wmmm:mm:::-m: <^ waiAi^z. THE - Y H I S T O R O F W ALE S, ^• IN NINE BOORS WITH A V APPENDIX. By the Rev. WILLIAM WARRINGTON, CHAPLAIN TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE EARL OF BESBOROVGH. " Wherever Nature, though in narrow fpace, Fofters, by Freedom's aid, a liberal race ; Sees Virtue fave them from OpprelTion's den. And cries, with exultation, ' Thefe are men;' Though in ^gotia or Batavia born. Their deeds the ftory of the world adorn." Hayiey's Essay on History. LONDON: PiylNTED FOR J. JOHNSON, n". 7Z, ST. PAUL's CHURCH-YARD. MDCCLXXXVI. t\ ro HIS GRACE ^ DA W 1 I A M DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE, IN WHOSE PERSONAL AND PUBLIC CHARACTER ARE PRESERVED UNIMPAIRED, THE HONOURS OF A FAMILY ILLUSTRIOUS BY DESCENT. AND DISTINGUISHED, THROUGH SEVERAL AGES, FOR A STEADY AND TEMPERATE ADHERENCE TO THE CONSTITUTION AND LIBERTIES OF GREAT BRITAIN, AS WELL AS EXEMPLARY FOR THE MILDER VIRTUES OF PRIVATE LIFE, THIS HISTORY OF A PEOPLE WHO LONG DEFENDED THE RIGHTS OF NATURE AND OF FREEDOM, IS INSCRIBED, BY HIS grace's MOST OBEDIENT AND DEVOTED HUMBLE SERVANT, WILLIAM WARRINGTON. _t\_ ^9 A? ^ O R E F A C E. THE circumftances and adions of the People, vvhofe hiftory is related in this work, ftand fingle and original in the annals of the world. A nation, who, from remote antiquity, were diftinguifhed by their independency of fpirit, defending for ages the rights of nature and of liberty in the bofom of their native mountains, affords a fpeftacle fufficiently interefting, to awaken curiofity, to excite admiration, and to call forth every liberal fentiment. It is therefore a juft occaflon of regret, as well as of furprife, that the Hiftory of Wales is no where to be found, to this day, but in the Chronicle of the monk Caradoc of Llancarvan; in which nothing farther is given, than a limple detail of fads. In this interefting field of hiftory, no attempt has yet been vi PREFACE. been made, to inveftigate the motives of policy, to trace back, effects to their caufes, to delineate with juft difcrimination perfonal or national charadlers, and to digeft the materials of the narration into that perfpicuous order which is efTential to the utility of hifborical writing. This deficiency, the author has attempted to fupply, in the work now offered to the world. The defign will be allowed to be laudable ; with what fuccefs it has been executed, it remains for the pub- lic to determine. If he has opened no new fources of information, he has been careful to examine the old ; and has not fervilely tranfcribed, or implicitly followed the modern hiflorians. What he has done, neither precludes, nor is intended to preclude, the future labours of other writers who are deeply read in the Welfh language and manufcripts. The field is ftill open to a more able hiftorian, and to the profound refearches of the learned antiquary. From an idea, that minute inquiries into the antiquities of a country are not properly within the province of the general hiflorian, the author has purpofely declined them ; and therefore hopes he fhall not be charged with deficiency, in not having PREFACE. . vii having executed what it was never his intention to undertake. It is not the leaft praife of an hiftorian, that his writings do not-difcover his country : left from the fentiments which breathe through the following pages the author fliould be thought to have failed in this eflential point, he thinks it neceflary to declare that he is an Englifhman ; and whatever- preponderancy may be difcovered in this work to the fide of the Welfh, it is neither the partiality of an author to his fubjedl, nor the prejudice of a native ; but the voluntary tribute of juftice and humanity to the caufe of injured liberty. WILLIAM WARRINGTON, TABLE A B O F CONTENTS. B O O K I. f^ONTAINING a Review of the BritiJJi Hi/lory before the Retreat of the Romans out of Britain - Page i, BOOK II. Containing a Review of the Britijh Hifory from the final Re- treat of the Romans, to that period ivhen the ancient Britons were driven into Wales, Cornwall, and Armorica - P. 31. BOOK III. Contai?iing an Account of the Wars between the Saxons and WelJJi, to the Death of Roderic the Great - ?• Sf^ BOOK IV. • From the "Death of Roderic the Great to the Death of Bleddyn ap Cynvyn - - - - - - P. 151. b BOOK r A B L E OF coNrENrs. BOOK V. From the Death of Bkddyn ap Cynvyn to the Death of Gryf- Jydh ap Cynan. ----- Page 235. BOOK VI. From the Death of Gryffydh ap Cynan to the Accefjion of Llewelyn ap forwerth - - - - P. 301. BOOK VII. Fro}n the Accefjion of Llewelyn ap forwerth to the Death of David ap Llewelyn - - - - P- 347" BOOK VIII. From the Accefjion of Owen and Llewelyn the Sons of Gryffydh ap Llewelyn, to the Death of Llewelyn ap Gryffydh P. 427. BOOK IX. From the Acceffon of David ap Gryffydh to the entire Conqiiejl of Wales, and the Departure of Edward out of that Country P. 515. APPENDIX. A port Account of the Weljh from the Conqueji, to the com- plete Union of the two Nations in the Reign of Henry the Eighth ', WITH Ancient Memorials of the Wetjh Frinces to Henry the 'Third and to Edward the Firji. Necejfary Necejfary Directions to the Reader d, as tH Englifli in 'them; that is very foftj not hard as in Thought. F, as F Englifh. Ffy as F and Ff Englifh. G, as G Englifh in God, but never foft as in Genius. I, as / Englifn in King, and ee in Been ; but never as / in Fine. Fine, according to the Welfli Orthography, would be pronounced Veene. LI, as L Afpirated ; and can be reprefented in Englifli only by Lh or Llh. Th, as Th Englifh in Thought ; but never foft as in Tbem. U, as /Englifli in Blifs, This, It, &c. IVi as Oo Englifh in Good. T, as U Englifh in Burn, though in the laft Syllable of a Word, and all Monofyllables, except Y, Ydd, Ym, Yn, Yr, Ys, Fy, Dy, Myn, it is like I in Sin, It, &c. both its Powers are nearly lliewn in the Word Sundry, or Syndr.y. ERRATA. Page I ;, note on London, for Dias read Dhas. 23, line 9, for Branap-Llyr read Bran-ap-Llyjr . 24, 10, for corjiar.ily read ir/lanlly. 40, i^, for Corflantius rezd Conftans, 54, 12, for Z.«B read Llan. 55, 16, for LuJd read Lludd. 55, 19, {or unwarned mi unarmed. 68, 21, for CaJpwallon-hv)-Kir read Caffwalhn-law-bir, 73, II, for Cfl«Br read Caifwr. 76, 2, for Cerdic-leak read Cfr read riar dignity. 1 52, 9, for Canirefs read Carfrevs. 153, 16, foT Merimitb rcid Miiriorydb, 154, 17, foe Cfl 2^> for ar.a read i3«. 379, 6, for hearing read bearing of. 403, 8, for Criccaetb read Cricieih. 406, 12, for attended with reiii attended ly. 412, 24, for or forfeiture read of forfeiture. Appendix, No. i to be infeued at the bottom of page 413, and connefted with the letter h, inftead of page 416. Page 417, title of book VIII. for the lajl prince of Wales read Llevielyn ap Gryffydb. 428, line 5, for Rbovoniac read Rbyvoniac. 430, 22, for tviih an affecled read -with an aJiiSled. 485, 22, for Plam Sunday read Palm Sunday. 489, 20, no comma between the lords Audley and Cliflfbrd, but after Clifford. 555, 18, for as ;■; is natural read and as it is natural. i THE THE H I S T O R O F W A L E S. BOOK I. CONTAINING A REVIEW OF THE BRITISH HISTORY BEFORE THE RETREAT OF THE ROMANS OUT OF BRITAIN. IT is probable, that Britain was firll colonifed by the Gauls, ' about one thoufand years before the birth of our Saviour j "^ a period of time coeval with the reigns of David and Solomon. The names of Albion, ^ and of Britain, * are fuppofed to have been given to the ifland by the Belgic Gauls, who inhabited the oppofite fhores. ' Verllegan, cap. IV. p. 88. Buchanani Rerum Scoticarum hiftoria, p. 67. Amfterdam edit. ^ Whitaker's hiftory of Manchefter, fecond edit. vol. I. p. 7. ^ ibid. p. 10. ♦ On the etymology of this name, fee ibid. p. ii. and Humfrey Lhuyd's Breviary of Britain, p. 8. N. B, He wrote in the year 1568. B It REVIEW OF ANCIENT Book I. It is common to people who derive their ideas from the few objefts which arife in a flate of nature, to give names to perfons and things, from the peculiar circumftances incident to them. Accordingly, the Gauls gave this country the name of Albion, from the eminences and chalky cliffs, which were conftantly expofed to their view. ', It was fomewhat more than three centuries before the Roman invafion of Britain, that the northern tribes of Europe began that fpirit of emigration, which afterwards like a deluge overwhelmed the weflern world. It was like- wife about that period, that the Belgje, forfaking their native feats upon the banks of the Rhine, migrated into Britain,* and fettled in the weftern, and fome of the fouth- ern parts of the ifland.' The language of the ancient Britons, their religion and Druidical inftitutions, as well as their attachment to that order of men called Beirdhs, were exactly fimilar to thofe which prevailed among their probable anceflors the Gauls.* ' Whitaker's Hift of Manchefter, fecond edit. p. lo. * Rowland's Mona Antiqua, Dublin edit. fedl. IV. p. 19. 3 Whitaker's Hift. of Manchefter, fecond edit. p. 232. Buchanan Hift. Scot. Rer. p. 55. ♦ Buchanan's Hift. Scot. Rer. p. 53, 67. Before Book I. BRITISH HISTORY. Before the time of Casfar's invafion, the ifland was divi- ded into three parts, Lhoegria or England, Albania or Scot- land, and Cambria or the province of Wales j ' and each of thefe were fubdivided into diftri a fupreme fovereign j ' and the perfon who was called to this dio-nity had the title of Brenhin Prydain Oil or the king of all Britain. "^ This occalional honour, by a maxim of ftate, was originally confined to one Imperial line ; and in later times was continued through its two branches, the Cynethian and Cornwal families, till it finally clofed in the perfon of Cadwalader, the laft king of the Britons. As unlimited authority was vefted in the fupreme fovereign, it is probable, that the Britons did not fuffer fuch a power to continue beyond the time of neceflity and danger. The love of glory, like every other pafiion, is heightened by indulgence, and becomes infatiate in proportion to the About fifty extent and variety of conquefts. Under the impulfe of ^f",l> r this fpirit, Tulius Casfar came into Britain : but the feafon the Chnf- tr ' J > linn ^ra. of the year not allowing him to extend his conquefts, he concluded a peace, having taken hoftages for its obfervance, and fuddenly embarked in the night for Gaul.* The next fpring he returned with a confiderable reinforcement. On this occafion, Caflivellaunus was vefted with the fupreme command of the war, by a general affembly of the Britifh States. Having received confiderable lolTes, his territories ' Rowland, p. 171. Whitaker ibid. Vol.1, p. 206, 207. * Rowland's Mon. Ant. p. 171. ^ Rowland's Mon. Ant. p. 171. * Caefar's Commentaries, Grsvios' edit. lib. IV. p. 145, 154. having Book I. BRITISH HISTORY. 5 having been laid wafte, and efpecially being alarmed at the revolt of the auxiliary Britons, he was foon after obliged to fue for peace.' Before that time Caelar had marched into the country as far as the Thames,^ and having forded that river near Windfor, he ftormed Verulamium/ the principal town in the territory of Caffivellaunus. After this expedition, being afraid of commotions in Gaul, he received the fubmiffion of the Britons, and taking with him hoflages for the fecurity of the peace, returned to the continent.* The death of Csefir, with the fucceeding troubles in the Empire, gave a long peace to the Britons ; which vv^as continued through the reigns of Auguftus and Tiberius, occafioned by the rational policy of reftridling the boun- daries of the Roman Empire. The great preparations which Caligula made for the Ann. Dom. invafion of Britain, ended in a vain parade upon the ocean, '^°' and in offering infult to the dignity of a Roman Senate. ' ' Caefar's Comment. Grsevius, edit. lib. V. p. 176. ^ Tafwyfe or Tame Water. 3 Verol.'iku.m takes it name from the river VVer, called in Britilh Guernhan, Caer Municipium by the Romans, and Verlamcefler by the Sa,\on3, by whom it was deftroyed. Humfrey Lhuyd's. Breviary, p. 24. ♦ Csfar's Comment. Grjcvius' edit. lib. V. p. 161, 164, i6^, 175, 176. ' Dion Caffius Leunclavii edit, lib. LIX. p. 659. In 6 REVIEW OF ANCIENT Book I. In the reign of the Emperor Claudius, the Romans gained a permanent footing in the liland, owing to the divifions, which had ever fubfifted among the Britons. The Belgic inhabitants, who were engaged in commerce, and refided in the towns of the Ifle of Wight," and the counties upon the weftern coaft, were with fome difficulty fubdued by Vefpafian ; '- but the native Britons, more independent and brave from their different habits of life, continued their refiftance againft Plautius and Oflorius Scapula, who fuc- Ann. Dom. ceffively commanded the Roman forces, Plautius, on his 45. arrival in his government, defeated the Britons in feveral aftions ; but finding that his victories proved indecifive, and feeing them prepared for further refiftance, he defired the Emperor would take in perfon the command of the forces.^ When Claudius joined the army, which lay en- camped on the banks of the Thames, he found the paffage of that river difputed ; but the Britons were at length obliged to give way, and he advanced into the country of the Trinobantes, and took the ftrong fortrefs of Camulo- dunum, which had been the refidence of Conobeline. Thefe fortunate events were immediately followed by the fub- miffion, or the conqueft, of other nations. When the affairs ' Called Wight by the Saxons but Gwydh by the Britons, fignifying, a confpicuous place. Humfrey Lhuyd, p. 17. * Suetonius, Oxford edit. Book VIII. p. 240. ' Dion Caflius, Leuncl. lib. LX. p. 679. of Book I. BRITISHHISTORY. 7 of the Provinces were fettled, the Emperor returned to Rome, leaving the newly fubdued ftates, and the further conqueft of Britain, to the diredlion of Plautius. The name of Britannicus which Claudius affumed, and the fplen- dour of his triumph, fhew the formidable idea which the Roman people entertained of the Britifli arms.' During the remainder of the government of Plautius, no confiderable advances were made in the conqueft of the country J and he foon after returned to Rome, and was fucceeded by Oflorius Scapula. This general found the affairs of his province in the Ann.Dom. greateft confufion : the winter had already commenced : the ^°" Iceni, the Brigantes, and other nations, thinking they had little to dread from a new general who was unknown to the army, revolted and had recourfe to arms. After feveral bloody encounters, thefe nations were reduced to obedience, and Oftorius carried his arms into many parts of Britain which had been hitherto unknown. In this expedition he forced his way through the Cangi who oppofed him, in whom the principal flrength of each ' Dion Caffius, Leuncl. lib. LX. p. 679. * Each nation or tribe had numbers of ftout young men, called Cangi, whofe bufmefs was to proteft the cattle, and remove them from one pafture to another. Baxter's Gloffary, p. 73. nation 8^ REVIEW OF ANCIENT Book I. nation confifted ; and, continuing his march, he penetrated as fiif -as the coaft which lies upon the Irifli fea. ' In the courfe of this war, the fate of Britain depended on the virtues and military talents of Caraftacus. This prince was fovereign of the territory inhabited by the brdovices* and Silures, and was the fon of the late king Cu- nobeline.^ Having with infinite refources, and variety of for- tunes, for nine * years oppofed the Roman arms, he was at length obliged to retire among the Silures : and this brave people, whom neither mildnefs nor feverity had fubdued, eagerly ranged themfelves under the condudl of this gallant prince, who, in order to preferve their territories from being made the feat of war, marched into the country of the Ordbvices, where he ftationed his army in a lituation, chofen with great military Ikill/ At this place, he was oppofed by Oflorius with the legioniary troops. The few moments which preceded this important adlion, were employed by Caradlacus in animating his foldiers ; but their valour was unequally oppofed to the force of difciplinej and the Britifli camp was flormed with great flaughtef, ■ Taciti Annates, Antwerp edit. lib. XII. p. 195, 196. * Humfrey Lhuyd's Breviary, p. 32, 33. ^ Baxter's GloiTary, p. 67. * Humfrey Lhuyd's Brev. p. 32. s Humfrey Lhuyd's Brev. p. 33, 34, called Caer Caradoc, an eminence fituated between the rivers Clue and Clevidia in Shropfhire. though Book I. BRITISH HISTOR Y. ij though not without confiderable refiftance. In this battle, the wife and daughter of Caradlacus were taken prifoners ; and his brothers, foon after, "furrendered themfelves. Caradlacus himfelf furvived this misfortune, to experience a more cruel deftiny. After his defeat, retiring to the country of the Brigantes, Cartifmandua, the queen of that territory, with a view of gaining the friendftiip of the Romans, or afraid of their refentment, betrayed him into the hands of Oftorius ; and he was fent to Rome as a prifoner of the utmoft importance. A general curiofity was excited in Italy, to behold the iigure of this extraordinary man, whofe fuperior talents and virtue had been fo long employed in oppofing the Roman power. ' The magna- nimity of this prince, when he was exhibited a public fpeftacle at Rome, has been a frequent fubjed: of encomium. The habits of war and of conqueft, with the cruel nature of their popular amufements, had introduced into the charafter of the Romans a degree of ferocity, inconfiftent with jufl ideas of heroifm j and which, too frequently fteeled th(i nil again ft thfe impreflions of pity, and led them to dif-' dai'h", as unmanly weaknefs, the finer feelings of humanity. This defeat of the Silures was foon revenged by feveral vic- tories which they gained over the Roman forces ; and in this -'^"n- Dom. 53- fituation Oftorius died, worn out with anxiety and fatigue." , ' Taciti Ann. lib. XII. p. i^6, 197. - Ibid. p. 198. C Immediately ,-?► lo REVIEW OF ANCIENT Book I. Immediately after his death, the emperor fent Aulus Didius into Britain : but the age of that general prevented any extraordinary exertions againft the enemy ; ' and he Ann. Dom. was foon fucceeded by Verannius, who, dying a little time afier he had taken the command, left the Roman affairs in the greateft confufion/ In this fituation, Suetonius Paullnus came to command the forces in Britain. His firft undertaking was to fubdue the Ordovices, who inhabited that part of the ifland which is now called North Wales ; and he fecured the conquefts he had made, by fettling garrifons in the country. Sue- tonius was the firfl Roman, who penetrated as far as Mona.' Being oppofed by the Druids on his entrance into the ifland, and influenced by national and religious animofity, he maflacred many of thefe people, cut down their groves, laid level their altars, and deftroyed the feminary of that ancient order.* After this event, the. Druids are faid to have retired into Ireland, to the Ifle of Man, and into the Orkneys and Hebrides : ' in a fub- fequent period being driven out of thefe retreats, by chrif- tian zeal, they are likewife faid to have fought an afyluni in Norway, Iceland, and other regions of the north : ' at length, the Druidical fyftem was univerfally abolifhed, after • Taciti Ann. lib. XII. p. 198. * Ibid. lib. XIV. p. 250. ' Taciti Vita Agricolae, Op. p. 457. ♦ Taciti Ann. lib. XIV. p. 151. Rovland, p. 100. ' Rowland's Mon. Ant. p. loi, 10-, ' Rowland, p. 11©, it Book I. BRITISH HISTO R Yl M ii it had long eflablilhed a boundlefs tyranny on the ruins of human realbn, j:J.3X3 ^(•i£^lL !-n;'> It was an uniform principle, in the policy of the Roman ftate, to exerclfe a mild dominion over the nations they had conquered, but this was changed to a fyftem of feverity, when the provinces, from a fenfe of injury or of freedom, revolted from their obedience. The nature of their govern- ment was likewife ilained, by the fevere adminiftration and rapacity of individuals. Thus the Roman yoke, however lightly it might be felt by AJiatics, who were tamed to fub- miffion by hereditary flavery, was an oppreffive burden to the Britons, bred in the ideas and habits of a wild inde- pendency. At this jun(fture, their native Ipirit, impatient of reftraint and refentful of injury, was urged into fury by a train of evils, which afted equally upon their feelings, as on their national pride and fuperftition. An impofition of taxes on their lands and cattle, the arbitrary violation of property, with the frequent indignities offered to their women, were caufes which kept alive a fenfe of refentment.'" They were likewife aifeiled by the treatment of Boadicea, a powerful fovereign of the Iceni. This princefs had juft become a ysfidov?', and was left to the proted:ion of the Roman flate;.. her hulband, by his will, had made Claudius coheir with his daughters, in hopes it might render him indulgent to his family. But that prince was no fooner ' Galgacus's Speech, Taciti vit. Agric. Op. p, 462, C 2 dead. 12 REVIEW OF ANCIENT Book I. dead, than his treafures were feized, and his territories wafted J ' the foulnefs of the procedure being coloured by the indecent pretence, that the Roman law would only per- mit citizens to bequeath their property.^ The remonftrance of the queen againft thefe injuries, only accumulated in- dignities upon her houfe ; for the chaftity of her daughters was violated, and her own perfon diflionoured, by being publicly fcourged.^ These evils, however enormous, were only partial, and they did not extend to every part of the ifland. But the late deftrudtion of the Druids, it is probable, gave a general fhock to the feelings of the Britons j and with the fury of enthufiafts, they ruflied to the ftandard of Boadicea. The firft impreffion of this multitude was aftonifhinely great: like the fea overfwelling its bounds, they carried with them irrefiftible force, and defolated the country. The two cities, Camalodunum and Verulamium, firft experienced their fury,* the inhabitants of which colonies were flaughtered without any diftindlion of rank or fex, and under circum- ftances of uncommon barbarity:' almoft an entire legion were cut in pieces, coming to the affiftance of their coun- trymen ; and eighty thoufand perfons, either Roman citi- ■ Taciti Ann. lib. XIV. p. 251. * Heineccius Element. Jur. lib. II. Tit. XIT. ' Tachi Ann. lib. XIV. p. 251. * Ibid. p. 251, 252. ' Dion Caffius, lib, LXII. p. 700. zens Book I. BRITISH HISTORY. 13 zens or allies, are faid to have perifhed in the general car- nage.' It is to be lamented, that in attempting to recover the freedom of her country, fo much cruelty ihould have flained the charadler of this princefs j but fome extenuation may be found in the nature of her ov^^n wrongs, in the in- juries which her fubjeds had fuffered, and in the fiercenefs of uncultivated life. During thefe tranfadlions, Suetonius was engaged in the Ann. Dom. conquefl of Mona, and as foon as he heard of the revolt, he marched with confidence, through an irritated country, to London,' a place of great commercial importance.' But, finding himfelf unable to keep pofifeffion of the town, he Was obliged to take the field with a few cohorts of auxiliaries, with a fingle legion, and the Vexillarii^ of another, and to leave the women, the aged, and the infirm, to the fury of the Britons.' With this army, confifting only often thoufandmen, Suetonius oppofed Boadicea, at the head of two hundred and thirty thoufand Britons.* On this decifive day, Boadicea appeared in a chariot, with her daughters " Dion Caffius, lib. LXII p. 704. ^ This city was originally called Troyne-with or New Troy: afterwards D'las Belt from having been the refidence of Belus ; lad of all it was called Caer Ludd and Lhundain, from king Lud. ^ Hurapfrey Lhuyd's Breviary, p. 20. * Various are the opinions refpefting the Vexillarii, the moft probable is, that they were light armed troops belonging to each legion. s Taciti Ann, lib. XIV. p. 252. * Dion Caffius, lib. LXil. p. 704. by 14 REVIEW OF ANCIENT Book I. by her fide ; and rode in a military drefs through the ranks, to animate the foldiers. ' Befides this, the Britons had another incitement to vidory, as they were to fight in the prefence of their wives, and for the fafety of their families, who were ranged in waggons on the rear of the army.^ But valour alone, unfupported by difcipline, is not able to withftand the firmnefs of veteran troops ; and after a long and obfli- nate refiftance, the Britifti army was entirely defeated. Near eighty thoufand of the Britons fell in this day's , adlion, or in the purfuit. Boadicea, unwilling to furvive the ruin of her country, fuddenly difappeared, having put an end to her own life, as is imagined, by poifon.' It is aflionifhing, that after the fevere defeats which the Britons received, they (hould be fi:ill able to keep their national ftrength unbroken, and their fpirit unfubdued. Ann. Dom. The danger and difficulty of the war were fo great, that Nero was inclined to relinquifli the conqueft of Britain : but being informed that the rough demeanour of Suetonius might be fome obftacle to a peace, he recalled him into Italy ; and he placed feveral officers fucceffively in com- mand, whofe Inadlivity or milder temper gave time for refentments to fubfide.* These generals were fuccecded by others, of more adlivc and martial difpofitions. Petilius "Cerealis fubdued a great ' Dion Caffius, lib. LXII. p. 704. » Taciti Ann. lib. XIV. p. 252. Mbid. lib. XIV. p. 253. + Ibid, lib, XIV. p, 253. part Book I. BRITISH HISTORY. part of the Brigantes, who inhabited the northern counties of England; and Julius Frontinus, conquered from the Silures, the foreft of Dean,' and the prefent counties of Hereford, and Monmouth.'' During the time that the Roman intereft thus fludtuated in Britain, the inhabitants were expofed to every infult and injury, which might be expedled from the rapacity of fubor- dinate governors, and the will of a licentious foldiery. To remedy thefe evils, to give ftability to conqueft, to introduce peace and order, with the mild habits of focial life, required the virtues, and well tempered policy of Julius Agricola. This Roman was fent by Vefpafian to command the forces in Britain, where he had already acquired a confider- able reputation by his military fervices. On his arrival, he found the Ordovices revolted, who had begun their hoftilities, by cutting off a fquadron of horfe, ftationed upon the frontiers. It was late in the fummer when he opened the campaign, fupported only by the Vexillarii of the legions, and a body of auxiliary troops ; and on his approach, the Ordovices, not daring to face him in the field, retired to the mountains ; into which difficult places, they were immediately purfued, and the country laid wafle • So called from the Danes, Humfrey Lhuyd, p. 75, * Taciti in vit, Agric. Op. p. 458. wi th 15 i6 REVIEW OF ANCIENT Book I. Ann. Dom. with great flaughter of the inhabitants. This fuccefs ^^' induced Agricola to attempt the fecond conqueft of Mona. The chiefs of the Ordovices had retired into that ifland, in which they thought themfelves perfedlly fecure, the Romans not having any fliips upon the coaft, and regarding the Me/iai as impaffable : but the auxiliaries of the army, by order of Agricola, having crofled that arm of the fea on horfeback, the Britons were fo afloniflied at a fight to them altogether new, that they immediately laid down their arms. ' When Agricola had finiflied the conquefl of Mona, he diredled his views to the milder defigns of peace and re- formation. Well inftrufted in the art of governing, he was more defirous of preventing the caufes of difcontents than of punifliing their elFedls : equally tempering lenity with rigour, he aboliflied that fyftem of tyranny which had fo frequently driven the Britons to revolt, and fixed in their breafts the mofl fatal refentments.'' To thefe examples of humanity and juftice, he added others of an extenfive and liberal policy. With the moft engaging manners and addrefs, he drew the Britons out of their deferts into focial communities ; and perfuaded them to change their rude habits, and precarious fubfiflence, for the arts of peace, and the comforts of civilized life.' The Roman people, from ' Taciti vita Agricola, Op. p. 458. ^ Ibid. ^ Ibid. p. 459. a fmgular Book If B R I T I S H H I S T O R Y. 17 a lingular policy, were ufed to extend with their conquefts the fciences and arts, were accuftomed to foften the ferocity of war, and difarm it in fome meafure of its evils, by intro- ducing their milder manners, with the refinements and elegances of life ; with a view, no doubt, to enervate, and to enflave mankind. In attentions like thefe to civilize the Britons, and to alle- viate their fufferings, Agricola employed the winters which he pafled in the ifland ; and in the courfe of {even fummers' campaigns, he extended his conquefls into Caledonia. He likewife erefted two different fortifications, fome of which were formed near the river Tay, ' and the others along that narrow ifthmus which lies between the Frith of Forth and the Clyde.'' But Domitian, who hated virtues which he would not emulate, and fickened at the glory he could not attain, recalled Agricola to Rome ; and this great man Ann. Dom. foon after died of a lingering diforder, with the fufpicion ^^' of having been poifoned at the inftigation of that tyrant.' Tacitus, by a few ftrokes of his inimitable pencil, has given the portrait of this amiable Roman. " Buchanani. Rer. Scot. lib. IV. p. loi, 102, Cambden, Holland's tranflation, p. 789. * Langhori. Ant. Albion, p. 112, 113. ^ Taciti vit. Agricolae. Op. p. 459, 465, 466. D During i8 REVIEW OF ANCIENT Book I. Ann. Dom. DuRiNG the latter part of the life of Domitian, and in ^ ' the fhort reign of Nerya, the Roman interefl was negleded in Britain. More important objedls, on the eaftern frontier of the empire, employed the martial genius of Trajan. The wife policy of limiting, and of preferving its boun- daries, was the leading principle in the government of Adrian ; however, in the courfe of his reign, he came into Britain, where, the more efFedlually to fecure, he narrowed the bounds of the Roman conqueils, ordering the more northern forts to be deferted which had been raifed by Agricola, and placing their garrifons on the line of fortifi- cations, which he formed from the Tyne to Solway Frith.' To preferve dominion by the influence of a juft and mild adminiftration, was well fuited to the philofophic fpirit, and benevolent temper of the two Antonines ; but a com- motion having arifen in Caledonia in the reign of Antoninus Pius, he fent LoUius Urbicus into Britain, who, after he had fupprefled the infurredlion, confined the Pidls to their former boundary.* ' Buchan. Rer. Scot. lib. IV. p. 103. Spart. vit. Adrian! in Scriptoribus Auguft. p. 6. Julius Capitolinus in vit, Antonini Pii in Scriptoribus Auguft. hift. p. 19. The Book I. BRITISH HISTORY. 19 The di(!<)lute reign of Commodus having had an influ- ence on the difcipline of the legions, the Caledonians broke over the wall of Adrian, and cut in pieces a Roman general with his army j but they were foon after driven back with great flaughter, and continued quiet during the remainder of that reign." The precarious fituation of Pertinax and Didius Julianus, who in fucceffion poflefled the empire, gave them no leifure to attend to the affairs of Britain ; in which ftate of quiet they remained to the latter part of the reign of Severus. Under pretence of reftraining the irruptions of the northern Britons, but probably to withdraw his fons from the pleafures of Rome, Severus came into the ifland ; and though advanced in years, and fo broken with infirmities as to be* carried in a litter, he proceeded through forefts and moraffes to the fartheft parts of Caledonia.'' After having furmounted the difficulties of the march, and many fierce encounters with the Pidls, he himfelf not being able to finifli the war on account of his increafing infirmities, left one of his fons to conclude a peace with that people ; ' Dion Caffius, lib. LXXII. p. 821, ^ Herodian, lib. Ill, p. 133, 135, 137. D 2 and \ 20 REVIEW OF ANCIENT Book I. and on his return rebuilt with ftone, and more ftrongly Ann. Dom. fortified the rampart of Adrian. Soon after Severus 2 I Z had finiflied this imperial work he died in the city of York.' Ann. 284. From the death of this prince to the reign of Dioclefian few incidents occur in the hiilory of Britain, the Romans having been too much employed by convulfions at home to attend to the diftant provinces. In the courfe of this Ann. 298. reign Caraufius/ and afterwards Alledlus, affumed an in- dependent fovereignty in Britain.^ But when Conftantius was elevated to the rank of Csefar, in that Angular fyflem of government formed by Dioclefian, he reduced the ifland to its former flate of a province of the empire.* This Ann. 307. prince died in the city of York,' foon after he had fucceeded to the purple as emperor of the weft, and during the greateft part of his reign, he kept the Britons in quiet, by the in- fluence of his mild virtues.* The more decifive qualities ' Bedes Eccl. Hid lib. I. cap. XII. p. 50. Joannis Roffi, Antq. Warvvic. Hift. Reg. Angl. p. 49. Orofius, lib. VII. cap. XVII. p. 502. Hill. Auguft. Script. Spartian, p-7i. - Flores Hiiloriarum, p. 91. 84. 3 ibid. * J. Roffi. Ant. War. p. 50. ' Called Eboracumby the Romans, CaerEfroc by the Britons, and Euerwyke by the Saxons. Humfrey Lhuyd, p. 30. ' Ranulph. Higden, lib. IV. p. 219. Gales Script. Flores Hiiloriarum p. 92, 96, by Math. Weftminiler. of Book I. BRITISH HISTORY. 21 of Conftantine the Great continued to fecure their obe- Ann. Dom. dience. ^^ ' At this period a florm began to gather in the north, which gradually acquiring greater force and a deeper gloom, at length overfpread the Britifh hemifphere. As the dread of the Roman power declined with the retreat of the legions, feveral nations, the Pidls, the Scots, and the Saxons, made incurfions into Britain. The Pidts were natives of the ifland, and inhabited the country near the wall of Antonine, upon the eaftern, and weftern coaft, and on the mountains of Caledonia.' The Scots, were a recent colony from Ireland, and had fettled by invitation of the Pidls, upon the weftern fhore of Scotland very early in the fourth century.' The Saxons, one of the moft warlike nations in Germany, had emigrated from the northern parts of that country, and fettled along the fea coaft from Jutland to the mouth of the Rhine. ^ The hiftory of this period is barren of important inci- dents, and exhibits very little agreeable information : we fcarcely meet with any thing, but pidlures of rude life and manners, or melancholy details of war and devaftation. ' Whitaker, ibid. edit. vol. II. p. 209. '^ Whitaker's Hift. Manchefter, vol. II. p. 248, 249, 250, " Verftegan, chap. III. p. 20, 55, 56, 82, 84. With 22 REVIEW OF ANCIENT Book I. With a policy peculiar to the Romans, they had per- mitted the kingly office in the full extent of its ancient authority, to remain in many of the provinces of Britain." In the courfe of this period, two princely families had arifen into preeminence, above the reft of the Brltifli Reguli^ ap- pearing in their ancient luftre on the decline of the Roman power, and attaining to that royal diftinftion which had formerly belonged to their anceftors.* Thefe were the princes of the Cynethian and Cornwall families.' The former were fovereigns of the territory belonging to the Strath-Clyd Britons, and of the principality of Gwyneth or North Wales ; and were defcended from Coel, a northern prince who, by his marriage with the heirefs of North Wales, became the fovereign of that principality.* The daughter of this prince fucceeded to his dominions and was called Helena, and afterwards married the emperor Con- ftantius 3 ' who having gained by that union a natural right to the crown, the Roman government became for a time very popular. But in after times, the line of the princefs Helena becoming extindt in Britain, the fucceffion of the ' Hift. Manchefter, vol. I. fecond edit. p. 331. Verftegan, chap. V. p. 115, - Rowland's Mon. An. p. 145, 171. 3 Rowland, p. 171. ♦ Rowland's Mon. Antiq. p. 14;, 163. 5 Run. Higden, lib. XIV. p. 219. Flores Hiftoriunij p. 92. Rowland's Mon. Antiq. p. 161, 162, 163, 166. Strath- Book I. BRITISH HISTORY. 23 Strath-Clyd kingdom, with the principality of North Wales, devolved upon Cynetha her nephew, called Weledig, or the Illuftrious.' The fons of this prince, leaving their northern territories to the government of one of their own family, retired to their dominions in North Wales j where their defcendents fupported the caufe of freedom, till the royal Britifli blood became extindl as to fovereignty in the perfon of the lafl prince Llewelyn.^ The Cornwall family were derived from Branap-Llyr a duke of that province, who was afterwards chofen the king of Britain.^ Out of this princely family were de- fcended the illuftrious names of Aurelius Ambrolius, Uther Pendragon, Arthur and Conflantine ; a line of heroes who fucceflively, but with different fortunes, oppofed the Saxon arms.* The naval force of the kingdom in the preceding period, during the reigns of Conftantius and his fon Conftantine, had been the objedt of policy and of regular attention ; by which means the coafts had in general been fecured from invafion;' but as the Roman intereft declined, the ' Humfrey Lhuyd's Breviary, p. 90. * Rowland's Mont. Antq. p. 146, 162. 3 iby, j^^^ 146, 170. * lb. 5 Flores Heftoriarum, p. 91. Selden Mare Claufum, lib. II, cap. VJ. 7. Campbell Navel. Hill. Brit. vol. I. p. 26, navy 24 REv^IEWOF ANCIENT Book I. navy was fufFered to decay ; the Britons paying no attention to this great object of national fecurity. At this period the Pidls adling in conjundtion with the Scots, and the Saxons invaded the Roman territories in Britain. T- j-A o.- -«i"k-bi ^^piiqrf;3 art; V-. The diltraction and mifery occafioned by this invauon • .'i were aftonifliingly great : for hot confining their ravages along the fea coaft, as had hitherto been their cuftom, they fpread wide their depredations through the interior parts of the country. They were conftantly oppofed by the Count of the Saxon fliores ; but after that officer had done all in his power to withftand their fury, he bravely fell, where he could not conquer. The next perfon that oppofed them was the general of the Roman forces ; who having colle(fted fuch a power as the urgency of the time would allow, marched againft the enemy ; but being drawn into an ambufcade, this general, likewife, experienced the fame fate. Thefe circumftances creating alarm, the emperor Valentinian fent Theodofius into Britain } and this officer, uniting military talents with great policy and addrefs, foon put an end to the war, and reinftated the provinces in their former tranquillity.' On the return ' Langhori. Ant, Albion, p. 224. of Book r. BRITISH HISTORY. 25 of Theodofius to Rome, he was attended to the fea fhore by the acclamations of a grateful people.' This tranquil ftate of their affairs was, however, foon in- terrupted by the ambition of a popular individual. For the Britons, engaging in the caufe of Maximus on his ufurpation of the empire, rekindled the flames of war, and thus haflened their own ruin. This perfon had ferved a long time in Britain with great military reputation ■/' but the caufe which of all others had been the means to rivet him in the affec- tions of the natives, and more clofely to unite his interefts with their own, was his marriage with Helena," the daughter of Eudda duke of Cornwall,* afterwards eledted to the fovc- reign dignity.' In confequence of which, Maximus" drew to his ftandard the flower of the Britifli youth ; who along with the legionary foldiers were tranfported into Gaul.' His endeavours were at firft crowned with fuccefs, by an advan- tage he gained over Gratian one of the Roman emperors,' and by the expnlfion of Valentinian the other emperor out of Italy? but his army was afterwards routed by Theodofius, • Appendix Port Boedam, p. 671. Ammianus Marcelin. lib. XXVIII. p. 525, * Zoz. lib. IV. p. 248. ' Born at Segonte. ♦ Cornwall, called Cerniw by the Britons ; by the Saxons GornwaW or the Welch of Cornavia. See Humfrey Lhuyd's Breviary, p. 18. ' Humfrey Lhuyd's Breviary, p. 90. Rowland's Mon. Ant. p. 166, 169, Flore's Hiftoriarium, p. 105. * Zofimas, lib. IV. p. 248. ^ Flore's Hiftoriarium, p. 106. ' Zofiraus, p. 248. Bede's Ecclefiaftical Hiftory, p. 25. E and 26 REVIEW OF ANCIENT Book I. and he himfelf, with his fon Flavius put to death, after having been, for five years, in pofleflion of the imperial dig- nity." Thefe princes fell vidlims to their ambition j and with them fell likewife the hopes, and fplendid views of the Britons. The remains of this unfortunate army, for want of the means, it is probable, of returning into their own country, fettled in Armorica.'' A SEASON Qf. weaknefs- and mifery enfued ; but it was not every part of Britain which had been involved in the general calamity. On the difToIution of the Roman power, the Britifli governments (as was before obferved) had reverted Ann. Dom. to thofe resuli who were defcended from the ancient fove- 3S9. . . . ■ . reigns. The moil eminent of thefs princes, at this period, was Eneon Urdd, the. fon of Cynetha j who refided, like his father, in his northern territories.' This prince united in his government, tK^- kingdom of Strath-Cluyd Britons, the principality of Gwynedh or North Wales, and it is probable likewife thofe parts of Chefhire and Lancalhire lying upon the Irifh channel.* The,un,ion of, thefe domi- nions, under a vigorous adminiftration, formed a force fufficiently powerful to repel the invaders, and to keep his own kingdom in general fecurity as long as it remained unbroken by the cuftom of Gavel-kind. In the courfe ; (T .1: . ' Zofimus, p. 266, 267.- - GiralJ. Catnbrcnfi', lib. V. p. 41. The name is derived in the Britidi from Ar-morica, or upon, the fea. Humfrey Lhuyd's Breviary, p. 10. ^ Rowland's Men. Antiq. p. 183. - Ibid. p. 146. of Book I. BRITISH HISTORY. 27 of this reign, however, the Irifli Scots, under the command of Sirigi,' landed on Mona ; and having defeated the natives, took pofTeffion of that ifland/ On this invafion, Eneon Urdd fent his eldefl fon Cajpivallon-la'w-hir'^ to the relief of Mona,* who foon executed his orders, by routing the enemy at Holyhead where their fleet was depolited, and flaying Sirigi in a perfonal encounter,' *r • During the reign of Theodofius, his juft and vigorous adminiflration preferved in general the public tranquillity. Rut on the death of that prince, and in the minority of Honorius, a more general and formidable invalion took place. The Pidls, the Irifli Scots, and the Saxons united their powers, and infefted the fouthern coafts of Britain ; they divided into different parties, and fpread, with the fury of wild fire, over the interior parts of the kingdom. This in- Ann. Dom. valion, however, was foon checked, and the peace of the ifland ^^^* eflablifhed, under the condud: of Vidlorinus ; this officer having been fent into Britain by Stilico, who in the mino- Ann. Dom. rity of his mafler diredled the concerns of the Roman empire.* Among other marks of his attentions to the true interefl of 1 Or the Rnver. * Rowland's Mon. Ant. p. 146. 2 Or the long handed. ♦ Rowland's Mon. Ant. p. 183. ' Ibid. p. 146. Claudian de laud. Stilicon. cap. XI. Langhorni, Ant. Alb. p. 237. E 2 the 28 REVIEW OF ANCIENT Book I. the ifland, he repaired the navy, which for fome years pre- ferved the coafts from being invaded. ' A CALM interval of feveral years having fucceeded this flormy feafon, an event happened the moft important and decifive; which gave fuch a fhock to the center of the Roman ftate, as to convulfe the moft diftant parts of that Ann. Dom. extenfive empire. This was the invafion of Italy by Alaric '^°^' the Goth. To fuftain the central parts, the legionary troops in the provinces were recalled, and of courfe the greateft Ann. Dom. part of thofe which had been ftationed in Britain were with- *'°' drawn into Italy.'" In defpair of receiving afliftance from Rome, the Britons themfelves elefted feveral fovereigns to take the dired:ion of affairs in fuch a perilous feafon.^ The laft of thefe princes named Conftantine, was raifed to that dignity on account of the popularity of his name j and though of mean rank, being no more than a common foldier, he was a perfon of fpirit and enterprise, and poflefled a genius above his condition.* Elated with his early profperity, Conftantine extended his views to the continent ; and in order to fupport his claim to ' Second. Paneg. de laud. Stilic. p. 516. * Claudian debello Getico, p. 593. ^ Humfrey Lhuyd's Breviary, p. 92. Zofimus, p. 371. * Polidore Virgil, lib. UI. p. 50, the Book I. BRITISH HISTORY. 29 the empire, and to take advantage of the prefent favourable jundlure, he came over into Gaul w^ith an army.' Honorius, being obliged to give way to the prefent emergency, agreed to receive him as his aflbciate in the empire ; "^ but that prince having concluded a peace with the Goths, oppofed the pretenfions of Conftantine, and finally took him prifoner, and put him to death. ^ The remainder of the Britons, who followed the fortunes of the ufurper, fettled in Armorica, which at this time was erefted into a kingdom, Ann. Dom, 410. independent of Rome.* The Britons, flill more expofed than ever to invafions, applied to Honorius for afliftance; but that emperor himfelf, forely prefled by Alaric, left them to the management of A""- Dora. 410. their own affairs, and renounced the fovereignty of the ifland.^ A SHORT gleam of profperity rifing upon the Romans in the reign of Valentinian the third, a legion was fent into Britain by iEtius, who commanded in Gaul, with no view Ann. Dom, of making any permanent fettlement, but only in pity to the immediate diftrefTes of that country. When this legion had performed the neceflary fervice, it was recalled into Italy;* but before their departure the Romans fortified the 4.2 2. ' Polidore Virgil^ lib. III. p. 50. Zofimus, p. 371. Zofimus, p. 359. Polidore Virgil, p. 350. * Zofimus, lib. VI. p. 376, ' Ibid. 376, 381. * Ibid. wall 3° REVIEW OF ANCIENT Book I. wall of Scverus, and ereded towers for obfervation upon the fea coafts ; they exhorted the Britons to inure themfelves to war, and allured them that on their own virtue and manly exertions their future fafety mufl depend.' At this period, when the Romans bade a final adieu to Britain, the country lay expofed to the inroads of numerous enemies, after its native ftrength had been exhaufted in fup- port of foreign wars, its numbers farther wailed by famine and peftilence,^ and its navy, that natural bulwark of its fafety, had fallen into decay:' and, under all thefe external difadvantages, the people themfelves wanted that union fo neceflary in times of emergency ; and their princes, inllead of uniting to oppofe the common danger by concerted plans of operation, feemed only anxious to fecure their feparate interefts."^ ' Bede's Ecclefiaftic. Hift. lib. I. cap. XII. p. 50. Gildas, p. 5. Gales Scriptores. ~- Verftegan, chap. V. p. 115,116. Bede's, lib. I. cap. XIV. p. 51,52. Gildas, p. 7. 3 Berkley's Naval Hift. Britain, p. 43. * Bed«'s Ecclefiaftic. Hift. lib. I. cap. XII. HISTORY Book II. B R I T I S H H I S T O R Y. 31 HISTORY OF WALES. BOOK XL CONTAINING A REVIEW OF THE BRITISH HISTORY FROM THE FINAL RETREAT OF THE ROMANS, TO THAT PERIOD WHEN THE ANCIENT BRITONS WERE DRIVEN INTO WALES, CORNWALL, AND ARMORICA. I N a ftate of weaknefs and confulion it was, that the Britons regained their liberty, after having been depen- ■^""- ^°™' 430. dant on the Roman empire four hundred and eighty years from the firft invafion of Julius Csefar. ' But they were no longer that rough, brave, or virtuous people the Romans found themj they might be polifhed, it is true, by the Roman arts, but thefe had left them without valour or public fpirit, enervated, indolent, and dejedted. They in general were elated at the idea of being free ; but their minds were too much debafed, either to form juft con- ' Selden Mare Claufum, lib. II, cap. IX. p. 1310. ceptions 32 REVIEW OF ANCIENT Book II. ceptions of freedom, or to enjoy the full benefit of its in- valuable fruits. Amidst the confufion natural in fuch a fituation, the Britons were llruck with a fenfe of their true interefls, and they determined to eftablifh a powerful navy, as the fureft means of national fecurity. This falutary meafure, though undertaken at firft with great alacrity, was never carried into execution : the delign, it is probable, might in fome meafure fail, through the natural levity of a people unac- quainted with bufinefs, averfe to labour, and unaccuftomed to great attempts.' The fudden attack made by the Pids on the wall of Severus allowed them little leifure to engage in naval defigns ; and thofe Britons, who defended the forts upon the wall, unacquainted with this kind of war, and not pof- fefling the cool intrepidity neceflary in fuch a fituation, abandoned their ftations ; and, forfaking that part of the country, retreated to the fouth. Inftead of the fpoil, which had hitherto been the objedl of their inroads, the Pifts determined to fettle upon the lands which had been lately abandoned:* but this dangerous defign was for the prefent fufpended by a peace concluded with the Britons ; this wretched people having purchafed a temporary quiet for a • Berkeley's Naval Hift. Britain, p. 43, 44. » Bede's Ecclefiaftic. Hift. lib, I. cap. XII. p. 50. confiderable Book II. B R I T I S H H I S T O R Y. 3;, confiderable funi of money. By this treaty the wall of Severus was to be the boundary between the two nations. The peace was however of no long duration, for the means that were employed to procure it were naturally the caufe of its infraction;' and a war enfued more deftruftive In its confequence, than any in which the Britons had been en- gaged. In one battle alone they fuftained the lofs of four- teen thoufand men; an irreparable injury in their weak fituation. Reduced to extremity, they folicited peace of their conquerors,^ and obtained one indeed, but upon very mortifying terms ; for by the new treaty they were obliged to give up the country which lies to the north of the Humber, and on which lands the Pidls immediately made Ann. Dom. fettlements.' '^^ ' The Britons being thus defpoiled of a great part of their territories, and fenfible that every refiftance of their own was vain, applied to the king of Armorica for afliftance, who fent his brother Conftantine, with a body of troops, into the ifland.* That prince having defeated the enemy, was promoted, in a public council, to the Britifh throne.' Ann. Dom. But this fupply only afforded the Britons an occafional ' Rapin, vol. I. p. 24, 25. * Ibid. ^ jbid. ♦ Girald. Cambrenfis, lib. VI. p. 43. 5 Rowi land's Mon. Ant. p. 184. Geoff. Monmouth, p. 171. Englifli tran- flation. Ranulph Higden, lib. IV. p. 219. Gale's Script. Math. Weft. Flores Hill. p. 212. F relief; 443- 34 REVIEW OF ANCIENT Book II. relief; and ftill prefled by the increafing power of their enemies, they had recourfe for the laft time to the Romans, and fupplicated aid from ^tius the PreefeSl of Gaul ; who with great valour, and a tranfient fuccefs, had fufpended for fome time the deftiny of Rome. The Britifh deputies carried to him the following letter of their countrymen, written in a flrain of diflionourable lamentation : '• To iEtius, thrice conful, the groans of the Britons. " We know not which way to turn us. The Barbarians " drive us to the fea, and the fea forces us back to the " Barbarians ; between which we have only the choice of *• two deaths, either to be fwallowed up by the waves, or " butchered by the fwoi-d" ' But iEtius, at this time engaged in oppofmg Attilla, was not in a fituation to afford them relief. '^ Dejected with this repulfe, and flill harraffed by the inroads of the Pifts and Irifli Scots, the Britons were reduced to defpair, deferted their habitations, abandoned tillage, and relinquifliing the habits of focial life, retreated to the woods and mountains ; in which folitary wilds they gained a precarious fubfiftence by hunting.' To add another evil ■ Bede, lib. I. cap. XIII. p. 51. Gildas, cap. XVIJ. Girald. Cambrenfis. lib. VI, p. 42. "" Bede, ibid. ^ Vcrftegan, chap. V. p. ij6. to Book IL BRITISH HISTORY. to their fufFerings, a famine enfued, owing to IncefTant de- vaftation and the negledl of cultivating their lands.' To avoid this complicated mifery, numbers of the Britons threv*^ themfelves on the mercy of their enemies : others more brave, ftill continued to oppofe them from the places of their retreat ; while the miferable remainder, indulging the lafl effort of defpair and wretchednefs, fell to injure and defpoil one another.' The invaders themfelves, unacquainted with the arts of agriculture, and perpetually harraffed with much flaughter by the fudden incurlions of the Britons, began to feel the preflure of that famine which they had oc- cafioned; and were obliged to relinquifh their pofleffions and retire into their own country.' During this interval of peace, the Britons returned to their habitations, and to their ufual employments in hufbandry. Favourable feafons having feconded their labours, an aflonifhing plenty enfued j when, forgetful of their paft misfortunes and improvident for the future, they are faid to have fallen into luxury, and into vices of every kind, the moft atrocious ; a circum- ftance which not only marks the manners of the age, but ' Gildas, p. 6. * Bede, lib. I. cap. XIV. p. 51. » Gildas, cap. XVII. F 2 alfo 35 36 REVIEW OF ANCIENT Book II. alio proves them unworthy of th«it freedom they had lately recovered.' There is a point of deprefllon as well as of exaltation, (as has been obfcrved by an acute philofophic fpirit) which in general limits the progrefs of human affairs, and from which they generally return, either by a flow or a rapid movement, towards the oppofite extreme. Though re- duced to the loweft flate of weaknefs and mifery, the Britons, roufed by the virtue of fucceeding princes, re- covered their native fpirit ; and, afferting for feveral ages, the rights of injured humanity, arofc once more into im- portance and freedom. Ann. Dom. About this period, Caflwallon, the prince of Cumbria, '^'^^' made choice of Mona'' for his refidence; and being the eldefl branch of the Cynet/jean family he had of courfe a pre-eminence in dignity j the other Cambrian princes paying him homage and obedience as their fuperior lord.^ From this ^ra we may fix the date of a diftindl fovereignty in North Wales. Among the various evils accumulated upon the Britons, we may reckon the miferies of religious diflention. It is equally deplorable as it is ftrange, that a religion, fo • Bede, cap. XVII. ^ The luins of his palace were to be fccn near Llan Elian in the Rev. Mr. Rowland's time. ^ Rowland, p. 146, 147, 148. well Book II. B R I T I S H H I S T O R Y. 37 well adapted to foften and to meliorate the human charadter, fhould by a fatal perverfion, be made the means of deflroying the mildnefs of its fpirit, and of injuring its purity, by calling into adlion the malignant and angry paflions, and by confining the native freedom of the mind within the narrow limits prefcribed to it by prejudice and the pride of opinion. The herefy of the Pelagians had, at this time fpread in the Chriftian Churchy and the difputes which it occafioned were carried on with much animofity and rancour ; evils, which have always arifen from the paffions whenever they mingle in theological controverfy.' To remedy thefe evils, and to reduce religious opinions to one ftandard, the Britifh clergy applied for affiflance Ann. Dom. to a Gallican council, which deputed St. Germain attended ^'^^' by another bifliop of the name of Lupus, upon that miffion.* The former prelate, who was a man of learning and piety, and feems to have pofTeffed a folid and extenfive genius, having for the prefent given a check to the Pelagian in- novations, fixed his refidence in Cambria ^ v/here, it is probable, that at this early period, many of its inhabitants ilill remained in ignorance, and had fcarcely any knowledge of chriftianity.' • Matt. Weftm. p. 114. " Ibid. Bede's Eccleft. Hift. lib. I. cap. XVII. p. 54. Rand. Higden's Polychron. lib. V. p. 223. Coaftantius life of St. Germain, During 38 REVIEW OF ANCIENT Book II. During the converfion of the Britons in Cambria, and while St. Germain was introducing learning with fome degree of order into the church, the Saxons joined in confederacy with the Pidts, and invaded that part of the country. At this jundlure, many Britons were aflembled to be inftrudled by St. Germain in the principles of chrifli- anity, and to receive baptifm at his hands on the feftival of Eafter. Supported by this multitude, who were fired with religious enthufiafm, St. Germain calmly waited the approach of the enemy, at a place called Maes-Garmon near Mold in Flintlhire ; and at the moment when the Saxons were rufliing to the attack, he ordered the Britons tp call aloud, three times, Allelujah. The found having in- creafed by the reverberation of the adjacent mountains, threw the Saxons into fo great a panic that they were eafily routed.' We eafily conceive that a fnperflitious people would impute this fingular vidlory to the extra- ordinary interpofitlon of the Almighty, and that they efteemed their leader, like Gideon, to be armed with celeftial power. But the mind, at the prefent period, not feeing objects through the medium of enthufiafm, will conclude this event to have arifen out of natural caufes, always under the diredion of Divine Providence. The Saxons, it is poffible, from the nature of the outcry, might fufpedt an ambufh, or that the number of the Britons " Bede's Ecclef. Hift. lib. I. cap. XX. p. 57. Langhorni. Ant. Albionenfes, p. 259. was Book II. BRITISH HISTORY. 39 was increafed : belides, the mind of man, in an uncul- tivated ftate, is liable to fears the mofl: fudden, abfurd, and contagious. Having thus preferved the public tranquillity from foreign enemies, and by civil and religious regulations fecured in fome meafure the peace of the country, St. Germain attempted before his departure to eftablifh a naval force, afTuring the Britons that it muft be upon their fleets alone they could rationally depend for their future fecurity.' CoNSTANTiNE, the king of Britain, having been mur- dered when he was hunting by the treachery of a Pidl, his fon Conftans, though a monk, was raifed to the throne, Ann. Dom. through the machinations of Vortigern his coulin, in hopes ''^ ' of diredling the government of a prince, who, having been bred in the receffes of a cloifter, was of courfe uninftrudled in the management of public affairs, and in the laws of his kingdom.'' There was fomething bold in the genius of Vortigern. He poffefled qualities which ufually decide in the great and turbulent fcenes of life, but he was led by them into a feries of crimes, which have marked his life with misfortune, and his character with infamy. As foon as Vortigern had taken the reins of government into his hands, he chofe no longer to adl a fecondary part ■ Berkeley's Naval Hift. Britain, p. 44. * Geoff. Monmouth, p. 173. Rowland, p. 169, 184. Ranulph Higden, lib. IV. p. 219. Gale Script. Math. Weilm. Flores Hift. p. 113. in 40 Ann. Dom. 4+8. REVIEW OF ANCIENT Book II. in its affairs ; but, allured by the profpeft of the crown, he determined to reach that point of his ambition by the murder of his fovereign." In purfuance of this defign, the king's guards, who had been recommended by Vortigern himfelf, and were infligated by rewards and his artful fug- geftions, entered the prince's bed chamber; and having cut off his head, carried it bleeding to the regent ; who, how- ever delighted with the fpedtacle, feigned the utmoft afto- nifliment and horror, wept over the ghaftly vifage, and by a mafter-ftroke of policy, as if affedled' with honeft indig- nation, ordered the heads of the affaffins to be ftruck off." The Angular addrefs of Vortigern in the condud: of this affair might caufe the death of Conflantius, in fome degree, to remain inveloped in darknefs. It removed however the obflacle to his ambition, and he immediately afcended the throne;' but whether by his own ufurpation, or that he was called to the vacant dignity by the voice of the flates, is a point which remains undecided. Here let us paufe a moment over an Epoch diftinguiflied in the Britifli annals, when the Saxons were invited into Britain to be the guardians of its fafety, and point out the probable caufes of a meafure fo delufive, and fatal. The rapid changes of feveral princes from the fcepter to the • Jo. Rofs. Ant. Warw. p. 55. Math. Weftm. Flores Hift. p. 113. * Polychronicon, lib. IV. p. 221. in Gale's Scriptores. GeofF. Monmouth, p. 178. Evan's Mirrour of pall Ages in Welih, p. 95. ^ Rowland's Mon. Antiq. p. 184. grave Book II. BRITISH HISTORY. 41 grave had fhewn the precarious tenure under which the Britifh fovereigns had held their power. The fear, like- wife, of falling a facrifice to the juftice of his country, might be a powerful motive with Vortigern to unite his caufe with the ambitious views of the Saxons, whofe number and valour might protect him from danger, and fupport their mutual interefts. Superadded to thefe mo- tives of a perfonal nature, the public fafety, at this time threatened with an invalion of the Pidts and Scots, ferved Vortigern as a plaufible pretext to convene the ftates of the kingdom, and to propofe in that aflembly the neceffity of fuch an alliance.' Nothing could fo ftrongly mark the fear and diftradion which at this time influenced the general council, as adopting fo haftily a meafure repugnant to every principle of found policy. The fucceeding hiftory of the Saxon wars, replete with human mifery, and the ruin of the Britifh empire, the effedl of this day's counfels, are melancholy leflbns to mankind ; that a people who have not themfelves the virtue to defend their country, are not likely by adventitious aid to preferve its freedom. A WEAK credulity, and a temper hafty and impetuous, were the leading qualities of the Britons, which frequently excited them to refolutions the mofl precipitate and ill • Bede, lib. I. rap. XIV. p. 51, 52. Polidore Virgil, lib. III. p. 55. Math. Weftm. Flores Hiftoriarium, p. 115. Gildas, cap. XXIII. p. 7. Gale's edit. G ' founded 42 REVIEW OF ANCIENT Book II. founded. Thefe defeds, which had been ruinous to their liberties in every period of their annals, laid them open to the machinations and interefted views of this crafty ufurper ; and it was an eafy matter for Vortigern, by found- ing the alarm of danger, to obtain the confent of the ftates, that deputies fhould be immediately difpatched to folicit aid of the Saxons.' Some nobler fpirits, endued with greater ftrength of difcernment, faw the fatal tendency of the meafure, and exerted their utmoft efforts to oppofe the general opinion. But the evil genius of Britain pre- vailed, and deputies were fent to the Saxons to folicit their affiftance againft the common enemy, the Pidls and the Scots.'' The various tribes of the Saxons,' at this period, were governed in the fame manner as the Celtic nations. An aflembly, compofed of twelve of the moil eminent chief- tains formed the great council of the nation, and during peace dired:ed the public adminiftration ; but in times of war, fome one perfon of this body, pre-eminent in valour and other talents for command, was chofen by the common fuffrages to take upon him the conduft of the flate.* At ■ Bede, lib. I. cap. XIV. p. 52. Polidore Virgil, lib. III. p. 55. * Evans Mirrour of paft ages, written in Welfh. 3 So called from ufmg military weapons that were in the (hape of zfcythe, and called in iheir language_/^fl;cw. Verftegan, chap. I. p. 21, 22. ♦ Verftegan, chap. III. p. 62. this Book II. BRITISH HISTORY. this period, Hengift and Horfa were princes of great dif- tindlion. They were the defcendants of Woden," the founder of the nation, and regarded by the Saxons as the deity who prefided in war,'' agreeably to the cuftom of the firft ages, of paying divine honours to any individual, who had been the inftrument of glory or profperity to his country. When the Britifh deputies appeared before the afTembly of the Saxon ftates, they opened the nature of their com- miffion, and folicited affiftance.' Struck with this favour- able opportunity of displaying their valour, and gratifying their avidity, and probably difcerning the confequent ad- vantages, the Saxons agreed to fend the Britons immediate aid ; and a large body of troops was embarked under the command of Hengift and Horfa.* The former of thefe warriors, by his valour and abilities, was every way quali- fied to fupport the expedlations of his country. On the charadier of Horfa, hiftory is filent ; except that, along ' From Woden is derived Wednefday, being the day dedicated to the honour of that Saxon Deity. Friday likewife is derived from the Saxon goddefs Fria, being the day dedicated to her worfhip ; and in the fame manner, every other day in the week has taken its derivation from the Saxon Deities. See VerAegan, cap. HI. p. 69 — 77. Bede, lib. 1. cap. XV. p. 53. Sammes Britifh Ant, 352. Ranulph Higden Polychron. Gale's Scriptores, lib. V. p. 222. ' Gildas, p. 7. ♦ Gildas, cap. XXIII. p. 7. Gale's edit. Bede, lib. I. cap. XV. p. 53. G 2 with 43 44 REVIEW OF ANCIENT Book II. with his brother, he had ferved under Valentinian the third in the Roman armies." When the deputies returned into Britain, and reported the fuccefs of their embafly, there was great rejoicing in Ann.Dom. the court of Vortigem ;* and foon after, the Saxon auxili- *^°" aries landed at Ebsfleete in the ifland of Thanet, the place, which by previous agreement was allotted for their refidence.' Under the influence of thofe fears which ever agitate guilty minds, it is natural to fuppofe the arrival of his new allies would be a matter of comfort and pleafure to the Britifh king.* To fhew them greater honour, he went in perfon to meet the Saxons, and waited their landing on the fea fhore ; he there received them with extraordinary carefles, entertained them with feafts feveral days, and after he had fettled their ftipulated pay to avoid the caufes of future difcontents, led them againft the Pidts and Scots,' who at this time had penetrated as far as Stamford.* That they might give an early impreflion of their valour, Hengift placed the Saxons in the front, as the ftation of danger ; and the Britons formed the rear of the army. In this ' Verftegan, chap. V. p. Ii8. » Evans Mirrour in Welfti, p. 98. ' Vetftegan, chap. V. p. 117. Bede, lib. I. cap. XV. p. 52. Saxon Chron. by Gibfon, p. 12. * Verftegan, chap. V. p. izz, ' Humfrey Lhiiyd's Breviary, p. ij. Verftegan, chap. V. p. 122. *- Gale's Script. Ranulph Higden Polychron, lib. V. p. 222. iituation, Book II. BRITISH HISTORY. 45 fituation, they waited the attack of the enemy, who began the aflault, as was their cuftom, by a difcharge of lances and darts, which made no impreffion upon the Saxons, who were accuftomed to fight in a clofer order with long fwords and battle axes. At length, after an engagement obftinately difputed and bloody, the Pidls and Scots were entirely defeated." By this vidrory the Saxon princes gained a high reputation for valour and military condudl.^ A few fubfequent efforts, which were always unprofperous, obliged the Pidts and Scots to relinguifh their conquefls, and to retreat into their own country. If, upon this fortunate turn in their affairs, the Britons had united under a fove- reign of virtue and ability, had enforced the immediate departure of the Saxons at a time they were few in number, and had eflablilhed a naval force, they might, in a great raeafure, have preferved the public tranquillity, and fecured, for a time at leaA, the national independence. Instead of thefe decifive and politic meafures, a ruinous and irreparable one enfued. For Hengifl, whofe penetrating mind had feen into the defigns, and critical fituation of Vortigern ; who had obferved the luxury, negligence, and effeminacy of the Britons, and had noticed the richncfs of their country compared with his own, began at this time to extend his views towards a permanent fettlement in it ; ' Verftegan, chap. V. p. 122. Bede, lib. I. cap. XV. p. 52. Gale's Scrip- tores, ibid. * Verftegan, cap. V. p. j22. and 46 REVIEW OF ANCIENT Book II. and accordingly he invited a frefli body of his countrymen to aflift, and partake in the fruits of the defign.' He like- wife reprefented to the king the neceflity of being poffefled of fome fortified place, as a fecurity for his troops, and a repofitory of their fpoils ; and accordingly defired that he might ereft fuch a fortrefs. The requeft of Hengift was at firft refufcd by Vortigern, through fear that it might excite a jealoufy among the Britons ; however, at length he accom- pliflied his defign, by means of an artifice, which if it be true, marked the exceeding fimplicity of the times.'' Latter End Jnduced by the flattering defcription which Hengift 450. had given of Britain, a large body of Saxons came overj' and among thefe was the daughter of that prince, the beau- tiful Rowenna.* The arrival of thefe troops was feen with a jealous eye by many of the Britons, who were juftly alarmed at the confequences of introducing into the country fo great a number of foreigners.' But, Vortigern, the pre- fiding demon in the fate of Britain, whofe fecret machi- nations it is probable introduced this reinforcement, either defpifed the remonftrance of his fubjeds,* or had the addrefs ■ Bede's Eccl, Hift. lib. I. cap. XV. p. 52. Saxon Chron, p. 12. Verftegan, chap. V. p. 122. * Fabian, p. 71. GeofF. Monmouth, p. 185. Verllegan, chap. V. p. izz. » Bede, lib. I. cap. XV. p. 52. * Polidore Virgil, lib. III. p. 55. Wm. Malmlbury, lib. I. p. 9. ' Math. Wefim. p. 118, * Ibid. to Book II. B R I T I S H H I S T O R Y. 47 to filence their fears ; and to perfuade them of the neceflity of fuch a meafure, on the plaufible pretext that the firft body of Saxons, from their late lofles, would be infufficient to protedt them from their enemies.' The intercourfe fubfifting between Hengift and the Britifh king had given him the opportunity of obferving the conftitutional character of that monarch; and on this bafis he hoped to form an alliance that fliould ferve as a cement to their common interefts, and give folidity to his own future defigns. Having frequently acknowledged his obligations to Vortigern, he requefted the honour of his company to a feaft, at the caflle he had lately eredled, that by every entertainment in his power he might exprefs his refpedl and gratitude. " Vortigern accepted the invitation to a. /upper, and the caroufal was highly magnificent. In the height of their feflivity, when the wine had circulated, and the mind was open to no other impreflion than pleafure, the fair Rowenna appeared in the hall, magnificently dreft, holding a gold cup in her hand which was full of wine ; and having gracefully prefented herfelf upon one knee be- fore the king, thus addrefled him in her own language, " Waes heal hlaford Cyning, or. Be of health lord king." Agreeably furprifed with the fudden appearance of a beau- Evans Mirrour. p. 99. ^ Polidore Virgil, lib. III. p. 56. Wm . Malmfbury, p. 9. Verllegan, chap. V. p. 126. tiful 48 REVIEW OF ANCIENT Book II. tiful lady kneeling before him, the king demanded of his chamberlain, who was the interpreter, the nature of her fuit." He was informed, that the princefs Rowenna accofted him after the manner of her country, where it was ufual at caroufals, for any one who fliall drink to another to cry ■wajheil -y the perfon to whom he thus fpeaks ihall anfwer, Drynk-heil i then he who firft cried wajheil, drinks, and prefents him with the cup. While the interpreter was explaining to Vortigern the nature of this gothic feftivity, that prince fmiled upon Rowenna, and faid to her in the Saxon language " Drynk heil, or drink the health-,"^ upon this the princefs drank a little out of the cup, and prefented it gracefully to the king, who then, agreeably to the cuftom, gave her a falute. She immediately retired, with the pro- foundeft refpedt, out of the king's prefence.' The uncom- mon beauty of the princefs, the gracefulnefs of her manners, and the touching Angularity of the adlion, imprefTed on him when he was heated with wine, entirely fafcinated the foul of Vortigern, and left no traces of any other fentiments in his mind, than thofe of love and defire. To increafe ftill more this amorous frenzy, many impediments were artfully thrown by Hengift in the way of his paflion.* But the infatuated monarch, inflamed with defire, difregarded every ' Jo. Rofs. Ant. Warw. Hift. Reg. Angl. p. 56. Verftegan, chap. V. p. 127. * Verftegan, chap. V. p. 127. ^ Fabian, p. 72. GeofFry Monmouth, p. 187. William Malmibury, p. 9, obflacle Book II. BRITISH HISTORY. obftacle which the didtates of prudence, religion, and honour had oppofed to his wiflies. He immediately re- moved the chief impediment by divorcing his v^ife who had borne him three fons;' and having married the Saxon princefs, he inverted Hengift with the fo.vereignty of Kent, violently wrefting that territory from its original proprietor; he likewife put him in pofleffion of the three counties of EfTex, Suffolk and Middlefex/ The marriage of Vortigern fo oppofite to the ideas of a fuperflitious age, his late munificence to Hengift fo con- trary to juftice, with his open partiality for the Saxons, fpread in every place indignation and alarm.' But while the Britons employed themfelves only in complaints and unavailing difcontent, the politic Hengift, fenfible that guilt had made the king fubfervient, and of confequence a dupe, to his defigns, induced him to give his confent for a further reinforcement of Saxons j* by infufing into his mind the danger of his fituation, from the revolt of his fubjeds univerfally difaffedled, and the probable defign of Ambrofius,' to affert his right to the crown and revenge • Ran. Higden, lib. V. p. 222. Polidore Virgil, lib. III. p. 56. Verftegan, chap. V. p. 127. Warton's Englifti Poetry from GeofF. Monmouth. * Verftegan, cap. V. p. 128. W. Malmlbury, lib. I. p. 9. 3 Matth. Weft. p. 117. Polidore Virgil, lib. III. p. 59. Verftegan, chap. V. p. 128. ♦ Fabian, p. 72. s The fon of the Britifti king Conftantine, who, after his brother's death, retired into Armorica for proteftion. H the 49 50 REVIEW OF ANCIENT Book II. the murder of his brother Conftans.' In confequence of this a large body of Saxons arrived under the command of Ann. Dom. AbiHi, the brother of Hengift, and of his fon Odta/ Thefe '^'"' leaders landed in the iflands of the Orcadcs, and having fubdued thefe, and obliged the Pidls to evacuate the Northumbrian territory, fettled in the country which they had abandoned.' The Saxons, at firft, only occupied the lands upon the eaftern fliore, which lie to the north of the Tyne ; they afterwards advanced by flow degrees to the fouth, and difpoflefTed the Britons of the country as far as the Humber.* A FRIENDSHIP cemented by principles fo interefted and bafe, as thofe which fubfifled in the minds of Hengift and Vortigern, muft be of neceffity precarious, and was not likely to be of longer duration than the motives which formed the alliance. On the acceffion of flrength which he received by the arrival of fo confiderable a force, Hengift immediately threw off the mafk. He no longer paid any refpedl to the perfon of Vortigern, and under the pretence of keeping up the number of his forces, he continually increafed them by frefh ' fupplies which were fent him from • Math. Weft. p. 117. * W. Malmfbury, lib. I. p. 9. Verftegan, cap. V, p. 128. Saxon Chron. p. 12. Nennius, cap. XXXVII. Bertram's edition. ' W. Malmlbury, lib. I. p. 9. Nennius, cap. XXXVII. * Rapin, Vol. I. p. 32. ' Bede, lib. I. cap. XV. the Book II. BRITISH HISTORY. the continent, without the knowledge, and even without deigning to aik the permiffion, of the king. When the firft body of Saxons came into Britain, they had a ftipulated pay allowed them, ' which, it is probable, confifted both of money and provifions, befide the ifland of Thanet, which was allotted for their relidence." The firfl condition not having been duly performed,' or perhaps under that pretext, Hengift at this time demanded the pay or provi- fions for the whole number of Saxons in his army ; and infolently threatened in cafe of refufal, that they would do themfelves juftice by the force of arms. This demand, however oppreflive, was inflantly complied with, to take from the Saxons every plaufible ground of contention. Still rifing in their demands from the late conceffion, their hoflile defigns appeared without difguife, and were difcovered to be of the moft dangerous tendency.* In this moment of danger, when the Britons feemed deftitute of every manly and virtuous exertion, they fuddenly rofe into a degree of wifdom and fpirit which, for a time, gave a fortunate turn to their affairs. The folly and the crimes of Vortigern had rendered him the objedl of univerfal deteflation ; in confequence of which ' Math. Weftm. p. ii6. * W. Malmfbury, lib. I. p. g. ^ Verftegan, chap. V. p. 12S. 4- Gildas, p. 8. Bede, lib. I. cap. XV. p. 53. Verftegan, cap. V. p, 128. H 2 he 51 ^2 REVIEW OF ANCIENT Book II. he was depofed from the throne by a general aflembly of Ann. Dom. the flates, and the crown was given to his eldefl fon 464. Vortimer. ' The talents of this prince exercifed in a vigorous oppo- fition to the Saxons, fully juftified the choice of his country. The firft meafures of his reign were prudent and decifive. He propofed to the Saxons, that they might retire unmolelled out of Britain j he feparated his own fhips from theirs, and having protected his fleet with a large body of his troops, he ported the remainder of his army in a flrong fituation.'' Alarmed at this formidable appearance and fpirited adlivity of Vortimer, the Saxons applied to the Pids and Scots to join in alliance againft the common enemy.' Thefe people readily agreed to the invitation ; and with the Saxons already flationed in thofe parts, formed a confiderable force in the north. In the mean time, that a jundlion might not be formed of the two armies, Vortimer fuddenly attacked the Saxons on their own ground in Kent, under the command of Hengift and Horfa. This battle was fought at Ailsford, and dif- puted with great obftinacy, but at length was decided in ' Rowland's Mon. Ant. p. 184. Verftegan, cap. V. p. 128. Fabian's Chron. p. 73. Matth. Weftm. p. 118. Berkeley's Naval Hill. p. 49. 3 Bede, lib. I. cap. XV. p. 53. Polidore Virgil, lib. III. p. 57, Ran. Higden, lib. V, p. 222. favour Book II. BRITISH HISTORY. favour of the Britons.' Amidft the flaughter of the day, Horfa, and Cartigern the younger brother of Vortimer, fell by each other's hands. ^ The Britons little accuftomed to the fmiles of fortune, were animated by this vidlory to purfue their fuccefs ; and in feveral battles which followed, they feem in general to have had the advantage.' The laft aftion is faid to have been fo decifive that the Saxons were forced to retreat into the ifland of Thanet.* The fame good fortune, likewife, favoured their arms in the north, againfl the combined forces of the Pidls, and the Saxons under Odla.^ Difpirited by fo many defeats upon land, Hengifl, changing his plan of operation, determined the difpute fliould be decided at fea; and as foon as his fliips were manned with the choiceft of his foldiers, he failed to the British fleet j but Vortimer, equal to every emer- gency, whofe activity and valour infufed a fpirit into his foldiers, was prepared to receive him, though inferior to the Saxons in the number and fize of his vefTels. In this adlion, contending for the fate of Britain on its proper element, Vortimer gained the advantage, took feveral of the enemies fhips, and entirely difperfed their fleet.* Pur- > Math. Weftm. p. 119. Verftegan, chap. V. p. 129. * Fabian, p. 75. Ranulph Higden, lib. V. p. 223. Gale's Scriptores. ♦ Fabian, p. 76. Verftegan, chap. V. p. 129. ' Berkeley's Navel Hiil. Eng. p. 49. * Ibid. 53 fuing 54 REVIEW OF ANCIENT Book II. fuing his good fortune, he renewed his attacks upon land, drove the Saxons into the ifland of Thanet ; and at length obliged Hengift with his troops, who on this occafion deferted their women and children, to retire into Germany in order to procure farther fupplies." After this event, he colledted his fleet which had been difperfed in the late adtion, and his army was foon reinforced by numbers who crouded to his ftandard on account of his brilliant fuccefs/ The profperity, which had juft begun to dawn upon Britain, was foon clouded by the refentment and ambition of a woman. Since the difgrace of Vortigern, that monarch had been imprifoned in the city of Caer Leon, or Chefterj and during his confinement had behaved with general pro- priety, having given his fon wife and faithful counfels, and paid him a refpedtful obedience. This decent or politic condudt, and the recolledlion of the great qualities which he really pofTefTed, or perhaps the natural ficklenefs of the people, formed a party in his favour, and drew him out of that general odium in which he had been for fome time immerfed.^ In this ftate of affairs, Rowenna, incited by revenge, and anxious to regain the dignity fhe had loft, meditated the ' Grafton's Chr. p. 89. Verllegan, chap. V. p. 129. Matt. Weftm. Flores Hiftoriar. p. 119. * Berkeley's Naval Hift. p. 49. 3 Fabian, p. 76. murder Book II. B R I T I S H H I S T O R Y. S5 murder of Vortimer. For this purpofe flie engaged in her fervice by the promifcs of a great reward, a young man, who, difguifed in the habit of a gardener, it is faid, ap- peared before the king one morning, while taking the air in his garden, and prefented him with a nofegay of flowers, which was fprinkled with poifon.' As foon as the king was fenfible of its effedls, and that his death was inevitable, he called into his prefence the nobility; exhorted them to a manly defence of their country ; and required, that after his death they fhould eredl a fepulchre on the fea fhore, and fix it in the port where the Saxons ufually landed ; * imagining the image and relics of a dead warrior, would infufe the fame terror, which he himfelf had infpired when alive. The Britlfh nobles, however, not adopting the idle delulion of their mafter, or, what is more probable, necrli- gent of his commands, interred him at Caer Ludd ^ or Ann. Dom. London. 468. The levity, which we have frequently noticed as a natural defedl in the Britifh charadler, appears at this junc- ture to have influenced the national council. For in that aflembly, by an unaccountable caprice, Vortigern was re- ' Evans Mirrour, p. 106, from an old Manufcript. Verftegan, chap. V. p. 129. Fabian, p. 76. Mat. Weftm. p. 120. Flores Hilloiiaium. Thefe writers all agree that he was poifoned. * GeoiF. Monmouth, p. 192. 3 Matt. Weftm. p. izo. GeoiF. Monmouth, p. 192. eledled ^e REVIEW OF ANCIENT Book II. eleded to the fovereign dignity ; ' the fame man who a few years before had been folemnly depofed from the throne, as a traitor to his country. Thus far the machinations of Rowenna had fucceeded to her wiflies : flie had at length attained to her former grandeur by wading through the blood of her fon-in-law ; and what is but too probable, with the connivance of her infatuated hufband. For this prince, at the infti- gation of his wife, fent intelligence of the late events into Germany, and defired that Hengill would come into Britain, privately, and with a fmall train ; left, if he came over with a larger force, he fhould be oppofed by the united power of the Britons.* When Henglft acquainted his followers with the news, and propofed the conqueft of Britain, they expreffed great reludlance to the enterprife, on account of its uncertainty and danger ; as they had found by experience that the Britons were brave when properly roufed into adlion. Hengift had the addrefs to remove thefe im- preflions, and to raife the hopes of his countrymen ; telling them, that though the Britons were brave, they were never- thelefs inferior to themfelves in policy, and in the ftratagems of war.' • Fabian, p. 76. GcofF. Monmouth, p. 193. Gale's Script. Polichron. R. Higden. p. 222. Verllegan, chap. V. p. 229. * Matt. WeJlm. p. 120. 3 Evans Mirrour, p. 107. Thus Book II. BRITISH HISTORY. Thus allured by the flattering aflfurances of Hengift, four thoufand Saxons embarked under his command.' When the Saxons approached the Britifli coaft, they found that the inhabitants, under the command of Vortisern. feemed fully determined to oppofe their landing." Intelligence of this being privately fent by Rowenna to her father, the Saxon chief had recourfe to an expedient fuggefted by his wily and fertile imagination, as well as from a know- ledge of the people, with whom he had to ad;. In this artifice the weaknefs or the treachery of Vortigern was employed. Hengift fent to affure that monarch, that his purpofe in coming into Britain was not to offer any violence to the kingdom ; but only to make a vigorous oppofition againft his fon Vortimer, whom, he artfully pretended, he thought had been alive.' It was likewife propofed by Hengilt, that an interview fliould take place between them, and that each of the chiefs fliould meet at the place ap- pointed, attended by the moft eminent of his train j* and in order to banifh every idea of hoflile intention, it was artfully fuggefted by the Saxon, that both parties fhould appear without their arms. The propofal was agreed to by the kingj the time of meeting was fixed for the May ' Matth. Weftm. p. 120. Verftegan, cap. V. p. 129. * Matt. Weftm. p. 120. Verftegan, chap. V. p. 130. 3 Matt. Weftm. p. 120, * Verftegan, chap. V. p. 130. I following 57 ^8 REVIEW OF ANCIENT Book II. following ; and the place appointed for the interview was probably at Stone-henge upon Salifbury plains." In the mean time, Hengift, having aflembled his chief- - tains, laid open to them his defign,'' that under the colour of meeting the Britons for the purpofes of peace, and to eftablifh a lafting alliance, he intended to murder the chiefs who fhould attend Vortigern to the interview j' that by ftriking fo decifive a blow, he might cut the finews of future refiftance. At the fame time he gave orders, that his train who attended the meeting fliould carry knives concealed in their fleeves, that when the fignal was given, each of them fhould inftantly ftab the perfon who fat next to him,* and he clofed this infernal order by requiring them to " behave like men, and to fliew no mercy ^ to any perfon but to the king." Notwithstanding the many proofs the Saxons had given of their perfidy, the Britons, with a degree of credu- lity peculiar to themfelves, fell into the fnare, and came unwarned to the place appointed for the interview ; * where, by the contrivance of Hengill, they were placed with his Matt. Weftm. p. 130. Verftegan, chap. V. p. 130. Evans Mirrour, p. 109. ' Fabian, p. 77. •* Matt. Weftm. p. 120. ' Fabian, p. 77, ' Math. Weftm. p. 120. train Book II. BRITISH HISTORY. 59 train alternately at the tables, under the pretence of confi- dence, and of a friendly intercourfe with each other.' When the feftivity was at the height, and probably in the un- guarded moments of intoxication, Hengifl gave the fignal agreed on Hem cowr feaxes or take your feaxes. At that inftant every Saxon drew out his knife, and plunged it into the bofom of the perfon who fat next to him. Above Ann.Dom. three hundred of the Britifli nobility, the moft eminent for their talents in the council or in the field, periflied in this bloody caroufal.^ Vortigern was fpared in the general carnage, though detained a prifoner by Hengift j ' probably with no other defign than as a cover to a fubfequent a(ft of the Britifh prince, which carries with it a ilrong appearance of bafenefs -, for in order to obtain his liberty, he made an aflignment to the Saxon chief of the counties of Norfolk and Suffex, and alfo confirmed him in the pofTeffion of his former territories.* The news of this maffacre, we may eafily fuppofe, fpread among the Britons the utmoil aftonifhment and horror; which ' Evans Mirrour of paft ages, p. 109. Matt. Weftm. p. 120. W. Malmlbury, lib. I. p. 9. Gale's Script. Ran. Higden, lib. V. p. 222. Verftegan, chap. V. p. 130. Humfrey Lhuyd's Breviary, p. 13. Thefe writers differ refpefting the number flain. ^ Verftegan, chap. V. p. 131. W. Malmlbury, lib. I. p. 10. R, Higden, lib. V. p. 223. Fabian, p. 77. * Nennius, cap. XLVII. according to this writer, Effex, SulTe-x, and Middlefex. I 2 was 6o REVIEW OF ANCIENT Book II. was probably heightened by a deep fufpiclon of their fove- reign having afted a fecondary part in a fcene fo cruel and perfidious. The evident partiality which Vortigern had [hewn to the Saxons," and his general flagitious condudt,"" had by this time rendered him almoft univerfally deteflied.^ Covered with confufion and reproach, he withdrew into the wilds of Caernarvonfliire ;* but though that folitary defert might conceal him from his injured country, it could not protedl him from the confcioufnefs of guilt, or of folly in the moft prenicious extreme. The Britons, having been deceived by the late appearance of friendfliip, and negleding alfo to provide againft future contingencies, had difmiffed thofe forces, which under Vortlmer, their late prince, had gained fo many vid:ories, and nearly eflabliflied their freedom. At this jundlure, it is faid, they had only feven thoufand men, who were fit for fervice in arms;' a force which was by no means equal to the great power of the Saxons, rendered now more ferocious from a fenfe of their late barbarity. That event was only the prelude to a fcene of a more extenfive mifery ; for the Saxons, at this time, ravaged the whole country from the weftern to the eaftern fea.* In the courfe of their ravages, • Polidore Virgil, lib. III. p. 37. ' Math. Weftm. p. 128. 3 Ibid. p. 121. * Henry Huntingdon, lib. II. p. 310, in Script, poft. Bedam. ' Evans Mirrour, p. no. * Bede, lib. I, cap. XV. p. 53. private Book II. BRITISH HISTORY. 6i private dwellings and public edifices, with the facred altars, were levelled with the ground : the common people were put to death without mercy : even venerable prelates fhared the fame fate; and the priefts themfelves were flain, at the altar performing the duties of their office.' The bitter ani- mofity, which ufually attends difference in religion, increafed the natural fiercenefs of a barbarous people. From this fcene of mifery fome of the Britons having fled for fhelter into the mountains or woods, were purfued by the enemy and there flain ; others retired into foreign countries, pro- bably to Armorica their ufual afylum in difl:refs ; and many of them, driven to the lafl: extreme of wretchednefs, gave themfelves up to flavery." VoRTiGERN having deferted, or what is more probable, having been depofed from, the throne, the Britons turned their eyes to Ambrofius,^ of the houfe of Cornwall, and the brother of Conflans, their late fovereign, who had been murdered by Vortigern. This prince, and his brother Uthur Pendragon, had retired from the tyranny of that ufurper, to their uncle the king of Armorica."^ By the aflifl:ance of that prince, Aurelius Ambrofius, with his brother, landed Ann. Dom. in Britain at the head of a large body of forces, and was '^^'' " Gildas, p. 8. - Ibid. Bede. lib. I. cap. XV. p. 53. ^ Gildas, p. 9. Bede, lib. I. cap. XVI. p. 53. * Math. Weftm. p. 113. inftantly 62 REVIEW OF ANCIENT Book II. inftantly raifed to the throne.' Influenced by motives both of a public and private nature, detefting Vortigern as a traitor to his country, and the murderer of his brother, and afraid of the cabals^ of a powerful party in his favour, Ambrofius determined in his firfl enterprife, to free himfelf from a dangerous rival. By a rapid movement, he came fo fuddenly upon Vortigern, that the Britifh prince had fcarcely time to fly to his retreat in Caernarvonfliire. To this place he was purfued by Ambrofius, and his caflle in- vefted ; which was burnt to the ground, either by accident, or by the means employed in the fiege.' This prince, in his old age, and after a turbulent reign of thirty-three years, Ann. Dom. perifhed in the flames,* together with all his women, one of which it is faid was his own daughter, ^ who lived with him in a {late of inceft.* The odium which purfued the memory of Vortigern, mingling with the fuperfliition of the age, hath affigned his death to the immediate inter- pofition of heaven. In the mean time, many of thofe Britons who inhabited the country polTefTed by Hengifl, in abhorrence of the cruel ' Math. Weftm. p. 128. Rowland Mon. Antiq. p. 184. * Fabian, p. 72. Matt. Weflm. p. 329. GeofFry Monmouth, p. 231. * Nennius, cap. XL VIII. Verftegan, chap. V. p. 132. ' Nennius, cap. XXXVIII. Fabian, p. 79. This prince had by his firft wife three fons, Vortimer, Catigern, and Pafcens ; and he had one fon named Fauftus by his own daughter. and Book II. BRITISH HISTORY. 63 and perfidious fcene he had lately adled at Stone-henge, fled into other provinces, and by their defertion left his territories in a great meafure without people or cultivation.' To remedy this evil, and to oppofe the popular admini- ftration, and fpirited condudl of Ambrofius, Hengifl invited over a frefh body of Saxons, offering them a part of his dominions for their refidence. In confequence of this offer, a chieftain, named Ella, came over with a body of forces, and landed on the coafl of Suflex ; and after a contefl of feveral years, eftabliflied them in that country. The name of Suffex was given to this territory, on account of its being the refidence of the fouth Saxons.* This fupply having given flability to his new dominions, Hengiil planted a colony to the eaft of his own fettlement in Kent, which took the name of Effex from the eail; Saxons ; he likewife placed another in that diflrid which lies be- tween Suffex and Effex, and which was from thence called Middlefex or the middle Saxons.^ The death of his rival feated Ambrofius more firmly Ann.Dom. on the throne. So very popular was the name of this "^ '' prince in Britain, that numbers crouded to fight under his flandard.* The Britons of Cambria likewife united ' Rapin Hill. Eng. vol. I. p. 35. "" Gale's Scriptores, Ran. Higden, lib. V. p. 224. Matt. Weltm. p. 130. Henry Huntingdon, lib, U. p. 311. Scriptor. poll Bedam. Saxon Chr. p. 14, ^ Rapin, vol. I. p. 35. * Matt. Weftm. p. 128, in 64 REVIEW OF ANCIENT Book II. in the common caufe, and joined his army." With this force he marched againft the Saxons in the country beyond the Hiimber and intirely defeated them. Hengift their leader was taken prifoner. The Saxon prince being brought into the prefence of Ambrolius, was inftantly beheaded/ as an adl of juftice which was due to his defolated country, and to the maffacre at Stone-henge ; the army likewife threw a heap of ftones over his grave, as a memorial of his infamv, and a monument of their indignation.' The Britifli prince then laid fiege to the city of York, in which place, Ofta the fon of Hengift, and Efca his brother had taken refuge ; but thefe chiefs were foon obliged to furrender, upon condition, that they and the Saxon foldiers ftiould retire into the country near Scotland.* After this event Ambrofius turned his arms againft Ella, the king of the South Saxons, over whofe forces, it appears, that at firft he gained fome advantage.' He then with the city of York, recovered London, Winchefter, and Salifbury ;* all of which cities had been feized by the Saxons after the maffacre at Stone-henge.' ' Evans Mirrour, p. ii6. " Matt. Weftm. p. 131, 132. Ranulph Higden, lib. V. p. 223. Gale's Script. 3 GeofFry Monmouth, p. 240. Sammes Ant. Britain, p. 474. * Matt. Weftm. p. 132. ' Matt. Wellra. p. 134. * Geoff. Monmouth, cap. IX. p. 243. 7 Matt. Weftm. p. 120. On Book II. B R I T I S H H I S T O R Y. 65 On the difgrace or the death of Vortigern, his third fon named Pafcens retired into Germany, with a view to induce the Saxons to fupport his claim upon the crown, and join the common caufe in the conqueft of Britain. Having had the addrefs to procure a body of troops, he landed on the coaft of Scotland, to join the Saxons who had lately been permitted by Ambrofius to fettle in that country.' This prince, receiving intelligence of the invafion, inftantly march- ed to oppofe the fon of Vortigern, whofe army he entirely routed. On this defeat, Pafcens failed over into Ireland to procure afliflance from a king of that country ; by this prince he was cordially received, and fupplied with a body of feven thoufand men. With this reinforcement he landed at Milford Haven, and from thence ravaged the city of St. Davids" in Pembrokefliire, and all the country around it. At this time, Ambrofius lay fick at Caer Went, or Win- chefter.' The news of his ficknefs being brought to Pafcens, he determined to derive fome advantage from fo favourable an incident, and 'inftantly fuggefted the defign of murdering the king. There was at that time in his train a Saxon, named Eppa, who was an artful perfon, and of great addrefs ; he had likewife fome knowledge of the Britifli language, and was acquainted with phyfic. This ' Matt. Weflm. p. 135. ^ Ibid. Fabian, p. 81. 3 GeofFry Monmouth, p. 252, K man 66 REVIEW OF ANCIENT Book II. man was chofen as a proper inftrument for his purpofe, and, that he might more eafily gain accefs to the king, appeared in the charadlers of a prieft and a phyfician." Under favour of this difguife, Eppa was introduced into the palace of Ambrofius, and had the addrefs to prefcribe a medicine for that prince in quality of phyfician, in which he had taken care privately to mix poifon." Am- brofius being dead, in confequence of the poifonous medi- cine he had taken, the traitor inftantly made his efcape.* This gallant prince was interred in the convent of Ambrius, Ann. Dom. fuppofed to be on Saliibury plains.* About this period, '*95' Cerdic, a Saxon chieftain, with his fon Cenric landed in Britain, and at length founded the kingdom of WefTex or the Weft Saxons.' On the death of Ambrofius his brother Uthur Pendragon was inftantly crowned king.* Soon after the acceffion of this prince, the Saxons having gathered ftrength, had again recourfe to arms, and deftroying ' Matt. Weftm. p. 135. Ranulph Higden, lib. V. p. 223. Gale's Scriptores. Geoffry Monmouth, p. 253. * GeofFry Monmouth, p. 253. Fabian, p. 82. ^ Geoffry Monmouth, p. 253. ♦ Geoffry Monmouth, p. 274. ' Saxon Chron. p. 15. Henry Huntingdon, lib. II. p. 313. Script, port Basdam. Ran. Higden, lib. V. p. 224. * Polidore Virgil, lib. III. p. 58. Matt. Weftm. p. 136, Verftegan, chap. V. p. 132. Rowland's Mon. Ant. p. i8j. all Book II. B R I T I S H H I S T O R Y. 67 all the fortified places from Scotland to the city of York, they at length laid fiege to Alclwyd, the capital of the Strath Clwyd kingdom. Uthur Pendragon inftantly marched to the relief of that place, where a battle enfued, which after a doubtful conflict, at length ended in favour of the Britons.' In this adtion, the Saxon leaders, Efka and Cofa, the fon and coufin of Hengift, were taken pri- foners'' and were confined in London : but thefe chiefs did not long remain in captivity ; for having corrupted their guards, they efcaped out of prifon, and went over into Germany, whence they returned into Britain with a frefh fupply of foldiers. The Saxon chiefs, once more tried the fortune of war with Uthur, in a bloody and well difputed adlion at Verulam.' On that day, which once again might have given a decifive iflue to their fortunes, the Britons gained a compleat vidlory ; and the two leaders, Efka and Odla, were flain amidft the general flaughter of the Saxons. During the adlion, Uthur being indifpofed, was carried in a litter through the ranks to encourage the army by his prefence. This event was immediately fol- lowed by the fiege of Verulam, and after a bloody refiftance that city was taken by the king of Britain.* At length, after a reign of feventeen years of fervice and of glory, Uthur Pendragon ended his days by poifon. His death • Matt. Weflm. p. 136. " Ibid. 3 Ibid. p. 138. *Ibid. p. 139. K. 2 happened 68 REVIEW OF ANCIENT Book II. happened at Verulam, immediately after the vidlory he had gained there. For his indifpofition having increafed, it was his conftant cuftom to drink water every day from a certain fountain at a little diftance from that city, into which fome of the Saxons, fuborned for that purpofe, had contrived to infufe poifon." The body of this prince was carried to the convent of Ambrius, and was interred there, near the grave of his brother Ambrofius.