Cambria triumphans, or, Brittain in its perfect lustre shevving the origen and antiquity of that illustrious nation, the succession of their kings and princes, from the first, to King Charles of happy memory, the description of the countrey, the history of the antient and moderne estate, the manner of the investure of the princes, with the coats of arms of the nobility / by Percie Enderbie, Gent.

Blethin and Riwalhon the Sons of Convyn.

After the decease of King or Prince Gruffith, Meredith the son of Owen ap Edwin (which Edwin was son, as some Writers say, to Howel Dha) did take upon him the government of Southwales; and Blethin and Riwalbon the sons of Convyn and half Brothers to King Gruffith ap Lhewelyn (as they which were born of Angharat, daughter to Meredith King of Wales) did govern Northwales; Conan the son of Jago being all this time with his Father in law in Ireland.

Caradock ap Gruffith ap Rytheryc, was the first that procured Haroald to come into Wales against Gruffith ap Lhewelyn, hoping by him to attain unto the Government of South∣wales; but it fell ontotherwise; for when Haroald understood that he should not get that which he looked for at the hands of Caradock, which was a certain Lordship within Wales nigh unto Hereford, and knowing also Caradoc to be a subtile and deceitfull man, compoun∣ding with Meredith ap Owen for that Lordship, he made him King or Prince of Southwales, and banished Caradoc out of the Countrey. Afterward Haroald having obtained that Lordship, builded there a stately and princely house, at a place called Portashlyth, and di∣vers times earnestly invited the King to come and see the same, and at length the King be∣ing then at Glocester not far of, granted him his request, whereupon Haroald made such preparation as was most wonderfull, and as much abused: Soon after this, the said Caradoc ap Gruffith came to the same house, and to be revenged upon Haroald, killed all the work∣men and labourers that vvere at vvork, and all the servants and people of Haroald that he could finde, and defacing the vvork, carried avvay those things that with great labour and expences had been brought thither, and set out and beautified the building.

William commonly called the Conquerour, was now King of England; and Edrik Syl∣vaticus the son of Alfrike, Earl of Mercia, refusing to submit himself as ohers had done, when he saw that the King was departed to Normandy, rose against such as were left in his absence to keep the Land in obedience; whereupon those that lay in the Castle of Hereford, Richard Fitz Scroop and others, oftentimes invaded his Lands, and wasted the goods of his Tenants; but as often as they came against him, they alwaies lost some of their own men; at length he calling to his aid the Kings of VVales, Blethyn and Rywalhon, wasted the Country of Hereford even to VVye bridge, and then returned with great booty.

This year also 1068. Meredith and Ithel the sons of Gruffith ap Lhewelyn, raised a strong army against Blethyn and Rywalhon Kings of Northwales, and met with them at a place cal∣led Mechain, where after a long fight there were slain upon the one part Ithel, and upon the other Rywalhon, and Meredith put to flight, whom Blethyn pursued so straitly, that he star∣ved for cold and hunger upon the mountains, and so Blethyn son of Convyn remained the only King of Powis and Northwales.

Carodoc the son of Gruffith ap Rytherck ap Jestyn, caused a great number of Frenchmen (for so the Brittish book calleth the Normans) to enter Southwales, to whom he joyned his power of Gwentland, and gave Meredith the King of that countrey an overthrow, and slew him upon the River Rympyn.

About this time the Normans brought great forces into Westwales by sea, and destroyed Dynet, and the Country of Caerdigan, and carried away much spoil, and did so likewise the year following. Bleythyd Bishop of Menevia or Saint Davids, died about this time, and Sulien was Bishop in his place.

Radulf Earl of East Angles, his Mother came out of Wales, which was the cause of the Welshmens assisting him against William the Conquerour;* 1.1 for Ranulf sent for many of his Mo∣thers friends and kinsmen to come unto him, meaning through their aid and procurement to get the Princes and people of VVales to joyn with him in his enterprise; but VVilliam having notice of this plot, and coming before he was sent for, he hanged some of the VVelshmen among others, put our the eyes of many, and banished the rest.

In the year 1073. Blethyn ap Convin King of VVales, was traiterously and cowardly mur∣thered by Rees ap Owen, and the Gentlemen of Ystrad Tywy, after he had governed VVales thirteen years. This man was very liberal and mercifull, doing Justice and Equity all his Reign; he had divers weomen and many children; First Meredith by Haer, daughter to Gythyn, Lywarck and Cadogan by another woman, Mad••e and Ryrid by the third, Jorwerth by the fourth.

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Notes

• * 1.1

  Matth. West. lib. 2. fol. 6 Math. Parker p. 11.