FOr as much as it is necessarie for the vnder­standing of this historie, to knowe the perfect descrip­tion of the countrie of Wales, to the end the acts atchiued and doone in the same may be the better knowne; I thought good somewhat to trauell there­in, and so to laie downe the same as it was in those daies, and as it is now: that the reader by conference of both times may the better vnder­stand this worke. Therefore after the three sonnes of Brutus had diuided the whole Ile of Brytaine into three parts; that part conteined within the French seas, with the riuers of Sea­uerne (called in Brytish Hafren) Dee and Humber, fell to the eldest sonne Locrinus, which was after his name called Lhoyger, which name it hath in the Brytish toong to this daie, and in English now it is called England, and is augmented North­ward [Page 2] to the riuer Tweed. The second sonne Albanactus had all the land Northward from Humber to the sea Orkney, cal­led in the Brytish toong Mor Werydh, and in Latine Mare Ca­ledonicum. The third sonne Camber had to his part all that which remained vndiuided, lieng within the Spanish and Irish seas, and separated from England,Cambria. with the riuers Seauerne and Dee, and this part was after his name called Cambria, and the inhabitants thereof Cambry, and their language Camberaec, and so are at this daie. So that they haue kept the same countrie and language this 2690. and odde yeares, without commixti­on with anie other nation, especiallie in Northwales, as it shall hereafter appeare.

And bicause the name of this countrie is changed, or rather mistaken by the inhabitants of England, and not by them cal­led Cambry, but Wales: I thinke it necessarie to declare the occasion thereof, which is, that where the Saxons a people of Germanie were the first that after the Brytaines inhabited and ruled the greatest part of this Ile, & droue the Brytains to that corner, which according to the maner of their countrie they called Wales, and the people Welshmen, and the toong Welsh, that is to saie Strange, or not of them vnderstanded. For at this daie the inhabitants of the lowe countries call their next neighbours language of Henegaw, or other that speake French, Walsh, as a language to them vnknowne. Likewise the dwellers of Tyroll & other the higher countries of Germa­nie doo name the Italian their next neighbour a Welshman, and his language Walsh. And this is an euident proofe, that they which harped vpon a Queene Gwalaes, and of a Prince Wala (of whom neither Brytish, Latine, nor English historie maketh mention) were fowlie deceiued: and so likewise was a great historiographer of late daies, which saith, that it was called Walia, quasi Italia, bicause the rest of the Romans which remained in the Ile were driuen thither. Neither is this anie new inuention, although Polydore Virgil with an Italian brag dooth glorie himselfe to be the first that espied it out, for diuers ancient writers doo alledge the same cause of the name of [Page 3] Wales, of whom Syluester Giraldus is one, who wrote in the time of Henrie the second after the conquest, before 380. yeares passed: which is an euident token, that the said Polydore did ei­ther neuer see nor read the ancient histories of this realme, or dissembleth the same to the aduancement and praise of him­selfe and his countrie: which to the learned and indifferent reader shall appeare to be the onelie occasion he tooke that worke in hand, for all his booke redoundeth onlie to the praise and honour of the Romans, as well spirituall as temporall, and to blase forth their acts and deeds within this realme: and vpon the other part dooth either openlie slaunder, or els priui­lie extenuate, or shamefullie denie the martiall prowesse and noble acts, as well of Saxons, Danes, and Normans, as of the Brytains, all inhahiters of this Ile. Which thing he that list to prooue, let him read and conferre Caesars Commentaries, Cor­nelius Tacitus, Herodianus, and other ancient writers, as well in Latine as in Greeke, with his worke. As for the ancient wri­ters of the Brytish historie, as the Brytish chronicle, the histo­rie of Gildas, Ponticus Verunnius, yea the golden worke of Mat­thew Paris moonke of Saint Albon, which wrote from VVilliam Bastard, to the last yeares of Henrie the third; I dare well saie he neuer sawe them, they be in diuers places to be had, so that the truth may be easilie prooued. To make an end I saie, that he being first a straunger borne, and also ignorant as well in the histories of this realme, as of those toongs and languages wher­in the same were written, could neuer set foorth the true and perfect Chronicle of the same. But he hauing a good grace and a pleasant stile in the Latine toong, and finding himselfe in a countrie where euerie man either lacked knowledge or spirit to set forth the historie of their owne countrie, tooke this enter­prise in hand, to their great shame, and no lesse dispraise, bi­cause he a blind leader shall drawe a great number of vndis­creet and rash folowers, as well Geographers and Cosmogra­phers, as Chroniclers and Historiographers, to the darke pit of ignorance, where I leaue them at this time, remitting the rea­der to the apologie of Sir Iohn Pryse knight, and his Brytish hi­storie, [Page 4] written by him of purpose against the enuious reports and slaunderous taunts of the said Polydor, where he shall see a great number of his errors confuted at large. And to returne to my former matter of the name of Wales,Wales. which name to be giuen of late by a straunge nation may be otherwise prooued: for the Welshmen themselues doo not vnderstand what these words VVales and Welsh doo signifie, nor know anie other name of their countrie or themselues but Cambry, nor of their language but Cambraec, which is as much to saie as Cambers lan­guage or speech. So likewise they know not what England or English meaneth, but commonlie they call the countrie Lhoy­ger, the Englishmen Sayson, A Locrino. A Saxonib. and the English toong Saysonaec. Which is an euident token that this is the same language which the Brytaines spake at the beginning: for the works of Merdhyn and of Taliessin, who wrote aboue 1000. yeares past, are almost the same words which they vse at this daie, or at the least easie to be vnderstanded of euerie one which knoweth perfectlie the Welsh toong, especiallie in Northwales.

Beside this, where at this daie, there doo remaine three rem­nants of the Brytaines, diuided euerie one from other, with the seas which are in Wales, Cornewall (called in Brytish Cer­niw) and little Brytaine, yet almost all the particular words of these three people are all one, although in pronunciation and writing of the sentences they differ somewhat, which is no maruell, seeing that the pronunciation in one realme is often so diuers, that the one can scant vnderstand the other. But it is rather a wonder, that the Welshmen being separated from the Cornish, well nigh these 900. yeares, and the Brytaines from either of them 290. yeares before that, and hauing small traf­fike or concourse togither sithence that time, haue still kept their owne Brytish toong. They are not therefore to be credi­ted which denie the Welsh to be the old Brytish toong. And here I cannot passe ouer what one of these fine Chroniclers wrote of late, of the name of Brytaine, affirming that it should be so called of Brytaine in France, as the elder of that name. But surelie he had either neuer seene Ptolomie nor Caesar, nor [Page 5] anie other ancient writer, or read them with small iudgement and memorie. For there he might haue learned, that when this land was called Brytaine, the other was called Armorica, & how in Maximus time,Rob. Caenal. li. 2. Per. 2. Conan Meriadoc was the first that gaue it that name, & inhabited it with Brytaines out of this Ile▪ Other de­riuations of these words Brytania, and Albion, out of Greeke & Latine, I am ashamed to rehearse; for vnto such errors doo they commonlie fall, that either puffed vp with vaine glorie of their owne wits, or pinched with despite and enuie at other mens works; or blinded with ignorance, do go about to write & set foorth anie historie or chronicle. But passing ouer this matter vntill an other time,The meares and bounds of Wales. I will returne to the description of Wales, which (as I said) was of old time compassed almost about with the Irish seas, & the riuers Dee and Seauerne, although after­wards the Saxons wan by force from the Brytaines all the plaine and champion countrie ouer the riuers, and special­lie Offa king of Mercia, who made a ditch of a great breadth and depth, to be a meare betwixt his kingdome and Wales, which ditch began at the riuer Dee, by Bassing werke betweene Chester and Ruthlan, and ran along the hils sides to the south sea a little from Bristowe, reaching aboue a hundreth miles in length, and is in manie places to be seene at this daie, bearing the name of Clawdh Offa, that is to saie, Offas ditch, and the coun­trie betweene it and England is commonlie called in Welsh Y Mars, although the greatest part of it be now inhabited by Welshmen, namlie in Northwales, which yet keepeth the an­cient limits to the riuer Dee, and in some places ouer it. Other (as Syluester Giraldus) make the riuer VVy, called in Welsh Gwy, to be the meare betweene England and Wales on the South part called Southwales; who measureth the breadth of Wales, from Salowe or Willoweford called Rhydyrhelig vpon VVy, to Saint Dauids in Meneuia 100. miles, and the length from Caer­lheon vpon Vsce in Gwentland, to Holihead called Caergybi in Anglisey, in Welsh called Môn, aboue 100. miles, and these be the common meares at this daie, although the Welsh toong is commonlie vsed and spoken Englandward, beyond these old [Page 6] meeres a great waie, as in Herefordshire, Glocestershire, and a great part of Shropshire. And thus for the generall description of Wales, which afterward about the yeare of Christ 870. Ro­dericus Magnus, king of Wales, diuided it into three territories which they called kingdomes, which remained vntill of late daies.

These three were, Gwynedh, in English Northwales, De­heubarth, in English Southwales, and Powys land; in euerie of the which he ordeined a princelie seat or court for the Prince to remaine at most commonlie: as in Gwynedh (which some old writers call Venedotia for Gwynethia) Aberffraw in the Ile of Môn or Anglesey. Aberfraw. In Deheubarth called in Latine Demetia Caer­mardhyn, from whence it was afterward remooued to Dineuowr, Dinevowr. eight miles thence. In Powys Pengwern, called Y Mwythic, and in English Sherewsburie, from whence it was remooued to Mathraual in Powys land.Mathraval. And bicause this historie dooth as well intreate of warres betwixt these three prouinces, as betwixt them and the Saxons, Normanes and Flemings: I thinke it good to set foorth the particular description of euerie part by it selfe. And first of Northwales as the cheefest part, which he gaue his eldest sonne, ordeining that either of the other two should paie him yearelie 200. pound of tribute,Northwales. as it appeareth in the lawes of Howel Dha, which are to be had in Welsh, and also in Latine. Therefore Gwyneth (called Northwales) had vpon the Northside the sea, from the riuer Dee at Basingwerke to Aberdyui, and vpon the West and South west the riuer Dyui which diuideth it from Southwales, and in some places from Powys land. And on the South and East it is diuided from Pow­ys sometimes with mountaines, and sometimes with riuers, till it come to the riuer Dee againe. This land was of old time di­uided to foure parts, of which the cheefest was Môn, Môn. in English called Anglesey, where the Princes cheefe house was at Aber­fraw, which is an Iland separated from the maine land, with an arme of the sea called Maenai, & had in it selfe three Cantreds or hundreds, which were subdiuided to sixe comots, as Can­tref Aberfraw, to comot Lhion, and comot Malhtraeth, Cantref [Page 7] Cemais, to the comots Talebolion and Twr Celyn. Cantref Rossyr to the comots Tindaethwy and Maenai. And at this daie there is a trimme towne in that Ile called Beumarish, and a common passage to Ireland at Caergybi, called in English Holyhead. But here I cannot winke at that notable error of Polydor, which (after his accustomed fashion) denieth this Ile to be called Môna, but Anglesia, or Anglorum insula, bicause it is called in English Anglesey, and giueth this name Môna to Man, and so hath lost the names of both Iles: which ignorance and forget­fulnes might be forgiuen him, if he had not drawne a great number to this error with him, which in their charters doo dai­lie wrong name these Iles, which may be easilie prooued. First, bicause the inhabitants of the Ile doo know none other name but Môn: and it is called through all Wales, Tîr Môn, that is to saie, the land of Môn vnto this day. So that neither by memorie of man, neither by anie monument in writing in the Brytish [...]ong can it appeare, that euer it had anie other name but Môn, yet there be manifest monuments for these 1000. yeares. It is also growne to a prouerbe through Wales, for the fertili­tie of the ground, Môn mam Gymry, that is to saie, Môn mother of Wales.

The ancient historie of Cornelius Tacitus (which belike age had beaten out of Polydors head) saith, that the soldiours of Paulinus Suetonius, and afterward of Iulius Agricola, after they had passed through Northwales, then came ouer against Môna, where they did swim ouer an arme of the sea of 200. pases, and so by force wanne the Ile. Now whether is it more reasonable thus to swimme ouer 200. pases, or 20. miles? I know there is no man that beleeueth Polydor in this point: let all men therefore by this iudge the rest. As for that which he saieth of the great woods, it is nothing: for both the Romanes, and after when the Christian faith tooke place in this realme, the Christians did fall and roote them out, for the idolatrie and absurd religi­on which was vsed there: that the king of Man sent for tim­ber to Môn: read the life of Hugh Earle of Chester; which al­so is euident by the great beeches and other trees found in [Page 8] the earth at these daies. His other reason is, bicause it is called Anglesey in the English toong: so is Lhoyger England, and Cambry Wales, are those therefore the old names? No surelie. And what if the inhabitants called it so? (as they did not) had it not a name before the Angles wanne it? Yes I warrant you, but he had forgotten that. Now to the name of Man, it was euer, or at the least these 1000. yeares named in Brytish Ma­naw, of which commeth the English name Man. The inhabi­tants thereof call it so, and no nation about it did euer call it Môn, no nor any writer but Polydor, which was too yong a god­father to name so old a child. For Gildas who wrote aboue 900. yeares passed, whose writings Polydor neuer sawe, but vntrulie fathers vpon him his owne deuise; Giraldus in his description of Ireland to Henrie the second, & Henrie Huntington, doo plain­lie call Man in Latine Eubonia, adding thereto either Manaw or Man, for the better vnderstanding of the name: will you beleeue them or Polydor? Other arguments there are which I will passe ouer, till I haue more leasure and occasion to write of this matter.

Aruon.The second part of Northwales was called Aruon, which is as much to saie, as ouer against Môn: and had in it foure Cantreds, and ten comots.

Cantref Aber had in it three comots, Y Lhechwedh vchaf, Y Lechwedhisaf, and Nanconwy.

Cantref Aruon had two comots, Ywch Gwyruai, & Isgwyruai.

Cantref Dunodic had two comots, Ardudwy and Euionyth.

Cantref Lhyyn containeth three comots, Cymytmayn, Tin­lhayn, and Canologion. This is now called Carnaruonshire, as Môn is called Anglesey shire, and haue the same diuision at this daie. In this shire are Snowdon hils, called Eryri, nei­ther in height, fertilitie of the ground, wood, cattell, fish and foule, giuing place to the famous Alpes, and without contro­uersie the strongest countrie within Brytaine.

Here is the towne of Caernarnon, called in the old time Caer segonce: and there also is Conwey called Caergyffyn. And the see of Bangor, with diuers other ancient castels and [Page 9] places of memorie, and was the last part of Wales, that came vnder the dominion of the kings of England. It hath on the North the sea and Maenai, vpon the East and Southeast the ri­uer Conwey, which diuideth it from Denbighshire, although it now passe the riuer in one place by the sea shore. And on the Southwest and West, it is separated from Merionyth by high mountaines and riuers, and other meares.

The third part of Gwyneth was Merionyth containing three Cantreds,Merionyth. and euerie Cantred three comots.

As Cantref Meyreon hath three comots, Talybont, Pennal, and Ystumaner.

Cantref Arustly had these, Vwchcoed, Iscoed, and Gwarthrenion.

Cantref Penlhyn had these, Vwchmeloch, Ismeloch, and Mic­naint, and this keepeth the said name till this daie, but not within the same meres, and is full of hils and rocks, and hath vpon the North the sea, notable at this daie for the great re­sort and number of people that repaire thither to take her­rings. It hath vpon the East Aruon, and Denbighland, vpon the South Powys, and vpon the West Dyui, and Caerdigan­shire.

In this countrie standeth the towne of Harlech, Tegyd. and a great lake called [...]hyn Tegyd, through which the riuer Dee run­neth, and mingleth not with the water of the lake, which is three miles long, and also the salmons, which are commonlie taken in the riuer hard by the lake, are neuer seene to enter the lake. Likewise a kind of fish called Gwyniaid, which are like to whitings, and are full in the lake, are neuer taken in the riuer. Not farre from this lake is a place called Caergay, which was the house of Gay, Arthurs foster brother. This shire as well as Aruon, is full of cattell, foule, and fish, with great number of read deere and roes: but there is great scarsitie of corne.

The fourth part of Gwyneth, Y Bervedh­wlad. was called Y Beruedhwlad, which may be Englished, the inland or middle countrie, which con­teined fiue Cantreds and 13. comots, as Cantref Ryuonioc had in it these comots, Vwchalet and Isalet.

[Page 10]Cantref Ystrat, had Hiraethoc and Cynmeirch. Cantref Ros these, Vwchdulas, Isdulas, and Creuthyn, which all are in the lordship of Denbigh, sauing the Creuthyn which is in Carnaruonshire, wher­in the castell of Dyganwy did stand, which was the Earles of Chester, and is commonlie called in the Latine and English chronicle Gannoc.

Dyffryn Clwyd.The fourth Cantref was Dyffryn Clwyd, which may be Eng­lished the vallie of Clwyd, and now is called the lordship of Ru­thyn, and hath these comots, Coleigion, Lhannerch and Dogueilyn.

The fift Cantref is Tegengl, and is now a part of Flyntshire, hauing these comots, Counsylht, Prestatyn, and Ruthlan. And in this part is one of the fairest vallies within this Ile, containing 18. miles in length, and 4.5.6. or 7. in breadth, as the hils ei­ther drawe inward togither, or backward asunder, which high hils doo inclose it on the East, West, and South parts, and Northward the sea. It is plentifull of cattell, fish, and foule, corne, hey, grasse, and wood, and diuided along in the mid­dest with the riuer Clwyd, to whom runneth Clywedoc, Ystrat, VVhilar, Elwy, and a great number of other riuers from the hils. In this vallie two miles from the sea, is the towne and castell of Ruthlan, An. 12. Ed. 1. where sometimes a parliament hath beene kept. And two miles aboue it is the see of Saint Asaph, betweene the riuers Clwyd and Elwy, called in the old time the bishops see of Lhan Elwy. Foure miles thence, and two miles from the riuer, is situate vpon a rocke the towne and castell of Denbigh, where is one of the greatest markets in the marches of Wales, and one of the fairest and strongest castels within this realme, which being the house of Dauid brother to Lhewelyn, the last Prince of the Welsh blood,See this hist. pag. 377. was enlarged and strengthned by Henrie Lacy Earle of Lincolne, to whom king Edward gaue the same lordship; it is also the shire towne of that Shire. Fiue miles aboue this, is the towne of Ruthyn with a faire castell, which sometimes belonged to the Lords Gray Earles of Kent. This part of Northwales hath vpon the North the riuer Dee, and the sea. Vpon the West Aruon, and the riuer Conwey. South and East, Merionyth, and the countrie then called [Page 11] Powys. And these be the meeres and bounds of Gwyneth or Venedotia, for the name of Northwales conteineth beside this all Powys at these daies. So there was vnder the territorie of Aberfraw 15. Cantreds, and in them 38. comots.

The second kingdome was Mathraual, Mathraval or Powys. which in right order was the third, as that which came to the third brother, yet for the better vnderstanding of the historie folowing, I haue pla­ced it here. To this kingdome belonged the countrie of Powys, and the land betwixt Wy and Seauerne. Which part had vp­on the South and West, Southwales, with the riuers Wy and Tywy, and other meeres. Vpon the North Gwyneth, and vpon the East the marches of England, from Chester to Wy, a little aboue Hereford: and therefore it was most troubled with wars, as well of the Saxons, as afterwards of the Normanes Lords marchers, who dailie wanne some part thereof, and by that meanes it was the first part that serued the kings of Eng­land, and therefore lesse esteemed of all the rest. This part cal­led Powys, was diuided againe into Powys Vadoc, and Powys Wenwynwyn. Powys Vadoc contained in it selfe fiue Cantreds and 15. comots.

Cantref Y Barwn, which hath three comots, Dynmael, Edeyr­neon, and Glyndourdwy, which be now in Merionithshire (sauing Dinmael which is in Denbighshire.)

Cantref Y Rhiw, whose comots were these, Yal now in Den­bighshire: Stratalyn and Hop now in Flyntshire.

Cantref Vwchnant hath these comots, Merfforth in Flyntshire, Maelor Gymraeg, in English Bromfield, now in Denbighshire, and Maelor Saesneg in Flyntshire.

Cantref Trefred containeth these comots, Croesvain, Tref Y VVayn, in English Chirke, and in Denbighshire. Croes of Wallt, English Oswestree and in Shropshire.

Cantref Rayder with his comots Mochnant Israider, Cynlhaeth & Nanheudwy all in Chirke land, & in Denbighshire. Also the lordship of Whytington now in Shropshire, was in this part of Powys, which part at this daie hath lost the name of Powys, and is situate in diuerse shires, as it appeereth by the discourse before [Page 12] passed. In this part is the castell of Holt in Bromefield, and the castell of Chirke in Chirkeland. Likewise the lordship and castell of Whytington, which came by mariage to Fulke Fitzwarren. There is beside these, the lordship of Oswesire, of the which the Fitzalans haue been lords these 300. and odde years, and of diuers other lordships in those marches, as Shrarden, the eleuen townes, Clun, and manie others, which be all now in Shropshire.

The second part called Powys Wenwynwyn, had likewise fiue Cantreds, and twelue comots.

Cantref Y Vyrnwy had these comots, Mochnant vwch Rayader, Mechain Iscoed, and Lhannerch Hudol.

Cantref Ystlyc had these, Devthwr, Gorthwr Isaf, and Strat Marchelh.

Cantref Lhyswynaf had these, Caereneon, and Mechain Vwch­coed.

Cantref Cydewen had comot Conan and comot Hauren.

Cantref Conan had Cyueilioc and Mouthwy, which is now in Merionyth shire. Of all these, the three first Cantreds doo on­lie at this daie beare the name of Powys, which are vpon the Northside of Seauerne, and are all fiue (sauing the comot of Mowthwy) in Mongomry shire.

This is a countrie full of woods, hils, and riuers, and hath in it these townes, the Poole, Newtowne, and Machynlhaeth. Arustly was in old time in this part, but afterwards it came to the Princes of Gwyneth. These lordships came by iust descent from the Princes thereof, to a woman named Hawys, the daughter of Owen ap Gruffyth, as appeareth in the historie fol­lowing, page 215. Arustly and Cyuelioc came to the Baron of Dudley, and afterwards it was sold to the king.

The third part belonging to Mathraual, was the land be­tweene Wy and Seauerne, containing foure Cantreds, and 13. comots.

Cantref Melienyth hath these comots, Ceri, Swythygre, Riwa­lalht, and Glyn Ieithon.

Cantref Eluel hath these, Vwchmynydh, Ismynydh, and Lhech­dhyfnog.

[Page 13]Cantref Yclawdh these, Dyffryn Teyueydiat, Swydhynogen, and Pennwelht.

Cantref Buelht hath these, Swydhyvam, Dreulys, and Isyrwon. Of this part there is at this daie some in Mountgomerie shire, some in Radnorshire, and some in Brechnockeshire. In this part and in the lordships marching to it, which although at the time of this diuision, which was in the time of the last prince, were not in his subiection, yet to this daie speake Welsh, and are called Wales, and in these comots are these townes and castels. Mountgomerie called in Welsh Treualdwyn, a pretie towne and a faire castell. The castell of Clunn called Colunwy, which is the Earles of Arundell. The towne of Knighton, in Welsh Trefyclawd. The castell of Cymaron. Presteyn in Welsh Lhanandras. The towne and castell of Radnor, in Welsh Mae­syuet, at this daie the shire towne. The towne of Kyngton and the castell of Huntingdon, called in Welsh Y castelh Mayn, which were the Bohunes Earles of Hereford, and after the dukes of Buckingham. Castell Payne, Haye, Lhanuair in Buelht. These lordships with Brechnock and Abergeuennie, were be­longing to the Bruses lords of Brechnock, and after came di­uers times, and by sundrie meanes to the Bohunes, Neuels, and Mortimers. And so (as I haue rehearsed) in this territorie or king­dome were found 14. Cantreds, and 40. comots. Two of these parts, which are Powys and Gwyneth, are at this daie called Northwales, and diuided into sixe shires. Môn called Angle­sey, Caernaruon, Merionyth, Denbigh, Flynt, and Mountgo­merie shire, and are all on the Northside Seauerne, sauing a peece of Mountgomerie shire.