* The recital of the extraordinary manner in which thefe princes have ended their days, may poflible be attended with the charge of credulity, or of afFedling to enliven the fubjedt by exhibiting pidlures of whatever is ftriking or uncommon. In extenuation of this charge it is replied, that the fadls have been taken from ancient writers, and are confiftent with the manners of that barbarous age ; and that fuch a&s of violence were certainly frequent in the more enlightened period of the fixtcenth century, at which time, it is well known, the art of poifoning had attained a high degree of refinement. Ann.Dom. At this period, Maelgwyn, the eldeft fon of Cafwallon- 5'°- law-ker, reigned in Gwyneth or North Wales, and like his fa- ther had a pre-eminency over the other princes of Cambria.' • Matt. Weftm. p. 139. GeofF. Monmouth, p. 273. * Ibid. p. 274. ' Rowland Men. Ant. p. i8j. This Book II. BRITISH HISTORY. 6g This prince was nephew to king Arthur ' by the fifter of that monarch, and had received a liberal education under the care of the celebrated Iltutus;^ and whatever were the vices which juftly ftained his chara 976- ' Ibid. p. 976. Some Book III. CYNAN TINDAETHWAY. 105 Some time after, OfFa, ftill breathing revenge, marched into the confines of Wales, with a well equipped and formi- dable army ; but for fome years he was greatly annoyed by the Welfh, who, from their woods and mountains made continual irruptions upon his forces.' At length, both parties coming to a general engagement upon Rhydd-lan marfh ; the Welfh, under the command of Caradoc, a Ann. Dom. chieftain or prince of the country, and defcended from the "^-'" houfe of Cornwall, were entirely defeated ^ with a dreadful {laughter; and their leader flain in the adlion.' Befides this great lofs which the Welfh had fuffered, the Saxon prince ordered all the men and children, who unfortunately fell into his hands to be maffacred in cool blood ; the women themfelves, fcarcely efcaping his fury/ The memory of this tragical event has been carried down to pofterity, by an ancient ballad called Morva Rhydd-lan, the notes of which are mofl tenderly plaintive. St30N after this memorable event, died OfFa, king of Mercia.^ Some hiflorians fay he was flain in the battle of Rhydd-lan, with Meredith the prince of Dyved.* ■ Math. Paris vita Duoram OfFarum, p. 976. * Welfh Chron. p. 20. ^ According to tradition, the remaining Wel(h who had efcaped the enemies fword, flying with precipitaticn over the marfti, perifhed in the water by the flowing of the tide. * Math. Paris vita Duorum Oftarum, p. 976. ^ Welfti Chron. p. 20. ^ Cambden's Britannia, Gibfon's Notes on Flintfliire, p. 690, from Mfs. of Vaughan Hengwrt. P It io6 MANNERS OF THE Book III. It may not be unnecefTary here, after a tedious recital of inroads and battles, to give fome relief to the reader's mind, by opening to his view the modes of life and private manners of the Welfli, vvhofe national charadter will appear in the courfe of the following pages. The Welfh (according to Giraldus Cambrenfis," who was himfelf a native of the country, and wrote in a period when their native manners were pure and unadulterated by foreign intercourfe) were a nation light and nimble, and more fierce than llrong ; from the lowed to the higheft of the people they were devoted to arms, which the plowman as well as the courtier was prepared to feize on the firft fummons. Their chief employment in worics of hu(bandry was, that for oats they opened the foil, once only in March and April ; and for wheat or rye, they turned it up, twice in the fummer, and a third time in winter about the feafon of thrafhing. The chief fuftenance of this people, in refpedl of their food, was cattle and oats, befides milk, cheefe, and butter j though they ufually ate more plentifully of flefh meat than of bread. As they were not engaged in the occupations of traffic cither by fea or land, their time was entirely employed in ' Giraldus Cambrenfis Itiner. cap. IV. V. military Book III. ANCIENT WELSH. military affairs. They were fo anxious for the preierva- tion of their country and its liberties, that they efleemed it delightful not only to fight for them, but even to facrifice the-ir lives : and agreeably to this fpirit, they entertained an idea, that it was a difgrace to die in their beds, but an honour to fall in the field. Such was their eager courage, that although unarmed, they often dared to engage with men entirely covered with armour j and in fuch en- gagements, by their adlivity and valour, they ufually came off conquerors. That their adlivity might not be impeded by any unneceffary incumbrance, they made ufe of light armour ; fuch as fmaller coats of mail, Ihields, and fome- times of iron greaves ; their offenfive weapons were arrows and long fpears. Their bows were ufually made of flight twigs joined or twifled together, and though rude in their form, they difcharged an arrow with great force. The people of North Wales v/ere remarkable for fpears fo long and well pointed, that they could pierce through an iron coat of mail j the men of South Wales were accounted the moft expert archers. The chieftains when they went to war, were mounted on fwift horfes, bred in the coun- try j the lower forts of people, on account of the marfhes, as well as the inequalities of the ground, marched on foot to battle ; though, whenever the occafion or the place rendered it neceffary for the purpofes either of fighting or flying, the horfemen themfelves difmounted and ferved on foot. P 2 The 107 io8 MANNERSOFTHE Book III. The Welfh either went with their feet entirely bare, or they ufed boots of raw leather, inllead of fhoes, fewed toge- ther with raw Ikin. In the time of peace, the young men accuftomed themfelves to penetrate the woods and thickets, and to run over the tops of mountains ; and by continuing this exercife through the day and night, they prepared themfelves for the fatigues and employments of war. These people were not given to excefs either in eating or drinking. They had no fet time appointed for their meals, nor any expenfive richnefs in their cloaths. Their whole attention was occupied in the fplendid appearance of their horfes and arms, in the defence of their country, and in the care of their plunder. Accuflomed to faft from morning to night, their minds were wholly employed on bufinefs, they gave up the day entirely to prudent delibera- tions, and in the evening they partook of a fober fupper. But if, at any time, it happened, that they were not able to procure any, or only a very fparing repaft, they patiently waited till the next morning ; and in this iituation, prevented neither by hunger nor cold, they were eager to take advantage of dark and ftormy nights for hoflile invafions. There was not a beggar to be feen among thefe people, for the tables of all were common to all ; and with them bounty. Book III. ANCIENT WELSH. bounty, and particularly hofpitable entertainment, were in higher eflimation than any of the other virtues. Hofpi- tality, indeed, was fo much the habit of this nation, by a mutual return of fuch civilities, that it was neither offered to, nor requefled by, travellers. As foon as they entered any houfe, they immediately delivered their arms into the cuftody of fome perfon ; then if they fuffered their feet to be wafhed by thofe, who for that purpofe direftly offered them water, they were conlidered as lodgers for the night. The refufal of this offered civility, intimated their delire of a morning's refrefhment only. The offer of water for the purpofe of wafliing the feet, was conlidered as an invitation to accept of hofpitable entertainment. The young men ufually marched in parties, or in tribes, a leader being ap- pointed to each ; and as they were devoted to arms, or given up to leifure, and were courageous in the defence of their country, they were permitted to enter the houfe of any perfon with the fame fecurity as their own. The ftrangers, who arrived in the morning, were enter- tained until evening with the converfation of young wo- men, and with the mufic of the harp ; for in this coun- try almoft every houfe was provided with both. Hence we may reafonably conclude, that the people were not much inclined to jealoufy. Such an influence had the powers of mufic on their minds, that in every family, or in every , tribe, they efteemed flcill in playing on the harp beyond any kind of learning. 109 no MANNERS OF THE Book III. In the evening, when the vifitors were all come, an enter- tainment was provided according to the number and dignity of the perfons, and the wealth of the houfej on which occafion the cook was not fatigued with drefling many difhes, nor fuch as were high feafoned as flimulatives to glut- tony ; nor was the houfe fet off with tables, napkins, or towels J for in all thefe things they ftudied nature more than fhew. The guefts were placed by threes at fupper, and the diflies at the fame time were put on ruflies, in large and ample platters made of clean grafs, with thin and broad cakes of bread, baked every day. At the fame time that the whole family, with a kind of emulation in their civilities, were in waiting, the mafter and miftrefs in particular were always ftanding, very attentively overlooking the whole. At length, when the hour of fleep approached, they all lay down in common on the public bed, ranged lengthwife along the fides of the room j a few rufhes being ftrowed on the floor, and covered only with a coarfe hard cloth the produce of the country. The fame garb that the people were ufed to wear in the day, ferved them alfo in the night ^ and this confifted of a thin mantle, and a garment or fhirt w^orn next to the fkin. The fire was kept burning at their feet throughout the night, as well as in the day. The women of this nation, as well as the men, had their hair cut round at the ears and eyes. The women alfo, as a head drefs, wore a large white robe, folding round, and BookIIL ancient welsh. hi and rifing by degrees into a graceful tuft or crown. Both the men and the women were exceedingly attentive to the prefervation of their teeth ; by conftantly rubbing them with green hazel (probably the leaves or bark) and cleaning them with a woollen cloth, they kept their teeth as white as ivory j and to preferve them ftlll more, they abftained from every kind of hot food. The men were accuftomed to fhave the whole beard, leaving only a whifker on the upper lip ; they likewife cut fliort or fhaved the hair of their heads, that it might be no impediment to their acti- vity in paffing through the thick woods and forefts that covered their country. The Welfli were a people of an acute and fubtle genius j and to whatever ftudies they applied their minds, enjoying fo rich a vein of natural endowments, they excelled in wit and ingenuity any other of the weftern nations. In civil caufes and acTiions, they exerted all the powers of rhetoric, and, in the condudl of thefe, their talents for infinuation, invention, and refutation were confpicuous. In rhythmical fongs, and in extempory effufions, they excelled to a great degree, both in refpedl to invention and elegance of ftyle ; and for thefe purpofes poets or bards were appointed. But beyond all other rhetorical ornaments they preferred the ufe of alliteration, and that kind more efpecially which repeats the firft letters or fyllables of words. They made fo much ufe of this ornament 112 MANNERS OF THE Book III. ornament in every finiflied difcourfe, that they thought nothing elegantly Ipoken without it. In private company, or in feafons of public feftivity, they were very facetious in their converfation, to enter- tain the company and difplay their own wit. With this view, perfons of lively parts, fometimes in mild and fometimes in biting terms, under the cover of a double meaning, by a peculiar turn of voice, or by the tranf- pofition of words, were continually uttering humorous, or fatirical exprelTions. The lowefi: of the people, as well as the nobles, were indebted to nature for a certain boldnefs in fpeech, and an honeft confidence in giving anfwers to great men on matters of bufmefs, or in the prefence of princes. There were among the Wellli, what were not to be found among other nations, certain perfons whom they call A'wenydhion[j!i word expreffive of poetical raptures) who appear to have been folely under the influence of the imagination. Thefe perfons, when they were confulted about any thing doubtful, inflamed with a high degree of enthufiafm, were carried out of themfelves, and feemed as if they were polfeffed by an invifible fpirit. Yet they did not immediately declare a folution of the difiiculty required, but by the power of wild and inconfiilent circumlocution, in which they abounded, any Book III. ANCIENT WELSH. 113 any perfon who diligently obferved the anfwer would at length, by fome turn or digreffion in the fpeech, receive an explanation of what he fought. From this ftate of extacy they were at laft roufed, as from a deep fleep ; and were compelled, as it were, by the violence of others to return to themfelves. Two things were peculiar to thefe perfon s ; that after the anfwer was given they did not come to them- felves unlefs recalled by force from this apparent fpecies of madnefs, and when they recovered their reafon they did not, it is faid, recoiled: any of thofe things which in their extacy they had uttered. And if it happened that they were again confulted about the fame or any other thing, they would fpeak it is true, but would exprefs themfelves in other and far different words. This property was be- ftowed upon them, as they fancied, in their fleep ; at which time it appeared to fome of them as if new milk or honey was poured into their mouths, to others as if a written fcroU had been put into their mouths ; and on their awaking, they publicly profefl!ed that they have been endowed with thefe extraordinary gifts. This imaginary fpirit of divination, has been in much ufe in the highlands of Scotland, and there known under the expreffive term of Second Sight. Pride of anceflry and nobility of family were points held in the higheft eftimation among the Welfh, and of courfe they were far more delirous of noble than of rich and fplendid Q^ marriages. IJ4 MANNERS OF THE Book III. marriages. So deeply rooted was this fpirit, that even the very loweft of the people carefully preferved the genealogy of their families, and were able from memory readily to recite the names, not only of their immediate anceftors, but even to the fixth and feventh generation, and even to trace them flill farther back ; in this manner, Rhys ap Gryffydh, ap Rhys, ap Tewdur, ap Enion, ap Owen, ap Howel, ap Cadwal, ap Roderic the Great. A WELSHMAN was confidered as honourable, if among his anceftors there had been neither Have, nor foreigner, nor infamous perfon.' Yet if any foreigner had faved the life of a Welfliman, or delivered him from captivity, he might be naturalized, and was entitled to the rights of Welfhmen. And any foreign family, having refided in Wales for four generations, were alfo admitted to the fame privileges." The love which they felt for family connexions was eager and warm ; and of confequence they were keen in their refentments, and revenged deeply any injury committed on their family either of blood or diflionour. They were vindictive and bloody in their anger ; and ex- ceedingly prompt to revenge not only recent injuries, but even thofe which were part, and committed in a remote period. What fpread ftill farther this fpirit of revenge, was a cuftom prevalent among this people, of fending their ' Hod's Dah's Laws. * Ibid. children Book III. ANCIENT WELSH. 115 children to be foftered or nurfed in other families ; who, in confequence, regarded themfelves as interefled to promote the welfare of, or revenge any injuries done to, fuch foftered children. This cuftom, it is probable, principally- prevailed in the families of princes and chieftains. ' The Welfh did not ufually refide in cities, villages, or camps, but led a folitary life in the woods. On the borders of their forefts, it was ufual, not to raifc great palaces, nor fumptuous houfes built with ftone, but only to twift together ozier coverings, fuited to the different feafons of the year, with as little labour as expence. But thefe dwellings muft furely have been confined to the lower orders of the people. They ufed neither orchards nor gardens, yet they freely ate of the fruits of either, when brought to them from other places. Their fields were moftly in pafture, little cultivated, feldom plowed, and fcarcely ever fown or planted. Yet the Welfti, fenfible of the great utility of agriculture, inftituted a kind of plowing foclety, which confifted of perfons who con- tributed oxen and implements of hulbandry, for the pur- pofe of tilling a ftipulated quantity of ground. To this ufeful defign, great encouragement was given by the Welfh laws.* To their ploughs and carts they fometimes joined ' Hift. of Qwedir Family. * Hoel Dhas Laws. 0^2 two ii6 MANNERS OF THE Book III. two oxen, but more frequently made ufe of four ; the driver going 'before, and, what is very fingular, ufually walking backwards ; and on that account, if the oxen were not properly trained to the yoke, he was expofed to great danger. They made very little ufe of the fcythe or fickle either to mow or reap j but employed a more expeditious inflrument, a middle fized iron in the fhape of a pruning knife, chained loofely at each end to two flaves. They ufed likewife fmall boats' made of ozier for the purpofes of fiHiing, or of paffing rivers. Thefe were not of an oblong form, had not any beaks, but were made nearly round, or rather of a triangular fhape ; and were covered both in the inlide and on the outfide with raw fkins. But fuch was the form of the boat, that when a lalmon was caught, the waterman was in danger of being overfet, whenever it ftruck the boat. The boats were fo light, that the fifhermen ufually carried them on their flioulders. The Welfh were firft inflrudled in the Chriftian faith by Faganus and Damianus, who were fent by Eleutherius, the bifhop of Rome, at the requeft of king Lucius. From this period, to the time when St. Germain was fent into Britain on account of the Pelagian dodlrine, no heretical opi- ' Thefe kind of boats are dill ufed in Wales, and are called curricles. nions Book III. ANCIENT WELSH. 117 nions were found in Wales. Agreeably to the doftrines re- ceived from that miflionary, as it is faid, they gave to the poor a part of the bread which was ferved up at the altar j .they fat down to table by threes in honour of the Trinity j a monk, or clerk, or any other perfon, on his taking the religious habit, immediately begged a bleffing, with his arms ftretched out, and his head hanging down. The whole people were more eager to obtain epifcopal con- firmation, and the chrifm, by which the fpirit was given, than any other nation. They gave the tenth of all that they pofleffed of animals, flieep, and fometimes of cattle, in the following cafes ; whenever they engaged in a military marriage; when they firft fet out on a pilgrimage; or, by the remonllrance of the church, whenever they made any amendment in their lives. This divifion of their property they called the Great Tithe ; two parts of which they be- ftowed on their own baptifmal church, and a third was given to the bifliop of the diocefe. The pilgrimage which above all others was deemed moil facred by the Welfh, was a journey to Rome, where, with devout minds, and with much reverence, they adored the threfholds of the apoflles. They paid alfo great reverence to churches, and to the clergy; to the relics of faints, their portable bells, text books, and to the crofs. ' From ' As a proof of the religions fpirit which about tliis time prevailed, tiiree thoufand Wellh, the mofl expert in archery and the ufe of the pike, engaged to m8 manners of the Book III. From this fpirit of fuperftitious piety, very peculiar privileges of fandluary have been given to the Welfli churches. Not only in ccemetries or burial places, but within the precinds of certain bounds appointed by the bifhop, all animals had the liberty of feeding in perfedl fecurity. The larger churches, endowed with greater privi- leges on account of their antiquity, extended their bounds of fandluary ftill farther, as far as the cattle could go in the morning and return at night. So facred were the privileges of fandluary, that if any perfon, at mortal enmity with his prince, fought the refuge of the church ; his own perfon, his family, and all his property remained in the moft perfedl fecurity. If any attempt was made to violate the fandluary, the parties under its protedlion, marched out with great boldnefs, and not only molefled the prince himfelf, but grievoufly infefted the country.' It was neceffary on the accelTion of the king, that the proprietors of ecclefiaftical lands fhould come before him. to go into the Holy Land, at the inftance of the archbifliop of Canterbury, who, accompanied by Giraldus Cambrenfis, preached the Croifades in the year 1188 throughout Wales. . Giraldus Camb. Itinerarii Camb. cap. XIII. p. 226. ' Thus far from Giraldus Cambrenfis, (Cambrias Defcriptio, from p. 254 to 275) a learned monk, who lived in the reign of Henry the fecond, and was a native-of South Wales. In this detail of manners, the author has given nothing more than a fimple tranfcript of Giraldus, with fcarcely any variations of his own ; under the idea that fuch delineations, ftruck off by the pencil of a con- temporary, would appear more pleafmg in their original colours, and native fimplicity. to Book III. ANCIENT WELSH. 119 to lay open their rights and privileges } to whom, if their claims were juft, he confirmed thofe privileges, and the rights of fandtuary.' If any offender fled to fandluary, and an adlion was inflituted againft him there, neither the abbot nor monks could protedl him, until he had made fatisfadtion for his offence ; if no fuch adlion was brought, they were then to condudl him to the place where he was to remain/ If any perfon, talcing refuge in a fandluary, committed any criminal aft, he loft the privileges of that afylum, and was obliged to fly into another fandluary, or to forfeit all his property to the religious place whofe protedtion he had violated. If any perfon, carrying about him the relics of faints, committed a crime under their protedlion, he was not entitled to any privileges on their account ; and in fuch cafe, likewife, he forfeited all his goods to that afylum, unlefs he had already procured another.^ Any perfon who had taken fanftuary, might freely go about the ccemetry and the court of the church, without carrying relics j and his cattle might feed with thofe of the monaftry, and remain in fecurity as far as the herds of the monaftry were allowed to go. Difputes concerning the property of lands, when both parties were ecclefiaftics, were not cog- nifable by the Wellh laws.* If the king granted a licence to build a church in any village whofe inhabitants were villains, to which a ccemetry » Howel Dhas Laws. » Ibid. ^ ibid. « Ibid. was 120 MANNERS OF THE Book III. was afligned, and priefts were appointed to celebrate mafs, the village from that time became free.' The hermits and other afcetics in this country, were in a peculiar degree auftere in the habits of mortification, and in their piety more fpiritualifed than the Religious in any other nation. As it was the difpofition of this people to purfue every ob- ie6t with vehemence, none were elfewherc to be found fo bad as the worft, nor any better than the good among the Welfh. '' It was natural that a warlike people would employ their leifure, during the fhort intervals of peace, in the habits of domeftic feflivity, or in the pleafures of the field. A variety of exercifes, fome more violent, others more gentle in their nature, were in common ufe among the Weldi. Of thefe, many which were the more peculiar diverfions of men, were feats of ftrength ; namely pitching a bar of iron, throwing a fledge, a large ftone or quoits, running, leaping, fwimming, wreftling, riding, archery and throwing the javelin ; fencing with fword and buckler, the two handed fword, and playing with the quarter ftaif. There were feveral other diverfions confidered as rural fports, and as lefs manly ; fuch as hunting, fifhing, and bird hunting j befides which fundry others were ufed in families as private amufements, and confidered as literary j fuch as poetry, playing on the harp, reading Welfh, finging ' Howel Dha. * Giraldus Cambrenfis, p. 275. poems Book III. ANCIENT WELSH. 121 poems with ftringed inflruments ; (inging an ode of four parts and accenting it with proper expreflion; heraldry, and embafTy. Other amufements were in ufe of a more fedate kind, which employed their more tranquil hours ; chefs, draughts and back-gammon, or fome fimilar gamei dice, and tuning the harp. Befides thefe, there were various modes of hunting, diftinguifhed in the following manner. Hunting the flag, purfuing a fwarm of bees, and taking falmon ; thefe three were deemed common diverfions. Hunting the bear, the fquirrel or martin, and the cock of the wood,' were called barking diverfions. Hunting the fox, the hare, and the roebuck,* were diflinguifhed as clamorous ones. The flag was hunted with hounds and greyhounds ; and this was called a common diverfion, becaufe every perfon who was at his death had a right to a fhare. Even if a man on his journey happened to pafs by at the time the flag was killed, he was entitled by the game laws to a fhare in. common with thofe who had hunted him down. A fwarm of bees was likewife a common property ; for whoever found them on his own, or on other people's lands, unlefs the finder fhould have put a mark that he firfl found them, every one who paffed by had a right to enjoy a fliare ; but a fourth part went to the owner of the ground. Salmon ' See Mr, Pennant's journey to Snowdun. * Iwrch or roebuck, faid to have been formerly in Wales. See Richard's Welfh Diftionary on that word ; and Gibfon's notes on Cambden, p. 645. R were 122 MANNERS OF THE Book III. were alfo confidered in the fame light, for when they were caught with a net, or ftruck with a fpear, or taken in any other way, whoever (hould come to the place, before a divifion was made, was entitled to a part, provided the falmon was taken out of a common water. Hunting the bear was called a barking diverfion, becaufe from its flownefs the hunting of it muft be very little, and it was only baited, barked at, and then killed. The martin,' fitchet, polecat,*- and fquirrel, not being able to run far, climbed up into trees, and in that fituation were barked at and baited by dogs. Hunting the cock of the wood ' was the fame ; for when the dogs purfued this bird, they hunted him till he flew into a tree, and there he was barked at and baited. Fox hunting was called a clamorous diverfion, as in the purfuit of this animal there was much crying of the dogs, and blowing of the horn. Of the fame nature were the diverfions of roebuck and hare hunting. The game that was moft efteemed for eating was the flag, the hare, the wild boar, and the bear. If greyhounds were let loofe after a flag or fome other animal, and the dogs purfued him out of fight, and he was afterwards killed> » Bcle. * Cathgoed. ' See Mr. Pennant's Journey to Snowdun. then Book III. ANCIENTWELSH. 123 then the foremoft greyhound in the lafl; view was entitled to the fkin. If a man, or a dog, ftarted a hare out of her feat and killed her, flie was the property of either the one or the other. It was necefTary that every perfon who carried a horn fhould be acquainted with the nine game laws. If he could not give an account of them he forfeited his horn. Who- ever went a hunting with couples, forfeited thofe likewife, if he could not properly give an explanation of them, but, v/himfically enough, the couples were fafe, if placed on his arm. No perfon could let loofe a greyhound after any animal, which the hounds were hunting, unlefs he himfelf had hounds that were hunting at the fame time ; and on any perfon fo offending, the man who was purfuing the hare, might hamftring the greyhound. No one was allowed to flioot a beaft that was appropriated for the chace, when at reft, on pain of forfeiting his bow and arrows to the lord of the manor : though he might fhoot at and kill any fuch, if he could, when the dogs were in full cry ; but he was not allowed to fhoot among the dogs. If any perfon went out to hunt, and let his dogs loofe after the beaft, and it fo happened that he was met with and killed by fome ftraggling dogs, the animal was then the property of the firft dogs, unlefs the ftraggling ones belonged to the king. The beaft that was hunted, was the property of the firft hunter, unlefs his face was turned towards home, and R 2 his :24 MANNERS OF THE, Book III. his back on the dogs. If his dogs were ftill hunting, and the hunter had left them, the animal did not in that cafe belong to him, if killed by ftraggling dogs, but to the owner of the latter." Some light may be thrown on the ancient adminiftration of Wales, by laying open the various conditions, on which the Welfh held their eflates under their princes or im- mediate lords, and by fhewing in what manner the ad- vantage arifing from thofe tenures were diredled to the fupport and fafety of their government. We fhall begin, by marking the feveral fmaller divifions, which at that time,- it is probable, had taken place in the country. In the leffer divifions, Wales might have been originally divided into Bods, Trevs, and Caers. The Bod is fuppofed to have been the manfion houfe of a chieftain on his firft fettlement in the country ; the lands which he affigned for the maintenance of his dependents in the increafing colony to have been called a Trev ; and the inclofure of fuch lands, for defence or convenience, whether formed of wood or flone, might have been denominated a Caer.'^ An affemblage of feveral 6ods formed a trev or ' See an account of the Welfh games, printed at the end of Dr. Davies's Diflionary. He died in the year 1644; he was himfelf a native of Wales, and was much efteemed by his countrymen, for his knowledge of its language and antiquities. * Rowland Mon. Ant. p. 28, 25, 31. townfhip Book III. ANCIENT WELSH. 125 townfhip ; a hundred of thefe trevs conftituted a cantrev. For the more eafy and regular difpatch of bufinefs, a cantrev was divided into two or more commots ; each of which conlifting of a certain number of bods and trevsy formed a diftindl precind:, and was confidered as a lordfhip, polTefling a feparate court and jurifdidlion.' The Welfh princes, and other lords of particular terri- tories, were the proprietors /« capite of all lands, and were fovereign lords of all their fubjedls and bondmen. To thefe, the princes or the lords diftributed townfliips, or particular tenures called Weles feats or dwellings, by way of martial diflribution, on fuch conditions as thofe lords and princes thought proper to impofe. The lands or tenures fo granted, were either freeholds or villanage ; and the perfons to whom they were given were called freeholders or vaffals^ each were equally tenants to their lord, though in refped of privileges originally granted, they were in poileffion of different degrees of freedom or vafTalage, Some of thefe were entirely free, and others were entirely bond ; fome townfhips in part were free, and in part were bond. In thefe feveral townfliips, a greater or lefs degree of freedom prevailed, or none at all j the tenants of the firfl kind of vafTalage were called nativi liberi, that is, free natives, or the better fort of vaflals ; and the others were confidered as puri nativi^ or perfed flaves. ' Rowland Mon. Ant. p, ii6. Those 126 MANNERS OF THE Book III. Those lands or townlliips which were entirely free, gave to the pofleflbrs a rank above other tenants ; qualified them for offices and employments, and entitled them likewife to a feat and a voice in courts of judicature. From this privilege of fitting higher than the other tenants in their Gorfeddau, and of aflifting in giving fentence, and pafling judicial decrees, the tenants of thefe freeholds were called Uchelwyr. The king excepted, there was an equality among all the Welfh nobility." The tenants of bond lands, and villages, being inferior to freeholders, were bound to fervile employments, and in many things were at the difpofal of their princes or lords. A lord had the privilege of parting with his vaflal either by fale or donation. There was, however, a diftindlion in point of privilege between fuch tenants. The free natives were thofe who pofiiefi^ed fome degree of freedom, who might go where they pleafed, might buy and fell, and enjoyed many other immunities. The pure natives were confidered as the entire property of their princes or lords, were fold along with the eflate, and confined within its limits ; out of which, if they happened to wander, they were liable to be driven back like brutes with great feverity.* The profefiion of any of the mechanic or liberal arts made a vafl*al free ; but no vafi^al could acquire them without the permiffion of his lord.^ • Howel Dha's Laws. * Rowland Mona, p, 120, 121. ' Hoel Dah's Laws. The Book III. A N C I E N T W E L S H. 127 The trevs were not all of equal dimenlion j fome were of a larger and others of a lefTer extent ^ but they were all fubjeft to certain conditions to be paid to their lords, were rated and fixed at the firft difpofal of thofe tenures. Thefe were rents, fervices, duties, muldls, and attendances. Thefe were the great fources of revenue and of power; from which the Welfh princes were enabled to fupport their dignity, to fecure the loyalty of their fubjedls, and afford proteftion to the ftate.' The rents of fome tenures were paid in money, thofe of others were paid in goods and in cattle. Rents in money were fixed to be paid, either at the four quarterly payments, or the two half yearly ones ; or they arofe out of cafualties, fuch as reliefs and heriots. The rents which were paid in goods and cattle, were either a certain quantity of corn, paid at certain times of the year, or a certain number of oxen and cows, which many trevs were obliged to pay at the end of the year. The Tunc Rent, was a fum of money payable by four villain townfliips in every commot, of five fhillings a year ceflable on particular Trevs. Rents of fome kind or other were fixed originally to be cefiable on all tenures whether free or bond, fimilar to the Englilh foccage tenures. • Rowland Mona, p. 121. The 128 MANNERSOFTHE Book III. The freeholder had a legal right in the property of his lands, on the performance of the flipulated conditions j but that right might be forfeited, in certain cafes, to the prince or lord of the fee. The villains or vafTals, who were the tenants of the villanages, had no property in the lands affigned them ; but enjoyed only the occupancy and pofTeffion of them during the pleafure of the prince or lord ; they being confidered only as flaves, to be placed in any fituation at the will of their mafters. They paid however a rent to their lord ; and thofe rents which were charged on villain tenures were precife and ftated, and payable, as the rents of freeholds were, on fixed and certain days." The nature of thofe fervices, which the feveral trevs, or the particular tenures in every manor, were obliged to per- form, is here attempted to be explained. In general, the prince had a L/ys or palace in every cantrev j a chapel likewife, with the neceffary appendages of mills, offices, and other conveniences. In fupport of thefe, the fervices of tenants in the cantrev where the palace was built, were appropriated in various ways ; and the lands belonging to • the palace were parcelled out to tenants, on the conditions of performing fuch private and domeflic fervices, Thofe ' Rowland Mona, p. 122, 123. tenants Book III. ANCIENT WELSH. 129 tenants were called in many places Gwyr Mael, Gwyr tir y Forth, and Gwyr Gwaith. The fervice under the title of Gwyr Mael, is fuppofed to have been the prince's local guard, who were obliged to arm themfelves, and to keep watch and ward about the palace. The fervice bearing the name of Gwyr tir y Forth, was to cultivate the corn lands, re- ferved by the prince in every manor for his corn provifion. The duty implied by Gwyr Gwaith, was an obligation on particular tenants of working, for the prince at their own charge. The remaining tenants were obliged to repair the walls of the palace, or the hall, the chapel, or other appendages of the prince's houfe. In every cantrev, there were fome tenants bound by their tenures to carry ftones, or corn; to repair the roof of a mill, the walls, and the water-courfe ; to carry large ftones and pieces of timber for the ufes of the mill. Some tenants, alfo, by their tenures, were obliged to repair weirs, to carry wattles and brufh wood, to hedge about warrens, and fome to attend the offices of the larder and kitchen." The duties, which were due from other tenants, whether free or bond, to the prince or the lord, were various, and both of a civil and military nature. They were obliged to appear in the court of the prince, whenever they received a fummonsj which without great peril they could not dif- ■ Rowland, p. 124, 125. S obey. 130 MANNERS OF THE Book III. obey. They were under obligation to appear in tlie court of the cantrev in which they refided. Their appearance was equally necellary in the county court.' This was their great court of common pleas, and of high authority : its jurifdiilion extended over the whole diftridl. They were obliged to grind their corn at a particular mill, and to. pay as a grift- toll the thirtieth part j which appears to have been very confiderable, when it is conlidered that the repairs of the mill lay entirely upon the tenants. Thofe who were not concerned in thefe repairs, were yet obliged to make and to clear the water courfes belonging to it j befides the different kinds of carriage that were impofed on them, efpecially the conveyance of the prince's own corn. The tenants in common were obliged to array, and to follow the prince to war whenever fummoned for that purpofe. This was a general obligation, equally impofed on the nobility and on the people at large. The fame duties were likewife due from the tenants of inferior diftridls to their refpe(ftive and immediate lords. This obligation of attending their prince or lord in war was not equal upon all J fome tenants were only to go for a limited time, and to a limited place ^ while others were obliged to give their attendance during the war, without any limitation, equipped and maintained at their own expence. This duty, * So Rowland calls \u £o Book III. A N C I E N T W E L S H. 131 fo indefinite and peremptory, was called Gwaitb Milwyr ; and no doubt was a kind of knight's fervice.' There were five other duties, of a civil nature, incident to particular tenures. The nature of thofe duties are not certainly known at this diftance of time ; but they may per- haps be explained in the following manner. The courts of the Welfh princes being ambulatory, removing from manor to manor, and not fixed to any certain place ; their houfes likevvife being infufficient to hold the numerous retinue which ufually attended the prince ; it is reafonable to fuppofe that a fuitable provifion was every where made for their reception and maintenance. The tenants of that manor, in which the prince came to refide for a certain time, were obliged of courfe to receive, and to fupport fo many of the prince's officers and fervants, as each of them was under the obligation of doing, agreeably to the conditions ftipulated in their refpedlive tenures. Such, it is probable, was the duty called Cylch Stalon, of entertaining the prince's grooms, and^nding provifion for fo many of his horfes, for fuch a time, and by fuch tenants of the manor, as were fpecified in the tenures of each. So, likewife, Cylch Rhag- lon, was entertaining the prince's fteward, by fuch and fo many of the tenants as were obliged, each in his turn to receive that officer. Cylch Hebogyddion, was the obligation ' Rowland Mon. p. 126. S 2 of 132 MANNERS OF THE Book III. of entertaining and providing for the princes faulkners and his hawks. Cylch Greorion, as it was called, was the providing for and entertaining by turns, every tenant for a limited time, the keepers of the princes live flock and cattle; fuch, it is probable, as were defigned for ilaughter, for the ufc of the royal houfchold, while the prince refided in their manor. This duty was afterwards commuted for, by the payment of a certain fum of money, called Arian Greorion. The lafl duty ftiled Cylch Dowrgoii, was the obligation on certain tenants, by turns, to receive, and provide for the huntfman and his dogs, during the prince's refidence, or when he came for the purpofe of hunting in any trev or manor. It is probable, that when the prince did not make his progrefs, at the ufual times, among his tenants, they paid him, in lieu of fuch duties, a fum of money, which was called Arian ^wejiva." Three fpecies of mulits were another fource of revenue arifing to the prince, and incident to particular tenures. Am-wobr was a muldl of five or ten fliillings, payable by particular trevs and gavels, for the incontinency of women. ^ It was alfo a fine anciently paid to the prince or lord of the fee, at the marriage of a vaffal's daughter. ' ' Rowland Mon. p, 128, 129. Dr. Davies's Diftionary on the word qiuejiva^ .Rowland, p. 129, s j)j., Davies's Didionary on the wotd am-ivoir. f Obediw, Book III. ANCIENT WELSH. Ok'diiv, was a fum of money rated on feveral trevs, and payable to the prince or chief lord, as a mortuary for the death of a tenant. This was fometimes called Obediw Dietifedd, when a fum of money was payable to the prince or lord, for a tenant dying without iffue. Gober, was a muldl of ten fliillings, paid to the prince or lord on the marriage of a vafTal's daughter. This is faid .to be a commutation in lieu of that barbarous cuftom, that was in ufe in the times of Paganifm, of the right which the lord had of deflouring a virgin on the firft night of her marriage with a vafTal.' As the lower forts of people were liable to perform certain fervices to their prince or lord, fo the nobility were bound by the exprefs conditions of their refpecftive fees, to pay attendance to their fovereign prince. This attendance was different, according to the feveral occafions of the prince in peace or in war. Thefe lords had likewife under them, freehold and vaffal tenants, over whom they themfelves were lords in fee. Depending on thofe conditions, the nobility had offices and trufts both civil and military conferred upon them, as well as titles that were minifterial and honorary.'' The family of Hwfa ap Kynddelw of Prefaddfed in Anglefey held their eftates in fee, on the condition of attending the prince's coronation, and of bear- ' Rowland, p. 130. » Ibid. ing 133 134 MANNERS OF THE Book III. in^ up the right fide of the canopy over his head. The bifliop of Bangor, likewife, enjoyed fome advantage, by his peculiar office of crowning the prince and of being his principal chaplain. In the fame manner, moft of the nobility were bound to particular attendances by the exprefs conditions of their land tenures j befides thofe duties which they in general were obliged to perform as fubjedts by ho- mage and fealty. When properly fummoned, if the nobility negledled to perform thefe conditions, their eftates were liable to forfeiture, and their perfons to be baniihed the realm. This mode of punifhment, by banifhing the offender, was moft commonly ufed by the Welfli princes." There were many tenures in Wales," which were held of neither prince nor lord, but under certain faints or patrons of churches ; the tenants of which lands called themfelves abbots. As moft of thefe faints had the privileges of fandluary originally eftabliftied in them, it is probable, that one condition of thofe tenures was, to maintain and fupport thefe places of refuge, and the perfons protedted in them ; and likewife to fee that their privileges, with ' Rowland Mon. p. 131. I Thefe notices of the feveral divifions of the country are taken from the reports given in upon oath by thofe men, who were appointed by Edward the firft for afcertaining the princes rights, and the tenures in Wales. other Book III. ANCIENT WELSH. other rights thereunto belonging, were from time to time preferved and kept inviolate. " The princes of Wales ufually wore on their bonnets or helmets a coronet of gold ; being a broad lace or headband indented upwards, and fet with precious ftones.'' From the few traits which are here given of the private manners and cuftoms of the Welih, we may form a lively idea of their genius, and, in fome meafure, may difcriminate what was peculiar in their national charafter. Hence, too, we are enabled to account for a variety of fplendid adtions which ftrike our wonder, and intereft our feelings for the fate of a brave people, who were fo often thrown into fitu- afions, fudden and rapid in their changes, and which appear to be Angular in the hiftory of nations. ^35 THERE was fomething in the Saxon charafter, fo little fufceptible of thofe impreflions which humanize and polifli the rudeft natures, that even at the period of which we are now treating, they r< tained their native barbarifm. And P owland Mon. p. 132. ^ Wellh Chron. p. 36. The illegitimate children of the princes of Wales were not allowed to bear their father's arms, and if permitted, yet not without carrying on them fome marks of peculiarity. Britifti Ant. Revived by Vaughan of Hengwxt, p. 31. as 1^,6 ' CYNAN TINDAETHWY. Book III. as the Welfli, confined in narrow limits, were fcarcely con- fidered as objedls of fear, the Saxon princes turned their arms againft each other ; ' giving their enemies the vindiftive confolation of feeing the miferies of war retaliated on theni- felves. Thefe calamities were likewife increafed by the Danes, who now, for the firf^ time, infefted. the co^fls of Britain;'' and the Welfli, no doubt, would have fecn with pleafure the effedls of a ftorm, juft breaking on the heads of their enemies, if they had not themfelves been equally liable to the danger. But as a means of fecurity, warned by the fatal remiflhe.fs of the Saxons, they with great fecrecy and diligence increafed their naval force j reafonably expeding by fuch a force to repel the Danifh invafions^ ^^x,M is pro- bable, in cafe of neceffity they might hope to fecure a retreat. ' About this time the city of St. David was laid in aflies- by the Saxons, and that event was preceded by an ecHpfe of the fun and moon; a terrible diftemper likewife feifed upon cattle j and the next year the city of Diganwy was. deftroyed by lightning : ' thefe incidents arifing from natural caufes, were marked by fuperflltion as prefages of national calamity. From this time,*^ Diganwy ceafed to be the refidence of the princes of North Wales. " Humfrey Lhuyd's Bieviary, p. ij. - Verftegan, chap. VI. p. 155. Welfli Chron. p. 20. Saxon Chron, p. 64. ' BerkeJ y's Naval Hift. Brit. p. 61, * Welfli Chron. p, 21. Humfrey Lhuyd's Breviary, p. 66. Hmnfrey Lhuyd's Brev. p. 6y. In Book III. CYNAN TINDAETHWY. 137 In right of that equal diftribution of property which took place in Wales by the cuftom of gavel kind, Howel the younger fon of the late prince Roderic Moelwynoc laid claim to the ifland of Mona as part of his father's inheritance. This claim was difputed by Cynan Tindaethwy his elder brother, and each fide prepared to put it to the decifion of arms ; but a vidory, foon after gained by prince Howel, gave him the pofTeflion of the ifland. The two princes, the one eager to maintain his patrimony, and the other to regain the territory torn from him, oppofed each other a fecond time ; but with the fame event, the battle ending in favour of Howel,' Enraged at thefe defeats, Cynan was determined, by a vigorous effort, at every hazard of his crown and his life, to recover the ifland and the reputation of his arms. In purfuance of this refolution he raifed an army and marched againll his Ann. Dom. 817. brother j but Howel, feeing himfelf unable to oppofe fo great a force, withdrew from the conflidl, and efcaped to the Ifle of Man ; leaving Mona in the pofleflion of the conqueror.* Cynan Tindaethwy did not long enjoy the fruits of his vidory, for he died foon after, and left the principality of North Wales to Efylht his daughter, married to Merfyn • Welfh Chron. p. 21, 22. = Ibid. p. 22. T Frych 138 MERFYNFRYCH Book III. Frych, the king of Man, and a defcendent, by the maternal line, from the houfe of Powis." On the death of the late prince, Merfyn and Efylht, fucceeded to the fovereignty of North Wales ; * annexing to the dignity the Ifle of Man.' In the early part of their reign,* Egbert king of the Weft Saxons invaded Wales with a powerful army, defolated Ann. Dom. jjie country as far as Snowden mountains,' and feifed on the lordfliip of Rhyvonioc in Denbigh-land. ° He then advanced to Mona, and took polTeflion of that ifland, having fought a bloody battle with the Welfh at Llanvaes near Beaumaris ;' and though the ifland was foon recovered by prince Merfyn,, and the Saxons were driven out, it loft at this period the ancient name of Mona, and was afterwards by the Englifti called Anglefey, or the Engliftimen's Ifle.* This formidable inroad was no fooner over, as if the Welfh were to enjoy no interval of peace, than Kenulph, king of ' WeHh Chron. p. 22. * Rowland Mon. Ant. p. 188. ' Ibid. p. 173. ♦ Math. Weftm. p. 224, 227, recites three different invafions of Egbert upon Wales, in which he fubdued that country, and made its kings tributary, Ann. Dom. 810, 811, 830. * Yryri in the Welfli, fignifying mountains of fnow. Humfrey Lhuyd, p. 65. « Wcllh Chron. p. 24, 25. » Ibid. * Rowland Mon. Ant. p. 172, 173. Mercia. Book III. A N D E S Y L H T. 139 Mercia, in two fucceflive inroads, over-ran, with great devaftation. Weft Wales and Powis.' At this period, the policy and valour of Egbert had united the Saxon heptarchy into one kingdom i'^ and fuch an union, under a vigorous adminiftration, might have proved fatal to the Welfli, if the attention of the Saxon prince had not been diverted from foreign conquefts to the fecurity of his own territories. To confolidate more clofely the various parts of his dominions, he gave to the whole of his new kingdom the common name of England ; ' and at this jundture, every fpecies of union was neceflary to oppofe the formidable and increafing invafions of the Danes. Ann. Dom. A large body of thefe people landed about this time in Weft Wales;* and fuch was the animofity of the Welfli, and the wretched alternative left them, that they united in a common intereft, as the leaft and more diftant evil, to wreak their vengeance upon the Saxons, and to eftablifh the Danifh power on the ruin of more immediate and hereditary enemies. 833. In confequence of this alliance, the Welfli joined their forces with the Danes ; and after having ravaged his king- Chron. of Wales, p. 25. * Fabian, p. 184. Rowland Mon. Ant. p. 172. 3 Humfrey Lhuyd's Breviary,, p. 13. Verftegan, chap. V. p. 125. ♦ Grafton's Chron. p. 132. Chron of Wales, p. 27. T 2 dom. 140 M E R V Y N F R Y C H Book III. dom, and deftroyed many of his callles and fortified towns, they fought a fevere battle with Egbert upon Hengift Down ; but in this adlion, they fuftained a terrible defeat, Ann. Dom. with the flaughter of a great part of their army." Immedi- ^^^' ately after the vidory, incenfed at this invafion, and alarmed at the confequence of fuch alliances in future, Egbert made war upon the Welfh and inverted Chefter ; determined they {hould feel the utmoft efFedts of his refent- ment and power. This city had hitherto remained in the pofleffion of the Welfh/ and was regarded as an important poft upon the frontier. It was taken at this time by Egbert.' Among other marks of his indignation againft the Britons, he caufed the brazen ftatue of Cadwallon to be taken down and defaced;* he likewife iflued a procla- mation, that all the men, with their wives and children, who were defcended from Britifh blood, fhould depart his territories in fix months, on pain of death i' and to add injury to infult, he made another law, as favage as it was unavailing j which afiixed the penalty of death to every Welfiiman, who paflTed the limits of Ofifa's Dyke and fhould be taken on the Englifh borders.* More coercive reflraints were neceflfary than fuch a feeble barrier and futile law, ' Saxon Chron. p. 72. Math. Weftm. p. 227. ^ Chron. of Wales, p. 27. ^ Grafron's Chron. p. 132. Fabian, p. 184. ■* Stowe's Chron. p. 77. ' Chron. Wales, p. 27, from Ranulph Ceftr. * Speed's Chron. p. 318, from Joa. Beverlenfis. though Book III. A N D E S Y L H T. 141 though the hand of power had drawn an arbitrary line, which infulted the feelings, and entrenched on the rights of a wai'like and irafcible people. This prince died foon after the fiege of Chefter j and his death might probably fufpend for feveral ages the deftiny of Wales. A SHORT celTation of the Danifh inroads gave leifure to Berthred, the king of Mercia , to renew hoftilities againll the Wellli ; ' and a fevere battle was fought by the two princes, at a place called Kettel, upon the frontiers ; in which Merfyn the king of North Wales was flain ; who left an only fon, named Roderic, to fucceed to his dignity.* Ann. Dom. 843. The profpedt now opens under a new point of view; the memorable reign of Roderic Mawr, or the Great. This young prince fucceeded to his father's throne with a greater extent of territory than had fallen to the fliare of any Cam- brian fovereign. He enjoyed by the right of his father and mother the fovereignty of the Ifle of Man, with the territories of North Wales and Powis j and having married Angharad the heirefs of South Wales, of courfe the whole province of Cambria centered in his perfon.' The firmnefs refulting from this union, the nature of the country and • Saxon Chron. p. 75. * Welfti Chron. p. 27, 28. ^ Rowland, p. 173, i88. Welfli Chron. p. 35. valour 142 RODERIC THE GREAT. Book III. valour of the inhabitants, their inveteracy againft the Saxons and the perilous lituation of that people, were important advantages which opened with the reign of Roderic. If this fortunate combination of circumftances, had been diredted agreeably to a wife policy, they would probably have fecured the independency of Wales, and have fixed its government on a bafis fo folid and permanent, that it might have fupported the ftorms of ages, and have fallen at length in the ruins of time, unlefs undermined by the arts, and the luxury of a bordering and more powerful people. Instead of taking advantage of this fortunate con- jun<5lure, a Crifis which will never more, return in the annals of Wales, a fatal and irreparable meafure took place. For Roderic, early in his reign, divided his dominions into three Principalities, which during his life, were governed by chieftains ading under his authority ; and this fingular event feems to have arifen from the narrow idea, that the Welfh, accuftomed to be ruled by their own princes, ought not to yield obedience to a common fovereign." The death of Merfyn Frych the late prince, and the viftory gained over the Welfh, flattered Berthred, the king of Mercia, with the hopes of farther fuccefs from the youth and inexperience of Roderic. Agreeably to this defign, ' Rowland Mon. Ant. p. 174. and Book III. RODERIC THE GREAT. 143 and ftrengthened by the aid of Ethulwulph, the king of England, he entered North Wales with a powerful army,' and advanced as far as Anglefey ; which he laid wafte in ^""- ^°'"- a cruel manner.'' The young prince on this trying occafion, negledled no exertion, which was due to his own honour and to the defence of his country ; by a fpirited oppofition the king of Mercia was prevented from making any great progrefs in the ifland : and foon after, fortunately for the Welfh, the attention of that prince was employed in the protedtLon of his own dominions from the increafing power of the Danes.' The inroads of thefe people increafmg every day, the Englifli, fully employed in attending to their own fafety, left the Welfli to enjoy for many years a feafon of unufual tranquillity. In this favourable fituatlon, if Roderic had poflefTed the qualities of a truly great prince, he would at leafl have attempted to provide againfl future evils ; and the nature of the country, interfedled with rivers and fortified with mountains, and almoft furrounded by the ocean, might have pointed out the rational means of defence. Had this prince made a proper ufe of the leifure which the troubles in England had given him, he would have placed garrifons ' Sim. Dunelme, p. 120, 139. Hift. Angl. Script. Math. Weftm. p. 231. ^ Chron. Wales, p. 35. ' Simon Dunelme Ann, 874. Saxon Chron, p. 82. Chron, of Wales, p. 3«. in 872. 144 RODERIC THE GREAT. Book III. in the frontier towns, would have colledled magazines and fortified the pafles, and would have endeavoured to reduce his fubje(fts to a juft fubordination, by promoting among them a fpirit of union, and a fteady obedience to the laws : inftead of which, that period feems to have been diftinguiftied by a total negledl of every meafure, which, if fteadily purfued, might have given fecurity to his dominions. Ann. Dom. At ihls time Alfred had afcended the throne of Engknd." Engaged through his reign, in affliirs of war or legiflation, or in introducing into his kingdom learning and the arts, this prince filled every department in the flate, and thofe appertaining to fcience, with men of the greateft abilities.'' Having founded the univerfity of Oxford, he invited out of Wales two perfons diftinguiftaed for their learning, John, furnamed Scotus, and Afl'er, who had been educated in the college of St. David ; the former of whom he appointed a profefTor in the univerfity he had lately eftablifhed :' and, taught by experience the impolicy of contending with the Danes by land, and the neceflity of eftablifhing fuch a naval force as might enable him to oppofe them at fea, he engaged in his fervice by rewards and artful fuggeftions, many Welfh- men acquainted with the art of fliip-building, whom he ' William Malmlbury, lib. II. cap. IV. p. 42. Polydore Virgil, lib, V. p. 106. ^ Chron. of Wales, p. 33. appointed Book III. RODERIC THE GREAT. 145 appointed fuperintendents of the dock yards, and afterwards employed in honourable flations in the fleet.' The Danes having received a rcpulfe in England, and being by treaty obliged to leave that country, made a defcent on the ifle of Anglefey, where in two battles they met with a very fpirited oppolition from Roderic ; one of which was fought at Bangole, and the other at Menegid. At Ann. Dora, the fame time. South Wales was over-run with another body of Danes, who defolated that country, and laid the churches and religious houfes in ruins." About this time Roderic changed the royal refidenctf from Caer Segont to AberfFraw in Anglefey.^ It is ftrange, that he fliould leave a country where every mountain was a natural fortrefs, and in times of fuch difficulty and danger, make choice of a refidence fo open and defencelefs as that ifland. An interval of quiet from the Danes gave the Englilh an opportunity of making another defcent on Anglefey, which they invaded with a formidable army j but the Wellh king, oppofing them with his ufual gallantry of fpirit, at length fell in the defence of his country, being flain along ' Berkeley's Naval Hift. Brit. p. 6g. ^ Welfli Chron, p, 34. ^ Rowland Mon. Ant. p. 173. U with 876. 146 RODERIC THE GREAT. Book III. Ann. Dom. With Gwyriad his brother, in one of thofe battles he fought with the Englilh in the courfe of that expedition.' It has been already obferved, that the late prince, in the courfe of his reign, divided his dominions into three diftindt fovereignties, which he left to his fons Anarawd, Cadelh and Mervyn.'' But, agreeably to the fpirit and cuftom of gavel-kind, though each poffefled a diftindl authority within his own dominions, yet a pre-eminency over the other princes was eflablifhed in the kings of North Wales. ^ He ordained that the princes of South Wales and Powis fliould each of them pay yearly to the fovereign of North Wales a tribute* called Maelged of fixty-three pounds, as a mark of fubordination ;^ but the royal tribute, or teyrnged, which was due from Cambria to the imperial crown of London, agreeably to the ancient laws, was ordained in future to be paid by the princes of North Wales. '^ Regarding likewife his eldeft fon Anarwawd as ■ Wellh Chron. p. J5. * Rowland Mon. Ant. p. 174. 3 Britifli Antiquities Revived by Vaughan of Hengwrt, p. 8, 25, 40. Rowland Mon. Ant. p. 174, 175. Humfrey Lhuyd's Breviary, p. 64, 65. * Thefe tributes, according to Vaughan of Hengwrt in Brit. Ant. Reviv. p. 39, 40, were paid in the following manner. The kings of North Wales were to pay jTS^ to the crown of London. The princes of Powis four tons of flour, and the princes of South Wales four tons of honey to the fovereigns of North Wales. ' Humfrey Lhuyd, p. 64, 65. Rowland, p. 175. * Ibid. the Book III. RODERIC THE GREAT. 147 the immediate heir of the Cynethian line, he left to him and to his fucceflbrs, the title of Brenhin Cymry O//, or the king of all Wales." In order to cement more clofely in a common intereft his fons and their fucceflbrs, he enjoined, that if any two of thefe princes fliould happen to differ about their particular interefls, in fuch cafe the third fhould interfere and finally arbitrate the matter." It was ordained, that if any differ- ence fhould arife between the princes of North and South Wales, they fhould all meet at Bwlch-y-Pawl, and the prince of Powis was appointed the umpire. If the princes of Aberffraw and Powis fliould be at variance, they were all to affemble at Morva-Rhianedd on the banks of the Dee, and the prince of South Wales was to determine the controverfy. If the difpute fhould arife between the princes of Powis and South Wales, the meeting was appointed to be held at Llys Wen upon the river Wye, and the matter in contention was to be decided by the king of Aberffraw.' Roderic mufl have been little acquainted with human nature, to imagine that fuch regulations were fufficient to counterad:, at a diflant period, the wild paflions and ambition of princes. ' Rowland Mon. Ant. p. 174., 175. Ibid. p. 175. 3 Wynne's Hill. Wales^ p. 35. ' U 2 Other 148 RODERIC THE GREAT. Book III. Other inftitutions better marked the ftrength and liberality of his mind. He ordained, that if their feparate territories fhould be invaded by a foreign enemy, the three Welfli princes were in that cafe to aflift, and to afford mutual protedlion to each other : that caftles and other flrong holds fhould be fortified and kept in repair : that the churches and religious houfes fhould be re-built and adorned : that the Britifh hiflory fliould be faithfully tran- fcribed and enlarged : and that the archives of Britain, the monuments of her glory, fliould be carefully depofited in the monafleries of Wales." From fuch attentions as thefe, or perhaps from a com- parifon with the other Welfh princes in extent of domi- nion, and in perfonal ability, Roderic hath gained from poflerity the furname of Great. If to produce the wealth and grandeur, the fafety and happinefs of a ftate, be the means of attaining fuch a title, then, furely, the condudt of this prince gave him little claim to that honourable diflindllon. Inflead of adllng up to the great defign of government, Roderic, without precedent to palliate or apparent necefTity to enforce fuch a meafure, yielded up the independency of Wales ; enjoining his poflerity by a folemn refcript, to pay to the Saxon kings, as a mark of fub- ordination, a yearly tribute ; a tribute, though arifing Wynne's Hift. Wales, p. 35, out Book III. RODERIC THE GREAT. 149 out of ancient laws, due only from the Cambrian to the Britifh princes ; and which, no doubt, became from this period the bafis on which was founded that claim of fupre- macy ever after afferted by the Englifh. The divifion which Roderic made of his dominions, was likewife the fource of civil diifentions and national weaknefs, and was ' foon the caufe of a decline in patriotifm, and of a flriking barbarity in manners ; a feries of evils, which at length occalioned the ruin of the flate, and fcarcely ended with the conqueft of the Welfli, and the lofs of their political exiftence. HISTORY HISTORY OF WALES. BOOK IV. FROM THE DEATH OF RODERIC THE GREAT TO THE DEATH OF BLEDDYN AP CYNVYN. '"TT^HE prefent aera opens a new profpedl of the hiftory -■- of Wales, in which this country, which in the late reign had centered in one fovereign, was divided into three diftindt principaHties. Cadelh, the fecond fon of the late prince, fucceeded Ann.Dom. 8"7. to the fovereignty of South Wales," diilinguifhed by the name of Deheubarth, as lying to the fouth of the other provinces/ The refidence of the princes of this country was at Dinefwr,^ on the banks of the river Towi in Caer- ' Rowland Mon. Ant. p. 174. * Humfrey Lhuyd's Brev. p. 64. ^ Dinas Vawr, or the great palace, marthenfhire j 152 C A D E L H, M E R F Y N. Book IV. marthenfhire J where a palace had been eredled by Roderic," in a fituation ftrongly fortified by woods and mountains, and more convenient, on that account, than their ancient abode at Caermarthen upon the fame river j which was probable at this time in the hands of the Engliih/ This diftria, the Demetia of the Romans, was divided into the prefent countries of Cardigan, Pembroke, Caermarthen, Gla- morgan, Monmouth and Brecknock ; confifled of twenty- fix cantrefs, and eighty-one comots;^ and was encompaffed by the Irirti fea, by the Severn, and by the rivers Wey and Dyvi.* The continual influx of foreigners into this country was the means of debafing the language from its original purity.' Ann. Dom. Merfyn, the yongeft fon of Roderic the Great, fucceeded to the principality of Powis/ The refidence of the princes of this country was at Mathraval in Montgomeryshire, at which place a palace had been built by the late prince/ The principality of Powis, afterwards broken into the divifions of Powis Fadoc, and Powis Wenwynwyn;' had ten cantrevs and twenty-feven comots ;' was bounded on the north by North Wales, on the eaft by the country ' Wynne's Hill. Wales, p. 34. * Humfrey Lhuyd, p. 79. ^ Wynne's Hift. Wales, p. 16 — zo. * Humfrey Lhuyd, p. 75, 76. Ibid. * Rowland Mon. p. 175. ' Ibid. ^ Humfrey Lhuyd, p. 70. » Wynne's Hift. Wales, p. lo, 11. which '//• Book IV. A N A R A W D. 153 which lies between Chefter and Hereford, on the fouth by England, and on the weft by the river Wye, and mountains which divide it from South Wales." The open fituation and fertility of this country, expofed it to continual in- vafions ; and having more to dread from the arms of the Englifh, than to expedl from the regular fupport of their countrymen, the princes of Powis took an early and fre- quent part in the interefts of England. Anawrawd, the eldeft fon of Roderic the Great, fuc- ■^""- ^°'^- 877. ceeded to the fovereignty of North Wales.'' This territory was the Venedocia of the Romans,^ and was by the Britons called Gwynedh.'* The refidence of the fovereigns of this diftridl was at Aberffraw in Anglefey, in a palace which had been eredled during the life of prince Roderic' The principality of North Wales, in the four divifions of Angle- fey, Arvon,*^ Merionith and Berfeddwlad,' containing fifteen cantrefs and thirty-eight comotsj' was bounded on the weft and north by the Irifh fea -, on the fouth weft by the river Dyfi, which feparated it from South Wales ; and on the fouth and eaft, was divided from Powis and England " Humfrey Lhuyd, p. 70. * Rowland, p. 174. ' Humfrey Lhuyd, p. 64. * Ibid. ' Wellli Chron. p. 36. Rowland, p. 174. * Signifying, above Mona. ' The inward or middle part. Humfrey Lhuyd, p. 64—66. * Wynne's Hift. Walts, p. 5—8. X by ^54 CADELH, MERFYN, Book IV. by mountains and rivers, particularly by the Dee." The language fpoken in this country is efleemed the moft pure, and comes the neareft to that of the ancient Britons. Its inhabitants from a variety of caufes, preferved their inde- pendency longer than the other principalities. Befides the valour of the people, and in general the public virtue of their princes, the natural fituation of the country of Snowdun, a range of mountains extending from one fea to the other, and guarded by two rivers difcharging themfelves into the fea at Traeth Mawr, and Cynvi^y or Conway, formed a ram- part exceedingly flrong ; over which the Welfh ufually retreated when they were prelTed by the Englifh arms. The principal defiles likewife which opened through that range of vaft mountains were fecured by ftrong fortifications. The caftle of Diganwy was placed oppofite to the water of the Conway, an arm of the fea which opened into the country ; that of Caer Run was fituated at the pafs of Bwlch y ddau-vaen, with a fort at Aber ; Dolwyddelen caftle and a watch tower were placed at Nant Frankon ; Dol- badern caftle at Nant Peris ; and the fort at Kidom was fixed at Nant tal-y-Llyn. The other pafs of Traeth Mawr was guarded by the ftrong caftles of Harlech on one fide of the bay, and of Cricieth on the other j with a watch tower at Kafel Gyfarch, and a fort at Dolbenmaen.'' Thefe • Humfrey Lhuyd, p. 64. * Rowland Mon, Ant. p. 148. defences. Book IV. A N A R A W D. 155 defences, all of them placed in the moft advantageous lituations, marked, for a rude age, great military fagacity. The fatal policy of Roderic appeared early in the reiga of Cadelh, the prince of South Wales, who took pofTeffion by force of the territory of Powis on the death of his bro- Ann. Dom. 8-6 ther Merfyn ; incited by ambition, or the jealoufy natural ' to brothers who enjoy an equal lliare in their father's dominions and dignity." At the fame time Anarawd, the prince of North Wales, had an opportunity of affording to the northern Britons, the like friendly protedlion, which his anceftors had fo often received from their countrymen in Armorica. The remains of the Strath-Clwyd Britons, having been harrafled by the Danes, Saxons and Scots, and after fevere conflidls with them, having loft Conftantine their king in battle, applied to Anarawd for an afylum in his dominions/ This prince offered to receive them on the only tenure incident to thefe turbulent ages, which was to obtain and preferve a fettlement by the power of the fword. Under the condudl of Hobart, thefe northern Britons came into Wales, and having every motive of refentment and intereft to urge them to valour, they eafily difpoffefTed * Welfh Chron. p. 35. » Humfrey Lhuyd's Brev. p. 31. X 2 the 156 C A D E L H, M E R F Y N, Book IV. the Saxons of that country between the Dee and the Conway." Ann. Dom. These Britons remained for a time in quiet pofTeffion S78 of their new kingdom, till Eadred, the duke of Mercia, mortified with the difgrace his arms had fuffered, made preparations to recover the country which had been fo eafily torn from him.'. The Britons, having early intelli- gence of his defign, removed their cattle and other valuable effedls beyond the river Conway. To fupport his allies, and expel from the bofom of his country its hereditary enemies, Anarawd exhibited a fpirit and aftivity fuitable to the importance of the occafion j and having encountered the Saxons at Cymryd, about two miles from the prefent town of Conway, by his own gallantry and the bravery of his troops, gave them an entire defeat. With a pious and honeft exultation, the young prince called this memorable aftion Dial Rodri,^ expreffive of the vengeance he had taken for his father's death.* Purfuing their vidlory, the Welfh inftantly followed the Saxons into Mercia, laid wafle the borders, and returned home loaded with valuable fpoils.' After their return, Anarawd, agreeably to the piety of thofe days, and to exprefs his gratitude for the late prof- ' Wynne's Hift. Wales, p, 38. Hnmfrey Lhuyd, p. 31', 32. * Wynne's Hift. Wales, p. 38. ^ Or Roderic's revenge. * Wynne's Hift. Wales, p. 38, ^ Ibid. perous Book IV. A N A R A W D. 157 perous event, endowed the collegiate church of Bangor, and that of Clynnoc Vawr in Arfon with lands and great poffeffions.' Thefe northern Britons, by an unaccountable and Angular policy, were allowed to eftablifh a feparate ftate in the vale of Clwyd, in Rhos, and in the conquered ^ country.' Part of this country had been called Tegenia by the Romans, Englefeld by the Saxons, and Tegengb by the Welfh, but being now united with the other territories, the Britons gave to their new kingdom the name of Strad Clwyd ; part of it being fituated on the banks of the river Clwyd.* At this early period, civil difTention, an evil naturally fpringing out of the weak condudl of Roderic, which foon fet afide the futile regulations of that prince, had taken root in the breafts of his fons. For Anarawd, after the late florm was difperfed, probably on account of the tribute not having been duly paid,' united with the Englifh againft Ann.Dom. 893,. his brother the prince of South Wales, and with their joint forces invaded his territory, and laid wafte the country of Cardigan and Yftradgwy.* ' Wynne's Hift. Wales, p. 38. Cambden's Brit. p. 671. ^ The country from Conway along the Dee to Chefter. ^ Humfrey Lhuyd's Notes on Powel's Hift. of Wales from Vaughan of Hengwrts, p. 31, 32. ♦ Humfrey Lhuyd, p. 69. ' Britifh Antiquities Revived by Vaughan of Hengwrt, p. 13. * Chron. Wales, p. 41, The 1^8 A N A R A W D. Book IV. The Danes, at this time, being obliged to flee before the arms of Alfred, made a defcent on the coafl of Wales, and advanced into the country as far as Buellt 5" and fometime after being again difcomfited by that prince, they laid waile Ann.Dom. ^j^^ countrv of Brecknock, and other diftridts in South 896. ^ Wales/ At this time a large body of Danes landed in Anglefeyj but this invafion feems only to have been diftinguifhed by a battle fought at Mellon, and by the death of Merfyn the Ann. Dom. . r t> • 3 prmcc of rowis. 900. f Ann. Dom. In this year Cadelh, the prince of South Wales died, and ^°'^' was fucceeded in that dignity by his eldefl fon Howel, who likewife became the fovereign of Powis, very probably on the death of his uncle Merfyn, who was flain in Anglefey.* The city of Chefter, which appears to have lain in ruins ever fince it had been deferted or demoliflied by the Danes in the year 895,' was rebuilt and much improved by Elfleda, the wife of the tributary fovereign of Mercia :* fhe likewife repaired the walls, and enlarged their circuit round the caftle, Ann. Dom. which before this time had been fituated without the city/ 908. ' Wynne's Hift. Wales, p. 41, 42. ^ Ibid. 3 chron. Wales, p. 42. * Welfh Chron. p. 44, 46. ' Saxon Annals, p. 95. ^ Math. Weftm. Flores Hift. p. 269. ' Broropton's Chron. p. 838. Fabian's Chron. p. 224. Printed at London Ann. Dom. 1559. A FEW m. 933- Book IV. E D W A L V O E L. 159 A FEW years after this event, Anarawd, the king of North Wales died, and left two fons, Edwal Voel and Elife. Edwal Voel, the eldcft fon of the late prince, fuc- Ann.Dom. cceded to the fovereignty of North Wales, and was married ^'^" to the daughter of his uncle Merfyn, prince of Powis.' Early in his reign the Irifh made a defcent on Anglefey, which they laid wafte in a cruel manner." At this period, Athelllane the king of England, having in feveral victories triumphed over the Danes and Scots, marched with an army into Wales, and at Hereford impofed Ann. Do on the princes of that country a yearly tribute of twenty pounds in gold, three hundred pounds in filver, and two thoufand five hundred head of cattle, befides a certain num- ber of hawks and hounds.' This arbitrary tribute, ex- torted from the Welfh, while under the influence of power, was no longer regarded than while the kings of England had the means of enforcing its obfervance. A Welsh nobleman having been imprifoned in England, and his confinement being refented by Edwal Voel, pro- ' Britifh Antiquities Revived by Vaughan of Hengwrt, p. 4. Welfli Chron. p. 45, 47. ^ Brompton's Chron. p. 838, with refpeft to the tribute, with the difference only of doubling the number of cattle. Stowe's Chron. p. 82. Welfti Chron. p. 50. Grafton's Chron. p. 149. publifhed Ann. 1569. bably i6o H O W E L. Book IV. bably as an infult offered to the Independency of his crown, that prince, with his brother Elife, attempted by hoflilities Ann. Dom. to revenge the affront, but in the conteft they were both '^'^°' flain fighting againfl the Englifli and Danes." The prince of North Wales left fix fons, Meyric, Jevaf, Jago, Cynan, Edwal and Roderic ; and his brother Elife a fon called Cynan, and a daughter named Trawft." The love of power is an adive and commanding prin- ciple in man : to attain and preferve it, he will employ his utmoft fagacity, and bend the full force of his various faculties. Even the wife and temperate mind of Howel, prince of South Wales, was not exempt from its influence. The great efteem into which this prince had arifen from a juil adminillration, had probably gained him, fome years before, the fovereignty of Powis ^ and enabled him, at this Ann. Dom. time, by the -acceffion of North Wales, to unite into one 94.0. kingdom the three principalities.' Whether he attained that dignity, folely, by the efforts of ambition, or was called to it by the voice of the people, or that talents for govern- ment, in thefe difordered times, occafionally fet afide the regular courfe of fucceffion ; it is certain, the fons of the late prince, immediately on their father's death, were fuper- feded by Howel, without any farther oppofition on their ' WelfliChron. p. 51. Welih Chron. p. 51. Britifh Antiq. Reviv. by Vaughan Hengwrt, p. 14. 3 Welfh Chron. p. 52 part. Book IV. H O W E L. i6i part, than unavailing murmurs and difcontent.' Whatever were the means by which he attained the fovereignty of North Wales, his early attention to the common vvreal, and the mild tenor of his government, will, in fome meafure palliate, though it can never vindicate upon any principle of expediency, an aA of injuflice. To reduce his fubjefts to a fenfe of order, and to render them fubordinate to civil authority, Howel determined to collect into one code the ancient cuftoms and laws of Wales, which had nearly loft their efficacy and weight in the lapfe of ages, and in the confufion, and turbulency of the times. In purfuance of this defign, he convened the archbifhop of St. David's, and other bifliops and clergy to the number of one hundred and forty, with the principal barons of Wales : out of every comot were likewife fummoned fix perfons, diftinguiflied by their talents and virtues. This affembly, forming a great national council, met upon the banks of the Taf, at the white palace belong- ing to prince Howel." In order to give the meeting a greater folemnity, and to implore the Divine Wifdom to influence their counfels, the prince himfelf, with the whole affembly, remained during Lent in the continual exercife of prayer and other adts of devotion. As foon as this folemn preparation was finifhed, Howel felefted twelve perfons who ' Welfh Chron. p. 52. * Ibid. p. 53. Y were i62 H O W E L. Book IV. were eminent for wifdom, gravity, and experience ; and he joined in the commiflion Blegored, the archdeacon of Llandaff, a perfon highly diftinguifhed for learning, and a knowledge of the laws. This committee entered im- mediately into a ftrid examination of the cufloms and ancient inftitutions of Wales. With a judicious and difcriminating eye they abollfhed every law become injurious or unneceiTary ; thofe, likewife, which time had rendered confufed and unintelligible, were explained with greater perfpicuity j and by a proper digefl of the whole, a fyllem was framed, which, allowing for limited ideas in jurifprudence, was wifely adapted to the genius, necefiities, and fituation of theWelfh.' This code was formed on the bafis of the ancient national laws.'' After the new laws had been read, proclaimed, and ratified by the public approbation, three copies of them were put into writing ; one of which was defigned for the ufe of the prince, and to follow his court, and the others were depofited in the palaces of Aberffraw and Dinefwr. This may be confidered as a tolerable advance in juridical » Welfh Chron. p. 53. * Said to have been originally framed by Moelmutius, who reigned in Britain 441 years before Chriil. Holinfliead, p. 177. policy. Book IV. H O W E L. 163 policy, for that age, when private rights and public laws had been, in a great meafure, tranfmitted by local cuftoms and immemorial tradition. To add ftill greater authority to the laws, and to flamp them as objedls of religious veneration, the archbifhop of St. David's denounced ex- communication on all who fhould violate them. Influenced, likewife, by the fpirit of the age, or defirous of rendering fuch a ceremony fubfervient to his views, Howel, attended by the archbifliop of St. David's, the bifhop of Bangor and St. Afaph, and thirteen other perfons of diftindlion, pro- ceeded to Rome ; where the new fyftem of legiflation was folemnly ratified by the Pope ; and having thus given the laft fanftion to his laws, he returned into Wales.' The mild temper of this prince feems, in fome meafure, to have influenced the tranfadlions of his reign ; few military incidents having difl:urbed it during a period of forty years. At this time, however, the Englifh, with a confiderable force, invaded North Wales, and after they had laid wafte ^n"- Dom. the fmall territory of Strad-Clwyd, returned into their own ^^^' country.'' A FEW years after this event king Howel died, leaving Ann. Dom. four fons, Owen, Run, Roderic, and Edwyn ; who, dividing ^^ ' among themfelves the principalities of South Wales and ' Welfh Chron, p. 54. » Ibid. p. 58. Y 2 Powis, 164 LAWS OF HOWEL DHA. Book IV. Powis, relinquiflied North Wales to the right heirs, Jevaf and Jago, the fons of Edwal Voel.' The death of this amiable prince, who had long enjoyed the mild honours refulting from peace, and the public efleem, fpread univcrfally the deepeft forrow. As a grateful memorial of his virtues, pofterity have given him the furname of Dha, or the Good. His code of laws is the bell; eulogium of his memory, and raife him as much above the reft of the Cambrian princes,* as peace, and gentlenefs of manners, and a regulated ftate, are preferable to the evils infeparable from war, to the fiercenefs of un- civilized life, and to the habits of a wild independency. THE LAWS OF HOWEL DHA were divided into three parts, each of which had a diftindt and feparate objeft ; the king's prerogatives, with the oeconomy of his court ; the affairs of civil jurifprudence; and the criminal law. The king pofTelTed, by virtue of his prerogative, the patronage of monafteries, the proteftion of public roads, ' Welfh Chron. p. 58, * From this comparlfon it is the author's meaning to except thofe Britifli and Cambrian princes who defended their country from the rapacity or ambition of foreign enemies : a conduft than which nothing can be more meritorious, or fcarcely any thing have a higher claim on the refpeft and gratitude of mankind. the Book IV. LAWS OF HOWEL DHA. 165 the right of creating laws with confent of his people, of coining money within his dominions, and of prefiding in the principal caufes that related to himfelf, his crown, and its appendages. He was empowered to lead an army only once a year, and for no longer time than fix weeks, out of his kingdom ; within his own territories he might at any time mufter his fubjedls and condudl them to battle. He was privileged to hunt in any part of his dominions. He had a power of compelling any of his fubjedls to build the royal caftles. If any perfon addreffed the king with unbecoming and infolent language, he was conftrained to pay a fine of fix head of cattle. Offences againft the king were, to commit adultery with his queen, to kill his fubfiitute, and violate his proteftion. The judges were confidered as the king's fubftitutes. The fine for thefe treafons confifted of a rod of gold of the king's ftature, a bull, and a hundred cows, from every cantred or difiridV belonging to the attainted perfon. For affaffinating the king the penalty was made threefold. The witnefs or debtor who followed the found of the mili- tary horn, when the king went to war, was excufed from obe- dience to a legal fummons. At his accefiion he confirmed the rights of places of afylum ; and it was alfo his prerogative to fix the bounds of cantreds and trevs or townfhips. He had likewife i66 LAWS OF HOWEL D H A. Book IV. likewife a power of bringing to immediate trial caufes in which the crown was concerned, aridof fetting afide a written law to make room for a traditional cuftoih. There were fpecies of offences which gave the king the privilege of felling the offenders. The king was not amenable to his own judges. To moderate thefe exceffes of authority, fome limitations were thrown into the oppofite fcale. If complaint was made that the king, or any of his fubftituteb, had violated the laws, and exercifed oppreffion, the matter was then to be decided by a verdidl of the country -, that is, a jury of fifty men holding lands, fworn to do jufticej if the accufation was found to be juft, they ordered reparation to be made. The king had no power to punifh his fubjedls for offences com- mitted out of his kingdom, or in the time of his predeceffor. Though he had granted to an abbey rights or privileges by which his prerogative was infringed, yet the law ordained that the grant {hould never be revoked ; alledging that it is fafer to diminirti than increafe the royal power. The Welfh, engaged in a roving and military life, had little leifure to exercife the arts, or cultivate the ground ; and of confequence were, in fome degree, in a ftate of po- verty. They had many ufages, however, which tended to make their princes opulent, and to fupply them with the means of difplaying that unreffrained hofpitality by which their refidence was always rendered confpicuous. The Book IV. LAWSOFHOWELDHA. 