc where Denbigh Tegengl where Ruthlan Dyffryn Clwyd where Rhuthyn stands should remain in the King's hands 4. That the Lords Marchers should quietly enjoy all the Lands they had conquered within Wales excepting in the Isle of Anglesey which was wholly granted to the Prince 5. That in consideration of this Island the Prince should pay 5000 Marks in hand with the reserve of a 1000 Marks yearly to begin at Michaelmas and in case the Prince died without Issue the whole Island should return to the King 6. That the Prince should come every year to England to pay his Homage to the King for all his Lands 7. That all the Barons of Wales excepting five in Snowden should hold their Lands and Estates of the King and no other 8. That the Title of Prince should remain only for his Life and not descend to his Successors and after his Death the five Lords of Snowden should hold their Lands only from the King 9. That for the performance of these Articles the Prince should deliver up for Hostages ten Persons of the best Quality in the Country without imprisoning disinheriting and any time of redemption determined And farther that the King should chuse Twenty Persons within North-Wales who besides the Prince should take their Oaths for the due performance of these Articles and in case the Prince should swerve and recede from them and upon admonition â—hereof not repent they should forsake him and beâ—ome his Enemies 10. The Prince was obliged to â—uffer his Brethren quietly to enjoy their Lands in Wales whereof David for his Service was dubbed Knight by the King and had the Earl of Derby's Widow given him in Matrimony and with her as 〈◊〉 Portion the Castle of Denbigh in North-Wales beâ—ides a 1000 Pounds in Lands His other Brother Roderic was lately escaped out of Prison into England â—nd the younger called Owen was upon his Composition delivered out of Prison King Edward having imposed these severe and unmerciful Conditions upon Prince Lhewelyn and for a better security for the performance of them built a Castle at Aberystwyth returned very honourably into England upon whose arrival the People willingly granted him a Subsidy of the Twentieth part of their Estates towards his Charges in this War But it seems very probable that Prince Lhewelyn submitted to these intolerable Conditions more upon the account of his Amours and to regain the Lady Eleanora out of the King of England's hand than that he was apprehensive of any considerable Danger he might receive by the English Troops For it is hardly conceivable that a Prince of such notorious Conduct and Valour would so easily accept of such hard Terms and in a measure deliver up his Principality when there was no necessity so to do without resisting an Enemy whom he had frequently overcome and forced to retire back with greater inequality than the English had at present over him But the force of â—ove worked Wonders and in this case proved moâ—t irresistible which to obtain Lhewelyn did not think hard to forfeit his proper Right to his inveterate Enemies and for ever to exclude his Posterity from succeeding in their lawful Inheritance The next year A.D. 1273 therefore he had his Wish accomplished and was married to Eleanora at Worcester the King and Queen with all the Nobility and Persons of Quality in England honouring the Wedding with their pâ—esence But this specious Amity and the Peace laâ—â— concluded betwixt them
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
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
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