And here I thinke it good to let the reader vnderstand what the Brytish chronicle saith of Northwales, which affirmeth that three times it came by inheritance to women. First to Stra­dwen, daughter to Caduan ap Conan ap Endaf, and wife to Coel Godeboc, mother to Cenaw, Dyvyr and Gwawl. The second time to the same Gwawl wife to Edeyrn ap Padarn, and mother to Cu­netha Wledic: which Cunetha inhabiting in the North parts of [Page 14] England, about the yeare 540. after the incarnation of Christ, and hearing how the mingled nations of Irish Scots, and Pictes, had ouer runne the sea shore of Caerdigan, which was part of his inheritance, sent his sonnes thither to enioie their inheritance, of the which Tibiaon his eldest sonne died in Man, which land the said Irish Scots had wonne. For Gildas saith, that of the children of Glam Hector, which peopled a great part of Ireland, Yscroeth with his people inhabited Dalrienda, which is a part of Scotland: Builke with his people came to Man. But I thinke it good to put in Gildas words, which saith: Builke cum filijs suis inhabitauit Euboniam insulam vulgò Manaw, quae est in medi­tullio maris inter Hyberniam & Brytaniam; that is to saie, Builke with his children inhabited the Ile Eubonia, commonlie Ma­naw (for so it was and is named in Brytish) which lieth in the middle of the sea, betweene Ireland and Brytaine. This was not called Môna, as Polydor faineth. The children of Bethoun in­habited Demetia, which is Southwales, with Gwyr and Cydweli, till they were chased thence by the children of Cunetha. Thus farre Gildas. Therefore the sonnes of Cunetha, being arri­ued in Northwales (as well I thinke being driuen by the Saxons, as for their inheritance) diuided the countrie betwixt them. And first Meireaon the sonne of Tibiaon, the sonne of Cu­netha, had Cantref Meireaon to his part. Arustel ap Cunetha, had Cantref Arustly. Caredic ap Cunetha, had Caerdigion, now Caerdi­gan shire.Maelor the sonne of Gw­ran, sonne to Cunedha had Maeloron, that is, the two Maelors, Maelor Gymbraeg, called Br. and Maelor Saes­neg. Dunod had Cantref Dunodic. Edeyrn had Edeyrnion. Mael had Dynmael. Coel had Coleyon. Doguael had Dogueilyn. Ry­vaon had Ryuonioc, now Denbighland. Eneon Yrch had Caereneon in Powys. Vssa had Maesvswalht now Oswestree. For surelie that they saie commonlie of Oswald king of Northumberland, to be slaine there, and of the Well that sproong where his arme was caried, is nothing so. For Beda and all other writers testifie that Peanda slew Oswald at Maserfelt, in the kingdome of Northumberland, and his bodie was buried in the abbey of Bardney, in the prouince of Lhyndesey. But to my former mat­ter. These names giuen by the sonnes of Cunetha, remaine to this daie. After this the Irish Picts or Scots, which the Brytains [Page 15] called YGwydhyl Phictiaid, which is to saie, The Irish Pictes, did ouerrunne the Ile of Môn, and were driuen thence by Caswalh­on Lhawhîr, that is Caswalhon with the long hand, the sonne of Eneon Yrch ap Cunedha, who slew Serigi their king with his owne hands, at Lhany Gwydhyl which is the Irish church at Holihead. This Caswalhon was father to Maelgon Gwyneth, whom the La­tines call Maglocunus, Prince and king of Brytaine.

In his time was the famous clerke and great wiseman Tali­essyn Ben Beirdh, that is to saie, the cheefest of the Beirdh or wise­men: for this word Bardh in Caesars time, signified (as Lucan bea­reth witnes) such as had knowledge of things to come, and so it signifieth at this daie. This Maelgon had a sonne called Run, in whose time the Saxons inuited Gurmond into Brytaine from Ireland,See after in the hist. pa. 6. who had come thither from Affrike, who with the Sax­ons was the vtter destruction of the Brytaines, and slew all that professed Christ, and was the first that droue them ouer Seauerne. This Run was father to Beli, who was father to Iago, (for so the Brytaines call Iames) who was father to Caduan, and not Brochwel called Brecyual (as the English chronicle saith:) for this Brochwel Ysgithroc, See in the hist. pag. 22. that is; long toothed, was chosen leader of such as met with Adelred alias Ethelbertus Rex Cantiae, and o­ther Angles and Saxons, whom Augustine had mooued to make warre against the christian Brytaines, and these put Brochwel twise to flight, not farre from Chester, and cruellie slew a 1000. preests and monkes of Bangor, with a great number of laie bretheren of the same house, which liued by the labour of their hands, and were come barefooted and woolward to craue mercie and peace at the Saxons hands. And heere you shall vnderstand that this was not Augustine bishop of Hippona the great clarke, but Augustine the moonke, called the apostle of England.

Then this Brochwel retired ouer Dee, hard by Bangor, and de­fended the Saxons the passage, till Caduan king of Northwales, Meredyth king of Southwales, and Bledrus or Bletius Prince of Cornewall, came to succour him, and gaue the Saxons a sore battell, and slew of them the number of a 1066. and put the [Page 16] rest to flight. After the which battell, Caduan was chosen king of Brytaine, & was cheefe ruler within the Ile; after whom his son Cadwalhon, who was father to Cadwalader, the last of the Brytish blood, that bare the name of king of Brytaine, was king.

See the histo­rie folowing, pag. 24.The third time that Northwales came to a woman, was to Esylht the daughter of Conan Tindaythwy, the sonne of Edwal Ywrch, the sonne of Cadwalader. She was wife to Meruyn Vrych, and mother to Roderike the great, as shalbe hereafter declared. By this you may vnderstand, that Northwales hath beene a great while the cheefest seate of the last kings of Brytaine, bi­cause it was and is the strongest countrie within this Ile, full of high mountaines, craggie rocks, great woods, and deepe val­lies, strait and dangerous places, deepe and swift riuers, as Dyui which springeth in the hils of Merionyth, and runneth Northwest through Mowthwy, and by Machynlaeth, and so the sea at Aberdyui diuiding North and Southwales a sunder. Dee called in Welsh Dourdwy, springing also in the other side of the same hils, runneth East through Penlhyn and the lake Tegyd, downe to Corwen and Lhangolhen, betweene Chirkeland and Bromefield, where it boweth Northward toward Bangor, to the Holt, and to Chester, and thence Northwest to Flynt ca­stell, and so to the sea.

There is also Conwey, rising likewise in Merionyth shire, and diuiding Caernaruon from Denbigh shire, runneth vn­der Snowdon Northeast, by the towne of Aberconwey to the sea.

Also Clwyd, which rising in Denbigh land, runneth downe to Ruthyn, and plaine North, not farre from Denbigh to Saint Asaph, and so by Ruthlan and to the sea. There be manie o­ther faire riuers, of which some runne to the sea, as Mawr at Traethmawr, and Auon y Saint at Caernaruon, and other that runne to Seauerne, as Murnwy in Powys, and to Murnwy Tanat; some other to Dee, as Ceirioc betwixt the lordships of Chirke and Whittington: Alyn through Yal and Moldes dale, and Hope dale, and so to Dee, a little aboue Chester. And this shall suf­fice for the perfect description of that which in old time was [Page 17] called Gwyneth and Powys, and at these daies the sixe shires of Northwales.

Now remaineth the last kingdome of Wales, called Dine­uowr, Dinevowr. which although it was the greatest, yet was it not the best, as Giraldus witnesseth, cheefelie bicause it was much molested with Flemings and Normans, and also that in diuers parts thereof, the lords would not obey their Prince, as in Gwent and in Morganwc, which was their owne confusion, as shall hereaf­ter appeare.Caredigion. This was diuided into sixe parts, of the which Care­digion was the first, and conteined foure Cantreds, and ten comots, as Cantref Penwedic had in it these comots, Geneurglyn, Perueth and Creuthyn.

Cantref Canawl had these, Meuenyth, Anhunoc, and Pennarth.

Cantref Castelh had these comots, Mabwynion and Caerwedros.

Cantref Syrwen had these, Gwenionyth and Iscoed: and this part is at this daie called in English Caerdiganshire, and in Welsh Swydh Aberteiui. This is a champion countrie without much wood, and hath beene diuers times ouercome with Flemings and Normans, which builded manie castels in it, and at the last were beaten out of them all. It hath on the East Northwales, with the riuer Dyui and part of Powys, vpon the South Caer­mardhynshire, vpon the West Penbroke shire, with the riuer Teiui, and vpon the North the Irish sea. In this part is the towne of Caerdigan vpon Teiui, not farre from the sea. The towne of Aberystwyth vpon the riuer Ystwyth, by the sea, and Lhanbadarn Vawr, which was a great sanctuarie, and a place of religious and learned men in times past. And in this shire were a great number of castels, as the castell of Stratmeyric, of Walter, of Lhanrysted, of Dynerth, of the sons of Wyneaon, of Aber Reidol, and a great number more, with the townes of Tregaron, Lhandhewibreui, as you shall vnderstand in the historie folow­ing.

The second part was called Dyuet, Dyuet. and at this daie Penbroke shire, and had in it eight Cantreds, and 23. comots, which were these. Cantref Emlyn that had these comots, Vwchkuch, Iskuch and Leuethyr.

[Page 18]Cantref Arberth had these, Penrhyn ar Elays, Esterolef, and Talacharn.

Cantref Daugledhev had these, Amgoed, Pennant, and Euelfre.

Cantref YCoed hath these, Lhanhayaden, and Castelh Gwys.

Cantref Penvro hath these, Coedyr, haf. Maenor byrr, and Penvro.

Cantref Ros hath these, Hulfforth, castelh Gwalchmai and Ygarn.

Cantref Pubidioc hath these, Mynyw, Pencaer, and Pebidioc.

Cantref Cemais hath these, Vwchneuer, Isneuer, and Trefdraeth.

In this part are diuers townes and hauens at this daie, as Penbrooke Tenbie, in Welsh Dynbegh y pyscot, Herefordwest, in Welsh Hulfforth, with the faire hauen of Mylford, called in Welsh Aberdaugledheu. Saint Dauids or Menevia, called in Welsh Mynyw, the cheefest see in all Wales. Then Fiscard cal­led Abergwayn, and Newport named Trefdraeth: these be alongst the sea coast, or not verie farre off. Besides these there be diuers castels, as Cilgerran, Arberth, Gwys, Lhanhayaden, Wal­wyn, and diuers other. This part was wonne first by Mountgo­merys Earles of Sherewsburie, and after giuen Marshalls, and so to Valence, and from thence were the Princes of Wales most troubled with the Normans and Flemings, who doo re­maine and inhabit about Tenbie, Penbrooke, and in Ros to this daie, which can neither Welsh nor good English as yet. Dyuet (for so will I call it hereafter) hath on the West and North the Irish sea, vpon the South the Spanish sea, and vpon the East Caermardhynshire, & on the Northeast Caerdiganshire. The third part was Caermardynshire,Caermardhyn hauing foure Cantreds, and 15, comots, as Cantref Finioc with the comots of Harfryn, Deruedh, and Isgeneny.

Cantref Eginoc with these, Gwyr, now in Glamorganshire, Cydweli, and Carnwilheon.

Cantref Bachan with these, Malbaen, Caeo, and Maenor Deilo.

Cantref Mawr with these, Cethineoc comot mab Elvyw, co­mot mab Vchdryd and Wydigada. In this shire are the townes and castels of Caermardhyn, Dyneuowr, which was the Princes seat of the countrie, Newtowne, Lhandeilo, Lhanymdhyfry, Emlyn, Swansey, now in Glamorganshire, called in Welsh Abertawy [Page 19] vpon the sea, the castell of the sonnes of Vchtryd, of Lhanstephan, and others. It hath vpon the West, Dyuet or Penbrooke shire, on the North Caerdiganshire, vpon the Southweast the sea, and vpon the Southeast Glamorgan, and vpon the East Brecknockshire. This is counted the strongest part of all Southwales, as that which is full of high mountaines, great woods, and faire riuers, speciallie Tywy. In this, and in the o­ther two parts of Southwales, were the notablest acts that this historie intreateth of, atchiued and doone.

The fourth called Morganwc, Morganwc. now Glamorganshire, contai­ning foure Cantreds, with 15. comots. As Cantref Croneth, with these comots Rwngneth ac Avan, Tir yr Hwndrwd, and Maenor Glynogwr.

Cantref Pennythen with these, Meyskyn, Glynrhodny, Maenor Ta­lauan, and Maenor Ruthyn.

Cantref Brenhinol, with these, Cibowr, Senghennyth, Vwchcaeth, and Iscaeth.

Cantref Gwentlhwg, which is now in Monmouthshire, with these comots, Yrhardh Ganol, and Eithafdylygion. In this part are these townes and castels, Lhandaf the Bishops sea, Caerdyffe called Caerdhydh, Cowbridge called in Welsh Y bont vaen, which is as much to saie, as Stonebridge, Lantwyd, Caerffyli, and others, and hath diuers riuers which runne to the south sea, as Lay, Taf, Tawy, Neth, Avan, Ogwr, and Lhychwr: it hath on the south the sea of Seauerne, which diuideth it from Deuonshire and Cornewall; vpon the Weast & Northweast, Caermardhynshire; vpon the Northeast Brechnockshire, and vpon the East Monmouthshire.See the histo­rie folowing, pag. 119. Of this you shall read verie little, for one Iestyn being cheefe of the countrie, and hauing warre with his neighbours, called one Robert Fitzhamon, with a great number of straungers to his succoures, which after they had atchiued, the enterprise liked so well the countrie, that they found occasion to fall out with Iestyn, and inhabited the countrie themselues and their heires to this daie.

The fift part was called Gwent, and now in Monmouthshire, which had three Cantreds, and ten comots, as Cantref Gwent, [Page 20] which had these comots, Y mynyth, Iscoed Lhefnydh, and Tref y grug.

Cantref Iscoed these, Brynbuga, Vwchcoed, Y Teirtref, and Erging acewyas, now in Herefordshire.

Cantref Coch was the seauenth Cantred of Morganwc, which is now in Glocestershire, and is called the Forrest of Deane.

In this part is the ancient citie of Caerlhêon vpon Vsk, where was the Archbishops of Wales: here are also diuers townes and castels, as Chepstowe, Glyn Strigul, Ros, Tyn­tern vpon the riuer Wy: there is also Newport, called Y castelh Newydh, Vysc called Brynbuga, Grosmont, Raglan, White ca­stell, Abergeuenny, and manie other. This is a faire and a fer­tile countrie, of which likewise the Gentlemen were neuer obedient to their Prince, which was the cause of their owne destruction. It hath on the West Glamorgan and Brech­nockshires, vpon the North Herefordshire, vpon the East Glocestershire, with the riuer Wy, and vpon the South and Southeast Seauerne.

Brecheinoc.Last of all commeth Brecheinoc, now Brechnockeshire, which hath three Cantreds, and eight comots. As Cantref Selef which hath these comots, Selef and Trahayern.

Cantref Canol these, Talgarth Ystradyw and Brwynlhys or E­glwys yail.

Cantref Mawr these, Tir Raulff, Lhywel and Cerrig Howel. In this part is the towne of Brechnock vpon the meeting of Vsck and Hodni, and is called Aberhodni, and Hay called Y Gelhy, with Talgarth, Buelht, Lhangors: it hath West Caermardhynshire, with the riuer Tawy, vpon the North Radnorshire with Wy, vpon the East Herefordshire and Monmouth, vpon the South Glamorgan. This for the most part is full of mountaines, woods and riuers, especiallie Buelht. And the lords of this coun­trie called Bruses with the Mortimers, most of all others lords Marchers, sometimes by might, but oftener by treason, haue molested and greeued the Princes of Wales, as you shall vn­derstand by the historie folowing. This land came after the Bruses to the Bohunes Earles of Hereford, and so to the Staffords [Page 21] dukes of Buckingham.

These six shires being subiect to the territorie of Dynevowr with Radnorshire, which was belonging to Mathraual, are now commonlie called Southwales, which countrie is both great and large, with manie faire plaines and vallies for corne, high mountaines and rocks full of pasture for cattell; great and thicke woods, with forrests and parks for red deere and fallow; cleare and deepe riuers full of fish, of which Seauerne is the cheefest, which with Wy & Reidol spring out of a high moun­taine called Pymlhymon, in the edge of Caerdiganshire, and are called commonlie the three sisters. Seauerne runneth full East through Cydewen by the poole and vnder the castell of Shraden to Shrewesburie, from whence it turneth Southward and run-to Bridgenorth, Bewdley, Worcester, Glocester, and so to the sea by Bristowe. The second sister is Gwy in English Wy, which tooke hir iourney Southeast by Rayader Gwy to Buelht, where Irwon meeteth hir, thence to Glasburie and so to Here­ford and Monmouth, & to the sea of Seauerne at Chepstow: for so they call Môr Hafren the sea which seuereth Wales from Somersetshire, Deuonshire, and Cornwale. The third sister named Reidol, ranne Northward to the sea being not farre off, at Aberystwyth. There be other faire riuers as Vsk, which ri­sing in a high mountaine called Y Mynydh duy in the South­west part of Brechnockshire runneth to Brechnocke, and so through Monmouthshire to the towne of Vsk, Caerlhêon and Newport and so to the said South sea. Tywy also rising not farre from Wy runneth South to Lhanymdhyfri, and thence Southwest by Lhandeilo and Dinevowr to Abergwily and Ca­ermardhyn, and so by Lhanstephan to the sea.

Teivi likewise which riseth in the edge of Caermardhyn­shire, & runneth Northwest by Emlyn Cilgerran, [...], Greeke. Fiber, Lat. Beauer, En. Auanc, Bryt. Giraldus in Itiner. Caerdigan, and so to the North sea. In Teiui aboue all the riuers in Wales, were in Giraldus time a great number of Castors, which may be englished Beuers, and are called in Welsh Auanc, which name onelie remaineth in Wales at this daie, but what it is very few can tell. It is a beast not much vnlike an Otter, but that it is [Page 22] bigger, all hearie sauing the taile which is like a fish taile, as broad as a mans head. This beast vseth as well the water as the land, and hath verie sharpe teeth, and biteth cruellie, till he perceiue the bones cracke, his stones be of great efficacie in physicke. He that will learne what strong nests they make, which Giraldus calleth castels, which they build vpon the face of the water with great bowes, which they cut with their teeth and how some lie vpon their backs holding the wood with the forefeet, which the other draweth with a crosse sticke, the which he holdeth in his mouth to the water side, and other particu­larities of their natures, let him read Giraldus in his Topogra­phie of Wales. There be besides these a great number of ri­uers, of which some run to the South, and some to the West and Northsea, as Tywy in Glamorganshire, Tafalso in Caermar­dhynshire which runneth to Cledheu, two riuers either called Cledheu which doo giue Mylford the name of Aberdavgle­dhev in Penbrookshire, Arth, Aeron, and Ystwyth in Caerdi­gan. There be also diuers lordships which be added to other shires, and were taken heretofore for parts of Wales, and in most part of them at this daie the Welsh language is spoken, as Oswestre, Knocking, Whittington, Elsmer, Masbrocke, Chirburie, Caurs, Clynn, which are now in Shropshire, Ewy­as Lacy, Ewyas Haroald, Clifford, Winsorton, Yardley, Hun­tyngdon, Whytney, Loghardneys in Herefordshire. Also this countrie of Southwales as all the rest of Brytaine, was first in­habited by the Brytains, which remaine there to this daie, sa­uing that in diuers places, speciallie alongst the sea shore, they haue beene mingled with Saxons, Normans (which the Welsh historie calleth Frenchmen) and Flemings: so that the Princes of Wales, sith the conquest of the Normans, could neuer keepe quiet possession thereof, but what for strangers and what for disloyaltie of their owne people, vexation and war, were for the most part compelled to keepe themselues in Caermar­dhynshire.

CADWALADER 680 the last King of the Brytaines, Galfr. Mon. des­cending from the noble race of the Troianes, by extreame plagues of death and famine, was driuen to forsake this his Realme and natiue Coun­trie, and to soiourne with a greate number of his nobles and subiects with his cousen Alan, King of little Brytaine, which is called in the Brytish toong Lhydaw.

[Page 2]Little Brytaine is a countrie in France, called in Caesars time, Armorica, and after inhabited by Brytaines, Little Bry­taine, or Brytaine Armorike. who a­bout the yeare of Christ 384. vnder the conduct of Conan Lord of Meriadoc, now Denbighland, went out of this Ile with Maximus the tyrant, to his aid against the Emperour Gratianus, Galfr. Mon. and winning the said countrie of Armorica, I. Cast. (which Maximus gaue Conan & his people) slue and draue out all the old inhabitants thereof,Math. West. planting themselues in the same,Fabian. where they to this daie speake the Brytish toong, being the third remnant of the ancient Brytaines. Caxton.

• R. Caen. lib. 2. Per. 2.
  1 Conan. Meriadoc.
• 2 Gradlonus.
• 3 Salomon. 1.
• 4 Auldranus.
• 5 Budicus. 1.
• 6 Howelus Magnus. This Howel was with King Arthure in his warres.
• 7 Howelus. 2.
• 8 Alanus. 1.
• 9 Howelus. 3.
• 10 Gilquellus.
• 11 Salomon. 2.
• 12 Alanus. 2. Of whome, mention is made in this place, who descended of a daugh­ter of Rune, the sonne of Mailgon Gwyneth, king of great Brytaine, which was married to the forenamed Howel the second, King of lit­tle Brytaine.
• 13 Conobertus.
• 14 Budicus. 2.
• 15 Theodoricus.
• 16 Rualhonus.
• 17 Daniel Dremrost, id est, Ruhicunda facie.
• 18 Aregstanus.
• 19 Maconus.
• 20 Neomenius.
• 21 Haruspogius.
• 22 Salomon. 3. Who was slaine by his owne men, and then was that Kingdome turned to an Earle­dom, wherof Alan was the first Earle, who valiantlie resisted the Normans, and vanquished them often­times.

Cadwalader being in Brytaine, was certified that a great number of strangers, as Saxons, Angles, [Page 3] and Iuthes, Galfride. I. Castor. had arriued in Brytaine, and finding it desolate, and without inhabitants (sauing a few Saxons which had called them in, & certaine poore Brytaines that liued by rootes in rocks and woods) had ouerrunne a great part thereof, and diuiding it into diuers territories and kingdomes, inhabi­ted that part which was then, and now at this daie is called Lhoyger in the Brytish or Welsh toong, and in English England, with all the cities, townes, castels, and villages, which the Brytaines had builded, ruled, and inhabited by the space of 1827. yeares, vnder diuers Kings and Princes of great renowme: wherevpon he purposed to re­turne, and by strength of Brytish Knights to re­couer his owne land againe.

After he had prepared and made readie his na­uie for the transporting of his owne men,A fable confirmed with blind prophesies. with such succours as he had found at Alans hand, an Angell appeared vnto him in a vision, and decla­red that it was the will of God that he should not take his voyage towards Brytaine, but to Rome to Pope Sergius, where he should make an end of his life, and be afterwards numbred among the bles­sed: for GOD had appointed that the Brytaines should haue no more the rule and gouernance of the whole Ile, vntill the prophesie of Merlin Am­brose should be fulfilled.

Which vision, after that Cadwalader had de­clared to his friend Alan, he sent for all his bookes of prophesies, as the works of both Merdhines, or Merlines, to wit, Ambrose, and Syluester, surnamed Merdhin Wylht: and the words which the Eagle spake at the building of Caer Septon, now called Shaftsburie; and after long studie, found the time [Page 4] to be now come whereof they had prophesied.

Of this admonition giuen to Cadwalader there be diuers opinions. Some hold that this was signified to him in a dreame: of the which mind is Polydore Virgil, and diuers other.

Some other doo thinke, that (if anie such vision were) it was some illusion of a wicked spirit, or a phantasticall conceite of Cadwalader himselfe, being a man of a milde and quiet nature, and wearied with troubles and miseries. Other reiect it altogether as a fable,Hol. pa. 183. not woorthie to be recorded in bookes: but howsoeuer it was, certeine it is, that after his going ouer to Alan, he neuer returned againe to Brytaine. Of these two Merlines thus writeth Girald. Camb. in suo Itinerario.

Erant Merlini duo, vnus qui & Ambrosius dictus est, quia binomius fuerat, & sub rege Vortigerno prophe­tauit, ab incubo genitus, & in vrbe ab ipso denominata Caervyrdhin. 1. vrbs Merlini, inuentus. Alter de Alba­nia oriūdus, qui Calidonius dictus est, à Calidonia sylua, in qua prophetauit: & Syluester, quia cùm inter acies belli­cas constitutus, horribile monstrum nimis in aera suspici­endo prospiceret, dementire caepit: & ad syluam transfu­giendo, syluestrem vs (que) ad obitum vitam perduxit. Hic autem Merlinus tempore Arthuri fuit, & longè pleniùs & apertiùs quàm alter prophetasse perhibetur. Haec Cam­brensis.

In English thus.

There were two Merlines, the one named also Ambrose (for he had two names) begotten of a spirit, and found in the towne of Caermarthen, which tooke the name of him, and is therefore so called, who prophesied vnder King Vortigerne. The other borne in Albaine or Scotland, surnamed Calidonius of the forrest Calidon, wherein he prophesied, and was called also Syluestris, or of the wood, for that he be­holding [Page 5] some monstrous shape in the aire being in the bat­tell fell mad, and flieng to the wood, liued there the rest of his life. This Merline was in the time of king Arthure, and prophesied fuller and plainer than the other.

Concerning the words of the Eagle at the building of Caer Galf ride Septon in Mount Paladour in the time of Rudhudibras, Cast. in the yeare after the creation of the world, 3048. some thinke that an Eagle did then speake & prophesie. Other are of o­pinion, that it was a Brytaine named Aquila that prophesi­ed of these things, & of the recouerie of the whole Ile againe by the Brytaines, bringing with them the bones of Cadwa­lader from Rome, as in the said prophesies is to be séene.

By these toies and fables, men may learne what follie and vanitie the wit of man, being not staied and directed by the word of God, is prone and subiect vnto. And certaine it is, that the simple and ignorant haue bin in all ages de­luded and brought to great errors and blindnes by the pra­ctise of sathan, with these fained reuelations, false prophe­sies, and superstitious dreames of hypocrites and lewd persons: whereof (as it is manifest in histories) much bloud­shead & mischiefe hath ensued, and manie relieng vpon the same, haue bene vtterlie ouerthrowne and perished. Wise men therefore will neuer regard or estéeme such things.

Alan therefore counselled Cadwalader to fulfill the will of God, who did so, and taking his iour­nie to Rome, liued there eight yeares in the ser­uice of God, and died in the yeare of Christ, 688. So that the Brytaines ruled this Ile, with the out Iles of Wight: Môn, in English called Anglesey: Manaw, in English Man: Orkney, and Ewyst, 1137. yeares before Christ, vntill the yeare of his incar­nation, 688. And thus ended the rule of the Bry­taines ouer the whole Ile.

The Brytaines being sore troubled with the Scots and Picts and denied of aid at the hands of the Romanes, sent for the [Page 6] Saxons to come to defend them against their enimies:450 who comming at the first as fréends to the Brytaines, liked the countrie so well, that they became their mortall enimies, and droue them out of the same.