167 The king was the original landlord of the whole of his dominions. The fervices by which lands were held under him were of three kinds ; military fervice, fervice in the courts of law, and the payment of the public tribute ; which in ancient times was made with horned cattle. When lands, by negleding the fervice for the performance of which they were granted, or by deferting them without the king's leave, were forfeited, they reverted to him. His fubjedls were obliged to build the royal palaces, and, in a great meafure, they maintained his houfehold ; he was entitled to all treafures wherever found ; to all goods not claimed by any owner, and the poffeffions of deceafed billiops. Among the various produftive fources of revenue, was the fale of honourable and lucrative places; and the efcheat of goods exceeding one pound in value, fuch as horfes, oxen, cows, gold, filver, and embroidered garments ; efcheated goods of inferior price belonged to the royal officers and domeftics. According to the ancient divifion of Wales, fettled by its laws, a cantredh contained two commots, a commot twelve manors, a manor four townfliips or pariflies. A yearly tribute of one pound was due from every free manor, and was paid to the king in money ; or in lieu thereof, a horfe load of the beil flour, a flaughtered ox, a cafk of medh or mead, one hundred and lixty fheaves of oats for the provender of the king's horfes, a fow, a flitch of bacon, and a veffel of butter. This tribute was paid in the fummer. In winter the royal houfehold was in a great meafure fup- ported • i68 LAWS OF HOWEL DHA. Book IV. ported by the free manors j each of which paid likewife two (hillings in money, to be divided among the domeftics. Thofe manors which were not emancipated, but remained in a ftate of vafTalage, paid twice in the year a fmallcr tribute, confifting of ale, butter, cheefe, bread, corn for provender, hogs and (heep. In every commot of Wales two townfliips remained ungranted to any fubjedt, in the king's private pof- feflion. A mayor and a chancellor fuperintended the king's demefne; the latter officer had the privilege of being preceded by a virger; he had alfo the power of imprifonment, and was not liable to be taxed. Shipwrecks and all things thrown up by the fea on the fliore of the king's perfonal eftates, became his property : when on the coaft of a biftiop, abbot, or any other lord, that lord was obliged to divide them with the king. Besides thefe fources of advantage arifing to the king, there were many others which were confidered as the fruits of his prerogative. He had the efcheat of the goods of fuicides. Strangers, who were vagabonds, and were found in any part of his dominions, were the property of the king. He was the proprietor, likewife, of waftes, forefts, and the fea. He had the power of commanding a workman from every town in villanage to eredl his tent. The vil- lains of the crown were obliged to build for the king nine appartments of his palace : the hall, the royal bed-chamber, the pantry, the flable, dog kennel, the barn, the kiln, P"vy, Book IV. LAWS OF HOWEL DHA. 169 privy, and the dormitory. Young women were reckoned among the fources of the king's revenue, and to him. a fee was paid on their marriage or violation. A fine was paid to the king on any breach of contradl. A toll was alfo to be paid by every merchant lliip which came into the ports of Wales ; and if any fhip, which had not paid toll, hap- pened to be wrecked, its cargoe was forfeited to the king. Vaflals, in a ftate of villanage, were obliged nine times in the year to furnifli the king's horfes and dogs with provender, and his foreigners with provilion. They were likewife con- flrained to yield up all their honey and fifh to the ufe of the court, and to provide horfes to carry the baggage and am- munition of the army. A third part of all military plunder was yielded to the crown. The Queen had a right of patronage, or proteftion ; and received a third part of the revenues of the royal manors. The violation of her perfon was reckoned among the treafon- able offences, with the addition of a moiety to the ordinary penalty. A prefent of money was due to her, when her daughter was married. She had alfo a power to difpofe of a third part of what fhe had received from the king. The Heir Apparent was either the fon, brother, nephew, or coufin of the king : and it was believed that the king's private promife or appointment could fecure the fucceflion to either of thefe relations, without regard to nearnefs of kindred. The laws placed him near the king's perfon, and Z ' under • lyo LAWS OF HOW EL DHA. Book IV. under his authority : he fat at the king's table, and was ferved by the royal attendants. The king, the heir apparent, and the mailer of the palace, paid no portion with their daughters : the honour and influence derived from fuch an alliance was deemed a fufficient portion. Deformity of perfon, as well as incapacity of mind difqualified the king's fon or next of kindred from the government, as they did any fubjed from, public offices and the inheritance of lands. The Officers of the Household, and twelve gentle- men whofe tenure of land was by military fervice, compofed the royal guard, and were mounted on horfes furnilhed by the king. The Royal Household confiftedof the following officers arid domeflics. The Master of the Palace. He was fometimes the heir apparent, always of the royal blood. His authority extended to every perfon of the houfehold, and when any of them fell under the king's difpleafure, this officer enter- tained him till a reconciliation was effedted. He received a fhare of all military plunder, and, on three feflivals in the year, was obliged by his office to deliver the harp into the hands of the domeftic bard. He was alfo, it is pro- bable, the king's treafurer. The Domestic Chaplain, was by his office appointed to fay grace, to celebrate mafs, and to be confulted in matters of Book IV. LAWS OF HOWEL DHA. 171 of confcience. He was alfo fecretary to the king, and to the principal court of juflice. In the king's abfence, the domeflic chaplain, the judge of the palace, and the fteward of the houfehold, fupported the royal dignity, and exercifed the authority annexed to it. The Steward of the Household, fuperintended the inferior domeflics ; receiving, among other emoluments, the flcins of lambs, kids, and fawns, and all other creatures from an ox to an eel, killed for the ufe of the king's kitchen. He was the king's tafler ; and drank, but did not eat, at the king's table. He diflributed among the houfehold their wages, he affigned them proper feats in the hall of the palace, and allotted the appartments where they were to lodge. The Master of the Hawks, was required to fleep near his birds : he had his bed in the king's granary, where they were kept, and not in the palace, left they fhould be injured by the fmoke. He was reftridled to a certain meafure of mead and ale, that he might not negledl his duty. In fpring he had the fkin of a hind, and in autumn that of a ftag, for gloves to guard his hands, and thongs for the gefles of his hawks. The eagle, the crane, the hawk, the falcon, and the raven, were confidered as royal birds ; when any of thefe were killed without authority, a fine was paid to the king. The king owed three fervices to the mafter of the hawks ; on the Z 2 day 172 LAWS OF HOWEL DHA. Book IV. day when he took a curlieu, a hern, or a bittern. He held the horfe of this officer while he took the bird, held his flirrup while he mounted and difmounted ; and that night honoured him likewife with three different prefents. If the king was not in the field, he rofe from his feat to receive this officer upon his return ; or if he did not rife, he gave him the garment he then wore. The Judge of the Palace. The court in which this judge prefided, was the principal court of Wales. It is faid that he always lodged in the hall of the palace, and that the cufhion on which the king was feated in the day, ferved for his pillow at night. On his appointment, he received an ivory chefs-board from the king, a gold-ring from the queen, and another gold-ring from the domeftic bard ; which he always kept as the infignia of his office. When he entered, or departed out of the palace, the great gate was opened for him, that his dignity might not be degraded by paffing under a wicket. He determined the rank and duty of the feveral officers of the houfehold. He decided poe- tical contefts ; and received from the vidlorious bard, whom he rewarded with a filver chair, the badge of poetical pre- eminence, a gold-ring, a drinking horn, and a cuffiion. If complaint was made to the king, that the judge of the palace had pronounced an unjuft fentence, and the accufation was proved, he was then forever deprived of his office, and condemned to lofe his tongue, or pay the ufual ranfom for that Book IV. LAWS OF HOWEL DHA. 173 that member. The other judges were alfo fubjedl to thefe fevere but falutary conditions. A perfon ignorant of the laws, whom the king defigned to make his principal judge, was required to refide previoufly for a whole year in the palace, that he might obtain from the other judges, who reforted thither from the country, a competent knowledge of his duty and profeflion. During this year, the difficult caufes which occurred, were flated and referred by him to the king : at the expiration of this term he was to receive the facrament from the hands of the domeftic chaplain, and to fwear at the altar that he would never knowingly pro- nounce an unjufl fentence, nor ever be influenced by bribes or intreaties, hatred or affecflion : he was then placed by the king in his feat, and invefled with the judicial authority ; and afterwards received prefents from the whole houfehold. It was reckoned among the remarkable and peculiar cuftoms of the Welfh, that the tongues of all animals flaughtered for the houfehold were given to the judge of the palace. The Master of the Horse. His lodging was near the royal ftables and granary; and it was his duty to make an equal diflribution of provender among the royal horfes» From every perfon on whom the king had beftowed one of "his horfes, this officer received a prefent. To him and to his equerries belonged all colts, not two years old, included in the king's fhare of fpoils taken in war. To him alfo belonged the riding caps, faddles, bridles, and fpurs, which the 74 LAWS OF HOWEL DHA. Book IV. the king had ufed and laid afide. The fpurs, we are told, were of gold, filver, and brafs. It was part of his duty, to produce the horfe belonging to the judge of the palace in good condition and in his complete furniture. The judge, in return for this care, inftruded him in the nature of his rank and privileges. The extent of his protedion was, the diflance to which the fwifteft horfe in the king's ftables could run.. The Chamberlain, was obliged to eat and fleep in the king's private apartment, which he was appointed to guard. It was his duty to fill, and prefent to the king, his drinking horn j and to keep alfo his plate and rings, for all of which he was accountable. When the king's bed- furniture and wearing apparel were laid afide, they were given to the chamberlain. If a perfon, walking in the king's chamber at night, without a light in his hand, happened to be flain, the laws gave no compenfation for his death. The Domestic Bard, was confidered as next in rank to the chief Bard of Wales. He was obliged, at the queen's command, to fing in her own chamber, three different pieces of poetry fet to mufic, but in a low voice, that the court might not be difiiurbed in the hall. At his appoint- ment he received a harp from the king, and a gold ring from the queen. On three great feflivals in the year, he re- ceived Book IV. LAWS OF HOWEL DHA. i-j^ ceived and wore the garments of the fteward of the houfe- hold, and at thofe entertainments fat next to the mafter of the palace. He accompanied the army when they marched into the enemies country j and when they ' prepared for battle, he fung before them an ancient poem called Un- benniaeth Prydain, or the Monarchy of Britain ; and for this fervice was rewarded with the moil valuable beaft of the plunder which they brought back from thefe incurfions. An Officer to command Silence. This he per- formed firft by his voice, and afterwards by ftriking with his rod of office a pillar near which the domeftic chaplain ufually fat : and to him a fine was due for every diflurbance in the court. He took charge of the implements of hufbandry, and of the flocks and herds belonging to the •king's demefne, in the abfence of the bailiff, or during the vacancy of his place. He was alfo a colledtor of the royal revenues. The Master of the Hounds. In the hunting fea- fon he was entertained, together with his fervants and dogs, by the tenants who held lands in villanage from the king. Hinds were hunted from the middle of February to mid- fummer, and flags from that time to the middle of Odtober. From the ninth day of November to the end of that month he hunted the wild boar. On the firft day of November he brought his hounds and all his hunting apparatus 176 LAWS OF HOW EL DHA. Book IV. apparatus for the king's infpeftion : and then the fkins of the annuals he had killed in the preceding feafon were divided, according to a fettled proportion, between the king, himfeW, and his attendants. A little before Chrift- mas he returned to the court, to fupport his rank and enjoy his privileges. During his refidence at the palace he was lodged in the kiln-houfe, where corn was prepared by fire for the dogs. His bugle was the horn of an ox, valued at one pound. Whenever his oath was required, he fwore by his horn, hounds, and leafhes. Early in the morning, before he put on his boots, and then only, he was liable to be cited to appear before a court of judicature. The mafter of the hounds, or any other perfon who fliared with the king, had a right to divide, and the king to choofe. It was his duty, to accompany the army on its march with his horn ; and to found the alarm, and the fignal of battle. His proteftion extended to any diflance which the found of his horn could reach. The laws declared, that the beaver, the marten, and the float were the king's wherever killed, and that with the furry fkin of thefe animals his robes were to be bordered. The legal price of a beaver's Ikin was ftated at ten ihillings." The Medd or Mead-brewer. This liquor, which was the wine commonly ufed by the Welfh, was made • Lord Lyttelton, furely, was not apprifed of the teiHmony of Howel's laws, when he ridiculed Giraldns's account of beavers in Wales as fabulous. with Book IV. LAWS OF HOWEL DHA. 177 with honey mixed in a vat with boiling water, and fpiced. The wax feparated by this procefs from the honey, was partly given to the mead-brewer, and partly applied to the ufes of the hall, which was the refedlory of the palace, and to thofe of the queen's dining apartment. The Physician of the Household, was alfo a practitioner of furgery. In flight cafes he cured the king's domeftics without a fee. When he healed a common wound, he claimed the torn and bloody garments of the wounded perfon. When the brain was laid open, the bowels in fight, or a thigh, leg, or arm was fradlured, he received one pound for the cure. He was entitled to a bond from the family of his patient, by which he was indemnified, if death enfued from his prefcriptions : if he did not take this precaution, and the patient happened to die, he was liable to a legal profecution. He always attended the army on its march. The Cup-bearjer, had charge of the mead-cellar, and filled and prefented the drinking horns. t The Door-keeper, whofe duty it was to carry meflages to the king and his court. His ilation and lodging was the gate-houfe. He was required to know perfonally all the officers of the houfehold, that he might not refufe admittance to any of them, which refufal was coniidered A a and 178 LAWS OF HOWEL DHA. Book IV. and puniflied as a violation of privilege. If he defcrted his poll:, and happened to receive any infult, he could obtain on that account no compcnfation." He cleared the v^^ay before the king, and with his rod kept off the crowd. He preferved the hall of the palace free from intruders, and did not fit, but kneel in the king's prefence. The door-keeper of the palace, and the door-keeper of the royal chamber, lodged with the gate-keeper in the gate-houfe. The Cook, to whofe office appertained the fkins of all animals flaughtered for the ufe of the kitchen. He always carried the lafl difh out of the kitchen, and placed it before the king, who immediately rewarded him with meat and drink. The Sconce-bearer, who held wax tapers when the king fat in the hall, and carried them before him when he retired to his chamber. The Steward to the Queen ; this officer was alfo her tafter. He fuperintended her domeftics, and was enter- tained at her table. The Queen's Chaplain, who was alfo her fecretary, and received a fee for every grant or inflrument which bore her feal. He was alfo entertained in her dining apartment, and fat oppofite to her at table. He was entitled by his office Book IV. LAWS OF HOWEL DHA. office to the penitential robes which the queen wore during lent. He lodged together with the king's chaplain, in the facriflan's houfe. The Master of the Horse to the Queen, was in feveral refpedis upon the fame footing with the king's officer of the fame name. The Queen's Chamberlain, tranfafted every bufmefs between her apartment and the hall, and kept her wardrobe. His lodging was near the royal chamber, that he might be at hand when ever he was wanted. The Woman of the Queen's Chamber, whofe office it was to fleep fo near her miftrefs as to be able to hear her fpeak though in a whifper. She was entitled to the queen's linen, hairlaces, fhoes, bridles, and faddles, when they were laid afide. The Door-keeper to the queen, lodged in the gate- houfe. The Queen's Cook. The Queen's Sconce-bearer. The Groom of the Rein, who, when the mafter of the horfe was abfent, fupplied his place. He led the king's horfe to and from the ftables, brought out his arms, held A a 2 his 179 l'8o LAWS OF HOWEL DHA. Book IV. his ftirrup when he mounted or difmouted, and ran by his iide as his page. An Officer to support the King's Feet at Banc^uets : he was the foot-ftool of his throne, and the guard of his perfon. There was one in every cantred. The Bailiff of the king's demefne. It was his pro- vince to judge and to punifh the king's private vaflals, and to him their heriots and amercements were paid. The fer- vants of the chancellor and the officers of revenue drove into his cuflody the tribute-cattle, and by him the king's houfehold was fupplied with provifion. The Apparitor, as an officer of the houfehold, flood between the two pillars in the hall, and had the charge of the palace during entertainments, that it might not fufFer any damage by fire or otherwife. He appeared likewife in another capacity, conveying the fummonfes and citations of the principal court of juftice. He carried a rod or wand as the badge of his office, and claimed entertainment at every houfe to which he was fent : when the judges were fitting, it was the apparitor's duty to filence, or take into cuftody, thofe oflfenders who diflurbed the court. The Gate-keeper claimed by cullom a fliare of feveral things carried through the gate houfe to the palace. State Book IV. LAWS OF HOWEL DHA. i8i State prifoners were committed to his cuftody. He ad:ed as apparitor in the king's demefne. He provided flraw for the beds and other ufes of the houfehold, and took care that the fires were lighted. The Watch-man of the palace was a gentleman who guarded the king's perfon while he flept. To him were given, as fymbols of his duty, the eyes of all animals flaughtered for the ufe of the palace kitchen. When the king and the houfehold retired to rell, a horn was founded, which was a lignal to the watch-man to go upon duty. In the morning, when the palace gate was opened, he was relieved. From that time till the horn was fouqded again at night, he was permitted to fleep, and was under no neceffity of performing any other fervice, unlefs he volun- tarily undertook it for a reward. If he was found negli- gent or afleep during his watch, he was fubjedl to heavy punifhments. The Wood-man procured fuel for the ufes of the houfe- hold. He alfo flaughtered the cattle for the royal kitchen with his axe. The Baker-woman. The Palace-Smith was obliged to work without a reward for the houfehold, except when he made a. boiling pot, the point of a fpear, the wood-man's axe, the iron work i82 LAWS OF HOWEL DHA. Book IV. Avork of the gate of the palace, or royal callle, and the iron work of the mill. It was his duty to ftrike off the fhackles of prifoners releafed by the court of juftice, and he received a fee for that fervice. No other fmith was allowed to exercife his trade in the fame comniot with himfelf, without his permiffion. The Laundress. The Chief Musician was chofen into and feated in the chair of mufic, for his fuperior fkill in that fcience, by the feffion of the bards at the end of every third year. When his term expired, if he had maintained his fupe- riority, he was re-chofen. He was the only perfon, except the domeftic bard, who was allowed to perform in the king's prefencc. He was lodged in one of the apartments belonging to the heir apparent. In the hall he fat next to the judge of the palace. When the king defired to hear mufic, the chief mufician fung to the harp two poems j one in praile of the Almighty, the other in honour of princes and of their exploits ; after which a third poem was fung by the domeftic bard. His emoluments arofe out of fees given by brides on their nuptials, and from thofe of novices in mufic, when they were admitted to the pradlice of their art. The Welfh bards accompanied their fongs with the harp, the crwth and the flute. They frequently ad- drefled poems to their princes and lords, in which they aiked for prefents, fuch as a horfe, a bull, a fword, or a garment. Book IV. LAWS OF HOWEL D H A. 183 garment, and they were feldom, if ever, refufed. The controller of the revenues had the privilege of bringing three guefts to banquets in the palace. This officer and the chancellor received all the honey, the fifh, and wild creatures, which were paid as tributes, or forfeited to the king. They alfo received a third part of the income arifing to the king from his tenants in villanage. These were the different officers, of whom the royal houfehold was compofed. They were free-holders by their offices, and in confequence of this they all enjoyed the right of protedlion, by which they granted criminals a tem- porary fafety. On the heads of thefe perfons, and on all their members, a price was fixed by the laws. They re- ceived for their wearing apparel woollen cloth from the king, and linen from the queen. They were all called together by a horn. CIVIL JURISPRUDENCE. There were three fpecies of courts, each of them enjoyed a diftindl prerogative, with power to take cognifance of offences, and to punifh them : the royal, the epifcopal, and the abbatial. When a perfon, fubjedl to one of thefe jurifdidtions, litigated with a perfon fubjedl to another, the caufe was tried by the judges of the refpedive courts conjunftively. The i84 LAWSOFHOWELDHA. Book IV. The royal courts, thofe in which the judges fat as the king's fubftitutes, were diftinguifhed into four kinds ; the principal court, the courts of cantreds, courts of commots, and extraordinary courts. The principal court was ufually held at the king's chief refidence. For the adminiftration of juftice in the commots and can- treds remote from the principal court, inferior judges were appointed, with the title of chancellors, who alfo aflifted the officers of revenue, called Meiri, in colleding the taxes. Extraordinary courts were appointed by the king to hear and determine extraordinary caufes, and to remedy the abufes which had arifen from a perverfion of the eftablifhed laws. When the ordinary judges differed in points of law, the regular and fecular canons were appointed in that cafe extraordinary judges. The principal courts of North W;\les and Powis con- fined of the following officers appointed by the king : a judge, a chancellor, a provoft, a clerk to regifter the decrees of the court, and an apparitor to execute them. The courts of South Wales had the four lafl mentioned officers, with feveral judges who held their offices by virtue of the lands they poffeffed, and received no fees. All the courts were {hut in fpring, that plowing and fowing might not be hindered, and in autumn on account of the Book IV. LAWS OF HOWEL DHA. 185 the harveft. The judges were guided in their decifions, not only by the code of national laws, but alfo by the Brawd-lyfr' or Book of Reports, which contained prece- dents of the proceedings and decrees of their predecelTors, and by the writings of Welfli lawyers which were held in great eftimation. A legal caufe was that in which four perfons or parties were concerned : the king to prefide, the judge to examine and determine, the profecutor, and the party accufed. The accufing party was bound over to profecutej the party accufed was obliged to find fureties, who were imprifoned during the pendency of the fuit. In any fuit civil or criminal, a clerical plaintiff muft proceed againll a lay defendant in the king's court; and of confe- quence a lay plaintiff mufl profecute his fuit againfl his clerical adverfary in the ecclefiaflical court. Disputes concerning hereditary right were frequently decided by fingle combat. Three forts of perfons, by the laws of Wales, might be killed with impunity ; a madman, a ftranger, and a leper. No perfon was allowed to leave his property by teflament; unlefs to the church, and for the payment of debts. ' The Book of Triads, and the Book of Reports, were private volumes written by Welfli lawyers. There was likewife a code of Welfh laws, called the laws of Bleddyn ap Cynvyn, a prince pofterior to Howel. Jf an aftion was brought forward according to the laws of Blethyn, the judge could not frame his judgment by the laws of Iloel, and -vice ver/a. B b A WIFE i86 LAWS OF HOWEL DHA. Book IV. A WIFE was not allowed hy law, to be a furety for her hufband, or an evidence for or againft him. A married woman had no difpofal of any part of her huihand's pro- perty, either by fale or purchafe. A daughter was only entitled to a moiety of a fon's fliare of the father's perfonal property. Lands and buildings were the only property which defcended by hereditary fucceffion. Perfonal efFefts, under the regulation of the laws, were divided among the wife and children. OF CAUSES BETWEEN SURETIES AND DEBTORS. A DEBTOR was obliged to indemnify his furety by pay- ment of the debt, or giving a pledge, or difavowing the bail. In a caufe of debtor and furety, the furety was re- quired to fwear that he had given bail, and was difcharged from his fuit and bail ; if he refufed to fwear, he loft the caufe, and was obliged to pay the debt. A furety was indemnified, only by payment of the whole and not a part of the debt. The furety was not bound to difcharge the debt, till the debtor had refufed or failed; but the law provided againft fuch refufal or failure, by empowering the furety to take a pledge from the debtor more than equi- valent to the debt. If a debtor found a furety, and after- wards fled to an afylum to evade payment, the law in that cafe deprived him of his right of afylum. Utenfils of the church could not be pledged. The bail of a refponfible perfon Book IV. LAWS OF HOWEL DHA. 1^7 perfon could not be refufed. Notorious drunkards, lunatics, hermits, foreigners, and perfons in holy orders were in- competent to give bail, or to enter into any covenant, aftion, or perfonal obligation ; as vv^ere likewife monks without the confent of their abbots, vaflals without the confent of their lords, fcholars without the confent of their pre- ceptors, fons under the age of fourteen without the confent of their fathers, and wives without the confent of their huftands ; except ladies of manors, giving bail for their vaflals. OF COMPACTS. A LEGAL compadl was made by the meeting of the parties before a witnefs, declaring to him the nature of their corn- pad;, and joining their hands to his, under a promife of abiding by it. So very facred was a compadl confidered, that it could not be annulled even by an exprefs law. OF THE SEVERAL CASES IN WHICH A SINGLE WITNESS WAS ADMISSIBLE. A LORD, in a caufe between two of his vafTals, in which he himfelf was not concerned. An abbot, between two of his monks. A father, between two of his fons. A judge, concerning his own adjudication. A furety, in a caufe concerning a matter for which he had given bail. A donor, in a caufe concerning his own donation ; or (according to other B b 2 manu- 88 LAWS OF HOW EL DHA. Book IV. manufcrlpts) a prieft between two of his parifliioners. A young woman concerning her own virginity. The public herdfman of a townfliip concerning the herd or flock under his care. A thief at the gallows concerning his accomplices. It was ufual for a hufband to give prefents to his wife on the firfl morning after her marriage, and before fhe arofe out of bed i which prefents were confidered as her own property ; but if the wife negleded to feife this favourable opportunity, fhe could never afterwards demand them." This prefent was called Egweddi or Cowyll. In cafes of divorces among the Welfli, an equal divifion of property took place, under certain limitations. If a wife was feparated from her hufband before the expiration of feven years flue was entitled to enjoy her egweddi. If feparated after (even years flie divided with her hufband all his property. If a wife feparated from her hufl^and for jufl: caufes flie retained her egweddi, "" parapharnalia, and a fine called gofyn. A widow on the death of her huftjand divided with his heirs the perfonal property. When a hufl)and, who had repudiated his firft, took a fecond wife, the former was free to marry again. A woman was allowed to leave her huftjand for the three following caufes, leprofy, bad breath, and impotency ; but in thefe cafes the hufl^and was under no obligation of dividing his property with the woman. • Howel Dha, chap. I, lib. II. p. 80, 88, =■ Ibid. p. 73. CRIMINAL Book IV. LAWS OF HOWEL DHA. 189 CRIMINAL LAW. An injury done to a fingle woman was to be compenfated by half of that fine paid on the like occafion for any injury done to her brother. The murder of either a married or fmgle woman was to be attoned for by half of the fine paid for the murder of her brother. For "adultery, or even for indecent familiarities with a married woman, a fine was to be paid to the hufband by the male offender. The forcible violation, or carrying away a married woman, was com- penfated by a triple augmentation of the muldl. A mar- ried woman, allowing indecent familiarities, or committing adultery with another man, might be divorced by her huf- band, and in that cafe lofl her dower. The perfon who forcibly violated the chaflity of a woman, was to pay a fine of twelve cows to the king, and the cuftomary fine to the lord ; and if the woman was a virgin, he was then to pay to her her parapharnalia, and the greateft dower that could be exacted by law, together with the muldl ufually paid for violated chaftity." If either a man or a woman were accufed of adultery, and denied the charge, the party accufed ' The feveial particulars, for which the author is indebted to the laws of Howel, are here inferted from the* text and Latin tranflation of that curious code publiftied by Dr. Wotton, folio, London. Ann. Don. 1730. The author fubjoins no references to the chapters or pages of that work; which is the only edition of the Welfh laws, becaufe the copious and accurate index annexed to it, will be a ready direction to the reader, who is defirous of enqui- ring more particularly into the fubjeift. might 19© JE VAF AN D J AG O. Book IV. might prove his innocence by the oaths of fifty perfons of the fame fex, who were neither flaves, captives, nor aliens. Perjury was puniflied by the payment of a muldl of three cows to the king. Whoever bailed a criminal, and did not produce him at the time of his legal appearance, was obnoxious to all the penalties to which the criminal himfelf was liable. The fole objedt of the law concerning the maiming of animals, was complete reflitutlon to the owner; no other penalty being annexed to it. ON the death of Howel Dha, the late fovereign of the united principalities of Wales, Jevaf and Jago, the fecond and third fons of Edwal Voel, fetting afide from the fuc- cefTion their elder brother Meyric, aflumed the government of North Wales," To revenge on the fons of Howel Dha the injuries which thefe princes had received from the father, they invaded South Wales with a powerful army, laying claim to its fovereignty as the eider branch of the Cyne- THiAN line; and though they met with a fpirited oppofition on the Carno mountains, they gained a complete vidory.^ ' Welfli Chron. p. 59, 60. * Ibid. The Book IV. JEVAFANDJAGO. 191 The year following, having renewed hoftilitles, the fame princes again invaded South Wales, and defolated by two fucceffive inroads the country of Dyvet. The fons of Ann. Dom. Howel Dha, then, colledling their utmoft force, laid wafte, ^^^' in their turn, the territory of North Wales as far as the river Conway. To check this invafion, the two princes Jevaf and Jago, oppofed them at Llanrwft in Denbighfhire j where, after an obftinate battle, in which many on each fide of confiderable rank were flain, fortune decided as before in their favour; and purfuing their enemies into South Wales, they deftroyed the country of Cardigan with fire and fword.' At length, the fons of Howel Dha, with a kind of retaliative juftice, were obliged to fubmit to the power of Jevaf and Jago ; and in confequence of this fuperiority, thefe princes remained for fome years the entire fovereigns of Wales/ Ann. Dom. Ambition and the love of power univerfally prevail, and in ^^^" the conqueft of barren mountains infpire an ardour, like that with which Alexander contended for the fovereignty of the world. During this ufurpation, and probably elated with the fuc- cefs of their arms, the kings of North Wales had negledted to pay the tribute which was due to the crown of England, agreeably to the impolitic inftitution of Roderic the Great, and the more recent, but no lefs imprudent regulation in , » Welfh Chron, p. 60, 61. » Ibid, the 192 J E V A F A N D J A G O. Book IV. the laws of Howel Dha. To prefervc fuch an ornament to his crown, and a badge of fubordination fo flattering to his pride, Edgar, the king of England, invaded North Wales, and as he marched through the country fpread around the Ann. Dom. ufual devaftations. At length, being acquainted with ^ '' the injuries both countries had received from the wolves, which then abounded in North Wales, and deflroyed Iheep and other cattle -, he remitted, with fome degree of liberality, the ancient tribute, and only exacted the yearly payment of the heads of three hundred of thofe animals/ This demand, fo fingular in its nature, was paid by the Welfli princes during three or four years ; after that time, the wolves being nearly extirpated, this country, agreeably to the liberal defign of Edgar, ought to have been releafed from the payment of any future tribute.'' Soon after this event, the Irifli made a defcent on the ifle of Anglefey, deflroyed the palace at AberfFraw, and flew Roderic the Ann. Dom. youngeft fon of Edwal Voel.= 966. The union, fo long fubfifting between the princes of North Wales in a joint adminifliration of twenty years, was at this period fatally difl"olved y an event foon followed » Scowe's Chron. p. 83. Printed at London, Ann. Dora. 16J4. Fabian's Chron. p. 249. b W. Malmlbury, p. 59. Fabian, p. 249. Stowe's Chron. p. 83. Wel/h Chron. p. 62. excepting only the number. ' Welfh Chron. p. 62. by Book IV. H O W E L. 193 by a feries of crimes, the confequences of a divided fovereignty, and of bofom friendfhip foured into deadly hate/ Soon after this difunion, by force of arms, Jago feifed the perfon of his brother Jevaf, and configned him to a tedious imprifonment ; and Eineon, the fon of Owen, prince of South Wales, availing himfelf of thefe domeflic feuds, annexed to his father's dominions the territory of Gwyr, in Glamorganfhire.' To add ftill more to the diflrefTes of the country, the Danes landed in Anglefey, and laid vvafte the diftridl about Penmon ; and foon after, Ann. Dom. in another enterprife, they gained for a time the poffeffion ^^^" of that ifland/ These commotions having fubfided, Howel, the fon of Jevaf the captive prince, raifed an army to deliver his father out of prifon, and to take vengeance on his uncle for the late outrage againfl natural affedlion and juftice. Under the mafk of filial piety, which, however, covered the mofl fatal ambition, Howel fucceeded in his enterprife, Ann. Dom. having defeated the forces of Jago, and obliged him to ' abandon his territories. He like wife took prifoner in the adlion, Meyric, his eldeft uncle, and to render him incapable of obftrudling his defigns he put out his eyes ; a fpecies ■■ Weim Chron. p. 62. = Ibid. f Ibid, Co of 194. H O W E L. Book IV. of barbarity common in that age ; and in this miferable condition fuffered him to languifli in prifon. Within a little time after his captivity this prince fortunately died, and left two fons Edwal and Jonafal. After thefe events, Howel, having proceeded fo far in the progrefs of ambition, and being too much enamoured of power to relinquifli it eafily, depofed his father, though he releafed him from the horrors of a tedious imprifonment." Under colour of revenging the injuries of his father, Howel, by adls of the deeped injuflice and cruelty, at Ann.Dom. length attained the fovereignty of North Wales." 973- It was an evil, peculiarly fatal to the independency of Wales, and produced by its civil diflentions, that the weaker party ufually fled for protedlion to the kings of England, and engaged in their interefts with all that energy, which arifes from a fenfe of injury, or is natural to men who have much to hope from the confulioii of 3 flate, or to fear from its juflice. Soon after the defeat of Jago, that prince retired into England, and eafily engaged Edgar to re-inftate him upon the throne ; who being defirous of fomenting the divifions of the Welfh, or of giving them a fovereign fubfervient to his will, immediately entered Wales with an army, and » WelSh Chron. p. 62, 63. >* Ibid. p. 64. advanced Book IV. H O W E L A N D J A G O. ' 195 advanced as far as Bangor. At that place, Howel, unable to oppofe fo great a force, was obliged to accede to the demand of the Englifli prince, of allowing an equal fliare in the fovereignty to his uncle Jago. In confequence of the afcendency which Edgar had gained, he founded a new church at Bangor, on the fouth fide of the cathedral, and dedicated it to the Virgin Mary ; and afluming a fovereign authority, he confirmed the ancient privileges of that See, and endowed it with lands and other gifts." He then obliged Jevaf and his nephew Howel to accompany him to Chefter ; where, agreeably to his direction, he was met by fix other princes ; who, all of them, with great folem- nlty did him homage, and took the cuflomary oaths of fealty as to their lord paramount. After this ceremony was finifhed, Edgar, attended by great numbers of the nobility, feated himfelf at the helm of his barge ; and as a farther mark of fubordination, commanded thefe eight independent princes to row him up the Dee, from his palace to the church of St. John the Baptifl ; whence he returned in the fame flate, after divine fervice was ended.'' This inflance of feudal arrogance, fo difgraceful to regal dignity, marked a faflidious fpirit in the Englifh king, and a degree of barbarifm flill remaining in the Saxon manners. ' Wynne's Hill. Wales, p. 59. '^ Selden's Mare Claufum, p. 1315. Brompton's Chron. p. 869. Math. Wellm. p. 287. C c 2 At 976. J96 HOWEL AND OWEN, Book IV. At this period, Dunwallon, the prince of Stradclwyd, intimidated by the cruel ravages of the Danes, or influenced by the pious fpirit of that age, retired to Rome, and en- gaged in a religious life:'' after his retreat, that fmall ftate was annexed to the principality of North Wales." Ann. Dom. EiNEON, the fon of Owen prince of South Wales, made a fecond inroad into the country of Gvvyr ; and having laid wafte that territory, returned home. This affront would have been feverely refented by Howel, the king of North Wales, if his arms at this time had not been diredled againft his uncle Jago, who was in open hoftilities againft him. With an army confifting of Englifli and Welfli, Howel purfued the friends of that prince to the extremity of Wales, and at length took him prifoner^ exhibiting an inflance of generofity very inconfillent with himfelf, by allowing his uncle Jago to enjoy, during life, his portion of territory." But fo capricious was this tyrant in his ideas of policy or in his feelings of humanity, that foon after this event, he caufed his uncle Edwal Vychan to be murdered, without any apparent caufe, except what arofe from the fuggeftions of jealoufy or from a confcioufnefs of guilt. This murder, inftead of giving tranquillity to Howel, produced frefh caufes of fear, and a new objed of terror fprung from the Hydra's head. " Humfrey Lhuyd, p. 69. Wellh Chron. p. 65. " Humfrey Lhuyd's Breviary, p. 32. ' Wynne's Hift. Wales, p. 60, Fired Book IV. HOWEL AND OWEN. 197 Fired with the deepeft refentment, and with the hopes of difpofTeffing him of the crown, Cyftenyn Dhu, or Con- flantine the Black, (the fon of Jago, who at this time was a prifoner to his nephew) colledled an army of Danes ; and, to revenge the injuries his family had received, invaded North Wales, and laid wafte the ifland of Anglefey. But, Ann. Dom. 979" Howel, who was not deficient in bravery though deftitute of other virtues, collected his forces, and gave the Danes a fignal defeat in a battle fought at Gwaith Hirbarth, in which young Conftantine his coufin was flain." The Danes, mortified with the difgrace their arms had received, renewed hoftilities ; and invading South Wales, defolated the lands of Dyfed, with the church of St. David's ; but having fought the celebrated battle of Llanwanoc, ^""- ^°^- 981. in which the Welih army was probably commanded by prince Eineon, they were forced to retire out of the country.'' The next year duke Alfred, with a large body of Englifh, invaded South Wales. After he had deftroyed the town of Brecknock, he was encountered by the united forces of the Welih, under the command of Howel, king of North Wales, and Eineon the fon of Owen, prince of South Wales : in this battle the Mercian prince was defeated, and the greater part of his army cut in pieces." » Welfti Chron. p. 65. " Wynne's Hift. Wales, p. 61. ' Wellh Chron. p. 66. This j^S HOWELANDOWEN. Book IV. This occafional jundlion of the Welfli princes, and the profperous exertion of their force, might have taught them the falutary efFedls produced by union, and the expediency of confolidating the national ftrength, inftead of weakening their feparate powers in civil dilTentions, or by ambitious defigns again ft each other. Ann, Dom, A COMMOTION having arifen among the inhabitants of ^ ^' Gwent, in Monmouthfliire, who were aiming at inde- pendency, Owen, the prince of South Wales, fent his fon Eineon to endeavour by perfuafion to reduce them to obe- dience; but that gallant youth found a raging multitude as little capable of reafon or pity as the ftormy ocean ; and regarding him as the heir to the crown, and con- fequently as the objed: of their fear and indignation, they fuddenly tore him in pieces. Thus periflied, by an ignoble fate, a young prince, whofe military talents and other virtues, had for fome time fupported the caufe of his country. He left two fons, Edwyn and Tewdwr Mawr, from whofe loins have defcended feveral of the princes of South Wales." During this tranfadlion, Howel, king of North Wales, availing himfelf of the leifure the late commotion had given him, increafed his army ; and the next year marched into England, to retaliate on that country the devaftations which » Wellh Chron. p. 66. this Book IV. C A D W A L H O N. 199 the incurfions of the Englifh had brought upon Wales. In this expedition he was flain/ fighting againfl: the enemies Ann. Dom. of his country with a gallantry of fpirit worthy the juftice of his caufe, but little fuited to the tenor of his life, which has marked him to pofterity as a favage and ruthlefs tyrant. A LITTLE before this period, terms of agreement were entered into by the legiflatures of England and Wales, for fecuring the peace of the borders, which might feem to put the two countries on an equal footing of independency." The late prince dying without ifTue, his brother Cad- walhon, the fecond fon of Jevaf, took upon him the fovereignty of North Wales, fetting afide the rightful fuc- ceffion of Edwal and Jonaval, the fons of Meyric his eldefl uncle. After this adl of injuftice, to fix himfelf more fecurely upon the throne, he determined on the deflrudlion of his coufins ; a pradlice very common with ufurpers, who, befides the ufual incitements of ambition, are urged to that barbarous policy by the principle of felf-prefervation. Jona- val, the eldeft of thefe princes, fell into his hands, and was privately murdered ; but Edwal had the good fortune to » Welfh-Chron. p. 66. >> Saxon laws publifhed by Wilkins, p. 125. from lord Lyttelton's life, Henry n. vol. II. p. 39. It appears that, during the reign of Howel Dha, this prince had difpofleffed Morgan Hen, the lord of Glamorgan, of certain diflriftb in that country, and that this difpute was tried by Edgar, king of England, in a full court of the prelates and nobility both of England and Wales, when the lands in difpute were adjudged to Morgan Hen, and his heirs. Spelman's Concilia, p. 414. make 200 M E R E D I t H. Book IV. make his efcape, and to fee deferved chaftifement fall on the heads of thofe, whofe injuftice and cruelty had brought fuch calamities on his family. For Cadwalhon had only been in poffeflion of the government one year, and his hands were fcarcely cold from the blood of his kinfman, Ann. Dom. when Meredith, the fon of Owen, prince of South Wales, ^ ^' invaded his dominions, and flew that ufurper with his brother Meyric." In confequence of his victory, Meredith, who ruled in Powis by right of his mother, took pofTeflion of the king- dom of North Wales." But the Danes invading Anglefey Ann. Dom. fome time after this event, and having taken Lhywarch 986. his brother prifoner, with two thoufand of his men, they with great cruelty put out his eyes. Meredith, fhocked at this difafter, and terrified by the fate of his brother, fled into his own country, leaving his new fubjedls expofed to the ravages of the Danes : and, to heighten their calamities, without a fovereign or probably without any regular police, a difl:emper fell on their cattle, which raged with fo much fury, as to leave very few remaining in the country.' Ann. Dom. At this time, Jevaf, the fon of Edwal Voel died, cloflng ^ ^' the evening of his days in peace and retirement, after he » Welfh Chron. p. 67. * Britifh Antiq. Revived by Vaughan of Hengwrt, p. 5, 14. ' Wynne's Hift. Wales, p. 65. had Book IV. M E R E D I T H. 201 had fpent the greater part of his life in adlion, and amidft the ftorms of ambition/ This event was foon followed by the death of Owen, the fon of Hoel Dha, and prince of South Wales." Upon his deceafe, Meredith his youngefl fon, difregarding the rights of his two nephews the fons of Eineon his elder brother, aflumed the reins of government ; agreeably to the licentious fpirit of the times, and the irregular courfe of fucceffion." In the beginning of his reign, the Danes invaded South Wales, laid walle the country, and deftroyed, with a marked animofity, the churches of St. David's, Llan- badarn, and other religious places. Unable to check their devaftations, Meredith agreed to pay them, on condition Ann. Dom. of their leaving the country, one penny for every perfon within his dominions." But this tribute,^ fo delufive and difhonourable, and fo miferable a fubftitute for valour and exertion, was never paid, it may be recorded to their honour, by any of the princes of North Wales. Soon after this event, Edwyn, the nephew of Meredith, and eldeft fon of Eineon the right heir to the principality of South Wales, having engaged in his intereft the Saxons and Danes, over- ran that country with a great army, and obliged the prin- cipal lords to acknowledge his fovereignty, and to give him » Welfh Chron. p. 70. » Ibid. ' Ibid. * Welfti Chron. p. 71. ' It was called Glwmaen the tribute of the black army, D d hoflages 202 E D W A L. Book IV. Ann. Dom. hoflagcs for their future fidelity. To retaliate upon Edwyn ^^°' this invafion, Meredith laid wafte the lands fubjedl to the authority of his rival ; but on a fudden, when the flames of civil war had defolated the country and had produced a Ann. Dom. famine, an accommodation took place. The death of the only fon of Meredith, which happened foon after, cemented more clofely the union of thefe princes/ 59'- During this conteft. North Wales had been left without a fovereign, expofed to the ravages of every invader ; and in confequence the Danes landed again in Anglefey, and laid wafte the whole ifland. On this emergency, but not on the defertion of Meredith, a caprice only to be accounted for Ann. Dom. from the Angular levity of the times, the people placed Edwal, the fon ofMeyric, the right heir, in the fovereign ty of North Wales j the lineal fucceffion having been fet afide by the late ufurpations.^ On the acceffion of this prince, he began to regulate the affairs of his kingdom, and to place his fubjedls in fuch a pofture of defence, as might fecure them from the incurfions of the Danes, or of other invaders ; and he foon experienced the falutary eftedts of fuch a wife and fpirited conduct.'' For, Meredith, unwilling that his new dominions fhould be fo eafily torn from him, invaded North Wales with a f Welfti. Chron, p. 71. £ Ibid. *> Ibid. p. 72. powerful Book IV. LLEWELYN AP SEISYLLT. 203 powerful army ; and having advanced as far as Llangwm, in Denbighfhire, he vi^as there met by Edwal, and entirely defeated ; lofing in the adlion his nephew Tewdwr Mawr, the younger fon of the late prince Eineon.' The profperity of Edwal was of fhort duration. He had fcarcely returned home, elated with fuccefs, and exulting in the hope of enjoying his dominions in peace, when Swane, a Danish chieftain, landed in North Wales. Edwal, difdainino- to purchafe an uncertain tranquillity at the expence of his honour, determined to expel the Danes by force of arms, or to perifli in the enterprife. In this gallant attempt he Ann. Dora. was flain, leaving an only fon called Jago." ^^^" Soon after this event, the Danes ravaged again the city of Ann. Dom St David's, flew the bifhop of that diocefe, and meeting with no refinance, laid wafte with fire and fword the adjacent territory. Meredith, unable to give a check to their ravages, and perhaps afliamed of his late timid and un- availing policy, funk under the calamities of his country, and died of grief j leaving only a daughter named Angharad, married to Llewelyn ap Seifyllt, and after his death to Cynfyn Hirdref. By each of thefe hufbands Ihe had children, whofe different claims occafioned great civil commotions in Wales.' Llewelyn ap Seifyllt, by right of his wife, fucceeded to the principality of South Wales."" ' Welfh Chron, p. 72. '' Ibid. p. 73. ' Ibid. " Ibid. p. 83. D d 2 This 204 LLEWELYN APSEISYLLT. Book IV. This part of the hiflory of Wales is only a recital of reciprocal inroads and injuries, a feries of obje6ts unvaried and of little importance, which pafs the eye in a fucceffion of cold delineations, like the evanefcent figures produced by the camera obfcura. The charadlers and events are not brought diftindly into view, nor fufficiently explained, to enable the hiftorian to judge of their proportions, their beauty, or defedls ; whence he can neither develope the principles of aftion, nor trace the connexion of caufes with efFefts, by leading incidents, or the general fprings which diredl human affairs. In purfuing this detail, there is therefore danger left the reader, whofe eye has been accuftomed to more brilliant fcenes, fhould turn away in difguft from a field, fo fterile in itfelf, and which yields fo little to the arts of cultivation. J AGO, the fon of Edwal, being fet afide in the fuccfiion on account of his tender years, feveral competitors arofe j and in confequence North Wales exhibited for many years a fcene of the utmoft confufion. The moft eminent of thefe rivals were Cynan, the fon of Howel, defceneded from the royal line, and a chieftain of the name of iEdan ap Blegored, who founded his pretenfions to the crown folely on his ambition and valour. Two rival chiefs, of warlike and ir?fcible manners, are feldom difpofed to adjuft their claims by the flow procedures of negotiation or policy, but refer them to the more prompt decifion of the fword, the chief Book IV. LLEWELYN APSEISYLLT. 205 chief arbitrator of rights in thefe turbulent ages. In a battle which immediately enfued Cynan was flain, and in Ann. Dom. confequence ./^dan ap Blegored was proclaimed fovereign of North Wales. Having aflumed the government, no remarkable incident happened for twelve years, till the prince of South Wales invading i^dan's dominions, difpoflefled him of his royalty and life. His four fons were alfo flain in the battle which Llewelyn fought with the ufurper." In confequence of his vidtory, Llewelyn ap Seifyllt dif- regarding the rights of Jago, the fon of Edwal, took upon him the government of North Wales ; annexing that dig- Ann. Dom. nity to the two other principalities. This prince, maternally dcfcended from the royal blood of Wales, had fome colourable pretence for his ambition ; his mother Trawft being the daughter of Elife, the fecond fon Anarawd, who was the eldefl fon of Roderic the Great." The wife adminiftration of Llewelyn foon produced national profperity. To exprefs the felicity of his reign, contrafted with the preceding times, we are told *' the " earth brought forth double, the people profpered in all " Welfli Chron. p. 74. • Brit. Ant. Reviv. by Vanghan of Hengwrt, p. 14. Wynne's Hift. Wales, p. 79. their 2o6 LLEWELYN AP SEISYLLT. Book IV. " their affairs, and multiplied wonderfully ; the cattle in- ♦' creafed in great numbers ; fo that there was not a poor " man in Wales, from the fouth to the north fea; but every " man had plenty, every houfe a dweller, and every town "inhabitants."" The flight touches which hiftory has given of the charader of Llewelyn, prefent him in an ami- able point of view. His talents for war and command, his love of order and of juftice, which had enabled him fo early to diffufe happinefs among his fubjeds, ought to have rendered him the objeft of their warmeft affedlions. But fo little civilized, fo turbulent were the Welfh, delighting more in war than in the habits of cultivated life, that they treated with coldnefs and ingratitude a fovereign, whofe cjualities, in a milder period, would have rendered him the objeft of veneration. Ann. Dom. The firft appearance of difafFe<5lion broke out in the rebel- ^' lion of Meyric, a chieftain of eminence, but was eafily checked by Llewelyn, who flew the traitor with his own hands, and defeated his forces. '' So alienated from their loyalty were the people of South Wales, that they engaged a Scotfman of mean birth to be the inftrument of their defign, impofing him on the world as the fon of their late prince Meredith ; and the nobility immediately proclaimed him their foverign by the name of Rhun.' The annals of Ann. Dom. I020. P Wellh Chron. p. 84. 1 Welfh Chron. p. 85. ' Ibid. thefc Book IV. LLEWELYN AP SEISYLLT. 207 thefe times do not explain the motives of this extraordinary procedure, nor are we able from fuch a chaos to throw any light upon the caufes of the revolt j except from the refent- ment his fubjed:s there might feel, becaufe Llewelyn, having been many years their fovereign, had for fome time taken up his refidence in North Wales. As foon as that prince had intelligence of the rebellion, he colledled his forces, and inflantly marched into South Wales, to check the evil at the fourcej and having advanced to Abergwjli in Caer- marthenfliire, he there found the whole power of the coun- try, waiting his approach, under the command of the impoftor. Juft as both armies were going to engage, Rhun encouraged his foldiers by a confident affurance of viflory ; after which he privately retired out of the battle. While Llewelyn, boldly confronting the danger, at the head of his troops led them into the charge, calling aloud upon the impoftor, whofc cowardice fo little juftified the cha- rafter he had affumed. This battle was bloody, and dif- puted on each fide with great fpirit ; for ftrange as it may appear, the rebels fought, with a determined bravery, for a defpicable coward and an idol of their own raifing ; while the other fide were fcarcely animated in the caufe of their fovereign, a native of their country, and of fuch incom- parable merit. At length, the troops of Llewelyn, fired with the extraordinary valour of their prince, and afliamed to be defeated by men over whom they had been often viftorious, made a vigorous effort, which put the enemy to 2o8 LLEWELYN AP SEISYLLT. Book IV. to flight, and purfuing Rhun, notwithftanding the addrefs he had made ufe of to fave his life, he was overtaken and flain. Having thus happily ended the rebellion, Llewelyn returned into North Wales loaded with valuable fpoils.' The fmall remainder of his days this prince pafled in tranquillity; but his great and amiable qualities could not exempt him from the deftiny which ufually attended the Ann. Dom. princes of Wales. For Howel and Meredith, the fons of Ed- io2«- wyn ap Eineon ap Owen' ap Howel Dha, whofe family for fome years had been fet afide in the fucceflion of South Wales, engaged in a confpiracy againft Llewelyn ; and either by their emiflaries, or with their own hands, aflafTinated this prince. He left only one fon of the name of Gryffryth." This prince built the caflle of Rhuddlan, in which palace he ufually refided j and which afterwards continued to be the royal refidence during the life of his fon." The principle of evil which eventually deftroyed the Britifli empire, ftill remained in the political conflitution and national charadler of the Welfli, preying, like a worm at the root, on the vital powers of the Hate, and by uniform » Welfh Chion. p. 85, 86. ' The word ap which fo fiequently occurs in Welfh names, fignifies a_/o». " Welfh Chron. p. 85, 86. w Dr. Powel's Notes on Giraldus Cambrenfis Itiner. Cambrie, Cap. X. p. 213. Cambden's Brit. p. 687. ' and Book IV. J AGO AND RHYTHERCH. 209 and flow degrees working its decline and dflblution. Be- iides other caufes of national decay, there was one, which, though a ftriking defedl in their anceflors, was not inherent in their own government or manners ; and that was, except in a iingle inflance, a total inattention to their naval power, although its utility was apparent from their maritime fitua- tion, and the late example of Alfred. That a prince, like Llewelyn, of ability and vigour, and not wanting inattention to the common weal, fliould have negledled fuch an obvious mode of defence, is a proof that either his genius or refources were limited. The odium naturally excited by the murder of Llewelyn ap Seifyllt, precluded Howel and Meredith from any chance of attaining to the fovereignty of North Wales ; and afforded Jago the fon of Edwal ap Meiric, whofe title had funk under the popularity or vigour of the late prince, a favour- able opportunity of taking pofTeffion of the crown j from Ann. Dom. which his family, lineally defcended from Roderic, had long been unjuftly excluded.* At the fame time, Rhytherch, the fon Jeftyn, by force of arms had affumed the government of South Wales. The two brothers Howel and Meredith, difappointed in their views upon one principality, and excluded their rightful " Welfti Chron. p. 87, 88. E e fuccefTion 2IO GRYFFYDH AP LLEWELYN. Book IV. fucceflion in the other, were forced, through mere inability, to remain for fome years in quiet j but having engaged in their fervice a body of Irifli Scots, they defeated and flew the ufurper ^ and in their joint names took upon them the Ann. Dom. government of South Wales. Immediately on their father's death, the fons of Rhytherch colledled their forces j but after a fevere battle fought at Hyarthwy, with the princes of South Wales, they were defeated and put to flight.*^ Thefe vidlories might have fecured to Howel and Meredith, the pofTeflion of their dominions, if the fpirit of revenge, kept alive in that age by every incitement which can in- fluence the paflions, had not retaliated on thefe princes the murder of Llewelyn ; for the nephews of that prince en- Ann. Dom. gaged in a confpiracy againft them, afl!afllnated Meredith,^ and forced the other brother into exile. ^ The feelings of humanity are wounded at the recital of fuch horrid bar- barities, and we haflien with pleafure to a period, when the virtue of a few individuals influenced the tide of afi^airs, and turned them from the loweft ebb of weaknefs and mifery, to a flow of national profperity. By this time, Gryffydh the fon of Llewelyn ap Seifyllt, had attained to the age of manhood } and, already weary of wafting his adlive fpirit in the fhade of retirement, he re- > Welfli Chron. p. 87, 88. » Ibid. p. 88. " Wynne's Hift. Wales, p. 85. folved Book IV. GRYFFYDH AP LLEWELYN. 211 folved to employ it in the glorious attempt of recovering his father's throne. As foon as the refolution was known, his youth and adlivity, the popular memory of his father, with the pleafing and flattering profpe<5l of novelty, united the public voice in his favour. But Jago, the reigning prince, not of a fpirit to relinquifli eafily the charms of royalty and his indubitable right, colledling all the force he was able, attempted with great courage to oppofe the popular current ; his army, however, was defeated, and he himfelf flain in the aftion, leaving an only fon named Ann. Dom. r- I. " '°37- Cynan. Gryffydh ap Llewelyn, was fcarcely feated on the throne, when the united forces of the Engliih and Danes entered Wales, and the young prince met them at Crosford upon the Severn ; where, having given them an entire defeat, he forced them to fly into their own country." Elated with fuccefs, he proceeded thence into South Wales, and marching through that principality, received the fub- miflion of the inhabitants, having, a fecond time, driven Howel, the furviving brother, out of his dominions. But that prince, retiring to Edwyn, the brother of Leofric duke of Mercia, raifed by his means an army of Englifh and Danes, with which he marched into Wales againlt Gryflydh. Fortune, however, continuing favourable, that '" Wellh Chron. p. 89. = Ibid. 90. E e 2 prince 112 GRYFFYDH AP LLEWELYN. Book IV. prince overthrew the foreigners, flew Edwyn, and again forced Howel to a precipitate flight/ Soon after this vidlory, Gryfiydh returned into North Wales.' Ann. Dom. The prince of South Wales, having reinforced his army, '°^^' made another attempt to recover his dominions; and too fanguine of fuccefs, he brought his wife into the field, to fliare in the triumphs of a vidlory he was in full expedation of obtaining/ As foon as Gryfiydh received intelligence • of this event, he marched with great celerity into South Wales ; and meeting Howel at Pencadair in Caermarthen- fliire, he there gave him battle, and entirely defeated his army. The unhappy prince efcaped with difficulty ; and, to render his fate more deplorable, his wife was taken prifoner, and fell into the hands of his rival ; who, on feeing that princefs, was fo firuck with her beauty, that he detained her as his concubine.^ In times lefs favage than thefe, fuch an adlion, meafured by civilized ideas of heroifm, incapable of offering violence to weaknefs, or of infulting the feelings of a vanquifhed enemy, would have been received with general abhorrence. But it does not appear, that Gryffydh loft any reputation with his fubjedls ; the Welfh (as Lord Lyttelton exprefl!es it) regarding whatever was taken in war, even the wives of the vanquiflied, as the lawful property of the conqueror. So great is the force of habit on the * Welfh Chron. p. 91. ' Ibid, f Ibid. 5 Ibid. human Book IV. GRYFFYDH AP LLEWELYN. 213 human mind, to counterad: the firft and the nobleft prin- ciples of nature and religion. The prince of South Wales, flung with the keen refent- ment which fuch injuries would naturally excite, having raifed an army of Englifli and Danes, came the third time Ann. Dom. into South Wales, in hopes of revenging the late infult '°'^'' upon his honour, and by another brave effort to recover his wife and his crown. He had not been there long before a large body of foreigners landed in the country, who, fpreading themfelves abroad, committed great depradations. Howel, though defirous of referving his ftrength for the main contefl with the king of North Wales, could not be indifferent to their ravages ; but with much gallantry of fpirit, and an honefl defire of conciliating the affeftions of the Welfli, he fuddenly attacked the foreigners, and forced them with great lofs to retire to their fhips. h In the courfe of thefe events the attention of Gryffydh ap Llewelyn had been engaged in an affair of fome import- ance. For Cynan, the fon of Jago ap Edwal, who on his father's death had fled into Ireland for fafety, having en- gaged in his interefl the king of Dublin, whofe daughter he had married, landed in North Wales; and either by a flratagem of his own, or by other means, contrived to take ^ Welfh Chron. p. gz. Gryffydh 214 GRYFFYDH AP LLEWELYN. Book IV. GryfFydh prifoner. But the Welfli, being inftantly apprifed of the difafter, and anxious for the fafety of their prince, fuddenly overtook the Irifli, recovered him out of their hands, and purfuing them with great flaughter to their {hips, obliged them to return into Ireland.' At length, Howel, the prince of South Wales, by the affiftance of the Danes, and of thofe friends who flill ad- hered to his fortunes, ralfed fuch a force as might enable him to make head againlt GryfFydh j of which as foon as that prince had intelligence, that his own country might not be the feat of war, he inftantly marched into South Ann. Dom. Wales ; and defeating the forces of his rival, purfued them ^°'^^' to the fource of the Towy, a river in Caermarthenfliire; where, another adion more bloody than the former enfued ; in which Howel was flain, and the greater part of his army cut in pieces." Thus was the full meafure of vengeance poured on the heads of Howel and his family, for the murder they had lately committed on Llewelyn ap Seifyllt. Immediately on the death of Howel, new competitors arofe to difpute with GryfFydh the fovereignty of South Wales. Thefe were the fons of Rhytherch ap Jeftyn, who afFerted their right to the principality, becaufe their father for a little time had enjoyed the government. GryfFydh * Welllx Chron, p. 93. "^ Ibid. p. 92. oppofed Book IV. GRYFFYDH AP LLEWELYN. 215 oppofed their pretentions with his ufual adlivity and vigour, but not with the fame decifive good fortune ; for after a bloody and obftinate engagement which lafted till night, both armies, equally fatigued and unwilling to renew the combat, returned to their refpedtive countries in order to colledl reinforcements.' After this event, excepting a flight infurredlion which was eafily repelled, the two ftates en- joyed for a time under the dominion of Gryffydh, from caufes not accounted for in the Welfh Annals, a feafon of unaccuftomed tranquillity. Very probably, it was during this interval of peace, that Gryffydh eftablifhed fome kind of a navy ; by pro- curing (according to Lord Lyttelton) a few fhips of war from fome foreign country, which were manned by foreign failors. We are unacquainted with the motives which induced him to an undertaking fo novel to the Welfh, though probably it arofe from the obvious defign of fecuring from ravages the maritime parts of his dominions, and of importing corn and other provifion from foreign markets. At this time, Cynan the fon of Jago ap Edwal, having Ann. D remained quiet in Ireland, fmce his late fruitlefs attempt, coUeded a body of troops among his Irifh adlierents, with a om, loco. ' Wellh Chron. p. 92. view 2i6 GRYFFYDH AP LLEWELYN. Book IV. view to recover, if poffible, his inheritance ; but approach- in'T the coafl of North Wales, there fuddenly arofe a violent ftorm, which difperfed or deftroyed his fleet, in fuch a manner as to render the expedition ineffedtual."" This interval of peace little fuited the warlike fpirit of GryfFydh, who at this time made an inroad into the marches about Hereford, and was oppofed by the Englifh, and the Norman garrifon of that caftle ; but the Welfh prince ob- Ann, Dom, tained the vidtory, and returned home loaded with the fpoils of the country." 1052. Rhys, the brother of Gryffydh the king of Wales, a man of a bold and enterprifing fpirit, having comirfitted frequent depredations on the Engliili marches, had become, on that account, the objedl of particular refentment. Being defeated and taken prifoner in an incurfion he had made on the borders, he was put to death at Bulundune, by the comrrand of king Edward the Confelfor, (who in this in- Ann. Dom. ftance aflumed a fovereign authority) and his head was fent ^ " to that prince, who then kept his court at Gloucefter." Gryffyth, the fon of Rytherch ap Jeftyn, having recovered from the blow which he had formerly received, at this time raifed an army, to endeavour once again to wreft "' Welfh Chron. p. 94. ■> Stowe, p. 96. Roger Hovedon, p. 44»z. " Sincon Dunelme fub. Ann. 1053. Stowe's Chron. p. 97. Math. Weftm. p. 323. Hiftor. Angl. the om. 1054. Book IV. GRYFFYDH AP LLEWELYN. 217 the principality of South Wales from Gryffyth, the king of North Wales ; but the aftivity of this prince defeated his ^n"- D defign ; for he inftantly marched againft him, and eafily routed his forces, and his competitor was flain in the action. ^ An incident which happened foon after enabled Gryffydh to revenge, effediually, his brother's death, and the infult offered to the independency of his crown. Algar, earl of Chefter, having been baniflied from Eng- land by Edward the Confeffor on flight fufpicion, or on no grounds of offence, retired into Ireland ; where engaging in his fervice eighteen vefl^els, he landed in North Wales, and put himfelf under the protedion of Gryffydh. Thefe two leaders, adting in conjundlion with each other, ravaged the borders of England ; and actuated with the fame fpirit of vengeance, proceeded into Herefordfhire, and laid wafle Ann. Dom. ICC that fertile country with fire and fword. To oppofe this dangerous inroad, Ranulph, earl of Hereford, raifed an army compofed of Englifli and a body of Norman troops ; with this force he met the confederates advancing within two miles of Hereford, and offered them battle. Gryffydh, accepted the challenge, with all that confidence which long fuccefs naturally infpires. The earl had ordered the Englifh to fight on horfeback, contrary to the cuflom of their nation ; but being ready to begin the onfet, that nobleman, and P Welfti Chrcn. p. 98. F f ' the 2i8 GRYFFYDH AP LLEWELYN. Book IV. the Norman troops which he himfelf commanded, inftantly fled ; daunted, perhaps, by the appearance of the Welfli, or not able to iland the fhock of their furious charge. The Englifli foon followed the example of their leader ; and the Welfh, purfuing them with great flaughter (four or five hundred being flain) entered into Hereford, burned the minfler, and flew feven of the canons who rafhly attempted to defend it : they then levelled the walls, fet the city on fire, and putting to death many perfons of note, and carrying others into captivity, returned home, loaded with much valuable fpoil.'' The pacific fpirit of Edward was roufed by this for- midable invafion, and he commanded Harold, the fon of earl Godwin, inftantly to colledl forces from every part of the kingdom, which were to afTemble at Gloucefter. At the head of this army that general marched into North Wales, and advancing through the vale of Clwyd,' without any refiftance, as far as the Snowdun mountains,' he lay there encamped, expefting the approach of the enemy. At this juncture, unable to oppofe the Englifli forces, Gryffydh, and the earl of Chefter, retired into South Wales. As foon as Harold was informed of their retreat, he returned back to Hereford, leaving however the greater part of his army to keep the country in awe. He rebuilt the walls of that 1 Saxon Chron. p. 169. Roger Hovedon, p. 443, 444. Simon Dunelme, p. 188. Math, Wellm. p. 324. ' Ibid, ' Ibid. city. Book IV. GRYFFYDH AP LLEWELYN. 219 city, and added new fortifications to that frontier port; ; during which time he entered into a negotiation with Gryffydh, and at length concluded a peace not much to the honour of England ; as Algar was indulged with a par- don, and the full enjoyment of his earldom, and no com- penfation appears to have been made for the ravages, or the expence of the war.' As foon as the peace was concluded, that nobleman returned with his fleet to Chefter, where the mariners and foldiers remained till they had received their pay." Algar immediately repaired to the court of Edward, and obtained from that prince the confirmation of his pardon, and dignity." It is not eafy to account for the condudt of Harold, in retreating fo fuddcnly out of Wales, after having penetrated fo far into the country, and in concluding fo difhonourable a peace with the Welfh, over whom his arms had gained an unufual advantage. The late eafy vidlory obtained over the heavy armed troops of the Engliih and Normans, added to the ufual incitements of plunder and national hatred, induced Gryf- fydh ap Llewelyn, in open violation of the peace, to make another inroad into Herefordfliire ; in which the bifliop of that diocefe,'' was flain at Glaftonbury, as well as the ' Roger Hovedon, p. 443, 444. Simon Dunelme, p. 188. Math. Weftm. p. 324. " Simon Dunelme, p. 188. Holinfliead's Englifh Hift. p. 192. " Roger Hovedon, p. 443, 444. Simon Dunelme, p. 188. Math. Weftm. p. 324. y Math. Weftm. p. 325. Roger Hovedon, p, 144. F f 2 vifcompte. 220 GRYFFYDH AP LLEWELYN. Book IV. vlfcompte, or fherifF of the county, and many of the Eng- lifla alfo, both laymen and ecclefiaflics.^ Notwithstanding the late outrge, through the media- tion of Harold, and Leofrick, earl of Mercia, the peace was renewed between the two nations.' A PERSON in the fituation of Algar, the earl of Chefter, muft hold the favour of his prince by a very precarious tenure, as the clemency of fovereigns is ufually of uncertain duration when extorted by force or expediency. Lying again under the fufpicion of treafon, by the machinations, Ann. Dom. it is probable, of his enemies, he was a fecond time banifhed '°^ ■ the realm, and fought an afylum in the dominions of Gryffydh ; by whofe aid, and the affiftance of a fleet from Norway, which accidentally arrived upon the coafl, he was Ann. Dom. once more reinftated in his earldom." Edward, juftly in- ^°^^' cenfed at the late barbarities and violation of good faith, and dreading, no doubt, the confequence if Wales fhould become the refuge of his malccontent fubjedls, determined to employ the whole force of his kingdom in the conqueft of that country. He trufted the execution of this im- portant delign to Harold, the moft eminent man in his court * Simon Dunclme, p. i8S. » Simori Dunelme, p. 189. Roger Hovedon, p. 444. "> Ibid. for Book IV. GRYFFYDH AP LLEWELYN. 221 for valour and abilities.' This general, having raifed a very confiderable army, marched with fuch celerity and condudl into North Wales, that he had nearly furprifed GryfFydh in his palace at Rhudd-lan ; and the Welfh prince, juft apprifed of his danger a moment before the Englifli pre- fented themfelves at the gates, as the only means of fafety, threw himfelf, with fome of his attendants, into one of his fhips, at that time ready in the harbour, which inflantly fet fail, and by that means fortunately made his efcape." The loofe annals of thefe times do not inform us to what country he retired in his diflrefs. Harold, mortified that the Welfli king fhould efcape fo unexpedtedly out of his hands, in refentment burned his palace, and fet on fire all the fhips of war and the other vefiTels remaining in the harbour of Rhudd-lan." After this event he returned to Briftol, and having fitted out a fleet, on a new plan of decifive operation, he failed round all the coaft of Wales j*^ preventing by this means, it is probable, the importation of corn and other provifions. In the mean time, a ilrong body of horfe under the command of earl Tofti, the brother of Harold, marched, by the previous command of the Englifli king, into North « Simon Dunelmc, p. 192. Roger Hovedon, p. 446. IViath. Weft. p. 329. Stowe's Chron. p. 105. " Welfh Chron. p. iii. 1" Math. Paris, p. 7. Stowe's Chron. p. 105. ^ Welfh Annals, p. iii, might Book IV. BLEDDYN AP CYNVYN. might have tranfmitted his name with credit to pofterity, if , he had not betrayed the liberties of his country, and yielded up its honour, by deigning to receive his crown from the hands of its hereditary enemy, and by confenting to hold its authority as a tributary' of the Engliih princes. ' Hiiloria Ingulphi, p. 68. Hovedon, p. 4/^6. 233 Hh HISTORY HISTORY OF WALES. BOOK V. FROM THE DEATH OF BLEDDYN AP CVNVYN TO THE DEATH OF GRYFFYDH AP CYNAN. ALTHOUGH the late prince Bleddyn ap Cynvyn had left many children, Trahaern ap Caradoc, his coufin, by the confent of the people, was raifed to the throne of North Wales. Befides being himfelf a chieftain of Ann. Dom. eminence, he had fome colourable pretence to that honour, '' having married Neft, the daughter of Llewelyn ap Seifyllt.* Amidst other caufes of evil arifing to the Welfh from their indiftind: ideas of government," the little atten- ^ Wynne's Hift. Wales, p. 95, 105. '■ It maybe proper here to remark, that though the lineal fucceflion was fre- quently interrupted, yet the Wellh always paid a regard to the fame blood royal, except in the inftance of .^dan ap Blegcred. H h 2 tion 236 TRAHAERN AP CARADOCK, Book V. tlon they paid to hereditary fucceflion was a fource of infinite mifery ; the jarring claims of different competitors kept the ftate in a continual ferment, gave a deeper ferocity to the minds of the people, and weakened their power to refifb a fagacious and enterprifing enemy. Soon after the acceffion of Trahaern to the throne of North Wales, Gryffydh ap Cynan, the fon of Jago ap Edwal, thought this a favourable opportunity of afferting his ri^ht to the crown, from which he had been unjuftly excluded by the late ufurpations. This prince, during the late reigns, had fought refuge in Ireland ; and having procured aid from fome Irifli princes, his kinfmen (his mother being of that country) he landed a body of troops in Anglefey, and foon reduced that ifland to his obedience.' Encouraged, by his early fuccefs, and the fupport of fome powerful chieftains,'' Gryffydh immediately paffed the Menai, and encamped his army in Caernarvonfhire ; intend- ing by degtees to penetrate farther into the country ; but Trahaern, alarmed at this unexped:ed invafion, haftily raifed what force he was able, and march to attack his rival upon Bron-yr-Erw, whom he defeated and obliged to retire into Anglefey." ' Welrti Chron. p. 112. ■^ Vita. Griff, fil. Conani, a manufcript life of that prince, written in the Welih language, as is fuppofed, near the time in which he lived. ' Wellh Chron. p. 113. At BookV. RHYS AND RHYTHERCH. 237 At this time, Rhys, the fon of Owen, and Rhytherch, the fon of Caradoc, were joint fovereigns in South Wales. The tranquillity of their reign was early difturbed by an infurredlion raifed by Gronw and Llewelyn, the fons of Cadwgan' ap Bleddyn^ ap Cynvyn ; to revenge the murder committed on the late prince their grandfither. In this enterprife they were joined by Caradoc, the fon of Gryffydh ap Rhytherch.*" Though a vidlory was foon after gained at Camdhwr by the three chiefs, it apparently produced no effed:, as Rhys remained the fole fovereign of South Wales, on the murder of Rhytherch his colleague. This event was followed by another enterprife undertaken by the fons of Cadwgan ; and though thefe princes obtained a fecond vidtory at Gwaynyttyd, it does not appear that this fuccefs produced any thing decifive in their favour, as Rhys conti- Ann. Dom. nued for fome time to enjoy his government.' The king of North Wales having forced Gryffydh ap Cynan to fly into Anglefey, and regarding the diftradled ftate of South Wales as favourable to his defigns of conqueft, invaded that country. Rhys, fupported. by all the power of his fubjedls, marched to oppofe the invader. A very fierce adlion enfued at Pwlhgwttic, in which the army of South Wales was defeated j and that prince, to avoid being taken prifoner, was forced to fly from one place to another ; ^ Strength of the aimy. ? Image of a wolf. •^ Welfli Chron. p. 112. ' Ibid. p. 113. till 1074. 238 T R A H A E R N, . Book V. till at length, falling into the hands of Caradoc ap Gryffydh, he and his brother Howel, were murdered in revenge of the death of Bleddyn ap Cynvyn." Even in thefe miferable times, when private refentment fuperfeded the fober decifion of the laws, the fword of juftice, though ufurped, feldom fuffered the guilty to efcapc j as a keen fenfe of injury, and, what was deemed a facred obligation, revenging the wrongs of their anceftors, were principles elTential in hereditary feuds, and likewife deeply engrafted in the man- ners of the Welfla. In this fituation of affairs, Rhys ap Tewdwr, lineally defcended from Howel Dha, whofe family had been long excluded from their rights by the capricious fucceffion of Ann.Doni. the times, put in his claim to the crown, and was eledled prince of South Wales by the unanimous voice of the people.' During thefe tranfadlions, Gryffydh ap Cynan had received a reinforcement out of Ireland. A fimilarity in fituation, having inclined this prince and Rhys ap Tewdwr I' Welfli Chron. p. 113. ' According to Vaughan of Hengwrt, the immediate territories of this prince were only the prefent counties of Caerdigan and Caermarthen ; as Pembroke, Brecknock, Gwent, or Monmouthfhire, and Glewifing or Hereford/hire, being governed by their feveral Reguli ; though, there is no doubt, but all thefe acknowledged tlie fovereign .authority of South Wales. Brilifli Ant. Revived, p. 7, 8. Welfli Chron. p. 114. to BookV. GRYFFYDH and RHYS. 239 to form an alliance, they joined their forces ; refolving by every effort in their power to fupport each other, and to vindicate the rightful fucceflion. To oppofe an union fo dangerous to his fafety, Trahaern ap Caradoc aflembled his forces, and met the two princes upon the mountain of Carnoj" where an engagement enfued, difputed with the obflinacy and valour natural to rivals who had every thing to hope and to fear. In this adlion Trahaern was flain, and his army entirely defeated." This victory feated GryfFydh ap Cynan, and Rhys ap Tewdwr upon the thrones Ann. Dom. of their anceftors." After this event, the king of North '°'^" Wales entered Powis, and laid wafte that territory with fire and fword."" Thus, by a fudden turn of fortune, meeting, we fuppofe, the wifhes of the people, was the lineal fucceffion reflored ; which as long as it continued, was a means of foftening the afperity of the times, and of increafing the national ftrength. The profperity of the king of North Wales was foon embittered by a fudden and deep reverfe of fortune. On his return into his own dominions, a Welfliman of the name ™ Called Mynydd Cam, on account of a large Carnedd upon it, covering the remains of a great warrior, who had in ancient times been flain and hurried there. n Vita. fil. GryfF. Conani. Welfli Chron. p. 114. o Ibid. » Brit, Ant. Revived by Vaughan of Hengwrt, p. 16. Vita. fil. Grift. Conani. of 240 GRYFFYDH AND RHYS. Book V. of Meirion Goch, engaged in the defign of betraying that prince into the hands of the Englifli. In purfuance of this, a ftrong body of horfe and foot were llationed at Rug in Edeirnion, under the diredion of the earls of Chefter and Shrewlbury, agreeably to the plan which had been previoufly concerted. This meafure having taken place, GryfFydh ap Cynan was defired by the treacherous Welfhman, at the inflance of the two Englifli lords, to give them the meeting under the colour of a friendly conference. With a fim- plicity, which neither agreed with the charadter of the times, nor the didlatcs of prudence, the Welfli king came to the place appointed, attended only by a few of his re- tainers whom he had brought out of Ireland. As foon as he had made his appearance, he was feifed, and carried in chains to the caftle of Chefter. His followers were allowed to depart, without any other injury than having a thumb cut off from the right hand of each j this whimfical refent- ment might arife, it is probable, at the infligation of Meirion, who, from the prejudices of his country hailed them as foreigners, and on account of the partiality which this prince had always entertained for the Irifli. Gryffydh remained many years in captivity; a con- finement, no doubt, that was rendered more bitter, from a fenfe of his inability to protedl his own kingdom, or to prevent the fatal innovations, which during that period, were taking place in South Wales and in Powis. The earl fo BookV. GRYFFYDHAPCYNAN. 241 of Chefter, having fecured fo formidable an enemy, at dif- ferent times made dreadful ravages in North Wales ; and in order to preferve the conqucfls he had made, and render his inroads more fafe, he eredled a fortrefs at Aberllienawg in Anglefey, one alfo at Caernarvon, another at Bangor, and another in Meirionydd ; all of which he furnifhed with ftrong garrifons/ In this fituation were the affairs of Wales, when William the Conqueror, probably refenting the late inroad of the Welfli, invaded that country with a powerful army. The Welfh princes, unable to oppofe his arms, or awed by the influence of his mighty name, fubmitted without refiftance to pay him homage, and to take the oath of fealty, as due from vaffals to a fuperior lord.'' These hoftile intentions being fet aiide by the peaceable demeanour- of the Welfh princes, king William, agreeably to that fpirit of piety which in thefe days tindlured the minds of the fierceft warriors, marched with his army to Ann. Dom. Saint David's, and offered up his devotions at the ihrine '°''^' of that Saint.' P Cambden's Brit. p. 655. Vita Griff, fil. Conani. 1 Math. Paris, p. 9. Lord Lyttelton fays, that William, fatislied with this mark of vafTalage, exafted no tribute as from a conquered country ; the feudal laws regarding all as fubjedls who were admitted to homage, and of courfe exempting them from fuch impofitions. Lord Lyttelton's Hill, of Henry II. vol. II. p. 49. ' Wellh Chron. p. 115. I i A FEW 242 GRYFFYDH AP CYNAN. BookV. Ann. Dom. A FEW years after this event, William the Conqueror died in Normandy. On the death of that prince, the genius of the Welfti nation revived, and with it revived alfo the variety of evils incident to civil diflentions. The three fons of Bleddyn ap Cynvyn, defirous of re- covering the fovereignty which they had loft by the murder of their father, and the ufurpation of Trahaern ap Caradoc, raifed an infurredlion in South Wales againft Rhys ap Tew- dwr/ That prince not being able to oppofe a force fuddenly encreafed by a fwarm of men bred in the licentioufnefs of the times, retired into Ireland j and having powerful alli- ances in that country, procured a body of troops compofed of Irifli and Scots, with which he returned into South Wales, and was joined by numbers of his fubjedls. The three princes of Powis, fenfible that difpatch was the life of fuch an enterprife as theirs, by a rapid movement, fud- denly attacked Rhys, at a place called Lhechryd, before his army was ftrengthened by the numbers who were crowding to join him. In the battle which enfued, fortune decided againft the infurgents. Two of the brothers Madoc and Ririd were flain, and the other faved his life by a precipitate flight. This commotion being fortunately ended, Rhys, with rewards expreffive of his gratitude, difmiffed his auxiliaries.' ■- Welfti Chion. p. 117. ' Wynne's Hift. Wales, p, no. The Ann. Dom, 1088. BookV. GRYFFYDH AP CYNAN. 243 The terror which had been imprefTed upon the minds of the Welfh, by the decifive charafter of the late Englifh monarch, and which had unnerved the public arm, fubfided with the death of that fierce warrior. Early in the reign of his fon William Rufus an infurredlion broke out upon the borders, excited by the earls of Here- ford and Shrewfbury. The Welfh, eager to embrace the firft favourable moment for the recovery of their liberties, joined the malecontent lords, and rufhing with great fury on the Englifli marches, like a fire which had been long pent up, they ravaged and laid walle the country about Wor- cefter,^ to the gates of that city.*" But they were repulfed with great flaughter, by the fpirited conduift of the citizens, excited by the exhortations of Wulflan their bifhop. An incident happened at this time, fpringing from a trivial occurrence, which produced a change in the affairs of South Wales the mofl important and decifive, and which in fome meafure was the caufe of the final ruin of Cam- bria. Llewelyn and Eineon, chiefs of fome eminence in South Wales, being th'e fons of the Lord of Dyvet, rofe in rebellion againft Rhys ap Tev/dwr their fovereign^ they likewife drew into their treafonable defigns Gryftydh ap =1 Called by the Romans Brangonia, by the Britons Cacr-Vrangon, and by the Saxons Worceftre. Humfrey Lhuyd, p. 26. ^ Annales Waverlenfes, p. 136. Simon Dund!me, p. 2:4. Math. Paris, p. 12. Wellh Chron. p. 118. I i 2 Meredith 244 GRYFFYDH AP CYNAN. Book V. Meredith, a nobleman of the country. Having joined their forces, they marched to attack prince Rhys, who then refided at Llandydoch, where an adlion enfued, in which the rebels were entirely defeated, and Gryffydh was taken prifoner, the two other leaders having faved themfelves by flight. The rebel chief was inftantly put to death as a traitor;' the firft inftance we have feen, in thefe miferable times, of legal juftice aflerting her prerogative to punifh. EiNEON, become defperate by the late event, and not daring to trufl his fafety with any of his own kindred, affociated with Jeftyn ap Gurgunt, lord of Morgannwc, or Glamorgan,'' between whom there was a fimilarity of fituation and intereft, he being then in arms againfl his fovereign. To bind them flill more clofely to each other, it was agreed that Eineon fliould marry the daughter of Jeftyn, on condition that he procured a body of Normans to afTifl in their enterprife, as Eineon had ferved in the Englifh armies, and had formed an acquaintance with the Norman nobility." In purfuance of this projed, Eineon ported into England. The defign was agreeable to the enterprifing fpirit of the age. The Englifh princes too, had always em- ' Wellh Chron. p. 119, ■' Or thje territory of Morgan, ««Welfh Chron. p. 119. ployed BookV. gryffydh ap cynan. 24^ ployed in their various attempts of fubjugating Wales, this principle of Machiavelian policy, " divide in order to command." And at this time, the treafon of two men, Ann. Dom. coinciding with the views of Rufus, introduced a fatal '°^°" poifon into the bofom of their country. Robert Fitzhammon, a gentleman of the king's privy chamber and baron of the realm, undertook the adventure. He fele An old Englilh word fignifying boundary, chequer. 247 24^ GRYFFYDH AP CYNAN. Book V. chequer, and court ; where the twelve knights, by their tenures, were obliged to attend one day In every month, having feparate apartments in the caftle for that purpofe." Each of the other lordfliips had a diftindl jurifdidlion, enjoying the fame rights with that of Glamorgan, except in cafes of wrong judgment, when an appeal might be made to the fupenor court. All difputes in matters of equity arifing in the feveral lordfhips, were determined by the chancellor, in the chancery court of Glamorgan." The fortunate ifTue of the late adventure raifed among the Norman nobility an ardent fpirit of enterprife. The king of England threw powerful incentives in their way, alluring them by motives of intereft and power, thofe ftrong incitements to human conduct. Several barons peti- tioned the crown for leave to polTefs, under homage and fealty, thofe lands which they might conquer in Wales. This liberty given to the Englifh lords of obtaining at their own charge the territories of the WeKh, though apparently fpringing out of a wife policy, was grounded on the abfurd idea of forfeiture, becaufe that people had renounced the allegiance, to which they had fubmitted through neceflity, during the operations of Harold, and the decifive reign of the Norman conqueror. The fituation of South Wales, rendered defencelefs by the death of Rhys, the late prmce, favoured the defigns of " Wynne's Hill, Wales, p. 115. ° Welfli Chron. p. 122. thefe BookV. GRYFFYDHAPCYNAN. 249 thefe military adventurers. Among the foremoft of whom was Bernard de Newmarche/ who eafily took poflefTion of the province of Brecknock, containing three can- trevs ; and to colour his title with fome degree of popu- larity, he married Neft, a grandaughter of Gryffydh ap Llewelyn.'' Roger de Montgomery earl of Shrewfbury was the next who did homage to the king for Caerdigan. Arnulph, the younger fon of that nobleman, obtained like- wife the great lordfhip of Dyvet ; fince named Pembroke- fhire.^ In this eafy manner, by the defultory enterprifes of a few Norman lords, was the principality of South Wales fubdued, the ancient feat of the Dimetce and the Silures, who, fupported only by native bravery, had ' given a check to the Roman arms, and whofe defcendents had baffled, till this period, the utmoft efforts of the Saxon and Norman princes. The principalities of North Wales and of Powis were not long fecure from the incroaching fpirit of the times. The earl of Shrewfbury did homage for all Powis, and brought under his fubjedtion fome diftridts in that territory, par- p Several gentlemen came at this time to Brecknock with Bernard de New- marche, to whom he gave the following manors, which their heirs enjoy to this time ; the manor of Abercynuric and Slowch to the Aubreys ; the manor of Llanhamlach and Tal-y-Lhyn to the Walbiefs ; the manor of Gilllon to the Gunters ; and the manor of Pontwilym to the Havards, &c. See Welfh Chron. p. 150. Cambden's Britannia, p. 590. Gibfon's edit. 1 Wellh Chron. p. J48. ' Ibid. p. 151. K k ticularly 250 GRYFFYDH AP CYNAN. Book V. ticularly the town and caftle of Baldwin.' This important fortrefs he fortified more ftrongly, and called it Mont- gomery, after the name of his family.' The principality of Powis from this period had little concern in the interefts of Wales. The policy of England foon rendered that territory, which had been for ages a barrier of defence, a dangerous neighbour upon the confines ; and it became, by the defedlion of its princes, an inftrument of mifchief in the hands of the Englilh againfl the national quiet and fafety. Hugh Lupus, earl of Chefter, likewife, did homage • for Tegengl and Rhyvonioc, with the country extending along the fea fliore from Chefler, to the water of Conway. Ralph Mortimer did the fame for the territory of Eluel ; as did Hugh de Lacie for the lands of Ewyas ; and Euftace Cruer for Mold and Hopedale." Thefe barons endeavoured to fecure their conquefls by eredling fortreiTes," and, as far as they were able, by fettling in them Norman or Englifh inhabitants. At this time, Briftol, Gloucefter, Worcefter, Shrewfbury, and Chefter, .were rebuilt, or fortified ; and formed a line of military pofts upon the frontiers.'' Thus ' Built by Baldwyn, lieutenant of the Welfh marches, in the reign of William the iirft. See Cambden's Brit. p. 650. Gibfon's edit. « Welfli Chron. p. 152. " Ibid. p. 151 * Vaughan's Britifh Ant. Reviv. p. 18. '' Manufcript relating to the marches of Wales, in the pofi'eflion of Phifip Lloyd Fletcher, Efq. of Guernhailed in Flintfhire. the BookV. GRYFFYDH AP CYNAN. 251 the laft afylum of the Britons was invefted almoft on every ■• fide, or broken into by their enemies. The kingdom of North Wales, at this time reduced to the ifland of Anglefey, the counties of Mierionydh, and Caernarvon, and a part of Denbighfliire, and of Caerdigan, flill preferved the national charadler and importance. The natives of that country, aided by the virtue of their princes, became more formidable than ever to the Englifh ; and, at times, acquiring union with additional vigour from defpair, their enemies, inftead of being able to make new conquefts, held thofe which they had already obtained by a precarious tenure. The late incidents having produced a ftriking change in the fituation of Wales, and the lords of the marches having introduced into the country a new fyilem of jurif- prudence, feme account of thofe lords, and of the fyftem which they introduced, may be interefting to the reader. The conquefl of Wales had always been a leading objeft in the politics of England, not only from the defire of more extenfive dominion, but as a means of preventing in future the like devaftation and mifery, which the animofity of a warlike and an injured people had occafioned on the Englifli borders. The utility, likewife, of em- ploying in foreign enterprifes a martial nobility, inclined the Norman princes to encourage, by every incitement of advantage and honour, the dangerous defigns of fubduing, or of making fettlements in Wales. K k 2 To 252 ACCOUNT OF LORDS MARCHERS. Book V. To enable the Englifli lords to preferve the obedience of the people they had fubdued, the kings of England allowed them to afTume, in their feveral territories, an abfolute jurifdidlion/ But they did not hold this authority under any grant from the crown ; it was only for the prefent connived at by the prince, and arofe, as a wife meafure, out of their particular fituations. There is not, it is faid, any record to be found in the tower, or in other parts of England, of a grant having been given to any lord of the marches, to poflefs the authority annexed to that dignity. The king's writs, ifTuing out of the courts at Weftminfler, did not extend into any part of Wales, except into Pem- brokefhire, accounted at this time a portion of England ; neither did the flieriffs, nor other officers of the king, execute his writs or precepts in any other part of the country. The high privileges incident to the lords of the marches, could not for many reafons be held by charter. The kings of England, when they gave to any baron fuch lands as they might conquer from the Welfh, could not fix thofe immunities on any certain precindt, not knowing which, or whether any would be eventually fubdued. The lords themfelves were not felicitous to procure fuch immunities ; as it frequently happened, that thofe lands of which they had taken poffeffion, were afterwards recovered by the » Lord Herbert of Cherbury's Life of Henry VIII. Welih, BookV. account of LORDS MARCHERS. 253 Welfh, either by compolition with the kings of England, or by force of arms. Another caufe of their not pofTefling any charters of prerogative, was, that fuch privileges, fo high in their nature, fo royal and united to the crown, could not by the laws of England be difunited from the fame. It was therefore thought a better courfe, to fuffer them to eftablifli, of their own authority, fuch royal jurif- did:ions, rather than to hold them under a grant from the fovereign, which if at any time called in queftion, might be adjudged of no force. Thofe lordfhips which were conquered at the expence of the Englifh princes themfelves, were fubjedl to a more regular jurifdidlion ; being governed in general by the laws of England.' The lords of the marches, feledting the mofl agreeable and fertile parts of their territories, built caftles for their own relidence, and towns for the accommodation of their foldiers. It was in this manner, that mofl of the prefefit towns and caftles on the frontier of Wales were built, and this appears by the ancient charters given to fuch towns by thofe lords who firfl conquered, or founded them, expreffive of immunities to the burgeffes, and freemen ; few or none of them having purchafed fuch liberties from the kings of England till many years after j and when that was done, which was feldom the cafe, they were only confirm- ations of privileges granted them by their ancient lords. » Lord Herbert's Life of Henry VHI. Among 254 ACCOUNT OF LORDS MARCHERS. BookV. Among other towns and caflles about this time ereded in Wales, were Pembroke, Tenby, and Haverfordweft, built by Strongbow, William de Valence, and the Haftings. Newport was built by Martin, lord of Kemmaes ; the town and caftle of Kydweli by Londres, and afterwards enlarged by the duke of Lancafter ; the towns and caftles of Swanfey, Oyftermouth, Loghor, Radnor, Buellt, and Rhaiadr, were built by the Bruces, the Mortimers, and the Beauchamps ; Blaen-llyfni by Herbert ; Abergaveny by Dru de Baladon ; Ruthin by the lords Grey, and Denbigh by Lacie earl of Lincoln. The greateft part of thefe were ancient towns or caftles before the Norman conquefl:, which had been either deftroyed or injured in the lapfe of time, or by the devaftation of war. The lords of the marches held under the kings of England, by the tenure of ferving in the wars with a certain number of their vaflals, and of furnifhing their caftles with ftrong garrifons, and with the necefl*ary implements of war. The Englifti laws were for the moft part adminiftered in the marches of Wales j their tenures, likewife, were principally Englifli, being tranfmitted by fine, recovery, feoff'ment, and livery of feifin. Some lords, from motives of prudence, permitted their tenants, who were natives of the country, to enjoy many of their ancient laws, which were not repugnant to thofe of England, or injurious to their BookV. account of LORDS MARCHERS. 255 their own intereft. Among other conceflions in favour of the Welfh, were, the ufage of gavel-kind, and the transfer of lands by furrender in court j which gained admiffion into the jurifdidlion of thefe lordfliips under the name of cuf- toms, though anciently they had formed a part of the common law of Wales. A fufficient number of people not being eafily obtained to colonize the conquered countries, it was an obvious policy in the lords of the marches, to footh the afperity of conqueft, by allowing the Welfli to enjoy many of their ancient cuftoms. As the mode of transfer, as well as the principles of fucceffion, were differ- ent among the two people, two courts were eflablillied in many lordfhips, in which the cuftom of each nation pre- vailed. There were, however, a few lordfliips, though entirely held by Englifli tenures, in which the tenants were permitted the cultom of gavel-kind, although they tranf- mitted their lands by feoffment. Thefe lands were faid to be held by Englifli tenure, and by Welfli dole. In thofe lordfliips where the lands were thus divided, and which were held by knights fervice, the lord had the wardfliip of all the fons, as well as daughters j and as this was a point of great advantage, it might induce the lords to encourage in their tenants the cuflom of dividing their lands amono- their fons. In many lordfliips the Welfli laws were not in ufe, and Englifli cufloms entirely prevailed. The whole jurifprudence depended entirely on the will of the firfl: conquerors ► Thr 256 ACCOUNT OF LORDS MARCHERS. Book V. The chief qualification of a lord of the marches, was that he fliould hold of the king in capite. Though con- queft was the general principle on which his right was founded, in fome inftances his dignity proceeded from a different caufe, as in the cafe of Powis, a great part of which was never gained by conqueft, but changed into lordfhips marchers by the following means. The princes of Powis, feeing the perilous fituation of their country, and ad:uated by fear or interefted motives, made their fubmiffions to Henry the firft, and agreed to hold under him their feveral territories, paying the fame obedience and duties, which the lords of the marches owed to the crown of England. Thus did feveral of the lordfhips in Powis differ from the reft ; in one point, however, they agreed j that they did, and of neceffity muft, hold of the king in capite. This circumftance, together with renouncing obedience to the princes of Wales, was all that was at firft expedled by the kings of England from the lords of the marches. The baronies of Powis had not any manors which held under it, like other lordfhips which were gained by conqueft; and for the fame reafon there were no knights fees, nor plow, or ox lands in thofe lordfhips ; thefe divifions being introduced into Wales by the Englifh and Norman lords, and entirely unknown to the Wellh and to the ancient Britons. Having Book V. GRYFFYDH AP CYNAN. Having thus given a fliort account of the introdudlion, and the nature of the lords marchers in Wales/ fettled in the country at different periods, we fhall refume the fubjed: of the hiftory. In no period of their annals have the Welfli appeared in fo deplorable a lituation as the prefent. North Wales had been left many years without a fovereign, in the power of the earl of Chefter, and expofed to his mercilefs ravages : fince the death of Rhys ap Tewdwr no chieftain had arifen in South Wales to rekindle the fpirit of patriotifm ; and that country, wrefted, in a great meafure, from the hands of its native princes, had been parcelled out among Norman adventurers.' In this ftate of things, the aifairs of North Wales were changed on a fudden, by the enterprifing fpi- rit of a few individuals, pofTefled of neither power nor confequence. Gryffydh ap Cynan had languifhed twelve years in captivity,*" negledled by his fubjefts, or what is more proba- ble, without their having had the ability to procure his releafe. The lituation of this prince excited the compaffion ^ This account of the lords marchers is taken from a manufcript in the pof- feffion of Philip Lloyd Fletcher, Efq. of Guernhailed, Flintfhire. » Brady relates out of Domefday, that William the Conqueror granted to Hugh Lupus, earl of Chefler, North Wales in farm at the rent of ^^40 per annum ; befides Rhos and Rhyvonioc. Page zoi. *> Cambden's Brit. Gibfon's edit. p. 656. LI of 257 258 GRYFFYDH AP CYNAN. Book V. of a young man, named Kymt'ric Hir, a native of Edeirnion j ■who determined, if poflible, to effedl his efcape out of prifon, though at every hazard to himfelf. The enterprife was bold, generous, and full of danger. Attended by a few followers he repaired to Chefter, under pretence of buying fome neceffaries j and having gained admittance into the caftle, at the edge of night, while the keepers were deeply engaged in feafting, he carried away on his back the captive prince, loaded with chains, and conveyed him with fafety into his own dominions. Though Gryffydh ap Cynan had thus fortunately efcaped out of the hands of his enemies, he had many difficulties ftill to encounter, as his own fubjefts were either difpirited, or alienated from him ; and the Englifli were maflers of the country. His danger was fometimes fo great, that he was obliged to lie concealed in woods or other places of fecurity ; till at length, having taken thofe caftles which the Normans had ere Welfli Chron, p. 154. garrifon 262 GRYFFYDH AP CYNAN. Book V. garrifon the different cafUes which they had eredled in the country, beiides furnifliing each of them with a proper ftock of provifions. Returning into South Wales, once more to contend for the prize with the native inhabitants, they were aflaulted on a fudden by the fons of Ednerth ap Cadwgan, and driven back into England with great flaughter. Their feveral fortreffes, after a fpirited defence made by the garrifons, were yielded up to the Welfli, who for fome time were left in quiet poffeffion of a great part of the country. At the fame time, two chieftains of North Wales, joining their forces with thofe of the fons of Cadwgan ap Bleddyn, the prince of Powis, made an inroad into Dyvet, then in the poffeffion of Arnulph the fon of Roger Montgomery; and after having laid wafte the whole country, they returned into their refpedlive territories loaded with plunder. The caftle of Pembroke, lately built by the above-mentioned lord, had baffled all their attenipts, the Welfli not being able to take it; that fortrefs having been gallantly defended by Gerald de Windfor, the governor.' The late difafters, and the difgrace which he in perfon had received, excited in the fierce mind of Rufus the keenefl indignation. He entered Wales, a fecond time, at the head of a royal army, and advanced as far as the mountains. During the march, the adlivity of the Welfh cut off his ' Welfli'Chron. p. 1J4. provifions. Book V. GRYFFYDH AP CYNAN. 263 proviiions, harrafTed his troops, and confiderably diminiflied his numbers both in men and horfes j for keeping aloof in the woods and marflies, or on the tops of the mountains, they fuddenly attacked the Englifh, with great advantage, in the defiles of the country, and in the paflages of rivers.'' And fuch was the valour of the Welfh, and fuch the condudl of their leaders, fo great were the difficulties likewife which Rufus found in attempting to penetrate through the country, or to draw the enemy to a battle, that in defpair he gave Ann. Dom, over the enterprife, and after refortifying fome caftles on the borders, returned with additional difgrace into England.' The late exertions of the Welfh, and the profperous turn in their affairs, mufl furely give pleafure to every reader of fentiment, who feels a tender concern for the interefls of humanity J and who has feen a fpirit of private rapacity, diredled by the policy of England, and adting in concert with its power, entrenching on the natural rights of a people, inferior, it is true, in every means of refource, but diflinguifhed by the juflice of their caufe, and their en- thufiaftic love of liberty. Discomfiture and difgrace having of late attended on the arms of England, a different mode of conducing the war was adopted. A frefh body of Normans were en- k Brompton'sChron.p.992. Math.Weflm.lib. II. fol.i2. Polydore Vergil, p. 174, « Ibid. couraged 264 GRYFFYDH AP CYNAN. Book V. couraged to undertake, at their own charge, the conqueft of the Welfli ; and about this time, or before, many barons had acquired coniiderable fettlements, in thofe parts of Wales which were yet unfubdued, or along the frontiers of the country. Among others, Peter Corbet fettled on the lordfhip of Caurfe, Mortimer on Wigmore, Fitz Alen on Clun and Ofweftree, Monthault on Hawarden, Fitz- warren on Whittington, Roger le Strange on Elfmere, Drude Baladon on Abergaveny, and Gilbert on Monmouth.* Ann. Dom. ^x the fecret inftigation of Owen ap Edwyn, lord of 1096. Tegengl, and other eminent chieftains in North Wales, a very formidable army invaded that country, under the command of the earls of Shrewlbury" and Chefter." Gryf- fydh, the king of North Wales, and Cadwgan ap Bleddyn of Powis, not being able on a fudden to colledt a force fuf- ficient to oppofe them, and not having the neceffary confi- dence in their troops, gave way for a time, and retired to the mountains for fecurity. The two earls, meeting with no refiftance, continued their march into that part of Caernarvonshire which lies oppofite to the ifle of Anglefey. When GryfFydh ap Cynan faw the danger which threatened the feat of his government, he pafled over the Menai into Anglefey, attended by Cadwgan ap Bleddyn ; and having ■» Manufcript treatife on the marches in pofleffion of Philip Lloyd Fletcher, Efq. " Hugh f^rai, or the fat earl of Cheiter. • Called by the Welfh Hugh Gpc/^, or Hugh with the red head. received Book V. GRYFFYD H AP C YN AN. 265 received a flight reinforcement out of Ireland, he feemed determined to defend the ifland/ In this fituation, Owen ap Edwyn, whofe daughter had married the Welfli king, and who was likewife his chief counfellor, openly avowed his treafon, and joined the Englifh army with all his forces. The Welfh princes, alarmed at fuch an inftance of perfidy, and unable to oppofe this united power, withdrew into Ireland^ After their departure, that Ifland fell an eafy prey to the enemy ; who poured on the inhabitants the full meafure of retaliation for the cruelties lately exercifed on the borders of England. It is painful to relate the lingular and favage barbarities exercifed on this occafion, refembling more the deliberate malice of ruffians than the impetuofity of foldiers. Some of thefe people had their hands cut off. Others their feet, fome had their eyes pulled out, others were caftrated, and great numbers were flain. A prieft of the name of Kenred, venerable for his years and wifdom, having taken fanduary in a church, the earl of Shrewfbury caufed him to be taken from thence, ordered one of his eyes to be pulled out, his tongue to be cut, and caufed him likewife to be deprived of his manhood.' We fliould have drawn a veil over fuch a fcene of barbarity, if the defign of hiftory had been only to adorn a flory, and not to point the inftrudlive moral, or to delineate, with a faithful pencil, the portraiture of men and manners. P Weldi Chron. p. 155. ^ Ibid, ' Brompton's Chron. p. 994. Fabian, p. 315. Mm The 266 GRYFFYDH AP CYNAN. BookV. The fafety of North Wales in this perilous crifis, depended upon a train of fortuitous circumflances, which, as they baffle the fagacity of men, often decide in human affairs. Magnus the fon of Olave king of Norway, having taken poffeflion of the Orkneys and of the Ifle of Man, arrived accidentally on the coafl: of Anglefey. Having intelligence of the cruelties com- mitted by the Englifli, and touched with a fenfe of generous pity, he determined to land his forces, to fave the miferable inhabitants from deftrudlion.' The Englifli endeavoured to oppofe the Norwegians. In attempting this, the earl of Shrew{bury was flain. The prince of Norway, obferv- ing that nobleman, whofe impetuous valour had carried him into the fea, refolute in oppofing his landing, levelled an arrow, which through the opening of his armour pierced his right eye, and reaching his brain, he fell down con- vulfed into the water. On feeing him fall, the Norwegian prince, in his own language, exultingly cried '♦ let him dance.'" This accidental ftroke of juftice, feen by the eye of fuperftition, made the Welfli conclude, that the arrow had been diredled by the immediate hand of the Almighty. The death of the earl of Shrewfbury occafioned fome diforder among the Englifli, and obliged them to abandon > Wellh Chron. p. 156. Vit. Griffithi. fil. Conan. ' Giraldus Cambrenfis, Itin, cap. VII. Simon Dunelme, p. 2Z3. the 1098. Book V. G R Y F F Y D H A P C Y N A N. 267 the fhore. On this difcomfiture, the earl of Cheller fud- denly retreated into England j leaving Owen ap Edwyn to enjoy for a time the fruits of his treafon. The Norwegians, finding the Englifh had not left any thing to plunder, immediately re-embarked." In the courfe of this expedition, the earl of Chefler rebuilt the caftle of Diganwy, the feat of the ancient princes of Wales/ After an abfence of two years, Gryffydh ap Cynan, at- tended by Cadwgan, returned out of Ireland into Wales, and concluded a peace with the Englifh, upon terms of great dif- advantage. Inconfequenceof this, the dominions of Gryffydh Ann. Doih. were reduced to the ifland of Anglefey j and Cadwgan retained only the territory of Caerdigan, and a fmall part of Powis/ Unacquainted as we are with the fprings of adlion, it is not eafy to account for the long abfence of Gryffydh,^ or to trace in his prefent condudl any marks of that vigour, and decifivenefs of charader, which diftinguifhed the early operations of his reign. At this time William Rufus was accidentally flain as he was hunting in the New Foreft in Hampfliire. " Welfh Chron. p. 156, " King's Vale Royal of Chefliire, p. 48. v Welfli Chron. p. 156. ^ It might be owing, it is probable, to the difaffeftion of his own fubjefts, who had a llrong averfion to ftrangers, and whom this prince had ufually employed in his fervice, and likewife to the partiality he had always fliewn for the Irifh. See Vita Griffithi Conani. M m 2 His I 101. 