David ap Owen.

PRince Owen Gwynedh being dead, the Succession was of right to descend to his eldest legitimate Son, Iorwerth Drwyndwn, otherwise called Edward with the broken Nose; but by reason of that Ble∣mish upon his Face, he was laid aside as unfit to take upon him the Government of North-Wales. Therefore his younger Brothers began every one to aspire, in hopes of succeeding their Father; but [A.D. 1170] Howel, who was of all the eldest, but base born, be∣gotten of an Irish Woman, finding they could not agree, stept in himself, and took upon him the Go∣vernment. But David, who was legitimately born, could not brook that a Bastard should ascend his Fa∣thers Page  195 Throne; and therefore he made all the Prepara∣tions possible to pull him down. Howel on the other hand was as resolute to maintain his ground, and was not willing so quickly to deliver up, what he had not very long got possession of; and so both Brothers meeting together in the Field, were resolved to try their Title by the point of the Sword. The Battel had not lasted long, but Howel was slain; and then David was unanimously proclaimed and saluted Prince of North-Wales, which Principality he enjoyed with∣out any Molestation, till Lhewelyn, Iorwerth Druryn∣dwn's Son came of age, as will hereafter appear. But Madawc, another of Owen Gwynedh's Sons, find∣ing how his Brothers contended for the Principality, and that his native Country was like to be turmoil'd in a Civil War, did think it his better Prudence to try his Fortune abroad; and therefore leaving North-Wales in a very unsettled condition, sailed with a small Fleet of Ships which he had rigg'd and man'd for that purpose, to the Westward; and leaving Ire∣land upon the North, he came at length to an un∣known Country, where most things appeared to him new and uncustomary, and the manner of the Natives far different from what he had seen in Europe. This Country, says the learned H. Lhoyd, must of necessi∣ty be some part of that vast tract of ground, of which the Spaniards, since Hanno's time, boast themselves to be the first Discoverers; and which by order of Cos∣mography, seems to be some part of Nova Hispania or Florida: whereby it is manifest, that this Country was discovered by the Britains, long before either Columbus or Americus Vesputius sailed thither. But concerning Madawc's Voyage to this Country, and afterwards his return from thence; there be many fabulous Stories and idle Tales invented by the Vul∣gar, who are sure never to diminish from what they hear, but will add to and increase any Fable as far as their Invention will prompt them. However says the same Author, it is certain that Madawc arrived in this Country, and after he had viewed the Fertility and Pleasantness of it, he thought it expedient to invite Page  196 more of his Countrymen out of Britain; and there∣fore leaving most of those he had brought with him already behind, he returned for Wales. Being ar∣rived there, he began to acquaint his Friends with what a fair and extensive Land he had met with, void of any Inhabitants, whilst they employed all their Skill to supplant one another, only for a ragged Portion of Rocks and Mountains; and therefore he would persuade them to change their present state of Danger and continual Clashings for a more quiet Being of Ease and Enjoyment. And so having got a considerable Number of Welch together, he bid his final adieu to his Native Country, and sailed with Ten Ships back to them he had left behind. It is therefore to be supposed, says our Authour, that Ma∣dawc and his People inhabited part of that Country, since called Florida, by reason that it appears from Francis Loves, an Author of no small Reputation, that in Acusanus and other places, the People ho∣noured and worshipped the Cross; whence it may be naturally concluded, that Christians had been there before the coming of the Spaniards; and who these Christians might be, unless it were this Colony of Madawcs, cannot be easily imagined. But by rea∣son that the Welch who came over, were not many, they intermixt in a few Years with the Natives of the Country, and so following their Manners and using their Language, they became at length undi∣stinguishable from the Barbarians. But the Country which Madawc landed in is by the learned Dr. Powel supposed to be part Mexico; for which Conjecture he lays down these following Reasons; First, as it is recorded in the Spanish Chronicles of the Conquest of the West-Indies, the Inhabitants and Natives of that Country affirm by Tradition, that their Rulers de∣scended from a strange Nation, which came thither from a strange Country; as it was confessed by King Montezeuma, in a Speech at his Submission to the King of Castile, before Hernando Cortez the Spanish General. And then the British Words and Names of Places used in that Country, even at this day do Page  197 undoubtedly argue the same; as when they speak and confabulate together, they use this British Word Gwrando, which signifies to hearken or listen; and a certain Bird with a white Head, they call Fengwyn, which signifies the same in Welch. But for a more complete confirmation of this, the Island of Corroeso, the Cape of Bryton, the River of Gwyndor, and the white Rock of Pengwyn, which are all British Words do manifestly shew, that it was that Country which Madawe and his People inhabited.