About the yeare of Christ, 590. Gurmundus an archpirate and capteine of the Norwegians, Galfrid. after that he had con­quered Ireland, Cast. being called by the Saxons to their aid a­gainst Careticus King of the Brytaines, ouercame the same Careticus in battell, and compelled him and his Brytaines to flée beyond the riuers of Seauerne and Dee to Cam­bria, now called Wales, and to Cornewale, and some to Brytaine Armorike, where they remaine to this daie, and gaue Lhoegria, now England, to the Saxons. And albeit that Caduan, Cadwalhon, & Cadwalader were sithence in­tituled Kings of all Brytaine, yet they could neuer recouer againe the quiet possession of the whole Iland afterwards. After the departure of Cadwalader out of the land, the Bry­taines were gouerned within the countrie of Wales or Cambria by those men, whereof this historie following doth intreate, which were commonlie called Kings of such pro­uinces and countries as they possessed, vntill the time of Owen Gwyneth, H. Lhoyd. who being in the daies of King Stephen, and Henrie the second, was the first that named himselfe Prince of Wales, and so the rest after him kept that title and stile: and yet neuertheles, they are sometimes called Princes before him, and Kings after him, as I haue obser­ued by diuers charters and old records which I haue séene in the Tower of London, and else-where. Howbeit, this author calleth the chiefest of them Kings, till the time of the said Owen, and sithence, Princes.

AFter that Cad­walader had taken his iourneie to­wards Rome, 688 as before is declared, leauing his sonne named Edwal Ywrch, that is to saie, Edwal the Roo, & his people, with his cousen Alan, Galfrid. Io. Cast. which Alan taking courage to him, and not despairing of the con­quest of Brytaine, manned his ships as well with a great number of his owne people, as with those which Cadwalader had brought with him, and ap­pointed Iuor his sonne, and Ynyr his nephew to bee the leaders and chiefetaines of the same, who sailing ouer the narrowe seas, landed in the west parts of Brytaine, of whose arriuall, when [Page 8] the Saxons were certified, they gathered a great armie, and gaue Iuor battell, where they were put to flight, and lost a great number of their people: and Iuor wan the countries of Cornewall, Deuon­shire, and Somersetshire, and inhabited them with Brytaines.

Wherevpon, Kentwinus King of Westsex ga­thered a great number of Saxons and Angles together, and came against the Brytaines, which were readie to abide the battell: and as the ar­mies were both in sight, they were not verie desi­rous to fight, but fell to a composition and agree­ment, that Iuor should take Ethelburga to wife, which was cousen to Kentwyn, and quietlie enioie all that he had, during the reigne of Iuor.

H. Lhoyd.This Iuor is he whom the English Chronicles do call Iue or Iew King of West Saxons, that reig­ned after Cedwall, and they saie that he was a Sa­xon, for Kentwyn reigned but fiue yeares after I­uors comming to England, and after him, his ne­phew Cedwall, who after he had reigned ouer the West Saxons two yeares, went to Rome, and left his kingdome to Iue his cousen. This Iue or Iuor, (whome the Brytaines call the sonne of Alan, and the Saxons the sonne of Kenred) being King of the Saxons and Brytaines which inhabited the west partes of England, after manie victories atchie­ued against the Kings of Kent, Southsex, and Mer­tia, left his kingdome to Adelred, or as some call him Adelerdus his cousen, and tooke his iournie to Rome, where he made a godly end, about the yeare of our Lord, 720.

Of Cadwalader, Cedwall, and Iuor, there be diuers opini­ons. Some hold, that Cadwalader and Cedwall are the [Page 9] selfesame man; and that the Saxon writers call him Ced­wall whome the Brytaines do name Cadwalader: who (as the Brytish Chronicles do affirme) after his foresaid visi­on, did resigne all his right, title, and interest in great Bry­taine, to the said Alan king of Brytaine Armorike, and so de­spairing that either he or his should euer haue anie thing to doo there, leauing his sonne Edwal Ywrch and his people to the ordering of his cousen Alan, went to Rome. But this opinion séemeth to varie from the assertion of Bernardus Guidonius. But certainelie in mine opinion it is more probable that this Cedwall was Edwal the sonne of Cad­walader, for the name Edoal, which in the ancient Brytish copie is written Etoal, may well agrée with that which Guidonius writeth: and an easie matter it were especiallie in proper names for the C. capitall to créepe in, which is al­most all one with that character which the Lawyers do call a paraph,¶ and is vsed commonlie in all old text hands at the beginning of periods or sections. Of this matter, thus writeth Guidonius, In suo pontificali Catalogo, sub Sergio primo.

Per idem tempus Ethoal rex Brytonum, Rob. Caenal. cùm per decem an­nos multis regulis obuiasset, & plura mala illis irrogas­set, tandem ipsis in pacem deuenientibus, super occiden­tales Saxones regnauit annis duobus. Videns autem Brytanniam multis miserijs contritam, regnum spreuit terrenum propter aeternum, & Romam veniens, paucis diebus transactis migrauit ad Christum. Et paulo post. Hic ex toto illud regnum antiquissimum Brytonum cor­ruit, quod omnibus ferè regnis diuturnius fuit. A tem­pore Heli Sacerdotis vsque ad hoc tempus, per annos 1825. Rob. Caenalis lib. 2. per. 2.

That is.

At the same time Ethoal King of the Brytaines, when he had by the space of ten yeares warred with diuers Kings, and often put them to the woorse, at length growing to an a­gréement [Page 10] with them, he reigned ouer the West Saxons two yeares, and then perceiuing Brytaine to be ouerworne with miseries, preferring the heauenlie kingdome before the earthlie, came to Rome, and within few daies died: and in him ended wholie that ancient kingdome of the Bry­taines, which continued in a maner longer than anie other, from Helie the priest to this time, by the space of 1825. yeares.

Further, it is not like that Iuor comming to the aid of Ed­wal his cousen, would euer séeke the kingdome to him­selfe and defeate the right heire: but verie well it may be (if this Iuor be that man whome the Saxon writers call Inas or Iue) after these Brytaines had arriued in the south part of this realme, and fought diuers times with the Saxon kings, and continued in Cornewall, Deuonshire, and So­mersetshire by the space of two yeares, that they should af­terwards méet Centwyn in the field, and so fall to an agrée­ment, that Iuor taking Ethelburga the cousen of Centwyn to wife, should enioie the kingdome of the West Saxons af­ter Centwyn, and that therevpon Edwal resigning his title and interest to Iuor, departed to Rome, and so died: as Guidonius saith.

Beda.All this notwithstanding, it séemeth by the report of other writers of verie good account,H. Hunt. that Inas or Iue king of the West Saxons (whose lawes are extant in print, set out by maister) William Lamberd Esquier,Cast. a woorthie searcher and preseruer of the antiquities of this land) was not a Brytaine, W. Lamb. but a Saxon, who had warre against the Brytaines diuers times, and vanquished them.

Matth. West. reporteth that Inas or Iue fought with Gerent King of the Brytaines.

I haue an ancient booke written (as Iohn Leland thinketh) by Iohn Castoreus or Beuer, sometimes Monke of West­minster, who liued in the time of Edward the third, which re­porteth the historie of Inas in this sort.

About the yeare of grace 689. Iuor and Henyr sonnes of the [Page 11] daughter of Cadwalader sometime King of Brytaine, I. Cast. came ouer from Ireland, and taking to their aid the two Kings of Wales, destroied the prouince of Chester, and sent messengers to the Saxon Kings, commanding them to restore againe to the Brytaines the countrie of Lhoyger, The re­quest of the Brytaines. out of the which they had wrongfullie expelled their pa­rents and ancesters: adding, that if they would not so doo within fiftéene daies, they should not enioie it anie longer. The which message, Inas the noble King of Westsex, signifi­ed vnto all the other Saxon Kings, who soone met together in Mount Campeden, to whom Sibertus King of Essex spake thus:

Deare frends and companions,The orati­on of Si­bertus to the other Saxon Kings. let vs wey and consider not onlie what we are our selues, but also what our enimies are which come against vs: they are the verie Brytaines, whose fathers and ancesters, our fathers haue béereft of their inheritance, and expelled out of their owne land: and now they iustlie come against vs, to claime that which our ancesters by violence haue taken from theirs. Let vs therefore like other nations, choose vnto vs a head, to leade, direct, and gouerne vs, whome, as chiefe lord in time of peace and warre, we as members may obeie and sticke to, sith without a head, there is no victorie to be looked for. Haue not the Brytaines after two yeares of their dispersion set vpon the ancient Saxons (a more valiant people than we are) fiftéene times within seauen yeares? Did they not spoile their kingdomes, killed their people, and left such as remained aliue sore wounded and maimed at their de­parture?

The rest of the Saxon kings agréed vnto his mind, and with one assent chose that worthie Knight Inas King of Westsex to be their souereigne, who hauing taken their homage, ad­uanced his standard, and marched forward against Iuor and Henyr, and set vpon them, so that they were faine to forsake their tents and flie into Wales.

Thus Inas hauing obteined the victorie, with the other Saxon [Page 12] Kings (sauing Sibertus, who by reason of his age and impo­tencie had departed home before) returned to South hamp­ton, where his cousen Adelard informed him that Iuor and Henyr had gathered and leauied a puissant armie afresh to set vpon the Saxons: where vpon, Inas foreslowed not the matter, but went against them, and laid séege to the Ca­stell of Snowdon, compelling the Brytaines to flie to their ships▪ and while he was at Bangor with the other Sa­xon Kings, and the nobles of Wales, he kept the feast of S. Dauid, and then dismissed the other Kings home to their countrie, vntill they should be called for againe: and de­parted himselfe with Adelard his cousen, to Quéene E­thelburga being then at Manchester, and continued there almost thrée moneths.

In the meane while, Adelard minding to trauell about all Wales, met thrée spies, of whome (being by him taken and examined) he learned that Iuor and Henyr were returning againe with a huge armie, of such strength and force, as all the Saxon Kings were not able to resist. Then went he and shewed Inas what he had heard: wherefore Inas foorth­with certified the other Saxon Kings of the same, comman­ding them without delaie to be readie at Chester with horse and armour to go against their enimies, and to defend their countrie from violence. Who accordinglie met at Chester, and following the Kings standard, gaue the Bry­taines battell, and put them to flight. Howbeit, the Bry­taines eftsoones inuaded England, and made seauen roades in two yeares, destroieng townes and villages wheresoe­uer they came, and neuer returning without great and rich booties. Inas after this victorie returned home, and reigned ouer the West Saxons 36. yeares, and then bequeathed his kingdome to his cousen Adelard. Thus much out of Ca­storeus.

This Iuor made the fratrie of Glastenburie, called in the Brytish toong Ynys Aualon.

Ioseph of Aremathia being sent by Philip the Apostle, as [Page 13] Gildas reporteth,Gildas. came into this Iland in the daies of Ar­uiragus King of Brytaine, Polydore. about the yeare of Christ 53. and instructed the Brytaines in the doctrine of saluation, in the Ile of Aualon, where he builded a Church for the Christi­ans: which Church, this Iuor (if it be he that gouerned the West Saxons) conuerted to an Abbey, and endowed the same with large possessions,Bale. which was the more famous, because the bodies of the said Ioseph of Aremathia and king Arthur were there buried.

He gaue also great lands to the Church of Win­chester. In the second yeare of Iuors reigne, Brythe a subiect to Egfride King of Northumberland, did ouerrun and destroie a great part of the countrie of Ireland. In the fourth yeare of his reigne there was a great earthquake in the Ile of Man: and the yeare following, it reigned bloud in Brytaine and in Ireland. The milke likewise and the butter turned to the colour of bloud.Math. West. The second yeare after that the Moone appeared all bloudie.

After the departure of Iuor to Rome, Adelard or Adelred tooke the rule of the Saxons. And Rodericus, or Roderi Molwynoc the sonne of Edwal Ywrch, did take the rule of the Brytaines in the west part of England.

ROderike, ouer the Brytains began his reigne an. 720.720 against whom, A­delred King of Westsex rai­sed a great armie, and de­stroieng the countrie of De­uonshire, entred Cornewall, where Roderike with the Brytaines gaue him battell,This battel is called Gwaeth Heilyn. in the which, the Brytaines had the victorie. The yeare after, the Brytaines obteined two other victories against the Saxons: one in Northwales, at a place called Garth Mae­lawc: and another in Southwales at Pencoet. At this time Belin the sonne of Elphin, a noble man amongst the Brytaines died. The yeare following, died Celredus King of Mertia, Ethelbald King of Mertia. and Ethelbaldus was made King after him, who being desirous to an­nex [Page 15] the fertile soile of the countrie lieng betweene Seuerne and Wye, to his Kingdome of Mertia, ga­thered an armie, and entred into Wales, and de­stroieng all before him, he came to the mountaine Carno, not farre from Abergeuenny, where a sore battell was fought betweene him and the Bry­taines in the yeare 728.

The yeare 733.733 died Beda priest, brought vp in the Abbey of Wyrnetham, Or Iatewe a great clearke that wrote manie works, among which, there is one intituled, The Ecclesiasticall historie of the English nation, dedicated vnto Cleolwolfe King of Nor­thumberland. This yeare, Adelard King of West­sex, and Ethelbald King of Mertia, ioined their po­wers against the Brytaines, and gaue them bat­tell, and after a long fight and great slaughter vp­on either part, obteined a bloudie victorie. The yeare 735.735 Adelard King of Westsex died, and Cu­dred reigned in his place. And the yeare following died Edwyn King of the Pictes. And in the yeare 746.Hol. pa. 193. there was a great battell fought at Here­ford betwixt Cudred and Ethelbaldus, where after a long fight, Cudred had the victorie. Also the next yeare ensuing he gaue the Brytaines and ouerthrow and died shortlie after.

H. Hunt. Hol. pag. 189. & 193. The Brytaines seeing they could little preuaile against the Saxons, ioined in league with Cuthred King of the West Saxons, who then was out with Ethelbald King of Mertia, wherevpon, the said Ethelbald entred into Wales with a strong armie, and the Brytaines met him, and were there discomfited. After that, Cuthred and Ethelbald met in the field, where Ethelbald was put to flight: but anon after they two were made friends, and ioined together their po­wers against the Brytaines and ouercame them.

[Page 16] Math. West.After Cuthred, in the yeare 749. was Sigebert created King,749 who for his euill behauiour, was expelled by his nobles out of his Kingdome,Sigebert King of Westsex. Kenulph. and was miserablie slaine by a swineheard, after whome, Kenulph was made King of West Saxons, the yeare 750.750 About the same time died Theodor the sonne of Belin, a man of great estimation a­mong the Brytaines. Not long after, there was a great battell fought betwixt the Brytaines and the Pictes at a place called Magedawc, where Dalargan King of the Pictes was slaine. Within a little af­ter, Roderi or Roderike Molwynoc was driuen by the Saxons to forsake the west countrie, & to come to seeke his own inheritance in Northwales, where ruled at that time the children of Bletius or Blederi­cus prince of Cornewal & Deuonshire (who was one of them that gaue Adelred and Ethelbert the ouer­throw at Bangor vpon the riuer Dee) who enioied the gouernance of Northwales, euer sithence Cad­uan was chosen King of Brytaine, vntill this time.

By this historie it should séeme that the Brytaines continu­ed their gouernement in the west part of Lhoegria vntill this time. But surelie, the consent (in a maner) of all wri­ters is, that the Brytish kingdome ended in Cadwalader, after whom, the Brytaines had nothing to doo beyond Se­uerne, being constrained to kéepe themselues within the countries of Cambria and Cornubia. It is also written by diuers, that Iuor and Ynyr at their first arriuing in Bry­taine, were repelled by the Saxons, and driuen to Wales, where Iuor ruled as Prince manie yeares, whome this Roderi or Roderike the sonne of Edwal the sonne of Cad­walader succéeded.

When Roderike king of the Brytains had reigned about 30. yeares, he died, the yeare 750. leauing two sons after him, Conan Tindaythwy, & Howel.

COnan Tindaeth­wy did beginne his reigne ouer the Brytaines the yeere of our Lord 755.755 About two yeares after, there was a great battell fought at He­reford betwixt the Brytaines and the Saxons, where Dy­fnwal the sonne of Theodor was slaine. And this yeare died Athelbert King of Northumberland, and Os­wold reigned in his stead. About this time, there was an order taken for the right keeping of the feast of Easter in Wales, by Elbodius a man both godlie and learned:I. Bale, Cen. 1. pag. 67. for the Brytaines euer before that time varied from the church of Rome, in ce­lebrating the feast of Easter, and the variance [Page 18] was this. The church of Rome by order of a gene­rall Councell holden at Nice, had appointed, that euer the next sundaie after the 14. daie of the moone should be Easter daie, so that Easter should be euer either the 15.16.17.18.19.20. or 21. daie of the moone, and neuer the 14. daie it selfe, nor ne­uer passe the 21. And the Brytaines did vse to keepe their Easter vpon the 14. daie, and so to the 20. as it fell, so that sometimes when it was Easter daie with the Brytaines, it was but Palmesunday with the Saxons: of which diuersitie grew a great con­tention betwixt Colman and Hylda vpon the one part, defending the rites of the Brytaines; and Gil­bert and Wilfride vpon the other part, about the yeare 660.660 wherein they seeme scant to call the Brytaines and Scots christians, bicause they keepe not Easter within the daies appointed.

Leland. I. Bale, Cen. 1. pag. 81.I reade that this Hylda (which was the néece of Edwine King of Northumberland, brought vp by Pauline and Ae­dan) in a publike synode did withstand Wilfride and o­ther superstitious moonks in these toies and trifles, all ed­ging for hir out of Polycrates the fact of Irenaeus, who withstood Victor Bishop of Rome in that behalfe, and the custome of the church of Asia obserued by S. Iohn the Euan­gelist, Philip the Apostle, Polycarpus and Melito, and taught in this Iland of Brytaine by Ioseph of Arimathea, who first preached the Gospell in the same.

763In the yeare 763. was Offa made King of Mer­cia, and Brichtrich King of West Saxons. In the which yeare died Fermael the sonne of Edwal: and the yeare following, Cemoyd the King of the Pictes. The yeare 776. the men of Southwales de­stroied a great part of Mercia with fire and sword. And the summer following, all the Welshmen ga­thered [Page 19] themselues togither, and entred the King­dome of Mercia, and did much hurt there.

Io. Caest.The Saxons, which bordered vpon the countrie of Cambria or Wales, did dailie incroch so vpon the lands of the Welsh­men beyond Seauerne, that they had gotten much of the same into their hands, especiallie toward the south part of the countrie. Wherefore the VVelshmen put themselues in armour, and set vpon the Saxons, and chased them ouer Seauerne againe, and then returned home with a great prey, and thus they did oftentimes, killing and destroieng all before them, and alwaies bringing home with them much cattell, which thing caused Offa to conclude a peace with the other Saxon Kings, and to bend his whole force a­gainst the Welshmen.

Wherevpon Offa King of Mercia caused a great ditch to be made,Io. Caestor: Matth. West. large and deepe from sea to sea, betwixt his kingdome and Wales, whereby hee might the better defend his countrie from the in­cursions of the Welshmen. And this ditch is to be seene in manie places as yet, and is called Clawdh Offa, Clawdh Offa. which is, Offas ditch at this daie.

King Offa, calling to his aid the other Saxon Kings, ga­thered a huge armie, and came ouer Seauerne into Wales: vpon whose comming, the VVelshmen (being not able to encounter with such a multitude of armed souldiers) left the plaine and euen countrie by Seauerne side, and the land betwéene it and the riuer VVye, and withdrew themselues to the mountaines and rockes, where they might be most in safetie, vntill the enimies were auoided out of the coun­trie; yet neuerthelesse, continuallie they made diuers in­uasions by stealth into the land of Mercia, & alwaies retur­ned with aduantage, so that the Saxons by keeping them­selues encamped could doo no good, for they durst not pursue the VVelshmen to the mountaines and woods, for feare of intrapping, by such as kept the streights and passages.

[Page 20]When Offa perceiued that by open warre he could do no good, he expelled all the Welshmen out of the plaine and euen countrie betwéene Seauerne and Wye, and planted Sa­xons in the same: and annexing it to his owne kingdome of Mercia, caused this great & famous ditch (whereof men­tion is in this place) to be made, to saue his people from the inuasions of the Welshmen. Whervpon the seate of the Kings of Powys was translated from Pengwern, now cal­led Salop, to Mathrual, where it continued long after.

795In the yeare 795. the Danes came first into England, Matt. West. pag. 289. and sixe yeares after they came againe, & destroied a great part of Lindsey and Northum­berland, and ouerran the most part of Ireland, and destroied Rechreyn.

Also about the same time there was a battell fought at Ruthlan, betweene the Saxons and the Welshmen, where Caradoc King of Northwales was slaine. This Caradoc was the son of Gwyn, the sonne of Colhoyn, the sonne of Ednowen, the sonne of Blethyn, the sonne of Blecius or Bledricus prince of Cornewall and Deuonshire. Also this yeare died Offa King of Mercia, and Egfert his sonne reigned in his stead.

In the yeare of our Lord 800. Egbertus was made King of Westsex: and Kenulphus the yeare following treated King of Mercia. Arthen also the sonne of Sitsylht, the sonne of Clydawc King of Ca­erdigan, died the same yeare. Likewise Run King of Dyuet, and Cadelh King of Powys died in the yeare 808.808

This was a troublesome time, and as yet no staied go­uernement established in Wales, and therefore such as were cheefe lords in anie countrie, are heere called kings.

Io. Bale.The next yeare after died Elbodius Archbishop [Page 21] of Northwales, before whose death, the sunne was sore eclipsed. In the yeare 810.810 was the moone e­clipsed vpon Christmas daie. The same yeare, S. Dauids was burnt by the West Saxons. There was also a generall morreine and death of cattell throughout all Wales. The next yeare insuing, Owen the sonne of Meredyth, the sonne of Terudos died: and the Castell of Degaunwy was destroied with thunder. Conan prince of Wales, and his brother Howel could not agree, insomuch that they tried the matter by battell, wherein Howel had the victorie.

This Howel the brother of Conan, King or Prince of Northwales, did claime the Ile of Môn or Anglesey for part of his fathers inheritance, which Conan refused to giue him, and therevpon they fell at variance, and consequent­lie to make warre the one against the other, which is vnna­turall amongst brethren.

Héere I thinke it fit to saie somewhat of the custome and te­nure of Wales, whereof this mischiefe grew, that is, the di­uision of the fathers inheritance amongst all the sonnes, commonlie called Gauel kinde. Gauel is a Brytishe tearme, signifieng a hold, because euerie one of the sonnes did hold some portion of his fathers lands, as his lawfull sonne and successour. This was the cause not onlie of the ouerthrow of all the ancient nobilitie of VVales (for by that meanes, the inheritance being continuallie diuided and subdiuided amongst the children, and the childrens children, &c. was at length brought to nothing) but also of much bloudshead and vnnaturall strife and contention a­mongst brethren, as we haue héere an example, and manie other in this historie. This kind of partition is verie good to plant and settle anie nation in a large countrie not in­habited, but in a populous countrie alreadie furnished with inhabitants, it is the verie decaie of great families, and (as I said before) the cause of strife and debate.

[Page 22]And the next yeare there was much hurt done by thunder, and in diuers places manie houses burnt to the earth. The same yeare died Gruffyth the sonne of Run, and Griffri the sonne of Kyngen was slaine by the treason of Elice his brother.

Howel gaue his brother Conan another battell, and slew a great number of his people, wherevp­pon, Conan leauied an armie, in the yeare 817. & chased his brother Howel out of the Ile of Môn or Anglesey, compelling him to flie into Man. And a little after died Conan, chiefe King of the Bry­taines or Welshmen, leauing behind him a daugh­ter called Esylht, which was married to a noble man, called Mervyn Vrych, the sonne of Gwyriad, or Vriet, the son of Elidur, & so forth in the right line to Belinus the brother of Brennus King of the Bry­taines, and his mother was Nest, the daughter of Cadelh King of Powys, the sonne of Brochwel Ysci­throc, (that fought with the Saxons at Bangor,) who was prince of Powys.

Galfride. I. Cast. Matth. West.This Brochwel is called of the Latine writers Breciuallus and Brochmaelus, of whom I find thus written in Historia diuae Monacellae.

Fuit olim in Powysia quidam princeps illustrissimus no­mine Brochwel Yscithroc, Consul Legecestriae, qui in vrbe tunc temporis, Pengwern Powys, nunc verò Salo­pia dicta est, habitabat: cuius domicilium seu habitacu­lum ibi steterat, vbi collegiū diui Ceddae nunc situm est.

That is.

There was sometimes in Powys a noble Prince, named Brochwel Yscithroc, Consul or Earle of Chester, who dwelt in a towne then called Pengwerne Powys, and now Salope, whose dwelling house was in the verie same place [Page 23] where the College of Saint Chad now standeth. This man with Caduan king of Brytaine, Galfrid. Cast. Morgan king of De­metia, and Bledericus king of Cornewal, gaue an ouer­throw to Ethelfred king of Northumberland, vpon the riuer of Dee, Anno gratiae 617. of whome, the ance­stors of diuers in VVales liuing at this daie, are knowne (by ancient bookes and records) to haue des­cended.

Matth West. Sim. Dunel. H. Hunt. THE first yeare of the reigne of Mervyn Vrych, and Esylht his wife, Eg­bert King of Westsex entred into VVales with a great armie, and destroied the whole countrie vnto Snowden hilles, and seised to his hands the countrie of Rhyvonioc in Denbigh­land. About this time, there was a sore battell [Page 25] fought in Anglesey, called the battell of Lhanuaes.