268 GRYFFYDH AP CYNAN. Book V. His younger brother Henry fucceeded to the crown of England. Ann. Dom. RoBERT DE Belesmo the fon of Roger de Montgomery earl of Shrewfbury, and Arnulph his brother earl of Pembroke, having engaged in rebellion againft Henry, drew into their deligns Meredydh, Jorwerth, and Cadwgan, the three princes of Powis, and fons to Bleddyn ap Cynvyn. Henry marched in perfon with a large army againft them, and repairing to the marches of Wales, laid fiege to the caftle of Brugge, or Bridgenorth. Finding this fortrefs too ftrong, on account of its fituation and warlike appoint- ments, to afford him the profpedl of reducing it without great difficulty and lofs of time, he fent privately to Jor- werth one of ^the Welfh princes, in hopes, by fuch motives as were likely to touch his intereft, or refentment, to detach him from the rebels, and incline him to engage . in his fervice. He offered him the territories which the two earls poffeffed in Wales, without paying tribute, or taking any oath of allegiance ; at the fame time, he recalled to his memory the many and deep injuries which his country had received from the families of thofe lords. Thefe offers, artfully direded to the feelings of the Welfh prince, were gladly accepted. Jorwerth immediately joined the king, and with the ufual animolity of a deferter, detached his troops to ravage the lands of the two Englifh earls. The perfidy of his condudl threw his brothers and the rebel lords BookV. GRYFFYDH AP CYKAN. 269 lords into the utmoft difmay ; they defpaired of being able to make head againll the king, and, within a little time after, the confederacy was diflblved.* As foon as the king had returned into England, Jorwerth arrefted Meredydh, and put him in prifon ; his other brother Cadwgan he took into favour, and gave him the lands of CaerdyiF, and a part of Powis. He then repaired to the court of Henry, in confidence of receiving from that prince, a fuitable recornpence for the fervices he had lately performed. The king, however, wanting no longer his afliftance, not only received him coldly, but deprived him of thofe lands which he had received as the reward of his treachery, and difmifled him from the court covered with fhame and difappointment/ Soon after, Richard de Belmarfli the bifhop of London, was appointed warden of the marches. This prelate fummoned Jorwerth to attend him at Shrewfbury, under pretence of confulting about public affairs ; but as foon as the Welfh prince Ann. Dom. appeared he was arrefted for treafon, found guilty of the charge, and committed to prifon.'' The diftruft of a traitor, and the dread of the effeds arifing from dif- appointed ambition, were no doubt the real caufes of his difgrace. = Welfti Chron. p. 158. ^ Ibid. p. 159. '' Ibid. p. 160. At iio8. 270 GRYFFYDH AP CYNAN. Book V. At this period, a feries of feuds and hoflilities, unpleafing in the recital, arife in the hiftory of Wales. Thefe civil difTentions, too defcriptive of the manners of the Welfh, were the means of accelerating the ruin of the flate ; deftroy- ing by degrees its union and its llrength, and affording opportunities to the Englifli kings of detaching the Welfh chieftains from the interefl of their country. Ann. Dom. In the Chriftmas holidays, Cadwgan ap Bleddyn invited the chieftains in his neighbourhood to a feafl at his houfe in Dyvet. In the courfe of the entertainment, medh, ov mead, the wine of this country, having raifed their fpirits, Nefl"* the wife of Gerald, governor in Pembroke caflle, was fpoken of in terms of admiration ; the beauty and ele- gance of whofe perfon, it was faid, exceeded thofe of any lady in Wales. The curiofity of Owen the fon of Cadwgan was flrongly excited to fee her ; and he had little doubt of obtaining admittance, as there was a degree of relationfhip fubfifling between them. Under colour of a friendly vifit, the young chieftain, with a few of his atten- dants, was introduced into the caflle. Finding that fame had been cold in her praife, he returned home deeply enamoured of her beauty, and fired with an eager defire of enjoying her. The fame night, returning with a troop of his wild companions, he fecretly entered the caflle, and * Cambden's Brit. p. 630. Gibfon's edit. in Book V. GRYFFYDHAPCYNAN. 271 in the confufion occafioned by fetting it on fire, furrounded the chamber in which Gerald and his wife flept. Awaked by the noife, he rufhed fuddenly out of bed to inquire into the caufe of the difturbance j but his wife, fufpedling fome treachery, prevented his opening the door ; then, advifing him to retire to the privy, flie pulled up the board ; and flill farther affifting her hufband, he let hlmfelf down, and made his efcape. Owen and his followers inftantly broke open the door j but on fearching the chamber, not finding Gerald, they feifed his wife and two of his fons, befides a fon and a daughter which he had by a concubine ; then leaving the caftle in flames, and ravaging the country, he carried off Neft and the children into Powis. This adven- ture gave Cadwgan the greatefl uneafinefs. Afraid left Henry might revenge on his head the atrocious adtlon of his fon, he came into Powis ; and requefted Owen that he would fend back to Gerald his wife and children, as well as the plunder which he had taken. The young chieftain, whofe love was heightened by the pofTeffion of his miftrefs, refufed to reftore her. Whether fhe yielded to the violence of her lover from choice or from neceffity, is uncertain ; but Ann. Dom. I I n*^ he foon after fent back to Gerald all his children, at her particular requeft.' Soon after this, Owen being afraid of receiving from the warden of the marches ^e punifliment due to fuch an out- <^ Welfh Chron. p. 164. and Wynne's Hift. Wales, p. 129. rage 272 GRYFFYDH AP CYNAN. Book V. rage, efcaped into Ireland, with all his aflbciates concerned in that tranfaftion. His father Cadwgan fecreted hinifelf for a time in Powis j but having fatisfied king Henry of his innocence concerning the late affair, he was permitted to remain in his own country, and to enjoy the town and lands which he held in right of his wife ;' he was fome time after re-inflated in the pofTefTions which had belonged to him in Caerdigan, on paying to the king a fine of one hundred pounds/ At this time, after many years confinement, Jorwerth ap Bleddyn was releafed out of prifon, and reflored to his territory ^ on his paying a fine of three hundred pounds in money, or of that value in cattle or horfes. Soon after, this prince and his brother Cadwgan went into England, to tranfadl with Henry fome affairs of their own.'' During their abfence, Owen the fon of Cadwgan, who was jufl arrived out of Ireland, and whofe turbulent fpirit was always in motion, murdered a bifliop, with all his attendants, on his journey to the Englifh court;' and then retired for fecurity into his father's territories. This tranfadlion being reported to Henry, Cadwgan was called to anfwer for the behaviour of his fon j but the excufes. he made not fatisfying the king, he took away his lands j f Welfh Chron. p. 165. £ Ibid. p. i66, 168. " Ibid. i Ibid. telling BookV. GRYFFYDH AP CYNAN. 273 telling him, at the fame time, that his territories fhould be given to one, who would be able to reftrain fuch diforders with a firmer hand. He then fettled on him a penfion for life, and charged him on his allegiance, not to enter any part of Wales until leave (hould be given. The territory of the Welfli prince was given to Strong- bow earl of Strigal, on the ufual condition of obtaining poffeflion by the fword. This baron foon after landing in Caerdiganfhire, eafily accomplifhed his views ; and to render his pofleflions more fecure, he ercdled two fortreffes, one of which he built on the fea fhore, about a mile from Llanbadarn, and the other at a place called Dingerant, on Ann. Dom. the river Teivi.*^ '•°9- Soon after thefe events, Madoc ap Ririd ap Bleddyn ap Cynvyn, a coufin, and a wild aflbciate of Owen's, returned out of Ireland. Having fecreted himfelf in the lands of his uncle Jorwerth, that prince dreading the fate of his brother Cadwgan, gave orders to his vafTals that they fhould treat his nephew as an enemy. Upon this, Madoc colledted a body of outlaws, with whom he lay concealed amidfl the rocks and the receffes of the woods, waiting for an oppor- tunity of revenging the affront j he likewife entered into a friendfhip with Lhywarch ap Trahaern, between whom and the family of his uncle, there fubfifted a deadly feud. " Welfh Chron. p. 169. N n Having 274 GRYFFYDH AP CYNAN. Book V. Having intelligence that Jorwerth intended, on a certain night, to lodge at Caerenieon in Montgomeryfhire, the two chiefs with their followers furrounded the place at midnight. The prince and his attendants, darting from their fleep, defended the houfe with much fpirit for a confiderable time. The affailants, then, unable to make any impreffion, fet it on fire. In this extremity, the people within endeavoured to make their efcapej in doing which, fome of them had the good fortune to pufh through the enemy, others were flain in the attempt, and the remainder were burnt in the houfe. Jorwerth himfelf, attempting to force his way, ruftied on the fpears of the aflailants j but overpowered, he was driven back, and perifhed in the flames. As foon as Henry heard of this event, calling Cadwgan into his prefence, he received that prince into favour, and gave him the territory which his late brother had pofleiTed in Powis ; and, from fome motives of his own which do not appear, he even extended his grace to Owen, defiring his father to fend for him out of Ireland, whither he had fled on account of the late murder of the bifliop.' Madoc, finding his uncle Cadwgan In pofl*eflion of his late brother's territories, though his hands had been already ftained with the blood of one relation, determined the firfl: ' Welfl) Chron. p. 170, 171. opportunity BookV. GRYFFYDHAPCYNAN. 275 opportunity to imbrue them ftill deeper, by the murder of his other uncle Cadwgan. This prince, having brought his territories into fome degree of order, repaired to Trallwng or Pool in Montgomeryfliire, attended by the elders of the country ; where he began to eredt the caftle of Powis, in which he intended to refide. In this fituation he was on a fudden aflaulted and flain by Madoc, before he had . time to fly, or even to prepare for his defence. Thus died, after a variety of fortunes, Cadwgan the fon of Bleddyn ap Cynvynj dignified by Cambden with the title of the renowned Briton, a prince, whofe valour, fenfc of juftice, and other milder virtues, might, in any age but this, have exempted him from a death fo cruel, and fo un- worthy of his charadler. What aggravates ftill more the feverrty of his fate, is, that he fhould receive that death by the hands of fo near a kinfman. After the murder of his uncle, Madoc applied to the warden of the marches for lands which had been formerly promifed him, and that officer, influenced by the refent- ment he had borne to Cadwgan and his family, granted his requeflj and what is ftill more Angular, king Henry received the ruffian into his favour, upon paying a fine." ■ Welih Chron. p. 170, 171. N n 2 A SERIES 2/6 GRYFFYDHAPCYNAN. BookV. A SERIES of retaliated injuries now arife In regular fuc- ceffion } evils naturally fpringing from the paflions when they ufurp the fword of juftice. Meredydh, the only furviving fon of Bleddyn ap Cyn- vyn, caufed an inroad to be made into the country belonging to Lhywarch ap Trahaern, who had been acceflbry to the murder of his brothers. Faffing in the night through the lands of Madoc ap Ririd, Meredydh's party; meeting a vaflal belonging to that chieftain, inquired for his mafter; the man at firft afFeding ignorance, was threatened with inftant death; he then gave them intelligence that he was in a place at no great diftance from thence. They then, early in the morning befet Madoc on a fudden, flew many of his followers, and brought him prifoner to Meredydh ; who inftantly fent to his nephew Owen to decide his fate. That chief, refledling that he had been an affociate of Madoc, and that they were united by oath in the bonds Ann. Dom. of friendfliip, determined not to put him to death } though, I 1 1 2* with a whimfical refinement in mercy, he fatisfied his revenge by putting out his eyes." Incidents like thefe, arifing from the collifon of contending parties, prefent, in fanguinary tints, a lively pidure of barbarifm. In the courfe of thefe events, Henry the king of England had an opportunity of giving to his territories in South = Wellh Chron. p, 172. Wales, BookV. GRYFFYDH AP CYNAN. 277 Wales, an increafe of fecurlty and ftrength, of the moft liable and beneficial nature. During the reign of his father a great number of Flemings, having been driven out of their habitations by a very uncommon inundation, had come over into England. That king had entertained them w^ith much cordiality from jufl notions of policy, to in- creafe, by fuch a number of ufeful inhabitants, the riches and ftrength of his kingdom. Many of thefe people, having been difperfed in different parts, began by their numbers to create fome uneafinefs ; which Henry removed by fettling them as a colony in South Wales, where he gave them the country adjoining to Tenby and Haverford- weft, in which their pofterity remain to this day." During thefe tranfadlions, the king of North Wales had never done homage, or paid tribute to the crown of England. Henry, having lately overcome his foreign enemies, received complaints from the earl of Chefter, that frequent devaftations had been committed on his territories by Gryffydh ap Cynan, and by Gronw ap Owen ap Edwyn the lord of Tegengl. Similar complaints had been likewife made by the earl of Strigal, to whom Henry had lately given Caerdlgan, that Owen the fon of Cadwgan kept a number of retainers who frequently plundered and " Wm. Malmfbury p. 158. Girald. Cambr. Itln. lib. I, cap. XI. Verftigan, chap. IV. p. 100. Humfrey Lhuyd's Breviary, p. 58. infefted 278 GRYFFYDH AP CYNAN. Book V. infefted his country.'' On thefe complaints, Henry fwore in his anger, he would not leave a Welfhman alive in North Wales, or in Powis j that he would exterminate the nation, and fettle in each country new inhabitants out of his own dominions. To execute this threat, he drew together, from different parts of his kingdom, a very con- fiderable force ; and Alexander the Fierce, who then reigned in Scotland, came and ferved under him in perfon. Three armies were formed j one of which, compofed of a large body of Scots, and the power of the north, under the condudt of the Scottifh king, and the earl of Chefter, was defigned for the conqueft of North Wales ; another, confifting of the ftrength of Cornwall, and a fourth part of England, led by the earl of Strigal, was ordered to invade Ann, Dom. thofe parts of South Wales which were ftill pofTeffed by the natives J and a third, taking in the flower of his military vaffals in the middle part of his dominions, was commanded by the king of England himfelf, with which he propofed to fubdue all Powis. Never were the Welfh, to all appearance, in fuch danger as at this period ; the florm gathering from different quarters, feemed ready to burft, and overwhelm them in ruin. p Welfh Chron. p. 173. Intimidated 1H3. Book V. GRYFFYDH AP CYNAN. Intimidated at the profpedl, Meredydh ap Bleddyn ap Cynvyn, delivered himfelf up to the mercy of Henry ; and Owen hi 9 nephew the fon of Cadwgan fled to Gryf- fydh ap Cynan, The king then changed his firft defign, and diredling all his force againft North Wales, advanced himfelf to Murcaflelh j the king of Scots, in concert with him, penetrated as far as Pennant Bachwy. The inhabit- ants, as ufual, retired to the mountains, and by the pru- dent orders of their prince, having carried away their cattle and provilions, fuch a large army could not purfue them for want of fubfiftence, or from the natural difficulties of the country : the Englifh parties who attempted to do it, were attacked by the Welfh in the defiles of the mountains, and were either cut to pieces or repulfed with great lofs.'' In this difficult fituation, Henry had recourfe to the arts of negociation. The king of Scotland was made the firft inftrument in carrying on the defign. He propofed to Gryffydh ap Cynan, that if he would appear and yield himfelf up, he fhould be taken into Henry's favour. But that prince, aware of the delufive nature of fuch promifes, refufed to lay down his Arms. The earl of Chefter was then fent to Gryifydh to procure, if poffible, his fub- miffion to king Henry; and in order more effedlually to promote the defign, he infinuated that Owen had already made his peace with that prince. Incenfed at the fuppofed 1 Wellh Chron. p. 173. perfidy 279 28o GRYFFYDH AP CYNAN. Book V. perfidy of his confederate, (for they had taken an oath that neither party fhould make peace or fubmiflion without the confent of the other) the king of North Wales agreed to lay down his arms, and to pay a large fum of money to the king, as a compenfation, perhaps, for the ravages lately committed in Chefliire. At the fame time, Meredydh, under the pretence of treachery in the king of North Wales, brought over Owen his nephew. The means of intercourfc having been prevented by Meredydh, the two princes became the dupes of this artifice ; and each of thfem made a feparate peace with the Englifh king/ It gives us a ftriking idea of the valour of the Welfli, and the exceeding difficulty of fubduing their country by force, to fee a prince, fo potent as Henry the firft, glofiing over by a difhonourable fubter- fuge, real difgrace and difappointment. For where was the advantage refulting from the war ? No homage or tribute appears to have been acknowledged or paid, nor any new territory obtained; no extermination of the inhabitants, as he proudly menaced j no new colonies eftablifhed in North Wales, or in Powis. The bufy theatre of South Wales prefents, at this period, a new chara<5ter. Gryffydh the fon of Rhys ap Tewdwr, who, on the death of his father, had been conveyed for fafety into ' Welfli Chron. p. 174. Ireland, BookV. GRYFFYDH AP CYNAN. 281 Ireland, remained in that country till he was twenty-five years of age. Then, defirous of recovering the dignity which his anceftors had poflefled, he came privately into South Wales, under the pretence of vifiting Neft his fifter, who fome time before had been concubine' to king Henry, and had borne two fons to that monarch/ After her con- nexion with Henry was at an end, Gerald de Windfor, a Gentleman of much eftimation for his valour and condudt, then governor of Pembroke caftle, obtained her in marriage; and, on that account, was appointed lieutenant over a part of that province. This was the fame perfon, whofe beauty had fo lately excited Owen the fon of Cadwgan to the adl of violence already mentioned. With this lady, and his other relations, Gryifydh remained two years ; but Henry's jealoufy did not allow this prince to continue long unmo- lefted J fufpicions arifing that he began to carry on intrigues with the Welfh, who confidered him as the future deliverer of their country, and that his fecret defign was to recover his kingdom, orders were fent to have him arretted. When GryfFydh ap Rhys had intelligence of this defign, he implored the protedtion of the king of North Wales, who allured him, that for the friendfhip he had borne to his Father, he fhould be cordially received, and remain fecure within his domi- nions.' At the fame time, Howel, the brother of the young prince, having been a long time a prifoner, made his efcape out of the caftle of Montgomery, and though forely » Giraldus Cambrenfis Itin. cap. XII. fays one fon. Brady's Hift. Eng. reign of Henry I. p. 171, fays two fons. ' Welfh Chron. p. 175. O o maimed. 282 GRYFFYDHAPCYNAN. Book V. maimed, fled, as to a friendly afylum, to the court of GryfFydh ap Cynan." Henry, having heard of thefe events, and dreading the efFedts if drawn into precedent, of the protection which had been yielded to Rhys" in North Wales, fent a letter to Gryffydh ap Cynan, exprefling in terms of courtefy and friendfliip, a defire of feeing him in England. Pleafed with the notice of fo potent a monarch, he repaired to Henry's court, and was there received with honour and much hofpi- tality, with the addition alfo of prefents in jewels and other things to a confiderable amount : a reception likely to gratify either his avarice or his vanity. Having thus far prepared the way, king Henry, one day, laid open his defign ; reprefenting to Gryffydh the evils which might arife from giving protection to the fon of Rhys ap Tewdwr, whofe ambition was likely to diflurb the peace of all Wales ; and offering, at the fame time, the mofl fplendid rewards, if he would fend either the perfon or the head of the young prince into England.'' A mind lefs favage than that of a barbarian mufl feel fome relud:ance, before it could refolve to give up as a vidlim to the political views of Henry, an orphan who had fought his protection. On this occalion, however, the obligations of honour and of friendfhip, the feelings of humanity, with every idea of prudence and patriotifm, were in a moment annihilated. » Welfh Chion. p. 175 " Or hero. r Wellh Chron. p. 176. The BookV. GRYFFYDH AP CYNAN. 283 The friends of Gryffydh ap Rhys, fufpeding fome evil from the late fingular proceedings, advifed him ind his his brother Howel to withdraw themfelves, that they might have an opportunity of obferving the condud of Gryffydh ap Cynan upon his return into Wales. That prince, as foon as he entered his palace, inquired for Gryf- fydh ap Rhys; but was informed he had retired from the court. Difcovering the place of his retreat, the king then fent out a body of horfe-men to take him prifoner, and con- dudl him back ; but fortunately the young prince had notice of the defign, and had juft time to take fandluary in the church of Aberdaron.^ The king of North Wales, having violated more facred laws, had no fcruple to infringe the privileges of fandluary ; and ordered Gryifydh ap Rhys to be taken out of his afylum by force. In this unpopular attempt his authority had no weight ; for the clergy of that country, eager to defend their immunities, fo effe(flually refifted the endeavours of his foldiers, that they were not able to execute his orders. In the night, the young prince was fecretly conveyed away by his friends to Stratywy, a deep foreft in South Wales ; where having colleded the adherents of his family, he meditated hoflilities againfl the Normans and Flemings. "* The firft enterprife of Gryffydh ap Rhys, was to burn Ann. Dom. and defliroy feveral caflles belonging to the Englifh. But, '" ' * Welfh Chron. p. 176. => Ibid. O o 2 his 284 GRYFFYDHAPCYNAN. Book V. his forces increafing, he extended his ravages Into Dyvet, and even menaced with a fiege the caftle of Caermarthen, which Henry had made the principal feat of government in that pro- vince. Thofc who had the charge of this fortrefs, judging their own ftrength infufficient to maintain the place, fent for the Welfli chieftains who were vaflals to Henry, and, requiring each of them to defend it by turns for fourteen days, com- mitted the caftle to their cuftody. Owen the fon of Cara- doc, whofe mother was daughter to Bleddyn ap Cynvyn, was the jfirft to undertake Its defence. Gryffydh ap Rhys, having fent out fples to reconnoitre the fituation of the place, fuddenly Invefted it, being told the works were affailable. A fhout which his troops fet up as they advanced to the attack, gave Owen notice of his danger ; upon which, that chief, depending on the fupport of his garrifon, ruflied forward to oppofe the enemy ; but being deferted, he was flain In the adlion, valiantly fighting upon the ramparts. The town was immediately taken and demoliflied ; the caftle was only difmantled. Then, Gryffydh, the young prince, retreated with confiderable booty to his poft In the woods of Stratywy ; from whence he frequently iffued with the fiercenefs of a tiger, and ravaged the country around. The fpoils his followers had lately obtained, and the fame which he himfelf had acquired, drew to his ftandard great numbers of young men, who, pleafed with his adivity and fpirit, were in full confidence that he would foon re- cover BookV. GRYFFYDHAPCYNAN. 285 cover his father's dominions. Thus reinforced, GryfFydh loft no time in purfuing his fuccefs, and foon made himfelf mafter of two fortreffes more belonging to the Englifh ; one of which was the caftle of Gwyr, and the other the property of William de Londres. After this enterprife, he again retired to his ftrong fituation with the cattle and plunder he had taken. These fuccefles had confiderably raifed the reputation of Gryifydh ap Rhys, in confequence of which, the chieftains of Caerdigan efpoufed his caufe, and fubmitted to his government ; looking up to him as the guardian of his country, and calling on him to free them from the odious and ignominious tyranny of foreigners. Much pleafed with the invitation thefe chieftains had fent him, he entered their territories, and was received by them with great cor- diality and honour. '' The profperity of his arms was equal to the rapidity of his movements. He fuddenly came to Caerdigan Ifcoed, and laid fiege to a fortrefs, which the earl of Strigal had built at Blaen Forth Gwithan in that neighbourhood ; after a fevere conteft and fuftaining many terrible aifaults, though with the lofs only of one of his own men, the place was at length taken, and burned to the ground. As far as Penwedic the fame devaftation attended the deferted houfes of the Englifh inhabitants, who, ftruck with difmay, had fled from the fury of the Welfh. He " Wellli Chron. p. 178. then 286 GRYFFYDH AP CYNAN. Book V. then laid fiege to a fortrefs called Stradpythylh, belonging to the fteward of the earl of Slrigal ; which he took by alTault, and put the garrifon to the fword. Advancing then to Glafgrig, he there encamped to give his forces a day's refl. Near this place was the church of Llanbadarn, one of thofe fandluarles which pofTefled very high privileges, and in which the cattle, feeding within certain precinfls, were regarded as facred/ Out of this afylum he ventured to take fome cattle to refrefli his army; an impolitic, though perhaps it might be a neceffary meafure, as it was likely to injure his own reputation with his contrymen, by wound- ing their religious feelings. He then propofed on the fol- lowing day to lay fiege to the caftle of Aberyftwyth. The governor, acquainted with the defign, fent to Stratmeyric, a neighbouring fortrefs, for a reinforcement, which during the night was fafely conveyed into the caftle." Ignorant of this, Gryffydh ap Rhys preferved no order among his troops, and confident of fuccefs, appeared before the place ; but being drawn into an ambufcade laid for him by the governor, his forces were defeated with much flaughter, and compelled to quit that province/ He never- thelefs continued for fome time longer to maintain himfelf in the foreft of Straty wy/ ' Welfli Chron. p. 179. <• Ibid. = Ibid, p. 180. f Lord Littelton's Life of Henry IL vol. IL p. 6i. The BookV. GRYFFYDHAPCYNAN. 287 The condud: of this prince, which brightened his early life, promifed to open with ftill greater luftre; but the difafter he had lately experienced, feems, on a fudden, to have given fome check to his career, and to have cooled his enterpriiing fpirit. Henry, unable to fubdue this prince by open hoftilities, had recourfe to meafures, which could only be didlated by the moft wicked and narrow principles. He fent orders to Owen the fon of Cadwgan, one of the late princes of Powis, to repair to his court : on his arrival, the king exprefled much confidence in his fidelity, and defired him, on ftrong aflurances of recompence, to ailaffinate GryfFydh ap Rhys, or to take him prifoner. That chief, whofe favage manners rendered him fit for fuch an employment, gladly accepted the commiflion. Returning into Wales, he engaged in the defign Lhywarch ap Trahaern a chieftain of that country ; and with their joint forces marched towards the foreft of Stratywy, to form a jundtion with Robert earl of Gloucefter, the natural fon of Henry by Neft his late concubine, whom the king his father had fent to give vigour to an enterprife, the defign of which was the murder of his uncle. The ruffians being arrived on the confines of the foreft, they bound themfelves in a folemn engagement, not to fuffer man, woman, or child, who inhabited that diftridl, to efcape alive out of their hands. The people of the country, hearing of this favage refolution, left their habi- tations 288 GRYFFYDHAPCYNAN. BookV. tations to hide themfelves in caves and amidfl; rocks and woods, while others fought refuge even in the caflles be- longing to the Normans. In order to facilitate their entrance into the foreft, the approaches being narrow and difficult, the chiefs divided their force into feparate parties. Owen himfelf at the head of about a hundred men, entered the woods ; in his way, perceiving the footfteps of men, he purfued and overtook them, killed fome of their number, and difperfed the reft ; then, feifing on their cattle, he returned with his plunder towards the main body. At this moment, Gerald the governor of Pembroke caftle, made his appearance, intending to join the king's forces. Meeting the people who had fled from Owen, they complained of the injury they had juft received, and implored his affiftance. In an inftant the idea of revenge rufhed on his mind, for the infult his honour had received fome years before, by the outrage which Owen had committed on his wife. He inftantly entered the foreft in purfuit of that chief, who, being warned by his followers of the approaching danger, refufed to fly ; confident that his purfuers intended him no injury, they, like himfelf, being vafl!als of the king of England. As foon as Gerald and his forces drew near, they difcharged a volley of arrows. Owen, finding his miftake, with much fpirit, called on his men to fupport him ; telling them, that though their enemies were feven to one in number, BookV. GRYFFYDH AP CYNAN. 289 number, they were only Flemings, affrighted at the name of a Welfhman, and diftinguiflied by nothing but drinking deep at caroufals. In the firft onfet Owen ap Cadwgan was flain ; an arrow having pierced his heart. His death difpirited his followers, who fled to the other part of the army j the tidings of this outrage gave them fo great a diftrufl of the king's forces that they difperfed, and returned into their own country.^ In this manner died, fuitably to the tenor of his life, this bold and profligate chieftain. At this time, the Welfli, v^^ho inhabited Powis, revolted from their allegiance to Henry, and making inroads upon the marches, did there conliderable mifchief j and alfo in Chefliire, where they demolifhed two caftles.'' The Englifli monarch, incenfed at their revolt, once Ann. Dom. more marched in perfon at the head of a powerful army into Wales. "^ When he arrived on the confines of Powis, Meredydh ap Bleddyn, and the three fons of the late Cadwgan ap Bleddyn, implored the aflifl:ance of Gryffydh the king of North Wales. But this prince, eftranged from the real interefts of his country, and flill deluded by the artifice of Henry, refufed to afford them any fuccour, or to allow g Welfli Chron. p. 182. ^ Simon Dunelme, p. 245. Holinfhead's Chron. p. 42. Roger Hovedon, p. 477. John Brompton, p. 1013. Thefe writers fay, that in this expedition, the king penetrated as far as Snowdun. P p them 1122. 290 GRYFFYDH AP CYNAN. BookV. them the liberty of entering into any part of his dominions ; he being then, as he told them', at peace with that monarch. On this refufal, the Welfli chieftains difpairing of other relief than what they might derive from their own fpirit and exertions, prepared for their defence ; and with much judgment ftationed bodies of men to guard the different paffes into the country. Henry, having ordered his army to take a larger circuit, that the conveyance of his carriages might be rendered more eafy, entered himfelf with a few troops into a narrow defile. The Welfh, ftationed in places of advantage, began to fkirmifh with their arrows, killing fome, .and wounding many of his party. An arrow acci- dentally (hot from an unknown hand, ftruck the king on the breaft : he received little or no injury from the blow, the force of it being broken by the excellent temper of his habergeon, or coat of mail." It was uncertain from whence the ftroke proceeded j but Henry, the inftant he felt it, fwore by the " death of our Lord," his ufual oath, that the arrow came not from a Welfh but an Englifh bow." The danger he had fo narrowly efcaped made him defirous of ending the war ; in which a fmgle misfortune, in fo wild a country, might fully the renown he had formerly acquired. There was fomething faftidious in the idea, that ' Stowe's Chron, p. 140. Welfh Chron. p. 185. fc William Malmftury, p. 158. Franftfort edit. Baker's Chron. p. 40. the BookV. CRYFFYDHAPCYNAN. 291 the glory of Henry would be tarnifhed, by any check his arms might receive from the Welfh j a people, who, though rude, and deriving little fplendor from alliances, or the extent or fituation of their country, had yet baffled the various attempts, which a powerful nation like the Englifh, had made againfl their liberties. The king, in this fituation, entered into a negotiation v/ith Meredydh the prince of Powis, who fubmitted to give hoftages, to pay a thoufand head of cattle, and a fmall fum of money as a compenfation for the treafon committed in this infurreftion by himfelf, and by his nephews ; on which terms, Henry very willingly granted to thefe princes pardon and peace ; and returned into England, having appointed the lord Fitz Warren to be warden of the Ann. Dom. marches.'' A SPIRIT of cruelty, which bordered upon frenzy, and which broke afunder the ties of nature, at this period feifed on the -Ann- Dom, 1 125, different branches of the houfe of Powis j an effed produ- ,,27, ced by the cuflom of gavel-kind, that fatal fource from which ' '^ " the Wellh have tailed fo deeply of the waters of bitternefs.' About this time, Gryffydh ap Rhys was ejected out of a certain diftridl which had been affigned for his main- tenance by king Henry, on a falfe accufation brought ^ Wellli Chron. p. 185, 186, 187. William Malmlbury, p. 159. 1 Wellh Chron. p. 186, 187, 188. P p 2 againfl 292 GRYFFYDHAPCYNAN. BookV. againft him by the Engllfh, who were fettled in his neigh- bourhood." There was fomething both fingular and cruel, in thus driving a prince into want, dependence and de- fpair, in the very country of which he himfelf was the natural fovereign. Ann. Dom. At this time died Meredydh prince of Powis, the la*ft "^^" furviving fon of Bleddyn ap Cynvyn j who, forfaking his own, and the true interefls of his country, had long be- come a fubjedl to the king of England." Soon after this event died Henry the firft, and Stephen fucceeded to the Englifli crown. Ann. Dom. The news of Henry's death, arriving in Wales, excited a general commotion : a fpirit of revolt and hollllity was inftantly difFufed. Even Gryffydh ap Cynan, who fo long had deferted the dignity of his charadier, deluded by artifice, or influenced by a perfonal regard for the late king, joined in the common caufe againft the Englifli. The infurredlion began in the territory of Pembroke, and a very confiderable body of Normans were cut in pieces. Animated with fuc- cefs, the infurgents over ran the whole country ; putting to death all the foreigners wherever they came." " Welfh Chron. p. 187. " Ibid. p. 188. " Lord Lyttehon's Hid. Henry II. vol. I. p. 63. taken from Geft. Reg. Step, p. 930, 931, 932. & Continual, ad Flor. Wig. fub annos, 1135, 1136, J137. In "35- BookV. gryffydh ap cynan. In the courfe of thefe events, Richard fon of Gilbert de Clare, to whom the territory of Caerdigan had been given by Henry, was mui-dered by Jorwerth the brother of Morgan of Caer Lleon. During thefe tranfaftions, Gryffydh ap Rhys went into North Wales, to procure a body of troops from Gryffydh ap Cynan his father-in-law. In the abfence of that prince, his wife Gwenlian, a woman of a manly fpirit, defirous of aiding his generous deiigns, took the field in perfon at the head of her own forces, attended by her two fons. This lady's fuccefs was not equal to her gallant fpirit. Her army was defeated not far from the caflle of Cydweli, by Maurice de Londres, an Englifli lord pofTeffed of great property In the country ; Morgan, one of her fons was flain in the adlion, and her other fon Maelgon taken pri-r foner ; and the princefs herfelf, it is faid, was beheaded by the orders of her brutal enemy. An aftion fo favage, without precedent even in thefe times, called loudly for vengeance on the fpirit of the injured princes.'' In this flate of things, the province of Caerdigan was furioufly attacked by Owen Gwynedh and Cadwalader, the P Giraldas Cambrenfis. Itin. lib. I. cap. IV. 1 Giraldus Cambreniis. Itin. lib. I. cap. IX. and alfo Dr. Powel's notes on the faid chapter. This circumilance clearly contradifts the aflcrtion of Flo- rentius Monk of Weflminfter, that Gwenlhian wife to Gryffydh ap Rhys, by deceitful praftices, had been the caufe of his death. See Wellh Chron. p. 190. the 293 294 GRYFFYDH AP CYNAN. Book V. two elder fens of the king of North Wales.'' Among a people, whofe manners feem to have been little refined by ideas of chivalry, we are furprifed at the appearance of two men, whofe perfonal qualities, and whofe courteous and gentle demeanour, might have entitled them to difpute the palm with the accompliflied knights of the feudal ages/ Thefe diflinguifhed perfons were the above-named fons of Gryffydh ap Cynan. As foon as the princes arrived in South Wales, feveral chieftains joined their army j being thus rein- forced, they took and deftroyed the caftles of Aberyftwyth,' Dinerth, and Caerwedrofs, and two other fortreffes be- longing to Walter Afpec, and Richard de la Mare ; all of which were very flrong, and well garrifoned. Having finifhed the campaign, fo much to their glory, they returned into North Wales.' Ann. Dom. DuRiNG the late expedition, two Englifh barons were ^'^ ' flain. And a little time after, in revenge, it is probable, of the late devaftations, Ranulph earl of Chefler made an inroad into Wales ; but being on a fudden intercepted by the Welfli, it was with great difHculty, that he himfelf, with five only of his foldiers, were able to efcape j the reft of his forces having been put to the fword." q Welfh Chron. p. 189. "■ Giraldus Cambrenfis, lib. II. cap. XII. « The word Jier, which frequently occurs in the Welfti hiftory, fignifies that point where a leffer river runs into a larger ; or where a river difcharges itfelf into the fea. ' Welfti Chron. p. 189. " Simon Dunelme, Continuata, p. 258, 259. On Book V. GRYFFYDH AP CYNAN. On the clofe of the fame year, the young princes Owen and Cadwalader, came a fecond time into South Wales, at the head of a formidable force ; confifting of fix thoufand in- fantry, and two thoufand horfe, all of which were compleatly armed. The profperous event of their late enterprife, with the defire of revenge, having excited GryfFydh ap Rhys" who had married their lifter, and feveral chieftains in South Wales to join them with confiderable fupplies, they fubdued the whole country as far as Aberteivi, the prefent town of Caerdigan ; expelling the foreigners, and replacing the native inhabitants. To repel this formidable infurrediion, the united force of the Normans, Flemings, and Engliih in Wales or in the marches, was exerted, under the condudl of feveral powerful barons, who determined by one great effort to re- cover the territories lately torn from them, or at leaft, to pre- ferve thofe parts which ftill remained.'' Thefe were the two fons of Gerald de Windfor, with Robert Fitzmartyn, and William Fitz John, befides Stephen the governor of Aber- teivi ; who, after the death of Gerald, had married Neft,'' his widow. The courage of the Welfli had, in various fituations, been terrible to their enemies : on this occafion, it feems to have been raifed above the ufual ftandard ; fired with refent- " Welfh Chron. p. 190. y Ibid. p. 189. " Lord Lyttelton's Hid. Hen. II. vol. I. p. 63. ment 295 296 GRYFFYDHAPCYNAN. Book V. ment at the late outrage, and animated by the example of leaders, whofe talents rendered them fo fit for command. The Englifh, after a fevere and bloody conflid:, were defeated, with the lofs of three thoufand men ; and fly- ing to their caftles for fafety, were fo clofely purfued, that many prifoners were taken, and great numbers drowned in the Teivy ; a bridge acrofs that river having been broken down, over which they were obliged to pafs/ Never before had the Englifli, in their various attempts upon Wales, received fo terrible a blow. Having finifhed another - profperous campaign, the two young princes returned into North Wales ; carrying with them, to grace their triumph, the horfes and armour, and the rich fpoils they had taken." In the courfe of thefe events, the fifter of the earl of Cheiler, who, after the murder of her hufband, Richard de Clare, had retired to one of his caftles, was befieged by the Welfh in that fortrefs. The fituation of this lady was truly deplorable. She was inverted by an irritated enemy, and in want of provifions j the Englifh were nearly all flain, or expelled out of the country ; her brother was at a diftance, and fo employed in defending his own territories, that he could not afford her any timely relief; and, what con- tributed to render her fituation ftill more wretched, fhe had reafon to expedl every hour a fate, which fhe might » Welfh Chron. p. 189. Hift. Gwedir Family, p. 4. * Britifti Ant. Reviv. by Vaughau of Hengwrt, p. 22. deem. BookV. gryffydh ap cynan. deem more cruel than death itfelf, the Welfh, like many other nations, having taken their female captives, even thofe of the highefl rank, to be their concubines.'' In this dreadful flate, Milo Fitz Walter, who, by right of his wife the daughter of Bernard de Newmarche, was the lord of Brecknock, received orders from king Stephen to ufe his utmoft endeavours to fet at liberty the unfortunate countefs. There was fo much difficulty and danger in the enterprife, that its fuccefs appeared almoft impoffible. A generous pity, which a brave mind ever feels for weaknefs in diflrefs, and the gallant fpirit of chivalry, made him however attempt, at every hazard, to deliver the lady out of danger. He loft no time, therefore, in marching, with a chofen body of troops, through ways which were leaft frequented; traverfing along the tops of mountains and through the deep woods of the country ; at length having had the good fortune to arrive at the caflle, unfeen by the Wellli, he carried away the countefs of Clare, and all her retinue.'' An adlion fo gallant and humane, equals many of the fanciful defcriptions which are found in romance, and proves fuch pidures to have borne fome refemblance to the manners of the age. ' Lord Lyttelton's Life of Henry II. p. 64. Cadwalader, one of thefe princes, afterwards married the daughter of this countefs of Clare. Hift. Gwedir. p. j. ^ Lord Lyttelton's Henry II. vol. II. p. 64, from Girald. Cambrenfis. Itin. Cam. cap. II. lib. I. 297 Q^q But II37. 298 GRYFFYDHAPCYNAN. Book V. But we fee not on this occafion, the fame gallantry of fpirit in Owen and Cadwalader j nor in fome other parts of their fubfequent condudl, though thefe princes, it is faid, were highly diftinguillied for humanity and courteous manners." Ann. Dom. In this year, Gryffydh the fon of Rhys ap Tewdwr prince of South Wales died j clofing with his life a feries of gallant adlions, which refleded back the luftre he had received from a long line of anceftry.' Soon after the profperous campaign which his fons had made in South Wales, Gryffydh ap Cynan died at the age of eighty-two, and was buried on the fouth fide of the great altar in the church of Bangor.^ This prince had three fons and five daughters by his wife Angharad the daugh- ter of Owen ap Edwyn lord of Englefield. The names of the three fons were Owen, Cadwalader, and Cadwalhon ; the latter of whom was flain before the death of his father.*" He had likewife five other children by another woman.' In fuch a country as North Wales, where fo many caufes confpired to render its government unftable, and the enjoy- ment of it often fatal to the fovereign, that the late prince fhould have been able to extend his reign to fifty years, = Welfh Chron. p. 189. ' Ibid. p. igo. s Vita. GrifF. ill. Conani. ^> Welfh Chron. p. 191. Hift. Gwyder family, p. i. 'Welfh Chron. p. 191. is BookV. gryffydh ap cynan. is an extraordinary Inftance of good fortune, and a proof of his poiTeffing confiderable abilities. The love of freedom, which diftinguifhed the early part of his life, infufed the fame fpirit among his fubjeds, which led them to difdain the ignominious yoke impofed on them by a foreign power. His valour, and abilities, aiding their returning virtue, delivered his country from the vaiTalage of England; and, in general, by his conduct with Henry, or by the vigour of his government, he preferved his dominions free from the invafions of the Englifh, and from civil commotions. The recital of thefe virtues, which form the fhining features of his charadler, is no more than a juft eulogium on his memory. But other impreffions appear on the reverfe of the medal, expreffive of a condud; which is neither amiable nor great. A juft policy required him to unite in the common caufe, as to one central point, the jarring interefts which prevailed in the other principalities ; and the im- portance of his lituation and charadler, obliged him to confider himfelf as the great fpring, which was to give life and vigour, and efficacy to the exertions of the whole. He ought to have known that the conqueft of Wales was a leading principle in the politics of England, that the princes of that country would never ceafe to exert every effort of fagacity and power, until their ambition had been fitia- ted by the conqueft, or the entire deftrudion of the Welfti. Imprcffed with, ideas fuch as thefe, he ought to have regarded every offer of friendfhip, made by the Q^q 2 Englifli 299 300 GRYFFYDH AP CYNAN. BookV. Englifli. monarch, as a delufive fnare to his honour: and at every gift, he ought to have exclaimed in the natu- ral language of diftruft, Titnco Danaos et dona ferentes. But influenced by a perfonal regard to Henry, or by motives of a bafer nature, he was led to prefer a felfifh and folitary peace with the Englifh, to the more generous and manly condudl of iliaring in the common danger, and of attempting to preferve the general freedom of his country, by uniting its ftrength. He was prevented, indeed, by his tedious captivity in Cheiler, from taking an aftive part, in impeding the conquefts which the Englifh were making in South Wales ; nor is it juft to fuppofe, that in that early period of his life, he could be cold or uninterefted in the fatal fcene that was adling before him. The fame plea, however, cannot juflify another part of his condudl. Inftead of giving fecurity to Powis, a barrier of fuch im- portance to his kingdom, he left the princes of that country, on its being invaded by Henry, to abide their fate ^ refufing, under a cold pretence, to afford them protection or relief. Thefe traits of his character, with a defire of facrificing to the jealoufy of the Englifli king an orphan prince, who had fought his protedlion, and whofe birth and talents might have rendered him the instrument of his country's fafety, evince, that the condudt of Gryffydh ap Cynan was not entirely diredled by the principles of honour, or humanity, or of a folid and extenfive policy. HISTORY HISTORY OF WALES, BOOK VI. FROM THE DEATH OF GRYFFYDH A? CYNAN TO THE ACCESSION OF LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH; ON the death of GryfFydh ap Cynan, his dominions, agreeably to the cuftom of the country, were divided among his fons. His eldeft fon, Owen, furnamed Gwy- nedh, under the newly adopted title of prince, fucceeded '^""- ^°"'- ' J37- as fovereign of North Wales. This adlive prince, in confederacy with his brothers, began his reign by a third expedition into South Wales, with the fame fortunate iffue which had heretofore followed his arms ; deftroying in his progrefs the caftles of Stradmeyric, Ste- phens, and Humfreys, and burning to the ground the town of Caermarthen ;'' then retaining in his pofTeflion all Caerdigan, "^ Welfh Chron. p. 193. and ;o2 O W E N G W Y N E D H, Book VI. J and obliging the inhabitants of Dyvet to pay him tribute, he returned into his own dominions in high reputation.' The feries of profperity which of late had attended the Welfh princes, might in fome meafure be owing to the embarraffed fituation of Stephen king of England. This prince, engaged in continual hollilities, and in fupporting a doubtful title, had neither inclination nor leifure to interefl himfelf in affairs, in which he himfelf had no immediate concern, and which were tranfafted in fo remote a part of the ifland. In confequence of which, he concluded a peace with the Welfli, and allowed them to retain the territories they had lately recovered free of homage or tribute; at leaft it does not appear that either the one or the other was ever paid, during his reign, by any of the princes of Wales."' An incident arofe at this time, affording an example of favage manners, which proved fatal to the parties concerned, and had nearly involved the flate in the fame ruin. Anar- awd the fon of Gryffydh ap Rhys, had married the daughter of Cadwalader, the brother of Owen prince of North Wales. A violent difpute having arifen between the father and the Ann. Dom, fon-in-law, they decided the contefl by a fingle combat. ^^'^'' In this rencounter the latter prince was flain. Owen was ' Brit. Ant. Reviv. by Vaughan of Hengwrt, p. 23. "' Lofd Lyttelton's Hift. of Henry II. vol. II. p. 66. {9 Book VI. O W E N G W Y N E D H. 303 fo incenfed at this aftion of his brother, that he, with his , fon Howel, invaded the territories of that prince, fet on fire his caftle of Aberyftwyth, laid wafte the country, and obliged him to fly into Ireland ; but foon engaging in his fervice fome chieftains, and a large body of forces, he landed at Abermenai in Caernarvonfhire. * Owen Gwynedh oppofed this invafion with a powerful army, but before any adtion had taken place, a peace was concluded between the bro- thers; which fo incenfed the Irifli, that they detained Cadwalader, as a fecurity till they had received their ilipula- ted pay. That prince, to recover his liberty, gave them two thoufand head of cattle. As foon as the prince of Wales heard that his brother was at liberty, he fuddenly attacked the Irifh, flew great numbers of them, and recovered the cattle which had been given by Cadwalader, with the prifoners alfo and other fpoils they had taken in the country." Ann. Dom. 1142. Soon after this expedition, Howel and Cynan the fons of Owen Gwynedh made another inroad into South Wales, gave the Normans, who oppofed them, an overthrow, and took pofleffion of the town of Aberteivi or Caerdigan." This was fucceeded by an attempt made by Gilbert de Clare earl of Pembroke, to recover thofe territories which, it is probable, Stephen in the late treaty had ceded to the Welfli. With this view he came with a large army into » Wellh CJiron. p. 197. " Ibid. p. jcjS. Dyvet, 304 O W E N G W Y N E D H. J3ook VI. Dyvet, and rebuilt the caflle of Caermarthen, and another fortrefs.'' To defeat the defign, Cadelh the fon of the late Gryffydh ap Rhys, laid fiege to, and won, the caftle of Dinevawr. Then, joinnig his forces with thofe of his brothers Meredydh and Rhys, they invefled the caftle of Caermarthen, which was foon given up on condition that the lives of the garrifon fliould be fpared.'' This advantage encourged thena to appear before the caftle of Llanftephan, in Caermarthenfhire, to the relief of which came a large body of the enemy ; but fuccefs ftill attending on the arms of the Welih, the Normans were defeated and the fortrefs was taken. The Normans and Flemings who inhabited that country, under the condud of the fons of Gerald and William de Hay, in hopes of recovering the caftle, fuddenly invefled it ; Meredydh the fon of Gryffydh ap Rhys, to whofe cuflody the fortrefs was committed, defended it with great valour, and with equal ability ; for having fuffered the enemy to fcale the walls, on a fudden, when the ladders were crowded with foldiers, he caufed them to be over- turned by the means of engines he had previoufly provided. Ann. Dom. 'pj^jg difcomfiture, with the lofs they had fuflained, obliged the Normans to raife the fiege.' An afflidion of a private nature, the fudden death of Rhun,' a favourite though an illegitimate fon, fell at this P Wellh Chron. p. 198. ^ Ibid. ' Ibid. ' Ibid. p. 226. time Book VI, O W E N G W Y N E D H. 305 time on Owen prince of North Wales. In the bitternefs of his forrow, the afflifted father gave himfelf up to folitude and to tears. But the defire of affifling the operations fo fuccefsfully begun in South Wales, as well as the importance of the objedl, reviving the fpirit of an adlive and a gallant prince, he determined to lay fiege to the caftle of Mold, in Flintfliire. That fortrefs, fituated on the Welfli frontier, was exceedingly ftrong, and had within it a numerous garrifon of Englifli ; who frequently fallying out, much infefted the adjacent country. It had been frequently be- fieged by the Wellh, but on account of its ftrength and warlike appointments, every attempt had hitherto proved unfuccesful. The place was at this time inverted by Owen j the garrifon with great intrepidity fuftained many terrible aflaults ; at length, the Welfh, animated by the prefence of their fovereign, bore down every reiiflance, and entered the caftle by ftorm. Having taken prifoners all who had efcaped the fword, prince Owen levelled to the ground the walls of that fortrefs ; in doing which he gave no proof of his military fagacity, fuch a place being evidently of importance, as a check to the inroads of the Englifh on the frontier of his dominions. The glory of this atchieve- ment fo raifed his fpirits, that he foon forgot his forrows, and recovered the ufual tone of his mind, as well as a relifli for his former amufements.' ' Wellh Chron. p. 199. R r At 3o6 OWEN GWYNEDH. Book VI. At this time, the fons of GryfFydh ap Rhys laid fiege to the caftle of Gwys in South Wales ; but finding their force unequal to the enterprife, they defired the affiftance Ann. Dom. of Howel, the fon of Owen Gwynedh, whofe talents for the council or the field were high in the efteem of his country. The young prince, eager for glory, joined the three lords before Gwys ; having reconnoitered the place, he caufed engines to be made to batter its walls, and to annoy the foldiers by throwing large flones into the caille. Preparations fo formidable, and probably fo novel, intimi- dated the garrifon, who inflantly furrendered the fort. After this exploit the young prince returned into his own country." A DissENTiON having arifen between Howel and Cynan, the fons of Owen Gwynedh, and Cadwalader their uncle, the young princes led a body of troops into Mierionedh. The terror of this inroad caufed the inhabitants to fly into fandluary ; the princes proclaimed, that no injury was intended to any perfon who fubmitted to their authority j which made the people, accuflomed to a change of maflers, quietly to return to their own habitations. They then inveiled the caftle of Cynvael, ere<5led by Cadwalader, and left by that chieftain to the cuftody of the Abbot of Tygwyn. Neither menaces, nor offers of rewards, could fhake the fidelity of this warlike prieft j he defended the place with " Welfh Chron. p. 200. great Book VI. OWEN GWYNEDH. 307 great intrepidity, until the walls of the caftle were beaten down, and all the garrifon were either wounded or flain ; he then made his efcape by means of fome friends which he had in the enemies army." Some time after, another of his fortreffes was taken by his nephew Howel, his territory wrefted from him, and Cadwalader himfelf im- Ann. Dom. prifoned,'' "48. Animosity againft the Englifh, and the fame gallantry of fpirit which diflinguiflied the father, animated the fons of GryfFydh ap Rhys. Cadelh, one of the fons of that prince, having fortified the caftle of Caermarthen, iflued from thence with a body of troops, and marched to Cydwely in Caermarthenfhire, the country about which he ravaged and laid wafte ; then, joining his forces with thofe of his brothers Meredydh and Rhys, they entered into Caerdiganfliire, and fubdued a part of that diftridl.^ The incidents of this reign have been hitherto confined to enterprifes of no national importance. But a tranfaftion arofe at this time, which in fome mcafure menaced the fafety of the ftate, and called into excercife the talents of the prince of North Wales. To recover the honour which Ranulph earl of Chefter had loft by his difcomfiture, a few years ago, in Wales, this lord meditated a formidable » WeHh Chron. p. 201. y Wynne's Hift. Wales, p. 168. ^ Welfh Chron. p. 202. R r 2 invafion 3o8 OWEN G W Y N E D H. Book VI. invafion of the country/ Befides his own vaflals, he colledted from different parts of England a large body of troops. He engaged likewife in the defign Madoc ap Meredydh, at this time the prince of Powis, who difdaining to hold his lands under the fovereignty of North Wales, joined the arms of the earl of Chefter ; and the two leaders, with their united forces, entered the dominions of Owen Gwynedh. As foon as this prince had heard of the invafion, he advanced into Flintfhire, to give the enemy the meeting at Counfyllt, on the confines of his kingdom. This move- ment, as rapid as it was bold, infufed a fpirit into his army, and fecured his own territories from the devaflations of war. Contrary to the ufual cuflom of the Welfh, of fcarcely ever rifquing a general engagement, or of attacking an enemy unlefs in fituations of advantage, Owen, availing himfelf of the ardour of his troops, faced the Englifh and offered them battle, though their forces were fuperior to his own in numbers, and had alfo the advantage from the nature of their arms. The fortune of the day decided in favour of the Welfli, who fo entirely difcomfited the Englifh, that few remained to witnefs their difgrace ; except thofe who were taken prifoners, and the leaders of ^nn. Dom. the army, who efcaped the fury of the purfuit by the fwift- *'^°" nefs of their horfes." ' Welfli Chron.p, 197. "> Ibid. p. Z02. Hift. Gwedir Family, p. 4. Though Book VI. OWEN GWYNEDH. Though urged to a different condudl, by every motive of prudence, Cadelh, Meredyth and Rhys the fons of Gryffydh ap Rhys, invaded Caerdigan, which belonged to Howel the fon of the prince of North Wales, and fubdued the whole of that territory, except a fingle fortrefs in Pengwern. The lofs of the braveft of their foldiers, which they fuflained at the fiege of Lhanryflyd caftle, fo irritated the young princes, that when they gained poffeflion of it, they put the garrifon to the fword. From thence they pro- ceeded to the caftle of Yllrat-Meyric, which, aftfer they had taken, they fortified with new works ; the princes, then, difbanding their forces, returned into South Wales/ Cadelh, the eldefl: of thefe lords, being fond of the pleafures of the chace, engaged in a hunting party to amufe himfelf after the toils of the late expedition. As foon as this prince had begun his diverfion, the inhabitants of Tenby, having conceived fome difpleafure againfl: him, fud- denly attacked his party, and, unarmed as they were, eafily put them to flight. Cadelh himfelf, forely wounded, efcaped with difficulty to his houfe, where he languiflied a confiderable time. In revenge of this treatment, his bro- thers Meredydh and Rhys, entered the territory of Gwyr; and having laid wafte the country, they made themfelves mafters of the caftle of Aberlhychwr, which they levelled to the ground; they then returned into their own territories, « Wynne's Hill. Wales, p. 170. loaded 309 3IO OWEN GWYNEDH. Book VI. loaded with much plunder, and rebuilt the caftle of Dinc- vawr, the ancient palace of their anceftors. Some time after, the two princes laid fiege to Penwedic caftle, be- longing to prince Howel, of which, after fome difficulty, they gained pofleilion j then invefting the cajftle of Tenby in the night, they took that fortrefs by efcalade, before the garrifon was aware of any danger j obtaining revenge, by this laft exploit, for the injury their brother had lately received/ The cuftom of Afiatic fovereigns, of exterminating the younger branches of their family, was too frequently adopted by the Welfli princes ; tinging more deeply by fuch a cruel meafure, the native barbarifm of their manners. Cadwalhon the brother of Owen Gwynedh prince of North Wales, having been affaffinated, in the late reign, in revenge of feveral murders which he had committed, left a fon of the name of Cynetha, the undoubted heir to his territories. To render his nephew incapable of aflerting his rights, Owen had the barbarity to pull out his eyes ; and refining on a favage and a detefled policy, he alfo caufed him to be caf- Ann. Dom. trated, that no heirs in future might lay claim to his "^^* territories, or retaliate the injuries this prince had received.' An adion fo atrocious, and not to be extenuated even by the rudenefs of thefe times, throws a deep lliade over the cha- ■J Wellh Chron. p. 203. « Ibid. radler Book VI. OWENGWYNEDH. 311 rafter of a prince, who, in other refpedls was a friend to his country, and of an amiable and a gallant fpirit. At this time, Cadwalader made his efcape out of prifon, having been long kept in confinement by Howel, his nephew; and flying into Anglefey, he brought a great part of that ifland under his fubjedtion. The prince of North Wales, hearing of his brother's efcape, and the profperous fituation of his affairs, fent againft him a body of troops, which proving too formidable, that prince was obliged to fly into England, to folicit afliftance from the relations of his wife, a daughter of the houfe of Clare/ At this time died Meredydh the fon of Gryffydh ap Ann. Dom. Rhys of South Wales. ''53- Soon after this event, died likewife Stephen the king of England ; and Henry the fecond fucceeded to the throne.^ Ann, Dom. 1154. While the Welfh princes were wafting the national force in mutual hoftilities, the Flemings, who had fettled as a colony in South Wales, acquired an acceflion of ftrength. One of the firft adls in the government of king Henry, relating to Wales, was to banifh out of England the Flemifh foldiers, who had followed the fortunes of Ste- phen j and, poffeffing found principles of political wifdom, he ' Memoirs of Gwedyr family, p. j. Welfli Chron. p. 203. s Ibid. p. 204. gave 312 OWENGWYNEDH. Book VI. gave permiffion to thefe foreigners, to fettle among their countrymen in the province of Pembroke,"" Several caufes confpired, with the motives of ambition and glory, in engaging the king of England, to employ at this time, the utmoft exertion of his power, in attempting the conqueft of Wales. Madoc ap Meredydh, the prince of Powis, confcious of having joined the enemies of his country, and dreading the refentment which that condudl had excited in the bread of Owen Gwynedh, endeavoured, as a means of his future fecurity, to incite the Englifh king to the invafion of North Wales. Cadwalader, likewife, fince the fatal ilTue of the combat with his nephew, having been treated with feverity by his brother Owen, and by the fons of that prince, had fled into England ; and in that court, had employed in profecution of the fame defign, his own folicitations, with the powerful intereft of the houfe of Clare.' The glory to be acquired, and the importance of the objeft, with the apparent facility of the enterprife from the defcftion of fuch powerful princes, determined Henry to exert every means, which his great power afforded, for the conqueft of the country. Ann. Dom. WiTH this defign, he colledled out of different parts "^''' of England, a formidable army, with which he marched to Chefter -, then advancing into Flintfhire, he encamped •> Welfli Chron. p. 205. ' Ibid. p. 206. his Book VI. OWEN GWYNEDH. his forces on a marfli called Saltney, which borders upon the Dee. Prince Owen, with his ufual activity, advancing to the frontiers of his dominions, took poft at Bafingwerk near Holywell in Flintihire. In this fituation he waited the approach of the Englifli. The boldnefs of the move- ment encouraged Henry to hope, that the Welfla prince intended to rifque a general engagement. Agreeably to this idea, he difpatched a chofen body of troops under the command of feveral barons of diftindtion, with the delign of bringing the Welfli to an aJ:ion, or of dillodging them from their poft. This party, in pafiing through the woody and broken country of Coed Eulo, near Hawarden, Vv'as attacked by David and Cynan the two fons of Owen, who, with a body of forces, had lain in ambufh to intercept them. The fuddennefs and impetuofi ty of the onfet, with the unufual difficulties of their fituation, fo intimidated the Englifh, that they fled in great diforder, and with much flaughter, to the main body of the army." Alarmed at the danger, as well as mortified by the difgrace, the king of England broke up his camp, and marched along the fea fhore to the town of Flint ; intending by this manoeuvre, to deceive the Welfh prince by leaving him upon the right, and by a nearer road to penetrate into the interior parts of the country. But in pafllng through a long and narrow defile at Counfyllt, he was intercepted by Owen. k Welfli Chron. p. 206. S s The 31 1 314 OWEN GWYNEDH. Book VI. The defign was ccndudted with temper and judgment. The Englifh were permitted to enter unmolefled fo far into the flrait, as to render their advance or retreat both difficult and dangerous. The Wel{h, then, rufhing with terrible outcries from out of the woods, aflaulted them with ftones, arrows, and other miffile weapons. Struck with difmay, encumbered with heavy armour, and unaccuftomed to fight in fuch fituations, the Englifli were again thrown into the utmoft diforder, being unable either to retreat, or to refift fo unexpet, a general peace took Ann. Dora place between England and Wales. ^ The princes and all "^ ' the chieftains of South Wales repaired to the court of England ; where Henry granted them peace, on the terms « Brompton's Chron. p. 1048. " Annales Waverleienfi^, p, 159. ^ Welfti Chron. p. 208. >' Lord Lyttelton's Hift. Hen. II. vol. II. p. 79. ^ Welih Chron. p. 208, of .i8 OWEN GW^NEDH. Book VI. of doing homage for their own territories, and on their ceding to him thofe diflridts which in the late reign had been recovered from the Englifh." Rhys ap GryfFydh ap Rhys, the immediate heir to the fovereign dignity in South Wales, was not included in the general pacification. Animated with the fame fpirit which had heretofore diftinguifhed his family, this prince was not willing tamely to yield up to ambitious foreigners a fovereignty which had defcended to him through a long line of anceftry. Under the jufl fears that Henry would employ his force againft him, he commanded his va^GTals to remove their goods and cattle into the forefl of Tywy, from whence unfupported by any confe- derate, he made war againft the Englifti. *■ Pleased with his gallant fpirit, or afraid of his power, Henry fent him an invitation to his court, under the affurance of a gracious reception j but threatened, at the fame time, if he refufed the friendly oiFer, that the whole force of England and of Wales fhould be employed to con- vey him thither.' The high fpirit of the Welfli prince was obliged to fubmit to fo alarming a fummons, and by the advice of his » Lord Lyttelton's Hift. Henry II. vol. II. p. 80. * Welfh Chron. p. 208. ■^ Ibid. friends Book Vr. OWEN GWYNEDH. friends he repaired to Henry's court, where having done homage, and given up two of his fons"* as hoftages for his fidelity, the diftridt of Cantrev Mawr, the ancient demefne of his family, was promifed him." But contrary to that promife, the king gave him only fome lordOiips, and other lands remote from each other, and intermixed with the eftates of the Englifh ; with the defign, no doubt, by fuch a difpofition of his property, to render his power lefs dangerous. Neceflity obliged Rhys to fit down in quiet under fuch unjuft and mortifying treatment/ The fituation of this prince, though little to be envied, foon excited the rapacious fpirit of Walter Clifford, and ano- ther Englifh lord ; who making an inroad into his territories, flew many of his vaflals, and returned home loaded with fpoils. Rhys fent immediate intelligence to the king of this tranfaftion, defiring fatisfadtion for the injury he had received. But Henry, partial to the condud of his Eng- lifli fubjeds, and regarding with a jealous eye the interefts of the Welfli, paid no other attention to his complaints, than to give him unmeaning aflurances of redrefs. In- cenfed at a condudl fo faithlefs, Rhys threw off his alle- giance, determined that his fword fhould do him that ^ Lord Lyttelton'$ Hift. Henry II. vol. II. p. 8i. The like fecurity was exafted from all the other Welfli chiefs and princes. ■ ' Welfli Chron. p. 208. f Ibid. juflice. 319 320 O W E N G W Y N E D H. Book VI, juftice, which had been denied him by the Englifh king;^ he inflantly laid fiege to the caftle of Llandovery in Caermarthenfhire, of which he foon gained poiTeflion. At the fame time Eineon nephew to the Welfli prince, alike eager to throw off the ignominious yoke, flew to arms, regarding the oath of allegiance which his uncle had taken as diflblved, the obligation on the part of the king, of doing juftice and affording protedion, not having been obferved. He in- verted the caftle of Humfrey, which he took by {lorm, and put the garrifon to the fword. In this fortrefs, he found a number of horfes and implements of war fufficient to equip a confiderable body of men. Rhys, likewife, with equal rapidity and fuccefs, over-ran the whole country of Caerdigan, which he foon brought under his fubjediion after having levelled to the ground every fortrefs' belonging to the Englifli. ' Henry regarded this revolt of fufficient importance to demand hi;> prefence in South Wales, and entered that country by the fea coaft of Glamorgan and Gwyr j but finding all his efforts ineffedual, he was under the neceflity of giving up the enterprife, and returned into his own dominions through Eleneudh and Meleneudh;' leaving Rhys in poflfeflion of his conquefts, on no other condition than that of giving hoflages for the prefervation of the peace s Dr Powel's notes on Giraldus Cambren. Itin. lib. I. cap. X. * Wellh Chron. p. 209. ' Giraldus Cambrenfis, lib. 11. cap. X. during Book VI. O W E N G W Y N E D H. 321 during his abfence in Normandy. " Thus did the prince of South Wales, deferted by all his confederates, baffle the efforts of a mighty monarch. The condudt of Rhys in the following year, by making a fudden inroad into Dyvet, though only contending for his own rights, yet threw fome ftain upon his honour, as it was likely to expofe the hoftages' in Henry's hands to the cruel treatment ufual in thefe times. Having laid Ann. Dom, fiege to Caermarthen, the earl of Briftol natural fan to Henry, with the earl of Clare and Cadwalader his brother-in- law, befides two other barons, came to the relief of that place. Howel and Cynan, the fons of the prince of North Wales, joined in the unnatural alliance. Unable to refift fo formidable an oppofition, Rhys retreated to the mountains of Cefn Refler, in which ilrong pofl he remained in fecurity. The confederate army, encamping for fome time at Dynwylhir, built there a caftle i after which, having no intelligence of Rhys ap Gryffydh, they broke up their camp, and returned to their refpedive countries." In this year died at Winchefter Madoc ap Meredydh the Ann. Dom, prince of Powis, and was buried atMyvod, in Montgomery- fhire, the ufual burial place of that hoiife. After his death that principality, one half of which called Powis Vadoc. '' Welfh Chron. p. 209. ' Brompton's Chron, o. 10^9. «' Welfh Chron. p. 210. T t he 322 OWEN GWYNEDH. Book VI. he had held entire, " underwent feveral divifions by the cuftom of gavel-kind, and was never again united under one fovereign. This prince left three fons GryfFydh Maelor, Owen, and Elife, befides a daughter, by Sufannah his wife, who was the daughter of GryfFydh ap Cynan ; he had, alfo, Owen Brogynton, and two other fons who were illegitimate, all of whom fhared, agreeably to the cuftom of Wales, the paternal inheritance. Likewife Owen his nephew the fon of Gryffydh ap Meredydh, ftiled Owen Cyveilioc, had a diflrid afterwards called by that name, which contained near half of Powis." The fovereignty of England was acknowledged by all thefe princes. Ann. Dom. Henry being returned from Normandy, and having reduced the other Wel{h princes to his obedience, turned all his attention to the affairs of South Wales, and to the hoflilities lately committed againfl him by Rhys ap Gryf- fydh. That prince, ftill remaining unfubdued, had, during Henry's abfence, continually infefled the adjacent country, from his flrong pofl on the mountains of Brecknock, encouraged by fome prophecies then current in Wales, that the king would never return into England. '' Incenfed at the frequent violations of the peace, Henry invaded South Wales, and advancing as far as Pencadaer, received the fub- mifTion of Rhys ; who, defpairing of being able any longer " Welfli Chron. p. 210, 211. " Ibid. I" Loj-d Lyttelton's Hift, Hen, II. vol. II. p. 152. to Book VI. O W E N G W Y N E D H. jz^ to refifl his power, a fecond time did him homage, and delivered up hoftages likewife for his future fidelity. "• This ceremony was performed the year following at Woodflock, where Rhys, attended by the other princes and chieftains in Wales, did homage to the Englifh king, and to Henry his fon. ' The next year Rhys gained poflefllon of Cantrev Mawr Ann. Dom. and the lands of Dinevawr. He then invaded the country " ^' of Caerdigan, which he cafily brought under his fubjedlion, making himfelf mafter of the caflle of Aberheidol and another fortefs; to revenge the death of his nephew Eineon, who had lately been murdered in his own houfe, by the inftigation, as was fuppofed, of the earl of Gloucefter. ' Eager to recover the honours of his family, and receiving, no doubt, an additional incentive from the place where he then refided, which had been the feat of his ancefters, Rhys carried his arms into Pembroke, ravaged the lands of the Flemings, and then returned to his caftle of Dinevawr, loaded with fpoils, and high in the efleem of his country.^ Fired by his gallant example, a fpirit of revolt fprung up in Wales. With great judgment this prince, during the winter, either by his deputies, or in perfon, had conferences with the different princes. He called up their fleeping 1 Welfh Chron. p. 220. ' V. Diceto. Ymag. Hill, fub Ann. 1163. Math. Paris, p. 84. • Wynne's Hift. Wales, p. 189. ' Welfli Chron. p. 220. T t 2 virtue. 34 OWEN GWYNEDH. Book VI. virtue, and roufed it into adion, by fuch incentives as were likely to touch a warm, free, and fpirited people. He pointed out the profpedl of aflerting their freedom, which had of late opened on their country, from the difTentions which had arifen in England between Henry and the arch- bifhop of Canterbury; and from the probability, likewife, that this prince would foon be engaged in a war with France; that country, as well as the Pope, having efpoufed the caufe of Becket. " Animated by his generous fpirit, by the profperity which had attended his arms, and by fuch a favourable con- jundlure, the prince of North Wales and all his fons, his brother Cadwalader and the princes of Powis, joined Rhys ap Gryifydh, in hopes of regaining the independency they had loft, and of recovering that honour which of late they had forfeited. At no period, had the Welfh ever united into a confederacy like this, concentering with fo much energy and force, the various policies and interefts, the dif- ferent tempers and abilities of the princes of Wales. ^ Ann. Dom. The firft enterprife, under the conduct of David the fon " ^" of Owen Gwynedh, was an inroad into Flintfhire, where he committed moft grievous devaftations, carrying away the cattle and inhabitants to the Vale of Clwyd. " ■' Lord Lyttelton's Hill. Hen. II. vol. II. p. 439. ■^ Welfti Chron, p. 220. Britini Ant. Reviv. by Vaughan of Hengwrt, p. 25. -" Welih Chron. p. 221. During Book VI. OWEN GWYNEDH. During the abfence of the king In Normandy, fome forces had been levied by parliament for the redudion of Rhys ap GryfFydh/ Henry, on his arrival, marched with thefe troops into Flintfhire for the protection of Rhuddlan caftle, which fortrefs he was afraid the Welfh might befiege. The enemy having retired, and the king, not being fufficiently in force to purfue them, flayed only a few days to augment his gar- rifons, and marched back into England, in order, by railing new levies, to profecute the war with greater vigour. " His Britifh dominions, and the different territories he poffeffed in France, furnifhed him with the choiceft troops j and with this combined force he marched into Powis, in the full refolution of exterminating the inhabitants. The Englifh army entered the Welfh confines at Ofweftry, where Henry encamped for fome time, *" in expedtation that the terror of his arms might, by fhaking the firmnefs of the confederate princes, call them back to their allegiance ; or at leafl, that the proteftion which fuch a power would naturally offer, might detach from the common caufe the princes of the houfe of Powis, the ufual adherents of his family. It might have been expedled that a confederacy like this, heterogeneousin 2 Lord Lyttelton's Hill. Hen. II. vol. II. p. 440. » WeMh Chron. p. 221. Brompton's Chron. fub. Ann. 1165, Chronica Gejvafii, p. 1398. Giraldus Cambrenf. Itin. lib. II. cap. X. b Ibid. itfclf. 32s 326 OWEN G W Y N E D H. Book VI. itfelf, and forming its union from a fudden impulfe rather than from fteady principles of either policy or patriotifm, would have fhrunk from fo formidable an armament. But all the welfli princes remained firm and intrepid, determined to refcue their country from a foreign domination, or to perifli in the attempt. The power of North Wales was colledled under the command of Owen Gwynedh and his brother Cadwalader ; the forces of South Wales were led by the gallant Rhys ap GryfFydh : thofe of Powis by Owen Cyveilioc and the fons of Madoc ap Meredydh. With thefe were joined the in- habitants of the country fituated between the Wye and the Severn, under the leading of their chieftains the two fons of Madoc ap Ednerth. The combined forces afTembled at Corwen, a ftrong country in Ederneon, in which fituation of advantage they waited the approach of the Engli(h, As foon as Henry had intelligence that the Welfh army was near, defirous of bring- ing on an ad:ion, he advanced to the Ceiriog, a river which runs through the Vale of that name ; and that he might not be liable to the ambufcades of the enemy, he ordered the woods on each fide of the banks to be cut down. ' It was probably on the paflage of this river, that the Englifli monarch was in imminent danger of his life. Attempting ' Welfli Chron. p. 221. to Book VI. O W E N G W Y N E D H. 327 to force a bridge, an arrow aimed at him by the hand of a Welfhman, muft inevitably have pierced his body, if Hubert de St. Clare conftable of Colchefter, perceiving the danger, had not ftepped before his mafter and received it into his own bofom, of which wound he inflantly died.* While the Englifh were employed in cutting down the woods, a party of the Welfh acquainted with the paflage of the river, without any orders from their leaders, made a fudden attack on the van of Henry's army compofed of pike- men, confidered as the flower of his troops. A warm adlion enfued ; many were flain on both fides j at length Henry gained the paflage, and advancing flill farther, came to the mountain of Berwyn, where his forces lay encamped for feveral days. In this date the two armies feemed to ftand in awe of each other j the Engliili on the plain below, and the Welfh, prefenting a formidable front, ported on the acclivity, or on the top of the mountain. The fituation of Henry foon became critical. For the Welfh, watching every movement, and lofing no opportunity of cutting off his provi- fions, foon reduced his army to great diftrefsfor wantofvidluals and forage J the foldiers being afraid to ftir out of the camp. To increafe the mifery of his fituation, there fell on a fudden fuch violent rains, as rendered it difficult for his foldiers to {land on their feet in that broken and flippery country; ^ Welfh Chron. p. 222. Holinfliead's Chron. p. 73. who fays, this accident happened at the fiege of Bridge North. fuch 328 OWEN GWYNEDH. Book VI. fuch torrents of water, likevvife, poured down from the hills into the vale where he lay encamped, that he was obliged to retire, with great lofs of ammunition and of men, and to leave to the Welih fo glorious an occafion of triumph.' Deeply wounded with a fenfc of his difgrace, the liberal fpirit of Henry was thrown off its bias. To gratify a mean revenge, unworthy of a hero, of injuring thofe whom his arms had not been able to fubdue, and that too in a manner, fo wounding to fenfibility ; he commanded the eyes of thofe hoftages, which had been formerly given him, to be pulled out. Among the number of thefe unfortunate vitftims were the two fons of Rhys ap Gryffydh, and two fons of the prince of North Wales. ' Thus baffled in his operations at land, Henry had re- courle to the more effectual meafure of attacking the Welfh by fea. With this view he repaired to Cheiler, and re- mained there for fome time, until he had collected his fleet, and had received a reinforcement of fliips, which he expedled out of Ireland. Then, on a fudden, having finiflied thefe pre- parations, without any apparent caufe he gave up the defign, and difmiffed both his fleet and his army. ^ Unacquainted as • '•■ Welfli Chron. p. 222. *■ Holinfliead'i Chron. p. 73. who fays, that befides thefe above-mentioned, he caufed the fons and daughters of feveral Wellh lords, to be treated with the fame feverity ; ordering the eyes of the young ftriplings to be pecked out of their heads, and the ears of the young gentlewomen to be flulFed. Wellh Chron, p. zzz. ' Wellh Chron. p. 222. WC Book VI. O W E N G W Y N E D H. 329 we are with his motives, we can only account for this extraordinary conducft, in a prince fo wife and fpirited as Henry, from a juft or imaginary fear that his foreign do- minions would be attacked while he was profecuting the war in Wales. Whatever were the motives of his condudl, it is certain that Henry had tarnilhed the reputation of his arms, and of confequence that the Welfh princes were more flrongly confirmed in their revolt. Rhys ap Gryffydh, fuddenly inverting the caflle of Aberteivi, gained poffeffion of that fortrefs ; then turning his arms into Caerdigan, he made himfelf raafter of the caftle of Cilgerran, a place of the greateft importance, which he levelled to the ground, and took Robert his coufin by Neft his aunt, prifoner. The Welfli prince then, with great fpoils, returned into his own territories, with an additional luftre to his arms. Soon after this incurfion, the prince of North Wales Ann. Dom. took the caftle of Bafingwerk, lately fortified by Henry, " ' which he entirely demoliflied. " If any thing could have taught the Welih the ftrong neceffity of union to counteract the defigns of an oppreffive and hereditary enemy, it muft have been the profperity which had attended the late exertion of their •" Welih Chron. p. 22j. U u arms ; 33° OWEN GWYNEDH. Book VI. arms ; and which had railed them on a fudden from an igno- minious dependence, to manly refiftance, and generous fenti- ments, and to the attainment of their freedom. But a fpirit of difunion, inherent in the conftitution itfelf, was not only a fource of private mifery, but precluded, alfo, any fyflem of general policy ; and of courfe, the public fafety was left to depend on rude valour, on a country almoft inacceflible, on the caprice of accidents, and on the fprings of irregular paflions. In refentment of an outrage committed by the lords of Powis, ' the princes of North and South Wales, with Cadwa- lader the brother of Owen Gwynedh, breaking the ties of a common intereft, invaded and took, poffeffion of the territories of Owen Cyveilioc, "^ who, with the other chieftains of Powis had fo lately joined the confederacy againft Henry. A part of this territory Owen Gwynedh retained to his own fhare ; the other parts he gave to Owen Vychan and to Rhys ap Gryffydh.' But Owen Cyvellioc foon after, by the afliftance of an Englifh army, appears to have regained his patrimony ; an event which fcrved only to fhew the little juftice and protedtion to be expedled from the confederate princes." '- Welfli Chron. p. 223. "^ Ibid. p. 224. ' Britifh Ant. Reviv. by Vaughan of Hengwrt^ p. 5, 6. =' Welih Chron, p. 224. Soon Book VI. OWEN GWYNEDH. 331 Soon after this enterprife, the fame princes, while the Englifh monarch was abfent in his foreign dominions, in- verted the caftle of Rhuddlan, lately fortified by Henry, and a place of importance upon the Englifli frontier. The garrifon defended the place for two months with great bravery j at length it was taken and levelled to the ground. Then, with lefs difficulty, the princes gained poiTeffion of Ann. Dom. the caftle of Preftatyn, which they likewife demolifhed. "^'^' The fortifications of Bafingwerk having been lately de- fcroyed, this fuccefs gave Owen the pofTtffion of the mari- time parts of Flintfliire called Tegengl. " At this time Henry was in Normandy, engaged in a war with Lewis king of France. The confederate Welfh princes, defirous of engaging the Englilli monarch more deeply in foreign difputes, fent, in conjunction with William the Lion king of Scotland, amballadors to the French court, with an offer of aid to carry on the war againft Henry. It does not appear that this offer was accepted ; though it was the firft attempt we have feen of the kind, which marked the grow- ing importance of the Wellh princes, the influence of which they were defirous of extending to the continent." Some time after this event died Owen Gwynedh prince of North Wales, after a reign of thirty-two years, and was " Wellh Chron. p. 224. » Lord Lyttelton's Hift. Henry II. vol. II. p. 534. from V. Epift. prxdift. U u 2 buried 332 OWENGWYNEDH. Book VI. burled in the cathedral church of Bangor. This prince married, for his firft wife, Gwladys, daughter to Llowarch ap Trahearn lord of Dyvet, by whom he had only Jor- werth Drwyndwn, or Edward with the broken nofe ; by his fecond wife Chriftian, daughter of Gronw ap Owen ap Edwyn lord of Englefield, he had David, Rodri lord of Anglefey, Cadwallon who was abbot of Bardfey, and Ang- harad married to Gryffydh Maelor. He had likewife twelve other children by different women." It has been often faid, that in order to form a juft efti- mate of the happinefs of individuals, we muft wait till the period of their lives. It is in the fame manner that we mufl judge of the charader of the late prince. We have feen him in the early part of his reign, with equal profperity and valour, refifling the mighty efforts of a wife and powerful monarch : with a patriotifm that refledled honour upon his judgment, we have feen him on various occafions aid the generous defigns of Rhys ap Gryffydh. From what motive, then, (hall we account for the change in his condudl ? Having had the advantage in the conflict at Counfyllt, without any apparent caufe, unlefs it were the expediency of the moment, he himfelf, under hu- miliating circumftances fubmitted to become the vaffal of a foreign prince, and in the confequence, reduced the chieftains of his country to the like difhonourable • Hift. Gwydir family, p. 3. fituation. OWEN GWYNEDH. Book VI. 333 fituation. At one time we fee him duped by Henry's policy, fupporting for years the fame degenerate con- dudl, wafting the national ftrength, and diverting its force, and tearing afunder the ties of union and confidence, by attempting to conquer the territories of Rhys ap Gryffydh, his gallant coadjutor. Infpired by the example of that prince, and joined in confederacy with the other Wellh powers, we at length fee him, with an increafe of importance to his country, recover independency. In this happy period of his days, full of years and furrounded by his children, he left the bufy theatre of the world ; and, although the mid- day of his life was clouded and inglorious, the evening be- came ferene, and clofed with honour to himfelf and advan- tage to his country. SO whimfical and indecifive was the mode of fucceflion, that as many fons of the late prince laid claim to the crown, as were under the influence of ambition, or of a fiery, and tur- bulent fpirit. Jorwerth his eldeft fon, was unanimoufly fet afide on account of a blemifh which he had in his face, and he appears to have refigned himfelf quietly to the public judgment. He had however afllgned him for his maintenance, a part of his father's inheritance, the hundreds of Nanconwy and Ardudwy; and refided at the caftle of Dolwyddelan, fitu- ated in the fouth-eaftern part of Caernarvonfhire. " Howel, a P Hift. Gwedir Family, p. 7. This prince was afterwards obliged to take fanduary at Pennant Melangell in Montgomery (hire, where he died. natural 334 DAVID AP OWEN GWYNEDH. Book VI. natural fon of the late prince, born of an Irifliwoman, being the firft who ftarted for the prize, gained for a time a precarious pofleflion of the throne. David, the eldeft fon of Owen Gwynedh by a fecond wife, regarding his own right in the prefent fituation as indifputable, and difdaining to hold under the fovereignty of a brother, illegitimate and born of a foreign woman, raifed an army, fought a battle Ann. Dom. with his rival, and flew him in the adlion.'' He then gained "^5- a quiet pofleflion of the throne of North Wales. ' At this time, Madoc another fon of the late prince, feeing the contention which agitated the fiery fpirits of his brothers, with a courage equal to theirs, but far more libe- rally diredled, gave himfelf up to the danger and uncer- tainty of feas hitherto unexplored. He is faid to have em- barked with a few fliips ; failing weft, and leaving Ireland to the north, he traverfed the ocean, till he arrived by accident upon the coaft of America. Pleafed with its appearance, he left there a great part of his people, and returning for a frefli fupply, was joined by many adven- turers, both men and women ; who, encouraged by a flattering defcription of that country, and flck of the dif- orders which reigned in their own, ' were deflrous of feek- ing an afylum in the wilds of America. ' As 9 Wellh Chr. p. zz-j. ' Memoir Gwedir Family, p. 7. Welfh Chr. p. 227. ' We know nothing of the reality of this dif(;overy, but what is gathered from the poems of Meredydh ap Rhys, who flourilhed in the year 1470, of Gutwin Owen BookVI. DAVID AP OWEN GWYNEDH. 335 As Henry was on his journey into Ireland, Rhys ap GryfFydh gave him the meeting, and was received into the king's peace, and confirmed in all the pofleffions he then enjoyed ; in confideratlon of which he offered that monarch a confiderable fupply of oxen and horfes towards the conqueft he was meditating, and as a pledge of his future fidelity offered him likewife fourteen hoflages. Henry, then, pro-. ceeded on his journey into South Wales, and having entered into Caerlleon upon Uike, ejedled Jorwerth the lord of that place, whofe fidelity he fufpeded, and took poffeffion of it himfelf. On the king's departure, highly incenfed at this outrage, Jorwerth fent his two fons, with other of his kindred and a number of their followers, to recover poffef- fion both of the town and the caftle. They fucceeded in part; the town they took and demolished; but they were baffled in every attempt which they made againfi: the caftle. The king, purfuing his journey, came to Pembroke, and there gave to Rhys a confiderable extenfion of territory, all Caerdigan, Stratywy, Aruftlwy and Eluel. Some time af- ter, the Englilh monarch paid a vifit to that prince at one of his palaces, called the white houfe, or Ty Gwyn, in Caermarthenftiire, where he delivered up his fon Howel, who Owen in T480, and Cynfrig ap Gronw near the fame period. Thefc bards pre- ceded the expedition of Columbus ; and relate or allude to that of Madoc as an event well known, and univerfally received, to have happened three hundred years before. See Jones's Mufical Relics of the Welfli Bards, p. 19. « Humfrey Lhuyd. Wellh Chron, p. 228. " Ibid. p. 230, zji. had 336 DAVID AP OWEN GWYNEDH. BookVI. had been long left as a hoftage in Henry's hands ; he ex- cufed likewile for a time the delivery of thofe hoflages lately promifed, and remitted the payment of the tribute until his return out of Ireland." The patriotifm of the Welfli prince funk under the influ- ence of thefe mutual civilities. The gallant and independent fpirit inherited from a long line of anceflors, and which had fo eminently diftinguifhed his own conduct, all that the terror of Henry's arms and a feries of hollilities could not fliake, was now done away by a few adts of a well diredled courtefy. Forfaking the dignity and importance of his cliara<5ler, except in a fingle inflance, we fhall only fee him in future as iifatrap to the Englifh monarch. Mingling in the com- mon mafs, and lofing for ever the ancient honours of his name, this prince and his family retained no longer'' any marks of fovereignty.'' Aon. Dom. On the return of Henry out of Ireland, the expedition "'^^' having been rendered fruitlefs by a ficknefs among his ( foldiers, he was met by Rhys ap Gryffydh at Talacharn, where he paid him the cuftomary duties." So difficult is it to eradicate the fentiments of freedom out of minds accuflomed to the ideas of independence, and fo ^ From this period the heads of this family were only diftinguiflied by the title oi Arglwydhi or lords. Humfrey Lhuyd's Brev. p. 75. y Humfrey Lhuyd's Breviary, p. 76. * Welfh Chron. p. 232. natural Book VI. DAVID AP OWEN GWYNEDH. 337 natural are injuftice and cruelty to men defirous of extermi- nating that invaluable blefling, that Henry found he had not gained the point of his ambition by difarming Rhys ap GryfFydh. Another family, flung with a fenfe of injury, fprung up to avenge their own private wrongs, and, if poffible, for a while to ftem the torrent which was over- whelming their country. Before Henry's return into England he had fent a fafe conduft to Jorwerth, the chieftain whom he had fo lately injured, deliring that he, his fons and all his friends, would meet him at a certain place on the Borders, that he might conclude a peace with them, and might leave that country in perfedl tranquillity. Jorwerth himfelf paid inftant obedience to the king's fummons, and fent orders to his fon Owen to do the fame, and to give him the meeting on the road. The foldiers who garrifoned the New Caftle, or Newport upon Wyfc or Ufke, having intelligence of this laid wait for the young chieftain, whom they met on the road, and barbaroufly murdered, unarmed and almoft with- out attendance, and refling in fecurity on the protedlion of a great monarch. It is' not to be fuppofed, that a magna- nimous prince like Henry had any knowledge of a tranf- aftion fo cruel, fo faithlefs, and impolitic. Some of the attendants who efcaped the maflacre, carried the account of it to the father ; who, deeply wounded by the injury, re- turned home with his other fon Howel, determined in X X future 1172. 338 DAVID AP OWEN GWYNEDH. BookVI. future to have no reliance on the faith of the Englifh. Then colle• Roger Hovedon, p. 775. and 35< LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. Book VIL and an Englifli garrifon placed in it, the archbifhop returned into England : on his departure it was retaken by the original proprietor, on the fame conditions on which it had been given up before.' David the depofed prince, with an army of Englifh and a body of Welfli who ftill adhered to his fortunes, made an attempt to recover the fovereignty he had loft. But the enterprife was eafily difconcerted by the rapidity of Llewelyn, who advancing to give his uncle the meeting, defeated his forces, took him prifoner, and lodged him in confinement.'' At the clofe of the fame year Owen Cyveilioc died, leav- ing the higher Powis to his fon Gwenwynwyn, which territory in future was called by the name of that chieftain, to diftinguifli it from Powis Vadoc, the other divifion of that country.' Although by the combined influence of policy and power the Englifh had at length gained the afcendency in South Wales, individuals were hurried into a revolt by the inhuman and perfidious conduct of the lords of the marches : but the ineffeftual efforts of this miferable people to recover their liberties, or to revenge their wrongs, as they adled only from the fpur of their feelings, without concert or prudence, > Welfh Chron. p. 24.8. •= Ibid. p. 250. ' Ibid. p. 250, 251. Humfrey Lhuyd's Breviary, p. jo; ferved BookVI. LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. 351 ferved only more clofely to rivet their chains. Trahaern Vychan, a man of diftindion in Brecknock, as he was re- pairing to Lancors to confer on bufmefs with William dc Bruce lord of that country, was arrefted by order of the Englifh baron, tied to a horfe's tail, and in that ignominious manner dragged through the town to the gallows, where he was beheaded, and his body fufpended by the feet three days." In revenge of this outrage, Gwenwynwyn laid fiege to Ann. Dom. the caflle of Matilda in Eluel, the property of William "^ de Bruce ; declaring that after he had gained poflelTion of that fortrefs, he would fet fire to all the country as far as the Severn ; a facrifice due to the manes of Trahaern his relation. Not having any miners in his army, or batter- ing engines, the Welfli chieftain lay three weeks before the caflle ; which delay gave time to William de Bruce to fend into England for fuccour. Geoftry Fitz Peter, jufticiary of England, inflantly came to his relief, having joined to his army the different powers of the lords of the marches ; and as the event of war was uncertain, he was defirous of terminating the difpute by concluding a peace with Gwenwynwyn. The offer was rejedled with difdain. The Welfh declared their firm refolution of re- venging in this enterprife the ancient wrongs of their country. The Englifh, then, releafed out of confinement "1 Welfh Chron. p. 250, 251. Humfrey Lhuyd's Breviary, p. 70. Gryfl-ydh 352 LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. Book VIL GryfFydh the fon of the late Rhys ap Gryffydh, who had been lately imprifoned -, between whom and Gwenwynwyn they knew, at this time, fubfifted a deadly feud ; and being joined by the forces raifed by that chieftain, they advanced to the relief of the caftle. Confident of his ftrength, Gwenwynwyn faced the Englifli in an open plain, though experience might have convinced him of the prudence of a different ?bndud. In this adion the Welfh were defeated, if that can with propriety be called an adlion, in which no other lofs was fuflained by the Englifh army than that of a fingle foldier, and even that foldier flain by a random arrow from his own party. Befides the wounded and the prifoners, many of whom were of confiderable note, three thoufand and feventy of the Welfli were left dead on the field." It is not eafy to account for the facility with which the Englifli gained this vidlory. The rafhnefs of the Welfli leader was probably the caufe of his defeat, in fighting on the open plain, with fuch troops as his own, half armed, and liable to panics, againft a firm and completely armed body like the Englifh, At this time Richard king of England was flain at the Ann. Dom. ^i^g^ of Chalons, an inconfiderable town in Limofin. John "99- his brother fucceeded to the throne. " Math. Paris, p. 162. Welft Chron. 