As soon as the Troubles of North-Wales were o∣ver, and Prince David securely settled in his Throne, [A.D. 1171] the Storm fell presently upon Powys: For Owen Cy∣feilioc the Lord of that Country, had always, as much as in him lay, opposed the Interest and Advantage of Rhys Prince of South Wales; upon which account Prince Rhys came with a great Army against Powys, and having subdued Owen Cyfeilioc his Enemy, he was for all that so favourable to him, that upon his deli∣vering him Pledges for his future Behaviour, he pre∣sently departed out of Powys, and returned with much Honour to South Wales. And now all the States of Britain being at perfect Rest and Amity with one another, the whole Tide and Scene of Action re∣turned to Ireland; for Henry King of England having called together all his Nobility, began to consult about the Irish Expedition, which had already been deter∣mined to be taken in hand. To this Consultation there came some Messengers from Richard Strongbow Earl of Strigule Marshal of England, to deliver up to the Kings hands the City of Dublyn, the Town of Waterford, with all such Towns and Castles as he got in right of his Wife; whereupon the King restored to him all his Lands both in England and Normandy, and created him Lord Steward of Ireland. For this Earl of Strigule had lately, without the King's Per∣mission, gone over to Ireland, and had married the Daughter of Dermott King of Dublyn; which King Henry took in such an indignation, that he presently seized upon all his Lands in England and Normandy. Therefore the King having now some footing in Ireland,Page  198 the Expedition was unanimously concluded upon; and so the King set upon his Journey, and coming towards Wales, he was received by Prince Rhys, whose Sub∣mission the King liked so well, that he presently con∣firmed to him all his Lands in South-Wales. To re∣turn the King's Favour Rhys promised his Majesty 300 Horses and 4000 Oxen toward the Conquest of Ireland; for the sure payment of which, he delivered Fourteen Pledges. Then King Henry marching for∣ward, came to Caeriheon upon Ʋske, and entering the Town, he dispossessed the right Owner Iorwerth ap Owen ap Caradoc, and kept it for his own proper use, placing a Garrison of his own Men therein. But Ior∣werth was not so easie-mouth'd, as to be so unreasona∣bly curb'd by the King; and therefore departing in a great fury from the King's presence, he called to him his two Sons Owen and Howel, whom he had by Ang∣harad the Daughter of Ʋchtryd Bishop of Llandaf, and his Sisters Son Morgan ap Sitsylht ap Dyfnwal; and bringing together all the Forces they were able, upon the King's departure they entered the Country, and committing all the Waste and Destruction as they came along, they at last came before Caerlheon, which when they took, they used in the like manner, spoiling and destroying whatever they could meet with; so that nothing escaped their Fury, excepting the Castle, which they could not win. The King was in the mean time upon his Journey to Pembroke, where being accompa∣nied by Prince Rhys, he gave him a grant of all Cardi∣gan, Ystratywy, Arustly, and Eluel; in Recompence of all the Civilities and Honour he paid him. And so Rhys returned to Aberteifi, a Town he had lately won from the Earl of Glocester, and there having pre∣pared his Present, about the beginning of October he returned again to Pembrock, having ordered Eighty Six Horses to follow him; which being presented to the King, he accepted of Thirty Six of the choicest, and returned the rest with great Thanks. The same day King Henry went to S. Davids, and after he had of∣fered to the Memory of that Saint, he dined with the Bishop, who was the Son of Gerald, Cosin-German Page  199 to Rhys; whither Richard Strongbow Earl of Strygile came from Ireland to confer with the King. Within a while after, King Henry being entertained by Rhys at the White-House, restored to him his Son Howel, who had been for a considerable time detained as a Pledg, and appointed him a certain day for payment of his Tribute, at which time, all the rest of the Pledges should be set at liberty. The day following, being the next after the Feast of S. Luke, the King went on board, and the Wind blowing very favoura∣bly, set sail for Ireland; and being safely arrived up∣on those Coasts, he landed at Dublyn; where he rest∣ed for that whole Winter, in order to make greater Preparations against the following Campaign.