In the yeare of Christ 819.819 Kenulph King of Mertia destroied West Wales, and the summer fol­lowing, he ouerranne Powys land, and did much hurt, and soone after died, and Kenelme reigned in his place. About the same time also Howel King of Man died. The yeare 825. Ceolwulph was made King of Mertia, and reigned two yeares. After whome, Bernulph was created king, who was o­uerthrowne at Elledowne by Egbert king of the West Saxons, who also brought to his subiection the countries of Kent and West Angles. Not long after, about the yeare 828.828 Bernulph was slaine by the East Angles. After that, there was a great battell fought at a place called Gauelford, betwixt the Brytaines, and the West Saxons of Deuonshire, and manie thousands cruellie slaine vpon either side, and the victorie vncertaine. The yeare 829.829 Egbert ouerthrew Wyhtlafe King of Mertia, and made him subiect to his Kingdome. He also passed Humber, The King­dome of England began. and wan the land, and so was the first Monarch of the Saxons, and brought the seauen kingdomes into one, and changed the name of Brytaine into England, and called the people Eng­lishmen, and the language English: for the people that came into this Ile from Germanie, were Sa­xons, Angles, and Iuthes. And of the Saxons came the people of Eastsex, Southsex, Middlesex, and West Saxons. Of the Angles came the East Angles, middle Angles or Mertians, and all on the North side of Humber. And of the Iuthes came the inhabi­tants of Kent, and the Ile of Wight. And the sea­uen Kingdomes were these: [Page 26]

• The seauen Saxon kingdomes.
  1 The first Kent.
• 2 The second Southsex, containing Sussex and Southerie.
• 3 The third East Angles, containing Northfolke, Southfolke, and Cambridgeshire.
• 4 The fourth Westsex, containing Barkeshire, Deuonshire, Somersetshire, and Cornewall.
• 5 The fift Mertia, containing Glocestershire, He­refordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire, Stafford­shire, Chesshire, Warwikeshire, Leycestershire, Dar­bishire, Notinghamshire, Lincolneshire, Northamp­tonshire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedford­shire, and halfe Hertfordshire.
• 6 The sixt was East Saxon, containing Essex, Middlesex, and the other halfe of Hertfordshire.
• 7 The seauenth Kingdome was all the lands vpon the North side of Humber, which was also diuided into two kingdomes, Deyra and Bernicia. Deyra was the land betwixt Humber and Tine, Bernicia from Tine, to the Scottish sea.

All these were brought vnder subiection by Eg­bert king of West Saxons, and this realme called England the yeare after the comming of Brutus to this Ile 1968. after the comming of Hen­gist 383. and after the departure of Cadwalader 149. yeares. Which name, although it hath con­tinued to this daie for the space of 755. yeares, yet was it not verie luckie or fortunate to the Sa­xons inhabitours of this realme. For euen vpon this change of their name, and vnition of the kingdome, followed the terrible and cruell inua­sion of the Danes: and after that, the conquest of the Normanes, of whome, the Kings of this time haue descended. But to returne to my matter a­gaine. [Page 27] The yeare 833.833 the Danes in great compa­nies landed in diuers places of this realme, and fought diuers battels with Egbert, wherin some­times they, and sometimes he had the victorie. Af­terward in the yeare 836. they landed in West Wales, and so passed through Wales to England with manie of the Brytaines, which ioined with them against Egbert, but they were all ouer­throwne by Egbert at Hengestdowne, who died the yeare following.

Raunlph. Cest.This Egbert king of England wan the citie of Caer lhêon, ar Dhowrdwy, or Chester (which was the chiefe citie of Ve­nedotia,) out of the hands of the Brytaines, in whose possessi­on it remained vntill that time. He caused also (as some writers doo affirme) the brasen image of Cadwalhon king of Brytaine, Matth. West. Chron. Wig. to be throwne downe & defaced, commanding that no man vpon paine of death, should set vp anie such a­gaine, forbidding this land to be called Brytain anie more, but England, and the people Englishmen. He also made proclamation (by the setting on of Redburga his wife, who bearing malice towards the Brytaines could not a­bide any of that nation) that no Brytaine should remaine within the confines of England, Io. Castor. commanding that al & sin­gular which were of the Brytish bloud, should within sixe moneths auoide with their wiues and children out of his kingdome, vpon paine of losing their heads.

After the death of Egbert, his sonne Ethelwulph reigned in his place, who gaue his daughter in mariage to Berthred his tributarie, king of Mer­tia. He had great warres and much adoo with the Danes, which destroied with fire and sword the sea coast of England. The yeare 841.841 died Idwalhon a noble man of Wales. And two yeares after was the battell of Kettell betwixt Burchred king of Mertia, and the Brytaines: wherein, as some doo [Page 28] write, Mervyn Vrych king of the Brytaines was slaine, leauing behind him a sonne called Ro­dri Mawr, that is to saie, Roderike the Great.

ROderike the Great began his reigne o­uer Wales, the yeare after Christ his incarnation 843. This prince diuided all Wales to the three territories, of Aberffraw, Dineuowr, and Mathraual. He had great warre with Bur­chred King of Mertia, [Page 29] which by the aide of Ethelwulph, entered North­wales with a great power, and destroied Anglesey, and fought with the Welshmen diuers times, and slue Meyric a great prince among them.

The yeare 846.846 the Danes did ouerrunne a great part of England, Matt. West. I. Castor. and fought with Athelstan king of Kent, brother to Ethelwulph, and remai­ned that winter, and wintered in England. This yeare also was Ithel king of Gwent or Wentland slaine in fight by the men of Brechnock. This yeare 854.854 Kongen king of Powys died at Rome, be­ing slaine of choaked (as some saie) by his owne men. And two yeares after died Cemoyth king of the Picts, & Ionathan Lord of Abergeley. About the yeare 856.856 Ethelwulph tooke his iourneie to Rome, and made his kingdome tributarie to the Pope, and paid the Peter pence to the church of Rome.

The Old Saxons doo bring the genelogie of this Ethelwulph to Adam, Matt. West. after this maner. Ethel­wulph the sonne of Egbert, the sonne of Alcmund, the sonne of Eaffa, the sonne of Eoppa, the sonne of Ingils, the brother of Inas, the sonne of Kenred, the sonne of Coelwalde, the sonne of Cudwine, the sonne of Ceawlin, the sonne of Kenrick, the sonne of Cerdicke, which was the first king of the West Saxons, the sonne of Esly, the sonne of Gewise, of whom the people were called Gwysses, the daugh­ter of Gewyn, the sonne of Wingy, the sonne of Freawyn, the sonne of Fridagare, the sonne of Bren­dy, the sonne of Beldegy, the sonne of VVoden, of whose issue came the kings of manie nations, the sonne of Frethewold, the sonne of Freolaffe,, the sonne of Frethewolfe, the sonne of Finny, the sonne of Godulph, the sonne of De quo Se­dulius in. Paschali carmin [...]. Geta, the sonne of Teath­wy, [Page 30] the sonne of Beane, the sonne of Sceldy, the sonne of Seafe, which reigned in a countrie called Anglia, lieng betwixt the Gothes and the Saxons, from whence the Angles came first to Brytaine, he was the sonne of Heremod, the sonne of Itermod, the sonne of Hadey, the sonne of VVale, the sonne of Bedwy, the sonne of Sem, the sonne of Noe, and so foorth to Adam.

Matth. West. pag. 275.There is another petigrée laid downe by the same author, of Offa king of Mercia, ascending euen to Adam, not in all points agréeing with this; so that the author writing the latter, séemeth oftentimes to forget what he had written in the former. The like also I find in Iohn Castoreus, I. Castor. at the end of the historie of Edward the confessor. And an other in Matth. Paris, Matt. Paris. pag. 126. in the historie of King Henry .2. Anno. 1155. And these foure genelogies séeme to ascend by the same men, although the names doo sometimes varie.

This genelogie haue I set here, that the reader may vnderstand thereby, that not onelie the Bry­taines, or VVelshmen, but all other nations haue beene euer desirous to set foorth their antiquitie and progenie, which was not verie hard to such nations as were not mingled with other, and that had euer among them such as did onlie from time to time professe that art, and customablie did write the progenie, wiues, and children, of all such as were of any estimation in the countrie. In the which two things, VVales had euer passed all o­ther countries, as they which haue not mingled with anie other nations, vntill of late years with Englishmen, and also haue euer had such as did professe the art of genelogie,Beirdh. who although they haue sometimes erred, or rather haue willinglie flattered in learuing false genelogies, yet surelie [Page 31] are able by their bookes to bring anie Gentle­mans genelogie of that countrie, to such as haue liued nine hundred yeares passed, and but few fur­ther, except such as descended of the kings of Bry­taine.

The Italians, before they mingled with the Van­dales, Gothes and Lumbards, brought their genelo­gies to Aeneas. The Spaniards to Hesperus, before the Gothes and Mores ouerranne the land. The Saxons to VVoden, before they mingled with the Danes and Normans. Yea the Frenchmen & Turkes reioise at this daie, to bring themselues to the Thracians; and the Germanes to the children of Gwyston: and it is possible they may so doo, bicause they haue not mingled with anie other, and haue not beene ouerrun with anie other nation.H. Lhoyd. Ther­fore let such disdainefull heads, as scant knowe their owne Grandfathers, leaue their scoffing and tawnting of VVelshmen, for that thing that all other nations in the world doo glorie in; and let them read the ancient writer Berosus, to whome the wise Graecians, for the knowledge they learned at his hands, made an image of copper, and set it vp in Athens in memorie of him, and there they shall find the beginning of the most part of all the nations in the world; and if they beleeue him, let them not denie ours; and if they credit him not, let them beleeue no more but what they see with their eies, or that pleaseth their fond fantasies. But to the matter.

This yeare the Danes chased Burchred out of his kingdome,Io. Castor. who also went to Rome, and there died. The yeare 857. died Ethelwulph, 857 and left behind him his sonnes, Athelbald King of [Page 32] Westsex, and Athelbright king of Kent, and of the East Saxons.

Iohn. Cast. Sim. Dunel. Matt. Park. A Kings sonne and heire Bi­shop. 10. Cast.Of this Ethelwulph it is written, that he was so well lear­ned and so deuout, that the clarkes of the church of Win­chester did choose him in his youth, to be their Bishop, which function he tooke vpon him, & was Bishop of Winchester, for seauen yeares before he was king. It is reported also that he conquered the kingdom of Demetia or Southwales, and gaue the same with the kingdome of Southsex, to Al­fred his sonne; and that the said Alfred should bring a thou­sand soldiers out of Wales, to the aid of his brother Ethel­bert to Winchester, and there put the Danes to flight, and destroie a great number of them. Athelbald the sonne of Ethelwulph, after the death of his father, kept his mother in lawe for his concubine, and afterward married hir in the citie of Chester.

After Athelbald had reigned eight yeares, he di­ed, and Athelbright his brother tooke the rule of his kingdome. And that yeare the Danes spoiled Winchester, Fabian. and after a great fight were driuen out of the land: but returning to Tenet, they re­mained there for that winter, and spoiled by in­cursions all the sea shore. This yeare also was the battell of Gweythen, betwixt the Brytaines and the Englishmen, and a great number slaine on either side. The yeare 865. died Conan Nant Niuer, 865 a wor­thy captaine,H. Hunt. and a noble warrior. And the yeare following, came Hungare and Hubba, with a great armie of Danes into England. In the yeare 867. died Athelbright, 867 and Ethelred his brother reigned in his stead. The Danes the next yeare insuing, spoiled Yorke, H. Hunt. Fabian. Ran. Cest. and slew the two Kings of Nor­thumberland, Osbright and Elba, and afterward they ouerran all the countrie vnto Notingham, [Page 33] spoiling and destroieng all before them, and then returned to Yorke, and from thence to East Angle, where they slue Edmund the King. The sixt yeare of Ethelred came another host of Danes through VVestsex, and to Reding, with Basrecke and Alding, and fought fiue battels with Ethelred and Alfred his brother, in two of the which the Danes were ouercome at Henglefild & Estondowne, and in the three other the Englishmen were ouerthrowne at Reding, Basing, & Mereton. The yeare 871. King Ethelred died,871 & Alfred his brother reigned in his stead.

Alfred assoone as he had taken the kingdome vpon him, considering with himselfe, what a heauie burthen he did sustaine, inquired after the wisest and the best learned men that he could heare of, that he might be directed by them, whome he worthilie intertained, vsing their aduise as well in the publike gouernment of the common welth, as in his priuate studies and conference of learning. He sent for two famous learned men out of Wales;Bale. Cent. 2. Cap. 24. the one named Iohn De Erigena sirnamed also Scotus, borne at Meneuia or S. Dauids, brought vp in that colledge, who hauing for lear­ning sake trauelled to Athens, and bestowed there manie yéeres in the studie of the Gréeke, Hebrue, and Chaldie toongs, and the secret mysteries of Philosophie, came from thence to France, where he was well accepted with Caro­lus Calnus and Ludouicus Balbus, 1. Castor. and there translated the works of Dionysius Areopagita, De coelesti hierarchia, out of the Gréeke into the Latine toong; and at the last being re­turned home to Wales, was sent for by this King Alfred, who then founded and erected the vniuersitie of Oxford, & was the first that professed learning,Polydor, lit [...]. and read publikelie in the said Uniuersitie. The other was Asserius or Asser, Hol. pa 218. of whom I shall haue occasion to speake hereafter. He would not suffer anie to beare office in his court, but such as were [Page 34] learned, exhorting all men generallie to embrace and ho­nour learning and learned men.

Alfred in the first yeare of his reigne, fought two battels with the Danes vpon the south side of Thames, and slue of them one King, and nine Earles. About this yeare, died Gwgan King of Caerdigan.

This was that noble Gwgan ap Mevric ap Dunwal ap Ar­then ap Sitsylht, King or prince of Caerdigan, who as some Brytish bookes haue, was at this time drowned by misfor­tune.

At this time the Danes destroied the towne of Alclyde, and wan London and Reding, and all the inland and kingdome of Mercia. And one King or leader of them tooke the countrie of Northumber­land, and he and his people did much trouble the Pictes. Likewise the yeare following, three Kings of the Danes went from Cambridge to VVarham in Dorcetshire, and Alfred would haue giuen them battell, but the Danes desired peace, and foresware England, which they neuer did before, and the same night their horsemen tooke their iournie toward Excester, and their footemen which went to the sea were all drowned at Sandwitch. When the Danes had thus abiured England, they bent their force a­gainst VVales, and entred the Ile of môn with a great armie, in the yeare of Christ 873.873 where Ro­derike gaue them two battels, one at a place cal­led Bangole, Matt. West. and another at a place called Menegid in Anglesey.

S [...] Dunelm. Matt. West.I find also that about this time Halden and Hungare, two Captaines of the Danes, arriued in Southwales, and ouer­ran the whole countrie, destroieng all before them with fire and sword, neither sparing churches nor religious houses, but within a while after, they receiued their deserued re­ward [Page 35] at the hands of the West Saxons, who méeting with them on the coast of Deuonshire, slew both Halden and Hungare, with 1200. of their people.

At this time, Eneon Bishop of Meneuia or S. Da­uids died, and Hubert was installed in his place. And within two yeares after, Dungarth king of Cornewall was drowned by a mischance. In the yeare 876.876 the Englishmen entred into Anglesey, and fought with the VVelshmen a sore battell, who, in the yeare following, slue Roderike king or prince of VVales, and Gwyriad his brother, or as some saie, his son. This Roderike had by his wife Enghârad the daughter of Meyric the son of Dyfn­wal or Dunwal the son of Arthen ap Sitsylht, diuers sonnes, as Anarawd his eldest sonne, to whome he gaue Aberfraw with Northwales; Cadelh the se­cond son, who had Dinevwr with Southwales, and also tooke Mathraual and Powys land by force from his brethren, after the death of Mervyn the third sonne, to whome his father had giuen the same.

Roderike the Great is counted of all writers to be the vn­doubted owner and possessor of all Wales. Venedotia or Northwales descended vnto him from his mother Esylht, the daughter and sole heire of Conan Tindaethwy, as is euident by this historie. Demetia or Southwales (as some doo affirme) came to him by his wife, the daughter & heire of Meyricap Dyfnwal ap Arthen ap Sitsylht king of Caer­digan: hir brethren (who are thought to be illegitimate) hol­ding of hir husband. Powys he had by Nest, the sister and heire of Congen ap Cadelh King of Powys, which was his fathers mother. These thrée dominions he appointed vn­der their meares and bounds, with a princelie house in eue­rie of them, which he named Y tair Talaeth, and left the same vnto thrée of his sonnes, Anarawd, Cadelh, and Mer­vyn, which were called Y tri twysoc Talaethioc, that is, The [Page 36] thrée crowned princes, because euerie of them did weare vpon his bonet or helmet a coronet of gold, being a broade lace or headband indented vpward, set and wrought with pretious stones, which in the Brytish or Welsh speach is called Talaeth: and so to this daie nurses doo name that broade headband, wherewith a childs head is bound vpper­most vpon some other linen cloathes, Talaeth. Aberffraw was the chiefe house of the prince of Gwyneth, whose domi­nion was therfore called Talaeth Aberffraw: Dinevowr the princelie house of Dehevbarth, whereof that part is named Talaeth Dinevowr: and in like maner Talaeth Mathraval is so called, of the princelie seate of Powys, called Ma­thraval.

Girald. Cam. Giraldus Cambrensis in his booke intituled Descriptio Cambriae, is of opinion, that Mervyn was the eldest sonne of Roderike, to whome Venedotia was giuen, and was the father of Anandhrec, which was the father of Meyric, which was the father of Edwal, which was the father of Iago, &c: and that Anarawd had Powys, and died without issue. But the common opinion of all other writers is to the contra­rie, agréeable to that which this Author affirmeth.

Roderike had also Roderike, Meyric, Edwal or Tudwal, Gwyriad and Gathelic, of whome you shall heare in the historie following.

ANarawd the son of Roderike beganne his regiment ouer VVales the yeare of Christ 877.877 In whose time, Rollo with his Normans came to France, and wan the coun­trie of Neustria, which of the Normans is called to this daie Normandie. At that time the Danes which had fled to Exce­ster, Matt. West. hauing broken the truce whervnto they were sworne, were so pursued by Alfred, that they were glad to giue him pledges for performance of the articles agreed vpon betweene him and them; but the yeare following, they wan all the land vpon the Northside of Thames, and held it themselues, and after they passed the riuer to Chipenhame in [Page 38] VVestsex, and the Englishmen fled before them, yet Alfred fought with a number of them, and slew their prince, and wan their standard, which they called Rauen. Matth. West. Io. Cast. Polychroni. Wil. Malm. After that, he ouerthrew them at E­dendowne, where, after they had giuen him pled­ges, their Captaine Godrun, alias Gurmond recei­ued the christian faith, and then reigned in East Angle. The yeare 878.878 died Aedan the sonne of Melht, a noble man of VVales: and the second yeare following, there was a great battell fought by the Danes, and the Englishmen of Mercia, against the Welshmen vpon the riuer Conwy, where the Welshmen had the victorie, and this was called the reuenge of the death of Roderike. Dial Rodri. After that, about the yeare 882.882 the Danes that laie at Ful­lenham by London passed the sea to France by the riuer Seyn, Si. Dunelm. H. Hunt. Matth. West. and spoiled the countrie about Paris, and ouerthrew the Frenchmen in battell, but af­terward they were all slaine and drowned by the Brytaines of Armorica. Then Alfred gote London, and chased awaie the Danes that beseeged Roche­ster, but at the same time he lost a great nauie of ships, which the Danes tooke, and drowned at Stur­mutham. In the yeare 889.889 Submon Cubin the greatest clearke in Scotland died. And the yeare following the blacke nation (for so the Brytish booke calleth the Danes and Normanes) came to Northwales, and did much hurt. Heere I thinke it necessarie to let the reader vnderstand, from whence such a woonderfull number of Danes and Normanes came. The kingdome of Denmarke had vnder it not onelie Denmarke, which is a small countrie separated with the sea into Iles and halfe Iles, as that which ioineth to Saxonie and [Page 39] Holesake, and runneth like an arme of the sea cal­led Chersonesus Cymbrica, and the Ile of Sealand and Finnen, with a peece of the maine land ioining to Swethland; but also Norway, and the great coun­trie of Suetia or Swethen land, which reacheth to Moscouia, and welnigh to the North pole. This countrie being scant knowne to the world at that time,Io. Cast. powred out of it selfe (as the Troian horse) di­uers people, that at diuers times ouerran and spoiled all Europe, with a great part of Africa, like a sudden tempest or hideous storme, filling euerie countrie wherevnto they came. From thence came the Goths, which ouerran Germanie, France, Spaine, Afrike, and Italie. From thence came the Vandals of no lesse worthines. From thence came the Lombards, the Alans, the Switzers, the Burgun­dians, the Danes, and the Normans, which came of Norway and the seashore of Eastland by Prussia, from whence the Vandales came. He that is desi­rous to vnderstand the maruellous historie of Swethinland, let him reade the works of Olaus Go­thus, and Ioannes Magnus. And from these coun­tries (as I declared before) came the people which were called the Danes, and not onlie from Denmarke. The yeare 890.890 there came from these countries 250. sailes, and landed at Lymene in Kent, Matth. West. li. 1. pa. 345. hard by the great wood called Andreslege, and builded a Castell at Auldre or Apledor, as some bookes haue. The same time also came Hasting with 80. sailes to Thames mouth, and builded a Castell at Mydlton, and made an oth to Alfred, that he neuer would annoie him nor his subiects: but shortlie after he builded a Castell at Beamfleete, and inuaded the countrie about him. Wherefore [Page 40] Alfred ouerthrew his Castell, and tooke his wife, and two sonnes, which he christened, and sent to their father againe.

Matth. West. li. 1. pa. 342.Other kingdomes and countries of Europe were disquie­ted with this persecution of the Danes as well as England. For of this Hasting it is written, that laieng séege to the citie of Limogis in France, and despairing of the spéedie winning of the same, hée deuised this traine to get it. He fained himselfe to be dangerouslie sicke, and sent to the Bishop, and the Consul of the same citie, desiring them most instantlie, that he might be admitted to the christian faith, and be baptised before his departure out of this world. The Bishop and the Consul (suspecting no guile) were verie glad, not onlie to be deliuered from the present trouble, but also to winne such a woorthie man to the con­gregation of Christ. Wherevpon, firme peace being made betwéene both nations, Hasting is baptised, the Bi­shop and the Consul being his Godfathers, which thing be­ing done, he was caried by the souldiours to his ships in verie weake case, as he outwardlie pretended. About mid­night he caused himselfe being armed in his complet har­nesse, to be laid vpon a béere, commanding his souldiours to be armed, and to carie their weapons with them vnder their vpper garments, and so to be readie when he should giue them a signe. The daie following, all things being in a readines, he was brought solemnelie by his people with great clamor and counterfet moorning to be interred in the chiefe church of the citie, where the Bishop and the Consul accompanied with all the worship of the same citie came to honor the buriall: but as soone as the Bishop had made himselfe readie to burie the corpse (most of all the townes men being in the church) Hasting stepped vp all armed with his sword drawne, and first killed the Bishop and the Con­sul, and then fell with his armed souldiours vpon the na­ked people, and destroied them in a maner euerie one, put­ting all to the sword, neither sparing age, sexe, or infir­mitie. [Page 41] And when he had sacked the towne, he sent messen­gers to Charles the French King for peace, which he ob­teined, and withall, the citie of Charters towards his char­ges to be quiet.

About this time Evneth the sonne of Bledryd a Baron of Wales died. And the yeare 893.893▪ Anarawd King or prince pf Northwales, came with a great number of Englishmen, and made war against his brother Cadelh, and spoiled the countries of Caer­digan and Ystradgwy. In those daies the Danes be­seeged Excester, Matth. West. against whome, when Alfred went, they which were at Auldre passed ouer to Essex, and builded a Castell at Scobrith, and from thence tooke their iournie to Budington vpon Seauerne. And when Alfred came to Excester, the Danes fled to the sea, and spoiled the seacoasts of Wales. And they which were in Budington, hearing of the kings comming, fled backe to their Castell in Es­sex. Another companie of them came to Leycester, where Alfred did beseege them, till they were dri­uen to eate their owne horsses. Afterwards the yeare 895.895▪ the Danes that were in Leycester, with all the rest of them which were in Northumber­land, passed by the North seas to Meresige an Ile in Essex, H. Hunt. and the yeare following, they entred the riuer Lyne with the Thames, and there builded a Castell twentie miles from London: and as they came to spoile the countrie, they were ouer­thrown, and lost foure of their princes, and fled to the Castell. Then Alfred diuided the riuer into three parts, so that the water was so diminished, that their ships could not returne to the sea, which thing when the Danes saw, they left their wiues and children in Essex, Matt. West. and passed spoiling [Page 42] the land to Quadbryge vpon Seauerne, and so passed the riuer, and spoiled the countries of Brecknocke, Gwentland, & Gwentlhwg. Also this yeare went a great number of them to France by the riuer Seyn, and another companie of them spoiled the coastes of Deuonshire, where they lost sixe ships after a long conflict. The summer following, the countrie of Ireland was destroied with strange woormes hauing twoo teeth, which consumed all that was greene in the land. These seeme to be Locusts, a rare plague in these countries, but often seene in Afrike, Italie, and other hot regions.

900About the yeare 900. Igmond with a great number of souldiours came to Anglesey, and the Welshmen gaue him battell at Molerain.

There be some Brytish copies of this historie, which affirme, that this battell betwéene Igmond captaine of the blacke nations and the Brytaines, wherein Mervyn was slaine, was fought at a place called Meilon, of the which it was called Maes Rhos Meilon.

The same yeare died Alfred, which some call A­lured, making (v) a vowell, which should be a con­sonant. This prince translated the ancient lawes of Dyfnwal Moelmut king of Brytaine, and the laws of Marsia Queene of Brytaine, and wife to Cyhelin, out of Brytish into English, and called it Marsian law, which law was afterward called Westsaxon lex, and kept in a part of Mercia, and in all the countries on the south of Thames, for the other part of the land had another law called Dane lex, and these remained till Edward the Confessors time, who of these two lawes made one. Also this Alfred did diuide the daie in three parts by a taper which burnt continuallie in his chappell,Io. Cast. and en­dured [Page 43] iust 24. houres. The first part of that time he bestowed at his booke and in praier: the second in the affaires of the common wealth: and the third part to take his rest and refresh himselfe: after whose death,Asser Men [...] ­ven. a certaine clearke made his E­pitaph, as heere followeth.