252. HoHnfhead, p, 154. After Book VII. LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. 353 After his acceffion, being deeply engaged in foreign concerns, that prince fent Hubert de Burgh his chamberlain, with one hundred knights, to guard the Welfli marches/ At the fame time a treaty of peace was concluded between Llewelyn prince of North Wales, and the earl of EiTex jufticiary of the realm. In this treaty Llewelyn, with the principal chieftains of his realm, fwore to the obfervance of the following articles. To maintain perpetual fidelity to king John in the fulnefs of feudal ideas. To receive at the hands of the lord chief juftice livery and feifin of his ter- ritories, which he was to hold in fecurity until the kings return into England. On the arrival of the king, when fummoned to appear, he fliould come and do homage to him as to his liege lord ; but when that duty was paid, he vvas to return into his own country in perfect fecurity, only liable to pay a ftridl obedience to any fummons of the like nature. In confideration of this the king was to pardon all offences committed prior to the day of pacification ; but if any complaints fliould arife in future, it was to be in Llewelyn's choice whether the caufe fliould be tried by the laws of England or by thofe of Wales. If he chofe that the merits of his caufe fliouId be tried according to the Englifli law, a court was to be appointed in England, where judgment fliould be given agreeably to the laws of that country. If the prince was defirous that the Welfli laws fliould determine the controverfy, and it were found on » Roger Hovedon, p. 819. Holinfliead, p. 163. Z z inquiry 354 LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. BookVIL inquiry that he could hold a court to take cognlfance of fuch a matter, the caufe fhould then be decided in his own court ; but if it were found otherwife, in that cafe the king was to fend fome of his own fubjedls, eminent for their wifdom, into the territory of Llewelyn where the matter was in con- troverfy, before whom the caufe fhould be tried, and jugd- ment given by a certain number of Welfhmen, felefted from places at a diftance, as being on that account not liable to the fufpicion of partiality, and their award was to be final. If after the ratification of the peace, any injury fhould be done by Llewelyn to the king or to any of his fubjecSts, reparation fhould be made agreeably to the award of fome of the Englifh nobility particularly mentioned for that purpofe. But it was alfo required from the arbitrators above-mentioned, that they fhould adminifler judgment with juftice, to the honour of God and of the king. If any injury was done in the Englifh territories, and the offenders fliould efcape into the dominions of Llewelyn,, and the perfons fuffering the damage, or others, purfuing them into the faid dominions, that Llewelyn fhould caufe the plunder to be reflored and execute juflice on the male- fadlors. If the offenders fliould have efcaped into the ter- ritories of Llewelyn, or concealed themfelves therein, that prince engaged to do all in his power to obtain fatis- fadlion, as if the injury had been done to himfelf. This peace was figned the third year of the reign of king John, by the archbifhop of Canterbury, and by the fon of the chief Book VII. LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. 355 chief juftice J who fet their feals to the writing as a fecurity for the due obfervance of the treaty, until it ftiould be ratified by the king on his return into England. The tenor of this treaty, though in general formed on the principles of juftice, was fo fully expreflive of vaffalage, that it feems as if Ann. Dcm. the independency of Wales at this period was annihilated.'' *^°'^' The peace with England afforded Llewelyn the oppor- tunity of exerting the native vigour of his mind. Some time before, he had confifcated the eftates of Meredydh his coufin,'' and banifhed him the realm upon a fufpicion of treafon.' He thought an interval of leifure could not be better employed than in attempting to reflore the original conftitution of his country ; a rude though venerable fabric, which, having long remained a monument of its ancient grandeur, had fallen into decay in the lapfe of ages. The Welfh princes, by the laws of Roderic, and by thofe of Howel Dha, though independent in their own territories, yet acknowledged the fovereignty of North Wales. To connedl the loofe and feparated parts into one fyllem of government, Llewelyn convened an affembly of all the chieftains throughout Wales. Thefe nobles, fenfible of the advantage of union and of adhering to ancient P Rymer's Fxdera, p. 123. ■5 The Cantrevs of Llun and Evionydd, fituated in the South Weft parts of Caernarvonniire, Hift. Gwedir family, p. 20. ' Hill. Gwedir family, p. 20. Z z 2 forms. 356 LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH Book VIL forms, took the ufual oaths of fealty.' Gwenwynwyn, alone, the lord of the higher Powis, refufed to attend the meeting, or to take the oath of allegiance. His re- fufal being known to the affembly, they declared that he ought to be compelled to the performance of his duty, or to forfeit his lands, as a part of the feudal obligation. One chieftain, alone, of the name of Elife, refufed his confent to any mode of compulfion, and fuddenly withdrew from the meeting. Deeply interefted in the event, Llewelyn did not fuffer the feeds of difobedience to mature by time into ftronger refiftance. He led an army into Powis ; but that force, by the mediation of feveral perfons, in eilimation for wifdom in the country, was rendered unneceffary, and Gwenwynwyn made his fubmiffion to the prince, which he confirmed by the ufual formalities. Refenting the condudl of Elife, Llewelyn, then, took pofTeffion of his eftates, and obliged him to fly out of the country ; but that chieftain foon afterwards yeilding himfelf up to his mercy, had a caftle, with fome lands affigned him for his maintenance. Ann. Dom. Having fo happily finillied this important meafure '^°3* Llewelyn returned into North Wales.' The Engliih king having loft a great part of his territories in France returned into England. On his arrival, he gave Joan, ' Biit. Ant. Reviv, by Vaughan of Hengwrt, p. 23. ' Welfh Chr. p. 257, 258. a daughter LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. BookVIL 357 a daughter which he had by a lady of the houfe of Ferrars, in marriage to Llewelyn ; perhaps as a reward for the due obfervance of the late treaty, or as a means of fecuring thofe advantages which he naturally thought would refult from fuch an alliance. With this lady was given as a dower the lordlliip of Elefmere in Shropfliire, in the Ann. Dom. marches of Wales." '^°"^" Prince Llewelyn, in his youth, had married TangwyftI, daughter of Lhowarch Goch the lord of Rhos, by whom he had a fon, very brave, called Gryffydh ap Llewelyn ; who, as heir apparent, had the Cantrevs of Englefield, Rhos, Rhyvonioc, and Dyifryn Clwyd given him by his father ; being the country adjoining to England, in order that the young prince might defend his own territories from the common enemy. He married in his father's life, Sina daughter of Cariadog ap Tho' ap Rodric ap Owen Gwynedh." David the depofed prince of North Wales, having been fet at liberty by his nephew, fled into England, and pro- cured there an army to afllft him in recovering the throne. The enterprife failed of fuccefs ; he was met on his march " Hift. Gwedir family, p. 22. fays flie was a legitimate daughter. Fabian, in his reign of John fays, that fhe was a natural one. Welfh Chron. p. 259. " Hift. Gwedir family, p. 24. Britifh Ant. Revived by Vaughan of Hengwrt, p. 29. by 358 LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. Book VIL by Llewelyn and defeated i' and feme time after, he himfclf, with his fon Owen were flain at Conway/ Some years after this event, Gwenwynwyn came to Shrewfbury, to confer with the lords of the council. On his arrival he was detained a prifoner," without any apparent caufe, unlefs to extort, as conditions of obtaining his liberty, the following conceflions. That he fliould, in the ufual forms, become a vaffal to the king of England ; that he fhould ferve him faithfully as holding under him his life and territories ; that he fhould. abide the juftice of his courts whenever fummoned to attend ; that he fhould de- liver up twenty hoftages for the due performance of the treaty ; and fhould remain in cuftody until thofe hoftages were all given up. At the fame time the king bound himfelf Ann. Dom. to take his territories under his protedlion, and to be re- fponfible for any injury which they might receive." 1208. In this fituation of Powis, Llewelyn invaded that country, and gained pofTefTion of all the caflles and towns in that part belonging to the imprifoned chieftain ; he then marched into South Wales, and after fome flight fuccefTes returned into his own country.' The fame year, in confequence of the fub- miflion of Llewelyn, as appears by his letters diredled to the y Welfh Chron. p. 259. ^ Hift. Gwedir family, p. 13. " Welfli Chron. p. 260. '' Rymer's Fsedera, vol. I. p. 151. ' Welfh Chron. p. z6i. kin^^ Book VII. LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. 359 king at Briftol, a full pardon was granted him by that mo- narch for the depredations he had lately made on the terri- tories of Gwenwynwyn, while under his protecflion j** which pardon appears alfo to have been confirmed the year fol- lowing; as the Wei fh prince did homage, either in perfon Ann. Dom. or by proxy, to the king at Woodftock." '^°^' The earl of Chefler this year made an inroad into North Wales, which was of no other confequence than that of re- building the caftle of Diganwy upon the water of the Con- way, which had been lately demolifhed by Llewelyn ; he likewife more ftrongly fortified the caftle of Treffynnon or Holywell. Llewelyn, in return, invaded the earl's territo- ries, defolated a great part of them, and returned home loaded with the plunder he had taken. ^ Incensed at this incurfion, and breach of fidelity, John afi"embled a large army at Ofweftry upon the Borders ; where he was joined by many of the Wellh chieftains his vaflals ; the moft confiderable of whom were Madoc ap GryfFydh Maelor, and Gwenwynwyn on this occafion reftored to his liberty, and the two fons of Rhys, the late prince of South Wales. With this formidable army he marched to Chefter, ^ Rymer's Fxdera, vol. I. p. 151. « Math. Paris, p. 191. who fays, that this was the firft homage which had ever been heard of, and that fuch journies were very oppreffive both to the rich and poor. ' Welfli Chron. p. 262, in 360 LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. Book VIL in the full refolution of exterminating the people of North Wales.^ Llewelvn unable to oppofe a force, compofed not only of a foreign enemy, but of his own vaiTals, who had bafely deferted their late engagements, thought it prudent to withdraw from the ftorm, and he ordered the inhabitants of the inland country, a part of Denbighfhire and Flintfliire, to remove with their goods and cattle to the mountains of Snowdun. The Englifli then advanced along the fea coaft to Rhuddlan, and from thence to the caflle of Diganwy*" oppofite to the country of Snowdun, where they remained for fome time. But Llewelyn fo continually infefted the roads with his light parties, that John and his army were reduced to the greateft difficulties. By cutting off their provifions as they arrived out of England, the army was reduced to the neceflity of feeding upon the fiefh of horfes ; and the foldiers, whenever they flirred from the camp, were liable to be cut in pieces j the Welfh from a knowledge of the country, and from being ported on eminen- ces, had ufually the advantage in every fkirmifh. From this fituation, John thought it prudent, after the lofs he had fuftained, to retreat into England, flung with difgrace, and breathing the fpirit of revenge.' s Welfh Chron. p. 264. '■ Annales de Margan, p. 15. Welih Chron. p. 264. ' Ibid. A FEW BookYII. LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. 361 A FEW months after, the king, having augmented his army, came again to Ofweftry ; and being joined by his Welfli confederates advanced to the Conway; which having pafled, he encamped his army upon the banks of that river ; he then difpatched fome troops with proper guides to burn the town of Bangor, which order was indantly executed, and the bifhop of that place taken prifoner, who was afterwards ranfomed for two hundred hawks. Llewelyn, feeing the force of England and Wales combined againfl him, and that force commanded by an EngliHi monarch, who had penetrated far into his country, himfelf likewife confined within the extreme verge of his dominions, thought it more prudent to fue for peace, at the expence of fome important conceffions, than to hazard the whole by carrying on fo unequal a conteft. As he had in his own perfon fo little pretenfions to favour, having lately violated the probable conditions of his pardon, Llewelyn thought it more wife to negociate by the mediation of his wife. This princefs fo powerfully interceded with her father, that he was willing, on certain conditions, to take Llewelyn into favour. Hoflagfes were fent to that prince, that he might with fafety repair to the Englilli camp, where having done homage, a peace was concluded on the conditions of giving forty horfes, and twenty thoufand head of cattle towards defraying the expences of the war ; he likewife ceded to the king for ever the inland parts of his dominions. Twenty-eight hoflages were given by 3 A Llewelyn I2I2. 362 LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. BookVIL Llewelyn as a fecurity for the obfervance of the treaty. After this fortunate expedition John returned into England/ Refenting the condud: of thofe valTals who had not ferved Ann. Dom. him in the late expedition, he exadted from every knight, a fcutage of two marks of filver. ' Thus was the remnant of the Britifh empire, after many and gallant druggies for freedom, driven almoft to the verge of the ocean. But the profperity of this injured people, though deeply clouded for the prefent, was not extinguifhed for ever. Their native fpirit, confined in narrow limits, and fet on fire by the agency of various caufes, burfl through every reflraint; and, like the irruptive violence of a volcano, poured down devaftation and vengeance on the heads of their hated oppreflbrs. The wild diforder in the conduil of the king of England, happily for poflerity, had convulfed every part of his domi- nions, and, aided by fuperftition, had loofened every fpring of government, and every tie of duty or afi^edion which binds the fubjedt to the prince. The Pope, at this time, releafed Wales from the interdid under which it had lain. * Annales Margan, p. 15, fays thirty-two hollages. Welfh Chron. p. 255. Thomas Wykes, p. 36. Chron. Walter Hemingford, p. 556. ' Math. Paris, p. 193, 194. and Book Vn: LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. 3^^ and abfolved Llewelyn from the oaths of homage and allegi- ance which he had taken at the late peace. " A CONJUNCTURE fo favourable determined Llewelyn, if poffible, to extricate his country out of the vaflalage, into which it had lately fallen by the neceflity of affairs, and the difunion of its chieftains. For this purpofe he convened before him Gwenwynwyn, and Madoc ap Gryifydh Maelor the lords of Powis, with Maelgwyn ap Rhys from South Wales, and Meredydh ap Rotpert from Cydewen. To thefe Ann. Dom, chieftains he reprefented the miferable fituation of their coun- try, owing to their own want of virtue, in having bafely defert- ed its interefl ; he aflured them, even now, by their fpirit and united exertions, inflead of living abjed: and voluntary vaf- fals under the prelTure of a foreign yoke, they might ftill en- joy their ancient liberties under the dominion of their native princes. Superftition, or the force of his reafoning, or the mingled effedt of both, impreffed on the minds of thefe capricious chieftains a momentary gleam of patriotifm. They once more took the oaths of allegiance to their prince. Llewelyn, being joined by their feveral powers, fuddenly commenced hoftilities, feifing all the fortreffes which the Englifli pofTefled in his dominions, and putting to the fword with a barbarous rage all the knights and foldiers who defended them ; befides fetting on fire many villages, " Math. Paris, p. 194. Annates Waverleienfis, p. 174. Britiih Ant, Rev. by V'aughan of Hengwrt, p. 26. 3 A 2 and 3^4 LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. Book VH. gnd carrying away very confiderable plunder. " Not being able to make any impreflion on the caftles of Diganwy and Rhuddlan, he fell upon Powis, and inverted the caftle of Mathraval, lately fortified by Robert Vepont j but t]^e flrength of that fortrefs for fome time delaying his ope- rations, gave John an opportunity of coming to its relief. On his approach the confederates retired. Having caufed this fortrefs to be demoliflied, the king returned into England, more important objedts in his own dominions demanding his attention. On his departure, Llewelyn again laid wafte the marches with fire and fword. * As foon as John heard of this ii^purfion, of the ravages which Llewelyn had made, and of the cruelties he had exercifed on his prifoners, he advanced to Nottingham vyith a great army of infantry and horfe ; in the full refolution of chaftifing the revolters, by extirminating the inhabitants of the country. So violent was his anger, that the moment ^^ arrived at that place, he commanded, the hoftages, twenty-eight in number, to be inftantly hanged ; and he refufed to talfe any refrefhment until the execution was ov^r.'' The moft ci^iiel of the Roman tyrants, thofe fcpurge? of the human race, had furely, at this inftant, infufed his infernal, fpirit into that of the EngliHi » M^th. Parisj p. 194. " Welfli Chron. p. 267. p Math. Paris, p. 194. monarch. Book Vli. LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. 365 monarch. Thefe innocent vidlims,^ delivered to John at the late peace, were all of them very young, and allied to the moft diftinguiflied families in Wales. ' This tragedy being finifhed, while he was yet at table meditating vengeance on the Welfli, he received two letters, one of which was from the king of Scotland, and the other was from his daughter' the wife of prince Llewelyn. Thefe letters, though proceeding from different quarters, conveyed to him the fame alarming intelligence, that a dangerous confpiracy was forming againft his life. This information threw the Englifli monarch into the deepeft difmayj he fhut himfelf up in the caftle of Nottingham, where he continued a fortnight in a fullen and gloomy folitude, no perfon whatever being admitted into his prefence. Having made no farther difcovery in the affair, time at length difperfed his fears, and perfifting in the defign of fubduing the Welfh, he advanced to Chefter. He once more received at this place from the princefs his daughter intimations of the fame alarming import, that if he advanced any farther, his ruin was inevitable, as he would certainly be either murdered by the nobility in his army, or be betrayed into the hands of the enemy. The king's firmnefs, and his defirc of revenge, gave way to thefe repeated alarms j fear and diflruft 1 At the fame time Robert Vepont hanged Rhys the fon of Maelgwyn, a child not feven years old, at Shrewfbury. WelQi Chron. p. 267. ' Annates Margan, p. 15. Holinflicad, p. 176. Wellh Chron. p. 267. ' Wclfh Chron. p. 267. took :> 66 LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. Book VIL took pofTeflion of his. mind i and hearing at the fame time that the Pope had diilblved the allegiance of his fubj'efts, he difmifTed his army on a fudden, and returned to London. ' The animofity natural to men, who had jufl: broken afun- der their fetters, and who were eager to regain their liberty, was heightened ftill more by the fpirit of enthufiafm. The Welfli had not only been releafed from the oaths they had taken to John, but the Pope had likewife denounced his bittereft curfes, if they did not, under the banners of the church, rife up to fulminate its vengeance, by attempting the utter deftrudlion of a prince who had prefumed to con- temn his authority. Influenced by thefe motives, the in- habitants of the inland country, which at the late peace had been ceded to John, acknowledged the fovereignty of Llewelyn." He foon after gained pofleflion of the caflles of Diganwy and Rhuddlan, places of great import- Ann. Dom. ance on the frontier of his kingdom." Thus were the '""^" Englifh by a fudden turn in affairs entirely driven out of North Wales.'' But this prince, inftead of checking his fortunes took advantage of the tide that was flowing in his favour, and prefling forwards with an eager fpirit after glory, enlarged the circle of his conquefts, and added frefh ■ Math. Paris, p. 194. Brady's Hift. Eng. p. 482, Annal. Waverlenfis, p. 173. Thomas Wyke's, p. 37. Holinfhead, p. 176. " Annales Waverleienfis, p. 174. Wellh Chron. p. 268, 270. * Ibid. -y Annales Margan, p. 15. reputation Book VII. LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. 367 reputation to his arms. The diflenfions, at this time, pre- vailing in England favoured his defigns. The Englifh barons, having renounced their allegiance to John on his refufal to confirm their conflitutional rights, entered into a confederacy with Llewelyn prince of Wales/ It feems as if this alliance had given great alarm to the Englifh monarch, as he fent an order to Llewelyn to meet his commiffioners at Griffin's Crofs, that the Welfli prince might confer with them on matters of importance which related to his intereft and honour/ At the fame time, with a verfatility of condudl which infulted the common fenfe of mankind, the Pope excommunicated Llewelyn and all his adherents, for having made war upon a prince,*" recently the objed: of his vengeance, but who of late had been admitted into the bofom of the church ; a privilege he had meanly purchafed by conceffions, degrading to the dignity of princes, as well as injurious to the rights of his people, and the imperial crown of his anceftors. But, in defi- ance of this fentence, Llewelyn marched into Powis ; no longer intimidated hy cenfures fo fcandaloufly proftituted, nor by oaths of allegiance from which he had been lately abfolved. Having, with much eafe taken pofieflion of the town and caflle of Shrewfbury, he returned into his own 2 Welfh Chron. p. 270. Annales Waverleienfis, p. 182. * Rymer's Fsden, p. 196. * Annales Waverleienfis, p. 182. Wellh Chron. p. 271. dominions ; 368 LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. Book VIL Ann. Dom. dominions; and, in order to ftrengthen the intereft of his "'^' family by alliance, he gave his daughter in marriage to Reginald de Bruce, an Englifh lord of great power in South Wales/ Soon after this enterprife, Llewelyn, with a confiderable force, invefted the caftle of Caermarthen, which he took after a refiflance of five days, and levelled it to the ground. The fame fate attended the caftles of Llanftephan, St. Clair, and Talacharn. He then marched into Caerdigan, and gained the caftles of Emlyn, Comaes, and Newport ; then clofing the campaign by the redudlion of the caftles of Aberteivi and Cilgerran, he returned into his own dominions. In this expedition he was attended by all the confederate chief- tains, whofe attachment to his intereft he had hitherto fe- cured by the wifdom and vigour of his condudt.'' The late fortunate campaign having given to the Wellh prince a great part of South Wales, he came again into the country as the lord paramount, to arbitrate fome difputes which had arifen in the family of the late Rhys Ann. Dom. ap Gryffydh. Having adjufted the feveral claims by a '^ divifion of the country in difpute, as he was returning into his own dominions, he received intelligence that Gwen- « Wellh Chron. p. 273. * Welfh Chron. p, 273. Hift. Gwedir family, p. 26. wynwyn, Book VII. LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. 369 vvynwyn, the lord of a part of powis, had renounced his allegiance, and was again become a vaflal to the Englifh king. This information gave Llewelyn the greateft un- ealinefs ; he faw the evil that would arife, if a chieftain of fuch influence and power as Gwenwynwyn fhould, at fuch a jundure as this, defert the confederacy, when fortune had hitherto fo happily favoured the united exertion of their arms. Defirous, by the mildefl; means, of drawing him back to a fenfe of his duty and honour, Llewelyn fent feveral bifliops, and other religious perfons to remonllrate wi-th him on the nature of his condudl. They pointed out to him the oaths he had violated, ihewed him the very deed fub- fcribed by himfelf, which he had given as a pledge of his fidelity, the clemency alfo of the prince he had offended, and the danger of expofing to the refentment of Llewelyn the hoftages left in his hands. Thefe confiderations were urged in vain. Gwenwynwyn was obftinate, and would liften to no terms. Llewelyn, then, that his juftice might punifh the delinquency of a vaffal whom his mildnefs had not been able to reclaim, inftantly invaded Powis, laid wafte with fire and fword the territories of that chieftain, and obliged him to fly for afliftance into the dominions of the earl of Chefter.' At this time Lewis the Dauphin of France, by the invi- tation of the malecontent barons, came into England. John, ■^ Welih Chron. p. 274. 3 B unable 370 LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. Book VIL unable to refift the confederacy formed againft him, retreated to Hereford in the marches of Wales ; and fent to folicit the affiftance and friendfhip of Llewelyn his fon-in-la\v, and of Reginald de Bruce. Neither ties of affinity, nor the emotions of pity, had, however, any influence on the condudl of Llewelyn. On juft principles of policy, he rejedled the folicitations of the unfortunate monarch. Ex- perience, and the ftrength of his mind would inform him, that no confidence ought to be placed in a prince fo weak and capricious ; that the afcendency his arms had lately gained over England was principally owing to the diftradled ftate of that kingdom ; and that it was his duty, as the guardian of the public weal, to foment its divifionSj the liberties of his own country depending in a great meafure on the weaknefs, or difunion of the Englifh. John, refenting this condud in the Welfli prince, demolifhed the caftles of Radnor and Haye? after which, proceeding farther into the marches he fet fire to the town of Ofwelhy.' In a little time after thefe events, this weak and miferable prince ended his days. His fon, Henry the third, yet an infant, fucceeded to the crown of England. Ann. Dom. On the acceffion of the young prince, Reginald de Bruce ^^'^' returned to the allegiance which he owed to the Englifh monarch, deferting in ^ moment of caprice the folemn f Welfh Chron. p. 275. engagements Book VII. LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. 371 engagements he had made to the prince of Wales. It fcems in thefe miferable ages, as if oaths, and the other facred ties of fociety, had loft all their power of binding the con- fcience. As foon as Llewelyn heard of this event, he came into Brecknock, the territory belonging to Bruce, and laid fiege to Aberhonddu its principal town ; but the inhabitants imploring his mercy, he confented to raife the fiege, on condition of receiving five hoftages, and one hundred marks. He then continued his march towards Gwyr, and, pafllng over the black mountains in Glamorganfliire, lofl: many of his carriages. While his army lay encamped at Llangruc, Bruce came attended by fix knights to implore the clemency of his father-in-law ; a favour he eafily obtained, being received not only in the mildeft mantier, but having a fortrefs given him as an additional proof of the prince's confidence. Having regulated the afi^airs of that province, Llewelyn marched into Dyvet, and at Cefn Cynwarcha^i received propofals of peace from the Flemings who were fettled in the country. He refufed to liften to any terms of accommodation j and part of his army having pafl'ed the Cledheu in order to attack the Flemings, the bifhop of St. Davids attended by his clergy repaired to the prince, in hopes his felicitations and the influence of religion, might foften his refentment. At length, after much debate, the interceilion of the bifliop prevailed, and a peace was 3 B 2 concluded ; 372 LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. Book VIL concluded ; on the conditions, that the inhabitants of Rhos and Pembroke {hould be fubjeft to the prince of North Wales J and, as their liege lord, fliould hold of him their lands under the duties of fealty and homage; that they fhould pay him one thoufand marks towards defraying the charges of the war, and fhould likewife deliver twenty hoftages, of the firft note in their country, as a pledge of their fidelity.^ Having in two fortunate campaigns made himfelf almofl the entire mafler of Wales, Llewelyn returned into his own territories ; encircled with more folid glory than could be derived from conquefts, illuftrious only from the wide fweep which their ravages had taken. The ardour with which the Englifh barons had engaged in the caufe of Lewis, was by this time much cooled, owing to the perfidy of that prince, and to the infolent nature of his conduft. The great talents of the earl of Pembroke feifed the fortunate moment. Guided by fen- timents of the pureft patriotifm, he drew back to their allegiance the revolted barons, and fettled the diflradled ftate of the kingdom on principles the moft humane, liberal, and wife. In this treaty, equally with the king of Scot- land, Llewelyn was included, on condition that he fhould reftore all the places he had feifed during the war."" s Welih Chron. p. 278, •> Rymer's Fxdera, vol. I, p. 225. It LLEWELYN AP JORWERT^H. Book VIL 373 rr is probable on this occafion, that the prince of Wales received a fummons to repair with the chief of his nobility to Hereford, as an order was at that time fent to Hugh Mortimer, provided Llewelyn came there, and was abfolved from the fentence of excommunication, to efcort him to Northampton, where he and his attendants were to do homage to the king.' It does not appear that Llewelyn paid any regard to this fummons ; as at this time, the earl of Pembroke, by force of arms, took pofleflion of the city of CaerLleon;'' and in the following year, he i-eceived a Ann. Dom. fimilar order to appear before the king at Gloucefter, there to perform his homage in prefence of the council and the Pope's legate. To this fummons Llewelyn thought proper to pay obedience. Being abfolved by the legate, he ratified by oath the conditions of the treaty, promiling to reftore, with their refpedtive territories, the caftles of Caermarthen and Caerdigan ; as well as all other lands and fortreffes which had been taken during the war from Henry's vaflals in South Wales. Under the like folemn engagements, he promifed, that all the nobility in Wales fliould, by every means in his power, do homage to Henry, as to their liege lord ; that none of his enemies fliould be allowed pro- tedion in Wales ; and that, whatever injuries the king might receive, he would I'evenge them as if they had been done to himfelf.' ' Rymer's Fadera, vol. I. p. 225. '' Welfh Chron. p. 278. ' Rymer, vol. I. p. 225. In 374 LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. Book VIL In [q profperous a ftate of his affairs, we are at a lofs to account for this condud: of Llewelyn. The wifdom and vigour of Pembroke's adminiflration, or the dread of fpi- ritual anathemas, ading upon his own fuperftition, or on that of his people, might fhake on this occafion the firmnefs of his mind. If weconfider his condud as derogating only from the dignity of an independent fovereign, the idea of difhonour is loft in the nature and habits of a feudal government. Even the king of Scotland, the year before, had performed the' fame duty at Northampton. But the homage paid by that prince was due by mutual agreement for the fiefs he poffefled in England; whereas the duties impofed on Llewelyn, had been extorted, at various times, without any equivalent. As it is opinion alone that gives dignity to princes and energy to government, thefe claims of the Englifh, affuming a royal jurifdidlion over Wales, and rifing every day into precedent, were high- ly dangerous to its freedom, and were in the end the means of fapping the foundation of its power. A tacit acquief- cence in claims fucceffively made, in length of time con- ftitutes a right. The habit of feeing the Welfh princes, pafling as vaflals through England, at the will of an arbi- trary lord, would naturally produce, in the minds of the Englifh, contemptuous ideas of an enemy, whom hitherto they had only heard of at a diftance, or had (een fpreading terror and conflagration through the frontiers. The Welfh, too, muft lofe much of that veneration which they them- felves had been accuftomed to feel for their princes, when inftead Book VII. LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. 375 inftead of feeing them at the head of armies afferting the pubh'c freedom, they faw them, on every call which pride or policy fuggefted, defert the dignity of their ftations ; and like obfequious vafTals fall at the feet of a faftidious monarch, the hereditary foe of their nation. In the habit of confidering their country as a fief of the crown of Eng- land, a fond attachment to its interefls, a fenfe of national glory, and all manly ideas of patriotifm, would lofe their energy and force, and fink at length into a cold indifference to its fate. Having neither empire nor freedom to con- tend for, their valour and their mountains would be equally ufelefs, and no longer fed from its parent fource, their native fpirit, eager for liberty, and impatient of controul would natui'ally fubfide into a tame and hereditary obe- dience. In confequence of the conceflions made by Llewelyn, the king fent to acquaint him that feveral of the Welfh nobility had done homage, and enjoined him to give them poflefiion of their eftates ; he likewife required that the remaining chiefs fhould be fent to perform their flipulated duties." Agreeably to this injunction, Llewelyn fent Rhys an eminent chieftain in South Wales, to do homage to Henry. Then, with an inconfiftency of conduft, accounted for only by the levity of the times, he placed new levies of "' Rymer's Fadera, p. 227. foldiers A nn. Dom 1219. A nn. Dom, 1220. 376 Book VII. LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. foldiers in the caftles of Caermarthen and Abertievi, inflead of delivering them up in conformity to his late engage- ments." In the fame year, that prince gave another of his daughters in marriage to John de Bruce an Englifh baron. ■" The Flemings having feifed by force on the caflle of Abertievi, Llewelyn marched into that country, and regain- ing pofleflion of it, razed the fortrefs, and put the garrifon to the fw^ord ; he then advanced into the territory of Gvvys, where, likewife deflroying that caftle, he fet fire to the town J and penetrating farther, he continued his ravages into Rhos and Daugleddeu '' and as far as the gates of the caflle of Haverfordweft.' In confequence of this, Henry wrote a letter to Llewelyn, complaining of the late violation of the peace, of his neglecft to appear at Oxford, and afterwards in London, agreeably to the fummonfes he had received ; enjoining him, at the fame time to repair to Worcefter on a certain day, to anfwer the charges which might be brought againft him.' It does not appear that Llewelyn paid any obedience to this fummons. Some time after, he laid fiege to the caftle of Buellt the property of Reginald de Bruce, who fending to the king in- » Welfh Chron. p. 279. p Ibid. < Or two fwords. ' Welfh Chron. p. 279. = Rymer's Fxdera. p. 249. telligence 1221. Book VII. LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. ^-jj telligenceof his danger, that prince came to his relief;' and Llewelyn feeing his forces inferior to the Englifh, raifed the fiege and returned into his own territories. Then the king, returning towards the marches, rebuilt the caftle of Mont- gomery, in a fituation he thought impregnable, as a check to the incurfions of the Wellh." Sometime after this event Ann. Dom. Llewelyn married another of his daughters to a Scots lord, who was nephew to the earl of Chefler." Amidst the anxieties which attend on a public fituation, the private peace of Llewelyn was embittered by the tiu- bulent fpirit of his eldeft fon Gryffydh. This young prince, without his father's confent, had feifed on the Cantrev of Meirionydh ; afFedling to hold it independently of his authority. Not of a temper tamely to bear fuch an infult, Llewelyn commanded his fon to appear before him. Gryf- fydh refufed to obey his commands. On this, Llewelyn fvvore that he would take ample vengeance on his fon, and all his adherents, for the difhonour they had done to his charafter as a fovereign and a father. With this defi^n he marched a confiderable force into Meirionydh. GryfFvdh, determining to abide the ifTue of arms, raifed his followers, and met Llewelyn in the field ; but during the adion and accommodation took place; the fon, yielding himfelf up to the mercy of his father, and imploring forgivenels, was ' Rymer, p. 261. ' Math. Paris, p. 262. '= Holinflicad, p. 704. 3 C received 378 LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. Book VIL received into favour. But though Llewelyn, amidft the conflidl of arms, indulging the tender feelings of a parent, \ thought proper to pardon his fon, he did not entirely forget the offence J but with a proper feverity, deprived him of that diftridt which had been the caufe of fo flagrant a failure in his duty/ Rhys the fon of Gryffydh ap Rhys, lately a vaffal to the prince of Wales, having revolted to the earl of Pem- broke j under the influence of chagrine and difappointment Llewelyn took poffeffion of the caftle of Aberyftwyth and all its dependencies. The Welfli chieftain on this repaired to Henry to complain of the injury, and to folicit his pro- tedlion. The Englifh king commanded Llewelyn to appear before him at Shrewfburyj and that prince obeying his order, the difpute was amicably fettled,"" Llewelyn, in the abfence of the earl of Pembroke then in Ireland, laid wafte his lands, and took two of his cafl:les j then, cutting off the heads of all the foldiers he had found in thefe fortreffes, and placing garrifons in them out of his own army, he made good his retreat."* In order to punifh this outrage, Henry came with an army into the marches, but, without performing any military exploit, he foon y Welfti Chron. p. 280. » Ibid. p. 281, 282. ' Chr. Thos. Wykes, p. 41. Chronica Walteri. Hemingford, p. 564. Math, Weftm. p. 86. Math, Paris, p. 267. returned Book VII. LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. 379 returned into England ; the earl of Chefter having interceded in behalf of the Wellh prince, and engaged for him that he fhould by a certain day, make reftitution for the injuries he had done. But, Llewelyn, feeing the danger over, was not very attentive to fulfil the engagement." In the mean time, the earl of Pembroke, hearing the ravages committed on his territories, landed at St. Davids with a ftrong body of forces, and having recovered the caftles of Caermarthen and Caerdigan, he retaliated on the Welfh garrifons the cruel treatment his own men had lately received from Llewelyn." This prince, to preferve his territories in South Wales, which his enemies were de- ftroying with fire and fword, fent his fon GryfFydh with an army of nine thoufand men. Having advanced to Cydweli, intimations were given that the inhabitants intended to betray him to the enemy j upon which, in refentment of their perfidy, Gryfl!ydh laid the town and all the churches in aflies.'' The earl of Pembroke then paiTed the Tywy at Caermarthen, and an aftion immediately enfued ; it was fought with great valour and with doubtful fuccefs ; in the evening each party retired from the field of battle, the river forming a line between the two armies. In this fituation they lay feveral days oppofite to each other, at length the >> Chronica. Walter!. Hemingford, p. 564. ' Welfti Chron. p. 282. Math. Farisj p. 267. "! Wellh Chron. p. 282. 3C2 ' Welfli 380 LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. BookVH. Welfh prince, in want of provifions, was obliged to break up his camp, and to return into North Wales." Pembroke proceeding to Cilgerran, began to eredl a fortrefs j but receiving an order from Henry to come up diredly to court, he left the work to be completed by his foldiers/ At the fame time a fummons was fent to Llewelyn, that he fliould appear before the king at Shrewfbury, at- tended by his wife, his fon Gryffydh, and the chief of his nobility, that prince expeding that by the force of his authority alone he fhould be able to end the difpute.^ A truce however was only obtained; and each party, in- tending to renew hoflilities, returned to their refpedlive territories. The defign of the earl of Pembroke, who had been joined by the forces of other Englifli lords, of march- ing into Pembroke, was defeated by the rapid movements of Llewlyn, who fent his fon to take polTeffion of the pafs at Carnwylhion, whilft he himfelf took poft at Mabedryd, The openings into the country being thus obftrudled, the earl returned into England, and the prince of Wales into his own dominions/ On this occafion, the archbifhop of York excommu- nicated Llewelyn, and his country was laid under an inter- « Wellh Chron. p. 282. Math. Paris, p. 267, who fays that the Welfh were defeated with great flaughter. f Welfh Chron, p. 282. f Ryme 's Faedera, voF. I. p. 287. ^ Welfh Chion. p. 283. did. Book VII. LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. 381 di<£l, until he had made fatisfaftion to Henry ; which if not performed within fix months, his fubjedts were then to be Ann. Dom. abfolved from their oaths of allegiance.' ^* In the hiftory of thefe times no incident worthy of notice Ann. Dom. I 22J? occurs till this year. The foldiers belonging to the caftle of Montgomery, affifted by the people of the country, at- tempted to open a road through an adjoining foreft, a deep and extenfive cover of five miles, which had long afforded the Welih. a fecure retreat ; who frequently ilTuing from thence, pillaged and murdered the paffengers. While the workmen were thus employed in cutting down the woods, they were fuddenly attacked by a body of the Welfli, who, with great ilaughter, obliged them to fly Into the caftle, which they invefted, and laid fiege to in a regular manner. In this extremity the garrifon fent into England for affift- ance, and Henry, attended by Hubert de Burgh, on whom the caftle had been lately conferred, came to its relief with all poffible hafte. On the approach of the Englifli king the. Welfh raifed the fiege. Having received a reinforcement, Henry ventured to penetrate the recefles of the forefl. With infinite difficulty he opened a pafTage for his army by fetting fire to the woods, and at length arrived at a folitary place called ' Rymer, vol. I. p. 282. Cridia, 382 LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH Book VIL Cridia, an abbey belonging to the white monks. Having been informed that this houfe had been ufed by the Welfh as a place of retreat, he laid it in afhes. The fituation being judged impregnable, Hubert de Burgh, with the king's confent, laid the foundation of a caflle. In the middle of a deep foreft, in an enemy's country, and furrounded by their flying parties, the fituation of the Englifli was exceedingly perilous. Three months did Henry employ his whole army and expofe it to various dangers in attempting to build an infignificant fortrefs. In the courfe of that time, the Welfh, watching every movement, inter- cepted his convoys, and frequently cut in pieces his foraging parties. William de Bruce, whofe ferocious manners we have often recited, having been fent into the country in fearch of provifions, was taken by Llewelyn and thrown into prifon. Provifions at length grew exceedingly fcarce. To heighten his diftrefs, Henry had much caufe to fear that treafon had pervaded his camp ; as feveral of the Englifh Lords in the intereft of Llewelyn, had fent that prince intelligence of each occurrence, and had aflifted him, to the utmofl of their power, in obftrudling and defeating the enterprife. In a fituation fo critical, the pride and refolution of Henry gave way to a fenfe of danger. He found it expedient to give over his defign, and to conclude a peace with Llewelyn, on the condition of levelling to the ground the caftle he had lately finifhed ; in the building of which he had wafted fo much time. Book VII. LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. 383 time, and treafure, as well as the Ijlfefi ^iJf' his fubjefts. The prince of Wales on his part, agfeed to pay Henry three thoufand marks towards defraying the charges of the war,- and alfo that the right owner of this territory {hould hold It as a fief of the crown of England.'' He alfo made his appear- ance in the Englifh camp, to pay his refpe Welfli Chron.p. 284. Llewelyn 384 LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. Book VIL Llewelyn had yet another blow to fuftain, which was an ini'ury of all others the mofl: poignant. William de Bruce taken prifoner at the afFair of Montgomery, on paying a ranfom of three thoufand marks, had been releafed the following year from his captivity. He foon after, by furprife, fell again into the fame fituation, and having been difcovered in carrying on an amour with the Welfti princefs, the fifter of Henry and the wife of Llewelyn, he fuffered an ignominious death by the command of the injured hufband. " Soon after this event, three of the Wellli clergy were fent by Llewelyn under a fafe condudt into England, mofl probably to account for the late tranfadtion. That prince himfelf received a fummons to appear before the king at Shrewfbury," who refented the aft of juftice lately exercifed on Bruce. Inftead of obeying the order, he led an army into the marches, and ftill purfuing his revenge laid wafte the territory lately belonging to Bruce ;^ then with the fame fury continuing his march, no place fcarcely on the marches was left free from his devaftations.' n Math. Weftm. p. 97, fays, with other Englifh writers, that he was put to death without reafon. Henry de Knyghton de Event. Angl. p. 2431. Chron. Waltcri Hemingford, p. 572. Annales Waverleienfis, p. 193. Pol. Vergil, p. 298. Math. Paris, p. 307. " Math. Paris, p. 310. Holinlhead, p. 213. r He was lord of Brecknock in South Wales, and of Perabre in Suffex. See Edward Lhuyd's MSS. in colleftion of Sir John Seabright. ■>. Rymer, vol. I. p. 317. To Book VII. LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. 385 To put a ftop to thefe ravages, Henry came again with ■ great celerity into the confines of Wales. On the king's approach Llewelyn retired to the mountains. Finding his prefence no longer neceflary, Henry left Hubert de Burgh with a body of forces to preferve the peace of the Borders. Another party of the Welfh, hearing that the king was retired, made an incurfion into the lands adjoining to the caftle of Montgomery ; but on their return, the Englifli, having taken pofleffion of a poft which cut off their retreat, fuddenly attacked them, and putting to the fword the greater part of their numbers, the remainder were brought into the caftle as prifoners. The captives were inftantly beheaded at the command of the jufticiary; and the heads of thefe unfortunate men were fent into England as a prefent to Henry. ' The Welfh already began Ann. Dom. to tafte the bitter fruits which they themfelves had produced by a voluntary furrender of their rights ; and by tamely fubmitting to be confidered as the vaffals of a foreign prince, they gave fome colour of juftice to the cruel fpirit of their enemies. It was not in the nature of the times to enter into fubtle diftindlions, or into a cool difcuffion of rights, which the timidity or weaknefs of the Welili princes had often .■■ Math. Paris, p. 310. Polidore Vergil, p. 300. 3 D brought ;86 LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. Book VIL brought into controverfy ; it was more fuited to the feelings of men, warm, irafclble, and vindi(ftive, to determine their merits, or to punilh their infringement, by the more prompt decifion of arms. As foon as Llewelyn heard of the outrage lately commit- ted on his fubjedts, he laid wafte the Englifli borders with fire and fword. Among other ads of ferocity that marked his progrefs, fome ladies of diftindlion, venerable for their years, and feveral virgins of a tender age, having taken fanc- tuary in one of the churches, periflied in the flames, the in- difcriminate viiflims of his fury." In the general confler- nation Hubert de Burgh fled into England. Llewelyn, then, took by alTault, the caltle of Montgomery, the fcene of the late trarifaftion ; and, making himfelf mafter of the feveral fortrefles of Radnor, Aberhonddu, and Rhaiadrgwy, he inverted Caer Leon. After fufl;aining confiderable lofs in attempting to reduce its caftle, the town was taken, and, with the church, reduced to aflies. The fame fate attended the caftles of Neth in Glamorganfhire, and Cydweli. With a barbarity diigraceful to Llewelyn, the foldiers belonging to thefe garrifons all perifhed in the flames.' This adl of retaliative juftice, though fevere, being re- ported to Henry, he applied to the Pope i who, ever fond of weaving his own interefts into the concerns of temporal ' Welfli Chron. p. 287. Maih. Paris, p. 310. ' Annales Margan, p. 18. princes Book VII. LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. 387 princes, excommunicated Llewelyn, and his adherents " Henry likewife ordered his vaflals in Ireland to co-operate with his arms in the enterprife he had "formed againfl Wales ; offering them at the fame time the alluring reward of pof- feffing fuch lands as they might by their fwords obtain from the Welfh/ In purfuance of this defign, he convened at Oxford, an affembly of his military tenants, and the prin- cipal clergy in his kingdom ; and drawing from thence an army of confiderable force, he marched to Hereford. Llewelyn, at this time, was encamped in a meadow at a fmall diftance from the caflle of Montgomery lately recovered by the Englifli, in a part of which field was a morafs. Near to this place was an abbey of the Ciftercian order. A friar of this houfe, who was a perfon of addrefs, was diredled by Llewelyn, if poffible, to convey falfe intelligence to the gar- rifon. Some of the foldiers, feeing the friar paffing with that defign under the walls, came out of the caftle ; and entering into converfation with him, feemed defirous of being informed of Llewelyn's fituation. He told them, that the Welfh prince • lay encamped in a certain meadow at no great diftance, at- tended only by a fmall body of men, waiting for a reinforce- ment ; and that he had broke down a bridge that kept the communication open for fear of a fudden attack. They then inquired if a body of horfe could fafcly pafs the morafs, the " Math. Paris, p. 310. " Rymer Fa:dera, vol. I. p. 31S. 3 D 2 bridge o88 LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. BookVIL :> bridge being demoliflied ; he told them that they might not only pafs with fecurity, but likewife might defeat their enemies, or put them to flight, with an inconfiderable force. On this intelligence a party fallied out on horfeback. Their approach being perceived, the Welfh, feemingly with great precipitation, retreated into a wood. This apparent flight animated the Englifh to purfue them with eagernefs ; and deceived by their intelligence, the advanced party plunged deep into the morafs. Many of thefe were either drowned or fufFocated. At this moment, the Welfh, perceiving their diforder, ruflied out of the wood, and with their fpears ealily put to death the remainder, who, encumbered with their horfes and armour, and entangled in the morafs, were incapable of making any defence." This difafter haflened the approach of the Englifli army; and as it pafled by the abbey, Henry, in refentment of the friars treachery, fet fire to its grange or farm, and proceeding to do the fame by the monafl:ery itfelf, the abbot faved it from the intended ruin, by paying three hundred marks as a ranfom. Having no other employment for his army, he rebuilt with ftone the Ann. Dom. caille of Matilda ; which had in former wars been demo- "^'" lifhed by the Welflb/ y Math. Paris, p. 311. ■^ Cambden's Brit. Gibfon's edit. p. 585, built by Matilda wife to William de Bruce lord of Brecknock. Math. Paris, p. 311. In Book VII. LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. 389 In the mean time, Llewelyn thought proper to confent to a fhort truce;" on terms of reciprocal advantage, and on the footing of independent ftates. In this manner ended a campaign, which, confidering the mighty engines employed, feemed to menace this ancient people with inevitable ruin. Some infradlions of the peace having been made on the part of the Englifli, Llewelyn fent complaints to Henry, that no fatisfadlion had been given him, though he himfelf had been ready to make reparation for any injury done by his fubjedts. Henry, in return, acquainted the Welfh prince that his own avocations at prefent did not allow him to attend to his complaints, but that he would^in a feafon of more leifure come into the marches, and there render him full reftitution for any injuries he might have fuftained." For this purpofe, a conference having been agreed on by the two princes, Llewelyn, under a fafe condudl, came to Shrewfbury/ At this meeting, the commiffioners appointed Ann. Dom by either party, agreed to the following ftipulations, which '^^-" were immediately ratified by Henry. That a mutual refti- tution ihould take place of fuch lands as had been obtained in the courfe of the war : That the commiffioners fhould fix the value of the damage, and determine by whom the ^ Rymer, vol. I. p. 319, Brady's Hift. Eng. p. 553. ^ Rymer, p. 320. •= Ibid. p. 325. reparation 590 LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. Book VIL reparation was to be made : That if any new matter of complaint fliould arife during the truce, the point in difpute fhould be finally decided by the commiffioners ; each prince engaging to abide by their award. In this treaty, Llewelyn was obliged to renew his homage, and to give fecurity for preferying the peace of the Englifh realm/ The violent condudl of Henry and his minifters had at length driven many of the Englifli barons into open revolt. Of the moft confiderable note were the lord Pembroke earl marefchal, Gilbert Baflet and his brothers, Richard Siward, and Walter de Clifford. Thefe lords, withdraw- ing from the danger that threatened them, retired into Wales ; and there entered into a firm league with Llewelyn ; eno-aoing each other by the mofl folemn ties not to make peace but with the common confent of the confederacy." Alarmed at this revolt, rendered formidable by an union with the Welfli prince, Henry convened his military tenants to meet him at Gloucefler.' In the mean time, the confederates laid defolate the marches, conveying away the cattle and other provifions.^ They likewife received an accefTion of flrength on being joined by Hubert de Burgh the jufliciary^ who, having ^ Rymer, p. 327. •" Math. Parh, p. 326, 328. Polidore Vergil, p. 301. ' Ibid. e ibid. been Book VII. LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. 391 been perfecuted to the utmoft peril of his life, at this time efcaped out of prifon, and fled into Wales/ Henry ad- vanced into the enemies country as far as Hereford, but finding it entirely laid wafte, and fearing left his army might perifli for want of neceflary fuftenance, he returned back, and remained for fome days in the caftle of Grof- mont. But his army, encamped in the open field, was attacked in the night by the earl marefchal ; who find- ing no difcipline in the camp, eafily furprifed it, puttino- to the fword five hundred of the Englifh, and obliging the reft to fly with precipitation within the walls of that caftle. He had likewife the good fortune to take poflTeflion of the money, provifions, carriages, and other furniture belonging to the king's army. Pembroke, in this critical moment, did not purfue hi^fuccefs. He gave an exalted proof of moderation and duty. Out of refpe<5l to his fovereign confined in the caftle, he offered no further hoftilities, but retired before break of day to a fecure fituation, loaded with the fpoils of the camp. On this difafter, many of Henry's courtiers, having loft their military equipments, left the army, and returned into Eng- land. The king himfelf, amazed, confounded, and aihamed at this fudden and difgraceful blow, having firft gairifoned the caftles with foreign foldiers, made the beft of his way ta Gloucefter; where he fpent the Chriftmas holidays^ in hopes ■^ Math. Paris, p. 3^28. that 392 LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. Book VIL Ann. Dom. that his prefeiicc on the Borders might be a means of keep- '^^^" ing the malecontents in awe.' The adlive fpirit of the marefchal, no longer reflrained by Henry's prefence, formed the defign of laying fiege to Monmouth. Baldvvyn de Gyfnes, a foreign knight of great valour, who was then in the town, had been left by Henry with a flrong body of foreigners to protedl the marches. Seeing the earl bufy in reconnoitering the walls, attended only by one hundred knights, he fallied out at the head of a conlidcrable part of the garrifon. Pembroke had time to retire, but his high courage difdained to avoid the danger. A terrible conflidt enfued, and though he exhibited ex- traordinary proofs of valour and prowefs, fuch was the fuperior number of the enemy, that he was very near being carried oft prifoner, if at that inftant, Baldwyn de Gyfnes had not received a wound, which being deemed mortal, the attention of the troops was diverted to the fafety of their general, and gave an opportunity to the confederate army to come to the relief of the marefchal." Nothing decifive taking place, Pembroke then inverted Caermarthen ; but the town being gallantly defended, he lay three months before it incapable of making any impreflion ; and at length, a fupply of provifions, and a reinforcement, being thrown into the place by fea, he was obliged the raifc the fiege. ' ' Math. Paris, p. 328. Polidore Vergil, p. 301. ''■ Math. Paris, p. 329. J Welfh Chron. p. 289. In Book VIT. LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. 39;^ In order to divert the enemies attention, during thefe operations, Llewelyn made an Inroad into the county of Brecknock, deftroying all the towns and fortrefles belong- ing to that territory ; he then invefled the caftle of that name, and lay before, it for a month j but, all his efforts proving fruitlefs, he raifed the fiege, and, fetting fire to the town, purfued his rout into the marches ; in the courfe of which, he burned the town of Clunn ; then, demolifli- ing Redde caftle in Powis, and laying Ofvveflry in aflies, he returned into his own dominions ; conflagration and ruin having marked his progrefs." It feems as if a treaty of peace had been in agitation during the late tranfadlions j as Henry, in a letter to Llewelyn, complains that his com- miflioners, agreeably to appointment, had been at Colewent, but had not there met the deputies out of Wales. In an- fwer to which, Llewelyn faid, that his commiflioners had been prevented from coming there by the floods and other impediments ; declaring in the mean time that he him.felf would preferve the peace of the Borders, and requiring Henry on his part to do the fame." It is fomev/hat exira- ordinary, that a negociation of fo mild a nature fhould be carried on amidftthe fliock of arms, and under the' irritation of deep and reiterated- injuries. To oppofe ?. confederacy, rifing into Importance by the daily acceffion of the Engliili nobility, John of Monmouth, " WelRi Chron. p. zSi. ''■ Ryraer, vol. I. p. 3=8, 339. 2 E di 11 ingui filed Ann. Dom. ;94 LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. Book VIL diflinguiflied for his valour and military talents, was ap- pointed warden of the marches. That he might open the campaign with fome eclat, he entered the confines of Wales with a confiderable body of foreigners -, in hopes that a fudden and vigorous impreffion might furprife the earl marefchal ; or that, by taking him off, he might ftrike at the root of the revolt. He fo ordered his march, as to be ready to affail his enemies during the filence and darknefs of the night. The fpies of the earl of Pembroke having given him intelligence, he laid an ambufcade to counterait the defign, by porting his troops under the cover of a wood adjoining to a road which the enemy had to pafs. In this fituation he waited their approach. The army of Monmouth marching in fecurity, and little fufpeding a furprife, was befet on a fudden by a part of the earl's forces, who rufhing out of their cover, eafily put them to flight, confounded by the darknefs of the night, and the loud fhouts of their affailants. Numbers were flain upon the fpot, and many flying into the wood, were cut in pieces by the troops flationed there for that purpofe by the marefchal. John of Monmouth their general, with a few attendants, faved themfelves by a precipitate flight. " Purfuing his fuccefs, the earl marefchal made fevere rc- priials on the eftates of the king's foreign couiicellors which lay on the Borders ; and with keener animofity, laid wafte Polidore Veigil, p. 301. Math. Paris, p. 332. the Book VII. LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. 395 the lordflilps that belonged to Monmouth, deftroying feveral of his houfes and villages. '' A FEW months after, Llewelyn and the marefchal, uniting their forces, made another inroad into the marches, and having rendered all that country a fcene of devaftation, they ended their fiery career by laying part of the town of Shrewfbury in aflies.' During the time that the confederates remained mailers of the field, and had fpread horror and conflagration through the Borders of England, Henry continued at Gloucefter, timid and inadlive, as" though he had been an indifferent fpedlator of the fcene. ' The prelates, on this occafion, and the few Englifli barons who ftill remained at his court, urged Henry to accommodate the difpute. Inftead of liftening to the falutary advice, that prince, equally vehe- ment and weak, removed his court to Winchefter i declaring he would make no peace with the marefchal, unlefs he came'^ith an halter about his neck, and on his knees before the throne, acknowledged himfelf to be a traitor. Pem- broke rejedled the propofal with difdain. ' Henry's minifters, in defpair of fubduing him by any other means than by fraud, excited the earl's vafTals p Polidore Vergil, p. 301. Math. Pari:, p. 332. 1 Math. Paris, p. 332. ' Math. Paris, p. 332. = Ibid. 3 E 2 in 596 LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. Book VIL in Ireland to revolt, under pretence that all his eilatcs were forfeited to the crown. Receiving intelligence of this, the earl of Pembroke went over into that kingdom, attended only by fifteen knights. La this country, by the perfidy of one of his vaffals, he was taken prifoner in an adlion, after having maintained for a long time an unequal fight, and given extraordinary proofs of valour, his horfe being hamflrung, and he himfelf difmounted and wounded in the back. This gallant warrior languiilied in confinement fourteen days, and then died by the treachery of an Irifli furgeon.' The violence in the Englifli adminiflration was new rifen to a crifis. The prelates of the realm, joined by the temporal lords, being aflembled in parliament, called loudly on the king to redrefs their grievances, and to fettle the diflra6ted ftate of the kingdom.-" Neceffity oblig- ing him to liflen to the voice of his people, Henry difmiffed his foreign minifters, and fent the prelates of Canterbury, Chefter, and Rochefler into Wales, to treat with Llewelyn, and the Englifli barons engaged in his caufe ; " the king himfelf repairing to Gloucefter to be ready to forward their negociation. The prince of Wales was exceedingly averfe to enter into terms of accommodation. "To induce him to comply with tHfeir wiflies, the prelates ventured to mingle ' Math. Pario, 333, 34.0. " Brady's Hift. England, vol. I. p. 559. " Ibid. threats Book VII. LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. 397 threats with their other perfuafions, and told him, that if he refufed their offers of peace he would certainly draw upon his head the vengeance of the church. To this menace, Llewelyn replied, that he was more influenced by the piety of king Henry and the alms which he gave, than by the terror of his arms though aided by the whole power of his clergy. At length he confented that peace fliould be fettled on the balls of juflice and integrity; and that all the Englifli lords, confederate with him in the war, fhould be taken into Henry's favour, and be re-efl:ablifl:ied in their honours and eftates. Thefe conditions, however humiliating, were ratified by the king ; who fent letters to all the malecontent lords to repair to him at Gloucefter, where they received the kifs of peace, from Henry as a pledge of his grace, and were likewife re-inftated in their rights and inheritances/ At the fame time, it is probable, to adjuft fome particulars left unfinifhed in the treaty, a fafe condudt was fent to the deputies of Llewelyn to come into England."" With the juflice due to hiftorical truth, Ann. Don). we have occafionally taken the liberty of cenfuring the '^^'^" character of Llewelyn j it is now with pleafure we con- template a conducfl that was wife, manly, and upright, which at the fame time, that it gave his country a degree of unufual importance, placed him in the rank of the mofl: diftinguifhed of its princes, > PoUdore Vergil, p. 302. Math. Paris, p, 340. «• Ryraer's Fxdera, p. 332. Llewelyn's 398 LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. Book VIL Llewelyn's heart, it is probable, being dilated with the pleafure arifing from the late event, he reieafed his fon Gryfiydh out of prifon, after fix years confinement/ No event worthy of notice occurs at this period until the death of Madoc ap Gryffydh Maelor, lord of the lower Powis, or Powis Vadoc j he was buried in the abbey of Llan Egweft, or the Vale of Crucis, near Llangollen in Denbighfhire, which "he himfelf had erefted ; and left a fon named Gryffvdh to fucceed to his territories." Ann. Dom. 1236. Llewelyn having complained to Henry that William earl marefchai had feifed a cafi:le belonging to Morgan of Caer Lleon, and had taken his property and wafted his lands, the king exprefTed his difpleafure at the injury done him J and appointed impartial perfons to arbitrate in the difpute. He had already cited the marefchai to appear before his commiflloners, and he now fummoned the Wel.fh prince likewife to attend, either in perfon or by his deputies/ A CONTINUATION of the truce for one year longer took place at Tewkfbury, on the following conditions, that full reftitution fhould be made to Morgan of Caer Lleon for the injuries he had received fince the commencement of the late ^ Wellli Chron. p. 292. ^ Ibid. p. 293. ' Rymer's Fsdera, p. 353. peace ; Book VII. LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. 399 peace; that the fubjeds of both kingdoms fhould retain all their rights and eftates of which they were then in poflef- fion; that on fufficient proof of any injury being fuftained, reftitution (liould be made to either party, the damage not being prior to the truce ; that neither prince fhould receive into'his protedlion the fubjedls belonging to the other ; and that no new caftle fhould be eredled, or old one repaired in the marches/ In confequence of this, a fafe condudl was Ann. Dom. fent by the king to Llewelyn's commiflioners to repair to Shrewlbury, and there to fwear to the conditions of the truce, and alfo to name arbitrators, who were to adl on his part with the Englifh commiflioners, with whom refled the final decifion/ This year died Joan the princefs of Wales, and, agreeably to her defire, was buried upon the fea-fhore at Llanvaes in Anglefey. To do honour to her brother the king of England, or as a tender memorial of his regard for this princefs, Llewelyn eredled over her grgve a monaflery of bare- footed friars j a teflimony of refpedl to her memory, which may, in fome degree, take away the flain that hiflory has Ann. Dora, caft upon her fame/ '^•'^' The tranquillity of the times afforded leifure to Llewelyn, having with fo much dignity fettled his foreign concerns, "i Brady's Hift. Eng. p. 564. Rymer's Fsdera, p. 368. "= Rymer's Faedera, p. 369. f Welfh Chron. p. 293. See note in Hill, of Gwedir family, p. 23. to 40O LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. Book VIL to give fome attention to the order and interior government of his ow^n kingdom. He convened all the chieftains of South Wales and Powis to meet him at Stratflur ; where they all renewed their oaths of allegiance, and liicewife did homage to David, his fon by the princefs of England, in preference to his elder brother Gryffydh.^ King Henry re- garded with an eye of jealoufy this homage that was paid to the young prince, and fent him a fummons to repair, under a fafe conduct, to Worcefter. About the fame time, Ann. Dom. the peace was continued for a year longer on the fame prin- 1237. ciples of mutual juftice.*" Llewelyn's glory, which has appeared with fo bright a luftre, refembles the laft effort of the vital fpirit, which acquiring force in the moment of its extindtion, and exerting a tranfient vigour, is exhaufted on a fudden, and links into dilTolution. Worn out with cares and inceffant adtion, Llewelyn was now grown old, infirm, and paralytic. In this melancholy clofe, haftened no doubt by his late ex- ertions, he feems to have loft the vigour of his mind j giving up, in a moment of weaknefs, the great objedl for which, during a long reign, he had contended with fo much valour and fuccefs. The defire of repofe, with the eager wifh of eftablifhing his favourite fon David in the fucceffion, by thus infuring the protedion of the Englifh king, were * Brit. Ant. Revived by Vaughan of Hengwrt, p 23-, * Rymer's Faederaj vol. I. p. 372, 373. perhaps BookVII. LLEWELYN, AP JORWERTH. 401 perhaps, the motives which influenced his condu(5t. What- ever thefe were, he gave notice to Henry, that being in years, and delirous of peace, he was willing to put himfelf under his protedion, and to hold his dominions in future as a fief of the Englifh crown ; offering at the fame time, that whenever the neceffities of England Ihould call for afllflance, he would be ready to furnifli troops, and to give other aids, agreeably to the duties of a vaflal. The bifhops of Hereford and Chefter on the part of Henry were employed in the negociation of this important concern.' So little of public virtue remained in the coun- try, that many of the Welfli nobility were defirous of an union with England, although the independency of their nation funk in the fcale. Some nobler fpirits rejed:ed the idea with difdain, not inclined to gratify their fovereign's inclination, nor to indulge his infirmities, at the expencc '^""- ^°™- of the freedom of their country.'' The archdeacon of St. Afaph was fent by Llewelyn into England. When he came to court, it appeared that he was not poffefTed of inftruftions or power fufficient to bring fo important a bufinefs to a conclufion. i Brady's Hid. Eng. p. 567. i^ Math. Paris, p. 368, 369. Math. Weftm. p. no. 7 F Henry, I2i7 402 LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. Book VIL Henry, on this, fent letters to the lords of the marches, highly complaining of the homage that Llewelyn had caufed his fon David to receive ; and commanding their attendance in Oxford, the truce with Wales being nearly expired. The king likewife fent a letter to the Welfh prince, expreflive of refentment for his late condudl in regard to his fon, and acquainting him, that if he was defirous of a lafliing peace, he fhould fend deputies to meet the council at Oxford ; prohibiting him, moreover, under the penalty of forfeiture, from fuffering his fon to receive any more homage, until he had firft performed that necef- fary duty to him, as his fovereign. So highly alarmed was Henry upon this point, that he wrote to the young prince his nephew, not to prefume to receive any more homage until he had paid that duty to himfelf. The negociation for peace extended no farther than to a continuation of the Ann. Dom, truce for another year, which was afterwards ratified by '^^ ■ Llewelyn.' In the fulnefs of his father's favour, or taking advantage of his infirmities, David feifed a great part of the territories belonging to his brother Gryffydh; leaving him only in poffeflion of the cantrev of Lheyn in Caernarvonfliire. This a(ft of rapacity raifed diflentions in the country, as Gryffydh pofTefled many qualities, which, among a people like the Welfh, were held in high eftimation, being brave in ' Rymer'a Faedera, vol. I. p. 379, 380. war, Book VII. LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. 403 war, tall and comely in his perfon ; and, as the eldeft fon of Llewelyn, heir apparent to the crown." To allay the ferment occafioned by fuch a divilion of interefts, the bifhop of Bangor propofed a conference between the two princes. And though Gryffydh came to the meet- ing in company with that prelate, and under the fandlion of his charadler, he was feifed on the road by his brother David; who confined him in the callle of Criccaeth, a fortrefs fituated on the verge of the fea in Caernarvonfhire." The treatment of this popular prince excited the greateft commotion. The adherents of his perfon and family rofe up in arms, refenting the many injuries done by David to his brother, their rightful fovereign, and whofe fpirit, man- ners and interefts were congenial with thofe of his country. Another party efpoufing the caufe of David, a civil war was the immediate confequence ; in which, native ferocity mingling in the conteft and heightening its fury. North Wales, for fome time, was deluged with the blood of her own citizens." In this ftate of affairs died Llewelyn ap Jorwerth, after a rejgn of fifty-fix years j and was buried in the abbey of "" Brit. Ant. Reviv. by Vaughan of Hengwrt, p. 29. " Welfli Chron. p. 298. Math. Paris, p. 470. • Math. Weftm. p. 118. Polidore Vergil, p. 305. Holinfhead, p. 226. 3 F 2 Conway. 404 DAVID AP LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. Book VIL Conway. He left two children by his firfl: wife; GryfFydh, and Glwadys married %> Sir Ralph Mortimer;'' by his Ann. Dora, fecond Wife, the princefs of England, he had David, who "'^°' fucceeded to his father's dortninions.' In taking a iiirvey of the hiftory of this period, fo full of the viciffitudes of fortune, Llewelyn ap Jorwerth comes forward a diftinguiflied perfon on the ftagc. PofTeffed of ' many qualities which form the warrior and the great prince, we may alfo difcern through the glimmering of the times, the fmaller traits of his character ; fome of thofe finer firings which conftitute in private life all that is juft, tender, and amiable. But in charadlers the moll: eminent for their virtues and. their talents, we ihall ftill meet with fome fhades of human infirmity. The defeds of Llewelyn, may, however, be confidered as the vices of the times he lived in, more jullly than his own. A few ads of ferocity, with too frequent a violation of treaties, and at times a want of firmnefs in his condud, may in fome degree injure his fame and fhade his virtues, but cannot deprive him of the honour conferred upon him by the gratitude of his country, for a long life employed in its defence. His talents and virtues, with the fortunate diredion of both, have given this prince the illuftrious title of Llewelyn the Great. P Memoir of Gwedir family, p. 24, refpefting GryfFydh. •i Brit. Ant. Revived by Vaughan of Hengwrt, p. zj, in the poffeffion of the Rev. Mr. Lloyd of Caerwys, Fliritfhire, Several DAVID AP LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. Book VIL 405 Several caufes confplred to promote the fucceftion of Ann. Dcm. David to the throne in preference to GryfFydh his elder '^'^''' brother. The partiality of Llewelyn to this" favourite fon had fecnred the allegiance of the Welfli nobility j the Englifli king, as the uncle of David, would naturally fup- port his caufe, rather than that of his brother, a prince of a brave and aftive difpofition, and popular in the country ; but what gave the decifive turn in his favour was, that Gryffydh, the rival of his crown, was a prifoner at his mercy, clofely confined in a folitary foftrefs. Within a month after his acceffion, David, attended by all the barons in Wales, came to Gloucefter; where having done homage to the king, a peace was concluded on the following conditions : That David fhould furrender his right to the principality of North Wales, as v.'ell as to fuch lands as had been claimed by feveral of Henry's vaflals, excepting thofe of Montalto or Mould ; which he was at prefent to retain agreeably to what had been fettled between him and the fenefchal of Chefter. In order to adjuft all matters in difpute that in future might arife, arbitrators on both fides were to be appointed, over whom the Pope's legate, as long as he refided in England, was to prefide ; and who was likewife to have the power of punifhing by ecclefiafiiical cenfures, any infraction of the peace : Before David, or any of his vafi"als, could be liable to fuch cenfures, they had a right to juftify themfelves before the legate in any fecure place 4o6 DAVID AP LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. Book VII. place upon the Borders ; where they were bound to appear whenever they were cited, or be deemed contumacious if they neglected the fummons, unlefs they fliewed a fufficient reafon for the negledt : If the legatine fundion fhould ceafe, then the fame power of coercion by ecclefiaftical cen- fure, fliould be veiled in the archbifhops of Canterbury fucceffively. The peace was concluded on thefe terms, and a general remiffion alfo took place of offences which either party at any time had committed.'' Soon after, David received a fummons to appear before the king in London, attended with the Welfli commiffioners, in order to proceed before the legate in the bufinefs of arbi- tration. '' The Welih prince, in no hafle to have the arbitration proceed, or to name the referees, flighted the fummons. He then received another order from Henry, to appear himfelf at Shrewlbury, or to fend his deputies.' To this fummons he thought proper to pay obedience, and he fent commiffioners accordingly to that place, where Ann. Dom. HCW arbitrators were appointed, and a certain time fixed, ^^'^^' when their decifion was to take place." P Rymer, p. 389, 390. Brady, vol. I. p, 575. ' Rymer, vol. I. p. 391. ' Brady, vol. I. p. 578, fays Worcefler. • Rymer, p. 392. Brady, vol, I. p. 579. The Book VII. DAVID AP LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. 407 The fubmiffion of David was only to gain time. For it feems as if he had conceived the defign of fliaklng off his dependence on the crown of England, as he had formed an alliance with the brothers of Gryffydh ap Madoc lord of the lower Powis, feducing thofe chiefs from their allegiance, as well as others of the Welfh tenants belonging to the Englifli crown. He then laid wafte, with fire and fword, the eftates of Sir Ralph Mortimer, and others of Henry's feudatories ; he retained in his own hands the eftates of Hugh Vaughan and his nephews, contrary to the award of a late arbitration } and he likewife feifed a veffel, on its voyage to Chefter, loaded with wheat and other provifions. Upon thefe outrages, Henry fent the prince of Wales a peremptory letter, enumerating the grievances, and enjoin- ing him to perfuade the revolted .chieftains to return to their duty, and that he fliould make reftitution for all the in- juries, which the king's fubjedis had received during the late infringement of the peace.' In the mean time, the bifliop of Bangor deeply interefted himfelf in the fafety of Gryffydh, the elder brother of David. He was alfo affifted in his generous defign by Ralph lord Mortimer of Wigmore, who had married Glwadys the fifter of the captive prince." With much earneft folicitation they requefted that he might be releafed ' Rymer, p. 395. '■' Brit. Ant. Revnv, by Vaughan of Hengwrt, p. 27. out 4o8 DAVID AP LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. Book VII. out of prifon j but all in vain ; David did not dare to let loofe among his people, a fpirit like his brother's, popular and brave, and full of refentment for former injuries. The bifliop then excommunicated David, and withdrew into England. He likewife fent his complaints to Rome, and had intereft fufficient with the Pope to get the fentence con- firmed, and to lay the prince's dominions under an interdidl." The party was now increafed which had been forrtied in favour of Gryffydh, who was become ftill more dear to the people, his fituation having renderedhim an objedl of their pity. His wife Sina, a woman of fpirit and addrefs, confederate with the bifliop of Bangor, and with fome of the mod powerful of the Welfh nobility, entered into a negociation with Henry, in hopes of interefl;ing that prince in the caufe of her unfortunate hufband. '' The negociation was fup- ported with fuch powerful perfuafions, that Henry, in- clining to their intereft, fent an order to David to releafe his brother out of captivity. This mandate the Welfli prince peremptorily refufed to obey, alledging in his excufe, that if Gryffydh was fet at liberty, fuch was his fpirit, and the ftrength of his party, that he would raife the greateft: commotions throughout Wales. "" On this refufal, the king, having been previoufly encouraged to come into Wales under afTurances of aid by Gryffydh ap Madoc the lord of Fowls, * Math. Paris, p. 506. Wellh Chron. p. 300. Brady, vol. I. p. 578. y Math. Paris, p. 506. Brady, p. 578. ^ Ibid. ordered BooicVII. DAVID AP LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. 409 ordered his military tenants to meet him at Gloucefler j and from thence he proceeded with a large army to Shrewlhury/ During his ftay at this place, which was fifteen days, many Englifli and Wellh lords, his vaffals, gave him the meeting ; all of them friendly to GryfFydh, and who came to fupport Sina's negociation. "^ That lady flipulatcd with the king for the enlargement of her huftand on the following terms; that Gryffydh fliould give the king fix hundred marks, on condition that he caufed the faid Gryffydh and Owen his fon to be delivered from prifon ; and that they fhould ftand to the judgment of the king's court, whether by law they ought to have been imprifoned. That the faid Gryffydh and his heirs fliould fland to the judgment of the king's court, for and concerning that portion of the inheritance of Llewelyn his father, which of right, he thought, ought to appertain unto him : the faid Sina undertaking for Gryffydh and his heirs, that they fhould pay yearly for thofe lands, the fum of three hundred marks ; whereof the one third part fliould be paid in money, the fecond in cattle, and the third in horfes, by the eftimation of indifferent men; and that the ^ Math. Parisj p. 506. '' Ralph lord Mortimer of Wigmore, Walter Clifford, Roger de Mont Alto fteward of Chefter, Maelgon ap Maelgon, Meredydh ap Rotpert lord of Cydewen, Gryffydh ap Madoc lord of Bromfield, Howel and Meredydh the fons of Cynan ap Owen Gwynedh, and Gryffydh the fon of Gwenwynwyn lord of rowis. Welfh Chron. p. 301. 3 G fame 41 o DAVID AP LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. Book VII. fame fhould be paid at Michaelmas and Eafter, by even portions, into the hands of the iheriff of the county of Salop. Sina farther undertook, for GryfFydh and his heirs, that they fhould obferve the peace with David, and fuffer him quietly to enjoy fuch portions of his father's inheritance as to him fhould be found to be due. She alfo undertook ' for her hufband and his heirs, that in cafe any Welfliman fhould hereafter rebel againfl the king, they at their ovi^n charges fliould compel the offender to make fatisfadlion.' For the performance of thefe conditions flie engaged to deliver to the king, David and Roderic her fons as pledges -, with provifo, that if either Gryifydh or Owen, fliould happen to die before his delivery out of prifon, it fliould be lawful for Sina to have one of her fons releafed, the other remaining with the king as an hoflage. She likewife fwore upon the holy Evangelifts, that Gryfiydh, and his heirs, fhould accomplifh and perform all thefe premifes ; and flie farther undertook, that Gryffydh on his delivery out of prifon, fhould take the fame oath. Sina, in the name of her hufband, fubmitted herfelf, as to the obfervance of the premifes, to the jurifdidlion of the reverend fathers the bifhops of Hereford and Litchfield ; fo that the faid bifliops, or either of them, at the king's requefl, fhould compel the faid Gryffydh and his heirs to obferve them, on pain of excommunication on their perfons, and inter- didlion on their lands ; and laftly, that her hufband fhould ' Brady, vol. I. p. 579. deliver Book VII. DAVID AP LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. 411 deliver this inftrument in writing to the king in the form aforefaid. To this, compaft both parties fet their feals j Gryifydh and Sina to that part which remained with the king, and the king to that part which remained with Sina. In ratification of this treaty, the lords before-mentioned, fwore fealty to the king, and pledged themfelves for the punftua^ performance of its feveral articles.'' A DEEP cloud at this time hung over Wales, and feemed to threaten with immediate ruin the declining fortu;ies of this people. The king of England advancing towards Chefler, at the head of a large army, had entered the fron- tiei's of their country ; the approaches to it having been rendered eafy by a drought, which, continuing this fummer four months, had dried up all the marfhes j many of the Welfh nobility were in confederacy againfl David, in fa- vour of his rival and the objeft of his cruelty; but the circumftance above all others mofl likely to excite his terror, was the cenfure of the church, which hanging over his head, like a fword fufpended in the air, left him only a precarious pofleflion of his throne." David faw the ftorm as it gathered round him, and his refolution failing, he fent an offer to Henry to releafe his brother out of prifon, pro- vided he himfelf might be taken into favour, under all the fecurity that hoflages, and other ties could give for his ■* Matt. Paris, p. 550. Weldi Chron. p. 303. Brady, vol, I. p. 5-9. = Math Paris, p. 506. 3 G 2 future 412 DAVID AP LLFAVELYN AP JORWERTH. Book VII. future fidelity/ Henry agreed to grant his nephew pardon and peace upon the terms he himfelf had offered, to which he added the following conditions : That David fliould deliver up his brother Gryffydh and his fon Owen to the king : That he fliould ftand to the judgment of the king's court, whether Gryffydh ought to be imprifoned ; and alfo for the portion of his father's inheritance, which he claimed according to the cuflom of Wales, and fhould hold that land of the king in capite : That he fhould deliver to Roger de Mont Alto fteward of Chefter, his lands of Mold, with all their appurtenances : That he fliould reflore to the barons all fuch lands, lordihips, and caflles as had been taken from them fince the commencement of the wars be- tween king John and his father Llewelyn : That he fhould defray all the charges of Henry in the lafl expedition : That he fhould make fatisfadiion for all the injuries done by him, or his fubjefts, to the king or his people : That he fhould reflore unto him all the homages which king John had received, or ought to have received, efpecially from the noblemen of Wales : That the lordfhips of EUefmere and Englefield fhould be conveyed to the king for ever : That he fhould not receive any of the king's fubjedis within the dominions of Wales, that were outlawed or baniflied : And laflly, under the penalty or forfeiture, and obligation of giving hoflages, that he fhould enter into the mofl folemn engagements that he would never recede from Henry's fer- f Math. Paris, p. 506. vlce» Book VII. DAVID AP LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. 413 vice, that he would obferve all his commands, and fland to the law in his courts.^ This treaty was figned on the part of David, by the Ann- Dom. bilhops of St. Afaph and Bangor, at Alnet on the river Elwey near St. Afaph. As a pledge of his lincerity, that he really intended to preferve the peace according to the treaty, the Welfh prince confented that the archbifliop of Canterbury, the bifhops of London, Ely, Hereford, and Coventry, fliould be arbitrators between him and the king, and that he himfelf fliould be liable to their ecclefiaftical cenfures, if, on his part, any of the articles were violated." Though the treaty was figned, David was not diverted entirely of his fears. He fent privately to Henry, defiring, that being his nephew, he might continue to enjoy the principality of Wales in preference to Gryffydh, who was not related to the king. He likewife infinuated, that by fetting his brother at liberty, he let loofe a fpirit that would raife divifions in the country, and adminifter occafion for continual wars.' Thefe reafons coincided but too well with the wifhes and interefted views of Henry. Having received Gryffydh from the hands of his brother, the king fent him, with the hoflages lately given, to London in the cuftody s Math. Paris, p. 551. Brady, vol. I. p. 580. Rymer, p. 396, 397, 398. ^ Welfh Chron. p. 306. Brady, p. 580. «^ Welfti Chron. p. 307. Math. Paris, p. 506, Brady, p. 578. of 414 DAVID AP LLEWELYN AP JORV7ERTH. BookVIL of Sir John de Lerinton, with orders that that prince, and his eldeft fon Owen, fhould be confined in the tower:" a condud full of duplicity and meannefs, and unworthy of a great monarch. The king likewife ordered a noble a day to be allowed him for his maintenance.' In this fituation Gryffydh was not entirely deferted by his friends. His faithful adherent the bifliop of Bangor came up to court to intercede with the king for his liberty ; but, humanity and juftice not mingling in Henry's councils, he refufed every folicitation made in his favour. After languifhing two years in confinement, defpairing of any other relief, this unfortunate prince attempted to make his efcape, thinking any danger preferable to being (hut up in a foreign prifon during his life, the victim of ftate policy. With this defign, one night, having deceived his keepers, he got out of the window, and with a line which he had made by faftening together pieces of the tapeftry of his chamber, the flieets belonging to his bed, and the napkins that covered his table, he attempted to let himfelf down from the tower; but being a very corpulent perfon, after he had defcended but a little way, his weight broke the line, and he fell into the ditch with fuch violence, that his head and neck were nearly driven into his bodyj in which fituation he was found in the morning."" His fon Owen, and Sina his wife, '' Welfh Chron. p. 307. ' Holinlhead, -p. 228. " Math. Paris, p. 545. Stovvc's Chron. p. 186. who Book VII. DAVID AP LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. 415 who had fhared in his tedious captivity, were the witnefTes of this melancholy fpedlacle. This difafter, inftead of railing Henry's pity, was a reafon with that prince for treat- ing his fon with greater rigour." The reader will feel fome emotions of forrow at the fate of this brave prince, who, in obedience to the firft law of nature, thus fell a viftim to a perfidious brother, and the interefled views of his enemies. A FEW months after the treaty was figned David came to the Englifli court, and having done homage to Henry, and given him the ftrongefl alTurances of his fidelity, even under the penalty of forfeiture if he fhould ever rebel, he returned with a fafe condudl into Wales." The Welfh nation, at this difhonourable period, wa& reduced to the lowefl ebb of fortune ; their independency gone, their prince the acknowledged vaflal of* England, and in appearance every fpark of public virtue extinguiihed. Soon after thefe events, the Englifli king fortified the caflle of Diferth in Flintfliire. He likewife exercifed the right he had lately acquired as the fovereign over Wales, by giving to GryfFydh the fon of Gwenwynwyn his in- " Ibid. • Math. Paris, p. 506. heritance 416 DAVID AP LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. Book VII. heritance in Fowls, and to the fons of Cynan ap Owen Gwynedh their territeries in Meirionydh." A NEW fcene now opens to our view. The vail is drawn afide which had of la'te concealed from the Welih princes the defigns of the Englifli monarch. They had vainly thought, though reduced to a flate of vafTalage, they fliould be able to retain the appearance of royalty, and fome fem- blance of their ancient grandeur. They did not confider, that having loft the fubftance of power, its attendant flia- dow would foon difappear. That the Welfh might no longer be deluded with even the femblance of freedom, Henry, in pofteflion already of the fovereignty, upon the death of Gryffydh the real heir to the crown, gave to his eldeft fon Edward the title of prince of Wales.'' At this intelligence David revolted from his allegiance, alive at laft to a fenfe of fliame for the ignominious fituation of his country. In hopes of fecuring his fubjed:s from the various oppref- fions of the Englifli government, he folicited the Pope's protedlion, offering to hold his dominions under him as a fief of the holy fee, and to pay likewife an annual tribute P Welfh Chron. p. 308. 1 Cambden's Brit. Gibfon's edit. p. 695. Polidore Vergil, p. 311. Britifli Ant, Reviv. by V.-iugl\an of Hengwrt, p. 29, 30. Wellh Chron. p. 309. See Appendix, No. i. from Records in the Tower, Ann, 29 Henry III, of Book VII. DAVID AP LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. 417 of five hundred marks ;' concluding, that if he and his people muft be the vaflals of a foreign prince, it was his wifeft courfe to yield obedience to a power that was fuperior to all the fovereigns in Europe. The Pope, acceding to the propolal, and having received a large fum of money from the Welfh prince, veiled the abbots of Conway and Cymmer with full powers to fit as a court of inquiry, whether David was under the influence of terror or of force at the time he confented to do homage, and to be tied down to the late arbitrations. If an improper influence was found tc have been the cafe, they were then to abfolve him from the oaths and the other engagements he had taken. In the fulnefs of fpiritual importance, the Welfli abbots fummoned king Henry to appear before them at Caerwys,' to anfwer the complaints that David might alledge againft them. This indignity was highly refented by the king, and all the barons of England.' But the negociation with Rome did not in the end produce any ufeful effedl. Henry, acquainted with the venality of that court, and that he might not be baffled by fo infignificant a prince as David, made larger oifers j which, agreeably to the verfatile and unprincipled condudl Ann. Dom. of Rome, turned the fcale in favour of the Englifli." '^■^^' ' Math. Weftmin. p. 139. Math. Paris, p. 552. Brady, p. 592. » Brady, p. 592. Welih Chron. p. 309, fays at Creythyn. ' Math. Paris, p, 573, 617. J. Rofli, Antiq. Warwicenfis, p. 162. " Welfh Chron, p. 309. Rymer, vol. I. p. 425, 430. 3 H • In 4i8 DAVID AP LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. Book VIL Encouraged by the Pope's interference, and Henry's abfence in Scotland, David made an incurlion on the lands of the Englifh lords in the marches i and by the king's command was oppofed by the earl of Hereford, Thomas de Monmouth, and Roger de Mont Alto ; in which enterprife, the Welfh had at iirft the advantage, but were at length rcpulfed with lofs/ These incurfions, continuing to be carried on with terrible devaftations, the king, on his return, fent Hubert Fitz Mathew, with three hundred horfe to co-operate with the lords of the marches/ Before his arrival, the Welfli had routed the forces of the earl of Hereford and Ralph de Mortimer ; the former lord having in fome meafure been the caufe of the infurredlion, by detaining from David a certain diflrift of land, the property of his wife/ Thefe difafters alarmed king Henry, and created great indignation among the Englifh. But his finances were fo much ex- haufted, and his credit fo lov^% that the parliament refufed him the means of carrying on the war ;" thinking, probably, that the Welfh were neither much to be blamed, nor, if allowed to remain unmolefled, much to be feared. " Math. Paris, p. 562. Polidore Vergil, p. 308, fays, that in this enterprife David loft the greater part of his army, and that he repaired to Scotland, to incite that prince to turn his arms i^Jainfl Henry. >' Math. Paris p. 569. -■= Ibid. * Brady, vol. {.p. 592. Some Book VII. DAVID AP LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. 419 Some time after, a party of the Welfli was di-awn into an ambufh by the conftable of Montgomery caftle, and three hundred of them cut in pieces,'' To revenge this lofs, David fell w^ith great fury on the eflates of the Englilli lords upon the Borders. This inroad was oppofed by Hubert Fitz Mathew, at the head of the militia belonging* to the marches. That general, breathing the fpirit of revenge, and unacquainted with the country, foon led the Englifii army into a difficult fituation, in which they were fuddenly attacked by the Welfli, who were pofted on the heights adjacent, and from thence much annoyed their enemies by a fliower of ftones, arrows, and darts. In this rude en- counter, Hubert Fitz Mathew was killed by a large ftone rolled down from the mountains. The Englifli, difpirited by the lofs of their leader, retreated with precipitation out of the country. Taking advantage of the general conflerna- tion, the prince of Wales then laid.frege to the caflle of Mold, which he took by florm, and put all the foldiers he found in it to the fword; the owner, Roger de Mont Alto, efcaped the danger, not being in the caflle at the time it was taken.' David was now fummoned to appear, with all the barons of Wales, in the king's court at Weflminfler, to do liomage, and to anfwer for the depredations which they had lately committed.'' About twenty of the Welfli nobility made ^ Math. Paris, p, 575. "^ Ibid. p. 576. ^ Jbid. 3 H 2 their 420 DAVID AP LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. Book VIL their appearance. Inftead of obeying the fummons, the prince appears to have amufed the Englifli court with a treaty ; which having mifcarried, the mofl formidable pre- parations were made by Henry for the entire conqueft of the country." The revolt now wore a mofl ferious afpedt. The Eng- lifl:i parliament therefore, not only gave the neceffary fupplies, but thought proper that the king fliould in perfon go into Wales, to give an early check to David's career, and to punifh the rebellion of an infolent vaflal. It was on this occafion, that an extraordinary afTeffment of forty {hillings for every knight's fee took place, called the fcutage of Gannock.^ Summonfes were Cent to all the barons and others who held of the king by knights fervice and ferjeantry to be ready to march into Wales, or to fend thither their fer- vices.^ Orders were likewife fent to Henry's jufticiary in Ireland, that a diverlion (hould be made from thence on the ifland of Anglefey i^ and for that purpofe he was to pro- vide the choiceft foldiers ; he was alfo to furnifh the necef- fary provifions for the army employed in the Welfh ex- pedition.' It was about the middle of Auguft that Henry entered the confines of Wales. By that time, the Irifh had made a ' Rymer, p. 427—431. ^ Carte's Hilt. Eng. vol. II. p. 82, from Rotul. Fip. 30 Hen. III. Oxon. s Rymer, p. 433. Brady, vol. I. p. 591. •» We!