But the change of the Air and Climate occasion'd such a raging Distemper and Infection among the Sol∣diers, that to prevent the perishing of his whole Ar∣my, [A.D. 1172] the King was forced to return with what speed he could back for England; and so having shipp'd off all his Army and Effects, he loosed Anchor, and land∣ed in Wales in the Passion Week next Year, and com∣ing to Pembrock, he stayed there on Easter-day, and then proceeded upon his Journey towards England. Rhys hearing of the King's return, was very officious to pay him his Devotion, and would gladly feign to be one of the first who should welcome him over; and so meeting with him at Talacharn, he expressed all the Ceremonies of Duty and Allegiance. Then the King passed on, and as he came from Caerdyf by the new Ca∣stle upon Ʋsk, meaning to leave Wales in a peaceable condition, he sent for Iorwerth ap Owen ap Caradoc, who was the only Person in open Enmity against him, and that upon very just ground, willing him to come and treat about a Peace, and assuring him of a safe Conduct for himself, his Sons, and all the rest of his Associates. Iorwerth was willing to accept of the Pro∣posal, and thereupon set forward to meet the King, having sent an Express to his Son Owen, a valourous young Gentleman, to meet him by the way. Owen, according to his Fathers Orders set forward on his Journey, with a small retinue, without any thing of Page  200 Arms or Weapons of War, as thinking it Folly to clog himself with such needless Carriage, when the King had promised a safe Conduct. But he did not find it so safe; for as he passed the new Castle upon Ʋske, the Earl of Bristol's Men, who were garrison'd therein, laid in wait for him as he came along, and setting cowardly upon him, slew him, with most of his Company. But some few escaped to acquaint his Father Iorwerth of such a treacherous Action; who hearing that his Son was so basely murthered, contra∣ry to the King's absolute promise of a safe Passage; without any farther consultation about the matter, presently returned home with Howel his Son, and all his Friends, and would no longer put any trust or con∣fidence in any thing that the King of England, or any of his Subjects, promised to do. But on the other side, to avenge the Death of his Son, who was so cowardly cut off; he presently raised all the Forces that himself and the rest of his Friends were able to do; and so entering into England, he destroyed with Fire and Sword all the Country, to the Gates of Here∣ford and Glocester. But the King was so intent upon his return, that he seemed to take no great notice of what Iorwerth was doing; and therefore having by Commission constituted Lord Rhys Chief Justice of all South-Wales, he forthwith took his Journey to Nor∣mandy. About this time dyed Cadwalader ap Gruffydh, the Son of Gruffydh ap Conan, sometime Prince of North-Wales; who by his Wife, Alice the Daughter of Richard Clare Earl of Glocester, had Issue, Cunetha, Radulph, and Richard; and by other Women, Cad∣fan, Cadwalader, Eineon, Meredith Goch, and Cad∣walhon. Towards the end of this Year Sitsylht ap Dyfn∣wal and Iefan ap Sitsylht ap Riryd, surprized the Castle of Abergavenny, which belonged to the King of Eng∣land, and having made themselves Masters of it, they took the whole Garrison Prisoners.

[A.D. 1173] But the following Year, there happened a very great difference, and a falling out betwixt King Henry and his Son of the same Name; this latter being upholded by the Queen his Mother, his Brothers Geffrey and Page  201Richard, the French King, the Earl of Flanders, to∣gether with the Earl of Chester, William Patrick with several other valiant Knights and Gentlemen. But the old King having a stout and a faithful Army, consist∣ing of Almanes and Brabanters, was not in the least dismay'd or discourag'd at such a seeming Storm; and which made him more bold and adventurous, he was joyned by a strong Party of Welchmen, which Lord Rhys had sent him, under the command of his Son Howel. King Henry overthrew his Enemies in divers Encounters, and having either killed or taken Prison∣ers most of them who were rose up against him, he ea∣sily dissipated the Cloud which at first seemed so black and threatning. Iorwerth ap Owen was not very sory to see the English clash, and fall into civil Dissentions among themselves; and therefore taking advantage of such a seasonable opportunity, he drew his Army against Caerlheon, which stood out very stifly against him. But after many warm Disputes of both sides, Iorwerth at length prevailed, and entering the Town by force, he took most of the Inhabitants Prisoners; and then lay∣ing siege to the Castle, it was surrender'd up in ex∣change for the Prisoners he had taken in the Town. Howel his Son, at the same time was busie in Gwent îs Coed; and having reduced all that Country, excepting the Castle, to subjection, he took Pledges of the In∣habitants, to be true and faithful to him, and to with∣draw their Allegiance from the King of England. At the same time, something of action passed in North-Wales; for David ap Owen Gwynedh Prince of North-Wales bringing an Army over the River Menai into Anglesey against his Brother Maelgon, who kept that Island from him; forced him to make his escape to Ireland; in his return from whence the following Year, he was accidentally discovered and seized upon, and then by his Brothers orders committed to close Prison. Prince David having brought the Isle of Ang∣lesey to its pristine state of subjection to him, was re∣solved to move all manner of Obstacles which might at any time for the future endanger its falling off from him; and these he judged to be his own next Rela∣tions, Page  202 [A.D. 1174] and therefore he expell'd and banish'd all his Brethren and Cosins out of his Territories of North-Wales. But before this Sentence was put in execu∣tion, his Brother Conan dyed, and so escaped the Ig∣nominy of being banished his native Country, for no other reason, but the Jealousie of an ambitious Bro∣ther.