After Alfred reigned Edward his sonne, against whome, Adelwulph his brother made cruell war, who flieng to Northumberland, stirred the Danes a­gainst him. He was chosen King as well of the Danes as of the Angles, which at that time had growne to be one people: and after he subdued the East Saxons, and with a great armie spoiled Mer­cia, and passing ouer Thames at Crickland, destroi­ed Brythend, and returned home with great spoile. At this time, Evneth was slaine in Arwystli. King Edward also pursued his brother,H. Hunt. and ouerran all the land betwixt Ouse, and the dike of S. Edmund, and returned backe with all his armie, sauing the [Page 44] Kentishmen which taried to spoile,Matt. West. Io. Cast. against whom the Danes came and fought a sore battell, and slue a great number of them, and put the rest to flight. The Danes about the yeare 905.905 entred into Ire­land and fought with the Irishmen, and slue Car­mot King and Bishop of all Ireland, and the sonne of Cukeman, a man both godlie and religious, and Kyrnalt sonne of Murgan King of Lagines. About a yeare after died Asser Archbishop of Wales.

Bale, Cent. 2. pag. 125. Giral. Camb.There were two of this name at the same time both coun­triemen and kinsmen; the one being the vncle, was Arch­bishop of S. Dauids, of whome mention is made in this place. The other Asser the nephew was a man of excellent learning and wisedome, and for that cause being Chan­cellour to his vncle, was sent for by King Alfred to teach his children, who wrote the actes of the same Alfred, and was afterward Bishop of Shireburne, of whom mention is made in the English Chronicles.

About this time, Edward sent a great armie to Northumberland, which spoiled the countrie, and then returned home: neuerthelesse, the Danes fo­lowed them, and destroied a great part of Mercia. But within a while after, Edward gathered an ar­mie, and giuing them battell, ouerthrew them, and slue their kings Alden and Edelwulph, and a great number of their nobles. This yeare, died Edelred Duke of Mercia, Matt. West. pag. 354. which had long been sicke, after whome, Elfleda his wife enioied the countrie of Mercia, sauing the cities of London and Oxford, which king Edward seised into his owne hands. The yeare 907.907 died Cadelh King or Prince of Southwales, second sonne of Roderike the great, lea­uing behind him three sonnes, Howel Dha (that is to saie, Howel the good) who succeeded his father [Page 45] in the kingdome of Southwales, Meyric and Cly­dawc. About two yeares after, King Edward did build the Castell of Hartford betwixt the riuers Benefic, Matth. West. Minier, and Lige; and also the borough of Wytham in Essex, and laie at Wealdyne, where he subdued those countries. The yeare following, the Danes of Leycester and Hampton slew a great number of Englishmen at Hochnorton, and in their returne homeward, spoiled all Oxfordshire. The next yeare after that, there came a great na­uie from Tydwike, with Vther and Rahald, and past by the westerne sea to VVales, and destroied S. Da­uids, and there fought the battel of Dinerth, where Mayloc (the sonne of Peredur Gam) was slaine. And afterward they entred Herefordshire, where they were fought withall, and Rahald slaine, and the rest compelled to forsweare the Kings land. Then the King caused the southside of Seauerne to be kept with a great armie; yet did the Danes twise enter his land, once by the East at VVerd, and another time at Portogan, but they were at either time ouerthrowne by the Englishmen. And from thence they departed to the Ile of Stepen, frō whence they were driuen by hunger to South­wales, where they were beaten, and constrained to depart into Ireland. The yeare insuing, there was a great battell fought betwixt the Kentishmen and the Danes at Holme, but who had the victorie, is not certainelie reported. In the yeare 913.913 Anarawd chiefe King of VVales died, and left behind him two sonnes, Edwal Voel, which reigned after him, and Elise.

AFter that Ed­wal Voel beganne his dominion ouer Northwales, Howel Dha being king or prince of Southwales and Powys land, a terrible comet appeared in the firmament. At which time, or the yeare following, Leycester was new built.

Matt. West. pag. 354.I thinke that the name of Ley­cester is héere mistaken for Legecestria, that is, Chester, called of the Romanes Legionum Cestria, which being de­stroied by the Danes, was about this time by the procure­ment of a Adelred Duke of Mercia, and Elflede his wife, re­paired and reedified, as Matth. Westm. writeth, and as the ancient records of the citie of Chester doo testifie. Besides that, I find no mention of the reedifieng of Leycester at [Page 47] this time, neither in the Brytish Chronicle, nor yet in anie ancient English writer.

The next summer after, the men of Deuelyne did destroie the Ile of Môn or Anglesey. And the yeare 917.917 Clydawc the sonne of Cadelh was slaine by the hands of his brother Meyric, and about the same time,Io. Castor. the Englishmen did ouerthrowe the Danes after a great fight at Tottenhale.

The yeare 919. Edelfled or Elfled Duches of Mercia, Edelfled. the wife of Edelred Duke of Mercia, Matt. West. pag. 357. and sister to King Edward, died, who builded the boroughes of Strengat and Bruge, by the forrest of Morph: Anno Domini. 913. The next yeare after the building of that, she builded Tamworth and Stafford; and the yeare after that, Edelburgh; and the winter following, Cherenburgh and Wadeburgh; then the next summer Runcofe or Runcorne, as some thinke. After that,Ran. Cest. Matth. West. Hol. pa. 222. she sent hir whole armie to Wales, and fought with the Welshmen, and wan Brecknocke, and tooke the Queene and 33. men. This was it which is called in Welsh Gweyth y Dinas Newydh, Gweyth y Dinas Ne­wydh. that is to say, The battell of the new citie. Also she wan the towne of Derby, with all that countrie, from the Danes: neuerthelesse, she lost there foure of hir chiefest captaines.

Io. Cast. Io. Castoreus reporteth this storie in this maner. Huganus Lord of Westwales, perceiuing King Edward to be occu­pied in the Danish warre, farre enough from him, gathe­red an armie of Brytaines, and entered the Kings land. [Page 48] Wherevpon Elfled, Ladie of Mercia, the sister of King Ed­ward, came to VVales with a strong armie, and fought with the Welshmen at Brechnocke, and putting Huganus to flight, tooke his wife and 34. men captiues, and lead them with hir to Mercia. Huganus thus discomfited, fled to Derbie, & there being peaceablie receiued of the countrie­men with fiftéene men of war, and two hundred souldiors well appointed, ioined himselfe with the Kings aduersaries the Danes, of which thing when Elfled was certified by the men of Derby, shée folowed him with a great armie, and entred the gates of that towne, where Huganus resisted hir, and slue foure of hir chiefe officers. But Gwyane Lord of the Ile of Elie hir Steward, set the gates on fire, and fu­riouslie running vpon the Brytaines, entred the towne. Then Huganus being ouermatched, and choosing rather to die by the sword, than to yéeld himselfe vnto a woman, was there slaine. Thus out of Castoreus.

The yeare insuing, Elfled wan Leycester, and subdued to hir all the Danes that laie there. The Yorkeshiremen also did hir homage and seruice: she died at Tamworth, after that she had worthilie ruled Mercia eight yeares, and lieth buried at Glo­cester by S. Peters porch, vpon whose toombe, this Epitaph was written.H. Hunt.

After the death of Elfled, Matth. West. Edward disinherited hir [Page 49] daughter Alfwyen, and seazed the land of Mercia to his owne hands.

The cause why Edward disinherited this yoong Ladie his néece,Io. Cast.whose mother Elfled, being his owne sister, had done so much for him, was (as Castoreus writeth) for that Alf­wyen not making the king hir vncle (whome hir mother had appointed gardian and ouerséer of hir) priuie to hir do­ings, had promised and contracted mariage with Raynald king of the Danes: wherevpon, king Edward, to preuent his enimie, entred the land of Mercia, and seazed the same to his owne hands, and caried also the said Ladie with him into Westsex. The same Author also reporteth, that about this time, Leofred a Dane, and Gruffyth ap Madoc, brother in law to the prince of Westwales, came from Ireland with a great armie to Snowdon, and minding to bring all Wales and the marches thereof to their subiection, ouerran and subdued all the countrie to Chester, before King Ed­ward was certified of their arriuall. Whereat he was ve­rie sore offended, and being loath to trouble his subiects in that behalfe, made a vowe that he and his sonnes, with their owne people, would be reuenged vpon Leofred and Gruffyth, and therevpon came to Chester, and wan the ci­tie from them. Then he diuided his armie into two batels, whereof he and his sonne Athelstan lead the first, and Ed­mund and Edred the second, and so folowed them with as much celeritie as he could, and ouertooke them at the forest of Walewode, now Sherwode, where Leofred and Gruf­fyth set vpon him fierselie, so that the king in the begin­ning was in some distresse, vntill Athelstane stepped in be­twéene his father and Leofred, and wounded the Dane in the arme, in such sort, that he being not able to hold his speare, was soone taken, and committed to the custodie of Athelstane. In the meane time, Edmund and Edred in­countring with Gruffyth, slew him, and brought his head to their father. Then Athelstane caused Leofred to be hea­ded, and so both their heads were set vp together on the top [Page 50] of the towre of Chester, and Edward and his sonnes retur­ned home with great triumph.

Then Edward, after he had builded Glademu­tham, died at Ferandyne, whose sonne named Alfred died also the same time at Oxford, and were buri­ed both at Winchester, Anno 924.924 After whose death, Adelstane his base son reigned King of Eng­land, which was the woorthiest prince of Saxon bloud that euer reigned. He did ouercome Cudfryd the father of Reynald King of the Danes, at Yorke. He gathered also the second yeare of his reigne, a great armie against Hawlaf King of Ireland, Io. Castor. who came with the whole power of the Scots and Danes against him, and gaue him battell at Brimestburie, where Adelstan gate the victorie, and slue the said king Hawlaf and the king of Scots, and fiue kings of the Danes and Normanes, and twelue Earles, so that he brought all the land of England and Scotland in subiection to him, which none of his predecessors had euer attempted. The yeare 933.933 Owen the sonne of Gruffyth was slaine by the men of Caerdigan. Then Adelstan did enter Wales with a great armie,Wil. Malms. Hol. pa. 225. Io. Cast. and brought the kings of the countrie to subiection, and receiued yearelie of tri­bute 20. pound in gold, and 300. pound in siluer, and 200. head of cattell:Matth. West. Ran. Cest. yet the lawes of Howel Dha appointed to the king of Aberfraw to paie yearelie to the king of London no more but 66. pound for a tribute: and that the prince of Di­nevwre and the prince of Powys should paie a like summe 66. pound yearelie to the king of Aber­fraw. To this Adelstan, the kings of Norwaie and France did send great and rich gifts to winne his friendship and good will.936 In the yeare 936. died [Page 51] Evneth the sonne of Clydawc, and Meyric the sonne of Cadelh. At this time also Adelstan did remooue the Brytaines that dwelt in Excester and therea­boutes to Cornewale, Matt. West. Hol. pag. 226. and appointed the riuer Cambia to be the vtter mere towards England, as he had before appointed the riuer Wy to be the mere of England and Wales. In the yeare of Christ 939.939 the noble prince Adelstan died, and was bu­ried at Malmesburie, and his brother Edmund borne in wedlocke reigned in his place, who in the first yeare of his reigne, wan fiue cities from the Danes, Io. Castor. Leycester, Darby, Stafford, Lincolne, and Notingham. Then Aulafe King of the Danes sent to Edmund to desire peace and baptisme, which Edmund granted vnto him, and so the Danes, which then were called Normanes, tooke first the christian faith, Edmund being their godfather, who making peace with them, returned to Westsex with much honor. This yeare died Abloic chiefe King of Ire­land. The yeare following, Cadelh the sonne of Arthvael a noble Brytaine was imprisoned, and Ed­wal Voel the sonne of Anarawd and Elise his bro­ther were slaine in a battell, which they fought a­gainst the Danes and Englishmen. This Edwal had sixe sonnes, Meyric, Ieuaf or Ieuan, Iago which is Iames, Conan, Edwal Vachan, and Roderike. After whose death, Howel Dha his coosen germane ru­led all Wales for his life time. Elise also had issue, Conan, and a daughter named Trawst, which was mother to Conan ap Sitsylht, Gruffyth ap Sit­sylht, and Blethyn ap Convyn, which two last were afterward princes of Wales.

THis Howel Dha king or Prince of Southwales and of Powys long be­fore this time, after the death of Edwal Voel his coo­sen, tooke vpon him the rule and gouernement of all Wales, about the yeare of Christ 940.940 who (notwithstanding the sonnes of Edwal did somewhat murmur against him) was for his godlie behauiour, discreet and iust rule be­loued of men. This Howel constituted and made lawes to be kept through his dominions, which were vsed in Wales, till such time as the inhabi­tants receiued the lawes of England, in the time of Edward the first, and in some places thereof long [Page 53] after. These lawes are to be seene at this daie both in Latine and in Welsh.

Howel Dha king or prince of all Wales, perceiuing the lawes and customes of his countrie to haue growne vnto great abuse, sent for the Archbishop of Meneuia, and all the other Bishops and chiefe of the cleargie, to the number of 140. prelates, and all the Barons and nobles of Wales, and caused sixe men of the wisest and best estéemed in eue­rie Comote to be called before him, whome he commanded to méete all together at his house called Y Tuy gwyn ar Taf, that is, The white house vpon the riuer Taf. Thither he came himselfe, and there remained with those his nobles, prelates, and subiects all the Lent, in praier and fa­sting, crauing the assistance and direction of Gods holy spi­rit, that he might reforme the lawes and customes of the countrie of Wales, to the honor of God, and the quiet go­uernement of the people. About the end of Lent he chose out of that companie twelue men of the wisest, grauest, and of the greatest experience: to whome he added one clearke or doctor of the lawes, named Blegored, a singular learned and perfect wise man. These had in charge to exa­mine the old lawes and customes of Wales, and to gather out of those such as were méete for the gouernement of the countrie: which they did, reteining those that were whole­some and profitable, expounding those that were doubtfull and ambiguous, and abrogating those that were superflu­ous and hurtfull, and so ordeined thrée sorts of lawes. The first, of the ordering of the kings or princes houshold, and 1 his court. The second, of the affaires of the countrie and 2 common wealth. The third, of the speciall customes belon­ging 3 to particular places and persons. Of all the which, being read, allowed, and proclamed, he caused thrée seuerall bookes to be written, one for his dailie vse to follow his court, another to lie in his palace at Aberffraw, and the third at Dinevowr, that all the thrée prouinces of Wales might haue the vse of the same when néede required. And [Page 54] for the better obseruation of these lawes, he caused the Archbishop of S. Dauids to denounce sentence of excom­munication against all such of his subiects, as refused to obeie the same. Within a while after, Howel (because he would omit nothing that could procure countenance and authoritie to his said lawes) went to Rome, taking with him the Archbishop of S. Dauids, the Bishops of Bangor and S. Asaph, and thirtéene other of the learnedst and wi­sest men in Wales, where the said lawes being recited be­fore the Pope, were by his authoritie confirmed: then ha­uing finished his deuout pilgrimage, and emptied his purse, he returned home againe with his companie.

1 By these lawes they might not morgage their lands but to one of the same familie or kindred, which were De ea­dem parentela.

2 Euerie tenant holding of anie other than of the prince or lord of the fée, paid a fine Pro defensione regia, which was called Arian ardhel, in Latine Aduocarij.

3 No legacie of goods by will was good, otherwise than those which were giuen to the church, to the lord of the fée, or for paiment of debts.

4 Euerie man might distraine as well for debts, as for rent of lands, anie goods, or cattell, sauing horsses, which were counted to serue for a mans necessarie defense, and were not distrainable without the prince his licence.

5 Causes of inheritance were not heard or determined but from the ninth of Nouember, till the ninth of Februa­rie; or from the ninth of Maie, vntill the ninth of August. The rest of the yeare was counted a time of vacation, for sowing in the spring, and reaping in the haruest.

6 This also is to be obserued, that all matters of inhe­ritance of land were determined and adiudged by the King or Prince in person, or his speciall deputie (if he were sicke or impotent) and that vpon view of the same land, cal­ling vnto him the fréeholders of that place, two elders of his counsell, the Chiefe iustice attending alwaies in the court, the ordinarie iudge of the countrie where the land [Page 55] laie, and the priest. The maner of their procéeding was thus. The king or prince sate in his Iudiciall seate higher than the rest, with an elder on his right hand, and another on his left, and the fréeholders on both sides next vnto them, which for this cause (as I thinke) were called Vchel­wyr. Before him directlie a certaine distance off, and a little lower, sate his Chiefe iustice, hauing the priest on his right hand, and the ordinarie iudge of that countrie on the left. The court being set, the plaintife came in with his ad­uocate, champion, and Ringylh or sergeant, and stood on the left side: then came in the defendant in like maner with his aduocate, champion and Ringylh, and stood on the right side: and last of all, the witnesses of both parties came, which stood directlie before the Chiefe iustice at the lower end of the hall, vntill they were called vp to testifie the truth of their knowledge in the matter in variance.

The figure of the which I thought good héere to laie downe, as you sée, in the page next following.

[Page 56]

[Page 57]After the hearing of the books read, the depositions of the wit­nesses, and full pleading of the cause in open court, vpon warning giuen by the Rhinghylh, the Chiefe Iustice, the priest, and the ordinarie iudge, withdrew themselues for a while to consult of the matter, and then Secundum allegata & probata, brought their verdict, the court sitting. Whervp­pon the king or prince after consultation had with the el­ders or seniors which sate by him, gaue definitiue sentence; except the matter was so obscure and intricate, that right and truth appeared not: in the which case it was tried by the two champions, and so the cause ended. This shall be suffi­cient for this time. Now therefore let vs go forward in the historie.

At this time the foresaid kings Aulafe and Reg­nald entered the land of Edmund, who gathering his strength together, folowed them into Nor­thumberland, and ouercame them in plaine bat­tell, and chased them out of the land, and so remai­ned a whole yeare in those parts, setting things in order, and quieting of that countrie. And bi­cause he could not by anie meanes bring the inha­bitants of Cumberland to liue in anie honest or­der, he spoiled that countrie, and committed it to the rule of Malcolme king of Scotland, vpon condi­tion, that he should send him succours in all his warres both by sea and land.

Matt. West. Hol. pag. 228.Some other write, that king Edmund being accompanied with Lhewelyn ap Sitsylht, which was after prince of Wales, entred Cumberland, and taking the two sonnes of Dummaile king of that prouince,Buchan. li. 6. fol. 53. put out their eies, and then gaue that countrie to Malcolme to be holden of him, with condition to kéepe the North part of the realme from incursion of enimies, the which condition was afterward but slenderlie perfourmed. This Malcolme was the sonne of Donald King of Scotland, and was the next king after Constantine the third, being in number the 76.

[Page 58] 942In the yeare 942. died Hubert Bishop of S. Da­uids: the yeare also following, Marclois Bishop of Bangor, and Vssa the sonne of Lhavyr died. The yeare 944.944 the Englishmen did enter Wales with a strong armie, and spoiled Strad Clwyd, and re­turned home.Matt. West. Hol. pag. 222. At which time, Conan the sonne of Elise was put in danger of death by poison, and E­verus Bishop of S. Dauids died. The yeare after, Edmund King of England was slaine by treason,Matt. West. as some writers saie, vpon S. Augustines daie, as he was at dinner. Other saie, that he espied an outlawe sitting in the hall, and as he drew him from the table, the outlaw slew the King with a knife.

Io. Cast.And some be of opinion, that as the King would haue re­scued a man of his from an officer who had arrested him, the same officer slue him, not knowing that he was the King: he lieth buried at Glastenburie.

After whose death, Edred or Edfred his brother was crowned in his place, who made an expedi­tion to Scotland and Northumberland, and subdued them both, and receiued fealtie and homage of the Northumbers and Scots by oth, which was not long kept. In the yeare 948. died Howel Dha the noble and worthie King or Prince of Wales, 948 whose death was sore bewailed of all men, for he was a prince that loued peace and good order, & that fea­red God. He left behind him foure sonnes, Owen, Run, Roderike, and Edwyn, betwixt whom, and the sonnes of Edwal, there was great warres, for the chiefe rule of Wales, as shall appeare in the historie fol­lowing.

AFter the death of Howel Dha, his sonnes did diuide Southwales and Powys betwixt them: and Ievaf and Iago the se­cond and third sonnes of Edwal Voel ru­led Northwales, (bicause their elder brother Mey­ric was not a man worthie to rule) who comming [Page 60] of the elder house, would haue had the chiefe rule of all Wales, which the sonnes of Howel Dha deni­ed them. And therevpon Iago or Iames and Ievaf entred Southwales with a great power, against whome came Owen the sonne of Howel and his brethren, and fought together at the hils of Car­no, where Iago and Ievaf had the victorie: and the yeare folowing, the same brethren did twise enter into Southwales, and spoiled Dyuet, and slue Dwn­walhon the Lord thereof. And within a while af­ter, died Roderike one of the sonnes of Howel Dha. In the yeare 952. the sonnes of Howel gathered their strength together against Ievaf and Iago, 952 and entered their land to the riuer of Conwy, where they fought a cruell battell at a place called Gwr­gustu, or Lhanrwst, as some thinke, where a great number were slaine vpon either side, as Anarawd the sonne of Gwyriad, or Vriet the sonne of Roderike the Great, and Edwyn the sonne of Howel Dha: in the which battell were ouerthrowne the sonnes of Howel, whome Ievaf and Iago pursued to Caer­digan, and destroied their countrie with fire and sword. About this time Yarthyr the sonne of Mer­vyn was drowned: and the yeare following, Con­gelach King of Ireland was slaine. But to returne to Edred King of England. As soone as he was re­turned to his owne land, Aulaf with a great ar­mie landed in Northumberland, and was receiued of the people with much gladnes; but anon after, like fickle and vnconstant men, they banished him the land againe, and tooke to their king one Hirci­us the sonne of Haroald, whome likewise after three yeares they expelled, and willinglie submit­ted themselues to Edred, who after he had ruled [Page 61] the whole land eight yeares, died, and was buri­ed at Winchester. After him reigned Edwyn sonne of Edmund, in whose time chanced nothing woor­thie to be put in writing, but that he married a­nother mans wife, hir husband being aliue. This man, after he had gouerned the realme foure yeares, died, leauing his kingdome to his brother Edgar, who was crowned king of England in his stead. In the yeare 958.958 was a woonderfull hot summer, when Gwgan the sonne of Gwyriad the sonne of Roderike died. After the which heate, there followed a great plague in March follo­wing. In those daies Iago and Ievaf by force and strength ruled all Wales as they thought good: and yet for all their power, Abloic king of Ireland landed in Môn, and hauing burnt Holyhed, spoiled the countrie of Lhyyn. In the yeare 961.961 the sonnes of Edwyn the son of Colhoyn were slaine, after they had destroied all the countrie to Towyn. About this time, Meyric the sonne of Cadvan, Ry­therch Bishop of S. Dauids, and Cadwalhon ap O­wen departed out of this transitorie world. Not long after, the countrie of Northwales was sore spoiled by the armie of Edgar king of England.

Io. Cast.The cause of this warre was the non paiment of the tri­bute that the King of Aberffraw, by the lawes of Howel Dha was to paie to the king of London. Hol. pag. 232. In the end, there was a peace concluded: for king Edgar vnderstanding what hurt the countries of England and Wales receiued dailie, by reason of the great multitude of Woolues that then abounded (especiallie in Wales) which destroied much shéepe and otherwise did great harme, released the tribute in monie appointed by the said lawes of Howel Dha, and bound the prince of Northwales to paie him yearelie cer­taine Woolues for his tribute, and so to be released of that [Page 62] other tribute in monie,Wolues destroid by the prince of Wales. which the said prince performed, vn­till he had left neuer a Woolfe in Wales or England.

In the yeare 966. Roderike the sonne of Edwal Voel was slaine by the Irishmen, 966 by whome Aber­fraw was destroied. The next yeare, there fell a great debate betwixt the two sonnes of Edwal, Iago, and Ievaf, which had ruled iointlie together from the death of Howel Dha, to that time: and shortlie after Iago, hauing taken his brother Ievaf by force, verie cruellie kept him in prison a long time: about the which time, Eneon the sonne of Owen prince of Southwales wan and seazed to himselfe the land of Gwyr. And in the yeare 969.969 Mactus the sonne of Haroald with an armie of Danes did enter the Ile of Anglesey, and spoiled Penmon. These Danes were suffered by Edgar to inhabite quietlie through all England, till they were as strong as the Englishmen, and then they fell to such riotousnes and drinking, that much mischiefe insued thereof: wherevpon Edgar made a law,A law a­gainst im­moderate drinking. that euerie man should drinke by measure, and caused a certaine marke to be set in euerie pot how deepe they should drinke, and so by these meanes he somewhat staied that immoderate in­gurgitation. Not long after that, Godfryd the sonne of Haroald did subdue to himselfe the whole Ile of Anglesey, which he inioied not long. King Edgar likewise in the yeare 972.972 did send a great nauie to Caerlheon vpon Vsc, which shortlie tur­ned backe,Ran. Cest. Fabia [...]. without dooing anie notable act. The next yeare following, Howel the sonne of Ievaf raised a great power against his vncle Iago, for the deliuerance of his father out of prison, and o­uercame his vncle in fight, whome he chased out [Page 63] of the land, and tooke his eldest vncle Meyric the sonne of Edwal, and put out both his eies, and kept him in prison, where he died shortlie after, leauing behind him two sonnes, Edwal and Iona­val, of the which Edwal came afterward the most woorthie princes of Wales. Howel notwithstan­ding he had set his father at libertie, yet tooke vp­pon himselfe the whole rule of the land for his life time. He had three brethren, all men of great estimation, Meyric, Ievaf, and Cadwalhon, whose liues shall insue heereafter.