(h Chron. p. 310. ' Rymer, p. 431. defcent 124? Book VII. DAVID AP LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. 421 defcent on Anglefey, and had dreadfully ravaged that ifland^" Ann. Dom, but not being properly fupported by the Englifli king, who had been too flow in his movements, they were affailed by the inhabitants, when loaded with plunder, and were driven back to their fhips.' The Englifli army was too. powerful for David to refifl in the open field j he therefore retired into the mountains of Snowdun, leaving Henry's march open and unmolefled, till he had advanced to the arm of the fea, oppofite fo Conway. Not daring to pafs that river, and enter into the mountainous: recefTes of the country, the enemy unfeen and in flying parties hovering around him, Henry halted his troops ; though determined that the expedition ihould not be ren- dered entirely fruitlefs. On the point of a promontory that projects into the fea, were the ruins of an ancient fortification, once a Roman fliation, and which had been afterwards a fortrefs belonging to the Welfli, called Diganwy, and an occafional refidence of their earlier princes. Thinking this a proper fituation, the king began to eredl a cafl:le, the garrifon of which might be able to intercept the Welfli whenever they made incur- fions into England."' ^ Math. Paris, p. 599. ' Welfh Chron. p. 3ro. ■n Math. Paris, p. 597. Henry de Knyghton de Evcntibus Anglis* p. 2443. It 422 DAVID AP LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. Book VII. It is not to be Tuppofed that the Welfh remained uncon- cerned fpedlators of a tranfadion of fo hoilile ii nature j which if fuffered to be completed, would prove the deadly dart that would remain and rankle in the bofom of their country. During the ten weeks that Henry employed in building this fortrefs, his army, which lay encamped in the open field, was expofed to many inconveniences. The weather growing exceedingly cold towards the clofe of the year, the foldiers fuffered much by being thinly clad, having no other covering than a garment made of linen ; the army likewife was at times greatly flreightened for provifions, receiving only a precarious fupply from Chefler and Ireland ; they were alfo much harraffed, and their numbers reduced, by the inceflant attempts which the Welfh made in the night, to cut off" their flraggling parties," and to break up their camp. During this time, a vefTel loaded with provifions arrived out of Ireland, and, by the negligence of the mariners, was run aground at the ebb of the tide, on the fliore next to Snowdun. This being feen by the Welfli, they ran to take pofTeflion of the prize, by this time laid dry on the flrand ; " In one of thefe conflifts, the Englifli having the advantage, they brought in triumph to their camp, the heads of nearly one hundred Wellhmen. See Math. Paris, p. 598. but Book VII. DAVID AP LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. 4^3 but the velTel was gallantly defended by Sir Walter Biffet, till a reinforcement came acrofs the river to his relief; who, driving away the afTailants, purfued them fix miles, with great flaughter, into the country. The Englifli party, on their return, fluflied with fuccefs, pillaged of its books and furniture the abbey of Conway, a religious houfe of the Ciftercian order: they then fet fire to all the offices.- Oft feeing the flames, the Welfli, with a rage that bordered upon frenzy, ran down from the mountains to preferve that vene- rable pile, the objed of their piety, and which had lately become the viaufolaurn of their princes. Finding the Eno-- lifh overloaded with fpoils, they flew a great number, and wounded others ; and many foldiers, to avoid their fury, plunged into the Conway, and periflied in the water : be- fides thofe who' were drowned, feveral gentlemen of rank, and about one hundred common perfons, fell by the fword. The foldiera taken alive were lodged in confinement ; but the Welfli, informed that their enemies had lately put to death fome lords of their nation, ordered all the prifoners to be hanged ; then, cutting off their heads, and, with a barbarous rage, tearing their dead bodies in pieces, they threw them into the Conway water. Some colour of juftice was indeed given to this a6l of ferocity, many of them being Welflimen, who, under the command of the lords of Powis," had joined the enemies of their country.'' The veffel before- ° Welfli Chron. p. 311. P Math. Paris, p. 597, 59S, 599. This account 1$ given by an Englilh lord ferving at that time in Henry's army. mentioned, 424 DAVID AP LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. Book VII. mentioned, flill aground, was again violently aflaulted, and* as bravely defended, till midnight, by Sir Walter Biffet j when, on the flowing of the tide, the Wei fli were obliged to retire. During the night, this party was releafed from their poft, and leaving the fhip, efcaped to the Englifh camp. In the morning, it being then low water, the Welfh returned to the vefTel, and finding her deferted, carried away almofl: all the wine, and the reft of the cargoe. Having fo far fe- cured this valuable prize, a part of which confifted of fifty- three tons of wine, they fet fire to the fhip, and made good their retreat. Seven tons only were faved by the Englifli, who drew them out of a part of the veflel which had not been confumed. H Av IN Gat length finiflied the important fortrefs of Gannockj in the face of the Welfh, and againft all the efforts they had ufed to prevent it, Henry left there a numerous garrifon ; and unable to continue any longer for want of provifions, and Ann. Dom. the winter being near, he returned at the end of Oftober, '^-^' with the remainder of his army, into England.'' After the king's departure, many caufes confpired to renr der the fituation of the Welfli deplorable. No party could move towards the Chefhire frontier, but they were liable to be cut off by the garrifon of the new caftle of Gannock. Anglefey, the granary of Wales, had been fo entirely laid 4 Math. Paris, 597, 598, 599. wafte Book VII. DAVID AP LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. 425 wafte by the Irifli, that no advantage could be derived from thence J nor could they be fupplied v^^ith provifions from other parts, as orders had been given by the Englifh king In the marches and in Ireland, that, on pain of death, no merchan- dize whatever, or vidluals Ihould be carried into Wales/ He likewife ordered all the fait works to be deflroyed in the country.' What heightened ftill more the public dillrefs, the territories of the Welfh prince were now reduced to Mierionydh and the prefent Caernarvoniliire, and to the barren parts of the adjoining counties; and, befides the ufual inhabitants, it is probable, thofe mountains were now crowded with people who had fled out of the valleys for protedlion. In fuch a fituation, the Welfh feemed to have had no alternative but famine, or fubmiflion to Henry's authority.' In this feafon of common calamity, the rage of contending ^""- ^°'"- 1246. parties was for a time fufpended ; and the Welfli nobility, no longer retaining animofity againft each other, gave their prince the ftrongeft affurances of perpetual allegiance." But their offers of aid, or vows of fidelity, had no power of affording relief to David ; the miferies of his country, and the profpedt that was opening on it had broken his fplrit ; and, a few months after, finking under the weight of forrow, lamented by his fubjeds, and rifing in their efleem, ' Rymer, vol. I. p. 440. Math. Paris, p. 599. = Math. Paris, p. 599. < Ibid. p. 600. " Wynne's Hift. Wales, p. 268. ? I he 426 DAVID AP LLEWELYN AP JORWERTH. BookVIL he died" at Aber, a palace in which he ufually refided in Caernarvonshire. This prince left no iflue, and was buried in the abbey of Conway/ We have now feen the Welfh nation fubjedl to the moft dlftant extremes of fortune. Their annals, in rapid fuccef- lion, are marked with ftriking viciffitudes. Influenced by fudden, and often by hidden fprings, we have feen them, by exerting their united ftrength, rifmg up to the height of profperity j and then, from caufes equally capricious, falling, in a moment, into difunion and valTalage. =< Math. Paris, p 608, 610. ^ Wynne's Hift. Wales, p, 268. HISTORY HISTORY' OF WALES. BOOK VIII. FROM THE ACCESSION OF OWEN AND LLEWELYN THE SONS OF GRYFFYDH AP LLEWELYN, TO THE DEATH OF LLEWELYN THE LAST PRINCE OF NORTH WALES. ON the death of the late prince, the Welfli nobility Ann. Dom. chofe Owen and Llewelyn joint fovereigns of North '^"^ ' Wales. Thefe young princes were the fons of Gryffydh, who fome years before had been killed by attempting to efcape out of the tower of London. " Owen had Ihared in the captivity of his father, but was afterwards taken into Henry's favour, and highly carefled in the Englifli court. Receiving intelligence of the late events, he withdrew fuddenly out of England, and fortunately effeded his efcape into Wales." The young » Welfti Chron. p. 314. •> Math. Paris, p. 608. 3 J 2 prince 428 OWEN AND IXEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. Book VIII. prince Llewelyn, before his acceffion to the throne, had refided at Maefmynan near Caerwys in Flintfliire ■ and pofTefled, as the patrimony which he had received from his father, the cantrevs of Englefield, DyfFryn-Clwyd, Rhos, and Rhovoni?c ; all of which he had held in oppo- fition to his uncle David, and the Englilh monarch.' OppRT;ssEr> by the hated laws of England, the Wellh, at this time, had neither opportunity nor fpirit, to carry on commerce, nor to cultivate their lands, and in con- fequence were perifhing by famine : they were likewife deprived of the ufual pailurage for their cattle : and,- to recite the" words of an old writer, " the harp of the church- men is changed into forrow and lamentations : their high and ancient renown is faded.'"* In this fituation, the two princes thought proper to con- clude a peace with the Englifh king, on the fevere condi- tions of yielding up for ever the cantrevs of Rhos, Rhyvo- nioc, DyfFryn-Clwyd, and Englefield, being all the country from the frontier of Chefhire to the water of Conway." They were likewife obliged to ferve in Wales, or in the ' Hift. Gwedir Aimily, p. 28. ■' The bifhop of St. Davids, is faid, at this time, to have died of grief, and the biftiop of Llandaf to have been ftiicken blind: the bilTiops of Bangor and St. Afaph, likewife, on their bi(hopricks being entirely ruined, were under the neceflity of fupplicating alms, as a means of fubfiftence. Vide Math. Paris, p. 64Z. « Cynwy or Chief Water. marches, Book VIII. . OWEN AND LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. 429 marches, with one thoufand foot and twenty-four horfe, iirmed and well appointed at their own expence, whenever they were called upon ; but with five hundred infantry only when the fervice Ihould require that duty to be performed in any other place : The homage and fervices of all the barons in Wales were to remain with the kings of England for ever : If there fhould be any infringement of the peace on the part of the Welfh princes, an entire forfeiture of their territories was to be the confequence : For thefe conceflions, after the princes had done homage, Henry granted them a full pardon, and the enjoyment of the refidue of North Ann. Dom. Wales, to be held under the crown of England for ever/ '^'^^' At this time, the country from Chefler to the river Conway, which had been given by Henry as an appennagc to prince Edward, was let out to farm to Alan de Zouch an Englifli baron, for eleven hundred marks/ He fuper- Ann. Dom. feded John de Grey, who was to have held it for the lefler '^^'" fum of five hundred/ The Welfh likewife early tafted another bitter fruit of their fubjedlion ; a talliage having been laid on all that territory which had lately been ceded in Wales, to defray the expence of Henry's intended ex- pedition into the Holy Land. For fome years the Welfh nation, difpirited and inadlive, had lofl with their freedom every trace of their national cha- f Rymer, p. 44.3. s Brady, vol. I. p. 605. ^ Math. Paris, p. 705. Inter. Communia. Trin. Term. 36 Hen. III. radler. 430 LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. Book VIIL rafter, till the demon of difcord, reviving their fpirit and genius, called it once more into adlion. Owen, the eldefl of the reigning princes, not enduring a partner in the throne, drew in David his younger brother to engage with him in hoftilities againft Llewelyn. The two brothers, in confequence of this, took the field with a confiderable force, and fighting with Llewelyn, their army, after a long and fevere engagement was routed, and they, themfelves, taken prifoners and lodged in confinement, leaving to that prince the fole pofleflion of what remained of this mutilated kingdom.'' The eyes of the Welfh nobility were at length opened, a feries of injuries had awakened them into a fenfe of their loft condition. The nobility of North and South Wales reforted to Llewelyn, and complained of the grievances they daily endured from prince Edward, and from the lords of the marches ; that their eftates were taken from them by force, without any colour of juftice; and that they were treated with feverity whenever they committed the fmalleft offence ; but that they themfelves could obtain no redrefs for any injury done them by the Englifh.' In the moft ibiemn manner, and with an affeded, though manly fpirit, they declared, that they would rather die in the field in defence '^ Wclfh Chron. p. 319. Annales Burton, p. 386. ' Welfh Chron. p. 320. of Book VIII. LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. 431 of their natural rights, than be fubjedt any longer to fo cruel and oppreflive an enemy. Virtue, neceflity, and de- fpair influenced Llewelyn to fecond their ardour. They all determined to refcue their country from its vile dependence on England, or bravely to perjfli amidft the ruins of its ^""- ^°"^- 1255. freedom." When men meet to deliberate, with a refolution to re- volt, a decifive condudt fhould then take place of feeble and temporifing meafures. The condud: of Llewelyn, on this occafion, was equally rapid and decilive. He recovered by a fudden movement Meirionydh, and the inland country of North Wales lately ceded to Henry ; and alfo fuch lands in Caerdigan as were in the pofleffion of prince Edward ; and the diftridt of Gwerthryneon the property of Sir Roger Mortimer. ■'o The fummer following he made an incurfion into Powls, and fubdued a great part of the territory that belonged to Gryffydh ap Gwenwynwyn, to revenge the bafenefs of his condudl in taking part with the Englifh king. With a fpirit, that marked a liberal and penetrating mind, the prince of Wales divided among the chiefs, his affociates in the war, the lands he had conquered. It was certainly right in Llewelyn, having put his life and his crown to hazard, to fecure the attachment of interefled chieftains by fuch an aft of princely munificence. ^' Math. Paris, p. 3o6. HEARIKtr 432 LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. Book VIIL Hearing of the revolt, Henry fent a large army by iea to the afiiftance of his vaffals in South Wales, which, having laid fiege to the caftle of Dinevawr, was defeated, with the lofs of two thoufand men, by the forces of Llewelyn. After this fuccefs, the Welfh army burned and laid wafte the country of Dyvet, deilroying the caftles of Abercorran, Ann. Dom. Llanftephan, Maenclochoc, and Arberth ; and then returned "'^^" with the fpoils they had taken into North Wales." It is not to be fuppofed, that Edward, a prince of the age of feventeen, full of fire and ambition, would fee with- out emotion the progrefs of Llewelyn, and the many valu- able territories, which that prince, his rival in glory, had lately torn from him. His father being unwilling, or what is more likely, unable to affifl him with money, the young prince applied to his uncle the earl of Cornwall, who lent him four thoufand marks to carry on the war. But the heavy rains which fell during the winter, raifed the rivers fo much, as to overflow the marflies, whence the progrefs Ann. Dom. Jje made againfl the enemy was very inconfiderable, and bore no proportion to his fpirit, or his thirft after fame." The Welfh, expofed to the rapacity of a Farmer General, and their country often fold to the beft bidder, experienced about this time another fevere caufe of complaint. Sir ■" Wclfh Chron. p. 320, 321. ■> Math. Paris, p. 805. GeofFry 1257. Book VIII. LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. 433 * Geoffry de Langley° had been appointed to fuperintend that diftrict which lies between Chefter and the Water of Con- way, and to collect, in behalf of prince Edward, the revenue lately iinpofed upon the inhabitants of that country.'' The rigour with which he exadled this talliage raifed among the Welfli the greateft uneafinefs. Againfh every principle of juftice and prudence prince Edward alfo attempted to intro- duce, on a fudden, the Englifh laws into this part of Walesi** and in order to give them proper force and effedl, he endea- voured to eftabliih courts of juftice in every hundred, and in every county.' The defign fpread a general alarm. Horror, and the keeneft indignation were excited, when the Welfh faw an odious and foreign j urifdidtion riling into a fyftem on the ruins of their ancient laws j objedls which they loved with a tender afFedlion, and revered with a pious enthufiafm, as the types of their former glory, and the only remaining veftige of the Britifh empire. Private injury and partial oppreffion had hitherto met with partial refentment. But there is a certain degree of oppreflion that will urge into refinance even men who are cowards by nature, and loft to every fentiment of virtue. What efforts then might not be expedled from the Welfh ; a people, brave and irafci- ble, who were bred on their mountains the indigenous -^ children of freedom .'' " Brady, p. 721, 810. It is probable that he fucceede^^ Alan de Zouch, who had brought into England much treafure in carts out of Wales, p Math. Paris, p. 805. Brady, p. 620. 1 Brady, p. 60;. ' Carte's Hift. England, vol. 11. p. no, from Chron. Dunftaplc, p. 321. . K The 434 LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. Book VIII. Ann. Dom. The Welfli joined Llewelyn in fuch ' numbers, that he ^^" foon raifed a very formidable force, equipt in all points, and armed agreeably to the cullom of the country. For the greater eafe of procuring provifions, he divided it into two bodies, each of which confifled of thirty thoufand men, attended likewife by a fquadron of five hundred horfe, elegantly appointed and entirely covered with armour. With this formidable force, the Wellh prince laid wafte the frontier on each lide of the river Dee to the gates of Chefter.' The prince of England, unable to refift the impetuofity of this multitude, retreated to his uncle the king of the Romans. By his means having augmented his forces, he returned into Wales, but was ftill too weak to encounter, or even to give any check to the progrefs of the Welfh army, though he had lately been joined by Grylfydh ap Madoc, the lord of the lower Powis, who refided in the callle of Dinas-Bran near Llangollen.' The natives of South Wales animated with the fame generous fpirit, had joined in the common caufe." In fup- port of this union, Llewelyn made an inroad into that country, and making himfelf mafler of two caftles, and of feveral diftridls belonging to the enemy, he returned towards North Wales ; but was met in the courfe of his march by the prince of England, who, attempting to oppofe his pra- » Chron, Thomas Wyke, p. 50. Math. Paris, p. 805, 806, 810. ^ Welfh Chron. p. 321. " Holinfhead, p. 255. grefs, / Book VIII. LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. 435 grefs, received a confiderable check, and was obliged to retire before the Welih army. sAfter this, Llewelyn laid wafle the territories of GryfFydh ap Madoc, in refentmcnt of his late conduft. The vanity of Edward was wounded at the difgrace his arras had lately received, an affront which he never forgave ; and if his fpirit and ambition prompted him to the conquefl of the country, he was equally fpurred on by pride and refentment againft Llewelyn, his rival for fame. In the lituation of the two princes it was not likely the difpute would be of long continuance, it muft foon ceafe by the ruin or death of one of the competitors. At this time, the king of the Romans, defirous of mediating between the two hoftile powers, wrote to the prince of Wales, mildly requefting, that he would defifl: from making any farther depredations. But Llewelyn, taking advantage of the rainy feafon, and knowing the marflies were inacceffible," inflead of retiring from the field, laid fiege to the caftle of Gannock, on the- attainment of which he muft know the fate of his country would in a great meafure depend. Alarmed for the fafety of this important fortrefs, Henry, who had hitherto been an un- concerned fpedlator, refolved to go Into Wales, and in ' Math. Paris, p. Gio. Welfti Chron. p. 321. K 2 perfon 436 LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. Book VIIL perfon to condudt a war which had proved fo unprofperous under the condudl of his fon. With this view, he ferit orders to his vaffals in L'eland to make a defcent upon Anglefey, that by defpoiling that ifland, he might dry up the fource from whence the Welfli had ufually received a great part of their fullenance. He fummoned all his military tenants in the north, and the middle of England, to meet him on the eleventh of Auguft at Chefler ; he like- wife appointed thofe of the weft to affemble at Briftol, with orders to invade South Wales, under the command of the earl of Gloucefter ; in hopes, that by entering the country in feveral places, and in different divifions, he might dif- tradl the attention of the enemy, and divide their force.' On the advance of the Englifli, Llewelyn r'aifed the fiege, and retired acrofs the river into Snowdun ; having taken the precaution to break down the bridges, obftrutfl the roads, and remove the women, children, and cattle, with all the provifions, out of the adjacent country/' Henry did not dare to penetrate that formidable barrier ; though he was enabled to remain in his port till Michaelmas, by means of a fleet belonging to the Cinque Port's which fupplied his army with provifions. His meafures had been wifely planned, and this campaign might have given the fatal blow to the independence of Wales, if Henry's orders had been obeyed with fidelity. The Englifli army in South Wales, i Welfli Chron. p. 322. Math. Paris, p. 817. Rymerj p. 636. 2 Math. Paris, p. 817. inftead Book VIII. LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. 437 inftead of making a diverlion in his favour, had remained inadlive ; not without fufpicion of treafon falling on the earl of Gloucefler the general/ Llewelyn no fooner heard of the intention of the Irifli of making a defcent on Anglefey, than he fent out fome vefTels to intercept them ; by which their fleet was defeated, and forced back into Ireland." In this fituation, the winter coming on, and havin^- fuffered much by a furious attack which the Welfli had made from the mountains, Henry once more left the field to Llewelyn ; and inftead of punifliing a revolting vaflal, he himfelf was obliged to make a precipitate, and inglorious retreat to Chefter, with the fhattered remains of his army." If difgrace and difcomfiture attended Henry's retreat into England,- Llewelyn likewife had his fhare of difappoint- ment. He hsd been flattered with the expedation of re- ceiving fupport out of Scotland ; a party in that kingdom having engaged by treaty, that as foon as the Welfh were in the field, they would make a diverfion in their favour, by invading the northern borders of England.'' This defign being defeated, by a fudden and decifive meafure of Henry's,^ the prince of Wales found himfelf left, unfupported by any confederate, to fuftaln the unequal prefl"ure of the war. » Chron. Dunilaple, p. 325, 326. >> Math. Paris, p. 815. WcIfli Chron. p. 322. « Polidore Vergil, p. 313. '^ Brady, vol. I. p. 625. ^ Ibid. This 438 LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. Book VIIL This confideration, together with the miferable ftate of his dominions, and the injury that had arifen to his fubjedls from their having been of late deprived of commerce, in- clined Llew^elyn to put an end to their calamities by a peace, which fliould be grounded on reafonable conceflions. With the confent of his chieftains, he made propofals, if a peace was concluded, and the Welfh were rellored to their ancient laws, to give a fum of money to Henry, and to acknowledge his fovereignty ; but utterly rejedled the idea of allegiance, as a duty he owed to prince Edward. The Englifli king did not accede to the propofal'/ It was not likely that the young prince Edward would be inclined to relinquilh fuch valuable territories, and the royal dignity with which he had been lately invefted. The peculiar reludlance that the Welili expreffed to the fovereignty of Edward, amidft other motives of conqueft, may account for the cruel and vindid:ive fpirit with which, in the fubfequent periods of his life, he purfued this unfortunate nation. On this refufal, hoftilities con- tinued through the winter. *o* Llewelyn, having fummoned to his aid all the chief- tains in South Wales who were his military vallals, came into the marches and took pofieffion of Powis. He banifhed out of the country GryfFydh ap Gwenwynwyn, one of thefe chieftains ; and received the fubmiflion of the other Gryf- fydh the lord of Dinas-Bran ; who perceiving the fortunes f Math. Paris, 819. Brady, p. 622. of Book VIII. LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. 439 of England finking in the fcale, thought it prudent to return to the duty he hjid long deferted, and to court the protedtion of his natural fovereign.^ Llewelyn then fell with great fury on the eftates of the earl of Gloucefler, gained feveral caftles belonging to that nobleman j and overthrew, with confiderable lofs, a party of Englifh who ventured to oppofe him." To crufh this revolt, now raifed to a formidable head, Henry once more came in perfon againft Llewelyn ; but as if difgrace, and misfortune attended his banners, having only penetrated a little beyond Chefler, he was obliged to retire with lofs into England ; gaining no other fruits in this in- glorious expedition, than the fatisfadtion of deftroying the Ann. Dom. corn as he marched through the country.' '^^"' Early in the fpring a confederacy was formed by all the nobility in Wales, who, having fworn fealty'' to Llewelyn, renewed their engagements, under the moft folemn ties, to vindicate at every peril their injured liberties and laws. By Ann. Dom. this union, princes may be taught the danger of tearing up '^^^' by the roots thofe habits that are grown venerable by time, and that by long ufage are become dear to a people.' s Welfli Chron, p. 322. Math. Paris, p. S18. '' Ibid. ' Math. Paris, p. 819, 820. *" Brititli Ant. Rcviv. p. 23. > Math. Paris, p. 818. Welfli Chron, p. 323. » The 440 LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. Book VIIL The late events had given a fortunate turn to affairs. The prefent profperity of the Welfli, the fpoils they had taken from the enemy, the general confederacy which had been formed, and the return of Gryffydh ap Madoc to his allegiance, had diffufed through every bread ihe hopes of better days. To raife thefe hopes into pious confidence, Llewelyn addreffed his followers in this confolatory and animating language. " Thus far, "faid he, " the Lord •* God of hofts hath helped us ; for it mull appear to all that ** the advantages we have obtained are not to be afcribed to " our own ftrength, but to the favour of God, who can as *• eafily -fav'e hyfew as by many. How fhould we a poor, " weak, and unwarlike people compared with the Englifli, " dare to contend with fo mighty a power if God did not pa- " tronize our caufe ? His eye hath feen our afflidlion, not " only thofe injuries we have fuffered from Geoffry de Lang- *' ley, but thofe alfo which we have received from other cruel " inftruments of Henry and of Edward. From this moment " our all is at flake. We are to expedt no mercy if we fall *' into the hands of the enemy. Let us then ftand firm by " each other. It is our union alone that can render us invin- *' cible. You fee hov^ the king of England treats his own " fubjeds, how he feifes their eftates, impoverifhes their fa- " milies, and alienates their minds. Will he then fpare us^ *' after all the provocations we have given him, and the farther " adls of hoftility and revenge which we meditate againfl him ? "' No, it is evidently his intention to blot out our name from *' under Book Aail. LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYD.H. 441 " under the face of heaven. Is it not better then at once to " die, and go to God, than to live for a while at the caprici- *' ous vv'ill of another, and at laft to fufFer fome ignominious ** death afligned us by an infulting enemy." Animated by this oration, the Welfh infefled the Englifli Borders with incefTant inroads ; in the courfe of their ravages, by fire, by the fword, and by plunder, they rendered the frontier a fcene of defolation."" The confederates then made an inroad into Pembroke- iliire, and laid wafle that country; they likewife in this expedition had the good fortune to meet with fait, a conve- nience they had much wanted ever fince their brine works had been deftroyed by Henry." Notwithftanding the fpirit which had of late arifen among the chieftains, the calamities of his country ftill inclined the Welfh prince to renew his prcpofals for peace. The Englifli king acceded to the terms offered by Llewelyn, and agreed to a truce for one year.* His fituation rendered a peace equally neceffary to him. He, at this time, was deeply entangled in difputes with his barons : the country, along the marches of England, had been ruined by the ravages of war : the whole con- fine was become a defert, without buildings, cattle, or inhabitants.'' "> Math. Paris, p. 819. " Ibid. p. 8iS. Welfh Chion. p. 323. • Rymer, vol. I. p. 658. p Math. Paris, p. 822. Holinftiead, p. 257. 3 L It 442 LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. Book VIIL It may raife our furprife, that a prince like Llewelyn, poflefling vigour of mind and decifion in condudl, at a time when England was weak and internally convulfed, did not take advantage of this fortunate jundlure, and of the rifing ■fpirit of his country, to fix on a permanent bafis, by wife meafures and decifive operations, its newly recovered inde- pendence. The fpirit of a people, however ardent at firft, and rifing from the fpur of oppreflion, will infenfibly die avi'ay, if not kept alive by a courfe of adlivity and enterprife; and he might have known, that its extindlion, like that of the veftal fire, would be the omen of his country's ruin. Meredydh ap Rhys of South Wales, not regarding the oath he had lately taken, revolted from the Welfli confede- racy, and engaged in the fervice of the Englifh king.'' In order to confirm or enlarge the late truce, or to fettle a peace upon a lading bafis, prince Edward fent Patrick de Canton, attended by the late revolted chief, into Wales, to confer on that bufinefs at Emlyn with the Welfli com- miflioners. David the brother of the prince of Wales, lately releafed out of prifon, appeared with the other depu- ties in behalf of Llewelyn. The Englifh commifiioner having underflood that his own followers were fuperior in " number to the Welfli, could not refrain from indulging the dQtellation in which he held that nation. To gratify this " V/el(h Chron. p. 323. malignant Book VIII. LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. 441 malignant fpirit, he placed his n^cn in a convenient fituation. upon the road, and fuddenly befet Llewelyn's commiffioners, putting many of them to the fword ; the chiefs only efcaping the perfidy of the Englifli by a precipitate flight. Fired with refentment, David, with the chieftains who attended him, having raifed the country, feverely revenged this perfidious condudl, by cutting in pieces Patrick and a great number of his followers. Nothing fo ftrongly marks the animofity of the Englifh, and the feeble hold which the claims of the Welfli had on the juftice of Henry, as when we fee that prince, inftead of vindicating the ho- nour of his crown, in punifhing fo flagrant a violation of national faith, afFeiling to ihew refentment for fo jufl: and natural a retaliation. Such however was the defire that the Welfli prince had for peace, or fuch the fituation of his afiairs, that he made frefh propofals to Henry for a truce j and more effedtually to conciliate his favour, he offered to give the king four thoufand marks, three hundred to his fon Edward, and two hundred to the queen.' The late affair, with a fenfe of former lofles, had fo exafperated Henry, that he at firft re- fufed to hear of any accommodation. At length a truce was fettled for a year, and ratified by the commiflioners of "^n"- Dom. the two princes at the Ford of Montgomery." ' Math. Paris, p. 841. 5 Welfti Chron. p. 324. Rymer, p. 684. 3 L 2 The 1259. 444 LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. Book VIIL The fpirit of patriotifm which fo lately animated every bofom, and which afforded a ray of hope that the fuffcrings of this injured people would at length find a period, appears, at this time, to be nearly extinguifhed. The bifhop of Bangor was fent by Llewelyn, at the defire of the Welfh nobility, to folicit peace from Henry ; and to off^er that prince fixteen thoufand pounds weight of filver, provided his fubjedts might enjoy their ancient cuftoms and laws, and hav^e all their difputes heard, and legally determined at Chefter.' In this ncgociation, nothing farther was concluded Ann. Dom. than the continuation of the truce for one year, which was ratified by the commiffioners of the two princes at Oxford." Sir Roger Mortimer governor of the caftle of Buellt, under prince Edward, in purfuance of a fummons, attended his duty in the Engliih parliament. Under the alledged reafon, that contrary to his oath that lord had fupported the Englifli caufe, Llewelyn, in his abfence, furprifed in the night the fortrefs of Buellt, in breach of the truce then fubfifting ; and continuing his rout into South Wales, after committing great depredations, he returned into his own dominions.'' Infinuations on this account being thrown out againft Sir Roger's condudt, who was a near relation to Llewelyn, it was thought neceflary Math. Wellm. p. 148. Welfli Chron. p. 325. Holinrtiead, p. 261. « Bynier, p. 708, " Welfh Chron, p. 325. Rymer, p. 705. that Book VIII. LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. 445 that fome inquiry fhould be made into that r.fFair. Accord- ingly he was called before the Englifh council, where he was fully acquitted, though -very much to the diffatisfadion of prince Edward, who, in the council, formally entered his proteft agalnfl: it/ To check this riling fpirit of revolt, and to chaflife the Welfli for the late infrad:ion of the peace, fummonfes were fent to the earls of Hereford and Gloucefter, to aflemble on a certain day at Shrewfbury with their followers. The like notices were alfo fent to all the tenants who held of the king in capite, in t'he feveral counties of York, Lancailer, Rut- land, Northumberland, Cumberland, and Weflmoreland ; of Lincoln, Nottingham, Derby, Warwick and Leicefler, to form a jundtion at Chefler, and from thence to affift in carry- ins: on the war. The thunders of the church were likewife pointed at the head of Llewelyn. That prince was excom- municated, and his kingdom put under an interdi(5l, in default of immediate reflitution and reparation of damages.'^ This formidable army was commanded by Simon de Mont- ford earl of Leicefter. That general, finding the fummer too far advanced to purfue his operations, or it is probable, from fome fecret motives of his own, advifed the court of England to grant a peace to Llewelyn ; he likewife did not prevent the Welfli prince at the fame time from committing depredations in South Wales.* y Rymer, p. 706, 707, 708. ^ Ibid. p. 708. * Ryraer, vol. I. p. 709, 710, 711. Guthrie's Engiirti Hift. p. 789. It 446 LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. Book VIIL It is aflerted, that Llewelyn dilperfed the rHing ftorm, by difavowing the fadl which gave occafion to the war, and by employing the bifhop of Bangor to folicit a renewal of the truce.'' It is certain, however, that a truce was fettled for one year longer between the two princes at the Ford of Montgomery. In this treaty, the conditions of peace con- cluded at Oxford were ratified : That each party fliould keep poffeflion of their lands, vafTals, and cables : That the fords fhould not be (lopped, nor any other communication, nor the woods be cut down ; and that the caflles of Gan- nock and Diferth, then in pofTefTion of the Englifli, fhould be fupplied with provifions as pccafion might Ann. Dom. require.' It is worthy of remark, that two fets of commif- fions were iffued, to the fame effedl, and in the fame words; except that in the one, the name of prince Edv/ard was joined to that of his father ; but in the other commiliion his name was omitted. This was probably owing to an idea, that as the Weifli had conceived much jealoufy of, and diflike to the young prince, the infertion of his name, as a contrafting party, might be fome impediment to the treaty .'' A PARTY of the Welfh having taken and deftroyed the caftle of Melienyth in Radnorfliire, belonging to Sir Roger Mortimer j that .nobleman came with a great body of lords 'and knights ; and having taken poffeffion of it, ported him- '' Rymer, vol. I. p. 718. • Ibid. * Carte's Hill, England. Guthrie's Hift. England. felf Book VIIL LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. 447 felf within its ruins. In this fituation, he was fuddenly invefted by Llewelyn. Finding his poft untenable, Moiti- ^""- ^om. mer fent to the Welfh prince for licence to evacuate the caflle. It was a ftrange requeft for an open enemy, or a fufpecfted traitor to make. With a gallantry of fpirit, which might have been derived from the- pureft ideas of chivalry, Llewelyn allowed him to depart out of the dif- mantled fortrefs without any moleftation. The prince of Wales then proceeded to Brecknock, at the requeft of the inhabitants of that country j and having received their oaths of fidelity, he returned to Aber under Penmaen Mawr, a palace between Conway and Bangor, in which he. occafion- allv refided.' The truce appears to have been continued between the two nations on principles of equal juftice, and on the footing of independent ftates.' Thefe treaties fucceflively renewed, Ann. Dom. did not refult fo much from any moderation in Englilli '^^^' politics, as from the nature of Henry's government, which was weak, and in great diforder. At this time Henry was fick in France. . The earl of Leicefter then attending the king, and who had been deeply engaged in oppolition to that prince, taking advantage of his illnefs, paffed over into England, to reanimate his party, ' Welfh Chron. p. 325, 326. Caipbden's Brit. Gibfon's edit. p. 5^85. ' Rymer, p, 739^750. and 448 LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. Book VIIL and to take meafures for renewing the troubles of the nation.^ Though the earl did not flay long in tlie country, he feems in that time, to have formed the confederacy, which, it is univcrfally agreed, he entered into with tlie prince of Wales. ^ The effedls of this treaty were of great moment, though of lefs importance than might have been expeded, if Llewelyn had waited till time had fully ripened the enterprife. The Chriftmas holidays were fcarcely over, when the prince of Wales, with three hundred horfe, and thirty thoufand foot, fell upon the marches of England; and having ravaged the country as far as Wigmore, he took two of Sir Roger Mortimer's caftles.' Though Mortimer was not able to oppofe the main body of the enemy, he was not wanting to himfelf on this occafion ; but calling to his affiftance the lords marchers, he attacked their detached parties, killing great numbers at a time, in various ren- Aiin. Dom. counters." For thcfe loffes the prince of Wales took ample '^ 3- revenge, having had the good fortune to cut off a like num- ber of the Englifh.' It does not appear that Llewelyn, in this expedition, committed any ravages, but on thofe lands which belonged to Roger de Mortimer, and others who adhered to the king's caufe. Having wafted their eftates with fire and fword, he marched his forces into the earldom B Math. Weftm. p. 149. Math. -Paris, p. 851. ■> Ibid. > Rymer, p. 754. ^ HolinlTieail, p. 263. ' Ibid. of Book VII{. LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. 449 of Chefter, to make the like depredations on Edward'vS territories." The war becoming now alarming, Henry, who was re- turned into his own dominions, fent an order to his fon to come immediately into England ; the young prince being at this time in France, amufing himfelf agreeably to the tafte of the age, in joujls and tournaments^' Edward, placing no confidence in the Engliili nobility, engaged in his fervice one hundred foreign knights ; who, leaving the femblance of war, were defirous of fignalifing them- felves in more perilous encounters. « Edward on his arrival \n England, loft )io time in marching againft Llewelyn. His prefence was highly ne- ceflary to check that prince's career. For befides the dread- ful devaftations he had committed on the territories of Edward, through which he had marched, the prince of Wales had already taken the caftle of Diferth, and the im- portant fortrefs of Gannock." Thefe pofts were immedi-r ately deftroyed. The latter was of the utmoft value to the Engliili, and highly dangerous to the fafety of Wales. Situated on the coaft, it was open to receive a continual fupply of provifion and foldiers ; and, commanding one of the princi- pal paffes into Wales over the water of the Conway, its ■" Math. Paris, p. 850. " Rymer, p. 755. " Jo. Rofij. Ant. Warvv. p. 162. Math. Paris, p. 351. Math. Weft. p. 149. 3 M garrifon 450 LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. Book VIIL garrifon was enabled to cut off the excurfionary parties of the WelHi ; and, being likewife a place of great ftrength, in point of fituation and flrudlure, it afforded the Englifli a fecure retreat upon any difafter. On the approach of the Englifh prince, Llewelyn paffed the Conway, and fheltered himfelf amidfl: the mountains of Snowdun, There was no attacking the enemy in fo difficult a poft; and, fortunately for Edward, as his pride might have been wounded by the iffue of the campaign, he was recalled by his father on an affair of importance.'' Soon after this event, the caftle of Mold, another place of ftrength upon the frontier, and ufually in the poffeffion of the Englifli, was taken and demolished by Gryffydh ap Ann. Dom. Gwenwynwyn, at this time returned to his allegiance to the prince of Wales. ^ Thefe three caflles being taken, rendered a great part of the Englifli confine almofb defencelefs. The redudlion of thefe fortreffes, ftrong by nature and art, lying on the frontier, and fituated near the fea, was an event glorious to Llewelyn, and of the utmoft importance. And if this nation had not been finking into ruin, with a force too powerful to be refiflied, it might, by thefe important fucceffes, have continued fome ages longer an illufl:riou$ monument, to the world, of what men are capable of per- p HoHnfhead, p. 264. J. Roffi. Ant. Warvv. p. 162. "■ Welih Chron. p. 326. forming. Book VIII. LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. 451 forming, whofe native fpirit is fharpened by injuries, and who, in the recefles of their mountains, are contending for freedom. In this fituation of affairs the truce was continued a year longer. The difcontented humours, which had been long forming among the Englilli, were now come to a head; and under the guidance of Simon de Montford the earl of Leicefter, had broken out into a dangerous rebellion. The two fons of Montfort were fent with a ftrong body of forces, to co-operate with Llewelyn in his ravages on the Borders/ The confederate army, for a time, made a dread- ful progrefs, though oppofed by Mortimer and other lords of the marches ; and at length took the caftle of Radnor, and burned it to the ground.' As foon as Edward was in- formed of thefe hoftilities, he made a hafly march from London to the afliftance of Mortimer, then inverted by the enemy in the caftle of Wigmore. That fortrefs was foon after taken, but not before Mortimer had made his efcape ; who fled for proteftion to prince Edward, then arrived at Hereford.' Purfuing his rout, the young prince took the ' >• Carte's Hift. England, vol. I. p. 141. 5 Holinftiead, p. 266. Stowe's Chron, p. 193. Math. Paris, p. S51, ' Ibid. 3 M 2 feveral 452 LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH.. Book VIIL feveral caftles of Hay, Huntington, and Brecknock, the cuftody of which he committed to Sir Roger Mortimer." The operations on both fides were fuddenly interrupted by a truce ; during which time a treaty was to be carried on between the king and the tarons, in the prefence of the French ambaffador." In fhis treaty, a remiflion of offences Ann. Dom. took place, in which Llewelyn was included as the confede- '^' rate of Simon de Montford J David the brother of Llewelyn, deferting the duty he owed to his fovereign, and the ties of natural affedion, fled into England, and engaged in the interefts of Henry/ The fame unfteady temper, and turbulency of fpirit, through every fucceeding period, tinged the colour of his life. Ann. Dom. Xhe chance of war at the battle of Lewes,, had thrown '^' the king of England and his fon, into the hands of the earl of Leiceflep." To fubdue the only enemies which were now able to refifl his arms, that general marched into the Bor- ders, and carried Henry with him as a pageant of flate^ thinking that the prefence of his fovereign would in fome meafure give a fanition to his proceedings. Mortimer, and other lords^ engaged in the royal caufe, expecting to be attacked, had broken down the bridge at Worcefter^ and " Holinfliead, p. 266. Stowe's Chron. p. 103. Math. Paris, p. 851. '^ Rymer, p. 775, 780. " Ibid. p. 782, 783, 784. " W«l(h Chron, p. 326. * Math. Paris, p. 853. having Book Vlir. LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. 453 having deilroyed the ferry-boats, they encamped on the op- pofite banks of the river Severn.'' Thefe precautions pre- vented the earl of Leicefter from penetrating farther than Worcefler.- The entrance into the country was foon opened by Llewelyn, his friend and ally ; who, by a fudden inroad upon the Bonders, diverted the attention, anti weakened the operation of the lords of the marches." The confederate army, having entered into Hereford, left prince Edward a prifoner in that city. They then ravaged the lands of Sir Roger Mortimer, and taking the caftles of Hay and Ludlow, proceeaed to Montgomery.'' An admo- nitory bull was iffued by Ottobani the legate to the Welfti prince i requiring him to reftore the caftles he had taken, and to withdraw from the confederacy. This mandate did not produce the defired effecft. The lords of the marches, therefore, yielding to a fuperior force, and defirous of obtain- ing the liberty of Edward, fubm.itted to the earl of Leicefter. They agreed to furrender to him their eftates and their caftles, and to relinquifti the realm for one year." In this enter- prife David the brother of Llewelyn, taking an- adive part againft the confederates, in conjundtion with lord James Audley and fome other barons of the marches, was de- feated at Chefter with great lofs.' Soon after the above- >> Chronica, T. Wykes, p. 68. "= Brady, p. 648. Annal. Waverleienfis, p. 220. * Math. Parii, p. 854. = Brady, p. 648. ' Holinftiead, p. 269. mentioned 454 LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. Book VIIL Ann. Dom, mentioned treaty, a general peace was concluded, at a con- 1265. ference held by Llewelyn and Leicefter, at Hereford.^ A FEW months after prince Edward, then relldent with the Englifli court at Hereford, efcaped out of the power of the earl of Leicefter."" The young prince was inftantly joined by the lords of the marches ; who regaining the pofleftion of their own fortrelTes, made themfelves mafters of all the country between Hereford and Chefter." By a fudden and rapid movement of the enemy, Leicefter found himfelf furrounded by different bodies of troops. In this fituation, he had no other refource, than to throw himfelf into the arms of Llewelyn. That prince refolving to make every advantage of the prefent conjiindlure, demanded, as the only condition of affording him protection, a full reftitution to the inheritance and the dignity of his anceftors. Under the fanftion of the king's name, the fovereignty of Wales was reftored to Llewelyn, with the homage of all the Welfh barons ; he received a grant alfo of the lordfliip of Whitting- ton and the hundred of Elefmerej with the caftles of Maude, Ann. Dom. Harwarden and Montgomery.'' To ftrengthen the union,. ^' and to render it more lafting, the earl of Leicefter made an offer to the prince of Wales of his daughter Eleanor de 8 Rymer, p. 814. . '' Chron. Thomas Wykes, p. 67. ' Math. Paris, p. 855. Rymer, p. 810. ^ Rymer, p. 814. Annales Waverleienfis, p. 219. Montford. I Book VIII. LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. 455 Montford. This alliance coincided too well with his pre- fent views to be refufed by Llewelyn.'- There is often a turn in htiman afFairs, arifing from pre- fent exigencies, which neither fagacity can forefee, nor power can prevent, and which, if taken up with fpirit and wifely condudled, leads on to profperity ; and marks no inconfiderable degree of political wifdom. Thus Llewelyn obtained in a fortunate moment, by his own fpirit and judg- ment, adling on the nice and peculiar fituation of Henry, the fovereignty of Wales, and an enlargement of territory ; objed:s which many of his anceftors, the moft able and brave, had negociated and fought for in vain. In confequence of this treaty, Llewelyn made an inroad into Glamorgan, the eftate of the earl of Gloucefter ; lie likewife fent a body of Welfh to form a jundlion with Leicefter, to enable him to extend his quarters, or to force his way through the enemy." Leicefter reaped no advantage either from the diverfion made in his favour, or from the Welfli forces which had joined him. Having retired to Newport, he was there inverted by Edward, and fo power- fully affaulted by that prince, that his rum mull: have been inevitable, had he not ftolen away with his army in the dead of the night ; which, being very flormy, favoured ' Chronica de Mailros, p. 234. Annales Waverleienfis, p. 219. ™ Thomas Wykes, p. 68, 69. Annales Waverleier.fi;, p. 219. the 456 LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. Book VIIL the enterprife. lie had the good fortune to elcape from the enemy, and to regain the territories of Ll.evvelyn. The mannei- of living to which the Welfli were accuftomed, chiefly on flefli and milk, iuid without much bread, not agreeing with his foldiers, his army daily wafted away. To preferve the remainder, Lciceftcr was forced to leave the country, and traverfing through woods and mountainous roads, h§ at length with much difficulty got back to Hereford ." The vicflory obtained by prince Edward at the bat- . tie of Everfliam gave liberty to Henry his father, and reftored the tranquillity of England. The death of Mont- ford, the enlivening fpirit of the whole, was a fatal blow to the confederacy. After fome llight refiftance, the Englifh barons laid down their arms, and fubmitted to Henry; their fpirit being entirely fubdued, or foftened down by the moderation of his conduft. Henry had now lelfure to look back on the part which had been adled by Llewelyn. He had feen with a jealous eye that prince, through the courfe of the war, ably fomenting the dif- contsnts, and powerfully affifting the arms of the revolted lords ; and it was now determined, before the army was difbanded, that the prince of Wales fhould feel the whole weight of Henry's refentment.'' "^ Chron. Thomas Wyke, p. 69. !■ Brady, p. 663. Math. Paris, p. 857. In Book VIII. LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. 457 In purfuance of this defign, that prince came with an army to Shrewfbury : Llewelyn, without an ally to fupport him, was not able to refifl; fo formidable an enemy ; and rather than hazard his crown, the luftre of which he had lately reftored, upon an iifue fo precarious and unequal, he thought it more prudent to appeafe Henry's refentment by an early fubmiffion.'' A TREATY in confequence took place, by the mediation of Ottobani the legate, which marked the mild tenor of Henry's temper, and was more favourable to Llewelyn's interefts, than might have been expected from a fovereign, w'arm with refentment, and giving law to a fuppliant enemy. The conditions of the treaty were the following : That all lands fhould be reftored on both fides, and that the laws or cuftoms of the marches fliould ftill be preferved : That Henry fl:iould grant unto Llewelyn and his heirs the principality of Wales, and that they fhould always be ftiled the princes of Wales, and fhould receive the homage and fealty of all the Welfli barons, who were to hold their lands of them in capite j except the homage of Meredydh ap Rhys of South Wales, which the king referved to himfelf and his heirs : the king likewife granted him the four inland cantrevs, to hold them as fully as ever the king and his heirs had pofTefled them. For thefe privileges Llewelyn, and his fuccefTors v/ere to fwear fealty, to do homage, and perform •i Ibid. 3 N the 458 LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. Book VIH. the ufual fervlces, due to the king and his heirs, as they had ever been paid to the crown of England ; and likevvife that Llewelyn fliould pay to the king twenty-five thoufand Ann. Dom. marks:' the peace was concluded. at the caftle of Mont- gomery, and ratified by the king in perfon j it likewife received, at the hands of the legate, the fanftion of the Pope's authority/ Ann. Dom. In this year died Gryffydh the lord of Dinas-Bran, and '^''°' was buried in the abbey which his father had erefted in the Vale of Crucis near Llangollen/ It is^ with pleafure we furvey this gallant nation, lb long . the victims of ambition and the fport of fortune, regain the importance of their flation j and, freed at length from the arms of a potent enemy, again left to enjoy their liberties, for a feafon, upon their native rocks. At this time prince Edward engaged in a croifade to the Holy Land -, hurried along by that fatal tide, which nearly for two centuries had deluged the eaft. On that elevated ftage his fplendid talents enabled him to ad a graceful and diftinguifhed part. ' He^. de Knyghton de Even. Ang. p. 2436. Math. Weftm. p. 164. Rymer. p. 843, 844. Math, Paris, p, 857, fays ^^32000. Wellh Chron. p. 327. ' Ibid. f Welfli Chron. p. 327, In Book VIII. LLEWP:LYN AP GRYFFYDH. 459 In this year died Henry the king of England. His eldeft Ann. Dom. 1272. fon, under the title of Edward the firft, fucceeded to the throne. For fome years paft, and during the time that Edward was fighting in Paleftine, the Welfli enjoyed a feafon of unufual tranquillity ; a deiufive calm, which was only the prefage of impending calamities. On the death of Henry, an order was fent to the prince of Wales by the regency of England, to repair to the Ford of Montgomery ; there to take the oaths of fealty and alle- giance to the abfent king. Llewelyn thought proper to Ann. Dom. pay no obedience to the fummons.'' '^'^* In the courfe of this year the king of England, matured in the arts of policy, and renowned for exploits in arms, returned into his own dominions ; where he early entered on that career of glory, fo beneficial to his own empire, but Ann. Dom. fo fatal to Wales.' ''74- Soon after his arrival in London he was folemnly crowned at Weftminfter. The king of Scotland, as the feudatory of Edward, did homage to the Englifli prince ; and with the duke of Bretagne, graced the coronation with his prefehce." To perform the Hke duties of homage and fealty, the prince " Rvmer, vol. II. p. 2, 3. -^ Math. Weftm. p. i;i. y Ibid. 3 N 2 of 46o LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. Book VIIL of Wales received a fummons to appear immediately at Shrewfbury ; but he refufed to quit his dominions, and to venture his fafety in the territories of a monarch, fo hoftile to him, unlefs hoflages were given for the fecurity of his perfon. The pledges he demanded were the king's brother, the earl of Gloucefter, and the chief juftice of England/ This refufal was rendered ftill more difagreeable to Edward, as he was likely to be deprived of another fruit of vallalage ; for Llewelyn appeared fully determined to folemnife his marriage with Eleanor de Montford, though he had not obtained the king's confent/ The Pope, likewife, was fo fenfible of the juftice of his plea, that he inhibited the archbifliop of Canterbury from ilTuing any papal cenfure againft Llewelyn." When the nature of his fituation is con- fidered, the caution of the Welfh prince was juftified on the principle of felf-prefervation. In the bofoms of the two princes, hatred and jealoufy had long mingled with the 5ove of glory, and the defire of dominion : David and Roderic the younger brothers of the prince of Wales, were entertained in the court of England : .many Welfh chieftains who had fled from the juftice of their country, were under the protedlon of Edward ; and, influenced by every motive of hope and of fear, were defirous to promote the deltruftion of their fovereign : Llewelyn, likewife, too well remem- » Rymer, p. 41. J. Roffi. Ant. Warw. p, 162. ^ Hen. de Knyghton de Event. Ang. p. 2462. * Rymer, vol. II. p. 35. Matlv Weftm. p. 171. bered Book VIII. LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. 46J bered the fate of his father Gryffydh, to place any confidence in the honour or protedlion of the Englifli/ He furely would have been guilty of folly or raflinefs in the extreme, if he had ventured a life, of fuch importance to his country, on no other fecurity than fentiments of honour or the courteous ideas of the age, when interefl and refentment fo powerfully confpired his ruin. The king of England was now in a delicate fituation ; he was unwilling to relinquifh his claim of vaflalage, and yet was not at prefent fufficiently prepared to enforce it by arms. But his genius direiled him to purfue a wife and a middle line of conduft. He repaired, late in the year, to Chefler, and fummoned Llewelyn to do homage at Shrewfbury ; but that prince refufed to appear without a fafe condudt, and boftages for the due obfervance of it/ Early in the next Ann. Dotn. year, a parliament was held at Weftminfler, and the prince ^^'^' of Wales was again fummoned to appear, and to take the oaths of allegiance.' He refufed to pay obedience to this fummons, on the grounds he had heretofore alledged.^ Engaged in corredting the diforders of the kingdom, and inftituting falutary laws, Edward, for the prefent, af- fedled to diffemble his refentment againft Llewelyn ; and ' Rymer,^voI. II. p. 35. " J. Roffi. Ant. Wafw. p. 163. Rytner, vol. 11. p. j-. = Ibid. •■ Holinfhead, p. 278. repaired 462 LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. Book VIIL repaired to Chefter, where he again fummoned the Welfli prince to do homage j^ who ftill refufed his compliance. He likewile rejected three other mandates of the fame nature, one of which was dated in Odlober in the fame year, and the two others very early in the year following.'' To juflify thefe refufals ftill more, to the clergy and to the world, he fent a memorial by the abbots of Conway and Strata-florida, to be delivered into the hands of the arch- bifliops of Canterbury and York, and other biihops then aflembled in convocation.' There is a native limplicity which runs through the whole of this memorial," reciting his grievances and juftifying his condudl, which more ably pleads the caufe of the Welfl) prince than the exercife of the finefl talents could have done. The tenor of Edward's condud with refpedl to Llewelyn, did not delude the fagacity of that prince. • He faw, that a blow was meditating by 'riie Englifh king, which, though fufpended for a time, would be the more fevere, and fall with greater weight upon his country, from the coolnefs, the delay, and increafing power of that firm and fagacious monarch. Llewelyn, therefore, thought it prudent, at this time, to fulfil an engagement he had formerly made, and to enter s Rymei)i vol. II. p. 57. ^ Ibid. p. 68. ■ Wynne's Hift. Wales, p. 280. Wellh Chron. p. 329, 330. '' See Appendix, No. II. into Book VIII. LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. 467 into an alliance which might yield him fupport againft the formidable power of his rival. In the courfe of the late war, he had been betrothed to 'a daughter of Simon de Montford ; who, at that time, it is probable, was too young to folemnize the marriage. On the death of her father, the young lady had retired into the monastery of Montargis in France. In this court her mother the countefs of Leicefter, and her brother the heir of the family, lived in great fplen- dour.' The adherents of the houfe of Montford were ftill powerful in England j and the fame of the Englifh monarch, had made him the objedl of jealoufy with the French king. To unite the views of the two parties in fupport of his in- tereft, or ftruck with the reputation of her charms, now riiing into full beauty, the prince of Wales demanded of the king of France the daughter of the late earl of Leicefter, Philip with much facility granted his requeftj and Llewelyn waited in impatient expedtation of his intended bride."' The pleafing ideas, which the profpedl of his approaching nuptials afforded Llewelyn, were however fuddenly imbit- tered by difappointment, and loft in the ruder avocations of war. Early in this year, the young lady, who was coufm to Ann. Don-, the Englifli king, attended by her brother Amaury a clergy- '^' '" ' Polidore Vergil, p. 321. Math, Weftm. p. 171. Chron. T. Wykes, p. 104. •" Ibid. man. 464 LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. Book VIIL man, fet fail for the coall of Wales to folemnize her mar- riage with Llewelyn ; but near the iflea of Scilly (he had the misfortune to be taken prifoner by fooir fliips from the port of Briflol, and was conveyed to the court of England. In- ilead of the lady's being delivered into the hands of her lover, which the ideas of the age might have fuggefted, and every law of chivalry demanded, flie was detained in the Englifli court in an honourable attendance on the queen." Her brother, likewife, was kept in confinement many years in the caftles of Corfe and Sherburn ; nor did he at length obtain his liberty, until demanded by the Pope as his chap- lain ; and after he had taken an oath that he would relinquifh the realm, and never be concerned in any commotion in the kingdom/ After fo declfive a condudl, lenient meafures, and the arts of expediency were weak, delufive and fruitlefs. Edward now determined to exert every effort, which his power and his talents afforded, to obtain, what had long been the objed: of his ambition, the entire conquefl of Wales. Before meafures were taken to carry this delign into execution, the archbifliop of Canterbury, and other prelates and lords of the realm delired Edward, as the laft expedient, to afford Llewelyn one opportunity more of acknowledging the fo- vereignty of England, and of yielding to its orders uncon- ditional obedience. For this purpofe, the archdeacon of " Annalcs Waverleienfis, p. 231, 232. p Rymer, vol. If. p. 144, 193, 197. Canterbury Book VIII. LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. 465 Canterbury was fent into Wales, with an injunftion to Llewelyn to appear at court, and to perform the cuftomary duties of a vafTal.'' At this time Llewelyn was In arms, and had ravaged the Englifh Borders J refenting the conduct of Edward, and alive to the feelings of an injured prince, deeply wounded by the captivity of his expedled bride/ The archdeacon of Canterbury was ordered to make his report to the next parliament, which was to be held on the thirteenth of Odlober following. In the mean time the prince Ann. Dom. of Wales fent letters to the king, fignlfying that he would ' come to Montgomery or Ofweflry to perform his homage, provided a fafe condudl was allowed him, under the fandlion of the archbiiLop and archdeacon of Canterbury, the bifliop of Winton, and five other Engllfli lords.' He likewife demanded that the king fhould confirm the articles of peace made between Henry ihe third and himfelf j and fliould deliver into his hands Eleanor de Montford the lady to whom he was contradled, and all her retinue, who, he fald, were detained in cuftody contrary to the faith of nations.' Thefe j uft and fimple demands excited in the Engllfli parliament a general indignation. They granted a fifteenth of move- ables to enable the king to reduce Llewelyn by force of •3 Ryraer, vol. II. p. 63. ' Polidore Vergil, p. 321. Holindiead, p. 278. » Rymei, vol. II. p. 68. ' Ibid. 3 O arms; 466 LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. Book VIIL arms ; the prelates, likewife, gave him a voluntary fubfidy ; though their zeal in this inftance did not rife above their prudence, as they made a provifion, that in future it fliould not be drawn into precedent. In the prefence of the Eng- lifl-) monarch, fitting in his court, with the lords of his council, the judges, and a great number of bifliops, earls, and barons, the whole procefs was read on November the twelfth ; and fentence was pronounced upon Llewelyn for contumacy, for violation of the peace between him and the late king, and for the hoftilities he had lately committed in the marches. It was there determined to proceed againft him as a traitor, and a contumacious vaflal. It was like wife refolved in the fame aflembly, that all the military tenants of the crown {hould be fummoned to appear at Worcefter, on the midfummer following, with horfes and arms, ready for an expedition into Wales ^ that in the mean time, the marches fhould be well guarded, and the forts fupplied with ammunition ; that the king fhould prohibit all his fubjedts in England, Ireland, and Guienne, from holding any corref- pondence with Llewelyn, or his adherents, from giving them any affiftance, or fupplying them with any provifions ; and whoever violated this prohibition, was to be adjudged an adherent to the public enemies of the king and kingdom, and to fuffer accordingly." " Hen. de Knyghton Event. Ang. p. 2462. Carte's Hift. Eng. vol. II. p. 185, from Pat. 4, Ed. I. m. 6. Rymer, vol. II. p. 72 — 75. The Book VIII. LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. 467 The authority of the church was not filent on this folemn occafion. In this inftance the prince of Wales experienced the verfatility of her conduft. The archbifhop of Canterbury fent a letter to Llewelyn, and threatened him with the fevereft cenfures that the clergy were able to inflidl^ and a few months afterj his perfon was excommunicated, and his kingdom laid under an interdidl/ In the late negociation, the prince of Wales had offered the Englifh king a large fum of money as a ranfom for Eleanor de Montford. Edward, on his part, refufed to fet her at liberty, unlefs he would reflore to the right owners the lands he had lately taken from them, and alfo repair all the caflles he had demolifhed/ However ardent the defire of gaining poffeffion of the lady might be, the duty he owed to his country prevailed, and Llewelyn rejeiled the propofal with difdain : upon which, the two princes proceeded in their preparations for war. Early in the fpring Edward fent into the marches three ^nn. Dom. hundred horfe well appointed, to check the incurlions of the ^^''^' Welfli, and to guard the confine j"" he likewife made Sir Roger Mortimer general of his forces in the counties of Salop and Hereford, and in the adjacent countries. He » Rymer. vol. II. p. 71, 79. 1 Math. Wcftm. p. 172. Annales Waverleienfis, p. 231. ■' Math. Weftni. p. 172. Annales Waverleienfis, p. 232. 3 O 2 appointed 468 LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. Book VIIL appointed the firft day of July for his military tenants to afiemble at Worcefler." The experience of paft ages had proved to the Englifh kings, that a want of public virtue in its chieftains was the • vulnerable part of Wales. To feduce them from their duty at this crifis, was of too much importance to be negledled by Edward. In order to encourage a defedlion among the Welfli lords, orders were given to the earl of Warwick, and Payen de Chaworth, the one commander in Chefhire, and the other in South Wales, to receive into favour fuch of Llewelyn's adherents, as were willing to fubmit to the autho- rity, and become the vafTals of the king of England. "" The policy of Edward fatally prevailed. Rhys ap Meredydh the lord of Dinevawr, defcended from the ancient princes of South Wales, fet the example of difloyalty, on the only condition of holding his lands immediately from the king^ and not being the fubjedl of any other lord." The defedlion of fo eminent a chieftain as Rhys ap Meredydh had a fatal influence in the country ; all the lords in South Wales followed his example;' and, as a voluntary fruit of their fub- mlflion, the flrong fortrefs of Stratywy was given up to the Englifh, who, for the better defence of the country, ereded a caftle at Aberyftwyth." •" Rymcr, vol. II. p. 72. " Ibid. vol. If. p. 72, 81. <^ Ibid. p. 81. ■• Welfti Chron. p. 334, 336. J. Roffi. Ant. Warvv. p. i6z. The Book VIII. LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. 469 The asra is now at no great diftance which is to mark the clofe of the ancient Britifli empire. Confidering the fituation of the Welil:i and their unequal refources, the operations of Edward in conducting the war, planned in wifdom and carried on with vigour, muft in the nature of things enfure its fuccefs. Soon after Eafter, Edward left London to regulate the meafures of the enfuing campaign, in the full refolution never to return until he had entirely fubdued the Wel£h nation. He ordered a fleet from the Cinque Ports to cruize on the coaft of Wales, with a view to intercept the com- merce of the enemy, and alfo to reduce the ifland of Angle- fey, that the Welfh might be deprived of their ufual refource, of drawing provifions from that quarter." At the fame time he fent a body of troops into South Wales, to reinforce the army under the command of Payen de Chaworth, in order to diftradl the enemies attention, and reduce that country to a perfedl fubmiffion to the Englifh government.' Each of thefe manoeuvres produced the defired effedl. That the adminiflration of juftice might not be delayed, by the ab- fence of the king, and the length of the war, he removed the court of exchequer, and the court of king's bench, to Shrewfbury,* ' Brady, vol. If. p. 7. ' Welfh Chron. p. 324, e Math. Wellm. p. 172. These 470 LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. Book VIIL Ann. Dom. TiiEsii meafures being taken, on the midfunnmer follow- ing the king of England, at the head of a formidable army, advanced into Chcfliire, intending to penetrate the enemies country, through that part of the frontier which borders on the Dee. His forces were likewife increifed by numbers of country people who joined him in the marches, and who, it is likely, were ufefully employed as pioneers to the army, in opening roads through a deep forefl:, Vv'hich extended from the confines of Chefliirc to Caernarvonfhire.'' DuRiNc; this tedious operation, Edward encamped his forces on Saltney marfli near Chefter, which lies along the borders of the river Dee.' During this time, he rebuilt the caAle of Flint, and more ftrongly fortified the caftle of Rhuddlan, to fecure the country he had already fubdued, and to afford his army a fafe retreat, in cafe he fhould meet with any difafter.^ The roads being finiHied, and no enemy appearing to molefl them, the Englifli advanced through the level part of the country as far as Conway. The prince of Wales, un- able to face a powerful enemy prefling on by flow, cautious, and decifive operations, retired to the mountains of Snow- dun.' Not choofing to enter the reccfles of that difficult •■ Thomas Wyke, p. 105. Brady, vol. II. p, 7. ' Brady, vol. II. p. 7. Guthrie, vol. I. p. 888. '' Hen. de Knyghton Event. Ang. p. 2462. Thomas Wykes, p. 105. ' Math. Weftm. p. 173. Thorns Wyke, p. 105. country. Book VIII. LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. 471 country, the Engliih monarch calmly waited the refult of his policy. The genius of Llewelyn, weighed in the balance v. hh tbui of Edward, funk in the fcale. With a fatality, which had ufually attended the princes of his houfe, he had trulled the fafety of Wales to the chance of war, and to its natural fituation, the flrength of which had fo often bai3ed the armies of England, unable long to fubfift in a countr)', broken by rocks and rivers, woods, and barren mountains. Not preparing for contingences, nor obferving the meafures of the Englifh king, nor the effefts already produced, Llewelyn had neglefted to furnifli with the neceflary ftock of provifions an important pofl, to which he and his people might be forced to retire,"' The experience of paft ages might have taught him the wifdom of a different conduct. Had he purfued the meafures which the nature of his fituation required, he might probably have feen the Englifh army wafling away, and, at the approach of winter, aban- doning all its conquefls, and leaving him once more in pof- fefiion of his country. But after all, there might be ilrong reafons, of which the annals of the times are filent, to ex- cufe in the Welfh prince, a condud; fo fatal to his interefts. The profped which opened to Llewelyn, on the moun- tains of Snowdun, was dreary and defolate. His enemies "' THonias Wyke, p. 105. were 472 LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. Book VIIL were mafters of the country below, and feemed determined, by their perfeverance, to ftarve him into fubmiffion. The ifland of Anglefey, his ufual refource for provifions, was then poffef- fed by the Englifli." No diverfion could be made in his favour in South Wales or in England, as the former country had lately fubmitted to Edward's authority, and in the latter the adherents of the houfe of Montford" were fatisfied by having their forfeited eftates reflored to them. The diftrefs of Llewelyn was heightened flill more by the profpedl of an immediate famine/ In this fituation he had no better alternative than to im- plore the mercy of the Englifli king. A magnanimous prince, like Llewelyn, the freedom of his country being loft, would fcarcely have wiflied to furvlve its ruin, if the fuffer- ings of his people, crowding around him, and perifliing by famine, had not claimed his pity, and inclined him to hazard his perfonal fafety and intereft from a tender regard to theirs. It is poffible, too, this prince might hope, that in the event of fome future day, he might again rife upon the wheel of fortune. In this ftate of his affairs, the prince of Wales fent to propofe an accommodation with the king of England. There was little generofity or pity to be expefted in the terms " Thomas Wyke, p. 105. ° Guthrie's Hift. Eng. vol. I. p. 887. P Thomas Wyke, p. 105. which Book VIII. LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. 473 which were offered by Edward to the Welfli prince. As a lirft and neceffary condition of the peace, it was required of Llewelyn, that he fhould fubmit to the mercy of the conqueror.'' On this bafis, the peace was concluded on the following terms ; and afterwards ratified, in the abfence of the king, at Aberconwy, by the cdmmiflioners of the two princes.' It was agreed, that all prifoners who were confined by Llewelyn, for adhering to the Englifli caufe, fhould be fet at liberty. That the prince fliould pay to the king fifty thoufand marks, as a compenfation for the injuries committed, and for being received into favour. That four cantrevs fhould be given up to the king, and re- main with him and his heirs for ever.' Thefe were the cantrev of Rhos, in which flood the caftle of Diganwy ; the cantrev of Rhyvonioc, the chief place of which was Denbigh j the cantrev of Tegengl, where flood the caflle of Rhuddlan ; the cantrev of Dyffryn Clwyd, in which were eredled the town and caflle of Rythyn.' That the adherents of the Englifli king fhould be reflored to all the lands they had poffeffed before the war. That the prince fhould hold the ifland of Anglefey, and fliould pay for that privilege the annual fum of one thoufand marks ; but if he died without iiTue, the illand was then to revert to the king and his heirs for ever." That all the barons in Wales fliould q Rymer, vol. II. p. 88, 95, 97. "■ Ibid. • J. Roffi. Ant. Warw. p. 163. Math. Weilm. p. 873. Annales Waver- leienfis, p. 232. t Welfti Chron. p. 334. <• Chron. T. Wykes, p. 106 3 P hold 474 LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. Book VIIL hold their lands immediately of the king, except five barons in Snowdun, who fhould acknowledge the prince as their lord during his life. That Llewelyn fhould come into Eng- land every Chriftmas to do homage to the king. That he fliould repair to Rhuddlan as foon as he was abfolved from the cenfures of the church, to take the oath of fealty to the king ; and likewife that he (hould perform the fame duties in London on the day appointed for that purpofe. That he fliould enjoy,' during his life, the title of prince of Wales; and that after his death, the five barons of Snowdun fhould hold their eflates of the Englifh king. That for the per- formance of thefe articles, the prince fliould deliver as hoflages ten of the mofl eminent chieftains in Wales, That Llewelyn fhould fend every year twenty chieftains out of North Wales, who, with himfelf, fhould take their oaths for the due performance of thefe articles. If the prince fhould infringe any of them, and on being admonifhed, re- fufe to redrefs the fame, they were then, by their oaths, obliged to forfake his caufe and take part with his enemies." As a perfonal humiliation to Llewelyn, he was likewife obliged to reflore to his brother Owen his forfeited eftate, and to pay Roderic an annuity of one thouflind marks, and five hundred to David." Owen by this treaty was alfo de- livered from the confinement in which he had been kept by Llewelyn. His brother Roderic had lately efcaped out * Annales Waverleienfis, p. 232. J. Roffi. Ant. Warw, p. 163, 164. Rymer, vol, II. p. 88, 90, 91. ^ Rymer, vol. II. p. 83—95. of Book VIII. LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. 475 of prifon, and had fled into England. David, whom we have heretofore mentioned, was in the fervice of the Eng- lifli king, who had made him a knight, contrary to the cuftom of the Welfli ; and had given him likewife in mar- riage the daughter of the earl of Derby, a handfome widow, and of the queen's bed-chamber,^ whofe hufband was lately dead. He was appointed the fenefchal, and keeper of all the caftles in Wales, and received alfo from the king the caftles of Denbigh, and of Frodfham in Chefhire, with lands to the yearly value of one thoufand pounds.* The terms agreed upon at this treaty in favour of the prince of Wales were as follow : That if he fliould claim lands occupied by any other perfon than the king, out of the limits of the four ceded cantrevs, juflice fhould in that cafe be adminiftered according to the laws and cuftoms of thofe parts where fuch lands fliould lie. That all injuries and faults committed on either fide fliould be entirely remitted, and receive a full pardon. That all tenants holding lands in the four cantrevs, and in other places in the holding of the king, fhould poflefs them as freely, and enjoy the fame cufloms and liberties as they did before the time of the wars. All controverfies ariling between the prince and any other perfon fhould be decided after the laws of the marches, if taking their rife in thofe parts ; and any difpute origi- * Hen. de Knyghton de Event. Ang. p. 2463, 2464. » Welfti Chron. p. 335. Rymer, p. 89. Annales Wavcrleieniis, p. 231. 3 P 2 nating 476 LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. Book VIIL natlng in Wales, fliould be determined by the laws of that country. That the advantage arifing out of wrecks, on his territories, fhould belong to the Welfh prince ; and all other cuftoms fhould be confirmed to him which had been en- joyed by his anceflors ; and although the prince had fub- mitted entirely to the king's mercy, no injury fhould be committed, nor any demand ever made contrary to the tenor of the peace." The Englifh king, relaxed in fome degree from the feve- rity of thefe terms, and remitted to Llewelyn the payment of the fifty thoufand marks," as well as the yearly tribute of one thoufand marks which he was to pay for Anglefey ; though it appears that he received from that prince two thoufand marks during his flay at Rhuddlan.'' After the late fortunate campaign, Edward returned into England, amidft the applaufes of his fubjedls. His triumph, on this occafion, was heightened by Llewelyn's attending him to London, where he did homage, and fwore fealty on Chriftmas-day in the prefence of many prelates and of the nobility of England."" The barons of Snowdun, with other chieftains of the moft confiderable families in Wales, accompanying their >> Welfh Chron. p. 346, 347, 348. ' Rymer, vol. II. p. 91, 9^. '' Holinfliead, p. 277. ' Rymer, vol. II. p. 96. Math. Weftm. p. 173. Chron, T. Wyke, p, 106. prince Book VIII. LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. 477 prince to London, brought large retinues with them, as was the cuftom of their country, and were lodged in Illington, and the adjacent villages. Many caufes con- fpired to make their fituation difagreeable. Thefe places did not afford a fufficiency of milk for fuch numerous trains : they liked neither the wine, nor the beer of London. Though entertained with plenty, they were not pleafed with their new manner of living, which fuited neither their tafte, nor, perhaps, their conftitutions. They were ftill more difpleafed with the crowd of people who attended them, whenever they came out of their quarters ; eying them with the utmoft contempt as favages, and laughing at their foreign garb, and unufual appearance. '^ To be made the fubjeit of derifion, and to be pointed at by the finger of fcorn, in their various journeys through England, at the will of an arbitrary lord, could not be pleafing to a people, proud and irafcible, who, though vanquilhed, wei'e ftill alive to injury or infult, to a fenfe of their own valour, and to the fond idea of their native independence. They privately entered into an aflociation to revolt on the firft opportunity ; refolving to die in their own country as freemen, rather than come any more as vaffals into England, to be the fport of a haughty and contemptuous nation. As foon as they returned home, they diffufed this fpirit throughout Wales, and it became the common caufe of the country. This incident, of no great moment f Carte's Hift. Eng. vol. II. p. 19X. from MS. No. 39. inter MSS. Thomas Moftyn, baronetti, p. 315. in 478 LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. Book VIIL in itfelf, adting with other caufes, produced in time a change in affairs, of the higheft importance to Wales. It was now manifeft that Edward intended, on the death of Llewelyn, to unite to the Englifh crown the country he had lately fubdued. A popular delufion flood in the way of his views. An idea had been fondly kept up in the imaginations of the Welfli, that the celebrated Arthur was ftill alive, that he was one day to return, and reftorc to the remnant of the Britons the empire of . _ their fathers. To fet afide this idle fancy, cherifhed by Ann. Uom. •' ■' 1278. the vulgar, and which might have been fatal at this jundlure, Edward, and Eleanor his queen, early in the year, undertook a journey to Glaftonbury, where the remains of that hero lay interred.^ Under colour of doing honour to this Britifli king, and affording his bones a more magnificent interment, Edward ordered the body of Arthur to be taken out of its coffin, and, with the remains of Gueniver his queen, to be expofed to public view. They were then repofited near the high altar, with an infcription on the coffin, fignifying, that thefe were the remains of Arthur ^ and that they had been viewed by the king and queen of England, in prefence of the earl of Savoy, the eledl bifhop of Norwich, with feveral other noblemen and clergy." It is eafy to difcern the policy of this prince in the fmaller traits of his charafter. g Malmlbury de Antiq. Glafton. Ecclefis, p. 306. Gales Scriptores. •> Carte's Hift. England, vol. II. p. 187. from Regift. Glaftonbury, penes Dom. Weymouth, p. 93. Annales Waverleienfis, p. 233. Stowe's Chron. p. 200. Guthrie's Hill. England, vol. I. p. S85. During Book VIII. LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. 47^ During the king's flay at Glaftonbury a parliament was held in that place j at which meeting Llewelyn was fum- moned to appear, with the probable defign, that he and his retinue, having feen the late ceremony exhibited, might not carry into their country the leaft hope of advantage, from fo whimfical a fancy. To this fummons, however, the prince of Wales did not think proper to pay obedience.' It is eafy to conceive that Edward, alive to his interefts and jealous of his power, would be eager to check the contumacy of a vaflal in Llewelyn's fituation. With this defign, attended by his queen, he repaired to Worcefter ; where he fent an order to the Welfli prince to appear,, and account for his late condudt. The rigor of this fum- mons was foftened by an invitation to a royal feafl which was to be held in that city; with an aJlurance, too, that he fliould be treated with honour, and that the lovely Eleanor de Montford fliould be the reward of his obedience." There was a decifion in this mandate, which love would not fufFer him to evade, nor prudence to difobey, and which foon brought Llewelyn to the Englifli court; where, fall- ing at the feet of Edward, and yielding himfelf up to his mercy, that prince ordered him to rife, and, in con- lideration of his dutiful demeanour,^ was pleafed to pardon his delinquency; at the fame time declaring, that if he again prefumed to rebel, he fnould be punifhed with the ' Carte's Hift. Eng. vol. 11. p. 1S7. from Regifler Glaftonbury penes Dam. Weymouth, p. 53. "^ Welfh Chron. p. 348, utmoft 480 LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. Book VIIL utrrioft: feverity." Relying on the honour of a great monarch and duped by his artifice, we fee Llewelyn, the brave defcendant of a line of independant princes, become amenable to ufurped power." Having now fucceeded in his views, and, as he thought, rendered Llewelyn docile in the duties of vaffalage, Edward gave him back the hoftages he had lately taken, and alfo delivered up Eleanor de Montford, with the eftate which had been the property of her father/ The marriage was celebrated on the thirteenth of Odlober, the expence of which was defrayed by Edward ; and, as a mark of his favour, the ceremony was graced by the prefence of the king himfelfand his queen.' On this occafion, Llewelyn engaged, befides other conceffions, to appear twice in the year before the Englifh parliament.' Oh the very day that the marriage was to be folemnized, and juft as Llewelyn and his intended bride were going to mafs, the king commanded that prince to engage in a covenant, never to protect any perfon what- ever contrary to his pleafure. The rigid fentiments of duty, put to fo fevere a trial, were too weak to fubdue in the bofom of the Welfh prince the feelings of nature. Alive to the tender paffion of love, and no doubt in fear, for " Henry de Knyghton de Event. Angl. p. 2462. • Welfli Chron. p. 348. f Rymer, vol. II. p. 125. Henry de Knygliton de Event. Angl. p. 2462. « Holin(head, p. 277. Thomas Wyke, p. 107. ■■ Henry de Knyghton de Event. Angl. p. 2462. his Book VIII. LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. 481 his liberty or life, the firmncfs of the gallant Llewelyn funk under their influence. In this fituation, the enamoured prince figned a covenant, which loofened every tie of con- fidence, and which might in future give up to the refentment of Edward, the moft faithful adherent to his interefts.' It is only from a motive of perfonal diilike that we are able to account for the infult which was offered to Llewelyn, in detaining the lady fo long in the Englifli court, and impeding the views of honourable love. In this part of Edward's charadler, we fee no traces of heroifm; no refemblance of the courteous manners, which diftin- guifhed the better period of the feudal age. As foon as the ceremony was finilhed, Llewelyn, with his amiable wife, returned into Wales, to foothe the afperity of adverfe fortune in the enjoyment of private felicity. Few incidents, worthy of notice, occur for fome time in the hiftory of Wales. The fpirit of the people, prefled down by the rigour of a foreign government, wanted its ufual adivity. Regretting the freedom they had loft, but too weak to recover it, they were filent and dejeded. But the fpirit of the Welfh, though deprefled and rendered inactive for a time, urged by defpair into manly « Wellh Chron. p. 348. 3 Q efforts. 482 LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. Book VIIL efforts, foon recovered its native fpring ; and, armed with its wonted terrors, exerted itfelf again in the fields of war. Ann. Dom. The Calamities of a public nature, which furrounded Llewelyn, were rendered more bitter by domeftic forrow, in the fevere lofs he fuftained by the death of his wife, whofe mild influence, it is probable, had been hitherto the means of preventing hoftilities, by retraining the angry fpirit of thefe princes.' Her death loofened the only tie of union fubfifting between the two nations. We have already noticed that a fpirit of revolt had been excited in Wales, by thofe chieftains who had attended Llewelyn into England. Other motives of a nearer and more effential concern, alTifted to fix that fpirit more deeply. The Welfli, in the newly fubdued country, early began to tafte, in the condudt of their new mafter, the bitter fruits of fubmiflion. It was the defign of that prince, by one decifive blow, to leave them not a trace of their ancient iurifprudence. When Edward heretofore poffefTed thefe countries by the grant of his father, he had thrown them into diftridls, like thofe of the counties of England; ap- pointed fheriffs with power to hold courts, inftituted other officers, and fent Englifh judges to adminiller juftice. On the recent fubmiflion of the Welfh he revived thefe infl:i- tutions. To tear up old habits which are dear to a people, ' Henry de Knyghton de Event, Ang. p. 2462. Baker's Chron. p. 95. is Book VIII. LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH, 483 is often an enterprife of danger. The WeHh, as was natu- ral, furvcyed the defign with indignation and horror. When laws are impofed at the point of the fword, they are always received with hatred, and mud be maintained by force. Attached to the cuftoms of their fathers, they determined to receive neither laws nor manners, judges nor juries, nor any inftitutions which were derived from the Englifli." It is ftrange that a wife prince lliould urge on fo violent a condudl before the lenient power of time had foftened their fpirits. Llewelyn himfelf had caufe to complain of injuries the mod poignant and humiliating,' of which the following was one. There was a fuit depending between him and Gryffydh ap Gwenwynwyn, refpedling fome lands held of the king, and lying in the marches. He was highly difpleafed with an order he had received from the judges, to attend the hear- ing of that fuit at Montgomery, contrary to a cuftom eftabliflied in Wales and in the marches, that all caufes of this nature fliould be tried on the very lands that were the fubjedt of difpute. The tenor of the late treaty, likewife, juftified Llewelyn's refufal. Though the judges fent down were men of honour and integrity, he could not be prevailed on to go to Montgomery, thinking fuch a meafure would " Carte's Hilt. Eng. vol. II. p. 191, from MS. No. 39, inter MSS. Roger Moftyn, baronetti, p. 315. ' Welfli Chron. p. 346, &c. See Appendix, No. III. 3 0^2 yield 484 LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. Book VIIL yield up an effential article of the peace, and would dero- gate from the dignity of his charader." The idea of this demand being in future drawn into pre- cedent, awakened at laft prince David to a fenfe of his own fituation, who might hope to fucceed to the fovereignty of what remained in Wales on the death of his brother. He had himfelf already experienced many caufes of complaint, of fear, and of jealoufy refpeding the properly he held under Edward/ He was fued by William Venables, an Englishman, before the juftice of Chefter, for the villages of Hope and Eftyn, contrary to the cuftom of Wales, and the fpirit of the agreement under which he held them of the Englifh king. That officer likewife had cut down his woods of Lleweny, with thofe about Hope, and had fold the timber, and carried it into Ireland. He was alfo threat- ened, that when Reginald de Grey the other julticiary in thofe parts, came into the country, the caftleof Hope {hould be taken from him, and his children fecured as pledges of his fidelity in futuffe,*' Many chieftains, the moft eminent in the country, had likewife much reafon to complaiji of in- juries which they themfelves had received.^ The rigorous exadions of the Engliih officers in Wales, fo repugnant to the manners of the people, heightened their fufferings to an infupportable degree." » Rymer, vol. II. p. 172. Leges WaiVix, p. 524. == See Appendix, No. IV. " Wellh Chron. p. 350, 351. ^ Ibid, from p. 351 to 363. •■' Math. Paris, p. 805. Welfh Chron. p. 336. In Book VIII. LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. 485 In this miferable ftate of their country, the Welfli chief- tains befought prince David to be reconciled to his brother Llewelyn ; calling on him by every incitement which could adu on a brave or an angry fpirit, to defert the caufe of a mercilefs ravager, to retrieve the honour he had loft, to re- turn to the duty he owed his country, and to ftiield her in the hour of her danger. The views of David at this time were agreeable to the wifhes of his countrymen. Feeling, perhaps, remorfe for the miferies he in fome meafure had occafioned, or a ray of patriotifm fpringing up in his bofom, he confented to be reconciled to his bfother, and to engage in the common caufe. ■" Senfible of the peril that awaited hitn, if fuccefs did not juftify the revolt, or, perhaps, from a want of confidence in his brother, he required of that prince an affurance that he would never ferve again the Eng- lish king, nor would ever relax in his enmity againft him." This being agreed to on the part of Llewelyn, prince David withdrew privately from the court of England, and came into Wales." The concert being made for a general infurredlion, Ann. Dom. David opened the campaign by a gallant exploit, performed late in the evening of Plam Sunday. In the night, which was dark, and ftormy, he took by furprife the caftle of Hawar- den, the governor of which, Roger de CliiFord, who was Welfti Chron. p. 337. ' Ibid. '' Grafton's Chrcn. p. 165, Polidore Vergil, p. 323. al fo 486 LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. Book VIIL alfo the jufticiary of Wales, was taken in his bed, and, mor- tally wounded, was carried away prifoner in chains to Snow- dun ; feveral knights refiding in the fortrefs, though un- armed, in the fury of the ftorm were put to the fword. This adion was the fignal of revolt. The Welfh, rifing from every quarter, in a moment were in arms. The fpirit of their fathers feemed to animate every bofom. Rhys ap Maelgwyn and Gryffydh ap Meredydh took the caftle of Aberyftvvyth, and over-ran the counties of Caerdigan and Caermarthen. Many chieftains, likewife, gained pofleflion of other fortrefles in South Wales. Numerous parties of the Welfli, fired into enthufiafm, poured on a fudden into the marches, ravaging the country as they fpread along, and, with indifcriminate rage, deftroying all before them. Ani- mated with the fame fpirit, Llewelyn and David, having joined their forces, inverted the new-erecfled caftles of Flint and Rhuddlan, the only fortrefles then in the pofleflion of the Englifli.'^ At this time the king of England was at the Devizes, where he was keeping his Eafter,^ not fufpedling the event which had happened, nor fearing the efforts of a people, whofe feelings had been urged into a dangerous extreme. The revolt of the Wel(h princes determined the condudl of the ' Hen. de Knyghton de Event. Ang. p. 2464 fays, that they flew all the mafons, carpenters and other workmen employed in thefe fortrefles. f Thomas Wykes, p, no. Holinfliead, p. 281. Englifh Book VIII. LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. 487 Englifh monarch. Inftead of waiting the flow iflue which time, or luxury, or mildnefs might produce, he once more determined to make an entire conquefl: of Wales, and totally to extinguifli that fpirit of freedom, which, rifing at times into dangerous exertion, not all the efforts of his policy and power had as yet been able to fubdue. All other concerns were now laid afide ; the credit of Edward, his talents, and the ftrength of his kingdom, were rendered fubfervient to this great defign. Previous to his military operations he fent a letter to the two archbifhops, defining them to iffue fpiritual cen- fures againfl: the Welfli prince, and all his adherents.* John Peckham archbifliop of Canterbury, before he proceeded to extremities, unknown to the king, and apparently in the true fpirit of benevolence, undertook a journey into Wales, to endeavour to bring back Llewelyn, and the Welfli chief- tains, to a fenfe of their duty.*" In the mean time, Edward fent a part of his forces to the relief of the befleged cafl:les ; and he iflued out orders that his military tenants fliould aflemble at Worcefl:er, on the»feventeenth of May.' He obtained from the nobility E Rymer, vol. IT, p. i88. ^ Polidore Vergil, p. 323. Holinfliead, p. 281. Welfh Chron. p. 33S. ' Brady, vol. 11 p. 6. Grafton's Chron. p. 165. Chron. T. Wykes, p. 110. Rymer, vol. IJ. p. 1S9. and 488 LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. Book VIIL and prelates a promife of a fifteenth of their moveables, and afterwards a thirtieth.'' Thei clergy, likewife, gave him a twentieth of their temporalities, to enable him to carry on this popular war.' As thefe aids could not be raifed fo foon as the fervice might require, he fent to all the trading towns in England to borrow money to anfwer his prefent necef- fitiesj and defired a like loan out of Ireland from the pre- lates, nobility, and merchants of that kingdom."" Such was the efteem in which Edward was held, that Gafton de Bern" defired to have the honour of ferving in the VVelfli expedition ; even the Scots, on this occafion, offered their fervices, little thinking that they themfelves would foon be the vidlims of that prince's ambition." The barons of the exchequer, and the judges of the king's bench repaired to Shrewfbury, with orders to hold their courts in that place during the continuance of the war.'' A nation like the Welfh, fmall in extent, and fcattered over a few barren mountains, rife in importance as we view thefe mighty preparations. As foon as he had concerted his meafures, the king of England fet out, the latter end of April, for the marches of Wales. Finding the war more difficult than he at firft imagined, he ifTued out fummonfes from Worcefter, that ^ Brady, p. ii, 96. ' Carte's Hift. Eng. p. 192, from Chron. Dunllaple. " Ryroer, vol. If. p. 220. " Ibid. p. zo6. • Guthrie, vol. I. p. 895. p Annales Waverleienfis, p. 235. all Book VIII. LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. 