About the same time, Howel the Son of Iorwerth ap Owen of Caerlheon, took Prisoner his Uncle Owen Pen∣carn, who was right Heir of Caerlheon and Gwent; and now having him secure, and to prevent his get∣ting any Children to inherit those places which him∣self was next Heir to, he first pulled out his Eyes, and then very inhumanly cut off his Testicles. But Ven∣geance did not permit such a base Action to go unpu∣nished; for upon the Saturday following, a great Ar∣my of Normans and Englishmen came unexpectedly before the Town, and wan both it and the Castle, notwithstanding all the Opposition which Howel and his Father Iorwerth made; though this last was not privy to his Sons Action. About the same time King Henry came over to England, a little after whose arri∣val, William King of Scots, and Roger de Moubray were taken Prisoners at Alnewike by the Barons of the North, as they came to destroy the Northern part of the Country in the Quarrel of the young King. But old King Henry having committed them to the safe custody of the Earl of Leicester, and received Hugh Bygod Earl of Chester to his Mercy, returned to Nor∣mandy with a very considerable Army of Welchmen, which David Prince of North-Wales had sent him; in return of which, he gave him his Sister Emme in Mar∣riage. When he was arrived in Normandy, he sent a Detachment of the Welch to cut off some Provisions which were going to the Enemies Camp; but in the mean time, the French King came to a Treaty of Peace, which was shortly afterwards concluded upon; so that all the Brethren, who had all this time maintained such an unnatural Rebellion against their Father, were forced to beg the old King's Forgiveness and Pardon for all their former Misdemeanours. David Prince of Page  203North-Wales began to grow very bold and assuming, by reason of his new Alliance with the King of Eng∣land; and nothing would serve his turn, but he must put his Brother Roderic in Prison, and secure him with Fetters, for no other account, than because he demand∣od his share of his Fathers Lands. It was the custom of Wales, as is said before, to make an equal division of the Father's Inheritance between all the Children; and therefore David had no colour of Reason or Pretence to deal so severely with his Brother; unless it were to verifie that Proverb; Might overcomes Right. But though Prince David might depend much upon his Af∣finity with the King of England; yet Rhys Prince of South-Wales gained his Favour and Countenance the more, by reason that he let slip no opportunity to fur∣ther the King's Interest and Affairs in Wales, and by that means was a very necessary and useful Instrument to keep under the Welch, and to promote the surer Settlement of the English in the Country. Not that he bore any Love or Affection to either King Henry or his Subjects; but because he was sufficiently reward∣ed for former Services, and was still in expectation of receiving more Favours at the King's hands, he was re∣solved to play the Politician so far, as to have regard to his own Interest, more than the Good of his native Country. And what did ingratiate him to King Hen∣ry most of all, upon the Feast of S. James he brought all such Lords of South-Wales as were at Enmity with the King, to do him Homage at Glocester; namely, Cadwalhon ap Madawc of Melyenyth, his Cosin-Ger∣man; Eineon Clyt of Eluel, and Eineon ap Rhys of Gwer∣thrynion, his Sons in Law; Morgan ap Caradoc ap Ie∣styn of Glamorgan; Gruffydh ap Ifor ap Meiric of Sen∣gennyth, and Sitsylht ap Dyfnwal of Higher Gwent, all three his Brothers in Law, who had married his Si∣sters; together with Iorwerth ap Owen of Caerlheon. King Henry was so well pleased with this Stratagem of Rhys, that notwithstanding these Persons had been his implacable Enemies, he readily granted them their Pardon, and received them to Favour; and restored to Iorwerth ap Owen the Town and Castle of Caerlheon, which he had unjustly taken from him.