AFter that Howel the sonne of Ie­vaf had ex­pelled his vncle from the land, he tooke the rule of it himselfe. And at that time Dwnwal­hon prince of Strad­clwyd tooke his iour­nie to Rome. Then di­ed Edwalhon the sonne of Owen. Likewise Edgar king of England passed out of this transitorie world, after that he had builded manie monasteries. After him, Edward his sonne was king, who when he had reigned foure yeares, was traiterouslie slaine through the ma­lice of his stepmother, that hir sonne Edred or E­delred might enioie the kingdome; who after his [Page 65] brothers death, was crowned king of the land. The yeare 976.976 Eneon the sonne of Owen king of Southwales destroied the land of Gwyr the second time. The yeare insuing, Howel the sonne of Ievaf with a great armie both of Welshmen and Eng­lishmen, made war against such as succoured and defended his vncle Iago, and spoiled the countries of Lhyyn and Kelynnoc Vawr, whereby shortlie af­ter Iago was taken by Howels men, who enioied his part of the land peaceablie. About the yeare 979.979 Edwal Vachan the sonne of Edwal Voel was slaine by his nephew Howel. At this time, Custe­nyn Dhu, that is, Constantine the blacke, sonne to Iago (which then was prisoner) hired Godfryd the son of Haroald with his Danes, against his cousen, & they both together destroied Anglesey & Lhyyn: wherevpon, Howel gathered his armie together, & setting vpon them at a place called Gwayth Hir­barth, ouerthrew them, where Constantine was slaine. About this time, the Danes landed with vij. ships at Southhampton, and spoiled the towne.

Sim. Dunel. Hol. pa. 238. Io. Vowel in Catal. epist. Exon.They ouerranne also and spoiled the whole countrie of De­uon and Cornewale, burned the towne of Bodman, and the cathedrall church of S. Petrokes, with the Bishops house. Wherevpon the Bishops sea was remooued from thence to S. Germans, where the same continued, vntill the remoo­uing and vniting thereof vnto Crediton.

About this time died S. Dunstane, who prophe­sied of much mischiefe and great destruction of the land by the Danes. The yeare 981.981 Godfryd the sonne of Haroald did gather a great armie, and landed in Westwales, where spoiling all the land of Dyuet, with the church of S. Dauids, he fought the battell of Lhanwanoc. Likewise in the yeare [Page 66] next ensuing, Duke Alfred with a great power of Englishmen spoiled and destroied Brechnock, and a great part of the lands of Owen prince of South­wales, against whome, Eneon the sonne of the said Owen, and Howel king of Northwales did raise all their power, and ouerthrew them in battell, where the greatest part of Alfreds armie was slaine, and the rest put to flight. The yeare follo­wing, the Gentlemen of Gwentsland rebelled a­gainst their prince, and cruellie slue Eneon the son of Owen, which came thither to appease them. This Eneon was a woorthie and noble Gentle­man, who did manie notable actes in his fathers time, and left behind him two sonnes, Edwyn and Theodor or Tewdor Mawr, of whome came after­ward the kings or princes of Southwales. In the yeare 984.984 Howel the sonne of Ievaf king of Wales entred England with an armie, where he was fought withall, and slaine valiantlie figh­ting. This Howel had no sonne, but his brethren reigned in his place.

AFTER the death of Howel, his brother Cad­walhon, the second sonne of Ievaf tooke in hand the gouernance of North­wales, and first made war with Ionaval his coosen the sonne of Mey­ric, and right heire to the land, and slue him, but Edwal the yongest brother escaped awaie pri­uilie. The yeare following, Meredyth the sonne of Owen king or prince of Southwales, with all his po­wer entred into Northwales, and in fight slue Cad­walhon the sonne of Ievaf, and Meyric his brother, [Page 68] and conquered the land to himselfe. Wherein a man may see how God punished the wrong, which Iago and Ievaf the sonnes of Edwal Voel did to their eldest brother Meyric, who was first disherited, and afterward his eies put out, and one of his sonnes slaine. For first Ievaf was imprisoned by Iago, then Iago with his sonne Constantine, by Howel the sonne of Ievaf: and afterward the said Howel, with his bretherne Cad­walhon and Meyric, were slaine and spoiled of all their lands.

THis Meredyth ap Owen, hauing slain Cadwalhon, obtained the rule and gouernment of North­wales. In the yeare 986.986 Godfryd the sonne of Ha­roald, the third time ente­red the Ile of Anglesey, where hauing taken Lhywarch the sonne of Owen, with 2000. prisoners besides, he cruellie put out his eies. Wherevpon Meredyth the prince, with the rest scaped and fled to Caerdigan. And the same yeare there was a great mooren of cattell through all Wales. Then the Danes againe entered Eng­land with diuerse armies, and at Westport and Wi­test ouerthrew the Lords of England, Godan and Britchwould: so that the king was compelled to [Page 70] hire the Danes with the paiment of 10000. pound to liue quietlie in the land:Dane gelt. Hol. pag. 239. and yet within a while after, the king himself brake the peace, and prepa­red a great nauie to meete the Danes by sea, where he was ouercome, & lost all the ships, which were taken with Alfricke Earle of Mercia the cap­taine of the same. After this the Danes spoiled Yorke, with Lyndsey, & went to Northumberland, where they were put to flight by Godwyn & Frid­gist. About the same time Aulaffe & Swayn, sailing vp the Thames, with 94. sailes, beseeged London, which was valiantlie defended. Wherefore the Danes left their ships,H. Hunt. and entered the land, and cruellie with fire and sword destroied all Kent, Sus­sex, Surreie, and Hampshire. Wherevpon king Edelred sent to them for peace, which he obteined with great summes of monie and victuall; so that they laie peaceablie at Hampton that winter. Then Aulaffe vpon composition came to Edelred, who receiued him worthilie, and did so entertaine him, that he promised to depart the land, and ne­uer to returne, which promise he faithfullie kept.

987The yeare 987. died Ievaf the sonne of Edwal, which had liued manie yeares a priuate life. The same yeare also died Owen the son of Howel Dha, Prince of Southwales. This Owen had three sons, Eneon which died in his fathers time, Lhywarch which lost both his eies, and Meredyth which (as before is declared) had wonne Northwales, and af­ter his fathers death tooke also to his possession all Southwales, hauing no respect to his brother Eneon his sonnes Edwyn and Theodor or Tewdor. About the same time the Danes sailed from Hamp­ton alongst the coast, spoiling Deuonshire & Corne­wale, and so at the last landed in Southwales, and [Page 71] destroied S. Dauids, Lhanbadarn, Lhanrystyd, and Lhandydoch, (which were all places of religion) and did so much hurt in the countrie besides, that to be rid of them, Meredyth was faine to agree with them, & to giue them a penie for euerie man within his land, which was called The tribute of the blacke armie.

At this time Elwmaen the son of Abloic king of Ireland was slain, & a great number of people died for hunger. The yeare 989.989 Owen the son of Dyfn­wal was slaine. Within a yeare after Meredyth king of Wales destroied the towne of Radnor, at what time his nephew Edwyn the sonne of Eneon, hauing to his aid duke Adelf, and a great armie of Englishmen and Danes, spoiled all the land of Mere­dyth in Southwales, as Caerdigan, Dyuet, Gwyr, Kyd­weli, and S. Dauids: where Edwyn tooke pledges of the chiefe men of those countries. In the meane time, this Meredyth with his people did spoile Glamorgan, so that no place was free from sword and fire: but at the last Meredyth and Edwyn fell at an agreement, & were made freends. Soone af­ter Cadwalhon the onelie sonne of Meredyth died. Meredyth being thus occupied, had so much to do in Southwales, that Northwales laie open for the eni­mie: which thing when the Danes perceiued, they arriued in Anglesey, and destroied the whole Ile. Wherevpon the inhabitants of that countrie re­ceiued Edwal the sonne of Meyric the right heire of Northwales, Matth. West. pag. 383. Io. Castor. for their prince, in the yeare 992.992 Af­ter these great troubles, there followed within a yeare after such famine & scarsitie in Southwales, that manie perished for want of food.

THis Edwal being in pos­session of the principalitie of Northwales, studied to keepe and defend his people from iniu­ries and wrongs. But Meredyth gathered to­gither all his power, intending to recouer againe Northwales, with whome Edwal met at Lhangwm, and o­uerthrew him in plaine battell, where Theodor of Tewdor Mawr, Meredyth his nephew was slaine, who left behind him two sonnes Rees & Rytherch, & a daughter called Elen. Matth. West. A litle after this Swayn the sonne of Haroald destroied the Ile of Man: and [Page 73] entring to Northwales slew Edwal the prince ther­of, who left behind him a sonne called Iago.

In the yeare of Christ 998.998 the Danes came a­gaine to S. Dauids, destroieng all before them, and there they slew Morgeney or rather Vrgeney Bi­shop of that sea. The same yeare also died Mere­dyth the sonne of Owen king or prince of Wales, leauing behind him one onlie daughter called An­gharad, which was maried to Lhewelyn ap Sitsylht, and after his death to Conuyn Hirdref, or as other do thinke, to Conuyn ap Gwerystan, who had children by either of them, which was the cause of much warre & mischief in Wales, as shall appeare hereafter.

THe death of both these princes (for so much as Meredyth had no issue male, & Edwal left behind him a child within yeares, not able to take the charge of a common wealth) did cause much trou­ble to ensue: for in Northwales diuerse did aspire to the go­uernment, and sought the rule of the land, as Co­nan the sonne of Howel, and Aedan the sonne of Blegored, who tried the matter in open field, where Conan was slaine, the yeare 1003.1003

I doo not know, neither could I euer find, what colour or pretense of title, this Aedan ap Blegored had to the princi­palitie of Northwales, nor yet of whom he descended, or who came of him: whereas all the other princes are notori­ouslie [Page 75] knowen, of what families they descended, and who came of them. Neither yet doo I read of anie Blegored, whose sonne he might be, except it be that doctor of Law, of whom mention is made in the lawes of Howel Dha, whose estate was too meane to challenge the principalitie. He is reported to haue gouerned about xij. yeares. Of this acts by him atchieued, there is verie litle written, sauing of those two battels, the one wherin he ouercame Conan ap Howel, and the other wherin he was ouercome himselfe, and slaine with his foure sonnes, by Lhewelyn ap Sitsylht.

In the yeare 1004.1004 Gulfath and Vbiad Irish Lords, were taken by the Scots, and their eies put out, which Scots did also destroie the countrie and towne of Deuelyn. Likewise the Danes, which had destroied againe Westwales, went to England, and there spoiled and burned the land all before them, especiallie Somersetshire, Dorsetshire, and so through Hampshire and Sussex, Matt. West. they came to­wards the riuer of Thames, without anie let or staie, and so sailed alongst the riuer, to the place where the riuer Mydwey entreth to the Thames, alongst which water, they came to Rochester, where they ouerthrew the Kentishmen that bade them battell. Edelred king of England was at this time in Cumberland the chiefe denne of the Danes, which land he brought to his subiection: but in the meane while, another armie of Danes fought againe with the men of Somersetshire, and got the victorie, and ruled the countrie at their pleasure. Then Edelred hearing of the great worthines of Richard Duke of Normandie, sent to him for his daughter Emma in mariage, thinking thereby to haue succour: but God intending to punish the great sinnes and enormities of the Saxons, did moue the king thereto, that like as they being in­struments [Page 76] of Gods wrath, vnder the colour of friends and hired soldiours, had traiterouslie and cruellie slaine the Brytaines, and driuen them out of their land, so should the Normanes by colour of this affinitie, first enter the land as friends, and bring succour against the Danes, and afterward come as foes, and be the vtter destruction of the Saxons and Angles: which was then foreseene and told the king by an Anachoret, who inspired with the spirit of God, sawe the plagues which he had certainelie appointed to fall vpon the Saxons. But the king puffed vp with pride, and hope of his affinitie, did priuilie write to all the english rulers through the realme,The Danes murthered. Matt. West. pag. 391. to kill the Danes in one night, which then liued peaceablie, which murther was cruellie executed vpon S. Brices daie at night. But yet the Danes would not giue ouer so with losse. Therefore the yeare following, there came an ar­mie of them to Deuonshire, and ouerran the land with fire and sword, sparing nothing that had life, that they might reuenge the murther of their coo­sens.Matt. West. pag. 393. H. Hunt. Sim. Dunel. They rased the citie of Excester, and slue Hugh the Normane, whome the Queene had ap­pointed gouernour there. Then Almarus Earle of Deuon gathered a great armie of Hampshire, Wilshire, and all the countrie about, and met the Danes: but he and his were put to flight, and the Danes pursued them to Wilton and destroied it and Salisburie, and returned to their ships with rich spoiles and great triumphes.

Io. Cast. Si. Dunelm. Hol. pag. 243. Io. Vowel.Some are of another opinion, which affirme, that the said Hugh the Norman entised and procured the Danes to come and beséege the citie of Excester, which they did burne, and vsed the people with great crueltie, vntill in the end the [Page 77] said Almarus Earle of Deuon, and the Gentlemen of the countrie submitted themselues, and so obteined peace.

And the yeare folowing, being 1004.1004 Swayne a mightie prince of Denmarke, to whom God prede­stinated the crowne of England, came with a great number of sailes, and laid siege to Norwich, and spoiled it,Hol. pag. 243. with whom Wolfkettel duke of the land made peace: yet the Danes, after they had rested a while, went to Thetford, which they also spoiled, and returned to their ships with their praie, and ouerthrewe duke Wolfkettel (who had gathered and prepared an armie to fight with them) and so failed to their countrie, and two yeares after re­turned againe with their companions, fire, sword and spoile,Hol. pag. 244. and landed at Sandwich and burned it, and made England quake as a reed in the wind, and thence sailed to Wight, where they wintered till Christmas, and then entred Hampshire, and passed in diuerse bands alongst the land to Reding, Wal­lingford and Colsey, deuouring such victuales as they found in the houses, paieng therefore with sword and fire at their departing.Io. Cast. And at their re­turne they met neere Essington, the armie of the Westsaxons, which did nothing but trouble them with killing, & laded them with spoile, and so pas­sed the gates of Winchester, with much triumph to Wight; and all this while was king Edelred at his manour in Shropshire full of cares and trou­bles. And then the nobilitie of England bought peace of the Danes for 30000. pound. In the which time of peace Edelred tooke an order, that of euerie 300. hides of land through the realme,H. Hunt. there should be a ship made and furnished, and of euery 8. hides, a corselet and a helmet. An hide containeth as [Page 78] much ground as a plough maie eare by the yeare. Besides these the king had a nauie from Norman­die, which being all togither at Sandwich, was one of the greatest that euer was seene in Brytaine. But it hapned so,Io. Cast. Matt. West. that where the king had bani­shed one Wilnot a noble man of Sussex, he fell a ro­uing vpon the sea, and troubled all passages and victualers.1008 Then Brightrych brother to the trai­tor Edric Erle of Mercia, promised the king to bring before him Wilnot either aliue or dead, but it hap­ned otherwise: for there fell such a tempest, that he was driuen of force to the shore, where manie of his ships were lost, and the reast Wilnot and his companie did set on fire, and burned them. Then Brightrych, being abashed of this infortunate be­ginning, returned againe alongst the Thames to London.

Shortlie after there landed a nauie of Danes at Sandwich, Io. Castor. and so passed by the land to Canturburie, minding to destroie the citie: but the citizens bought peace for 30000. pound. And the Danes passed first through Kent, Sussex, Hampshire, and Barkshire, where king Edelred with all the power of England met them: notwithstanding being per­suaded by the traitor Edric, he would not fight with them, so that they returning backe by Lon­don, (which citie defended it selfe manfullie) went to their ships. But in the yeare folowing they lan­ded againe at Ipswich vpon the Ascension daie, & there ouercame and put to flight Duke Wolfket­tel who fought with them. Then passsing from thence to Cambridge, they met the kings sisters sonne with his armie, whom they slew, and with him Duke Oswyn, with Edwyn & Wolfrike Earles, [Page 79] and after tooke their waie by Essex towards Thames,1010 leauing no part of crueltie vnpractised by the waie. And alongst the riuer-side they went to Oxford, Hol. pag. 245. Io. Cast. which they had burned the yeere before, and so to the three castels vpon Ouze, Buckingham, Bedford and Huntingdon, and destroied Godman­chester, which was then a faire towne, and burned Northampton, and at Christmas returned to their ships. The next yeare folowing, when they had spoiled all the land from Trent southward, they laid siege to the citie of Canterburie, 1011 and wan it by treason of one Almarike (whom Alfege the Archbi­shop had deliuered from death) and left nothing behind them,Io. Cast. Hol. pag. 246. but bloud and ashes, carieng the Archbishop with other to their ships,Matt. Park. page. 68. whom they cruellie slew afterward. Within a while after, Swayne king of Denmarke came alongst Humber to Gainesbourgh: to whom Vitred Duke of Northum­berland with all his people and all Lynsey with the countries North of Watlingstreete became sub­iects, and gaue him hostages. Whervpon Swayne finding his enterprises fortunate and luckie, com­mitted his nauie to Cnute his sonne, and went him selfe to Oxford and Winchester, which cities with all the countries about aknowledged him for their king. Then he came to London, where king Edelred was, but the citizens defended the citie so manfullie and valiantlie, that Swayne returned to Walingford, and so to Bath, and receiued homage of all Westsaxon, and afterward comming to Lon­don, receiued the citie to mercie, and was called king throughtout the land.Hol. pag. 249. Io. Castor. Then Edelred percei­uing all things to fall against him, fled to Norman­die, to his wife and his two sonnes, Edward and Al­fred, [Page 80] whom he had sent thither before. And Swayne, as soone as he had brought the whole land to his obeisance,Sim. Dunel. died suddenlie, after whose death, the Danes chose Cnute his sonne for their king; but the Englishmen sent for Edelred home againe, who comming with a great armie, destroied Lynsey, bicause that prouince was become subiect to Cnute. Hol. pag. 248. Which thing when Cnute vnderstood be­ing at Ipswich, he cut off the hands and noses of all the pledges that he had, and returned to Den­marke. About this time, Brian king of Ireland, and Murcath his sonne, and other kings of that land to him subiect, did gather a great power against Su­tric the sonne of Abloic king of Dyuelyn, and Mail­morda king of Lagenes, which Sutric hired a num­ber of strangers, all armed men, and rouers vpon the seas, to his succour, and gaue Brian battell, where the said Brian and his sonne weer slaine, and on the other side Mailmorda and Broderike cap­taine of the strangers. In the yeare 1013.1013 Cnute came againe from Denmarke, and landed in West­sex, and spoiled all the countrie.Io. Cast. Then Edric with Edmund king Edelreds bastard sonne, gathered an armie, but yet they durst not giue him battell. Then went Edmund to Vitred duke of Northum­berland, & together they spoiled Staffordshire, Leyce­stershire, and Shropshire. Cnute likewise, vpon the other side, came downe through Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Hutingdonshire, and so by Stafford passed toward Yorke, to whome Vitred came and yeelded himselfe, yet he lost his life, whose possessi­ons Cnute gaue to one Egricke, and made him duke in his stead, wherevpon Edmund went to his father which laie sicke at London. Then Cnute re­turned [Page 81] to his ships, and sailed to Thames mouth, and vp the riuer towards London: but before he came thither, Edelred was departed, after he had reigned with much trouble & miserie 37. yeares. After whose death, the Englishmen chose his base sonne Edmund, surnamed Ironside for strength and tolerance in war, to be their king. This Edmund went to Westsex, and brought all that countrie to his subiection. Then the Danes laid siege to Lon­don, 1 & made a great trench about it, that no man could escape out, and gaue Edmund battell (who came to raise the siege) at Proman by Gillingham, where Edmund had the vpper hand. The second 2 battell they fought at Caerstane, Io. Castor. Matth. West. pag. 498. in the which E­dric, Almar and Algar vsed themselues traitorously against Edmund, where after long fight, the night departed both the armies. The third battell was at London, where Edmund pursued the Danes to 3 their ships, and entered the citie triumphantlie: & two daies after they fought the fourth battell at 4 Brenford, from whence Edmund bare the honor a­waie, and went to gather a new armie, whiles Cnute did besiege London by water and land, but it was manfullie defended. Then Edmund with his armie passed the Thames at Brenford, and en­tred into Kent, and fought the fift battell, where the Danes fled as sheepe before him, but he staied 5 the pursute by the wicked read of the traitor E­dric, whome he had receiued to mercie and made steward of the land, the which battell was fought at Essedowne in Essex with all the whole power of the Danes and Englishmen, where Edmund shewed his prowes,Matth. West. pag. 399. and forsaking his place, which was betwixt the Dragon & the Standard, he entred [Page 82] the armie of his enimies, and brake the thickest rankes of them, and compelled the prowdest of them to turne their backes. Which when Edric saw, fearing the ouerthrow of the Danes, cried a­lowd Fledd Engle, Fledd Engle, Dead is Edmund: & therevpon fled with his people, whome all the ar­mie folowed to the great murther of Englishmen, Hol. pag. 255. Matth. West. page. 399. and there were slaine Edmund, Alfric, Godwyn, and Vlfkettel, all Dukes, & all the cheualrie of England. After which victorie, Cnute entred London, & was crowned king of the land. And Edmund gathered his armie togither, and they met in Glocestershire, but either armie fearing other, were loth to fight, but moued the kings to make an end of this cruell bloudshed by combat,Hol. pag. 256. Matt. West. page. 400. Io. Castor. wherevnto either prince a­greed, and the place being appointed, fought togi­ther manfullie, and either of them were found so valiant and worthie men, as few the like. But Cnute fearing the incomparable strength of Ed­mund mooued him to accord, wherevnto he agreed. Therevpon peace was concluded with much ioie, that Edmund should reigne in Westsex, and Cnute in Mercia: and so they departed, Cnute to London, and Edmund to Oxford, S [...]m. Dunel. Fabian. Matth. West. pag. 401. where he was traitorously murthered by a sonne of Edric with a sharp knife, as he was at the priuie. Edric being quicklie cer­tified of the deed, came to Cnute (with much ioie) and greeted him as onelie king of England, decla­ring how Edmund was slaine at Oxford. To whom Cnute replied, that for his good seruice he would reward him as his deserts required,Matt. West. page. 402. and set him aboue all the nobles of England. Therevp­pon forthwith he caused his head to be cut off, and to be set vpon a pole, on the highest towre in Lon­don, [Page 83] and then he caused execution to be done vpon all the other, that were consenting to the mur­ther. In the yeare 1015. Lhewelyn the son of Sit­sylht did raise a great power against Aedan, 1015 who by force had taken vpon him the rule of North­wales, and slue him with his foure sonnes in bat­tell, and (hauing no respect to Iago or Iames the sonne of Edwal the right heire) tooke vpon him the name and authoritie of king of Wales. This Lhewelyn was descended from the kings of Wales by his mother side, whose name was Trawst, daughter to Elise second sonne to Anarawd, which was the eldest sonne of Roderike the great: who also had to wife Angharat, the onlie daugh­ter of Meredyth prince of Southwales, and so by these meanes he claimed and enioied the right of either countrie, as hereafter shalbe declared.

AFTER that Lhewelyn son of Sitsylht had taken into his hands the gouernance of Wales, all things did prosper in the land: for the earth brought foorth double to the time before passed, the people prospered in all their affaires, and multi­plied woonderfullie, the cattell increased in great number, so that there was neither begger nor poore man from the South to the North sea, but euerie man had plentie, euerie house a dweller, and euerie towne inhabitants. Now in this time Cnute married Emme sometimes wife to Edelred, and mother to Alfred and Edward, and sent Ed­mund and Edward the sonnes of Edmund Ironside to [Page 85] Hungarie to be slaine,R [...]n. Cest. lib. 6. cap. 18. howheit, the king of Hunga­rie cherished them as his owne children. King Cnute also seazed vpon the land a great subsidie of 72000. pounds, besides 11000. li. which the ci­tizens of London paid.1019 In the yeare 1019. Meyric the sonne of Arthpoel did raise a great armie a­gainst Lhewelyn king or prince of Wales, which met with him in the field, and manfullie slue him, and discomsited his people.Ran. Cest. ibi. Also this yeare Cnute with a great nauie sailed to Denmarke, and made war against the Vandales, which had a great ar­mie in the field, whome Cnute ouerthrew by the prowes of Earle Godwyn, and the Englishmen, wherefore he loved them the better euer after.

In the yeare 1020. a certaine Scot of lowe birth came to Southwales, 1020 and named himselfe Run the sonne of Meredyth their late king, whome the nobilitie, which loued not Lhewelyn, exalted to the regall throne, and tooke him for their king, which thing when Lhewelyn heard, he gathered his po­wer in Northwales, and came towards Run, who had gotten all the strength of Southwales toge­ther at Abergwili, where with great pride he a­bode the comming of Lhewelyn. But when both armies were readie to ioine, Run full of brags and crakes incouraged his people to fight, promising them the victorie: yet he himselfe (following the prouerbe, which biddeth a man to set on his dog, and not to run after him) set on his people to fight it to the vttermost, and withdrew himselfe priuilie out of the waie: wheras vpon the contrarie part Lhewelyn, like a bold and couragious prince, came before his people, calling for the vile Scot Run, that durst so beelie a princes bloud, and so both the ar­mies [Page 86] ioined together with much malice and ha­tred, for the one partie were not so couragious to defend the quarell of so woorthie a prince of their owne bloud, as the other were obstinate in the cause of a stranger: in the end, after great slaughter vpon either part, the Northwales men remembring their old victories, and incouraged by the prowes of their prince, put their enimies to flight, and pursued Run so narrowlie, that all his Scottish shifts could not saue his life, and so re­turned home with great spoile and prey. Then Lhewelyn ruled all the land quietlie, but the yeare following he was slaine by Howel and Meredyth the sonnes of Edwyn, leauing behind him a sonne named Gruffyth ap Lhewelyn.