489 all his military tenants fliould meet him at Rhuddlan in the enfuing month of June ; the prelates of England, and twenty-four abbots holding of the crown, were alfo in- cluded in thefe orders to fend thither their fervices.'' In his march to Chefter Edward was joined by the people inhabiting the Borders, whom he employed, as before, in opening roads through the enemies country/ After flaying a fortnight in Chefter to refrefli his troops, about the mid- dle of June he inverted the caftle of Hope, then in the pof- fefiion of David, which a little time after furrendered.' On the approach of Edward, the Vvellh princes railed the fiege of Rhuddlan caftle, and retreated flowly towards Snowdun, thinking it more prudent to feife every opportunity of cut- ting off his detached parties, than with unequal force to fight hhn in the open field.' The retreat of Llewelyn, for the prefent, was of little advantage to the enemy -, like that of a lion, it was flow, fallen, and full of danger. Seifing a favourable opportunity, he put to flight a large detach- ment of the Englilh army j fourteen enfigns were taken in the ad:ion j the lords Audley, and Clifford the fon of Wil- liam de Valence, Richard de Argenton," with many others were llain ; and the king himfelf was obliged to retire for proteftion into Hope caftle, the fortrefs he had lately taken/ ^ Rymer, vol. II. p. 188, 199. ' Ibid. p. 207. » Carte's Hift. Eng. vol. II. p. 193, from Annales CeftrenCs. ' Welih Chron. p. 337. " Chron. T. V/ykes, p. no. ^ Welfh Chron. p. 372, from Thomas Wallingham. Cambden's Brit. p. 688. 3 R It 490 LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. Book VIIL It was not till the latter end of autumn, that Edward was able to perform any aftion of moment. In the middle of July that prince refided in the caftle of Rhuddlan, and iffued orders from thence to the flieriffs of the neighbour- ing counties, to fend him, in proportion to the extent of each, a number of hatchet men, who were to cut down the woods, and open paffages for his army before it could ad- vance any farther with fafety or convenience/ He alfo gave grants to feveral of the Englifh barons, of lands in the four cantrevs, the late ceded country ; adding the incite- ment of intereft to the national zeal in his fervice/ During thefe tranfadtions the archbifhop of Canterbury came a fecond time into Wales, and fent a monitory letter to Llewelyn and to all his adherents, in which he reproved them for their late revolt, urged them to return to their allegiance, and delired they would point out their grievances, for all of which, if juft, he would endeavour to obtain them redrefs; at the fame time holding out a menace, in cafe of contumacy, that they would draw on themfelves the fevereft cenfures of the church, befides all the power of an irritated nation." In anfwer to this letter, Llewelyn, afTifted by his council, thought proper to fend a memorial dated at Garth- y Guthrie's Hid. Eng. vol. I. p. 895. * Annales Waverleienfis, p. 235. Welfli Chron. p. 364. » J. Roffi. Ant. Warw. p. 165. Chron. T. Wykes, p. no, Welih Chron. p. 338—342. See Appendix, No. V. Celyn Book VIII. LLEWELYN AP GRYF.FYDH. 491 Celyn or Aber in Caernarvonfliire, in the latter end of Odlober." In a flrain of eloquence, mild and perfuafive, which might do honour to a more poliflied age, he recited the various evils which he himfelf and his country had fuiFered from Edward's ambition, and the rapine of dele- gated power, and with .a.,firmnefs, foftencd by piety and meeknefs, he demanded that juftice, from the rights of na- ture, and the fpirit of the treaties fubfifting, which the unjuft condudl of the king of England had hitherto denied him.' The like memorials were Tent by David his brother, by the men of Rhos, by Rhys Vychan of Stratywy, by Llewelyn and Howel the fons of Rhys, by the fons of Meredydh ap Owen, the chieftains of Strat-Alyn, the men of Penlhyn, by Gronw ap Heilyn, and the nobles of Tegengl/ It was likevvife declared by Llewelyn and his council, that if their grievances were redrelTed, their native laws and rights preferved, and if their fafety in future might depend on the tenor of the late treaty, they were ready to enter into a lafting peace with England/ There is a force in thefe recitals, thus arranged and authenticated, expreffive of the fituation of the Welili ; all of them complaining of injuries, of the violation of the treaty, and of the power of the mighty over the weak. ^ See Appendix, No. VI. <^ Welfti Chron. p. 340—350. " See Appendix, No. VII — XV. Wellh Chron. p. 350—364. ' Welfh Chron. p. 343, taken from the Records of Canterbury. 3 R 2 As 492 LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. Book VIIL As fbon as the princes had delivered thele comphunts to the archbifliop, as ajuftification of their revolt, he returned to the king, and urged that prince to pay fome regard to the complaints of the Welfli, to redrefs their wrongs, or at leafl:, he defired, that the idea of their being juftly founded might extenuate their faults. The anfwer returned by the Eng- lish prince was, that though there was no excufe to be found for their condudt, yet he was ftill defirous of doing juftice to their complaints. Availing himfelf of the niild- nefs of this anfwer, the archbifhop preffed the king that the complainants might have free accefs to his prefence, to unfold their griefs, and to plead their own caufe. The reply which Edward made was dark and evafive, and unworthy of fo great a prince; he faid, " they might freely come, and ** depart, if it fhould appear, that in juftice they ought '* to return in fiifety."^ The archbifhop on the ftrength of this anfwer, arbitrary as it was, and the deepeft danger lurking within it, came back to the prince of Wales in Snowdun, in hopes of prevailing on him, by proper fubmiffion, to avail himfelf of what that prelate conceived to be, or wifhed to reprefent as the prefent gracious difpofition of the king.* Llewelyn and his council were not caught in the fnare that was laid for their fafety. They clearly faw into the defign of the Englifh monarch. They faw, at this moment, all that was dear to men and to f Welfli Chron. 363, 364. e Ibid. p. 364. - citizens Book VIII. LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. citizens at ftake, their lives, their families, their country, its liberties and laws, with the cuftoms of their fathers : they faw, too, that this was the crifis for manly refiftance. Impressed with thefe ideas, it was not likely that any argument, delufive or friendly, in the power of the arch- bifhop to oiFer, could anfwer his views, or could fhake the firmnefs of Llewelyn and his council. After much confer- ence on the fubjedl, he was fent back to his mafter by the prince of Wales, with this manly and generous reply, " that, " as the guardian of his people's fafety, his confcience alone " fliould diredl his fubmiflion ; nor would he confent to *' any compliance which might derogate from the dignity "of his ftation." We eafily conceive that the pride of Edward was wounded, and his indignation raifed by an an- fwer, fo little expeded, though fo worthy of a patriot prince. On its being reported to the Englilli king, he de- clared, '•' that no other terms in future fhould be offered *' than the entire unconditional fubmiflion of Llewelyn " and his people."" The archbifliop, knovving that the Welfh prince would not recede from the refolution he had formed, interceded with the king, that he might have a conference on the fub- jedl, with the Englifh noblemen then prefent in the army. Having little to fear from this line of negociation, Edward " 'vVelfli Chron. p. 364. confented 493 494 LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH, Book VIIL confented that a conference fliould be held, the refult of which was, that three feparatc propofals fhould be fent to the Welfh prince, as the only bafis on which any peace could be eftabliflied.' The prince of Wales, during this negociation, flill re- mained in his palace at Aber, and the Welfh army, it is moft probable, was ftationed on the heights upon Penman- Mawr. " The firfl of thefe propofals which was ordered to be read before the prince and the chieftains alfemblcd in coun- cil, fignified, that no treaty whatever could take place refpetfl- ing the ille of Anglefey, the four cantrevs, and the lands given by the king. to the Englifli lords j that if the tenants of thofe cantrevs thought proper to fubmit to their fovercign, they (hould then be treated in a manner becoming the majefty of the king. In refped to Llewelyn, no terms whatever were offered to him, he was to yield himfelf up without any condition.' The fecond propofal was made to Llewelyn in fecret, and was no doubt intended as a fnare to his honour."" It was i Welih Chron. p, 364. ^ It was confidered as the ftrongeft fortification which the Welfh pofleffed in the mountains of Snowdun, and capable of containing 20000 men. See Camb» den's Brit. Gibfon's edit. p. 673. 1 See Appendix, No. XVI. Welfh Chron. p. 364, 365. ■" Appendix, No. XVII. propofed Book VIII. LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. 495 propofed that the prince of Wales fhould throw himfelf on the mercy of Edward, and fhould quietly give up the pof- fion of Snowdun ; as a cordial, however, to be thrown into the bitter cup, they promifed to prevail on the king, if poffible, to provide for his daughter fuitably to her ftation ; to allow him one thoufand pounds a year, and a refpedlable county in England. If that prince fhould happen to marry, and fhould have heirs male ; they promife to entreat the king, that this annuity, and the faid county, fhould be fettled on thofe heirs for ever. That the king would alfo provide for the adherents of the Welfli prince in a manner fuitable to their eftates and conditions." The third propofal was ordered to be made to David, and to be read to him in fecret." If he would confent to take the crofs, and go into the Holy Land, he fliould have a pro- vifion made for him agreeable to his quality ; on the con- dition, however, that he never returned from thence unlefs he fhould be recalled; and as a farther inducement, they alio promifed to entreat the king to provide in a fuitable manner for his child.' The conceffions expedled from Llewelyn, the fingular requifition made to prince David, and the general fubmiffion demanded from all, were enforced by the terror of eccle- " Welfh Chron. p. 365. See Appendix. No. XVI. ' See Appendix, No, XVIH. p Wellh Chron. p. 366. fiaflical 496 LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. Book VIIL fiaflical cenfures ; and in cafe of difobedience, a menace was thrown out, that the Wellh nation fhould be exter- minated. Thefe terms, propofed by an interefted nobility, wanting the fandlion, though under the countenance of Edward, carry with them an illiberal and fufpicious afpedt. It was not in the nature of Llewelyn, when the dearefl concerns of his people were mingled with his own, to entertain an idea of intereft exclufive of theirs, or to engage with the common enemy in any fecret or feparate negociation. The propofals fent by the archbifliop, were openly difcufled in the prefence of Llewelyn, of his brother, and of the chieftains who compofed his council ; the refult of which was, that three different memorials fhould be returned to that prelate, which would convey their fentiments of the terms which had been offered ; and would carry to the Englifh monarch their laft, folemn, and decifive anfwer. In a ffile of fimplicity that carries perfuailon to the heart, the prince of Wales tells the archbifliop, '^ that the terms he had brought, were neither honeftly intended, nor could be fafely confided in ; that though he himfelf, through weaknefs or intereft, fliould be inclined to liften to the feparate advantage propofed, his people and the chieftains in Wales, aware of the mifchievous tendency, would refufe their confent ; as not being bound to yield up their rights ^ See Appendix, No. XIX. to Book VIII. LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. 497 to any mean compliance in their prince : He defires likewife, as the means of forming an honeft and lafting peace, that the archbifhop will have refpedt to the memorials which are now fent by himfelf and by his council : He fays too, that it was more honourable to the king, as well as more agreeable to reafon, that he fhould be allowed to remain in the lands of his fathers, than fhat his territories fliould be torn from him, and be given to flrangers/ With a force of reafoning which innocence alOne could give, ' the chieftains who formed the prince's council, declare, that no peace could be made, unlefs the four cantrevs were included in the treaty ; as they had always belonged to the princes of Wales from the earlieft period of their hiflory, and were confirmed by the fandlion of the Pope, and by the treaty with Henry the third. The tenants of thofe cantrevs declare, that they dare not fubmit to the king ; as he had neither kept covenant, nor oath, grant, nor charter, with the prince, or with his people. Llewelyn's council tell the archbifliop, that they themfelves for thefe reafons, dare not come into the prefence of the king ; much lefs will they fuffer their prince to rifque his perfonal fafety : They rejed alfo the annuity of one thoufand pounds, as being offered by men who had torn away his patrimony from Llewelyn, and were defirous of enjoying it themfelves : ' Wellh Chron. p. 368. = See Appendix, No. XIX. 3 S They 49$ LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. Book VIIL They fay, it would be unbecoming their prince to relinquifli that patrimony, and to take lands in England, unacquainted as he is with its laws and cuftoms, its language and manners : That he muft likewife hold thofe lands, fituated amidft his enemies, on a very uncertain tenure : They add, that it is not likely, that the king, defirous of taking from him his barren inheritance in Wales, would long allow him to enjoy the cultivated lands of England : They declare, they will not fuffer their prince to give up to the king the pofleffion of Snowdun, appertaining to his fovereignty from the earlieft time, and meanly to take what might be thought an equivalent in England : The people of Snowdun, alfo, declare, that though their prince fhould relinquifh his rights, they themfelves will never do homage to ftrangers, with whofe habits of life they are entirely unacquainted ; left they fhould be as cruelly treated as the inhabitants of the cantrevs had been ; a recital of whofe injuries had been fent to that prelate.' The fpirit of a free conftitution, in reftraining the will of the fovereign, runs through this fpirited memorial. There is fomething peculiarly touching in the anfwer fent by prince David." He fays, that when he feels him- felf difpofed to fee the Holy Land, his motives fliall be pure and voluntary, influenced by a fpirit of piety, and ' Welfti ChroB. p. 368, 369. See Appendix, No. XX. ° Ibid. No. XXI. not Book VIII. LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. 499 not enforced by the arbitrary will of another. Devotion that is forced, he fays, is difpleafing to God j and, if ever he undertakes fuch a journey, his pofterity fhould be re- warded for their father's piety, rather than, on that account, have their inheritance taken from them. It was not the Welfli, he fays, who where the movers of the war j no luft of avarice, no rage for conquefl on their part began it 3 they only defended their own lands, their liberties and laws, againft the avarice, the cruelty, and hatred of the Englifli king and his people. For the truth of which, he folemnly appeals to God ; calling on him to revenge their wrongs, and to vindicate their caufe. He forbids the archbifliop to fulminate his cenfures againft any but thofe who had caufed thefe enormities j and as the Welfh had fuffered fuch evils at the hands of the king's officers, he hopes that they fliall receive at his hands remedy and comfort. " Very many do marvel," fays he, " that you do counfel us " to leave our own land, and go to other men's lands among " our enemies to livej for as we cannot have peace in our " own country, what reafon have we to hope that we iliall '• remain in quiet in that of our enemies ? Though it be " hard to live in war and danger, it is ftill more hard," fays he, " to be utterly deftroyed, and be brought to nothing. " The fear of death, the fear of imprlfonment, the fear of " having our eftates torn from us ; no keeping of promife, " covenant, grant, or charter, in fhort, a moft tyrannical ** dominion, are among the many caufes which urge us to 3 S 2 " war. 500 LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. Book VIIL ** war." To the remedy of thefe evils he defires of the arch- bifliop his pious and charitable aid. He concludes this moving addrefs, by faying, " If any perfon in England offends " the king, his eftate is not taken away ; if one of our own *• people fhould commit a fault, let him be punifhed agree- " ably to juftice, but not entirely to his ruin. As we truft " in you, we pray you, holy father, to labour to this end. ** If they lay to our charge that it is we who have broke " the peace, it is evidently clear, from fadls, that it is they •' and not we that are in faulty they who never kept pro- *' mife, or covenant, or order, or made any fatisfadtion for •* trefpafles, or remedy for our complaints."" It is with pity and admiration we fee a band of heroes and patriots ftationed on the only mountain that was left them, thus calmly and with firmnefs afferting their rights, and making their laft ftruggle for freedom. The fcene is folemn and intereiling, and prefents an image not unlike that of Leonidas in the Straits of Thermopylae. All conference was now at an end, the late negociation had clearly fhewn that the fentiments of the two powers were entirely incompatible. No longer purfuing, in the fpirit of benevolence, the rights of this injured people, the * Thefe memorials were taken from the Records of John Peckham archbifhop of Canterbury, who was Edward's embaffador on this occafion. Wellh Chron. p. 371. archbifhop Book VIII. LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. 501 archbifhop pronounced them accurfed, and thundered againft them the whole force of ecclcliaftical judgments/ During thefe tranfadlions, the roads being opened, and his reinforcements arrived, Edward about the firfl of No- vember left Rhuddlan,^ and advanced as far as Conway; near which place he ftationed his army in advantageous fituations ; his horfe were encamped on the plains which lay at the foot of Snowdun mountains, with a view of fecuring the avenues of the country to the eaft and to the fouth ; and the infantry were ported on the fides of the hills under cover of the woods." The treaty being ended, and not able to bring the enemy to adlion, Edward ordered a ftrong detachment of marines and other forces, in the veffels of the Cinque Ports, to take poiTeffion of Anglefey. The manoeuvre was wifely planned, the fuccefs of which would not only deprive the Welfli of the advantage of that ifland, as a fource of provi- fions, but would alfo confine them in narrower limits ; and by dividing their attention, facilitate his entrance into the country. This fervice was performed with all imaginable fuccefs J the ifland was eafily taken ; the chief perfons in it having fided with Edward, agreeably to the oaths they had taken at the late peace.' With a view of getting poffellion r J. Roffi. Ant. Warw. p. 165. Welfti Chron. p. 371. 2 Chron. T. Wyke, p. 110. » Polidore Vergil, p. 323. Holinftiead, p. 281. >> Welfh Chron. p. 171. Polidore Vergil, p. 324. J. RoiTi. Ant. Warvv. p. 165. of 502 LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. Book VIIL of the mountains on the rear of the enemy, or forming a junc- tion with the other part of the army, in the very heart of their country, preparations were made to pafs the water of Menai, which runs between Anglefey and the main land of Caernarvon. There is a point of land, nearly oppofite to Bangor, called Moel-y-donn, where the water is much narrower than in other parts of the Straits. From this place a bridge was formed of boats chained together, and boarded over, wide enough for fixty men to march in front/ As foon as the Welfh faw the defign of the EngUfh, they raifed entrenchments, at fome diftance, on their fide of the river, to check the enemies advance, and to fecure the pafles into their mountains/ Before the bridge was entirely finifhed, a party of Englifli and fome Gafcon lords, who, with a body of Spanifh troops, were then in the fervice of . Edward, defpifmg the Welfli for the eafy conqueft of Anglefey, pafled over the Menai at low water, with a con- fiderable force, to reconnoitre their works, or to give a difplay of their own valour. Richard ap Walwyn, who com- manded in thefe pofts, knowing that the tide would foon flow, and cut off the enemies retreat to the bridge, remained '' Welfh Chron. p. 372. Holinfhead, p. 281. Annales Waverleienfis, p. 235. Polidore Vergil, p. 324. Hen. de Knyghton de Event, Ang. p. 2464. ' Carte, vol. I. p. 193. quiet Book VIII. LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. 503 quiet within his entrenchments, and neither oppofed their paflage, nor molefled their advance up into the country/ As foon as the Menai began to rife, £0 as to prevent any communication with the ifland, the Welfh in great multi- tudes ruflied down from the mountains, affaulted the enemy with loud outcries, and drove them into the water of Menai, in which many were drowned, encumbered with the weight of their armour. Fifteen knights, thirty-two efquires, and one thoufand common foldiers were flain, or perifhed in the water. Among others who fell in this day's dif- after, were Lucas de Taney the leader of the foreign troops, William de Dodingefeles, and William de la Zouch. The lord Latimer, who commanded the Englifh in this detach- ment, had the good fortune to regain the bridge by the ftoutnefs of his horfe.^ This difafter was a fevere check to the views of Edward : his fituation was now become critical, dangerous, and hu- miliating. Befides the lofs he had fuftained, the winter was in advance : his two armies could have no communica- tion by land; the defign, likewife, of a diverfion was ren- dered impradicable. The Welfli, high in fpirits, and mafters f Welfli Chron. p. 372. Guthrie, vol. I. p. 896, from Liber Peterburgi. s Holinfhead, p. 281, fays that only two hundred foot foldiers perifhed. Guthrie's Hift. Eng. p. 896, from Liber Peterburgi. Welfh Chron. p. 372. Polidore Vergil, p. 324. Hen. de Knyghton Event. Ang. p. 2464. Math. Wellm. p. 176. of ^'04 LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. Book VIIL of the defiles, were ftrongly entrenched on their mountains ; the caftle of Snowdim was filled with foldiers, and furnifhed with plenty of provifionsj" they had feen, too, that even Edward and his foreign troops, with all their ftratagems of war, were not invincible. This fuccefs they regarded as a prefage of future profperity. Their hopes began to revive, and their views to extend, which were heightened flill more by a prophecy of Merlin, long cheriflied among the Welfh, that Llewelyn fhould one day wield the fceptre of Brutus, the fuppofed founder of their empire.' It is poffible, too, the Welfh prince, himfelf, might indulge the fame hopes, from a like delufive fource, the predidion of a foothfayer. When he firfl began the revolt, he confulted an aged woman, who was a reputed prophetefs refpedling the ifTue of the war ; who advifed him to go boldly forwards, and affured him, in the end, he would ride through Cheapfide with a crown upon his head.'' In this ftate of things, unable to advance, and too proud to relinquifii the defign, Edward retired to Rhuddlan.' From this place, on the twenty-fourth of November, he ilTued out fummonfes to the fheriifs of Norfolk and Suffolk, to the following effect. " Whereas Llewelyn, the fon i" Hen. de Knyghton de Event. Ang. p. 2464. Grafton's Chron. p. 165. ' Polidore Vergil, p. 324. Brady, vol. II. p. 9. Math. Weftm. p. 176. Annales Waverleienfis, p. 235. •^ Holinfhead, p. 282. ^ Brady, vol, II. p. 10. "of Book VIII. LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. 505 " of GryfFydh, and other Welfhmen his accomplices, our " enemies and rebels, have fo often, in the times of us " and our progenitors, difturbed the peace of England, •' and do ftill continue in the fame courfe ; and for that, ** by the advice of our great men, and the whole community " of the land, we propound finally to reprefs their rebellion " and inftability, fo as it /hall not be in their power to *' difturb the peace of the nation when they pleafe, although " that it feems to be a very great charge, and a moft difficult " undertaking : We therefore command that you caufe to " come before us on the twentieth of January, at North- " ampton, or before our commiflioners, all thofe of your *' bailiwic. that have twenty pounds a year, and upwards, " who are able and fit to bear arms, and who are not " prefent with us, in our expedition againft the Welfh; " and four knights of each county, for the community of " the fame counties, having full power from them; and " alfo of every city, borough, and market town, two men ** for the commons of the fame ; to hear and do things, " which, on our behalf, we fhall caufe to be fliewn unto " them." The like precept was fent to the fherifi" of every county in England ; with this difference only, that tht people, fo ordered by the writs of the counties of York, Cumberland, Weftmoreland, Northumberland, and Lancafter were to allemble at York. The clergy and prelates of England were alfo required to perform their fervices, in 3 T carrying 5o6 LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. Book VIIL carrying on this neceffary war."* The nature of this precept, and the warlilce appointments fo extenfive, mark the eager fpirit of Edward, as well as the idea that prince entertained of the importance and difficulty of the enterprife. But an event happened foon after, fudden and unforefeen, which clofed with glory the life of Llewelyn, and decided the fate of this nation. The earl of Gloucefler, aflifted by Sir Edmund Mortimer, had been fent with an army into South Wales, to reduce that country, and to check the ravages of Rhys ap Maelgwyn, and GryfFydh ap Meredydh, the two chiefs who had taken up arms in favour of Llewelyn, and had over-ran the counties of Caerdigan and Caermarthen. Thefe chieftains had been defeated by the earl of Gloucefler, near to Llandeilo-Vawr, with the lofs only on the enemies part, of five knights, and of William de Valence, coufin to the Englifh monarch." The late fuccefs of the Welfh, in the adtion of the Menai, had fet on fire their enthufiaftic fpirit j they con- fidered it as a miracle which had been wrought in their favour. Confident, on the faith of the ancient prophecies, that, in the perfon of Llewelyn, the empire of their fathers ■» Brady, vol. II. p. lo. " J. Roffi. Ant. Warw. p. 165. Welfli Chron. p. 372. Humfrey Lhuyd's Breviftry, p. 60. • ^ , , fhould Book VIII. LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. 507 ihould be reftored, they urged that prince to aft with intrepidity, to feife this fortunate moment, and to aflliult the Englifh in their turn, feparated and dlfpirited by the lofs they had lately fuftained." Llewelyn thought this an enterprife of too much importance, to engage in it without farther reinforcements, which he was not without hopes of receiving, as he had entered into a large cor- refpondence with many of Edward's fubjedls in the marches, and in South Wales.'' In hopes, by thefe means, of draw- ing together a great body of troops, to enable him to ftrike fo decifive a blow, or by his prefence to animate his party, he determined to go into South Wales. Thinking the quarter of Snowdun fafe for the winter, he left his brother David to guard the pafles of thofe mountains ; and he himfelf, with a body of forces, marched to the aid of his friends in that country ; ■• where, having over-ran the territories of Caerdigan, and Stratywy, he ravaged the lands of Rhys ap Meredydh.' The king, as foon as he heard of the fudden movement of the Welfh prince, fent orders to Oliver de Dincham, and other noblemen in the weft, to pafs over the mouth • Math. Weftm. p. 176. Polidore Vergil, p. 324. Brady, vol. II. p, 9. P Guthrie's Hift. Eng. p. 897. 1 Ibid. Annales Waverleienfis, p. 235. Polidore Vergil, p. 324. Math. Weftm. p. 176. ' J. Roffi. Ant. Warvv. p. 165. Welfh Chron. p. 37^3. 3 T 2 of 5o8 LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. BookVIIL of the Severn to Caermarthen, and give their fupport to his generals in that country.' Having fo far fucceeded in his enterprife, Llewelyn proceeded with his forces towards the cantrev of Buellt ; where, by agreement, he was to hold a conference with fome lords of that diftrid.' As he had not any thing to fear from the fouthern quarter, his only anxiety was to fecure the chief pafs into the country, that no danger might come from the north. With this defign, having ported the main part of his army on the top of the mountain, near the water of Wy, he placed a body of troops at a bridge, called Pont Orewyn, which commanded the paflage over that river." Having thus fecured himfelf, as be thought, from the fudden attack of any enemy, the Welfh prince, unarmed, and attended by his efquire alone, proceeded into the valley, where it had been agreed the conference fhould be held.'' There is every reafon to fup- pofe that the defign was betrayed by the very lords whom Llewelyn had appointed to meet/ In a moment after his departure, the bridge was attacked by John Gifford, and Sir Edmund Mortimer, at the head of a body of men who were natives of Buellt; the latter nobleman, or his father, being lord of that country.'* The poft was maintained with ' Rymer, vol. II. p. 223. ' Wellh Chron. p. 373. " HoHnfhead, p. 2?i. " Henr. de Knyghton de Event. Angl. p. 2464. > Humfrey Lhuyd, p. 59. WellTiChron. p. 373. '• Welfh Chron. p. 373. fuch Book VIII. LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. 509 fuch fpirit by the Welfh, that the Englifh lords were not able to make any impreflion, until Elias Walwyn, who was pro- bably a native of the country, decided the conteft, by point- ing out to the enemy apaflage through the river, though fome- what dangerous, which lay below, at a little diftance from the bridge/ A detachment was fent under the condudl of Walwyn, to ford the river, and with fome difficulty they made good their paflage. AfTaulted in the front and rear, the Welfli relinquifhcd their poft, and the remainder of the Englifh army palTed over the bridge.'' The prince of Wales, all this time, was waiting in afmall grove, the place agreed on for the meeting of thofe chief- tains, with whom he was to hold the conference. On the enemies firft alTault his efquire came to inform him, that he heard a great outcry at the bridge. The prince eagerly alked if his people were in pofTeffion of the bridge j and being told that they were, he calmly replied, " he then " would not ftir from thence, though the whole power of " England was on the other fide of the river." This confi- dence, not improperly placed, lafled only for a moment, the grove being in an inftant furrounded by the enemies horfe.'' Befet on every fide, and cut off from his army, Llewelyn endeavoured, as fecretly as he could, to make good his retreat, and to join the troops he had ftationed on the " Hollnfliead, p. 281. Welfli Chron. p. 373. '' Ibid. = p. 374. mountain ; 510 LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. Book VIIL mountain ; who, drawn up in battle array, were eagerly expcdting the return of their prince. In making this at- tempt, he was difcovered, and clofely purfued by Adam de Frandton, who, perceiving him to be a Welfhman, and not knowing his quality, plunged his fpear into the body of the Prince, being unarmed and incapable of defence/ This being done, regardlefs of the perfon he had wounded, Frandlon inftantly joined his own party then afcending the mountain to diflodge the enemy from their poft.' The Welfh, on this occaiion, were (leady, and adted with great fpirit i neither animated by the prefence of their prince, nor difpirited by a knowledge of his fate. They poured on their enemies, as they advanced up the mountain, a fhower of arrows and darts ; but the Englifh having placed bodies of archers in the intervals of their horfe, annoyed them in their turn, and at length gained the fummit/ the adtion conti- nued doubtful for more than three hours, and was main- tained on both fides with great refolution *and valour,^ till at length the Welfh were obliged to give way, were entirely defeated, and left two thoufand men,'' a third of their num- Ann. Dom. ber, dead on the field. This adlion happened on the tenth of December." ■^ Hen, de Knyghton de Event. Ang. p. 2464. Humfrey Lhuyd's Breviary, p. 60. Welfli Chron. p. 374. Holinftiead, p. 281. ' Ibid, f Hen. de Knyghton, p. 2464. Welfti Chron. p. 374. Holinftiead, p. 281. 8 Polidore Vergil, p. 324. '' Carte's Hift. Eng. vol. II. p. 194, from Chron. Dunftaple. ' Polidore Vergil, p. 324. All Book VIII. LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. 51 All this time Llewelyn had lain on the ground, faint and almoft expiring. He had juft life enough remaining to afk for a priefl. A white friar, who chanced to be prefent, adminiftered to the dying prince the lafl duties of his office." The hurry of the ad:ion being ended, Adam de Franfton, now at leifure, came back to ftrip the perfon he had wounded. On viewing the body, which was ftill breath- ing, it was found, to the great joy of the Englifh army, that it was no other than the prince of Wales.' Upon ftripping Llewelyn, there were found in his troufers his privy feal, and a paper that was filled with dark expreffions, and a lift of names written in a kind of cypher ; a letter or two was difcovered at the fame time, all of which evidently proved he had engaged in a confederacy with feveral lords, who were Edward's fubjedls in the marches."" A tranfcript of thefe was fent by Mortimer to the archbifhop of Canter- bury, then in Pembrokefhire, who tranfmitted them imme- diately to the king, as a neceflary precaution to guard againft their defigns ; but that prince thought it not prudent to make any inquiries, being defirous of not adding to a flame, which he thought muft now die away of itfelf." No fooner had Llewelyn expired, than his head was cut off by Adam ^ Rymer, vol. II. 224. T Hen. de Knyghton de Event. Ang. p. 2464. Guthrie's Hill. Eng. p. 897. Welfh Chron. p. 374. "" Rymer, vol. II. p. 224. " Ibid, de 512 LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. Book VIIL de Franfton; and, as a gift of high value, was prefented to the king, at this time refiding in the abbey of Conway.* The body of the prince lay unburied for fome time j though his friends were very felicitous that it might be interred in confecrated ground. The lady Matilda Longefpee alfo, among others, interefted herfelf for a decent interment. This indulgence, fmall as it was, was not allowed, until he had received abfolution from the archbifhop, on the affurance that Llewelyn had fhewn figns of penitence, by having defired the affiftance of a prieft in his laft moments."" THUS died Llewelyn ap Gryffydh, after a reign of thirty- fix years, leaving only one daughter.'' The hiftorians of the times are filent refpedling the charadler, or the perfonal qualities of this prince. Inftead, therefore, of reciting the virtues of Llewelyn, highly marked in the condud: of his life, or regretting his rival's ambition, it is our wifh to draw a vail over the melancholy fcene. Gratitude could pay no tribute to his memory fo expreffive, as the tears which his country fhed upon the tomb of their fallen prince. • Hen. de Knyghton de Event. Ang. p. 2464. Welfli Chron. p. 374. p Rymer, vol. II. p. 224. 1 It appears, that the daughter of Llewelyn, and the daughter of his brother David, were confined in a nunnery ; as an order was fent, on the death of their parents, feven years after, by king Edward to Thomas de Normanville, to inquire minutely into the ftate and fafe cuftody of the faid princefTes. Rymer, vol. II. p, 429. An Book VIII. LLEWELYN AP GRYFFYDH. An elegy compofed by "a Bard who lived in his court, in wild and in pathetic notes, and with a feemingly prophetic fpirit, finely exprefTes their forrow and defpair. " The * voice of lamentation is heard in every place, as heretofore ' in Camlan.' The copious tears ftream down every cheek; ' for Cambria's defence, Cambria's munificent lord is * fallen. — Oh Llewelyn, the lofs of thee is the lofs of all. ' At the thought of thee horror chills my blood, exhaufts ' my fpirits, and confumes my flefh. — Behold how the * courfe of nature is changed ! How the trees of the foreft * furioufly rufh againfl each -other! — See how the ocean ' deluges the earth ! How the fun deviates from his * courfe ! How the planets ftart from their orbits ! — Say ' ye thoughtlefs mortals, do not thefe things portend the ' difl*olution of nature ? — And let it be diflblved. — Let kind * heaven haften the great cataftrophe. — Let a fpeedy end ' be put to the incurable anguifh of our fpirits : fince * now there is no place to which we, miferable men, may ' flee : no fpot where we can fecurely dwell : no friendly * counfel : no fafe retreat : no way by which we can efcape ' our unhappy doom." ' ' The place where the great Arthur was flain. '■ GryfFydd ap yr gnad Coch wrote the poem from which this pafTage is extrafted ; and if it were poffible for a tranflation to transfufe half the excellence of the original, it would (hew that the Bard was equally infpired with the true fpirit of poetry, as affedted with the fate of his beloved prince, -1 U HISTORY SKs HISTORY OF WALES. BOOK IX. FROM THE ACCESSION OF DAVID AP GRYFFYDH TO THE ENTIRE CONQUEST OF WALES, AND THE DEPARTURE OF EDWARD OUT OF THAT COUNTRY. TH E cloiing fcene of the laft book prefented an afFed- ing fpedlacle. We there faw a brave and generous prince, after many efforts to preferve the freedom of his country, falling in the conflict, and finding an honourable grave in its ruins. As foon as the head of Llewelyn was brought by Adam de Frandton to the king, that prince fent it to Lon- don ; and that he might feaft the eyes of his fubjedls with a novel and favage fpedtacle, it was ornamented with a filver circle" and placed on the pillory" in Cheapfide ; in ridicule of the prophecy of Merlin, that Llewelyn fhould » Henry de Knyghton de Event. Angl. p. 2464. ^ Guthrie, vol. I. p. 897. ? U 2 one 5i6 DAVID AP GRYFFYDH. Book IX. one day wear the crown of Brutus. In contempt alfo of the late predidlion of the foothfayer, that this prince fliould ride through Cheapfide crowned with a filver diadem/ his ' head was encircled with a wreath of ivy ; '' and carried through the ftreets, by a horfeman, fixed on the top of a fpear; it was then placed on the higheft turret in the tower of London, where it continued for a long time." To infult the remains of a fallen enemy, and a fovereign prince, by devices which were mean and vindidlive, and more fuited to the leader of a tribe of Arabs than a great monarch, denotes a fpirit in Edward little foftened by civilized man- ners. The late prince, as the central fpring, had drawn into one point the ftrength of the nation, had directed its movements, and had given them energy and force j the fpring being broken, all the parts became difunited, without fpirit or motion. There is a palfy which for a moment feifes on the mind, when the hand of afflidlion ftrikes deep, and the blow comes unexpected. Before the Welfh had time to emerge out of the flate of infenfibility into which they had been thrown by the death of Llewelyn, the king of England ordered his forces to make a farther advance, and to befet them more clofely on every fide. His own army invefled Snowdun on the fide of Conway ; ' ' Henry de Knyghton de Event. Angl. p. 2465. ■^ Math. Weftm. p. 176. ■^ Holinfhead, p. 281. ' Polidore Vergil, p. 324. Holinfhead, p. 282. his Book IX. DAVID AP GRYFFYDH. 517 his troops in Anglefey, not having hitherto dared to make good their paflage over the Menai, had now leifure to iinifli the bridge, and to penetrate the country on the fide of Caernarvon i^ a body of forces, alfo, under the com- mand of the earl of Pembroke, completed the invefliture on the quarter towards South Wales .'" David, all this time, in pofleffion of the caftles and ftrong holds of the country, not chufing to rifque a general engagement, kept quiet within his pofts. Regarding himfelf as the fovereign of North Wales, on the death of his brother, he fummoned the chieftains, his fubjeifts, to meet him at Dinebeht, where he intended to hold a con- fultation on public affairs at this dangerous crifis. He afterwards renewed hoftilities againft the Englifh, and feemed fully determined to vindicate his rights.* There was a fortrefs, called the caftle of Bere, very flrong by art and nature, which was fituated in Snowdun, in the midft of a mo- rafs, acceffible only by a fingle caufeway, and not to be ap- proached but through rugged and narrow defiles. This for- trefs David had provided with a ftrong garrifon.'' But fo dif- s Humfrey Lhuyd's Breviary, p. 59. J. Rofli. Ant. Warw. p. 165. ■> Carte, vol. II. p. 194. from Chr. Dunftaple, Ann. Ceftrenfis. * Hen. de Knyghton de Event. Ang. p. 2465. fc This fortrefs was probably the caille which is fituated on the Lake of I.lan Beris, the ruins of which ftill remain, and is called Callell Dolbadarn. Thomas Wyke's Chron. p. 111. piritea 5i8 DAVID AP GRYFFYDH. Book IX. pirited were the Welfh by the death of their prince, that even this caftle was furrendered to the king, after it had been clofely inverted for fome time.' No farther refiftance was madej every other fortrefs was immediately yielded up.™ The Welfh, confounded and in difmay, fled on every fide, to fhelter themfelves in caves, within the recelTes of rocks, and in the deep woods of their country." The pafles being now left unguarded, Edward polled his horfe at the foot of the hills ^ and leaving in each defile a body of troops to cut off" the enemy as they attempted to efcape, he himfelf, with the reft of his army, penetrated the recefles Ann. Dom. of the mountains. In this fervice he was much affifted by '^^^" the foreign troops in his army," who, having been accuf- tomed to ferve in a mountainous country, advanced with great facility, fet fire to the houfes, and flew great num- bers of the Welfli, difcovered in the places in which they were concealed, or flying to fuch places for fhelter.'' The people who Inhabited the Snowdun mountains being now entirely fubdued, Edward colledled his army, and fpread over the more level parts of the country, of which he eafily made himfelf mafter ; and the miferable natives, in defpair ' Holinfliead, p. 282. "> J. Roffi. Ant. Warw. p. 165. Math. Weftm. p. 176. Carte, p. 194, from Ghr. Dunftaple, and Annales Ceftrenfis, p. 282. " Polidore Vergil, 324. Holinfliead, p. 282. " Hen, deKnyghton, p. 2464. p Polidore Vergil, p. 324. Holinfliead, p. 282. and Book IX. DAVID AP GRYFFYDH. 519 and unrefifling, were flaughtered without mercy. More than three thoufand perifhed in the carnage.'' Prince Da- vid, unable to make any refiftance, was carried along the torrent which defolated his country ; and he was obliged to conceal himfelf and his family in woods and bogs, and in other places of fecurity.' He remained for fome months in this lituation, almoft famiflied for want of provifions j du- ring which time, urged by ftrong neceffity, he frequently iffiied out to make depredations/ The country being thus fubdued, as a check to any future incurfions of the Welfli, Edward erefted the caflle of Conway,' on the fite of the ancient monaftery, the reli- gious of which, a fociety of white monks, he removed to an abbey which he founded at Maenan near Llanrwft, and whom he afterwards tranfplanted to Vale Royal in Chefhire, where he built an abbey of the Ciftercian order." In this flate of confternation, all union having been dif- folved by the conqueft of their country, the Welfli no longer refifted the incitements which were offered to private advantage, or to perfonal fafety. It was therefore an eafy matter for Edward to corrupt fome of David's retainers, t Holinfhead, p. 282. Polidore Vergil, p. 324. ' Thomas Wyke's Chron. p. iii. ' Annales Waverleienfis, p. J38. Carte, from Annales Ceftrenfis. Chron, Dunftaple, p. 104. ' Math, Weftm. p. 177. " Holinlhead, p. 282. Thefe 520 DAVID AP GRYFFYDH, Book IX. Thefe are fuppofed to be Encon ap Ivor, and Gronw ap David, with their fons, who, in the night of the twenty- firftof June, furprifed David and his family in a Morafs, into which they had fled for fecurity." That prince, and his wife, his two fons and feven daughters'' were brought prifoners to Rhuddlan caflle, where the king then refided.* When he was taken, a relic was found on him, called the Crofleneych," or part of the real crofs, highly venerated by the princes of Wales, and which was delivered to the king, with other relics, by the above-mentioned chieftains.'' Da- vid requefted he might be admitted into the king's prefence. This indulgence was denied him/ Inflexible in the defign he meditated, Edward rcfufed his repeated folici- tations, not chufing, perhaps, that his own firmnefs fhould be put to the teft, which the recoUedion of former inter- courfe might foften j or left he Ihould be melted into pity at the fight of a captive prince, who had fallen in the nobleft caufe, in defending the rights of his country. The Welfli « Rymer, vol. If. p. 247. Annales Waverleienfis, p. 238. T. Wyke, p. in. , 1 It is probable that all thefe children were illegitimate, excepting one. s' Math. Weftm. p. 177. Thomas Wyke's Chron. p. 112, fays only hi^ wife and two fons. Holinfhead, p. 282. * This relic, St. Neots had brought into Wales from the Holy Land, and was voluntarily delivered up to the king by a fecretary of the late prince of Wales. J. Rofli. Ant. Warw. p. 202. i" Befides the above relic, the crown of the celebrated king Arthur, with many precious jewels, were about this time prefented to Edward. See Annales Waverleienfis, p. 238. Rymer, vol. II. p. 247. = J. Rofli. Ant. Warw. p. 166. Annales Waverleienfis, p. 238. prince Book IX. DAVID AP GRYFFYDH. 521 prince was confined in Rhuddlan caftle, and foon after lent in chains to Shrewfbury/ On the captivity of David, Rhys Vychan, an eminent chieftain in South Wales, furrendered himfelf and his followers to the earl of Hereford, who de- livered them up to the king, by whofe orders Rhys was fent to London, and loaded with chains, was imprifoned in the tower/ All the other chieftains following his example, yielded up their caftles, and fubmitted to Edward/ One victim remained to feel the weight of Edward's fevered vengeance. As David had been made a baron of the realm, Edward determined to proceed againft him as a fubjeft of England. With this view, he fummoned eleven earls and one hundred barons, to open the procefs at Shrewfbury on the thirtieth of September, and to fit in judgment at his trial, the king himfelf prefiding in perfon.^ By this court the prince was doomed to die as a traitor ;*' a fenfe of intereft:, and the defire of pleafing their fovereign, influenced the decifion of the j udges, and filenced the claims of humanity and j uftice. There was fomething fingular in the fentence pronounced againft •^ J. Roffi. Ant. Warw. p. 166. Annales Waverleienfis, p. 238. « Wyke, p. III. Welfh Chron. p. 374. f Hen. de Knyghton, p. 2465. J. Rofii. p. 166. s Rymer, vol. II. p. 247, 248, Math. Weftm. p. 177. Annales Waver- leienfis, p. 238. h Wyke, p. ni. Math. Weflm. p. 177. J. Roffi. Ant. Warw. p. 166. 3 X him 522 DAVID AP GRYFFYDH. Book IX. him by John de Vaus' the chief juftice of England. He was condemned to five different kinds of punifliment. To be drawn at the tails of horfes through the ftreets of Shrewf- bury to the place of execution, becaufe he was a traitor to the king, who had made him a knight. To be hanged, for having murdered Fulk Trigald, and other knights in the caftle of Harwarden. His heart and bowels to be burned, becaufe thofe murders had been perpetrated on Palm Sunday. His head to be cut off. His body to be quartered, and to be hung up in four different parts of the kingdom, "^ becaufe he had <4Bfa|(d the death of the king in feveral places of England:*'' This fentence, cruel in the extreme, the rigour of which had refined into novelty, was executed on David in all its feverity. To feaft ftlll more the eyes of the people, his head was fent to the tower Ann. Dom. of London, and being fixed on a pole, was placed oppofite to that of his brother Llewelyn.™ Every generous idea, and delicate fentiment, feem to have been extinguiihed in national hatred, and in the frenzy of joy which had feifed on the Englifh. ' Guth. Hift. England, p. 8g8. *= Such was the pleafure which the death of David gave the Englifli, that the citizens of York dMd Winchefter contended, with a favage r-jgernefs, for the right fhoulder of this unfortunate prince. At length, that honour was decided in favour of Winchefter, and the remaining quarters were fent, with the utmoft difpatch, to the cities of York and Briftol, and to the town of Northampton. See Annales V/averleienfis, p. 238. ' Carte, p. 195. from Chron. Dunftaple. ™ Math. Weilm. p. 177. T. Wyke, p. iii. ]. Roffi, p. 166. Annales Waverleienfis, o, 238. The 1283. Book IX. EDWARD THE FIRST. The death of David clofed the only fovereignty which remained of the ancient Britifh empire ; an empire, which through various changes of fortune, had refifted the arms of imperial Rome, and, for more than eight hundred years, had refilled the utmoll efforts of the Saxon and Norman princes. The fall of nations, diflinguiihed only by misfortunes, or only illuftrious for conquefts, may raife for a moment a figh of pity, or a tranfient emotion of applaufe. But a people like the WelHi, fatisfied with their mountains, who had been forced ij^o a long and unequal conteft, in defence of their native rights, with no other refources than valour and a fond attachment to their liberties, though falling in the ruins of their country, will be entitled to a tribute of admiration and elleem, as long as manly fenti- ment and the love of freedom fhall remain. EDWARD having at length reached the point of his ambition, in the entire conqueft of Wales^ annexed that country to the crown of England. As the leading principle in the politics of Edward, we have feen him purfue this objedl, with that vehemency of fpirit, and unremitting ardour, which fo highly diftinguiflied his charafter. The features of this king, we confefs, have hitherto appeared harfli, fevere, and difgulling ; but then we have only feen them at the moment, when thev were inflamed with anger, or roughened by oppofition. -The 3X2 contcfl 523 524 EDWARD THE FIRST. Book IX. conteft being ended, and the Welfli no longer refifting his power, the violence of his fpirit began to fubfide j and, except a few flarts into natural fiercenefs, we fhall fee him in future, with a milder influence, bringing into adlion the great talents he really pofTeiTed. To fecure the obedience of the newly fubdued country, and to fix its government on the folid bafis of equal laws, and the participation of common rights, he introduced into it the whole fyftem of Englifh jurifprudence." He divided North Wales into counties; appointed fherifFs, coroners, and other officers in each ;° the county courts to be held once a month, and thofe of the fherifFs twice in the year ,• he fettled alfo the forms of writs, with the methods to be ufed in law proceedings, which were to be carried on and decided within the principality, it being expreilly provided that the Welfh fhould not be fued for debts and trefpafles in any town of England :'* with this defign Edward took up his refidence at the caftle of Rhuddlan, where he infti- tuted a body of laws under the title of the Statute of Ann, Dora. Rhuddlan.'' From hence he ifTued out a proclamation to all the inhabitants of Wales, that he would receive them under his protedlion ; giving them, at the fame time, afTurances " Brady, vol. II. p. ii. Math. Weftm. 177. " Baker's Chron. p. loi. J. Roffi. Ant. Warw. p. 166. * Leges Wallias, p. 531 — 536. Appendix, * Ibid. p. 542. Welfh Chron, p. 376. of Book IX. EDWARD THE FIRST. 525 of enjoying their lands, liberties, and properties, and that they fhould hold them under the fame tenures as they had heretofore held them under their native princes.' This liberal offer was carried into execution. The king referv- ing to himfelf only the fame rents, duties, and fervices, which had always belonged to the princes of Wales. Inquifitions were made into thefe rights by an order of the king ; their particular nature was afcertained, and determined by the verdidls of juries compofed entirely of Welfhmen. The rents paid by the inhabitants of Anglefey were much re- duced ; they had yielded one thoufand marks annually to Llewelyn, but only paid afterwards four hundred and fifty pounds a year to the Englilli princes.' The archbifhop of Canterbury came at this time into Wales, with a view of conciliating the minds of the Welfh clergy, by redrefling their grievances, and by repairing the churches which had been damaged in the late diforder of the times.' Edward had already built a fortrefs at Conway ; ' This valoable memoir, befides being the hillory of a private family, not only deduces with greater accuracy the pedigrees of feveral of their princes, but, likewife, illuftrates the manners of the Welfh, as well as the miferable fituation of that people, during the dark period which fucceeded the conqueft. Tiiis work was written by Sir John Wynne of Gwedir, a native of Meirionedh, and defcended from the Royal Houfe of North Wales. The world is indebted for its publication, and the ingenious notes annexed to the work, to the learned and judicious antiquary, the Hon. Daines Barrington. See Hift. Gwedir family, p. 3j. s Carte's Hift. Eng. vol. II. p. 196. « Hen. de Knyghton de Event. Ang. p. 2465. Rymer, vol. II. p. 277, 279. Welfti Chron. p. 374. and. 526 EDWARD THE FIRST. Book IX. and as a farther check to anv infurredlions which misht arife in the quarter of Snowdun, he erefted the caftle of Caernarvon, fupplying each of thofe fortrefles with ftrong garrifons." With the fame view of curbing the Welfli, and as a reward to the nobility who had ferved him in the war, he gave the lordlhip of Denbigh to Henry Lacy earl of Lincoln ; and the lordfhip of Ruthin to the lord Reginald Gray; he gave lands, likewife, to many of the other Englifh barons." He erefted Rhuddlan, Caernarvon, Abcryftwith, and other towns into corporations, granting them great pri- vileges, to encourage trade, and to draw the Welfh from their mountains into a more fociable manner of living. He would likew^ife have removed the See of St. Afaph to Rhuddlan, if he could have obtained the Pope's confent.'' The fudden introducftion of Englifh cuftoms into Wales, though foftened by a liberal fpirit and lenient meafures, was not likely to fuit the inclinations of a people, fore with injuries, and highly incenfed at the late tranfadlions. An event followed foon after, which had no tendency to foothe the fpirits of the Welfli, nor conciliate their affedlions. ■ Among other caufes of that ardour with which this people had fo long maintained their independence, the " Hen. de Knyghton de Event. Ang_. p. 2465. Rymer, vol, II. p. 277, 279. Welfh Chron. p. 374. * Welfti Chron. p. 377. y Carte, vol. I. p. 196. Englifli Book IX. A SKETCH OF THE BARDS. 527 Englifh king muft have known that the Bards" had been the principal. To iilence that voice which might re- vive ancient ideas, and rekindle in the Wellli their native fpirit, Edward commanded that all the bards in Wales fliould be hanged by martial law, under pretence that they had incited the people to fedltion. This edi Mallet's Northern Anriquities, vol. I. p, 384. ■: Baxter's Gloflary, p. 34. Evan Evans Diflertatio de Bardis. ^ Ibid. paflage Book IX. A SKETCH OF THE BARDS. paflage of Poffidonius, cited by Athenseus, which defcribes the Celtic princes going to war, having bards in their train; who celebrated the praifes of their chieftains in verfe, which they fung to the people/ Great refpefl: was paid by all the northern nations to their bards, as they not only publifhed their renown to the world, but configned their fame to pofterity. It is faid, that this order of men were never guilty of flattery, and never lavirtied their praifes on heroes, or even on kings themfelves, unlefs deferved by their gallant exploits.' Though the order of the bards was common to the Celtic nations, no veflige of them remains but among the Welfli, the Irifb, and the ancient Caledonians. On the invafion of the Pids, the Scots, and the Saxons, and on the decline of the Brilifli empire, many poetical compofltions were deftroyed, with other ancient records ; hence the writings of the bards, and thofe of the early hiftorians are exceedingly fcarce. Nennius, who wrote in the ninth century, and in the reign of prince Merfyn, is the firft of our Britifh hiftorians, who mentions the bards. He fays, that Talhaiarn was famous for poetry. = Evan Evans Difertatio de Bardis. J. Lelandi Commentarii de Scriptoribus Britannicis, p. 5. f Mallet, vol. I. p. 384. 3 Y that 529 530 A SKETCH OF THE BARDS. Book IX. that Aneurin, and Taliefin, Llywarch-hen and Cian, flouriflied at the fame period. Of thefe bards, the works only of three are extant ; thofe of Aneurin, of Taliefin, and Llywarch-hen.^ The writings of the other bards being loft, we can only bring Nennius as an evidence in their praife, who aflerts, that the bards of his age were men of excellent genius."" The poems which are extant contain many things deferving of notice, and throw a great light upon the hiftorical events of that age. At the lame time they are difficult to be underftood, owing in part to the carelefTnefs of tranfcribers, and in part to the language itfelf, become obfolete from its very great an- tiquity. Aneurin, to whom his country gave the honour- able diftindtion of Mychdeirn-Beirdh, or monarch of the bards, in a poem entitled Gododin, relates that he had been engaged in a battle againft the Saxons. Taliefin, called likewife Pen-Beirdh, or the prince of the bards, refided at the courts of Maelgwyn Gwynedh, and Urien Reged prince of Cumberland." Llywarch-hen, or the aged, who was kinfman to the laft mentioned prince, was himfelf a fovereign in a part of Cumbria, and had paffed his youthful days in the court of king Arthur." There are extant fome manufcript poems of his, wherein he recites that he was s Evans Difertatio de Bardis. * J. Lelandi Comment, de Scriptoribus Britannicis, p. 4. ' Evan Evans Difertatio de Bardis. ^ Mufical and Poetical Relics by Jones, p. 6. driven Book IX. A SKETCH OF THE BARDS. 5; driven by the Saxons into Powis, that he had twenty-four fons, all of whom were diftinguifhed by golden torquefes, and that they all died in defence of their country. Befides thofe already mentioned, there were other bards who flourifhed during this period, the moft eminent of whom was Merddin Wyllt, who compofed a poem called Afallenau or the Orchard.' From the fixth to the tenth century it is difficult to meet with any of the writings of the bards, owing, it is probable, to the devaftations of war, and to the civil diflentions among the Welfli. Such was the refped: in which the bards were held, that it was enadted by a law of Howel Dha, that whoever fliould ftrike any one of this order muft compound for the offence, by paying to the party aggrieved one fourth more than was neceffary to be paid to any other perfon of the fame degree. The eledtion of the bards was made every year, in an aflembly of the princes and chieftains of the country ; in which they were affigned precedence, and emolument fuitable to their merit 3 but the bard moft highly diftin- guifhed for his talents was folemnly chaired, and had like- wife a badge given him of a filver chair." This congrefs of the bards was ufually held at the three royal refidences ' Evan Evans Difertatio de Bardis. " Evan Evans Difertatio de Bardis. 3 Y 2 of •:i 532 A SKETCH OF THE BARDS. Book IX. of the princes of Wales ; the fovereign himfelf prefiding in that affembly." There were three different claffes of this order in Wales. The firft was called Beirdhs, and were the compofers of verfes and odes in various meafures ; it was neceflary that thefe fhould poffefs a genius for poetry, and that genius tindlured with a high degree of enthufiafm. They were likewife the recorders of the arms of the Welfh gentry, and the grand repofitories of the genealogies of families. This clafs was accounted the moft honourable, and was high in the public eftimation. The fecond clafs, called Minftrels, were performers upon inftruments, chiefly the harp and the crwth." The third were they who fung to thofe inftru- ments, and were called Datgeiniaid/ In the reign of Gryffydh ap Cynan, a law was enaded to afcertain the privileges of the bards and minftrels, and to reftrain their licentious manners. This ftatute prefcribed the emoluments each was to receive, as well as the perfons on whom fuch emoluments were impofed. It was likewife enadled, that neither the bards nor the minftrels fhould lead the lives of vagabonds, nor fing verfes in houfes of public " Jones's Mufical Remains, p. 14. " The mufical inftruments in ufe among the Welfli were the telyn or harp, the crwth or crowd, the pibgorn or pipe, the tabwrdd or tabret, and the eorn buelin, cornet or bugle horn. See Jones's Muiical Remains, p. 41. p Welfh Chron. p. 192. refort x Book IX. A SKETCH OF THE BARDS. 533 reforti that they fhould not be intoxicated with liquor, or be quarrelfome perfons, or be addided to women j and that they fliould neither be thieves themfelves, nor be the companions of fuch; they were prohibited likewife from, entering into any houfe, or making fatirical fongs on any perfon, without the licence of the parties concerned. If a bard or a minftrel fhould violate thefe reftraints on their condud:, by a fingular and unexampled feverity, every man was made an officer of juftice, and was authorifed 'not only to arreft and to punifli difcretionally, but to feife on whatever pro- perty the offender had about him. This flatute, the feverity of which in fome degree points out its neceffity, has been frequently put in force by the reigning authority of the country, as appears by feveral commiflions directing the better regulation of the order.'' From this time, under the aufpicious protedlion of the Welfh princes, many excellent bards arofe. Meilir, who was the bard of Grylfydh ap Cynan, was alfo employed in a military charadter, and was fent by that prince to tranfadt a negociation in England. Gwalchmai the fon of Meilir, in a poem entitled Gorhoffedd, glories that he had defended the marches of Wales againfl the Englifh. Cynddelw Brydydd-Mawr, or Cynddelvv the Great Bard, was a perfon eminent for his valour, and lived in the court of Madoc ap Meredydh the prince of Powis. •i Wellh Chron. p. 192. From ^34 A SKETCH OF THE BARDS. Book IX. From the time of Owen Gwynedh, to the death of that great prince the laft Llewelyn, feveral bards flourifhed of diftinguifhed talents j the mofl eminent of whom was Llywarch-Prydydh-y-Moch, who has celebrated in many odes the vidlories of Llewelyn the Great ; likewife Dafydh Penfras, Daniel ap Llofgwrn Mew, and Llewelyn Fardd ap Cyward. Cotemporary with thefe flourifhed Philip Brydydh, who was' an eminent bard in Cardigan.' The talents of the Welfli bards were not employed folely in the praife of heroes and of illuftrious adlions, or in afcer- taining the genealogies of families.' They alfo in plaintive numbers mourned over the tomb of the fallen warrior. We offer to the reader, as a fpecimen of this kind of poetry, the following tranflation of an Elegy which was written by Llywarch-hen, a Britifh bard of the fixth century, on the death of Cynddylan prince of Powis. ' About the year 1176 Rhys ap GryfFydh of South Wales made a great feaft in the calUe of Aberteivi during the Chriftmas holy days, which feaft he had caufed to be proclaimed throughout Britain a long time before. Agreeably to this invitation, many ftrangers reforted to his caftle, and were entertained by him with much honour and courtefy. Befides deeds of arms, and other amufe- ments, Rhys had caufed all the bards in Wales to repair to the meeting ; and placing them on chairs in the hall of the caftle, he ordered them to exercife their feveral talents in oppofuion to each other, appointing great rewards to thofe who excelled in their feveral profeffions. In this conteft, the bards of North Wales carried away the prize, and the muficians of Rhys's own houfehold were adjudged to have excelled in the powers of harmony. See Wellh Chron. p. 237. ' J. Lelandi Comm. de Scriptoribus Britann. p. 5. Come Book IX. A SKETCH OF THE BARDS. 535 Come forth, and fee, ye Cambrian dames. Fair Pengwern's ' royal roofs in flames ! The foe the fatal dart hath flung (The foe that fpeaks a barb'rous tongue,) And pierc'd Cynddylan's princely head, And ftretch'd your champion with the dead. His heart, which late, with martial fire, Bade his lov'd country's foes expire (Such fire as wafles the foreft hill) Now like the winter's ice is chill. O'er the pale corfe with boding cries Sad Argoed's " cruel eagle flies ; He flies exulting o'er the plain. And fcents the blood of heroes flain. Dire bird ! this night my frighted ear Thy loud, ill-omen'd voice Ihall hear : I know thy cry, that fcreams for food. And thirds to drink Cynddylan's blood. No more the manfion of delight, Cynddylan's hall is dark to-night ; Nor more the midnight hour prolongs With fires, and lamps, and fefl:ive fongs. Its trembling bards afflifted fliun The hall, bereav'd of Cyndrwyn's fon." ' Now Shrewfljury, then the chief refidence of the princes of Powis. " The ancient name of Powis. =: Cynddylan was the fon of Cyndrwyn. Its 536 A SKETCH OF THE BARDS, Book IX. Its joyous vifitants are fled j Its hofpitable fires are dead : No longer, rang'd on either hand Its dormitory, couches ftand : But all above, around, below. Dread fights, dire founds, and fhrieks of woe. Awhile I'll weep Cyhddylan (lain. And pour the weak, defponding ftrain ; Awhile I'll foothe my troubled breaft : Then, in eternal filence reft/ Tyranny having erefted her banner in Wales, by the cruel policy of Edward, in the maflacre of the bards, that ancient feat of freedom and of poetry, was for a long time deprived of the exercife of their talents. During the fpirited, and for a time the profperous infurredtion of Owen Glendwrdwy, the mufes again appeared in the country; encouraged by the munificence of that leader, and animated by the tranfitory ray which had dawned upon liberty. Among the number of thofe bards who appeared at the court of Glendwrdwy, was Jolo Gocb, y This Elegy was tranflated into Englifli verfe by the Rev. John Walters Hiaftcr of Ruthin fchool, and late fellow of Jefus College, Oxford, to whofe elegant talle and judicious knowledge of the Welfh laws the author has been much indebted. The like acknowledgement is due to the Rev. John Lloyd reftor of Caerwaes, from whofe friendly attentions this work has received very confiderable advantage. This gentleman, who poffefles a critical judgement in the antiquities of his country, as well as an extenfive knowledge of its hiftory, is lineally defcended from the princes of the houfe of Powis. who Book IX. A SKETCH OF THE BARDS. 537 who celebrated in a high ftrain of eulogy, the magnificence and the vidlories of his patron. At the fame time flourifhed Dafydh ap Gwilim, a native of Caerdigan. The Welfh, having made the laft effort for their expirin* freedom, funk into a ftate of flavery, the moft deep and fevere. The bards were prohibited by law from making their annual progrefs, and from holding public affemblies ; which privileges were called by the natives c/era and Cymhortha. During this dark period, and the conteft between the houfes of York and Lancafler, the genius of poetry was nearly extinguifhed, or was only employed in foothing the mifery of the times by obfcure predidlions of more profperous days.' A BRIGHTER profpcdl opening on the Welfli in the reign of Henry the feventh, a feries of bards from this time arofe ; who, being chiefly maintained in the families of the chief- tains, afcertained their genealogies ; and, the caufes of reciting warlike exploits having ceafed, they celebrated the civil virtues of their patrons, their magnanimity, their hofpitable fpirit, their talents, and the graces of their perfons. They, likewife, amidfl other duties, had the mournful office of compofing an elegy on the death of the chieftain in whofe family they refided ; which was fung to the furviving relations in honour of the dead ; reciting '^ Evan Evans Difertatio de Bardis. 3 Z the 538 A SKETCH OF THE BARDS. Book IX. the noble families from which the deceafed had fprung, and the great adions performed by himfelf or his anceftors. Since the reign of queen Elizabeth, there has not been any regular aflembly of the bards.^ The motives of emu- lation and reward being, thus removed, and the fpirit of ancient freedom being extinguifhed, the poetic fire, for which this nation had been fo renowned, gradually declined. But fome fparks of that ancient fire yet remain among the Welfh, which, in feafons of feftivity, break out into a Angular kind of poetry, called Pennyll ; * and which, as ^ Evan Evans Difertatio de Bardis. Jones's Mufica! Remains, p. 30. » Even at this day fome vein of the ancient minrtielfy furvives amongft our mountains. Numbers of perfons of both fexes affemble and fit round the harp, finging alternatively Pennillion or ftanzas of ancient or modern compofitions. The young people ufually begin the night with dancing, and when they are tired, affume this fpecies of relaxation. They alternately fing, dance, and drink, not by hours, but by days and weeks ; and meafure time only by the continuance of their mirth and pleafure. Often, like the modern Improvifatore of Italy, they fing extempore verfes ; and a perfon converfant in this art, readily produces a pennill oppofite to the laft that was fung. Many have their memories ftored with feveral hundreds, perhaps thoufands of penillion, fome of which ihey have always ready for anfwers to every fubjeft that can be propofed, or if their recolleftion fhould ever fail them, they have invention to compofe fome- thing pertinent and proper for the occafion. The fubje£ls afford a great deal of mirth ; fome of thefe are jocular, others fatirical, but mod of them amorous ; which, from the nature of the fubjeft, are bell preferved. They continue finging without intermiffion, never repeating the fame ftanza, (for that would forfeit the honour of being held firll of the fong) and, like nightingales, fupport the contell through the night. The audience ufually call for the tune ; fometimes a few only fing to it, and fometimes the whole company. But when a party cf capital fingers afiemble, they rarely call for the tune, for it is indifferent to them what tune the harper plays. Parifhes are often oppofed againft parifhes, and even counties contend with counties. Thefe rural ufages are bed preferved in the mountainous counties of Meirionedh and Caernarvon. See Mr. Pennant's journey to Snowdun. The world is indebted to this Gentleman for many Book IX. EDWARD OF CAERNARVON. 539 as a native art, may long furvive, though time, or the influence of Englifh manners, fhould erafe every other original trait. THE union of Wales with the crown of England, not having proceeded from mutual inclination, was received by the Welfh with the deepeft reludlance. It was an union which they confidered only as a fyftem of flavery. Foreign laws and cuftoms had been forced upon them ; which, though better than their own, and more fuited to their advances into civilization, were flill the laws of a conquering nation, with which, on the footing of equality, they had fo long contended. The rigour alfo exercifed by Edward's officers in Wales, alienated them flill more from an Englifli admin iflration ; and they yet retained a fond attachment to the memory of their native princes. To all the offers made to them by Edward of fettling their government, they gave the fame decifive anfwer. They faid, they were willing to be governed by a chieftain of their own country, or by the king in perfon ; but iirmly declared that they would yield no obedience to any perfon who was not born in Wales, or who did not refide there. The idea ftruck the Englifh monarch. He fent orders many valuable publications refpefling Wales. The countenance which they have already received from the public on account of the agreeable difcriptions aiven of that country, and the deep and extenfive refearches into its antiquities, renders any eulogium, on our part, unneceffary. 3 Z 2 to J40 EDWARD OF CAERNARVON. BooiclX. to queen Eleanor to come inftantly into Wales. At this time fhe was big with child, and it was now the depth of winter. At this feafon of the year, in her delicate fituation, that princefs travelled privately on horfeback, through the roads of thofe times, out of England to Caernarvon. A few days before fhe was delivered, the king ordered the Welfli chieftains to meet him at Rhuddlan, and to take into their confideration the public concerns. Edward delayed for fome time to call them into council. At length, having heard that Eleanor was delivered of a fon '' on the twenty-fifth of April, he commanded the attendance of the Welfli chieftains ; and told them, that as they had frequently defired he would appoint them a fovereign, he would now indulge them in their requeft, provided they promifed to yield to the perfon he fhould name a proper obedience. They aflented to the terms he offered, in cafe that perfon fliould be a native of Wales. The king, then, told them, that their intended prince was born in their own country, that he could not fpeak a word of Englifli, and that his life was free from every ftain. It is eafy to fuppofe, that the Welih chieftains would be the dupes of this artifice. They eagerly affented to acknowledge fuch a perfon for their fovereign. The king then coldly informed them that their future prince was his own fon born in Caernarvon caftle a few days before. It is natural to fuppofe, that the Welfli chieftains, *> Annales Waverleienfis, p. 238. Henry de Knyghton de Event. Angl. p. 2465. though Book IX. EDWARD OF CAERNARVON. 541 though furprifed at being caught in the fnare, would confole themfelves with the hopes, that the young prince, as a native of Wales, would ufually refide in their country/ On the magnanimity which was fhewn in this tranfadion the reader will make his own comments. But to ftrike out advantage from the prejudices, or peculiar attachments of the Welfhj and to render fuch fubfervient to his own views, and diredt them to their ultimate benefit, was a point of nice addrefs in the Englifh king, and did credit to his . talents. Edward, having finiflied the affairs of North Wales, to gratify a martial nobility, and to amufe or flatter his new fubjedts by a fpedacle unknown to the Welfli, ordered a tournament to be held at Nevyn, a town in Caernarvon- fliire, lying on the Irifli channel." This jouft was in imitation of thofe fuppofed to be inftituted by king Arthur, called the round table, from the knights who reforted to them being feated at a table of that form ; ' and which, it is faid, had alfo been in ufe among the Gauls and the ancient Britons. A great number of knights, as well Englifh as foreigners, came from all parts to fliare in this military entertainment ; ^ and here the Englifli king had an opportunity of fhewing his Welfli fubjeds that he was >: Wellh Chron. p. 377. Stowe's Cliron. p. zoz. "^ Math. Weftm. p. 178. = Cambden's Biit. p. 664. Gibfon's edition. ' Math. Weftm, p. 178. Cambden's Brit. p. 664. Gibfon's edit. not 542 RETURN OF EDWARD TO LONDON. Book IX. not inferior to Arthur their celebrated warrior, in feats of arms, and in knightly accomplifhments. This diverfion being ended, he made a progrefs through Caerdiganlhire, where he remained a month to fettle the affairs of South Wales ; from thence he proceeded into Glamorganfliire, on a vifit to the earl of Gloucefler, to whom that country belonged J and having been nobly entertained by that lord,' he came to Briflol, in which city he remained during the Ann. Dora. Chriftmas holy days."" On the fecond of January, he I 284. iffued a writ from thence, of a conciliatory nature ; by which the inhabitants of Rhuddlan, Conway, Caernarvon, and other towns, were freed from paying talliages for Ann. Dom. ever.' King Edward then returned to London, after an ^* abfence of nearly three years.'' On his arrival, he rode in great folemnity through London to Weftminfter, attended by the archbiftiop of Canterbury and his fuffragan biftiops, drefled in their facred veftments, befides an infinite multitude who attended the proceffion. The king, on this occafion, carried a part of our Lord's Crofs which he had brought out of Wales, which was gilded and adorned with precious ftones, and placed it upon the great altar in Weftminfter abbey. The joy which Edward would naturally feel on the prof- perous iffue of his affairs, had been highly imbittered by the 8 Carte, vol. II. p. 197. ^ Chron. T. Wyke's, p. no. Holinfliead, p, 282. ' Rymer, vol. II. p. 284. '' Annale^ Waverleienfis, p. 238. death Book IX. INSURRECTION OF RHYS AP MEREDYDH. C43 death of Alphonfo' his eldefl: fon, a youth of no more than twelve years of age, who died on the nineteenth of Auguft in the preceding year ; a prince much admired by the Eno-- lifh for his beauty, fpirit, and valour. By his death the young prince, Edward of Caernarvon, became heir apparent to the Englifli crown."' The idea of that prince being a native of Wales, and the expedlation that he would be accuftomcd to fpeak their language and to refide in their country, were the only ties which fecured the fidelity of the Welfli to the Englifh govern- ment. Thefe bands being loofened, and the only motives to union having ceafed, every part of the newly fubdued ftate fell again into diforder : a fpirit of refiftance revived in the Wellli, not under the guidance of any one diftinguillied perfon, nor upon any plan of concerted operation, but only as chance or caprice, private ambition, or national hatred diredled. At this time the king of England was in Guienne, and had left, during his abfence, the earl of Cornwall regent of the realm. In the late conquefl of Wales, Rhys ap Mere- dydh had been adlive in the fervice of Edward ; and in con- ' A few months before his death, coming to Weftminfter, he offered up at the (brine of Edward the Confeffor, precious lloncs, and a piece of gold which had been the property of Llewelyn the late prince of Wales. See Annales Waver- leienfis, p. 238. "" Chron. T. Wyke, p. 112. Polidorc Vergil, p. 3J5. fequence 544 INSURRECTION OF RHYS AP MEREDYDII. Booi< IX. ' fequence of that fervice had been made a knight, and flat- tered with the hopes of receiving from the hands of that prince ftill farther honours. Inftead of his expectations being realized, it fcems as if he had been left in that cold negledl, which is often the juil reward of men, who, for private advantage, forfake the paths of honour and integrity. He was cited to appear in the county courts, with other Welfli noblemen, by Robert de Tibetot, and Alan Plucknet, the one jufticiary of South Wales and governor of feveral caftles adjoining to the territory of Rhys ap Meredydh, and the other the king's fteward in Wales."" Incenfed at this fummons, the Welfh chieftain refufed his compliance. It was loo mortifying to Rhys fo eafily to relinquifh his rights, derived from a long train of princely anceftors, or to fee them mingle in the common ruin of ancient cuf- toms. On his refufal, legal meafures were taken to enforce his obedience. During the procefs, frequent hoftilities happened between the retainers of the two parties, to the great annoyance of the country ; at length the diforder rofe to fuch a height, as to make it neceffary, by an order of the king, for the earl of Cornwall to come in perfon into Wales with an army, and endeavour to check the infurredlion. At the fame time the king himfelf wrote to Rhys ap Meredydh, to defire that he would ceafe from hoftilities, afTuring him, that, on his return, the evils he complained of fhould be redrefled, and that all reafonable juftice fhould be done him." >" Welfh Ghron. p. 379. Hen. de Knyghton de Event. Ang. p. 2465. Holinihead, p. 283. " Ibid. Book IX. INSURRECTION OF RHYS AP MEREDYDH. 545 But Rhys thought the king's abfence a fair opportunity of roufing the fpirit of the Welfli, as yet not reconciled to fubjedion, and of mounting the throne of his anceftors." In purfuance of this defign, and that his followers might have no hopes of fafety but in their own valour, he took the caftles of Llanymddyvri and Dinevawr, and likewife fet Ann. Dom 12S-. fire to feveral towns/ The earl of Cornwall defigning at the fame time to at- tack the rebel chieftain in feveral quarters, fummoned the military tenants of the crown to rendezvous at Gloucester, Llanbadernvawr, and Monmouth, ready to march under his own command, or under the earl of Gloucefter, who was appointed general in this expedition.'' This appointment however was fuperfeded by Cornwall himfelf,' who, march- ing into Wales, obliged Rhys and his followers to retire into the faflneffes of the country, which gave that nobleman an opportunity of taking and demolifliing the caftles of the Welfh chieftain. One of thefe was the caftle of Ruflin. It was ufual in thofe days, in the fiege of a fortrefs, to under- mine the walls by finking a mine, and to fupport it with timber till the befiegers were ready to begin the attack; they then fet fire to the props, and the mine finking, the walls fell to the ground, and the aflault immediately took ° Polidore Vergil, p. 326. P Rymer, vol. II. p. 343, 344, 345. Guth. Hift. Eng. vol. I, p. 905. 1 Ibid. ■• Ibid. 4 A place. 546 INSURRECTION OF RHYS AP MF.REDYDH. Book IX. place. During this operation, in the fiege of this fortrefs, the lords Stafford and William de Monchency, attended by many knights and efquires, came to reconnoitre the works, but the miners, unfkilful in that fervice, had fupported th-e mine fo weakly, that the walls fuddenly falling in, they all perillied under the ruins. Though the caftle was taken, the expedition was rendered of little advantage, by the earl of Gloucefter having remained inadtive, owing, it is probable, to his being fuperfeded in the command, or to fome fecret inclination he might feel to favour the enemies caufe.' The earl of Cornwall, unable to force Rhys ap Meredydh, and the feafon of the year advancing into winter, was obliged to relinquiili the enterprife, and to grant him a truce.' The regent had no fooner arrived at Wejftminfter early in November, than the Welfli chieftain renewed hoftilities, and laid fiege to the caflle of Emlyn." On this breach of the treaty the jufllciary fet a price upon his head, and alfo proclaimed him a traitor : fummonfes were likewife ifTued by the earl of Cornwall for the nobility on the borders of Wales to take up arms againfl the rebels." The Mortimers, and other lords of the marches, taking arms under Robert de Tibetot, gained pofTefHon of a flrong fortrefs belonging ' Holinftiead, p. 284. Math. Wellm. p. 179. T. Wyke, p. 115. Annales Waverleienfes, p. 240. ' Ibid. " Rymer, vol. II. p. 354. , ^ T. Wyke, p. 115. Rymer, vol. II. p. 344, 345. to Book IX. INSURRECTION OF RHYS AP MEREDYDH. 54- to Rhys, and £0 efFedually checked his defigns, that having no fecurity in his own territories, he took refuge in thofe of the earl of Gloucefter, by whofe means he afterwards efcaped into Ireland/ Having remained inactive in this retreat three years, Rhys ap Meredydh came again into South Wales, and raifing a new infurreftion, the jufliciary oppofed him v/ith the few forces which on a fudden he was able to raife. In- Ann. Dom formed that his own troops were more in number than the '"9°" Englifh, the Welfh chieftain, with great confidence, marched to give them the meeting. The levies he brought into the field were young and raw foldiers : accuftomed to no dif- cipline, they did not preferve any order in their ranks, but attacked the Englifh with fury in front, flank, and rear, expedting on the firft onfet to break their array. The Englilli troops, forming into a clofe body, prefented a front on every fide to the afl*ailants. The adlion continued for fome time warmly difputed : the Welfh repeating their onfets with much bravery, and the Englifh as bravely beating them back : at length, the afTaults of the Welfli growing more weak, the Englifh made an effort to break through the main body of the enemy, which they eafily accomplifhed. The Welfh troops, confufed and in difmay at the unexpedled turn the action had taken, were beaten down on every fide. > Holinfhead, p. 284. Math. Weftm. p. 179. T. Wyke, p. 115. Annales Waverleienfes, p. 240. 4 A 2 Four 548 INSURRECTION OF RHYS AP MEREDYDH. Book IX. Four thoufand of the Welfh were flain in this engagement/ Their leader Rhys ap Meredydh was taken prifoner ; and a little time after, on the departure of the king into Scotland, he was executed at York, agreeably to the new mode of punifliment, by being drawn at the tails of horfes, and then hanged and quartered.' After his death, the caflles and territories of that chieftain were given to Robert de Tibetot." At this time, Edward was engaged in a difpute with the French king, and other means proving ineffectual, he determined to do himfelf juftice by force of arms. In this defign, he was aflifted by the Englifli, who granted him very liberal fupplies ; and he now' attempted to make an experiment of taxation on his new fubjedls^ the Welfh. He appointed Roger de Pulefton, a man of great eminence in the country, and who was high in his favour, to colled; a fifteenth of their moveables.' As yet little inured to the habits of a foreign government, the fpirit of the Welfh was fet on fire as foon as this tax was attempted to be enforced i an aflent to which they confidered as forming a precedent in future for impofitions of the like nature. Three infurredlions fprung up in Wales, in different places, and nearly at the fame time ; though it does not ^ Holinfhead, p. 284. Hen. de Knyghton de Event. Ang. p. 2465. •" Polidore Vergil, p. 326, 327. Math. Weftm. p. 184, fays he was executed at Berwick. ^ Rymer, vol. II. p. 482. <" Welfti Chron. p. 380. Carte, vol. II. p. 236. from Walfingham Chr. Dunilaple. Pat. 22. E. I, ra. 28. A ^ appear Book IX. INSURRECTION OF MADOC. 549 appear that they were direded by any common principle of union. The natives of Weft Wales' rofe up in arms, under the leading of Maelgwyn Vychan, and plundered the counties of Pembroke and Caerdigan. Thofe who inhabited Glamorgan and the fouthern parts, alfo rofe under the condudl of a chieftain of the name of Morgan, defcended from the ancient lords of that country, and being joined by the principal vaflals of the earl of Gloucefter, they drove that nobleman entirely out of his own territories, and reftored to the Welfh chieftain the inheritance of his anceftors. Madoc, a kinfman of the laft Llewelyn, '' who had himfelf aflumed the title of prince, was at the head of the infurgents in North Wales." The revolt opened with afts of hoftility, which marked an inveteracy of fpirit, and a firm i*efolution in the Welfh, that the fword alone fhould fecure their fafety, and determine the difpute. Seifing on Roger de Pulefton, they caufed him to be hanged, and afterwards cut off his head j the fame fate attended all his affbciates con.cerned in collec- ting this odious tribute. Madoc, then, about the middle ^ Pembrokelhire. '■ He is by fome fuppofed to have been the fon of Llewelyn, the laft prince, but if fo, he muft have been illegitimate. = Math. Weftm. p. 190, 191. Welfti Chron. p. 3S0. Holinfliead, p. 29J. of 550 INSURRECTION OF MADOC. Book IX. of July, proceeded to Caernarvon, at this time crowded with the Englifli, who had aflembled there on account of a great fair. Thefe unarmed people were all flaughtered : the town was plundered and fet on fire, and the caftle of Caernarvon taken : ^ the fortrefs in Snowdun, likewife, fell into the hands of Madoc, who foon after gained poflef- fion of Anglefey/ A REVOLT opened with fuch daring infults, and fo widely fpread, determined Edward to fufpend his intended views on the continent, and to recall his forces, then ready to embark under the command of his brother the earl of Lancaftcr, and of Henry Lacie earl of Lincoln and lord of Denbigh. The latter nobleman, with a view of preferving the caftle of Denbigh, advanced before the king into North Wales, and proceeding in his route under the walls of that fortrefs, on the eleventh of November was fuddenly encountered by the Welfli, who, encouraged by the fituation of the Englifli, were defirous of rifking their fortunes on the iffue of a fingle battle. The event was glorious to the Wellh ; the Englifh forces were defeated and forced to retire.'" About this time Mael- gwyn Vychan was taken prifoncr and conveyed to Hereford, f Math. Wellm. p. 190, 191. Welfh Chron. p. 380. Holinfhead, p. ^93. s Carte, vol. II. p. 237. from T. Waliingham. Pat. 22. E. I. m. 38. ■^ Hen. de Knyghton de Event. Ang. p, 2471. Polidore Vergil, p. 332. Wellh Chron. 300. Holinfhead, p. 293. where Book. IX. INSURRECTION OF MADOC. where having been drawn at the tails of horfes to the place of execution, he was hanged with two of his accomplices.' At this time the Englifh king was in South Wales, at- tempting in perfon to quiet the diforders of that country. The earl of Warwick had already obliged Morgan the other chieftain, with feven hundred of his men, to fubmit himfelf to the royal mercy.' That chief, and others of the Welih nobility, who were vaflals of the earl of Gloucefter, difgufted with the pride and arbitrary conduit of that nobleman, had entered into a refolution never to fubmit to his authority, but offered to yield themfelves up, provided they might hold their lands of the crown of England. Being indulged in this requeft, Morgan and the other chieftains laid down their arms, did homage to the king, and delivered hoftages for their fidelity." Edward had been deceived into the expedla- tion that the county of Caerdigan would have followed the example of the people of Glamorgan ; but this fubmiflion at prefent not taking place, in refentment of the deception offered him by the abbot of Strata- florida, the Englifli prince fet fire to that abbey.' Alarmed for the fafety of his new dominions, and at a revolt which was now rifing into importance, Edward ' Math. Weftm. p. 191, calls him Chanan. ' Guthrie's Hid. England, p. 919. ^- Math. Weftm. p. 191. Carte, vol. I. p. 237. ' Guthrie, vol. I. p. 919. came 55^ 552. INSURRECTION OF MADOC. Book IX. came into North Wales to condudl the war in perfon. Having proceeded in his march as far as the Conway, he croffed that arm of the fea with a part of his forces, and retiring into the caftle, waited for the remainder to follow. In his paflage he loft many waggons and other carriages loaded with vidtuals, which had been intercepted by the . Welfli, who in great multitudes came down from the moun- I tains, and inverted the caftle on the fide of the land. A 1 fudden rife in the water of the Conway preventing his troops from pafiing over, rendered Edward's fituation exceedingly alarming J in great want of provifions, cut off from his army, and furrounded on every fide by water and the enemy. The difficulties in the garrifon were fo great with refped to provifions, that Edward, in common with the foldiers, was obliged to eat falted meat, and the coarfe bread which was found in the caftle, and to ufe water likewife for his drink. mixed with honey. A fingle flaggon of wine only remained in the caftle, which being referved folely for the king's ufe, that prince could not be prevailed upon to tafte it, but caufing it be mingled with water, he ordered the liquor to be diftributed among the foldiers in the garrifon, declaring, with a manly fpirit, that he would ftiare every extremity with the meaneft foldier."" Edward's ufual good fortune attended him on this occafion ; for the Conway fuddenly fubfiding, his forces were enabled to crofs the water and come to his relief. The Welfti, then, abandoned the fiege and retired " Hen. de Knyghton de Event. Ang. p. 2472. to Book IX. INSURRECTION OF MADOC. to the mountains. The Englifh king paffed the Chrifloias holidays without moleflation in the caftle of Conway." Soon after the earl of Warwick receiving intelligence that a large body of the enemy were encamped in a valley enclofed on each fide by a wood, feled:ed for this fervice a fquadron of horfe, with a chofen body of crofbow-men and archers ; with this force marching filently in the night, he fuddenly furrounded the Welfh, little fufpedling an aflault. With much coolnefs, the Welfli, fixing their fpears in the ground, and prefenting a dangerous front, kept off the Englifh horfe. Not able to make any im- preffion, Warwick, then, placed a cro{bow-man or an archer in every interval between two horfemen, who, thus, fighting at a diftance, flew great numbers with their fhot and arrows ; then charging the remaining body with his horfe, the Welfh phalanx was broken, and was foon entirely routed with very great flaughter." After this adion, Edward, finding no enemy to refifl him, marched into Anglefey, where he ereded a ilrong fortrefs, which hs called Beumarifh," as a check to the natives of that ifland. Then having caufed roads to be cut through the woods, '' and having feverely punifhed'all who were concerned in ra Holinihead, p. 293. Welfh Chron. p. 380. " J. Roffi. Ant. Warw. p. 166. Holinfhead, p. 294. " Cambden's Brit. p. 675. Gibfon's edit. P Holinfliead, p. 294. Welfti Chron. p. 381. 4 B the 55 :> 554 INSURRECTION OF MADOC. Book IX. the murder of Roger de Pukfton, he returned with his army into England.'' All this time, the gallant Madoc, giving way to the ftorm, though ftill unbroken in his fpirit, had retired into a place of fecurity. The young chieftain, no doubt, on his firil fuccefs, had flattered himfelf with the hopes of reftoring his country to its ancient freedom/ Incited by this fond idea, the Welfli in great numbers ftill eagerly joined his flandard. On the king's departure, Madoc invaded the Englifli borders. Having reduced Ofweftry and. ravaged the adjacent country, he defeated the lord Strange near Knocking ; then again defeating a body of Englifli in another engagement, he proceeded towards Shrewfbury ; but during his progrefs his forces were routed, and he himfelf taken prifoner by the lords of the marches, after a long refiftance, upon the. hills of Cefn Digolh not far from Caurs caftle.' Madoc was fent up to London, and doomed by Edward to perpetual iaiprifonment in the tower.' On this difafter, all the Welfli chieftains laid down their arms and fubmitted to the king, whofe condudl on this occalion was politic, and tempered in fome degree with 1 Math. Weflra. p. 191. ' Holinfhead, p. 294. ' It is faid by others that Madoc was delivered up to Edward by his own army. ' Welfli Chron. p. 381. lenity. Book IX. THE CONCLUSION. 555 1295. lenity. No victim was offered to the feverity of his juflice : he gave to the heirs of the rebellious chieftains their for- feited ertates ; requiring only a compenfation for the damages he had fuftained in the war, with an alTurance likewife of implicit obedience for the future. Left the moderation of his condudt might again incite them to revolt, he affured them, that he would entirely exterminate their nation, if they again prefumed to refift his authority." The chief of Ann. Dom. the WeHh nobility were confined in different caftles of England, where they remained fome years, during the wars of Edward in Scotland i" that prince, no doubt, regarding their confinement as the only fure pledge of their fidelity. The greater number of thefe chieftains were imprifoned in the tower of London. To foothe their minds during this folitary confinement, baniflied from their country and friends, the Welfli nobility folicited the favour that their manufcripts might be lent to them out of Wales. They were indulged in this reafonable requeft ; as it is natural to conclude, that they made a free ufe of this indulgence, in procefs of time the tower became the principal repofitory of Wel(h literature. This valuable colledlion is fiid to have been committed to the flames by one Scolan,*^ a per- fon who is only known to the world by having perpetrated " Carte'3 Hift. Eng. p. 237. =' Hen. de Knyghton de Event. Ang. p. 2472. Holiniliead, p. 294. WelA Chron. p. 382. ' Jones's Mufical and Poetical Relics of the Wclfli Bards, p. i. 4 B 2 fo 556 THE CONCLUSION. Book IX. fo infamous an a(flion, and who, perhaps, might have been infligated to it by no better motive than that which urged Heroflratus to (ct on fire the temple of Diana. THE infurredions ah*eady recited, with the revolt of Sir Gryffydh Lluyd, and the rebellion of Owen Glendwrdwy, were the laft: efforts which the Welfh made to recover the freedom they had loft. Their wild fpirit of independence, and their enthufiafm for liberty from this period gradually declined. The blood of their beloved princes was nearly extind: ; and their native bravery was fubdued, or rendered ineffectual by their inteftine divifions, and by. their repeated misfortunes. When fierce valour and unregulated free- dom are oppofed to difcipline, to enlarged views, and to found policy, the conteft is very unequal ; it is not there- fore furprifing that the genius of England at length obtained the afcendency. It was, indeed, an interefting fpedlacle, and might juftly have excited indignation and pity, to have feen an ancient and gallant nation falling the vidims of private ambition, or finking under the weight of a fuperior power. But fuch emotions, which were then due to that injured people, have loft, at this period, their poignancy and force. A new train of ideas arife, when we fee that the change is beneficial to the vanquiflied : when we fee a wild and precarious liberty fucceeded by a freedom, fecured by equal and fixed laws : when we fee manners hoftile and barbarous, and Book IX. T H E C O N C L U S I O N. 557 and a fpirit of rapine and cruelty, foftened down into the arts of peace, and the milder habits of civilized life : when we fee this Remnant of the ancient Britons, uniting in interefts, and mingling in friendship with the Englifh, and enjoying with them the fame Conftitutional Liberties ; the purity of which, we truft, will continue uncorrupted as long as this Empire fhall be numbered among the nations of the earth. THE END. i i i APPENDIX. AFTER the conqvieft of Wales by Edward the firft, the concerns of that country, confidered in a national light, are entirely uninterefting, as th,e inhabitants, until the reign of Henry the feventh, were reduced to a ftate of bondage the moft deep and fevere." In this ftate, actuated by few other fprings than their paffions, reftrained by no regular police, no longer animated by the prefence of their princes, nor their minds foftened by the influence of native arts, the manners of the Welfh, for a long period, were marked with the deepeft ferocity. Unemployed, likewife, in the arts of peace, little civilized by focial intefcourfe, and enjoying only a narrow and partial hofpitality, their eager fpirit, no longer dire£ted againft a potent and hereditary enemy, naturally funk into deadly feuds, ^ or was deeply engaged in the pleafures of the chace. •' See Statutes refpefting Wales in the reigns of Henry the fourth and Henry the fixth. '" Hill. Gwedir family, p. 78, 79, &c Though 560 APPENDIX. Though the policy of Edward the firll had allowed the Welfia to enjoy their liberties, and to hold their eftates under ancient tenures, they had much reafon to complain of the exceffive rigour exercifed over them by the officers of jultice, and of the rapacity of the Englifh lords who were fettled in Wales/ The powers of the lords marchers were ftill in their full force, and had been exercifed with fuch feverity on the Welfh, as to render an adb of parliament neceflary in the reign of Henry the eighth. The ftatute is to the following purpofe; " "Whereas many " robberies, murders, and other evil praftices have been daily com- " mitted in the county palatine of Chefter, and Flintfhire in Wales, " and alfo in Anglefea, Caernarvon, Merioneth, Caerdigan, Caer- " marthen, Pembroke, and Glamorgan; becaufejuftice is not admi- " niftered there in fuch form as in other places of this realm : for *' the remedy of this, it is enadted, that the Lord Chancellor of " England, or keeper of the great feal, fhall nominate and appoint "juftices of peace, juftices of the quorum, and juftices of the goal- " delivery in the faid counties, and that they fhall have like power " and authority as thofe in England." This ftatute in fome meafure lefiened the evils complained of, as it was the means of keeping offenders in awe, they not being abk, as before, to efcape, and to flee from one lordfhip marcher to another : it alfo placed the adminiftration of juftice on a more ftable foundation. Another evil had likewife arifen, which ftrongly marked the oppreflion of the times, to theremedy of which a fucceeding ftatute was judged neceflary, and was to the following effedl : " Whereas "^ Hift. Gwedir family, p. 30, 31, 34. " in APPENDIX. 