[A.D. 1175] This Reconciliation betwixt King Henry and these Welch Lords, some of the English in Wales took ad∣vantage of, and more particularly William de Bruce Lord of Brecnock, who having for a long time a great longing to Gwentland, could not bring about his De∣sign, by reason that Sitsylht ap Dyfnwal, the Person of greatest sway and Power in the Country, was an in∣veterate Enemy to all the English. But being now reconciled to the King, William de Bruce, under pre∣tence of congratulating this new Peace and Agreement betwixt the English and Welch, invited Sitsylht and Geffrey his Son, with several others of the Persons of chiefest note in Gwentland, to a Feast in his Castle of Abergavenny, which by composition he had lately re∣ceived from them. Sitsylht, with the rest, came ac∣cording to appointment, and without the least suspi∣cion of any treasonable Designs; but after they had been civilly entertained for some time, William Bruce to move a Quarrel against them, began at last to pro∣pound certain Articles to them, to be by them kept and performed; and among other unreasonable Con∣ditions, they were to swear, that none of them should at any time carry with them Bow or Sword. The Welch refusing to consent to and sign such improper Articles as these; William Bruce presently calls out his Men, who were ready for that purpose, and bid∣ding them fall to their business, they most treacherous∣ly fell upon and slew the innocent and naked Welch; and as if it did not sufficiently express their Cruelty and Inhumanity, they immediately went to Sitsylht's House, which stood not far from Abergavenny, and taking hold of Gwladus his Wife, they slew her Son Cadwalader before her face, and then setting fire to the House, they pack'd her away to the Castle. This exe∣crable Murther being thus most barbarously, and which was worst of all, under pretence of Friendship and Kindness, committed; W•lliam Bruce, to cloak his Treason with some reasonable Excuse, and to make the World believe it was not for any private Interest or Expectation he had done such an Act, as he knew would be by all Men abhorred; caused it to be re∣ported Page  205 abroad, that he had done such a thing in re∣venge of the death of his Uncle Henry of Hereford, whom the Welch on the Easter-Even before had slain. But whilst these things passed in South-Wales, Rode∣ric, David Prince of North-Wales's Brother, made his escape by some means or other out of Prison, and fleeing to Anglesey, he was receiv'd and acknowledg'd by all the Country t'other side the River Conwey, for their Lord and Prince; which they were the more willing to do, by reason that they conceived an utter Abhorrence of Prince David, who contrary to all Rules of Equity, and almost Nature, had disinherit∣ed all his Brethren and Cosins; as boldly relying upon his Affinity and Relation to the King of England. But David perceiving the Storm to grow very violent, and that the Country did numerously flock and adhere to his Brother Cadwalader, thought it his best way to stay a while, till the Storm was abated; and so retired over the River Conwey Towards the end of this Year, Cadelh the Son of Gruffydh ap Rhys, and Brother to Lord Rhys, after a tedious fit of Sickness, and taken upon him the Monkish Order, departed this Life, whose Body was very honourably enterred at Stratflur.

In the Spring of the following Year, dyed also Da∣vid [A.D. 1176] Fitz Gerald Bishop of Menevia, or S. Davids, whose See was supplyed by one Piers, being nominat∣ed thereunto by the King of England. But what hap∣pened most remarkable this Year; the Lord Rhys Prince of South Wales made a very great Feast at Christmas in his Castle of Aberteifi, which he caused to be pro∣claimed through all Britain, Ireland, and the Islands adjacent, some considerable time before; and accor∣ding to their Invitation, many Hundreds of English, Normans, and others coming to Aberteifi, were very honourably received, and courteously entertained by Prince Rhys. But among other tokens of their Wel∣come and Entertainment, Rhys caused all the Bards or Poets throughout all Wales to come thither; and for a better Diversion to the Company, he provided Chairs to be set in the Hall, in which the Bards being seated, they were to answer each other in Rhyme; and those Page  206 that acquitted themselves most handsomly, and over∣came the rest, were promised great Rewards and rich Presents. In this poetical Disceptation, the North-Wales Bards obtained the Victory, with the Applause and Approbation of the whole Company; and among the Professors of Musick, between whom there was [A.D. 1177] no small Strife, Prince Rhys's own Servants were ac∣counted the most expert. But for all this civil and obliging Treatment of Prince Rhys, the Normans upon the Marches fell to their accustomed manner of trea∣cherous way-laying, and privately assaulting the harm∣less and undesigning Welch; and therefore Eineon Clyt Rhys his Son in Law, and Morgan ap Meredith, falling into the Net which the Normans had deceitfully laid for them, were treacherously murthered. Therefore to keep the Normans under greater fear and awe for the future, Prince Rhys built a Castle at Rhayadr Gwy, being a place where the River Wye falls with a very great Noise and Precipitation down a great Rock. [A.D. 1178] But this Castle was like to stand him in a double stead; for it was not long after he had perfectly finished it, that the Sons of Conan ap Owen Gwynedh made War against him; but finding upon tryal that their Design against Rhys was impracticable, they thought it more advisable to retire back to North-Wales.

