The Farewell.
It much affected me (and I believe all others whose hearts are of flesh and blood) what I read in an* 1.1 Author concerning the rigorous laws imposed on the observation of the Welsh. For when Owen Glyndower-dwy (inveigled by some well-skilled in Merlins Prophesies, that the time was come, wherein the Britains through his assistance should recover their ancient freedom and liberty) raised a Rebellion, making war up∣on the Earl of March (the Heir apparent both to the Crown of England and Principa∣lity of Wales) King Henry the fourth (inraged at his proceedings) enacted these ensuing Laws.
First, That no Welshman should purchase Lands, or be chosen Citizen or Burgess of any City, Borough, or Market Town, nor be received into any Office of Mayor, Bayliff, Chamberlaine, &c. or to be of the Councel of any Town, or to bear Armour within any City. Besides that, if any Welsh-man should impeach, or sue an English∣man, It was ordained, he should not be convicted, unless by the judgment of English Justices, verdict of English Burgesses, or by the Inquest of the English Boroughs where the suits lay: Yea, that all English Burgesses who married Welsh Women should be disfranchised of their Liberties. No congregation or Council was permitted to the Welsh-men, but by licence of the chief Officers of the same Seig•…•…ory, and in the* 1.2 presence of the same Officers. That no Victuals should be brought into Walls, unless by the especial licence of the King and his Council. That no Welshmen shou•…•…d have any Castle, Fortress, or House of Defence of his own, or any other m•…•…ns to keep. That no Welsh-man should be made Justice, Chamberla•…•…, Chancellor &c. of a Ca∣stle, Receivor, Eschetor, &c. nor other Officer or Keeper o•…•…W Records, & •…•… nor of the Council of any English Lord. That no English man that in time to come should marry a Welsh-woman be put in any Office in Wales, or in the Marches o•…•… the same.
Now as I am heartily sorry that ever the Welsh were bound to the observance of so rigorous Laws, so am I truly glad, that at this day they are (to the happiness both of England and Wales) freed from the same: Yea, I shall constantly pray, that God would be pleased to grant us of the Loins of our Soveraign, one who may be born Prince of the one, and (after the [though late] decease of his Majesty) King of the other.