561 -' in Wales and in the Marches, there are many forefts belonging " either to the king or to the lords marchers, wherein fundry " adlions have been committed for a long time, contrary to the law " of God and man ; infomuch, that if any perfon entered the " faid forefts without a loken given him by any of the forefters, " as a licence to pafs, or unlefs he was a yearly tributer or chenfer, " he was forced to pay a grievous fine ; and if he fhould chance to " be found twenty-four feet out of the highway, he was then to " forfeit all the gold or money which was found on his perfon, and " likewife a joint of one of his hands, unlefs he was fined for the " offence at the difcretion of the forefter, or farmer of the fame. " And whereas likewife, if any cattle ftrayed into the faid forefts, "■ it was the cuftom of the forefters to mark them for their own, " with the mark of the foreft." By this ftatute, it was enafted, that people fliould be allowed to pafs through thefe forefts as freely as in other places -, and that ftrayed cattle, within a year and a day (hould be reftored to the right owners, they paying only a compen- fation for the herbage. These ftatutes, reftraining the powers of the lords marchers, were fome years after fucceeded by another ftatute, which rendered thofe lords no longer the objeds of terror, and entirely deftroyed their juridical authority. It was to the following effeft : " Whereas " by the gifts of the kings of England, many of the moft ancient " prerogatives and authorities of juftice appertaining to the " imperial crown of this realm, have been fevered and taken " from the fame; it was then enafled, that no perfon ftiould " have power and authority to pardon or to remit treafons, " murders, man-flaughters, or any felonies, or their acceflaries in 4 C " any 562 APPENDIX. " any part of England, Wales, or in the marches of the fame : " That likewife no perfon fhould make juftices of oyer, juftices " of affize, juftices of peace, or juftices of goal-delivery ; but " they fliould in future be made only by the king's letters patent : " And that all original writs, judicial writs, and all manner " of indidlmencs for treafon, felony, and trefpafs, and all manner " of procefs fhould be only made in the king's name; and that all " offences committed againft the peace, fliould be confidered " as an offence committed againft the king, and not againft " the peace of any other perfon." These exceflive powers, anciently vefted in thofe perfons who enjoyed counties palatine, and jura regalia in lordfliip marchers, being thus taken away, a more regular and uniform courfe of juftice was eftablifhed; and in confequence, the diforder and mifchief continually happening within thofe precincls were in a great meafure prevented. Though thefe humane and falutary ftatutes had relieved the Welfh from many of their fufferings, the line of diftinftion was rtill preferved, and they yet remained as a feparate people ; a diftindtion, contrary to all juft ideas of government, and which could only ferve to keep alive their national prejudices. The Welfti themfelves, folicited Henry the eighth that he would extend his liberal defigns, and give them a ftill more falutary effecl. The petition itfelf, which they fent to that monarch, will beft explain their extenfive views and manly fpirit, as well as the nature and juftice of their claims. " May APPENDIX. "May it pleafe your Highnefs." " We, on the part of your HighnefTes fubjefts, inhabiting that ' portion of the ifland which our invaders firft called Wales, ' moft hunably proftrate at your Highnefles feet, do crave to be ' received and adopted into the fame laws, and privileges, which ' your other fubjefts enjoy : Neither fhall it hinder us (we hope) ' that we have lived fo long under our own. For as they were ' both enaded by authority of our ancient law-givers, and obeyed ' for many fucceffions of ages, we truft your Highnefs will pardon ' us, if we thought it neither eafy nor fafe fo fuddenly to re- ' linquifli them. We fliall not prefume yet to compare them ' with thefe now ufed, and lefs fhall we conteft how good and ' equal in themfelves they are. Only if the defence of them ' and our liberty againft the Romans, Saxons, and Danes, for ' fo many hundred years, and laftly againft the Normans, as ' long as they pretended no title but the fword, - was thought ' juft and honourable ; we prefume it will not be infamous now ; 'and that all the marks of rebellion and fallhood, which our ' revilers would fatten on us, will fall on any, fooner than thofe ' who fought for fo many years, and with fo different nations ' for our jufl defence : Which alfo is fo true, that our beft ' hiftories afBrm the chriflian religion to have been' preferved ' only by us for many years that the SaxoVi^ (being heathens) ' either attempted or pofTefTed this country. May your Highnefs ' then gracioufly interpret our aftions, while we did but that ' duty which your Highnefs would have now done by all your ' fubjedts on like occafion ; for when dny fliould invade tfiis ' country henceforth, we know your Highnefs would have us ' to behave ourfelves no otherwife. Befides, had not the affailers 4 C 2 " found 56 J 5^4 APPENDIX. « found fome refiftance, they might have defpifed a country, that " brought none forth able enough to aflfert it j fo that we crave " pardon, Sir, if we fay it was fit for the honour of your dominions " that fome part of it iTiould never be conquered. We then " in the name of whatfoever in your Highnefles poflTefTion hath '« in any age held out againft all invaders, do here voluntarily " refign, and humble ourfelves to that fovereignty, which we " acknowledge fo well inverted in your Highnefs. Nor is this " the firft time ; we have always attended on occafion to unite " ourfelves to the greater and better parts of the ifland. " But as the kings of this realm, weary of their attempts '^ in perfon againft us did formerly give not only our country " to thofe who could conquer it, but permitted them jura regalia, " within their feveral precinfts ; fo it was impoflible to come " to an agreement, while fo many that undertook this work, " ufurped martial and abfolute power and jurifdidlion in all they " acquired, without eftablifhing any equal juftice. And that " all offenders flying from one lordfhip marcher (for fo they were " termed) to another, did both avoid the punilliment of the " law, and eafily commit thofe robberies, which formerly tainted " the honour of our parts. So that until the rigorous laws not " only of the feveral conquerors of England, but the attempters *' on our parts, were brought to an equal moderation, no union, " how muchfoever affefled by us, could enfue. *' Therefore, and not fooner, we fubmitted ourfelves to Edward •■' the firft, a prince, who made both many and equaller laws " than any before him, therefore we defended his fon Edward the APPENDIX. 565 '* the fecond, when not only the Englifh forfook him, but our- " felves might have recovered our former liberty, had we defired " it. Therefore we got vidlories for Edward the third, and flood " firm during all the diffentions of this realm to his grand child " and fucceflbr Richard the fecond. Only if fome amongft us " refifted Henry the fourth, your highnefs may better fuppofe *' the reafon than we tell it, though divers foreigners openly " refufing to treat with him as a fovereign and lawful prince, " have fuSiciently publiftied it. We did not yet decline a due " obedience to Henry the fifth, though in doubtful times, we " cannot deny, but many refraftory perfons have appeared. " Howfoever, we never joined ourfelves with the Englifla rebels " or took occafion thereby to recover our liberty, though in '' Richard the fecond's time, and during all the civil wars betwixt *' Lancafler and York, much occafion was given. For adhering " to the houfe of York, which we conceived the better title, " we conferved our devotion ftill to the crown, untilyourHighneflcs " father's time, who (bearing his name and blood from us) was " the more chearfully aflifted by our predeceflbrs in his title " to the crown, which your highnefs doth prefently enjoy. And "thus. Sir, if we gave anciently proof of a generous courage " in defending our laws and country, we have given no lefs proof " of a loyal fidelity fince we firlt rendered ourfelves. In fo much, " that we may truly affirm, that after our acceptance of the con- " dition given us by Edward the firft, we have onriitted no occafion " of performing the duty of loving fubjefts. Neither is there " any thing that comforts us more than that all thofe controverfies " about fucceffion (which fo long wafted this land) are deterniined " in your Highnefles perfon; in whom we acknowledge both Houfes " to be happily united. " To 566 APPENDIX, " To your Highnefs therefore we offer all obedience, defiring " only that we may be defended againft the infults of our malignant " cenfurers : For we are not the offspring of the run-away Britains " (as they term us) but natives of a country, which, befides " defending itfelf, received all thofe who came to us. for fuccours. <' Give us then (Sir) permifTion to fay, that they wrong us much, " who pretend our country was not inhabited before them, or that " it failed in a due piety, when it was fo hofpitable to all that " fled thither for refuge : Which alfo will be more credible, when " it Ihall be remembered, that even our higheft mountains furnifh " good beef and mutton, not only to all the inhabitants, but " fupply England in great quantity. We humbly befeech your " Highnefs therefore, that this note may be taken from us. As " for our language, though it feem harfli, it is that yet which " was fpoken anciently, not only in this ifland, but in France : " Some dialefts whereof thcFcfore remain ftill amongft the Bas- " Bretons there, and here in Cornwall. Neither will any man " doubt it, when he fhall find thofe words of the ancient Gaulifh " language . repeated by the Latin authors, to fignify the fame " thing amongft us at this day : Nor fhall it be a difparagement " (we hope) that it is fpoken fo much in the throat, fince the " Florentine and Spaniard aff'edt this kind of pronunciation, as " believing words that found fo deep proceed from the heart. " So that if we have retained this language longer than the more " northern inhabitants of this ifland (whofe fpeech appears " manifeftly to be a kind of Englifh, and confequently introduced *' by the Saxons) we hope it will be no imputation to us ; your " highnefs will have but the more tongues to ferve you : It fhall '' not, hinder us to ftudy Englifli, when it were but to learn how " we APPENDIX. 567 " we might the better ferve and obey your Highnefs : To whofe " laws we mod humbly defire again to be adopted, and doubt " not, but if in all countries the mountains have afforded as " eminent wits and fpirits as any other part, ours alfo by your " Highnefles good favour and employment may receive that " efteem." The king, having confidered the loyalty of his Welfli fubjefts, and the reafonable nature of their claim, ordered a Itatute to be enafted, which entirely united Wales with his other dominions ; regarding, no doubt, fuch an union as an objed of found policy. The ftatute is to this efFeft. " That as the dominion, principality and country of Wales " is a member and part of the temporal crown of this realm, " whereof therefore the king is head and ruler i yet as it hath " divers rights, ufages, laws and cuftoms very different to the " laws and cuftoms of this realm, and becaufe the language of *' that country is different from that which is fpoken here, and " that many rude people hereupon have made diftinftion and " diverfity betwixt his Highnefles other fubjeds, and them, " to the caufing of much difcord and fedition ; his Highnefs " therefore, out of his love and favour to his fubjeds in Wales, " and for reducing them to his laws, doth by advice and confent " of his parliament ordain and enaft, that Wales fliall be united " and incorporated henceforth to and with his realm of England; " and that his fubjefts in Wales Ihall enjoy and inherit all fingular " freedoms, liberties, rights, privileges and laws which his High- " nefles fubjecls elfewhere enjoy and inherit. And therefore " that inheritances fhall defcend after the manner of England, " without 568 APPENDIX. " without divifion or partition, and not after any tenure or form " of Welfli laws or cuftoms. Aad forfamuch as there are divers " lordfhips marchers within the faid country or dominion in Wales, " being no parcel of any other fliires where the laws and due " correftion is ufed and had, and that in them and the countries " adjoining manifold murders, robberies, felonies, and the like, " have been done, contrary to all law and juftice, becaufe the *' offenders, making their refuge from one lordlhip marcher to " another, were continued without punifliment and correftion. " Therefore it is enafted that the faid lordfliips marchers fhall " be united, annexed, and joined to divers fhires fpecified in " the faid aft." » This ftatute was put into immediate execution, the utility of which has been fully juftified by the experience of nearly three centuries. During this time, the genius of the Welfh has taken a different turn, has compofed itfelf to rational obedience, and has been direfted to thofe purfuits which tend to polifh their manners, to enlarge their views, and to cultivate their minds ; and, by confequence, to promote the beft interefts of the public, and as well as the happinefs of individuals. =" This account of the abolition of lordfliips marchers, and of the petition of the Welfli to Henry the eighth, has been taken from lord Herbert of Cherbury, in his hiftory of the reign of that monarch. No. I. A P P F. N D I X. 569 No. I. Omnibus hoc fcriptusn vifuris Rogerus de monte alto Senefcallus CeftrU Salutem : Sciatis quod ego me conftilui plegium, (sjc. TO all and fingular to whome this writing ihall come, Roger de monte slto Steward of Chefter fendetK greeting : Know yee that I haue conftituted my felfe pledge for Senena the wife of Gruffyth the fonne of Lhewelyn, fome- times prince of Northwales, and haue vndertaken for hir to our fouereigne lord Henrie king of England, that the faid Senena ftiall accomplith and perforrae all and fingular thofe couenants and articles, agreed vpon betvveene our faid fouereigne Lord and the faid Senena, for and concerning the deliuerance of the faid Gruffyth hir hufband and Owen his fon out of the prifon of Dauid his brother, and the portion of inheritance due vnto the faid Gruffyth, which the faid Dauid keepeth from him by force. In witnefle whereof to this prefent writing I haue put my feale. Dated at Salop, the raundaie before the feaft ot the Affumption of the blefled virgin Marie, in the 25. yeare of the reigne of the faid King. No. 11. Reuerendiffimis in Chrijlo fatribus ac D. D. Roberto Dei gratia Archie- fijcopo Cantuar. totius Anglice Primati, Ci? Jrchiepi/copo Eborum, ac €orum Suffraganeis, ^c. A O the moft reuerend fathers in Chrift and Lords, Robert by the grace of God Archbifliop of Canturburie, primate of England, and the Archbilhop of Yorke, and their SufFraganes, being now togither at London in councell : their deuout fonne Lhewelyn Prince of Wales and lord of Snoudon, greeting with due obe- 4 D dience. 570 APPENDIX. dicnce, reuerence, and honor in all things. Be it knowen to your reuerend Fatherhoods, that where heretofore contention and difcord (whereof warre followed and long continued) arofe betwixt the king of noble memorie Henrie king of England of the one partie, and vs of the other partie : the fame con- tentions and llrife were at the lall appeafed by the authoritie of the fea Apoltolike, and meanes of the reuerend father lord Otobonus, Deacon and Cardinall of S, Adrian Legate into England : as it appeareth in the forme of treatie and peace betwixt the faid king, and Edward his firll begotten fon, lord Edward now king of England, and their fucceffors on the one partie : and vs and our fuccefTors on the other partie, by the corporall othes of both parties aflured. Which forme of peace was committed to writing by the faid Legate, with the feale of the faid king, and the feale of the faid lord Edward now king, and with our feale alfo. In the which peace it is conteined amongft other things (which you doo well know as we beleeue) that we and our fuccefibrs fliould hold of the king and his fucceffors the principalitie of Wales. So that all Welfh Barons fhould hold their Baronies and lands of vs and our fucceffors in Capite, and fhould doo homage and fealtie to vs and to our heires (one Baron excepted) for the which we and our fucceffors fhould doo homage and fealtie to the lord the king and his fucceffors. It is further conteined in the fame peate, that neither the faid king nor his fucceffors, fhould receiue anie of our enemies, nor anie running awaie from vs, or our fucceffors, nor fliould helpe or maintaine anie fuch againfl vs or our fucceffors. The which all are conteined in the forme of peace, the tenor whereof the reuerend Fathers of Strata Florida, and Aberconwey bearers hereof can fhew you. But fee reuerend Fathers, the lord Edward now noble king of England, after the faid peace taketh into his hands certeine Barons lands of Wales, of which they and their anceftors haue beene long poffeffed, and keepeth a Baronie in his hands which fhould be ours by the forme of peace : other Barons of our land being from vs fugitiues, running to him, he keepeth, helpeth and mainteineth ; as Dauid ap Gruffyth, and Gruffyth ap Gvvenwynwyn, who purpofed our death and deflruftion. Notwithflanding that fince their departure they haue robbed within our land, committed flaughter, and burning of houfes, and doo flill dailie commit the like againft the peace afore faid : and although we haue often fent our greefes and complaints by our folemne meffengers, to the faid noble lord Edward, as well before he was king, as fince, yet vnto this daie he neuer did anie redreffe therein. Alfo that which is more perilous, he called vs vnto a place (not to vs fafe) amongft our deadile enemies, our fugitiues and felons and their fpies and murderers, to doo him homage and fealtie: to the which place we can no waies come without -danger of our bodie : efpeciallie feeing our enemies abouefaid be in that place at the king's table, and fometinje in counfellj and opcftlie brag themfelues. And though lawfull and APPENDIX. and reafonable excufes were alledged by our meffengers, before the king aud his councell, why the place was not fafe nor indifferent, yet he refufcd to allow or appoint anic other place indifferent for vs to doo our homage and fealtie : which we were and are readk to doo vnlo him, in anie fafe place by him to be appointed, if he will appoint anie: and to performe the other aiticles of the peace concluded and fworne. And for that it pleafed him not to come to anie place, where we could with fafetie do him homage, we were fuiters to him, to fend anie from him to receiue our oth and homage, vntill it pleafed him to appoint a place, where we (hall doo our homage to him perfonallie, the which thing he vtterlie denied to doo. We therefore befeech your Fatherhoods earneftlie, that it plcafe you to confider what danger fliould happen to the people both of England and of Wales, by reafon of the breach of the couenants of peace aboue faid : if now warres and difcord fhould follow, which God forbid : attending and calling to remembrance the prohibition of the holie father the Pope latelie in the councell at Lions, that no warre fhould be mooued amongft Chriftians : leafl thereby the affaires of the holie land fhould be neglefted : that it would pleafe you alfo to heipe with your counfell with the lord and king, that he would vfe vs and order vs according to the peace agreed vpon, the which we will no waie infringe. And if he will not harken to your counfell therein (which God forbid) that you will hold vs excufed, for we will no waies as much as in vs lieth procure the trouble or difquietnes of the Realme. And if it may pleafe you to giue credit to our meffengers (which we doo fend to the king at the dale by him vnto vs appointed) to alledge our lawful excufes in thofe things, which they by mouth fhall on our part fhew vnto you : refting to doo your will and pleafure, if it pleafe you to- write againe. Dated at Talybont the 6. dale of Oftober, An. 1275. No. ni. Certeine greefes Jent from Lhewelyn, to the ArchbiJIoop : tranjlated Word by Word out of the Records of the /aid Archbijhop. 57^ HERE that it is conteined in the forme of the peace, concluded as foloweth. W I If the faid Lhewelyn will claime anie right in anie lands occupied by anie other than by the lord the king, without the faid foure Cantreds, the faid lord the king fliall doo him full iuftice, according to the lawes and cuftomes of thofe quarters or parts, where the faid lands doo lie. Which article was not obferued in the lands in Aruftly, and betwixt the waters of Dyui and Dulas, for that when the faid Lhewelyn claimed the faid lands before the Lord -the king at Ruthlan,. 4 D e and 572 A P P E N D I "X.^ and the king granted him the caufe to be examined according to the lawes ajid cuilomes of Wales, and the adaocates of the parties were brought in, and the ludges which vulgarlie they call Ynnayd, before the king, to iudge of the faid lands according to the lawes of Wales. And the defendant appeared and an- fwered fo, that the fame daie the caufe ought to haue beene fullie determined according to the appointment of our lord the king. Who at his being at Glo- cefter, had afligned the parties the faid daie : and though the fame caufe was in diners places often heard and examined before the luilice, and that the lands were in Northwales, and neuer judged but by the laws of Wales, neither was it lawfull for the king but according to the lawes of Wales to proroge the caufe ; all that notwithflanding he proroged the daie (of his owne motion) contrarie to the faid lawes. And at the lad the faid Lhewelyn was called to diuers places, whither he ought not to haue beene called : neither could he obteine iuftice, nor auie iudgement, vnlefie it were according to the lawes of England, contrarie to the faid article of the peace. And the fame was doone at Montgomery, when the parties were prefent in iudgement, and a daie appointed to heare fentence, they proroged the faid daie contrarie to the forefaid lawes : and at the laft the king himfelfe at London denied him iuftice, vnleffe he would be iudged accord- ing to the Englifli lawes in the faid matter. 2 All iniuries, trefpaffes and faults on either part doone, be clearelie remitted vnto this prefent daie. This article was not kept ; for that as foone as the lord Reginald Gray was made Iuftice, he mooued diuers and innumerable accufations againft the men of Tegengl and Ros, for trefpaffes doone in the time of king Henrie : when they bare rule in thofe parties, wherby the faid men dare not for feare kecpe their own houfes. 3 Where as it was agreed that Rees Vadhan ap Rees ap Maelgon fhall enioie his poffeffions, with all the land which he now holdeth, &c. After the peace concluded he was fpoiled of his lands of Geneu'rglyn which he then held„ with the men and cattell of the fame. 4 Also our lord the king granteth, that all tenants holding lands in the foure Cantreds, and in other places which the king holdeth in his owne hands, fliall hold and enioie the fame, as freelie as they did before the time of the warres, and fhall vfe the fame liberties and cuftomes, which they vfed before. Contrarie to this article, the lord Reginald Gray hath brought manie new cuftomes againil the forme of peace aforefaid. 5 All controuerfies mooued, or to be mooued betwixt the Prince and anie other, Ihall be decided after the lawe of the marches (if they haue their be- ginning in the marches) and after the lawes of Wales, fuch as in Wales haue their beginning. Contrarie to this article, the king dooth and fendeth luftices to Anglefey, who prefume to iudge there the men and fubjeds of the Prince: fetting APPENDIX. 57J fetting fines vpon them, contrarie to the lawes of Wales, feeing neither this nor anie like was euer heard in times pad; imprifoning feme, outlawing others, when the Prince is at all times readie to doo iuftice to all men that complaine vpon anie of his men. 6 Where it is in the peace, that Gruffyth Vadhan fhould doo homage to the king for the land in Yale, and to the Prince for the land in Ederneon, the kings iuftices brought the ladie of Maylor, into all the faid lands of Edeyrneon. The knowledge of which caufe onelie pertained to the Prince, and not to the faid Iuftices : and yet for peace fake, the Prince did tollerate all this, being at all times readie to miniller iuilice to the faid Ladie. 7 And though the faid Prince fubmitted himfelfe vnto vs and our will, yet we neuertheleffe will and grant, that our will in no cafe goo furder, than is conteined in thofe articles. Contrarie to this article, gold was exacted for the Queenes workes at euerie paiment made to the king : which gold was neuer demanded in time of king Henrie, or anie other king of England. Which gold yet for quietnes fake the Prince paid, though it were not fpoken of or mentioned in the peace. And now further it is exafted for the old Queene the kings mother that now is (for the peace concluded with king Henrie) 2O0O marks and a halfe : and vnlefle it be paid, the king threatneth to occupie the goods and lands of Lhewelyn and his people, which he could find in his realrae ; and fell men and beafts vntill the faid fumme were paid. 8 Item when the king inuited the Prince to his feaft at Worcefter, pro- mifing with uerie faire words, that he would giue his kinfewoman to him to wife, and enrich him with much honor ; neuerthelefie when he came thither, the felfe fame dale they ftiould be married before Mafle, the king required a bill to be fealed by the Prince ; containing amongft other things that he would neuer keep man againft the kings will, nor neuer mainteine anie, whereby it might come to pafle, that all the Princes force ihould be called from him. The which letter fealed, he delluered the king by iuft feare, which might mooue anie conftant man; yet was not this conteined in the peace, whereas the conclufion of the peace was, that the king lliould require nothing that was not conteined in the fame. 9 Item where in the faid peace all cullomes be confirmed to the faid Prince, as his anceflors of long and dailie obferued cuftomc haue receiued to their owne vfe, all wrecks happening vpon his owne lands : the Iuftice of Chefter tooke a diftrefle of the Prince for goods of fliipwrecke receiued by him before the warres, contrarie to the forme of the faid peace. By the which all trcfpafles of either fide were remitted ; and contrarie to the cuftomes before faid : and if in cafe it were forfeited, yet he tooke fuch a diftrefle, fifte He pounds of honie, and manie horfles, and Imprifoned his men. And this he tooke of the 574 A ~P- P- E''-N D I X. the Princes owne proper goods, and further tooke booties of Bagiers which came to Lyrpoolc with merchandize, and ncuer redeliuered the fame, vntill he had taken To much monie for the fame, as it pleafed him. 10 Item when certeinc men of Geneurglyn had taken certeine goods of fome of their neighbors of Geneurglyn, when they were in the dominion of the prince in Meyreon, the kings men of Lhanbadarn did take awaie the faid goods out of the faid dominion of the Prince: and when the prince his men came thither, and afkcd the caufe why they tooke the faid preie : the kings men killed one of them, and wounded other, and the reft they did imprifon, neither could the prince get anie iuftce for the faid goods to this dale. 11 And where it is conieined in the peace, that all things committed in the Marches, fhould be redreffed in the Marches; yet the kings men would no where heare the princes men, but put themin the caftell of Lhanbadarn : which is aga^nft the peace aforefaid. In -thefe articles and diuers others, the king ftandeth fworne to the prince, and to his people. And although the prince as well by himfelfe as by his people, haue often requefted the king to caufe the faid peace to be kept, yet was it in no point kept, but dailie the kings luftices doo more and more heape iniuries and griefs vpon the people of thofe parts. So that it can not be blamed, if the Prince did aflent to them that firft began the wars, feeing the oih which the lord Robert Typtoft fware for the king, was kept in no point : and cheeflie feeing the prince was forewarned, that he fhould be taken fo foone as the king came to Ruthlan, as he had beene in deede if the king had come thither after Chriftmaffe, as he purpofed. No. IV. & VII. Thefe greefes folowing were done by the King and his Officers, to the Lord Dauid ap Gruffyth. W, HEN the faid Dauid came to the lord Edward then earie of Chefter, and did him homage, the faid lord Edward did giue by his letters patents to the faid Dauid, two Cantreds, Dyffryncluyd, and Ceinmeyrdh, with all the appurte- nances : afterward when he was made king he confirmed the faid gift to the faid Dauid, and gaue him pofTeffion of them. Then afterward Guenlhian Lacy died, who held fome townes in the faid Cantreds for terme of life : which after hir deceafe apperteined to Dauid, by force of the forefaid grant which townes yet the king tooke from him, contrarie to his letters patents. . 2 Item, when the faid Dauid did hold of the lord the king the villages of Hope and Ellon in Wales, of the which he ought to anfwere no man, but accord- APPENDIX. ing to the lawes of Wales, yet the luftice of Chefter caufed the faid Dauid to be called to Chefter, at the fute of one William Vanable an Englifh man : to aniwere for the title of the faid villages. And although the faid Dauid did often and inftantlie defire him the faid luftice not to proceed againft him iniuriouflie in the countie of Chefter, where he was not bound to anfwere by the forme of the peace : yet he plainlie denied him to be iudged either in Wales or after the lawes of Wales. 3 Item, the faid luftice of Chefter to the inlurie of the faid Dauid, did cut downe his wood of Lhyweny, and his woods at Hope, as well by the dwellers of Ruthlan, as others : and yet the faid luftice had no iurifdiftion in thofe parts. And not being contented to get timber there, for building, as well for Ruthlan as other places in the countrie, but alfo dellroied the faid woods, fold it, and carried it into Ireland, 4 Item, where the faid Dauid tooke certeine outlawes and rouers in the woods, and caufed them to be hanged : yet the faid luftice accufed Dauid to the king, for fuccoring and mainteining the theeues aforefaid : which was not like to be true feeing he caufed them to be hanged. 5 Item, it is prouided in the peace, that all Welftimen in their caufes ihould be iudged after the lawes of Wales. This was in no point obferued with the faid Dauid and his people. Of thefe forefaid greefs the faid Dauid required often amends, either according to the lawes and cuftomes of Wales, or of fpeciall fauour : but he could neuer obteine anie of them both at his hands. Further, the faid Dauid was warned in the kings court, that aflbone as Reginald Gray fhould come from the court, the faid Dauid (hould be taken and fpoiled of his caftell of Hope, his woods fhould be cut downe, and his children taken for pledges : who feeing he had taken much paines and peril! for the king in all his warres as well himfelfe as his people, both in England and in Wales, and had loft therebie the moft part of the nobilitie of his countrie, and yet neuerthelefle could obteine neither iuftice, amends, nor fauour at his hands, hauing fuch great wrongs oiFred vnto him, and fearing his owne life and his childrens, or elfe perpetuall prifon, being enforced, as it were againft his will, began to defend himfelfe and his people. No. V. Articles Jent from the Archbijhop of Canturburie, to be intimated to Lhewelytiy Prince of IValeSt and the People of the fame Countrie. XjE CAUSE we came to thofe parts for the fpirituall and tempcrall health of ihem whom we haue euer loued well, as diuers of them haue knownc. z That 575 576 APPENDIX. 2 That we come contrarie to ihe will of our Lord the king, whom our faid comming (as it is faid) dooth much offend. 3 That we defire and befeech them, for the bloud of our lord lefus Chrift, that they would come to an vnitie with the Englifh people, and to the peace of our lord the king, which we intend to procure them fo well as we can. 4 We will them to vnderftand, that we cannot long tarrie in thefe quarters. 5 We would they confidered, that after our parting out of the countrie, they fliall not perhaps find anie that will fo tender the preferring of their caufe, as we would doo, if it pleafed God (with our mortall life) we might procure them an honelt, ftable and firme peace. 6 That if they doo contemne our petition and labour, we intend foorthwith to fignifie their ftubbernes to the high bi(hop, and the court of Rome : for the enormitie that manie waies hapneth by occafion of this difcord this daie. 7 Let them know, that vnlefle they doo quicklie agree to a peace, that warre Ihall be aggrauated againft them, which they fliall not be able to fuftaine, for the kings power increafeth dailie. The greater 8 Let them vnderftand that the realme of England is vnder the fpeciall pro- caufe the more teftion of the fea of Rome : that the fea of Rome loueth it better than anie other loue. , . J kingdome. 9 That the faid fea of Rome will not in anie wife fee the ftate of the realme of England quaile, being vnder fpeciall proteftion. 10 That we much lament to heare that the Wellhmen be more cruell then Satacens : for Saracens, when they take chriftians they keepe them to be re- deemed for monie. But (they faie) that the Wellhmen by and by doo kill all that they take, and are onelie delighted with blood, and fometime caufe to be killed them whofe ranfome they haue receiued. 11 That whereas they were euer woont to be efteemed, and to reuerence God and Ecclefiafticall perfons, they feeme much to reuolt from that deuotion : moo- u:ng fedition and warre, and committing flaughter, and burning in the holie time. Which is great iniurie to God, wherein no man can excufe them. 12 We defire, that as true chriftians they would repent, for they cannot long continue their begun difcord, if they had fworne it. 13 We will that they fignifie vnto vs, how they will or can amend the trouble of the kings peace, and the hurt of the common wealth. 14 That they fignifie vnto vs how peace and concord may be eftabliftied : for in vaine were it to forme peace, to be dailie violated. 15 If they faie that their lawes or couenants be not obferued, that they doo fienifie vnto vs which thofe be. *■ 16 That APPENDIX. i6 That graniing it that they were iniured, as they faie, (wliich wc no waies doo know) they which were Judges in the caufe might fo haue fignified to the kings majeftie. 17 That vnlefTe they will now come to peace, they fhall be refifted by decree and cenfure of the church, befides warre of the people. No. VI. To the moft reuerend Father in Chrift, the Lord lohn ly Gods grace Archbijhop of Canturburiey Primate of all England, his Humble and deuout Sonne Lhewelyn Prince of Wales and Lord of Snowdon fendeth Greeting. VV IT H all reuerend fubmiflion and honor we yeeld our moft humble and hartie thanks vnto your fatherhood, for the great and greeuous paines which at this prefenc for the loue of vs and our nation you haue fuftained : and fo much the more we are beholden vnto you, for that befides the kings pleafure you would venture to come vnto vs. In that you requeft vs to come to the kings peace, we would haue your holinefle to know that we are moft readie and willing to the fame, fo that our lord the king will duelie and trulie obferue and keepe the peace towards vs and ours. Moreouer, although we would be glad of your continuance in Wales, yet we hope there ihall not be any delaie in vs but that peace (which of all things we moft defire and wifti for) may be forthwith eftabliftied, and rather by your trauell and procurement than by any other mans : fo that it fliall not be needefull to complaine vnto the Pope of our wilfulnes : neither do we defpile your fatherhoods requefts and painefull trauell, but with all hartie reuerence according to our dutie do accept the fame. Neither yet ftiall it be needefull for the lord the king to vfe anie force againft vs, feeing we are redie to obeie him in all things, our rights and lawes (as aforefaid) referued. And although the kingdome of England be vnder the fpeciall proteftion of the fea of Rome, and with fpeciall loue regarded of the fame : yet, when the lord the Pope and the court of Rome Ihall vnderftand of the great damages which are done vnto vs by the Englilhmen, to wit, the articles of the peace concluded and fworne vnto, .violated and broken, the robbing and burning of churches, the murthering of ecclefiatticall perfons, as well religious as fecular; the (laughter of women great with child, and children fucking their mothers breih : the deftroieng of hofpitals, and houfes of religion, killing the men and women profeffed in the liolie places, and euen before the alters : we hope that your fatherhood, and the faid court of Rome will rather with pittie lament our cafe, than with rigour of punilhment augment our forow. Neither ihall the kingdome of England be in anie wife difquieted or molefted by 4 E our 57? 578 APPENDIX. our meancf (as is affirmed) fo that we may haue the peace dulie kept and obferued towards vs and our people. Who they be, which are delitcd with bloodfhed and warre, is manifelUie apparant by their deedes and behauiour : for we would Hue quietlie vpon our owne if we might be fufFered, but the Englifhmen comming to our countrie did put alL to the fword, neither fparing fex, age or ixcknefle, nor any thing regarding churches or facred places, the like whereof the Welfhmen neuer committed. That one hauing paid his ranfome was afterward ftaine, wee are right forie to heare of it, neither do we maintaine the offender, who efcaping our hands keepeth himfelfe as an outlaw in the woods and vnknown places. That fome beo-an the warre in a time not meete and conuenient, that vnderftood not we of vntill now : and yet they which did the fame do affirme, that in cafe they had not done as they did at that time, they had beene flaine or takne therafelues, being not in fafetie in their owne houfes, and forced continuallie for fafegard of their Hues to keepe themfelues in armour : and therefore to deliuer themfelues from that feare, they tooke that enterprife in hand. Concerning thofe things which we commit againft God: with the affiilance of his grace, we will (as it becommeth Chriftians) repent and turne vnto him. Neither Ihall the war on our part be continued, fo that we be faued harmlefle and may Hue as we ought: but before we be difinherited or flaine we mull defend our felues as well as we may. Of all iniuries and wrongs done by vs, we are moil willing and readie (vpon due examination and triall of all trefpafl'es and wrongs committed on both fides) to make amends to the vttermoll of our power : fo that the Hke on the king^ fide be performed in like manner towards vs and our people : and to conclude and ilablifh a peace we are moll readie : but what peace can be ellabliflied when as the kings charter fo folemnlie confirmed, is not kept and per- formed ? Our people are dailie opprefled with new exadlions : we fend vnto you alfo a note in writing of the wrongs and iniuries which are done vnto vs contrarie to the forme of the peace before made. We haue put our felues in armour, being driuen therevnto by neceiTitie : for we and our people were fo oppreffed, troden vnder foote, fpoiled, and brought to flauerie by the kings officers, contrarie to the forme of the peace concluded againft iuftice, none otherwife than if we were Saracens orlewes: whereof we haue often times complained vnto the king and neuer could get anie redreffe : but alwaies thofe officers were afterwards more fierce and cruell againft vs. And when thofe officers through their rauine and extortion were enriched, other more hungrie than they were fent a frefti to flea thofe whom the other had (home before : fo that the people {vifhed rather to die than Hue in fuch oppreffion. And now it ihall not be needeful to leuie anie armie to war vpon vs, or to moue the pjrelats of the church againft vs, fo that the peace may be ob- ferued duelie and trulie, as before is expreffed. Neither ought your holie father- hood to giue credit to all that our aducrfaries do allege againft v,^ : for euen as in their deeds they haue and do opprefie vs, fo in their words they will not fticke to llander vs, laieng to our charge what llketh them beft. Therefore, for afmuch as they APPENDIX. they are alwaies prefent with you, and we abfent from you, they opprefliiig, and we oppreffed, we are to defire you euen for his fake from whom nothing is hid, rot to credit mens words but to examine their deeds. Thus we bid your holiaes farewell. Dated at Garth Celyn, in the feaft of S. Martine. No. VIII. Greefs and Iniuries offered by the King and his Officers to the Men ofRos. X HIS is the forme of peace, which the king of England did promife the men of Ros before they did him homage, which he promifed them to obferue inuiolablie. That is to faie, the king fhould grant to euerie of them their right and iurif- di£lion, as they had in time of king Henrie, according as the faid men doo report that they had in the time of king Henrie. 2 Item the lord the king did promife the faid men, that they (hould hauc iuftice in their futes : after granting of the which articles, the faid men did homage to the king. And then the king promifed them with his owno mouth faithfullie to obferue the faid articles. This notwithflanding, a certeine noble man pafling by the kings hie waie, with his wife in the kings peace, met ceiteine Englifh laborers and Mafons going to Ruthlan where they did tlien worke : who attempted by force to take awaie his wife from him, and while he defended hir as well as he could, one of them killed the wife, and he who killed hir with his fellowes were taken : and when the kinred of hir which was flaine required lawe at the Jullice of Chefters hands (for their kinfwoman) they were put in prifon, and the murtherers were deliuered. 3 Item, a certeine man killed a Gentleman who had killed the fonne of Grono ap Heilyn and was taken : but when certeine of the kinred required iuftice before the Juftice of Cheller, certeine of them were imprifoned, the offender fet at libertie, and iuftice denied to the kinred. 4 Item, certeine Gentleman claimed fome lands, and offered the king a great peece of monie, to haue iuftice by the verdift of good and lawfull men of the countrie (then the lands being adiudged to the claimers) Reginald Gray tooke the fame lands, corne, goods, and all vpon the ground, fo that they loft their lands, monie, corne and cattell. 5 Item, it is our right that no ftranger ftiould cut our woods without our leaue: yet this notwithftanding there was a proclamation at Ruthlan, that it ftiould be lawfull for all other men to cut downs our woods, but to vs it was forbidden, 6 Item, where diuerfe honeft men had lands of the gift of the faid Dauid, the Juftice taketh the faid mens lands awaie. 4 E 2 7 Item. 579 580 APPENDIX. 7 Item, when anie commeth to Ruthlan with merchandize, if he refufe whatfoeuer anie Engli(h man ofFereth, he is forthwith fent to the caflell to prifon, and the buier hath the thing, and the king hath the piice : then the foldiours of the caftell firft fpoile and beatc the partie, and then caufe him to pay the porter, and let him go. 8 Item, if anie 'Welflimen buie anie thing in Ruthlan, and anie Englifh man doo meet him, he will take it from him, and giue him lefle than he paid for it. 9 Item, the king contrarie to his promife made to the men of Ros, hath giuen the territorie of Maynan, Penmayn and Lhyfuayn, 10 Item, Ccrteine Gentlemen of the Cantred of Ros bought certeine offices, and paid their monie for the fame: yet the luftice of Chefter tooke the faid offices from them without caufe. See this Art!- u Item, Grono ap Heilyn tooke to farme of Godfrey Marliney, the terri- cle againe to^je pf iVTaynan and Lhyfuayn, for the terme of foure yeares : yet Robert de pages 5. Cruquer with horfes and armes and foure and twentie horffemen, came to vexe the faid Grono, fo that he had. no fafe going, neither to Ruthlan nor Cheller, without a great garrifon of his kindred and freends. 12 Item, certeine Gentlemen were arretted for trefpafles doone before the warres and imprifoned, and could not be deliuered vntill they had paied xvi. markes, which was contrarie to the peace concluded. 13 Item, our caufes ought to be decided after the cuftome of our lawes ; but our men be compelled to fweare againft their confciences, elfe they be not fuf- fered to fweare: furthermore we fpent three hundreth markes in going to the king for iuflice in the forefaid articles. And when we beleeued to recouer full iulHce, the king fent to our parties the lord Reginald Gray, to whom the king hath fet all the lands to farme, to handle the men of the faid Cantreds as it pleafeth him : who compelled vs to * fweare in his name, whereas we fhould fweare in the kings name. And where the kings crofle ought to be erefted, he caufed his crofle to be erefted, in token that he is the verie true lord : and the faid lord Reginald at his firft comming to thofe parts of Wales, fold to certeine feruants of the king, offices for Ix. markes, which the faid feruants bought before of the king for xxiiij. markes : which offices ought not to be fold at the choife of the lord. 14 Item, the king gaue Meredyth ap Madoc a captainefhip for his feruice, Reginald Gray tooke it from him : neither could he get anie remedie at the kings hands for the fame. • To fvreare hy his hand whereas we fljould fweare by the hand of the king. 15 Item, APPENDIX. 581 15 Item, one of the councell of the faid Reginald, Cynwric Vadhan told vs by mouth, that as foone as the faid Reginald Gray returned to Wales he would take xxiiij. men of everie Cantered, and either behead them or imprifon them perpetnallie. 16 Item, whereas we paid our taxes and rents in old monie halfe a yeare before the commingof new monie, they inforced vs to paie new monie for the old. These greefes and the like, the faid Reginald offered vs, and threatned that if we would fend anie to the king to complaine he would behead them : and when we fent anie to the king, he could neuer fpeake with the king, but fpent vs much monie in vaine. For which greefes we beleeue our felaes free before God, from the oth which we haue made to the king. No. IX. 'Theje Greefes folowing, the King and his luftices offered to Rees Vachan of Stratywy. XjLfTER that the faid Rees gaue the king his caftell of Dyneuowr, fithence the laft peace, the faid Rees then being in the tent of the lord Payne de Gaderfey, at the fame time there were flaine fixe Gentlemen of the faid Reefes men, for whom they neuer had amends, which was to him great greefe and lolTe. 2 Item, lohn Giffbrd claimed the faid Reefes inheritance at Hiruryn, and the faid Rees reqnefted the lawe of his countrie of the king, or the lawe of the countie of Caermardhen, in the which countie the anceftors of the faid Rees were woont to haue lawe : when they were of the peace of the Engliftimen, and vnder their regiment : but the faid Rees could haue no lawe, but loft all his lands. They would haue had him to anfwer in the countie of Hereford, where none of his anceftors euer anfwered. Further in the lands of the faid Rees were fuch enormities committed, which doo moft apperteine to the ftate ecclefiafticall : that is to faie in the church of S. Dauid, which they call Lhangadoc, they made ftables, and plaid the harlots, and tooke awaie all the goods of the faid church, and burning all the houfes, wounded the preell of the faid church before the high altar, and left him there as dead. 3 Item, in the fame countrie they fpoiled and burnt the churches of Dyngad, LhantredafF, and other churches in other parts : they fpoiled their chalices, books, and all other ornaments and goods. Ko. X. J8.2 APPENDIX. No. X. theje be the Grtefes which the King and his lujlice gaue to Lhewelyn ap Rees and Howel ap Rees. xA.FTER that a forme of peace was concluded betwixt Henrie then king of England, and the prince of Wales, the faid king granted and confirmed by his charter to the faid Prince the homage of the faid noble men, fo long as they flood freends with the prince, according to the faid gift and confirmation : but Edward now king difherited the faid Gcntelmen of their lands, fo that they could not haue their owne lands, neither by law nor by fauour. No. XL Thefe be the Greefes doone by the Englijhinen, to the Sonnes of Meredyth ap Owen. Xi.FTER that the king had granted the Gentlemen their cwne inheritance of Geneurglyn and Creuthyn, he contrarie to the peace difherited the faid Gentelmen: denieng them all lawes and cuftomes of Wales, and of the counlie of Caermardhyn. 2 The faid king in his countie of Caerdigan by his faid Indices compelled the faid Gentelmen to give iudgement vpon themfelues : where their predecefTors neuer fuifered the like of Englifhmen. 3 The faid luftices of the king haue taken awaie the courtes of the noblemen in Wales, and compelled the people to fatisfie before them for trefpaiTes : when as they ought to haue fatisfied by the faid nobles. 4 When a wrecke hapneth vpon anie of the grounds of the noble men, whofe anceftors had wrecke, they Ihould haue- the fame: yet the king forbiddeth them, and the faid king by color of that ftiipwrecke contrarie to their cuftome and law did condemne them in eight markes, and tooke away all the goods of the ftiipwrecke. 5 That none of our men of the countie of Caerdigan dare come amongll the Engliftimen, for feare of imprifonment : and if it had not bcene for feare of hurt, the nobles would neuer haue Itirred. No. XII. APPENDIX. 583 No. XII. I'he complaints of the voble Men of Stratalyn, of the Wrongs and Greefes doone to them, by Roger Clifford, and Roger Scrochill Deputie to the f aid Roger Clifford : contrarie to the Priuilege, lujlice and Cujiome of the f aid noble Men, as theyfaie and prooue. VV HEN the faid Rogers compelled the faid men of Stratalyn to glue them (to haue their cuftomes and priuileges) twentie marks ftarling, and after the paiement of the monie, they brake by and by after this fort, to put vpon twelue men according to the lawes of England, which was neuer the manner nor cuftome of the faid countrie. 2 Item, Madoc ap Blethyn was condemned in foure markes vniuftlie, contrarie to the lawes and vfe of the countrie. 3 Item, Grono Goch was likewife condemned in fiue marks and twelue beafts, contrarie to the cuftome of the countrie. 4. Item, the faid Rogers tooke the lands of the men of the countrie as for- feit : and for one foote of a ftag found in a dogs mouth, three men were fpoiled of all that they had. 5 Item, Ithel ap Gwyfty was condemned in a great fum of monie, fbr the faft of his father done fourtie yeares before. 6 Item, the faid Rogers laid vpon vs the finding of all the Englilh foldiours, whereof before there was but one halfe. 7 Item, we were giuen to maifter Maurice de Crufly, and were fold to Roger Clifford : which was neuer feene in our parents time, 8 Item, the widow of Robert of the Mowld afked of the king the third part of the land in the Mowld in ward : whereas it was iudged before the king, that the faid lands were neuer giuen in ward. No. XIII. 'Thefe be the Articles of Greefes doone to the Men of Penlhyn, by the Conjlable of Henrie Chambers of the white Abbie, and his Men. VjYNWRIC ap madoc was fpoiled by them in time of peace, of eight pound, foure oxen, come the worke of one plough for two yeares, and to the value of three pound, of three of his men, and they had the worth of xvi. pound for the faid eight pound, and did beate him befides : which was more wrong, for then he was the princes conftable at Penlhyn. And all the caufe that thev 584 APPENDIX. they pretended to make this fpoile, was onelie th:it they faid they had found foure and twentie iheafes of tyth in the houfe of a feruant of the faid Cynwric. a Item, Adam Criwr was condemned in eight (hillings eight pence, and a mars, price twentie Ihillings, and was taken and beaten, for that he had taken the ftealer of that mare, and brought him bound with him, the which theefe was forthwith deliuered. 3 Item, lorwerth ap Gurgeneu was condemned in foure pound, for that he had fcaped out of their prifon in time of the warres, and was found in the faid towne in the time of peace, and this is direftlie againft the peace concluded betwixt the king and the Prince. 4 Item, Caduan Dhu feruant to the conftable of Penlhyn was condemned, bicaufe he would not receiue the old monie for new. 5 Item, Gruffyth ap Grono the Princes man was fpoiled of an oxe, price eleuen (hillings eight pence, and after that the conftable had plowed with the faid oxe feuen monthcs, he paid to the faid Gruffyth for the faid oxe, three fliillings foure pence. 6 Item, two feruants of one named Y Bongam were fpoiled of two pounds, for that they tooke a theefe that robbed them by night, and yet the theefe was deliuered. 7 Item, Eneon ap Ithel was taken, beaten, and fpoiled of two oxen, price foure and twentie fhillings and two pence, for this caufe onelie, that the faid oxen went from one llreete to an other in the towne. 8 Item, Guyan Mayftran was fpoiled of his monie, becaufe a certeine merchant of Ardudwy owed them certeine things, and yet the faid merchant was not of their bailivvicke. No. XIV. The Greefes of Grono ap Heilyn. A TENANT of Grono ap Hciiyn was called to the kings court without anie caufe: then Grono came at the daie appointed to defend his tenant, and demanded iuftice for him, or the law which the men of his countrie did vfe : all this being denied, the faid tenant was condemned in feuen and twentie pound, i. d. ob. Then the faid Grono went to London for iuftice, which was promifed him, but he could neuer haue anie, where he fpent in his iournie fifteene markes. 2 A CERTEINE Gentleman was flaine, who had foftered the fonne of Grono ap Heilyn, and he that killed him was taken and brought to Ruthlan cafleii : then tlie fiiid Grono and the kindred of him tliat wr.s flaine afked iuftice, but fome APPENDIX, 585 fome of them were imprifoned, and the killer difcharged. Then Grono went againe to London for iuftice which tlie king did promife him, but lie neuer had anie, but fpent twentie markes. 3 The third time Grono was faine to go to London for iuftice in the premilTes : where he fpent xviij. markes, vj.s. viij. d. And then likewife the ki; j promifed him that he fliould haue iuftice; but when he certeinelie beleeued to haue iultice, then Reginald Gray came to the countrie and fald openlie, that he had all do- ings in that countrie by the kings charters : and tooke away all Bailiwicks, which the king had giuen the faid Grono and fold them at his pleafure : then the faid Grono aflced iuftice of the faid Reginald, but he could not ba heard. 4 The faid Grono tooke to farme for foure yeares of Godfrey Marliney, Maynan and Lhysfayn, then Robert Cruquer came with his horffes, and armet to get the faid lands by force, and for that Grono would not fuffer him to haue' the faid lands before his yeares came out, he was called to the law, and then the faid Reginald Gray came with xxiiij. horffemen, to take the faid Grono. And for that they could not that daie haue their purpofe, they called Grono the next daie to Ruthlan : and then Grono had counfell not to go to Ruthlan. Then they called him againe to anfwere at Caerwys, but the faid Grono durft not go thither, but by the conduft of the biftiop of S. Afaph, for that Reginald Gray was there and his men in harnefie. 5 For thefe greefes for the which he could get no iuftice, but labour and expenfes, of liiij. markes and more, and for that he durft not in his owne perfon go to the court, he fent letters, one to the king, an other to his brother Lhewelyn, to fignifie to the king that he fhould loofe all the fauour of the countrie, if he kept no promife with them, and fo it came to pafle, becaufe the men of Ros and Englefild could get no iuftice, the king neglecting the correftion of thefe things, loft the whole countrie. No. XV. Hwuublie Jheweth to your Holines, Lord Jrchbijhop of Cantiirbiirie, Pri- mate of all England^ thi noble Men of Tegengl : that when the faid noble Men did their Homage to the Lord Edward, King of England, the faid King promifed them to defend them and their Goods ; and that they fhould vfe all Kind of Right, Priuilege, and lurifdiSfioti, which they did i>fe in 'Time of King Henrie, of the Gramt of the faid King, whereof they were after fpoiled. F„ [RST they were fpoiled of their right and priuileges and cuftomes of the countrie : and were compelled to be iudged by the lawes of England, whereas 4 F the 586 APPENDIX. the tenor of that their priuilege was to be iudged according to thelawes of Wales at Tref Edwyn, at Ruthlan, and at Caeiwys, and the beft men of the countrie were taken, bicaufe they defired to be iudged at Tref Edwyn, according to the tenor of their priuilcges, by the lawes of Wales. 2 Whatsoeuer one luftice dooth, his fucceffbr dooth reuerfe the fame : for in Dauids caufe Reginald Gray reuoked that, which his predeceiTor confirmed and allowed. 3 If he doo take anie Gentleman of the countrie, he will not let him go vpon fuertie, which he ought to doo. 4 If anie Gentleman be brought to the cailell of the Flynt, vpon fmall accufation, and his cattell withall ; they can neither be deliuered, nor haue delaie, vntill they giue the conftable an oxe, and vntill they paie three pound fees to Cynwric for the hauing of the delaie, 5 Reginald Gray gaue the lands of the men of Merton to the Abbot and couent of Bafingwerke, againft the lawes of Wales and the cuftomc of the countrie, and contrarie to the forme of the peace betwixt prince Lhewelyn and the king ; that is to faie, xvi. Caratatas terrx. 6 The noble and beft of the countrie be iniured for that the king builded the caftell of Flynt vpon their ground: and the king commanded the luflices to giue the men as much and as good ground or the price. But they are fpoiled of their lands, and haue neither other lands nor monie. 7 Reginald Gray will not fufFer men to cut their owne wood, vntill he haue both monie and reward, and vntill they paie for it alfo ; but permitteth others to cut it downe freelie, which they ought not to doo by the lawes and cuftoraes of Wales. 8 Where the men of Cyrchynan couenant with the king to giue the king halfe a medow, of condition the king fliould not fuffer the woods to be cut downe, Howel ap GrutFyth being prefent : yet Reginald Gray hath broken the fame, permitting euerie man to cut their woods, and fpoile them alfo of their medowe. 9 The fonne of Cynwric ap Grono was taken at Ruthlan, and put in prifon without anie caufe at all : neither would the kings officers deliuer him, vnlefTe he would redeeme the gage of a cerieine woman, for the which he was conftrained to paie much more than the pawne laie for. 10 When the bailiffe of Ruthlan was at a feaft, Hicken le Maile wounded a Gentleman cruellie in the prefence of the faid bailifFe : by the occafion of which wound, Hicken was condemned in eight pound, and when he which was hurt would haue demanded the faid eight pound, he was put in prifon with Hicken. 11 The meffengers of Reginald Gray attempted an abfurditie not heard of, re- quiring the people of the countrie to plow his ground, and fowe the fame: and the meflengers were Cynwric Says and Hicken Lemayl, and the faid Cynwric fware APPENDIX. r!57 J I fware openlie before the whole compnnie, that vnleffe all men ftiould plow Regi- nald Grayes ground, they fhould (liortlic repent it : then the people feared much, as in that cafe anie conllant man would feare. 12 The heires of Tegengl bought their offices for xxx. markes of the king. But afterward Reginald Gray fpoiled them of their offices and monie, againft the lawes and cullomes of England. 13 Seauen Gentlemen were wrongfullie killed by the Engjilhmen, but as yet the parents of the Gentlemen can haue no amends : and though the offenders were taken, yet the faid conftable let them go without punilhment. 14 The conftable of Ruthlan kept two of the kings foldiours in prifon, for that they tooke an EngliQiman, who had wounded a man. All thefe things conteined in thefe articles are contrarie to the priuilege, libcrtie and right of the faid men, and contrarie to the lawes and cultomes of Wales: neither dare the inhabitants fend their complaints to the king for feare of Reginald Gray (which feare anie conftant man might haue) becaufe the faid Reginald Gray faid openlie, that if he could come by anie foch their m'elTengers, he would cut off their heads, as it is certeinelie told vs by one of his counfell : further neither toong can expreffe, nor penne can write, how euill the men of Tegengl haue beene ordered. HuMBLiE complaineth vnto your lordlhip, my lord Archbifhop of Canturburie Lhewclyn aji Primate of all England, Lhewelyn ap Gruffyth ap Madoc, of the conftable Gruffyth ap of Ofwaldes Crofle, the king and of the men of that towne, who haue fpoiled the Madoc. faid Lhewelyn of the third part of a towne called Lhedrot, and his fathers houfe without anie law, or right, or cuftome of the countrie. Further the faid Conftable and his complices haue againft the lawes and the cuftome of the countrie fpoiled the faid Lhewelyn of the common and pafturage, which he and his predeceffors haue had and vfed time out of mind : and further condemned the faid Lhewelyn for the faid pafture in Ixx. markes. And further the king of England granted certeine letters to a baftard called Gruffyth Vaehan of Cynlhacth, to law with the faid Lhewelyn for his whole lordlhip and poffeffions ; by the occafion of the which letters, the faid Lhewelyn hath fpcHt two hundreth pound of good monie. Also the faid Conftable compelled the faid Lhewelyn to fend two of his Gentlemen to him, whom when they came to him he caufed to be hanged, which Gentlemen ought not by right to haue beene hanged, whofe parents had rather haue giuen him three hundreth pounds. Afterward the faid Conftable imprifoned threefcore of the men of the faid Lhewelyn (no caufe alledged) but that a certeine Page fpake a word : who could not be deliuered out of prifon, vntill euerie of them paid ten ftiilling.<:. 4 F 2 When s88 APPENDIX. Cotijcicjitia de Jalutt fepuli, a. Decorum, When the men of the faid Lhewelyn came to the faid tovvne to fell their oxen, the faid Conftable would caufe the beafls to be driuen to the caftell : neither would he reftore the beaftes nor monie for them. Farther, the faid Conftable and his men tooke awaie the cattell of the faid Lhewelyn from his owne ground, and did their will with them. Further the kings luftices compelled the faid Lhewelyn, contrarie to the law and cuftome of Wales, to deliuer to the fonnes of Eneon ap GruiFyth, a certeine towne which both he and his anceftors euer had held. The faid Confta- ble tooke the hoifle of Lhewelyns Bailiff; when the faid Bailiff owed him nothing, who could neuer get his horfle againe, nor anie fatisfadlion for it. Furthermore when the faid Lhewelyn fhould haue gone to a towne called Caerlheon to appeare there as he was appointed, the fonnes of Gruffyth ap Gwenwynwyn, and the foldiours of Roger Strainge, by the counfell of the faid Roger, tooke the faid Lhewelyn and his men, and imprifoned them, to their great damage ; which the faid Lhewelyn would not for 300. pound ftarling, who could by no meanes be deliuered, vntill they had found fufficient fuerties. The Archbifhop receiuing thefe and other articles, came to the king, and requefted him to confider thefe wrongs, and to caufe amends to be made, or at the leaft excufe the Welfhmen hauing fo iuft caufe of greefe. Who anfwered that the Welftimen were to be excufed : yet he Aiid he was euer readie to doo iuftice to all them that complained. Wherevpon the Archbiihop hefought the king againe, that the Welfhmen might haue free accelTe to his Grace to declare their gteefes, and to feeke remedie; the king anfwered they fhould freelie come and depart, if it ftiould feeme that by iuftice they deferued to depart. The Archbifhop hearing this, went and came to the Prince of Wales in Snowdon, that he might mooue him and his brother Dauid, and the other conv- panie to fubmit themfelues : whereby he might incline the king to admit them. Which after much talke and conference with the Archbiihop, the Prince an- fwered that he was readie to fubmit himfelfe to the king, referuing two things : that is to fay, his confcience, which he ought to haue for the rule and fafegard of his people : and alfo the decencie of his ftate and calling. Which anfvvere the Archbifhop brought, and reported to the king. At the which the king faid, that he would not anie other treatie of peace, than that the Prince and his people Ihould iimplie fubmit themfelues. But the Archbifliop (knowing well that the Welflimen would not fubmit themfelues but in the forme aforefaid, or in other forme to them tollerable and of them liked) requefted the king, that he might haue conference in this matter with all the noble Englifhmen then prefent : who after fuch conference agreed all to thefe articles following. The which articles the Archbiihop did fend in writing to the Prince, by lohn Wallenfis. No. XVI. APPENDIX. 589 No. XVI. 'Thefe are to be /aid to the Prince before his Comcell. J/ IRST that of the foure Cantreds and the lands by the king giuen to his no- bles, and the Ifle of Anglefey, he will haue no treatie of. 2 Item, of the tenants of the foure Cantreds if they will fubmit themfelues, he purpofeth to doo as becommeth a kings majeftie : and we verelie beleeue he will deale with them mercifuHie, and to that end we will labour and truft to obtaine. 3 As touching the lord Lhewelyn we can haue none other anfwcr, but that he fliall fubmit himfelfe fimplie to the king : and we beleeue certeinlie he will deale mercifullie with him, and to that end we trauell all we can, and verilie beleeue to be heard. No. XVII. Theje following are to be /aid to the Prince in Secret. Ml IRST, that the nobilitie of England haue conceiued this forme of fauorable peace, that the lord Lhewelyn Ihould fubmit himfelfe to the king : and the king fhould honorablie prouide for him a thoufand pound ftarling, and fome honorable countie in England. So that the faid Lhewelyn would put the the king in quiet poffeffion of Snowdon: and the king will prouide honorablie for the daughter of Lhewelyn, according to the ftate and condecencie of his owne bloud, and to thefe they hope to perfuade the king. 2 Item, if it happen that Lhewelyn marrie a wife, and to haue by hir anie heire male, they trult to inireate the king, that the fame heire male and his heires for euer fhall haue the fame thoufand pound and countie. 3 Item, to the people fubieft to the faid Lhewelyn the king will prouide, as becommeth their eftates and condition, and to that the king is well inclined. No. XVIII. Theje are to he faid to Dauid Brother to Lhewelyn in Secret. j7 IRST, that if for the honor of God (luxta debitum crucis affumpis) he will go to the holie land, he Ihall be prouided for according to his degree ; fo that he doo not returne, vnleffe he be called by the king : and we truft to entreat the king, to prouide for his child. 590 APPENDIX. 2 And thefe things we tell our felues to the Welflimen, that a great deale greater pcrill dooth hang oucr them, than we told them by mouth when we were with them ; thefe things which we write fecme greeuous, but it is a great deale more greeuous to be opprefled with armes, and finallie to be rooted out, bicaufe euerie daie more and moie their danger dooth increafe. 3 Item, it is more hard to be alwaies in warre, in anguifh of mind, and dangei of bodie, alwaies fought and befieged, and fo to die in deadlie finne, and continuall rancor and malice. 4 Item, we feare (whereof we be forie) vnlefle you doo agree to peace, we moll certcinlie will aggrauate the fentence Ecclefiafticall againft you for your faults : of the which you can not excufe your felues, whereas yee (hall find both grace and mercie, if you will come to peace. And fend vs your anfwer of thefe in writing. No. XIX. To the moft reuerend Father in Chrijl, the Lord lohn by Gods Grace Archbifiop of Canturburie, and Primate of all England, his obedient Sonne Lhewelyn Prince of Wales and Lord of Snowdon Jendeth greeting. M, .OST hartily with all reuerence and honor we are content and readie holie father as you haue counfelled vs, to fubmit our felues vnto the kings Grace, fo it be in that forme that fhall be fafe and honeft for vs : but becaufe that foime of fubmiffion conteined in the articles which were fent vnto vs, is neither fafe, nor honeft, as we and our councell do thinke (at the which articles all men do maruell :) tending rather to the dertruflion of vs and our people, than anie fecuiitle and honeft dealing, we may in no wife yeeld our affent vnto it, and if we Ihould fo doo, our nobles and people would not agree to the fame, knowing the mifcheefe and inconuenience that is like to enfue thereof. Neuerthelefle, we befeech your holie fatherhood, that for the reformation of a decent, honeft and firme peace (for the which you haue taken fo great paines) you doo circum- fpcftlie prouide, hauing refpeft vnto the articles which we fend vnto you in wri- ting. It is more honorable for the king, and more agreeable to reafon that we ftiould hold our lands in the counlrie where wee dwell, than that wee Ihould be difinherited, and our lands giuen to other men. Dated at Garth Celyn. No. XX. 1 APPENDIX. 591 No. XX. The Anjwers of the Weljhmert. J^IRST, though the lord the king will haue no treatie of the foure Cantreda the lands t^at he gaue his noblej, nor the Iflc of Anglefey : yet the Princes councell will no peace to be made, vnleffe treatie be had of them. For that the foure Cantreds be of the more tenure of the Prince, where alwaies the Princes of Wales had more right, fince the time of Camber the fonne of Brutus : fo that they be of the principalitie of Wales. The confirmation of the which the Prince obtained by Otobonus the Popes legate in England, by the confent of the king and his father : as it doth appeare by the letters patents. And more iuft and cquall it is, that our heires doo hold the faid Cantreds of the king for monie and vfed feruice, than the fame to be giuen to llrangers, which abufe the people by force and power. 2 All the tenants of all the Cantreds of Wales altogither doo faie, that they dare not fubmit themfelues to the king, to doo his pleafure. Firft, for that the king kept neither couenant, nor oth, nor grant by charter from the beginning, to the Prince or his people. Secondlie, for that the kings men doo cruellie exer- cife tyrannie towards the Church and Churchmen. Thirdlie, that they be not bound to anie fuch matter, feeing they be the Princes tenants : who is rcadie to doo vfed and accuftomed feruice, and to obey the king, with and by the faid feruice. 3 To that which is faid, that the Prince (hould fimplie commit himfelfe to the kings will, it is anfwered, that none of vs all dare come to the king, for the caufes aforefaid, we altogither will not fufter our Prince to come in that maner. 4 Item, where the great men of England would procure a prouifion of a thou- fand pounds a yeare in England : let it be anfwered, that fuch prouifion is not to be accepted, for that it is procured by them, who go about to diiinherit the Prince to haue his lands in Wales. 5 Item, the Prince ought not to difmifle his inheritance, and his predeceffors in Wales, fince the time of Brutus, and confirmed by the fea apoilolike, as is aforefaid, and to take lands in tngland, where he knoweth neither toong, ma- ners, lawes nor cuftoms, whtrcin he (hall be foone trapped by his neighbours the Englifhmen, his old malicious enimies, wherby he fhould lofe the land too.' 6 Item, feeing the king goeth .ibout todepriue him of his ancient inheritance, it is not like that he would fuffer him to poffefle lands in England, where he claimeth no right ; feeing that the princes lands in Wales of his owne inheritance is but barren and vniilled, it is lelTe like the king would fuifer him to enioie good fertile ground in England. 7 Ite.m, 592 APPENDIX. 7 Item, ihe Prince fhould glue the king poflcfiion of Snowdon for euer. Let it be anfwered, that feeing that Snowdon is of the appurtenances of the princi- palitie of Wales, which the Prince and his predeceflbrs held fince the time of Brute (as it is before faid) his councell will not fuffer him to renounce that place, and to take in England a place leffe due vnto him. 8 Item, the people of Snowdon doo faie, that although the Prince would giue the king poflefllon of it, yet they would neuer doo homage to ftrangers : of whofe toong, maners, and lawes they fhould be ignorant. For fo they Ihould be foreuer captiued and cruellie handled, as the Cantreds haue beene by the kings bailiifes and other the kings men handled more cruellie than Sarracens, as it dooth well appeare by the notes of their greefes, which the men of the Cantreds font to you holie father. No. XXI. Thefe are fo be anfwered for Dauid, the Princes Brother. VV HEN he IS difpofed to fee the holie land, he will doo it for Gods fake voluntarilie, not by fuch inforcement againft his will : for he intendeth not to go on pilgrimage after that fort. Bicaufe he knoweth enforced feruice not to pleafe God ; and if he hereafter (hall for deuotion fee the holie land, that is no caufe for euer to difinherit his offspring, but rather to reward them. And for that neither the prince nor his people, for countrie nor for gaines, did roooue warre, inuading no mans lands, but defending their owne lands, lawes, and liberties ; and that the king and his people of inueterate hatred, and for couetoufnes to get our lands inuading the fame, mooued warre : wee therefore fee our defenfe is iuft and lawfull, and herein wee truft God will heipe vs, and will turne his reuenge vpcn deftroiers of churches; who haue rooted vp and burned churches, and taken out both all facraments and facred things from them, killing preefls, clarkes, religious, lame, dombe, deafFe, yonglings fucking their mothers paps, weake and impotent, both man and woman, and committing all other enormities, as partlie it appeareth to your holinefTe. Wherefore God forbid that your holinefTe fhould fulminate fentence againft anie, but fuch as hath doone fuch things. We who haue fuffered all thefe things at the kings officers hands, doo hope at your hands reraedie and comfort : and that you wifl punifh fuch church robbers and killers, who can defend themfelues no waies, lealt their impunitie be caufe and example for others to do the like. Uerie manie in our countrie doo much maruell that you counfelled vs to leaue our owne land, and to go to an other mans lands among our enimies to Hue: for feeing we cannot haue peace in our owne land, which is our owne right, much lefTe fhould vve be quiet in an other mans, amongft our enimies. And though it be hard to Hue in warre aud perill, harder APPENDIX. harder it is to be vtterlie deilroied and brought to nothing : efpeciallie for chrif- tians, feeking elfe nothing but to defend our owne, being by necellitie driuen therevnto, and the greedie ambition of our enimies. Amd your holineffe told vs. that you had fulminated fentence agalnil all that for hatred or gaines doo hinder the peace. And it appeareth euidcntlie who doo war for thefe caufes, the feare of death, the feare of imprifonment, the feare of perpetuall prifon, the feare of difmheriting, no keeping of promife, couenant, grant, nor charter, tyrannicall dominion, and manie more like compell vs to be in warre, and this we ftiew to God and to your lordftiip, defiring your godlie and charitable helpe. Furthermore, if anie in England haue ofFended the king (as manie doo offend him) yet none of them be difinherited : fo if anie of vs haue offended the king, let him be punilhed and make fatisfadion, as he maie, without exheredi- tating. As we trull in you, we praie you holie Father to labour to this end. If they laie to vs that we breake the peace, it appeareth euidentlie that they and not we breake the fame, who neuer kept promife, nor couenant, nor o.'der, made anie amends for trefpaffes, nor temedie for our complaints. 593 Rex omnibus, &c. SCI AT IS quod cum Lewelinus princeps de Aberffraw ic dominus Snawerden, nobis concefferit Sc firmiter promiferit, quod ftabit provifioni venerabilium patrum Redulphi Ciceftrenfis epifcopi & cancellarii noftri, & Alexandri Con- ventrenfis & Lichfield epifcopi, & dileftorum & fidelium noftrorum Richardi Marefchalli comitis Pembroch, Joannis de Lafcy comitis Lincolnias & con- llabularri Ceftrias, Stephani de Segrave Julliciarii noftri Anglis, & Radulphi tilii Nicholai Senefchalli noftri, una cum Idnevet Senefchallo ipfius Lewelini & Werrenoc fratre ejus, Imano Vachan & David Clerico, quam ipfi fadluri funt fuper congruis emendis nobis faciendis, de omnibus exceffibus nobis & noftris, ab eo &c fuis faftis & de reftitutione nobis & hominibus noftris facienda de omnibus terris & poffeffionibus noftris & noftrorum per ipfum Lewelinum & Wallenfes occupatis, occafione Werrs inter nos & ipfum mota;; fimul etiam de recipicnda reftitutione a nobis & noftris, de omnibus terris ipfius Lewelini & hominum fuorum per nos & noftros occupatis, occafione Werr» prxdifts, $c de affii^nando David filio ipfius Lewelini & Ifabclla; uxori ejus primogenitae filia; & hxrercdis. GuUielmi de Breus, rationabili portione ipfam IfabeUam contingente, de terris qua: fuerunt prcedifti Gullielmi partis fui, & de refuficne pecunix nobis, facienda, 4 G pro 594 APPENDIX. pro prxdiflis cxccffibus congrue emendandls & portione prxdifta affignanda ; provifa tamen fuper hoc ab eifdem fufRciente fecuritate de fidcli feruitio nobis prasftando & de tranquilitate nobis & regno noftro Anglis, obfervanda. Ita quod dampnum vel periculum, nee nobis nee regno noftro inde poflit evenire. Et fi pendente provifione praedifta, aliquid de novo emerferit emandandum, idem Lewelinus voluerit & conceffiriv, quod per prjediftos provifores emendetur. Nos provifionem eorundetn quam fadturi funt fuper omnibus prsemiffis, gratam habemus & acceptam pro nobis, & noHris ficut prxfatus Lewelinus pro fe & fuis & in hujus rei teftimonium has literas patentes inde fieri fecimus. Telle me jpfo apud Salop feptlmo die Decembris & decimo feptimo anno regni noftri. Rex, &c. JL/EWELINO prlncipi de Aberfraw falutem. Sciatis quod recipimus in gratiam noftram, Gilbertum Marefchallum & omnes qui fuerunt imprifii Richardi Ma- refchalH tarn de Anglia quam de Wallia qui ad pacem noftram venire voluerunt & eis reddidimus omnes terras & tenementa fua qus de nobis tenuerunt, & de quibus difleffiti fuerunt occafione guerrae motas inter nos & prsdiftum comitem, & nobis remanent quieta quajcunque fuper nos & noftros per pra;didlum comitem, vel fuos imprifios occupata fuerunt quas vobis duximus fignificanda. Volentes quod vobis innotefcant qu» penes nos afta funt in hac parte, & quia per venera- bilem patrem Edmundum Cantuarienfem archlepifcopum & co-epifcopos fuos capts funt treugse inter nos & vos fub firma fpe traftandi de pace inter nos & vos formanda & fortius firmanda. Mittimus propter hoc prxdiftum archi- epifcopum & venerabiles patres Alexandrum Coventrenfem & Lichneldenfem & Henricum RoiFenfem co epifcopos fuos ad partes marchix ; ita quod erunt apud Salop die Lunri;'-!. Sub eifdem verbis fecerunt domino regi chartas fuas, Owen filius Howell. Mailgon lilius Mailgun. Mereduc filius Mereduc. Howel filius Cadwach- lan, et Cadwachlan filius Howel. O, MNIBUS Chritti fidelibus ad quos pra:fentes llterx pervenerunt, David, filius Leolini, falutem. Sciatis quod conceffi domino meo Henrico regi Anglije illuftri filio domino Joannis regis : quod deliberabo Griffinum fratrem meum quern teneo incarceratum una cum filio fuo primogenito et aliis qui occafione prasdidli Griffini funt in parte mea incarcerati, et ipfos eidem domino meo regi tradam. Et poftea ftabo juri curia; ipfius domini regis tarn fuper eo, utrum idem Griffinus debeat teneri captus quam fuper portione terr.-e quae fuit pr^difti Leolini patris mei, fi qua ipfum Griffinum contingere debeat, fecundara confuetidinem Walenfium. Ita quod pax fervetur inter me et prxdiftum Griffinum fratrem meum quod caveatur de ipfa tenenda fecundum confiderationem curis ipfius domini regis, et quod tam ego quam prsdiAus Griffinus portiones noftras que nos contingent de prsediftis terris tenebimus in capitc de prasdiflo domino rege. Et quod reddam Rogero de Monte Alto fenefchalio Ceftria; tenam fuam de Monthaut cum pertinentiis : et fibi et aliis baronibus et fidelibus domini regis fcifinas terraium fuarum occapatarum a tempore belli orti inter ipfum dominum Johannem regem et prsdiftum Leolinum patrem meum, falvo jure proprietatis cujuflibet pafti et inftrumenti fuper quo ftabitur juri hinc inde in curia ipfius domini regis : et quod reddam ipfi domino regi omnes expenfas quas ipfe et fui feceruat occafione exercitus iftius. Et quod fatisfaciara de damnis et injuriis illatis fibi et fuis fecundum confiderationem prsdiftx curis vel malefaftores ipfos, ipfi domino regi reddam -omnia homagia qua; dominus Johannes rex pater ejus ■habuit, et qux dominus rex de jure habere debet; et fpecialiter omnium nobilium Wallenfium. Et quod idem dominus rex non dimittit aliquem de fuis A P P E N D I X. 6o.-? fuis captivis quiii ipfi domino regi et fais reipaneant feifinae fujc. Et quod terra de Engufmere cum pertinentiis fuis in perpetuum remanebit -domino regi, vel hsredibus fuis, et quoJ dc cstero non receptabo vilagas vel foris banniatos ipfius domini regis, vel baronum fuorum de marchia in terra mea, nee permittam receptari ; et de omnibus artlculis fupradiftis, et fingulis firmiter et in perpetuum obfeivandis, domino regi et ha;redibus fuis, pro me et hairedibus meis cavcbo per obfides et pignora et aliis modis quibus dominus rex dicere voluit vel diftate. Et in his et in omnibus aliis ftabo voluntati, et mandatis ipfius domini regis et juri parebo omnibus in curia fua. In cujus rei teftimonium, prsfenti fcripio figillum meum appendi. ^'Vftum apud Airieum juxta fluvium Elvey de S. Afapho in fefto decollationis S. Johanni Baptifta-, anno praedicli domiregis Henrici vigefimo quinto. Sciendum quod illi qui capti detinentur cum pra;di6lo Giiffino, eodem modo tradentur domino regi donee per curiam fuam confideratum fuerit, utrum et quomodo debeant deliberari. Et ad omnia firmiter tenenda, ego David juravi fuper crucem fanftam quam coram me feci deportari. Venerabilis etiam pater Howelus epifcopus de S. Afaph ad petitionem meam firmiter promifit in ordine fuo, quod haec omnia praedifta faciei, et procurabit modis quibus poterit, obfervari. Ednevet fiquidem Waugam per praceptura meum, illud idem juravit fuper crucem prasdiftam. Aftum ut fupra. Prxterea conccfli pro me ^t hseredibus meis quod fi ego, vel hreredes mei contra pacem domini regis, vel hsredium fuoium, vel contra articulos praediftos, aliquld atlentaverimus tota ha:reditas noftra domino regi, et liaeridibus fuis incurratur. De quibus omnibus et fingulis fuppofui me, et hsredes meos, jurifdiflioni archieplfcopi Cantuarienfis, et epifco- porum Londinenfis, Herefordenfis, et Coventrenfis, qui pro tempore prxerunt, quod omnes, vel unus eorum quern dominus rex ad hoc elegerit, poffit nos ex- communicare, et terram noftram interdicere, fi aliquid contra praedifta attenta- verimus. Et procuravi quod epifcopi de Bangor et de S. Afaph chartas fuas domino regi fecerunt per quas concelTerunt, quod omnes fententias tuni excommunicationis quam interdiSi a prxdiftis archiepifcopo, epifcopis, vel aliquo eorum, ferendas, ad mandatum eorum exequeniur. Rex omnibus, &c. D AVID filius Lewelini quondam principis Norwallias, Salutem, Nbverlnt univetfitas veftrse me fpontanea voluntate mea pepegifle domino meo Henrico Dei gratia Angliae, quod ego et ha;rcdes mei cidcm domino regi, et haeredibus fuis omnibus diebus vits noftrEE conllanter et fideliter fervicmus, nee aliquo tempore contra eos erimus : quod fi forte evenerit, quod a fideli fervicio fuo, vel hxredum fuorum, quod abfit, recefierimus, tota terra noftra erga ipfum dominum regem et hseredes fuos incurratur, et in ufus eorum perpetuis cedat temporibus. Hanc autem paclionem et conceffionera figilli mei appofiiione roboravi, et ad majorerfi 4 H 2 hujus 6o4 APPENDIX. hujus rei declarationem venerabiles patres Bangorenfem, et de S. Afaph epifcopi, ad petitionem meam praefenti fcripto figilla fua appofuerunt. Aftum apuil Lothecan tricefimo primo die Augalti. XlLUSTRI viro domino Henrico Dei gratia regi Anglorum, Sec. abbates Haberconwiae, et de Kemere Ciftercienfis ordinis inquifitores dati a domino Papa, ■faiutem in domino. Mandatum domini Papae rccipimus in h/arf a quoddam muliere, et con- S^S^" ftabularius de Ruthlan fecit eundera detradi in carcerem injuriofe, nee potuit Velua. exinde dellberari donee prasdidlus fuit condemnatus ultra fuorum bonoruin hypotheca. Decimo. Cum ballivus de Ruthlan erat in convivioapud villam Four Hutmus de Limayl quendam virum nobilem crudeliter vulneravit in prsfentia ballivi fupradifti ; cujus vulaeris occafione preediftus Hutmus fuit in ofto libris con- demnatus : et quum ille cni injuria fuiflet fafta petere voluiflet praedidlas libras, eundem fecit detrudi in carcerem una. Undecimo. Nunti: Reginaldi de Grey propofuerunt facere illud quod erat abfurdum et diflbnum juris fecundum canonicas fanftiones ; videlicet petere ab eif- dem quod ipfi ararent Reginald© de Grey, et quod ipfi feminarent illam aratu- ram ; et illi fuerunt nuntii, viz. Kynwricus Seis et Hutmus de Limayl, quod prffidiiftus vero Kynwricus in praefentia omnium de patria juravit, nifi omnes de patria ararent quod ipfi infra tempus posniterent, et ipfi multum timaerunt metu qui potuit cadere in conftantem virum. Duodecimo. Quod prscones de Tegeyngl emerunt officium praeconis pro 30 marcis a domino rege, et poftmodum Reginaldus de Grey prsediftos prxcones tam pecunia quam prjeconia fpoliavit contra legem et confuetudinem Anglicanam. Tertiodecimo. Septem nobiles fuerunt interfefti minus jufte ab Anglicis, et adhuc parentes prjediftorum aliquam fatisfaflionem non habuerunt, cum illi malefaftores fuerunt capti ; et poftmodum prxdiftos malefaftores remiferunt pra:- difti conftabularii impunitos. QuARTODECiMO. Canftabularius unus de Ruthlan detradit duos Satellites domini regis in careere, pro eo quod ipfi tenuerunt aliquem Anglicum qui grave deliftum commifit hominem alium vulnerando. Ifti omnes articuli in pr^miflis nominati, fuerunt perpetrati contra pridiftorum virorum libertatem, jurifdiftionem, et privilegium et contra legem et confuetudi- nem Wallicanam ; videlicet, quod non erant aufi eorum querelas domino regi oer fuos nuncios denuntiare, propter metum Reginald! et timorem, qui metus ' potuit APPENDIX. 621 potuit cadere in conftantem virum : quia praediAus Rcginaldus fua voce Dilvada fuit proteftatus ; quod fin inveniret nuntios praedidlorum quod eofdem decapitaret Openly. prout nobis ex parte unius ex confilio fuo fuit certive intimatum. In tanium quod lingua non potelt proferre, ncc penna fcribere in quantum pradifti hominei de Tegeyngl fuerunt aggravati. CoNQUERiTUR vobis, domine archiepifcope Cantuarienfis totius Anglise pri- mas, Lewelinus filius Griffini filii Madoci de conftabulario de criice Ofwaldi regis, et de hominibus ejufdem villas, qui prjediftum Lewelinum tertia parte cujufdam villa quas vocatur Ledrot, et curia patris fui, fine obfervatione juris patriae fu« vel confuetudine inequiter fpoliarunt. Pr^terea, Praediftus conftabularius et fui complures eundem Lewelinum coramuni paftura, qua prjediftus Lewelinus ufus fuit temporibus retroa^is, ordine juris patriae minime obfervaro, fpoliarunt, et in 70 libris occafione prsedifts paf- turae condemnaverint. Caeterum dominu rex Anglix conceffit quafdam literas cuidam Baftardo, fcilicet GrifEno Fychan ab Cynlhaeth, ad litigandum contra eundum Lewelinum pro toto domino fuo obtinendo, quarum literarum occafione idem Lewelinus expendit ccl. fterlingorum legalis ufualifx monetae. Iterum. Prsdiftus conftabularius compulfit praediftum Lewelinum ad mitten- dum duos fuos nobiles ad eos fufpendendos ad prjediftum conilabularium quicquid viri nobiles fufpendi minime debuiffent, quam fufpenfionem nollent parentes praediftorum hominum fuftinuiffe pro ccc libris fterlingorum. Pollmidum pr^- diftus conftabularius incacerravit bis 60 homines prasdifti Lewelini nulla prxmifla ratione, nifi quod quidam gareo emifit quandam vocem, nee potuerunt evadere fuum catcerem donee quilibet eorum folvit decern folidos pro fua deliberatione. Item. Quando homines pra;dicli Lewelini venirent ad forum ad fuos boves vendendos, pra;dii5lus conftabularius faceret boves deduci ad caftrum, nee poftmo- dum boves reftituerit, nee pretium folveret venditori : prsferlim idem conftabu- larius et fui ceperunt jumenta predifti Lewelini ad terram fuam propriam, et de elfdem jumentis fecerunt fuam voluntatem. PrjETEREa. Jufticiarii domini regis compulferunt pr^iclum Lewelinum ad tradendum quandam villam filiis Eneoni filii Griffini ; qui quidem praediftam villam, nee a fe, nee a prsdeceflbribus fuerunt confecuti, ordine juris patrix fax in hac parte minime obfcrvato. Idem. Prsdiftus conftabularius abftulit equum ballivi praedifti Lewelini fine aliqua ratione, nee fibi aliquid debeb.itur ; nee adhuc przedii^us ballivus fatis- faftionem aliquam eft confecutus. C^TERUM. Quando praedictus Lewelinus volebat adire villam qu.-e vocatur Caerlleon cum Uteris domini regis ad comperiendum ibidem in die fibi afiignata ; filii Griffini filii Gwenynny et armigeri domini Rogeri Starainge ex confilio Ro- geri eundem Lewelinum et fuos incarcerarunt in fui injuriam et fuorum non modicam laefionem ; quam injuriam et IrEfioncm nollet praediftus Lewelinus et fui 622 APPENDIX. fui fuftinuifl'e pro ccc marcis llerlingorum ; nee ab eifdern potuit evadere donee invenit pro fe fuflicientein cautionem. His et -aliis receptis in fcriptis acccflit, archiepifcopus ad dominum regem ; fupplicans ei humiliter ut gravamina fuppradida dignetur avertere, ei ea correc- tione debita terminare : et faltem pro tanto habere exceffus Wallenfium excufatos: qui refpondit Wallenfes injuriis fibi illatis effe excufabiles, quia omni tempore poratus extiterat omni facerc juilitiam conquerenti : quo audito, archiepifcopus regi iterum fupplicavit ut permitteret Wallenfes pro fuis gravaminibus expo- nendis et remediis afferendiis ap ipfum habere accefTum liberum et regreflum : qui refpondit quod libere permitteret eos ad fe accedere fed et redira ; fi fecundum juftitiam regreffus eorum meritis refponderet. Quibus auditis acceffit archiepif- copus ad principem Wallias in Snawdoniam ut tam ipfum quam Davidam fra- trem fuum et casteros Wallenfes ad aliquam humilitatis regulam ipforum ani- mos inclinaret ; per quam poiTet qui ipforum nuntius regiam clementiam ad ipfos admlttendos in graciam inclinare. Pod varies autem traftatus refpondit princeps : quod paratus erat voluntati regiie fa fupponere duobus prasfuppofitis, fa:lva fcilicet confcientia fua qua populo fuo affillere tenebatur; falva etiam con- defcentia llatus fui. Qux cum archiepifcopus retuliffet domino regi, refpondit dominus rex quod nullum alium de pace volebat cum principe ac fubditis fuis habere traftatum, nifi quod ipfi fupponeient fe in omnibus regias voluntati: et cum conftarct archiepifcopo Wallenfes nullo modo velle fe regia: voluntati fupponere, nifi prscite in forma eis tolerabili ct accepta, traftatum habuit ex pcrmiiEoni domini regis cum magnatibus tunc prrefentibus, qui omnes con- fenferunt in articulos infra fcriptos, quos per frairem Joannem Wallenfem infcriptos principi et fuis archiepifcopus deftinavit. Primo. Quod dominus rex de quatuor cantredis et terris ab eo datis, magnati- bus fuis nullum vult habere traftatum, nee etiam de infula Anglefey. Idem. De tenentibus eorum cantredorum fi ad fuam pacem venerint, proponit facere prout condecet regiam niajeftatem, credimus tamen quod aget cum eis mifericorditer fi ad pacem venerint, et ad hoc proponimus una cum ceteris amicis efficaciter laborare, fperantes efficaciter exaudiri. Item. De fafto domini Lewelini nullum potuimus aliud habere rcfponfum nifi quod firapliciter et abfolute conformet ad domini regis voluntatem, ut credimus firmiter quod dominus rex cum eo aget mifereeorditer, et ad hoc intendimus cum totis viribus laboraro cum ceteris amieis exaudiendis ut confidimus cum effeftu. Primo. Quod proceres banc formam gratis regice conceperunt ; ut videlicet domino Lewelino fe regis gratis fubmittenie, provideatur ei per jegem honorifice in mille libratis fterlingorum de aliquo honorifico comitatu, in aliquo loco Anglias ; ita tamen quod prxdiftus Levvelinus ponat dominum regem in Seyfina Snaudonum abfolute, perpetue et quiete. Et ipfe rex filix principis fecundum condiceiliam fui proprii fanguinis providebit, et ad hoc fperant fe poffe regis aniraum inclinare. Item- APPENDIX. 623 Item. Si contingat Lewelinum ducere uxorem et habere de ea puellam mafculam, intendunt impetrare proceres a domino rege, ut proles ilia fuccedat perpetuo hxreditario Lewelini in terra mafculorum liberoium videlicet comitatu. Item. De popnlo principi immediate fabjefto tarn in Snaudon quam alibi providebiter fecundum deum prout complete faluti ejufdem populi et honori; et ad hoc eft regia dementia fatis prona, populo defiderani confolabiliter pro- videre. Primo. Quod fi ad honorem Dei et fuum juxta crucis afTumptae debitum velit in terra fanftse fubfidium proticifci, providebitur ei honorifice fecundum con- defcentiam flatus fui, ita tamen quod non redeat nifi per regiam clementiam vocatus : rogabimus etiam dominum regem, et fperamus efficaciter exaudiri, ut provideat proli fuse. His omnibus motu noftro fubjungimus Wallenfibus omnia pericula imminere longe gravius quam eis diximus oraculo vivae vocis : fcribimus dure valde fed longe durius eft obrui vi et armls, et in fine totaliter extirpari, quoniam omni die pericula nobis imminentia aggravantur. Item. Longe difRcilius eft omni tempore in guerra efTe in anguflia cordis et corporis vivere, et femper in infidiis raalignarij et cum hoc vivere et mori in peccato mortali continuo et rancore. Item. De quo doleremus valde fi ad pacem minima veniatis, indubitanter timemus contra vos debere fententiam ecclefiafticam intolerabiliter aggravari pro exceffibus vellris ; de quibus non poteritis vos aliquatenus excufare in quibus invenietis mifericordiam, fi ad pacem veniatis et de his nobis refpondeatur in fcriptis. ReverendiJJimo in Chrijio patri ac domino J. T>ei gratia Archiepijcopo Cantuarienfi ac totiiis Anglic primati Juus in Chrifto divotus filius Lewelinus princeps JValliie, dominus Snaudon, Jahitem cum deftderiis benevolenti<£ fiUalis ac reverentiis multimodis ei honoribus. S ANCTE patei, ficut vofmet confuluifts, ad gratiam regiam paraii fumus venire fub forma tamen nobis fecura et honefta : fed quia forma cpntenta in articulis nobis niiflis minime fecura eft et honefta prouc nobis et confilio noftro videtur ; et de qua multum admirantur omnes audientes, eo quod plus tendit ad deftruc- tionem et ruinara populi noftri ac noftram, quam ad noftram honeflatem et fecuritatem, nullo modo permiitit confilium noftrum nos in ea confentire fi vellemus ; alii quoque nobiles et populus nobis fubjeftus nullo modo confentirent in eandem ob indubitaiam deilruftionem et diffipaticnem qUK inde eis pofFent evenire. Tame n 624 APPENDIX. Tamen Aipplicamus veftra; fanftne parternitati quatenus ad reformationem pads debitsB, hcnefta;, et fecuts, ob qiiam tot laborcs aflumpfiftis, pioinde laboretis, collattonem habentes ad articulos quos vobis mittimus in fcriptis : honorabiiius enira ell et ration! magis confonum ut de domino rege teneamus terras in quibus jus habemus, quam nos exhseredare et eas tradere alienis. Datum apud Garihcelyn. Pr I MO. Quod licet dominus rfx de quatuor Cantredis et aliis terris ab eo datis inagnatibus fuis, ac de Infula Anglcfey nullum voluerit habere traSatiim, tamen confiliura principis non permittit, fi contingat aliquam pacem fieri, quin traftetur de premiffis ; eo quod ifti Cantredi funt de puro principis tenemento, in quibus merum jus habuerunt principes et prsdeceflbres fui a temporibus Cambri filii Bruti, turn quia funt de principatu, cujus confirmationem princeps obtinet pro Pope. bon occafionata malitia auferatur, cum tamen fateamini quod dominus re nullum fuura exhceredaverit ininiicum ; quod 62S APPENDIX. qubJ fruftra vos timere credimas, fi legaliter vivere vos et vefiri didiceritis, et non a parti cum domino veltro contendere vel certare. Mores vobls et populo veftro cauf.imini incognitos j et nos e contrario opinamur quod expediret vobis omnibus in moduin alium et mores penitus transformari. Cum enim fitis ficuc caeteri homines donis Dei gratuitis adornati, fed in vellro Anglo devoramini : at nee ecclefiam juvetis contra holies fidei militando ; nee Clerum ftudio fapicn- tiae, exceptis pauciffimis, decoretis ; quin potius major pars veftrum torpet otio et lafciviis, ut pene nefciat mundus vos effe populum, nifi per paucos ex vobis qui videntur ut plutimum in — mendicare. Deinde fcribitis quod creditis altilTtmum vos juvare pro juftitia decretantes ; utinam inquam altiflimus juvet vos falubriter et dirigat ad falutem. Sed ne ruinas aliquas Anglorum ex incon- fideratione fua provenientes veftris veliiis meritis arrogare curetis advertere qualiter qui" in coelis habitat fatuos fublimat et elevat ad modicum ut perpetuo allidat ; fie certe olium populus Dei eleftus ante harum repertam civitatem pro unius Anathcmaie confortis verfus in fugam quofdam fuorum perdidit bellatorum : fie certe quater centena millia bellatorum duodecim tribuum Ifrael in fuo numero et fortitudine confidentes ab unius tribus modico populo, occifis ex 40 millibiis bellatorum, per vices varias funt confufi : cum tamen purgato unius Anathemate, prasdifta Civitas finaliter deleleta fuerit per illos, qui prius confufi fuerant, et per lacrymas placato domiao cum jejuniis, oblatis facrjficiis, tribus ilia qua: praevalueral prius, per prius confufos quafi totaliter fit deleta ; fie certe ali- ter flagellat dominus filios quos recipit, et aliter quos decernit ut arbores fteriles extirpare. Ilia vobis fcribimus in cordis amaritudine ab his partibus recedentes, nee prenidicare intendimus falubriori confilio, fi vobis ccelitus dellinetur, nee latre vos volumus quod nullum per vos invenimus excufationis fufficiens remedium, quo obftante minirae debeatis in excors Imam incidifle pernuntiari : dudum latet in Oxon confilio contra pacis regiae turbatores, viam autem paeis aliam invenire non pofTumus, nee adhuc in fpe fumus aliud obtinendi. Sed fi nobis aliquid confultius videatur agendum, vobis numquam claudemus gremium, nee auxllium denegabimus opportunum, Dat. apud Ruthelan 18 Calend. Decemb. Ann. Dom. 1282. Lewehnus autem princeps Wallis pra:diclus fpretis omnibus oblationibus et pacis formis poll fcriptis, Invafit hoftiliter terram domini regis Anglis dellrucndo earn incendio et rapina, nee non homines terra; illius ad fe •trahendo, et a bonitate pacis regix feparando. Qui tamen princeps infra menfem ilium ignominofa morte primus de exercitu fuo occifus eft, per familiam domini Cadmundi de mortuo mari, filii domini Rogeri de mortuo mari ; et totus exercitus fuus vel ocellus, vel in fugam converfus in partibus Montis Gomerici die Veneris proximo, ante Fellum S. Lues, videlicet 3. Id. Decemb. fub Anno. Dom. 1282. In— — — decima iitera dominicali D. currente. ■^is^^#^ (JfNlvtK.M 1 1 Uf l>AH*OKI\IA LIBKAKV Los Angeles This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. ^ ".a FEB 1 1967 fitmui FEB 24 Fiirm Lll-Scries 444 ^PSl *DA 715 W25h ■o D 000 000 995 i ^.-Si;:;:;i|;ii;ii^.i;fiii^^^^^^