[A.D. 1179] The next Year, Cadwalhon, Brother to Owen Gwy∣nedh, and Uncle to David and Roderic, who for fear of his Brother had some time ago fled for Refuge to the King of England; as he was conveyed home by some of the King's Servants to enjoy his patrimonial Estate in Wales, was by those barbarous and treache∣rous Villains murthered in his Journey. This Year the Sepulchre of that famous and noble British King Ar∣thur, with his Wife Gwenhofar (by the means of some Welch Bard, whom King Henry had heard at Pembrock relate in a Song the worthy and mighty Acts of that great Prince, and the place where he was buried) was found in the Isle of Afalon, without the Abbey of Glastenbury; their Bodies being laid in a hollow El∣der Tree, buried Fifteen Foot in the Earth. The Bones of King Arthur were of marvelous and almost Page  207 incredible bigness, having ten Wounds in the Skull, whereof one being considerably larger than the rest, seemed to be his Death-Blow; and the Queens Hair seemed to the sight to be fair and yellow, but when touch'd, crumbled presently to Dust. Over the Bones was laid a Stone, with a Cross of Lead, upon the lower side of which Stone were engraven these words:

No Action of moment had passed in Wales this long time, and the Welch were in perfect Amity and Concord with the King of England; but some un∣lucky Accident fell out at last to dissolve this happy [A.D. 1182] Union and Agreement. One Ranulph de Poer, who was Sheriff of Glocestershire, or rather as Giraldus Cambren∣sis observes, of Herefordshire, being a cruel and unrea∣sonable Oppressor of the Welch, put the Lord of Gwentland to death; in revenge of whom, a certain young Person of that Country, set upon Ranulph with several other Gentlemen his Companions, and slew them to a Man. King Henry was implacably enrag'd at this News, and so cruelly incensed, that he pre∣sently raised and drew together all his Power, and came to Worcester, intending to march forward to Wales, and to invade the Enemies Country. But the Lord Rhys ap Gruffydh, a subtile and a politick Prince, thinking it impossible to withstand the English Army, and fearing the King's Puissance, which he perceived to be so implacably bent against the Welch, went in person to Worcester, and swearing Fealty to the King, became his perpetual Liege-Man; and for the due ob∣servance of this Contract, he promised to send his Sons and Nephews for Pledges. But when he would have persuaded them to answer his request, the young Men considering with themselves, how former Pledges had not been very genteely treated by the English,Page  208 refused to go; and so the whole matter rested for that time. What became of the matter afterwards we know not; but probable it is, that King Henry re∣turned to England satisfied with Rhys's Submission; for we hear no more of his coming to Wales. And so the Country remained quiet and undisturbed for a long time; till at length the Welch began to fall to their wonted Method of killing and murdering one another. [A.D. 1186] Cadwalader Prince Rhys's Son was privately murdered in West-Wales, and buried in the Ty Gwyn. And the Year following, Owen Fychan the Son of Madawe [A.D. 1187] ap Meredith, was slain by night in the Castle of Car∣rergova near Oswestry, by Gwenwynwyn and Cadwalhon the Sons of Owen Cyfeilioc. But what was most unna∣tural of all, Lhewelyn, whose Father Cadwalhon ap Gruf∣fydh ap Conan was lately murdered by the Englishmen, was taken by his own Brothers, who very barbarously put out his Eyes. About the same time, Baldwyn, Archbishop of Canterbury, being attended by Giraldus Cambrensis, took a Progress into Wales, being the first Archbishop of Canterbury that visited that Country; whose Authority the Clergy of Wales in vain opposed, though they stifly alledged the Liberties and Privi∣ledges of their Metropolitan Church of S. Davids. In this Visitation, described by Giraldus in his Itinerarium Cambriae, he persuaded many of the Nobility of Wales to go to the Holy Land against those prevailing Enemies of Christianity, the Saracens; to whose prevailing Greatness, Jerusalem it self was now in great danger [A.D. 1188] to become subject. The Archbishop having left the Country, Maelgon the Son of Lord Rhys brought all his Power against Tenbigh, and having by force made himself Master of it, burnt the whole Town to the ground, and so carried away very considerable Spoil. He was a Person of such civil Behaviour and easie Ac∣cess, of so comly Personage, and Honesty in all his Actions, that he attracted the most earnest Love and Affection of all his Friends; by which means he be∣came very terrible and formidable to his Enemies, es∣pecially the Flemings, of whom he obtained divers Victories and Conquests.