AFter the death of Lhewelyn, Iago or Iames the sonne of Edwal tooke vppon him the rule of Northwales as right heire thereof. And Ry­therch the sonne of Iestyn, go­uerned Southwales by strong hand.Ran. Cest. lib. 6. Cnute king of England about this time made a viage to Denmarke and Swethen, a­gainst Vlf and Alaf, who had stirred the Findlanders against him, with whom he had a cruell fight, and lost a great number of his armie, aswell English­men as Danes, and after his returne to England, he made his iournie to Rome with much pompe and glorie,Io. Cast. not because he thought by that iournie to be clensed from his sinnes, but that his ambi­tious [Page 88] mind might haue the praise and fame of the world, for his rich gifts and princely behauior, and what holines he learned there, it appeared at his returne. For forthwith he entred Scotland with a great armie, against Malcolme the prince thereof, who desired peace, and became his subiect, with two other kings of the Orkneys, & Ewist, Molbeath and Iermare.

1031About the yeare 1031. the Irish-scots entred Southwales, by the meanes of Howel and Meredyth, the sonnes of Edwyn ap Eneon ap Owen ap Howel Dha, who hired them against Rytherch ap Iestyn, whom they discomfited and slew, & by that means attained vnto the gouernement of Southwales, which they two ruled iointly, but yet with small quietnesse, for the sonnes of Rytherch gathered a number of such as were their fathers friends to reuenge his death, with whom Howel and Mere­dyth met at Hyarthwy, & after long fight put them to flight. But in the yeare folowing, Meredyth was slaine by the sons of Conan the sonne of Sit­sylht, brother to the worthie prince Lhewelyn to re­uenge their fathers death, whome Meredyth and his brother had slaine. The yeare next ensuing, certaine Englishmen entred the land of Gwent, with whom, Rytherch ap Iestyn fought, and was by them slaine. Not long after died Cnute the most famous and mightiest prince in the West parts of the world, as he that had vnder his dominion the great countrie of Swethen, from Germanie to the Northpole,H. Hunt. Io. Castor. Matth. West. Ran. Cest. li. 6 Al [...]. Crantz. with Norway and Denmarke, and all the noble Ile of Brytaine. After whom Haroald Harfote his son begotten vpon Alwyn the daugh­ter of Duke Alfelyn, was created king. For Hardie [Page 89] Cnute his other sonne by Emma was then in Den­marke. This Haroald in the first yeare of his reigne banished Emma his stepmother out of the realme.

In the yeare 1037.1037 Gruffyth the son of Lhewelyn ap Sitsylth sometimes king of Wales, raised a great number of people against Iago then enioieng the principalitie or kingdome of Northwales, whome Iago likewise prouided for, as well as he could: but the more part and the better souldiours were of Gruffyths side, for the loue they bare to his father, which afterward well appeared: for after the ar­mies once met, Iago was soone ouerthrowne and slaine. This Iago left behind him a sonne called Conan, by his wife Auandred daughter to Gweir the sonne of Pylh.

GRuffyth ap Lhewelyn, af­ter hee had slaine Iago, gouerned Northwales worthily in all things, following his fathers steps, who ouercame both the Danes and the Englishmen diuerse times, & defended his countrie and people manfullie all his reigne. In the first yeare of his gouernment he fought with the Englishmen and Danes at Crosford vpon Seauerne, and put them to flight, and from thence he lead his armie to Lhan­padarn vawr in Caerdiganshire, and destroied it vt­terlie, & from thence passed all Southwales through [Page 91] out, and receiued the people to his subiection. For Howel ap Edwyn their king fled before his face, and forlooke the land.

Hol. pag. 272.This Howel procured Edwyn the brother of Leofrike Earle of Chester or Mercia, to come with an armie of Englishmen and Danes to his aide against prince Gruf­fyth, who met his enimies in the field, and ouercame them, and slue the said Edwyn, Matt. West. but Howel escaped by flight. After the which victorie, Gruffyth made sundrie inuasions vpon the marches towards Hereford, and alwaies returned with great spoiles.

When Gruffyth had brought all Wales vnder his dominion, he returned to Northwales againe. The yeare insuing, 1038.1038 Hernun Archbishop of Meneuia or S. Dauids died, a man both learned and godlie. The yeare next following, Howel king of Southwales gathered a great power of his friends and strangers, and entred the land, intending to recouer it againe. Wherefore Gruffyth like a wor­thie prince came with all speed to succour his peo­ple, and meeting with Howel at Pencadair, after he had incouraged his souldiours, gaue him battell, and ouerthrew him, and pursued him so narrow­lie, that hee tooke Howels wife, whome hee had brought to the field to see the ouerthrow of Gruf­fyth (which chanced otherwise) whome Gruffyth liked so well, that he kept hir for his concubine.

About this time, Haroald king of England died, and his brother Hardycnute reigned in his stead, a noble and a liberall prince, who (as it is reported) caused his tables to be couered and furnished four times euerie daie,H. Hunt for strangers and all commers, and after he had reigned two yeares,Matt. West. Sim. Dunel. he died at Lambeth in the floure of his age. After whose [Page 92] death, the Englishmen sent for Alfred the eldest son of Edelred from Normandy, but that message plea­sed not Earle Godwyn, which was the mightiest man in the land, because he knew the yoong prince to be couragious and stout, and therefore one that would not suffer him to rule the land as he inten­ded to doo. Therefore he persuaded the people that Alfred, who had come well accompanied with Nor­manes, had promised them the whole rule of the land, and therevpon they tooke all the Normanes, and bound them, and afterward tithed them, put­ting euerie tenth man to death. And yet they thought there were too manie, wherefore they ti­thed them the second time: and lead Alfred from Gilford (where this crueltie was committed) to Gillingham, and there put out his eies, and remo­ued him thence to Ely, where he was pitifullie murthered. Afterward they sent for Edward the yonger sonne, whome they receiued as king the yeare folowing, after that he had maried God­wynes daughter, who in the first yeere of his reigne banished Earle Swayne, sonne to the said Earle Godwyn, who was receiued of the Earle of Flan­ders. In the yeare 1041. Howel came againe to Southwales, 1041 and remained there awhile: and short­lie after a number of strangers landed in West­wales & spoiled the countrie, against whom Howel gathered a number of people, and fought with them, and droue them to their ships with much losse.

At this time Conan the sonne of Iago (who had fled to Ireland to saue his life) with the power of Alfred king of Deuelyn, whose daughter Ranulph he had maried, entred Northwales, and by treason had [Page 93] taken Gruffyth the king, and caried him towards the ships: but when it was knowen, the countrie vpon the sudden folowed the Irishmen, and ouerta­king them rescued their prince, requiting their foes with much slaughter to their ships, who re­turned streight with Conan to Ireland. The yeare folowing, Howel the sonne of Owen Lord of Gla­morgan died, being a man full of yeares. Then Howel ap Edwyn called to his succour Danes and Englishmen, with all the power he could make in Southwales. Whereof Gruffyth being certified, ga­thered his power togither in Northwales, & came couragiouslie to meete his enimies, (whom he had twise before discomfited) and ouercame them, and chased them, as farre as the spring of the riuer Towy, where after a long and dangerous battell Howel was slaine, and his armie discomfited, and so narrowlie pursued that few escaped aliue. Af­ter whose death Rytherch and Rees the sonnes of Rytherch ap Iestyn aspiring againe to the rule and gouernment of Southwales, Hol. pag. 270. Matt. West. which their father had once obtained, gathered a great armie, aswell of strangers as out of Gwentland, and Glamorgan, and met with Gruffyth king of Wales, who after his accustomed maner detracting no time, but couragiouslie animating his men with the re­membrance of their former fortune and diuerse vi­ctories vnder his standard, ioined battell with his enimies, whom he found disposed to abide, & to win againt the honor which before they had lost: wher­fore when they met, the fight was cruell & bloudie, & continued till night, which easilie departed both armies being werie with fighting, and either fea­ring other, returned to their countries, to gather [Page 94] more strength. This yeare Ioseph bishop of Teilo or Landaf died at Rome. The land being thus quie­ted, Gruffyth ruled al Wales without any trouble: till about two yeares after, the Gentlemen of Y­strad Towy did by treason kill 140. of the Prince his best soldiors, to reuenge whose death the king Gruffyth destroied all Dyuet and Ystrad Towy. Heere is also to be noted, that such snow fell this yeare, that it laie vpon the earth from the kalends of Ianuarie, to the 14. of March. About this time, Lothen and Hyrling landed at Sandwich with a great number of Danes, and after they had spoiled the towne, they returned to their ships, and sailed to Flanders, and sold their booties, and so sailed to their countrie. At this time also Earle Swayne re­turned to England, and came to his fathers house at Pevenese, and humblie besought his father, and his brethren Haroald & Tostie, to procure him the kings fauour. So Earle Beorned promised to in­treate the king for him, and went with Swayne to his ships, where he was traitorouslie murthe­red, and his bodie left vpon the shore, vntill his friends, being certified of the same, fetched him a­waie, and buried him at Winchester, where his vncle king Cnute had beene buried before. Swayne hauing committed this wicked fact, sailed againe to Flanders, and continued there, till his father made peace with the king, and brought him in fauour againe about a yeare after.

1050In the yeare 1050. Conan the sonne of Iago did gather an armie of his friends in Ireland, min­ding to recouer his inheritance againe, and as he sailed towards Wales, there arose such a tempest, that it scattered his nauie abroade, and drowned [Page 95] the most part of his ships, so that he was disap­pointed of his purpose, & lost his labour. Short­lie after, Robert Archbishop of Canturburie accu­sed Earle Godwyn and his sonnes Swayne and Ha­roald of treason, and the Queene of adulterie, who bicause they refused to appeare, being called be­fore the king, were banished the land, and the Queene put awaie from the king, wherevpon, Godwyn with Swayne fled to Flanders, and Haroald to Ireland.

Wil. Malms. Hol. pag. 270. and 271. Eustace Earle of Bologne, the father of Godfrey, hauing married Goda king Edwards sister, the widow of Walter de Maunt, came to England to his brother in lawe, and as he was returning home againe, one of his seruants kild a man at Canturburie (or at Douer as Matt. Westm. hath) whereof grew a great inconuenience and slaughter on both sides:Matt. West. page. 419. wherevpon Eustace returning againe; made a gréeuous complaint to king Edward vpon the Kentish­men, whose part Earle Godwyn tooke, bicause they were of his countie. But Eustace by the suggestion of Robert Arch­bishop of Canturburie (who hated Godwyn and his sonnes) so incensed king Edward against him and the Kentish­men, Matt. Park. that Godwyn and his sonnes were sent for, to answer the matter before the king at Glocester. Wherevpon God­wyn fearing the kings displeasure (who could neuer brooke him sithence the death of his brother Alfred) gathered an ar­mie out of Kent and other countries where his sonnes ru­led, and so came towards Glocester, reporting abroade, that all this preparation was made to resist Gruffyth prince of Wales, who (as they affirmed) was readie with an armie to inuade the marches. But king Edward being certified by the Welshmen, that there was no such things in hand, commanded Godwyn to send backe his armie, and to come himselfe to answer, according to the order of law. Which when he refused to doo, the king by the aduise of Earle Leofrike appointed a Parliament and meeting at [Page 96] London, to take order in these matters, where the king came with a great armie out of Mercia and other westerne countries. Then Godwyn remaining with his armie in Southwerke, and perceiuing how that diuers of his friends disappointed him, and other dailie forsooke him, and went to the kings part, despairing to be able to withstand the kings procéedings against him, conueied himselfe awaie priuilie with his sonnes, and fled out of the land. Wherevpon king Edward proclamed him and his sonnes outlawes, confis­cated their goods, and gaue their lands to other of his no­bilitie.

Then the king gaue to Adonan the earldome of Deuonshire and Dorsetshire, and to Algar sonne of Earle Leofrick the earldome of Haroald. Neuer­thelesse Godwyn and Swayne got men and ships in Flanders, and sailed to the ile of Wight, which they spoiled, and so they did Portland. At the same time Haroald cōming from Ireland, and wafting alongst the shoare, spoiling the countrie as he went, at length met with his father & brother, who being together, burned P [...]euenese [...]y, Romney, Heath, Folk­ston, Douer, and Sandwich, & entring the Thames destroied Sheppey, and burned the kings houses at Mydltowne, and afterward sailed vp towards London, where by the way they met with the king and so sailed with him, & when they were readie to fight, an accord was made by meanes of Bishop Stigand, in such sort that the king restored them their lands and goodes, tooke home the Queene, and banished the Archbishop with all the French­men, which had put that suspicion in the kings head.

Mat. Westm. writeth, that about this time, to wit, An. 1053. Rees the brother of Gruffyth king of Wales was slaine in a [Page 97] place called Bulendune, Matt. West. page. 420. whose head was presented to king Edward, the daie before the Epiphanie, the king being then at Glocester.

A litle after that, Oswald Earle of Northumber­land, when he heard that his sonne was slaine in Scotland, whither his father had sent him to con­quere it, asked whether his deaths wound was in his brest or in his backe; and they said in his brest: and he answered, I am right glad thereof, for I would not wish me nor my sonne to die o­therwise. Then king Edward entred Scotland, and ouercame the king in battell, & subdued the whole land to him selfe. The yeare folowing, Earle God­wyn died at the kings table, choked with a peece of bread, whose Earldome Haroald his sonne had, and Algar Earle of Chester had the Earldome of Haroald.

Hector Boet. lib. 12. cap. 5.About this time Makbeth king of Scotland caused a noble man of his named Bancho, to be cruellie murthered, where­vpon Fleance the sonne of the said Bancho escaping the hands of Makbeth, Buchan. li. 7. page. 62. fled to Gruffyth ap Lhewelyn prince of Wales, where being ioifullie receiued and entertained cour­teouslie, he grew into such fauor with the said Prince, that he thought nothing too good for him. But in processe of time Fleance forgetting the curtesie to him shewed,Hol. pag. 247. fell in loue with the princes daughter, and gat hir with child. Which thing the prince tooke in so ill part, that he in a rage caused Fleance to be kild, holding his daughter in most vile estate of seruitude, for so suffering hir selfe to be defloured by a stranger. At length she was deliuered of a sonne, which was named Walter, who in few yeares prooued a man of great courage and valiancie, in whome from his childhood appeared a certeine noblenes of mind, readie to attempt a­nie great enterprise. This VValter on a time fell out with one of his companions, who in that heat of contention ob­iected [Page 98] vnto him, that he was but a bastard begotten in vn­lawfull bed. Which reproch so gréeued VValter, that he fell vpon the other, and slew him; wherevpon fearing the pu­nishment of the law, he fled into Scotland, where he fell in­to the companie of those Englishmen which were come thi­ther with Quéene Margaret the sister of Edgar Edeling, a­mongst whom he shewed himself so discréet and sober in all his demcanor, that he was highlie estéemed of all men: and so attaining to higher reputation and credit, was af­terward emploied in the affaires of the common wealth, and at length made Lord Steward of Scotland, receiuing the kings reuenewes of the whole realme. Of the which of­fice he and his posteritie reteined that sirname of Steward euer after, from whom descended the most noble kings of Scotland of the familie of Stewards, besides manie other Dukes, Marquesses, Earles, and Barones of great fame and renowme.

Also at this time, Siward that worthie Earle of Northumberland, being brought to the point of death with the bloudie fluxe, bewailed his mis­chance, that he had escaped in manie a dangerous battell, and now should die such a filthie and co­wardlie death, and calling his friends and his men about him, commanded them to set him in his chaire, and to arme him at all points, and put his shield in the left hand, and so made an end of his worthie life. Whose Earldome, because his sonne was within yeares, was giuen to Tosty Godwyns sonne.

1054In the yeare 1054. Gruffyth the son of Rytherch ap Iestyn, did gather a great number, aswell stran­gers as others, against Gruffyth ap Lhewelyn king or prince of Wales, but commonlie called king of Northwales; who detracting no time, meeting him, fought with him, & slew him. Shortlie after, [Page 99] Algar Earle of Chester, Matt. West. page. 421. being conuicted of treason against the king, fled to Gruffyth king or prince of Wales, who gathered his power to reuenge the often wrongs, which he had receiued at the Eng­lishmens hands, who euer succoured his enimies against him.Hol. pag. 272 276. & 277. Therefore he together with Algar entred Herefordshire, and spoiled all the waie with fire and sword, to the citie, whither all the people had fled,Matt. West. page. 422. Io. Castor. and they boldlie issued forth (Earle Ran­dulph being their leader) and gaue him battell, which Gruffyth wished for aboue anie other thing,This Ran­dulphe was K. Edwards nephew, by his sister Goda, the wife of wal­ter De Maunt. as he that had wonne fiue set fields; and couragi­ouslie receiuing his enimies, fought with them. Which fight was long & doubtfull, till such time as Gruffyth incouraged his people with the re­membrance of the prowesse & worthie actes of the ancient Brytaines their forfathers, saieng that they were the same enimies, whose backes they had so oftentimes seene before: which doubled their strength and force, and so they pressed forwards, that their foes were compelled to forsake the field and trust to their feete, where their hands preuai­led not, and thought to haue taken the towne for their defense. But Gruffyth and his men pursued them so hard, that they entred with them, and af­ter a great slaughter returned home with manie worthie prisoners, great triumph, & rich spoiles, leauing nothing in the towne, but bloud & ashes, and the walles rased to the ground.

Hol. pag. 276. Io. Castor.There be some which affirme, that king Edward by euill counsell (as it is thought) banished Algar the sonne of Earle Leofrike, wherevpon he gat him into Ireland, and there prouiding xviij. ships of rouers, returned and ioined himself with Gruffyth king or prince of Wales, who both to­gether [Page 100] inuaded the countrie of Mercia, Matt. West. page. 423. Si. Dunelm. about Hereford, where Ranulph Earle of that countrie (who was sonne to king Edwards sister named Goda, by hir first husband VValter de Maunt) came against them with a great ar­mie, and met them about two miles from Hereford, where after a sore fight by the space of thrée houres, Ranulph and his armie were discomfited, and about 500. of them slaine, and the rest put to flight, whome Gruffyth & Algar pursued to Hereford, and entring the towne, set the cathedrall church on fire, and slue the Bishop named Leogar, with sea­uen of the canons, spoiled and burnt the towne misera­blie. Wherevpon, king Edward being aduertised héereof, gathered an armie, and sent Haroald the sonne of Earle Godwyn against them, who pursuing the enimies to Northwales, passed through Stradclwyd to Snowdon: but Gruffyth and Algar being afraid to méete Haroald, gote them againe to Southwales, whereof Haroald being aduer­tised, left one part of his armie in Northwales, to resist the enimies there, and returning with the residue to Hereford, caused a great trench to be cast round about the towne, with a high rampire stronglie fortifieng the gates of the same. After this, by meanes of a parle had with Gruffyth & Algar, at a place called Biligelhag, a peace was conclu­ded, wherevpon Algar being pardoned by the king, and re­stored againe to his Earledome, returned home to Che­ster. About two yeares after, Algar was accused againe of treason, so that he was the second time exiled the land, and repaired to his old friend Gruffyth prince of Northwales, Io. Cast. Hol. pa. 277. by whome he was receiued ioifullie, and restored againe to his Earledome by the aid of certaine strangers, which came by chance frō Norwaie. Whervpon king Edward be­ing sore offended with Gruffyth, sent Haroald againe with power to Northwales, to be reuenged vpon him, who com­ming to Ruthlan, burned the palace of Gruffyth, and his ships, and then returned backe to the king at Glocester. About this time, Edward the sonne of Edmund [Page 101] Ironside, came to England with his wife and chil­dren, Edgar Edeling (which signifieth in the Bry­tish toong, a yong Lord or a Prince) and Margaret which was afterwards Queene of Scots, and mo­ther to Mawd, wife to Henrie the first king of Eng­land. About two yeares after came Roderike, sonne to Haroald king of Denmarke, Matt. West. with a great armie to Wales, and there being freendlie receiued of king Gruffyth, ioining his power to Gruffyths, en­tred England, and cruellie spoiled and burned a great part of the land. But shortlie after, Roderike was compelled to returne to his ships, and to saile to Denmarke, and Gruffyth returned with spoiles.

This yeare,Matt. Park. Matt. West. as Haroald Godwyns sonne would haue sailed to Flanders, he was driuen by force of a tempest to land in Poytiers, where he was taken, and conueied to William Bastard, duke of Norman­die: to whom Haroald declared his iournie thither, to be onelie to offer him his seruice in the affaires of England, and tooke a solemne oth, first to marrie the Dukes daughter, and after the death of Ed­ward to reserue the crowne to the dukes vse. Then shortlie after receiuing rich gifts, with much ho­nor he returned to England. This yeare died Owen the sonne of Gruffyth ap Rytherch. Also Haroald and his brother Tosty, Matt. West. page. 427. by the procurement of Caradoc ap Gruffyth ap Rytherch, and others, gathered a great power, and entred Southwales, and subdued a great part thereof, and wrought so with those that were about Gruffyth the king, that assoone as he had gathered his people in Northwales, & tooke his iournie to meete with Haroald, he was cruellie and traitorouslie slaine by his owne men, and his head brought to Haroald: who appointed and pla­ced [Page 102] Meredyth the sonne of Owen ap Edwyn, prince and ruler in Southwales, and he with his brother Tosty returned home.

Hol. pag. 277. Matt. West. page. 427.Some doo report, that Haroald, about the rogation wéeke by the kings commandement, went against the Welshmen, and taking the sea, sailed by Bristowe, round about the coast, compassing in maner all Wales. His brother Tosty, that was Earle of Northumberland, met him by appoint­ment with an host of horsemen, and so ioining together, they destroied the countrie of Southwales, in such sort, that the Welshmen were compelled to submit themselues to deliuer hostages, and conditioned to paie the ancient tri­bute, which before time they had paied. The people of that countrie, bicause Gruffyth their prince fled at the com­ming of Haroald, and left them to be a prey for the eni­mie, hated him fore, whome, as soone as he returned to them againe, they slue, and sent his head to Haroald, which he sent to the king. After whose death, king Edward gran­ted the principalitie of Northwales to Blethyn and Rywal­hon the sonnes of Convyn, brethren to Gruffyth by the mo­thers side, who did homage vnto him for the same.

This Gruffyth ap Lhewelyn gouerned Wales 34. yeares valiantlie and woorthilie, he neuer fought but he bare awaie the victorie, he was gentle to his subiects, and cruell to his foes, looued of the one, and feared of the other: liberall to strangers, costlie in apparell, and princelie in all his dooings, and vnwoorthie of that cruell death, that the am­bitious desire of rule did prouoke his vnkind subiects, and vnnaturall coosens, to prepare for so noble a prince, and so gentle a maister as hee was.

AFter the decease of king or prince Gruffyth, Meredyth the sonne of Owen ap Edwyn (which Edwyn as some writers saie was the sonne of Howel Dha) did take vpon him the gouernment of Southwales, and Blethyn and Rywalhon the sonnes of Convyn, and halfe brethren to king Gruffyth ap Lhewelyn (as they which were borne of Angharat daughter to [Page 104] Meredyth king of Wales) did gouerne Northwales, Conan the sonne of Iago being all this time with his father in lawe in Ireland. About this time it fortuned, that as Haroald serued the king with drinke at Windsor, his brother Tofty mooued with enuie that his yonger brother should be preferred before him,Matth. West. pulled him by the haire of the head, and ouerthrewe him. Then departing thence, full of rancor and malice, to Hereford, where Haroald had prepared great cheere for the king, he slue all Ha­roalds seruants, and cut off their heads, armes, legs, noses, feet, and hands, and filled all the ves­sels of wine, meath, beere, and ale therwith: and sent the King word, that he should want no pow­dred and sowsed meats, when he came thither; as for other things, let him make prouision himselfe. For which heinous offense the king banished him the land for euer.

Caradoc ap Gruffyth ap Rytherch was the first that procu­red Haroald for to come to Wales against Gruffyth ap Lhewelyn, hoping by him to atteine vnto the gouerne­ment of Southwales. But it fell out otherwise, for when Ha­roald vnderstood that he should not get that at the hands of Caradoc which he looked for, which was a certaine lord­ship within Wales nigh vnto Hereford, and knowing also Caradoc to be subtile and deceiptfull man, compounding with Meredyth ap Owen for that lordship, he made him king or prince of Southwales, and banished Caradoc out of the countrie.Matt. West. page. 429. Mar. Scotus. Afterward Haroald hauing obteined that lordship, builded there a princelie and sumptuous house at a place called Portaslyth, and diuers times earnestlie inui­ted the king to come to sée the same, & at the length the king being then at Glocester not far off, granted him his re­quest: wherevpon, Haroald made such preparation as is be­fore mentioned for him▪ which was thus most horribly abu­sed [Page 105] by Tosty. Soone after this wicked act, the said Caradoc ap Gruffyth came to the same house, and to be reuenged vpon Haroald, killed all the workemen and laborers that were there at worke, and all the seruants and people of Haroald that he could find, and defacing the worke, carri­ed awaie those things that with great labour and expen­ses had béene brought thither, to set out and beautifie the building.