The next Year, being the Year of Christ 1189. [A.D. 1189] Henry the Second, surnamed Courtmantel, King of England dyed, and was buried at Fonteverard; after whom, his Son Richard, called Curdelyon, was by the unanimous consent of all the Peers and Nobility of England, crowned in his place. Prince Rhys being thus deprived of his greatest Friend, thought it his wisest way to make the best provision he could for himself, by enlarging his Dominions, and extending the Bounds of his present Territories; and therefore having raised all the Strength he could, he wan the Castles of Seynclere, Abercorran, and Lhanstephan; and having taken and committed to Prison Maelgwn his Son, who was the greatest Thorn in his Side, as one that was most passionately beloved by the South-Wales Men, he brought the whole Country to his sub∣jection. Then he built the Castle of Cydwely; but [A.D. 1190] what took away from him the Joy of all this good For∣tune, he lost his Daughter Gwenlhian, a Woman of such incomparable Beauty, and exceeding in all femi∣nine Qualifications, that she was accounted the fairest and best accomplished Lady in all the Country. And not long after her dyed Gruffydh Maylor, Lord of Brom∣field, [A.D. 1191] a Man of great Prudence and Experience, and one that excelled all the Nobility of his time in Hos∣pitality, and all other Acts of Generosity and Libera∣lity. His Corps were carried to Myfod, and honoura∣bly interr'd there, being attended by most of the Per∣sons of Quality throughout the whole Country. He had Issue by his Wife Angharad Daughter of Owen Gwynedh Prince of North-Wales▪ a Son called Madawc, who succeeded his Father in that part of Powys, called from him Powys Fadawc. Rhys, Prince of South-Wales, was growing very powerful, and had made himself Master of the greatest part of South-Wales, only with some few places more▪ Dynefowr held out still; which however, upon the first Assault he made against it, was delivered up to him. But as he increased 〈◊〉•he number of Towns and Castles, he had the Misfortune to have that of his Children diminished; for his Daughter Gwenlhian was lately deceased; and now he had no Page  210 sooner got Dynefowr Castle into his possession, but his Son Owen dyed at Strata Florida, or Ystratflur. King Richard was gone to the Holy Land against the Sara∣cens; but in his return to England, he wan the King∣dom of Cyprus, and gave: it to Gwido King of Jerusa∣lem, upon condition he would resign his former Title to him: During his stay in this Island, he marryed Be∣rengaria the Daughter of the King of Navarr. [A.D. 1192]

Mae•gon, Prince Rhys's Son had been now detain'd a long time in Prison, where his Father had shut him up; but being at last utterly weary of such a close Confinement, he found some means or other to get out, and to make his escape. His Father Prince Rhys was not so troubled at his being broke out, and that he had got his liberty, as to give over the Conquest, which all this while he had gone so furiously on with; but laying siege to Lhanhayaden Castle, he took it with∣out any great Opposition, and brought all the Coun∣try about to his subjection. And what favoured him more in his Attempts against the English, King Richard [A.D. 1193] having most bravely signalized himself against the Infi∣dels, in his return home through Austria, was taken Prisoner by Duke Leopold, who presented him to the Emperour Henry, who demanded 200000 Marks for his Ransom; laying to his charge, that he had spoil∣ed and plundered the Island of Sicily in his Voyage to the Holy Land. And as Rhys took the advantage of King Richard's absence to subject South-Wales; so Ro∣deric Brother to David Prince of North Wales, made use of Gothrike's the King of Man's help, to get the Principality of North-Wales to himself, and eject his Brother. And therefore entring into Angl•sey, he quickly reduced the whole Island to his subjection. But he did not enjoy it long; for before the Year was over, the Sons of his Brother Conan came with an Ar∣my against him, and forcing him, together with the King of Man to fly the Island, they took present Pos∣session of it themselves. And while these things were done in North Wales, Maelgon, Prince Rhys of South-Wales his Son, who was lately escaped from Prison, besieged Ystratmeyric Castle, and after some small Oppo∣sition, Page  211 got it into his own hands upon Christmas night; which encouraged him to farther Attempts. And at the same time, his Brother Howel, surnamed Says, or the Englishman, by reason that he had served for some time under the King of England, another Son of Prince Rhys, got by surprize the Castle of Gwys, and having secured Philip de Gwys the Owner, with his Wife and two Sons, he made them all Prisoners of War. Then the two Brothers Howel and Maelgon joyned their For∣ces; but fearing that they had more Castles than what they were able to defend, they thought it convenient to rase Lhanhayaden Castle; which the Flemings ha∣ving notice of, they gathered all their Power together, and coming to Lhanhayaden at the day appointed, they unexpectedly set upon the Welch, and slew a great number of them. But notwitstanding this sudden and unhappy accident, they thought it necessary to de∣stroy the Castle; and so coming to Lhanhayaden the second time, they rased it to the ground, without any Molestation from, or appearance of any Enemy to di∣sturb them. But when Anarawd, another Son of Pr Rhys, saw how prosperously his Brothers succeed∣ed, he thought to make himself as rich as they, and by a shorter and an easier Method: And therefore ha∣ving under a smooth pretence of Friendship and Love got his Brothers Howel and Madawc in private; being moved with Ambition and Covetousness to enjoy their Estates, he first made them Prisoners, and then very unnaturally pulled out their Eyes. But Maelgon esca∣ped this Snare, and hearing what a foul Action was committed, he promised his Brother Anarawd the Ca∣stle of Ystratmeyric, for the Liberty and Releasment of his two Brothers, which Anarawd granted. But 'tis [A.D. 1194] no wonder that those Brothers could be unnatural and cruel to one another, who could joyn and agree to re∣bel against their Father; and now Prince Rhys having rebuilt the Castle of Rhayadr Gwy, was laid wait for, and taken Prisoner by his own Sons, who were afraid, that in case their Father had them once in his power, he would severely revenge their cruel and unnatural Deed•. But Howel proved more kind and dutiful than Page  212 the rest; who, though blind, found a way to let his Father escape out of Maelgon's Prison; and so Prince Rhys being set at liberty, he took and destroyed the Castle of Dynefowr, which belonged to his Son Ma∣elgon. But though he succeeded in this Attempt, yet he lost another castle elsewhere; for the Sons of Cadwalhon ap Madawc of Melyenydh being informed that Prince Rhys was detained Prisoner by his Son Maelgon, they besieged Rhayadr Gwy Castle, which being surrendred up to them, they fortified for their own use.

But whilst these unhappy Differences, and unna∣tural Clashings betwixt Prince Rhys and his Sons, continue and rage in South-Wales, a new revolution of Affairs happened in North-Wales. Prince David had now enjoyed the Sceptre of North-Wales for above Twenty Four Years; and one would think, that so long a Possession would secure him in his Throne, that it could not be very easie to pull him down. But Possession is not always the surest Card, which proved very true in Prince David's case at this time; for Lhewelyn the Son of Iorwerth Drwyndwn, who was the eldest Son of Owen Gwynedh Prince of North-Wales, being now arrived to Years of maturity, and having Sense enough to understand what a just Title and Claim he had to the Principality of North-Wales, of which his Uncle David had so unjustly kept him out; he thought it high time to endeavour to recover what was lawfully his own, which howe∣ver he was well persuaded his Uncle David would never easily part with. And therefore being well assured that the justness of his Title would never mount him up to the Throne, without he had an Army at his heels to help him on; he called toge∣ther all his Friends and Relations by his Mothers side, who was Marred the Daughter of Madawc ap Meredith Prince of Powys, and having drawn to his side his Cosins the Sons of Conan ap Owen Gwynedh▪ and Rhodri ap Owen, he came into North Wa es, proclaiming how against all Justice his Uncle David had first disinherited his Father Iorwerth, and then Page  213 had kept the Government from him who was the right Heir. And though his Father Iorwerth had been incapable of taking upon him the Government by reason of some Infirmity; yet there was no rea∣son that his Fathers Weakness should exclude and turn him out; and therefore, being now sensible of what he was not capable to understand in his youth, he laid claim to the Principality, which was justly his own. But there was no great need of conjur∣ing to understand his Claim, nor of much Rhetorick to persuade the People to own him for their Prince; whose Affection was cooled, and almost worn off from David, ever since he had dealt so unnatural∣ly with his Brothers, whom after he had deprived of their Estates, he banished out of the Country. And therefore before Lhewelyn could expect to have any sure footing, the whole Country of North-Wales was at his devotion, excepting only Three Castles, which David, by the help of the English, in whom, by reason of his Affinity with the late King Henry, he depended much upon, kept to himself. And thus David being deprived of almost all that he for∣merly possessed; we shall reckon him no more a∣mong the Princes of North-Wales, but restore the Principality to the true Heir Lhewelyn ap Iorwerth.