Haroald and his brother were cheefe Iusticers of the land,Matt. West. page. 430. and they vsed, when they saw any ma­nor house or farme that pleased them, to cause the owner to be murthered by night, with all his chil­dren and houshold, and then to seise the land into their owne hands. Now when the people of Nor­thumberland heard the exile of Tosty, which was their Earle, they reioised much; for they hated him to the death. Wherfore cōming to Yorke, they slue all his familie, aswell Englishmen as Danes. Then ioining to them the men of Lincolneshire, Noting­ham, and Derbyshire, they made Marcher sonne of Earle Algar their captaine, and to them came his brother Edwyn with his people, and a great num­ber of Welshmen, and they went burning & spoi­ling to Hampton; where Haroald met with them, sent from the king to know their willes; and they said, they would haue Marcher Earle ouer them, which the king granted & confirmed. Whervpon they returned,Matt. West. the one to the North, the other to Wales, spoiling and burning all the countrie, and lead with them manie thousand prisoners.

The yeare following being 1066.1066 king Edward died, and was buried at Westminster. This was the last King of Saxon or English bloud, that reigned in this land, which from Cerdicke king of [Page 106] Westsaxons had continued 544. and from Egbert the first Monarch 171. yeares. After the death of Edward, some would haue preferred Edgar Edeling as right heire to the crowne: but Haroald being of great power, more rich, and better freended, ob­tained it: nothing weieng his oth and promise to William Duke of Normandie, which Duke calling all his nobles together, declared them the wrongs he had receiued at Haroalds hands. First the death of his coosen Alfred, then the banishment of the Archbishop Robert, and Earle Odan, with all the Normanes; and thirdlie, his oth and promise bro­ken: declaring also the titles he had to England, aswell by the former promise of Edward made to him in Normandie; that if euer he enioied the crowne of England, Verie weak titles of them­selues. William should be his heire; as also by cosinage, and by the oth and promise of Ha­roald. Which matter considered by the nobilitie of Normandie, with all the dangers and difficulties of this expedition, brought them to such perplexi­tie, that the more part feared the end. Then Wil­liam Fitzosbert the Dukes sewer, seing how they were bent, dissuaded them from that viage: wher­fore they agreed all, that he should declare their minds to the duke. Then he came to him and said, I with all my men and power am readie to liue and die with thee in this iournie: which when the other heard vpon their promise, they were readie to follow, & so made readie a great nauie. In the meane while Tosty entred Humber with 40. saile, but Earle Edwyn met with him, and put him to flight, who, as he failed toward Scotland, met with Haroald king of Norwaie with 300. saile comming towards England, and ioining with him they both [Page 107] entred Humber, and hauing landed their armie, they came to Yorke, where both Earles Edwyn & Marcher gaue them battell, vpon the south part of the towne: but Haroald and Tosty bare awaie the victorie, and spoiled the citie, & then marched for­wards, toward Stamfordbridge, where Haroald king of England and all his power did meete with them. And after a long fight & manie valiant acts atchieued on both sides, euen from morning till noone,Wil. Malms. H. Hunt. Matt. West. page. 434. at what time the Norwaies began to retire backe ouer the water, one of them, worthie not to be forgotten, kept the passage vpon the bridge, with his axe, against all the armie of Eng­land, till three of the clock, and slew 40. men; but at the last one got vnder the bridge, and with his speare gaue him his deaths wound through the bridge. Then the armie passed ouer the bridge, and put the Norwaies to flight, and slew Haroald their king, and Tosty, where not one man escaped of all the number, that was not either killed or burned. Then Haroald entred Yorke with great ioie and triumph, & as he sate at dinner, there came a post, who told him how Duke William was landed at Suwerhide, and had fortified himself with a trench at Hastings. With which tidings Haroald being nothing dismaied, made expedition thitherward. Where William diuiding his armie into fiue bat­tels,The exhor­tation of W. Con­queror to his Soldi­ours. made a long oration vnto his soldiours: wherein he declared the worthinesse of their fore­fathers the Danes and Norwaies, aswell against the Englishmen (which were neuer able to abide their force) as against the Frenchmen and other nations, and how they were accustomed to ouer­come at all times, & being well horssed, well armed, [Page 108] and good archers, had now to doo with a nation onelie taught to trust to their feete, euill horssed, vnarmed, and such as knew not how to occupie their bowes. Then he brought his people to the field, but Haroald couched all his armie in one bat­tell, as nigh togither as they could well stand, and so set vpon his enimies. And after long fight Wil­liam caused his men to retire, as if they fled; then the Englishmen folowed apase, and brake their a­raie: which when William perceiued, he brought in a battell of fresh Normanes, who entred Haro­alds battell, and fought so sore, that Haroald was hurt with an arrow, and afterward slaine: and so the Englishmen left the Normanes both the field and the victorie.

Then W. Conquerour went streight to Lon­don, William Conque­rour. where he was re­ceiued peaceablie, and crowned at Westmin­ster king of the lande. This last battell and vt­ter destruction of Eng­lishmen was fought the 14. day of October, in the yeare 1066.1066 Which change was before de­clared by a Comet that appeared in the begin­ning of this yeare, of the which one made these verses:

Matt. Paris. page. 7.The yeare folowing, VVilliam passed the sea to Normandie, then Edgar Edeling came out of Scot­land [Page 109] to Yorke, for the people of the countrie had slaine Robert, to whome VVilliam had giuen that Earldome, and 900. men with him, and had recei­ued Edgar for their king. But VVilliam returning from Normandie destroied all the North countrie, and chased Edgar to Scotland againe.

Matt. West. lib. 2. pag. 1. Hol. pag. 297.Also Edrike Syluaticus, the sonne of Alfrike Earle of Mer­cia, refusing to submit himselfe as other had done, when he saw that the king was departed to Normandie, rose a­gainst such as were left in his absence to kéepe the land in obedience; wherevpon, those that laie in the castell of Here­ford, Richard fitz Scrope, and others, oftentimes inuaded his lands, and wasted the goods of his tenants; but as often as they came against him, they alwaies lost some of their owne men: at length, he calling to his aid the kings of Wales, Blethyn and Rywalhon, wasted the countrie of Hereford, euen to Wye bridge, and then returned with a maruelous great spoile.

This yeare also,1068 being 1068. Meredyth and I­thel, the sonnes of Gruffyth ap Lhewelyn, raised a great power against Blethyn and Rywalhon kings of Northwales, and met with them at a place cal­led Mechain, where after long fight, there were slaine vpon the one part Ithel, and vpon the other part Rywalhon, and Meredyth put to flight, whome Blethyn pursued so straightlie, that he starued for cold and hunger vpon the mountaines, and so Ble­thyn the sonne of Convyn remained the onlie king of Powys and Northwales.

About this time,Swayne king of Denmarke, and Osburne his brother,Matt. Paris. page. 8. Matt. West. lib. 2. pag. 3. came to Humber with 300. sailes, and to them came Edgar Edeling, and Earle VValtelfe, who all together came to Yorke, and wan the castell, and laie that winter betwixt Ouse [Page 110] and Trent, till the king came thither, and chased the Danes to their ships, and destroied the inhabi­tants of the countrie, but Earle VValtheof he re­ceiued to mercie.

At this time Caradoc sonne to Gruffyth ap Ry­therch ap Iestyn caused a great number of French­men (for so the Brytish booke calleth the Normanes) to enter Southwales, to whom he ioined his power of Gwentland, and gaue Meredyth the king of that countrie an ouerthrow, and slue him vpon the ri­uer of Rympyn. At the same time also, Dermot Maken Anel, the worthiest and noblest prince that euer ruled in Ireland, was murthered. The two Earles Edwyn and Marcher with Hereward gathe­red an armie against the king,Matt. Paris. but Edwyn was slaine of his owne people, and the other tooke the Ile of Elie; which the king so sore besieged, that he shortlie tooke Marcher and his complices, but Here­ward escaped his hands manfully,Matth. West. lib. 2. pag. 4. whom the king folowed to Scotland, & made Malcolme king of the land his subiect and vassall. Then after the king passed to Normandie, and receiued Edgar Edeling to his mercie. And about this time the Normanes did lead a great power to VVestwales by sea, and de­stroied Dyuet, and the countrie of Caerdigan, and caried awaie much spoile, and did so likewise the yeare folowing. Bleythyd Bishop of Meneuia or S. Dauids died at this time, and Sulien was Bishop in his place.Matt. West. li. 2. pag. 6. Matt. Park. page. 11. Not long after this time, Radulph Earle of Eastangles conspired against the king, with Roger Earle of Hereford, & Earle VValtheof, & at the mariage of the said Radulph with Rogers sister in Essex, the matter was opened, but it plea­sed not the rest. Therefore Radulph tooke shipping [Page 111] in Norwich, & fled to Denmarke, and the king sud­denlie comming, ouertooke VValtheof and Roger, of whom VValtheof was beheaded, & Roger commit­ted to prison, & the people all slaine, among whom there were a great number of VVelshmen.

Matt. Paris. page. 11. Matt. West. lib. 2. pag. 6.This Radulphs mother came out of VVales, which was the cause of the Welshmens being there: for Radulph sent for manie of his mothers friends and kinsmen to come to this marriage, meaning, through their aid and procure­ment, to get the princes and people of VVales to ioine with him in this enterprise. He also and his complices sent to Cnute king of Denmarke, promising him the kingdome of England, to aid him against VVilliam the bastard. But William being aduertised of all these things, ouerthrew all their deuises: for by his sudden comming vppon them out of Normandie, he tooke Roger his coosen, and VValtheof, whome he committed to prison, and caused to be executed afterward, but Radulph escaped and departed the realme. Of the VVelshmen, which were at this marriage, VVilli­am hanged some, put out the eies of others, and banished the rest.

After that, in the yeare 1073.1073 Blethyn ap Con­vyn king of VVales was traitorouslie and coward­lie murthered by Rees ap Owen ap Edwyn, and the gentlemen of Ystrad Tywy, after he had worthilie gouerned VVales 13. yeares. This man was verie liberall and mercifull, and loued iustice and equitie in all his reigne. This Blethyn had by diuerse wo­men manie children; first Meredyth by Haer daughter to Gylhyn, Lhywarch and Ca­dogan by another woman, Madoc and Riryd by the third, and Ior­werth by the fourth.

AFter the death of Blethyn, Tra­haern ap Caradoc his coosen ger­mane tooke vpon him the rule of Northwales, & Rees ap Owen with Rytherch ap Caradoc did iointlie rule Southwales. Then Gruffyth sonne to Conan sonne to Iago or Iames right inhe­ritour of Northwales came from Ireland, with suc­cor which his brethren Encumalhon king of Vlto­nia and Ranalht and Mathawn had deliuered him, and he landed in the Ile of Môn or Anglesey, and brought it to his subiection. At this time Kynwric ap Rywalhon a noble man of Maelor, or Bromefield, was slaine in Northwales.

This yeare also, Gronow and Lhewelyn the sons [Page 113] of Cadogan ap Blethyn did ioine their powers with Caradoc ap Gruffyth ap Rytherch, against Rees ap Owen, and Rytherch ap Caradoc, to reuenge their grandfathers death; and then fought at a place called Camdhwr, where the sonnes of Cadogan ob­teined the victorie. Shortlie after, Gruffyth ap Co­nan passed ouer the water from Môn to the maine land, and Trahaern ap Caradoc met with him at Bronyrerw, where Gruffyth was put to flight, and retired backe to the Ile. In the yeare 1074.1074 Ry­therch ap Caradoc was slaine by treason of his coo­sen germane Meyrchaon ap Rees ap Rytherch, and Rees ap Owen ruled Southwales alone. Neuerthe­lesse, the sonnes of Cadogan gathered their po­wers and came against him, and fought with him the second time at Gwaynyttyd, where he was put to flight: but yet he gathered a new power, & kept the land still. Then Trahaern ap Caradoc king of Northwales mooued his power against Rees, who boldlie met him with all the power of Southwales, at a place called Pwlhgwttic, where after long fighting, Rees was put to flight, and after great slaughter of his men, he fled from place to place, fearing all things, like a stag that had beene late­lie chased, which mistrusteth euerie noise: but at the last, he with his brother Howel fell into the hands of Caradoc ap Gruffyth, who slue them both in reuenge of the death of the wise and noble prince Blethyn ap Convyn. At this time, Sulien Archbishop of S. Dauids did forsake his Bishop­ricke, and Abraham was chosen Bishop in his place. In the yeare 1077.1077 Rees the soone of Theo­dor, the sonne of Eneon, the sonne of Owen, the sonne of Howel Dha, as right inheritour to the [Page 114] kingdome of Southwales claimed the same, and the people receiued him with much ioie, & made him their prince. The next yeare after, Meneuia was all spoiled and destroied by strangers, and Abra­ham the Bishop died, after whose death Sulien was compelled to take the Bishopricke againe. In the yeare folowing, Gruffyth the sonne of Co­nan did bring a great armie of Irishmen and Scots into Wales, and ioined with Rees ap Theodor, as two right heires of the whole countrie: Gruffyth of Northwales, and Rees of Southwales; descending both linealie fró Roderike the great, against whom came Trahaern ap Caradoc, and Caradoc Gruffyth and Mailyr, the sons of Rywalhon ap Gwyn his coo­sen germanes (for Gwyn ap Blethyn was their grandfather) who in those daies were the chiefe rulers of all Wales. And after they had met at the mountains of Carno, they fought a cruell battell, and were the more eger, bicause vpon that daies worke laie the liues & honor of either partie. But at the length the victorie fell to Gruffyth and Rees, and Trahaern with his coosens were all slaine, and the most part of their people: then the kingdomes of Wales came vnder the rule of the right heires againe. At this time also a noble man of Wales called Vrgeney ap Sitsylht was slaine by the sons of Rees Sais, which is to saie Rees the Englishman; for so they vsed to name all such as had serued in England, & could speake the English toong.

AFTER the death of Traha­ern, Gruffyth ap Conan did quiet­lie rule Northwales, & Rees ap Theodor Southwales. A­bout this time, Malcolme king of Scots spoiled Nor­thumberland, and caried a great number of prisoners with him, and the peo­ple of Northumberland slew Walter Bishop of Dur­ham, and 100. men with him, as he sat keeping of court. Robert Curthoys also the sonne of VVilliam Bastard ouerthrew his father in battell.1079 In the yeare following,Io. Castor. Matt. West. Matt. Paris. VVilliam entred Wales with a great armie, till he came as farre as S. Dauids, where he offered and tooke homage of the kings and princes of the land. About this time, Thrustan [Page 116] Abbot of Glastenburie did cause three of his moonkes to be slaine beside the high altar.

Io. Castor.This Thrustan comming from Rome, brought with him a new kind of note for the ordinarie seruice of the church, which he would haue had his moonks to vse in their dailie seruice: but they not willing to change their old Mumpsi­mus for his new Sumpsimus (as the priest said to the Bi­shop of his masse) did stoutlie withstand their Abbot, and thereof came this moonkish brall, wherein these thrée moonks were slaine, and eightéene more hurt.

Matt. Paris. page. 17.About this time, or not long after, the sepulchre of Wal­wey, king Arthurs sisters sonne, was found vpon the sea shore in the countrie of Ros: the bodie by estimation, vpon viewing of the bones, was thought to be xiiij. foote in length.Io. Castor. Walwey in his life time was a right noble and va­liant warriour, of verie good reputation, who ruled that countrie, which to this daie of him is called Walwethay.

And this yeare Sulien forsooke his Bishoprike the second time, and Wylfred was stalled in his place. At this time also the towne of Caerdyff was built. In the yeare 1087.1087 William Bastard king of all Brytaine and Duke of Normandie died, when he had left neuer a noble man of English bloud within England, but had robbed, spoiled and slaine or banished them all,Io. Castor. and giuen their lands to his owne men: for God had brought in the Normanes to reuenge his anger vpon the Angles and Saxons, which Normanes were counted the cruellest peo­ple in the world: for euer when they had brought their enimies to subiection, that they were not a­ble to rebell against them, they commonlie destroi­ed one another, and so euer exercised their crueltie vpon themselues; as it appeared in England, Nor­mandie, Apulia, Calabria, Sicilia, & Antiochia, which countries they brought to their subiection.

[Page 117] Iohn Rous. Io. Cast.It is noted also by Iohn Rous and Castoreus, that no En­glishman bare office of anie credit or countenance in the Conquerours daies: and that it was counted a great re­proch and shame for a noble man or gentleman to be called an Englishman, or to ioine in affinitie by mariage with the English nation, they hated them so sore; whereby it appée­reth, that all the ancient noble men, and gentlemen within this land, are descended either from the Normans and French, or from the Brytaines.

When William had obtained full possession of the realme,Iohn Rous. he appointed & ordeined such officers as spoiled the whole land by colour of iustice:Matt. Paris. H. Hunt. yet he brought the land in such awe of him, that a child might haue caried gold openlie through all Eng­land without danger of theeues,Matt. West. lib. 2. pag. 9. for all such often­ders lost their hands: and if anie man forced anie woman, he should lose his stones. This William left England to William Rufus his sonne, and Nor­mandie to his eldest sonne Robert, and his treasure he gaue to Henrie his third sonne.

The same yeare all the sons of Blethyn ap Con­vyn sometimes king of VVales, gathered their strength together against Rees ap Tewdor, who not being able to meete with them, fled to Ireland, and there he purchased himselfe great freends, and got an armie of Irishmen and Scots, to whom he promised great towards, when he should obtaine his kingdome, and so landed in Southwales with these strangers. Which when his freends hard of, they drew to him, & the other came in all hast, thin­king to fight with him before his power should increase, and at Lhechryd they gaue him battell, where they were discomfited, and two of the bre­thren slaine, to wit Madoc and Riryd, and the other [Page 118] fled, and forsooke the countrie. As soone as Rees was in quiet possession of his kingdome, he sent home his strangers with great rewards. About this time, the shrine of S. Dauid was stolne out of the church, and when all the iewels and trea­sures were taken away, the shrine was left where it might be found againe. The Normanes rebelled against the king in diuers places at one time: for Odo Bishop of Bayon, Matt. Paris. pag. 18. chiefe gouernour of Eng­land, began the rebellion in Kent, and burned the kings townes: so did Roger lord Mortimer at Peue­nest. Bishop Galfride destroied Bath and Berklay, Roger did his indeuour in Northfolke and South­folke, Hugh in Leycester and Northamptonshires, and the Bishop of Durham was not behind in his quarter. Likewise the Earles of Hereford and Shrewesburie, Matt. Paris. page. 19. with the Welshmen, burned all VVorcestershire and Glocestershire, to the gates of VVorcester. Then the king gathered his strength together, and promising the people their ancient liberties, proceeded towards his enimies, and first wanne the castell of Tynbridge, and after besieged Odo, and Roger Mortimer in the castell of Peuenest vj. weekes, at which time his brother Robert came with an armie from Normandie, and would haue landed, but he was driuen backe by such as kept the sea coastes. Then Odo yeelded Peuenest to the king, & promised to depart the land, & so did. After­wards the king wan the castell of Rochester, and lead his armie to Durham, & tooke it, and banished all his enimies the land. In the yeare 1088 there was a terrible earthquake through all the land: & the yeare folowing died Sulien, the godliest & wi­sest man, and the greatest clerke in all VVales, be­ing [Page 119] 80. yeares old. About this time certeine stran­gers, which were rouers vpon the seas, landed at S. Dauids, and robbed it, and burned the towne. At which time also Cadiuor the sonne of Calhoyn lord of Dyuet died: whose sonnes Lhewelyn and Eneon mooued Gruffyth the sonne of Meredyth to make warre against their lord & prince Rees ap Theodor, and so ioining all their strength togither, came a­gainst him to Lhandydoch, where Rees was, who gaue them battell, and putting them to flight, pursued them so sore, that he tooke Gruffyth ap Me­redyth and put him to death. But Eneon sonne to Cadiuor ap Colhoyn, fled to Iestyn lord of Morgan­nwc, (who likewise rebelled against Rees ap Theo­dor) and promised vpon condition to haue Iestyns daughter in mariage, and certaine other coue­nants then agreed vpon betweene them, to bring to their succours an armie of Normanes, for he had serued in England before, and was well knowen & acquainted with all the English nobilitie; which things being thus concluded, they were fully min­ded to be reuenged vpon Rees. 1090 And so Eneon went to England, Robert Fitz­hamon. & wrought such means, that he procu­red Robert Fitzhamon, with twelue other knights, to gather a great armie of Frenchmen or Nor­manes to come to their aid, who shortlie after lan­ded in Glamorganshire, where Iestyn ap Gurgant lord of the land receiued them with much honor, and ioining his power to theirs, burned & spoiled prince Rees his land, & destroied his people. Which thing being declared to Rees, grieued him sore, wherevpon he suddenlie gathered his power and met them,Ran. Cest. lib. 7. cap. 7. Marianu [...] Scotus. not far from Brechnock, where after a terrible fight he was slaine, with whome fell and [Page 120] decaied the kingdome of Southwales. This Rees had by his wife the daughter of Rywalhon ap Con­vyn, a sonne called Gruffyth, who at his fathers death was but a verie child, and one Grono that was in the kings prison. These Normanes, after they had receiued their promised salarie and great rewards of Iestyn, returned to their ships. When Eneon burthened Iestyn with the promise of his daughter in mariage, Iestyn laughed him to scorne, and told him that he would bestow his daughter otherwise: wherevpon Eneon full of anger and despite folowed the Normanes. And when he came to the shoare, they were all a shipboard; then he shouted to them, and made a signe with his cloake to call them backe, and they turned againe to know his meaning. Then he went to the chiefest of them, and shewed of his abuse at Iestyns hands: declaring withall, how easie it was for them to winne that faire and pleasant countrie from Ie­styn, whome for his treason to Rees none other prince of Wales would succour: wherevnto they were easilie persuaded, and so vngratefullie tur­ned all their power against him, for whose defense they had come thither, and at whose hands they had beene well intertained, and recompensed with rich gifts and great rewards. And first they spoi­led him of his countrie, who mistrusted them not, and tooke all the fertile and valey ground to them­selues, and left the barren and rough moun­taines to Eneon for his part. The names of those twelue knights that came and accompanied Robert Fitzhamon, were these: Londres or London, as the Brytish booke nameth him; Stradlyng, S. Iohn, Turberuile, Grenuile, Humffreuile, S. Quintine, [Page 121] Soore, Sully, Berkeroll, Syward, and Fleming. These men and their heires haue enioied that countrie to this daie, who were the first strangers that e­uer inhabited Wales, since the time of Camber.

The historie of the winning of Glamorgan, in maner a­gréeing with this author, is particularlie set in writing by some skilfull and studious Gentleman of that countrie, wherein he continueth not onelie the vse and possession of the same Lordship in the heires of those noble men, which wan it; but also sheweth their progenie and issues euen to our time. The copie whereof being deliue­red vnto me by the right worshipfull Mistres Blanch Parry, (one of the Gentlewomen of the Quéenes Maiesties priuie cham­ber, a singular well willer and fur­therer of the weale publike of that countrie,) I thought good héere to insert, as followeth.

1 IN primis, the said Lordship in length from Rymny bridge on the east side, to Pwlh Conan on the west side, is 27. miles. The breadth thereof from the hauen of Aburthaw alias Aberdaon, on the southside, to the confines of Brechnock shire, aboue Morleys ca­stell, is 22. miles.

2 Item the same Lordship, being a Lordship Marcher, or a Lordship roiall, and holden of no other Lordship, the Lords e­uer sithence the winning of the same, owing their obedience onelie to the crowne, haue vsed therein Iura regalia: that is, the triall of all actions, as well reall as personall, with plées of the crowne, and authoritie to pardon all offenses, treason onelie excepted.

3 Item there were xj. Lordships, to wit, Senghennyth, Mys­kyn, Ruthin, Lhanblethian, Tir Iarlh, Glyn Rothney, Auan, Neth, Coyty, Talauan and Lhantuit, alias, Bouiarton, that were members of the said Lordship of Glamorgan. In euerie of the members were the like Iura regalia vsed in all things, sauing that if anie wrong iudgement were giuen in anie of the courts of the said members, it should be reuersed by a writ of false iudgement in the countie court of Glamorgan, as su­periour court to the same members. Also all matters of con­science happening in debate in anie of the said members, should be heard and determined in the chancerie of Glamor­gan, [Page 123] before the Chancellor thereof.

Item, the bodie of the said Lordship of Glamorgan, was (be­fore 4 the alteration of the lawes in Wales) a countie of it selfe: wherein the Lord had two castels, and thrée market townes, to wit, the castell and towne of Kynfigs alias Kefnffigen, in the west part thereof, and Cowbridge towne, alias Pont vaen, in the middest. And the towne and castell of Cardyff, or Caer-Dhydh in the east part, in which castell of Cardyff, the Lord did most inhabit; and therein he had his Chancerie and Exche­quer, and a faire court house, wherein the Countie court was monthlie kept on the mondaie for all the suters of the Sherffée, that is, of the bodie of the said Lordship it selfe, without the said members.

Item, within the said Sherffée, or bodie of the said Lord­ship,5 were 18. castels, and 36. knights fées and an halfe, that held of the said Lordship of Glamorgan by knights seruice, besides a great number of fréeholders.

Item, in eight of the said members were ten castels, and 6 foure borough townes.

Item, the annuall reuenewes of the said Lordship, with the 7 members,The value of the Seg­niorie, be­fore the purchase thereof. was one thousand markes, whereof was allowed in fées 400. markes; of the which members aforesaid, maister Iohn Gamage Esquier occupieth one at this daie, descended vnto him from the Turberuiles his ancestors, that is to wit, the Lordship of Coytie: and the heire of Iohn Basset enioieth an other, to wit, the Lordship of Talauan, by purchase from king Edward the sixt. The other nine members, with foure of the foresaid knights fées, & all the castels, market townes, and borough townes, with the demeanes of the same; and all the lands that were in the Lords hands, parcell of the said Lord­ship, and members,The value of the Seg­niorie now. the Earle of Penbroke hath purchased. So that there remaineth now to the segniorie of the said Lordship of Glamorgan (being in the Quéenes Maiesties hands) but the moitie onelie of the manour of Dynaspowys, of the va­lue of xxvj. pounds by the yeare.