Historical antiquities, in two books the first treating in general of Great-Brettain and Ireland : the second containing particular remarks concerning Cheshire / faithfully collected out of authentick histories, old deeds, records, and evidences, by Sir Peter Leycester, Baronet ; whereunto is annexed a transcript of Doomsday-book, so far as it concerneth Cheshire, taken out of the original record.

CHAP. V.

BUt so far as good Authority of Approved Authors will direct me, I shall now put down. First then, it is certain that the Brettans Inhabited this Island in Julius Caesar's Age, and before; and it is probable they inhabited here some hundreds of Years before: but when first inhabited, appeareth not by any good Historian. It is agreed by the most Learned Men, that before Caesar we have no certaine History of Brettain left us; and that the Druids of the Brettans (who were their most Learned Men) never committed any thing to writing.

I shall therefore begin with what Rulers of Brettaine I find recorded in Caesar's time, and downwards; I mean, of the Brettans who Ruled, (for I have already set down the Roman Rulers of Brettaine supra, pag. 13. & deinceps; who indeed cashir'd the Brettans, and their Authority) beginning with Cassibellaun, and vouching my Authors all along.

1. Cassivellaun: He was Chief Ruler of Brettaine, Anno antè Christum Natum 54. Cae∣sar saith of him, Summa Imperii Bellíque administrandi, Communi Concilio, Permissa est Cassivellauno; Lib. 5. de Bello Gallico, pag. 154. of the Edition with Montanus Notes, Printed 1651. So that it should seem he was not a King born, but made. I find him not any where stiled Rex Britanniae by Caesar. He is also called Cassibeline; and by Dio, Suellan: So Montanus in his Notes upon Caesar, pag. 154. Perhaps the Name Cassibelline is derived from Cassi, a People of Hartfordshire: The Reliques of their Name we have yet in Cashow-Hundred: And so Cassibelin sounds as much as Cassorum Princeps, or Prince of the Cassians: Cambden's Britannia, in his Preface before Buckinghamshire, speaking of the Cattieuclani. The Town of Cassibelaun, mentioned by Caesar, was St. Albons in Hartfordshire, called Verulamium by Tacitus: Cambden in Hartfordshire.

We find also four Kings of Kent mentioned by Caesar, all living at the same time with Cassibelaun. Caesar lib. 5. pag. 64.

• ...Cingetorix.
• ...Carvilius.
• ...Taximagulus.
• ...Segonax.

Also Mandubratius, Son of Imanuentius, King of the Trinobants, that is, of Middlesex and Essex: Caesar, pag. 162. living also at the same time. He submitted to Caesar.

Also Comius King of the Atrebatii, or Barkshire: Caesar, pag. 133. He submit∣ted to Caesar.* 1.1

2. Cunobelin, or Cynbeline, King of the East part of Brettaine, whose Seat or Palace was at Maldon in Essex, in Latin called Camalodunum: Cambden in Essex. He had three Sons: Adminius, banished by his Father Anno Christi 38. in the time of Cali∣gula the Emperor of Rome; Cataratacus and Togodumnus, two other Sons, over∣come in Battel by Aulus Plautius the Roman Propraetor of Brettaine, after Cunobelin was dead. Cambden's Britannia, pag. 29, 30. Vide etiam pag. 323. This was about Anno Christi 43. in the time of Claudius.

Maldon was taken by Ostorius, Propraetor Britanniae in the time of Claudius the Em∣peror. It was made the first Colony of the Romans in Brettaine, Anno Claudii 12. Annóque Christi 52. Cambden in Essex, pag. 323.

[ 50] 3. Caractacus, King of the Silures. He was taken Prisoner by Ostorius, with his Wife, Daughter, and Brethren, and brought in Triumph to Rome, to Claudius the Emperor. Tacitus, lib. 12. Annalium, cap. 35, 36.

Carthismandua was about the same time Queen of the Brigantes.

Cogidunus, another Petty King in Brettaine, living at the same time, to whom certain Towns in Brettaine were assigned by the Romans; it being an ancient Custom of the

Romans long time ago (saith Tacitus) to have even Kings Instruments of Servitude. De Vitâ Agricolae, cap. 14.

Caractacus above mentioned, is by Dio called Cataracatus; by others, Catacratus; by Zonaras, Caratacus; and by the Brettans, Caradoc. Lipsius in his Comment on Tacitus, lib. 12. Annalium, pag. 196. Perhaps he was the Son of Cunobeline.

4. Prasutagus, King of the Iceni in Brettaine, that is, of Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire,* 1.2 and Huntingtonshire: He made Nero the Emperor, and his own two Daughters his Heirs, thinking hereby to procure favour with Nero: But the Romans after his Death did beat Boadicia his Wife, and Ravish her Daughters; whereupon the Iceni and Trinobants rebelled. Tacitus, lib. 14. Annalium cap. 31.

5. Arviragus Bretannus Floret, in the time of Domitian Emperor of Rome. [ 88] Camb. Bri∣tann. pag. 43.

6. Lucius, King of the Brettans, received the Christian Faith. [ 169] Bede de Hist. lib. Angl. cap. 4. See the Epistle of Eleutherius, dated Anno Christi 169, in the first Tome of Spelman's Counsels, pag. 34. with his Notes thereon, whereby the Letter seems to be fictitious.

This Lucius, King of the Brettans, died Anno Gratiae 201, at Glocester, saith Matth. Westminster.

So much of the British Kings whom I find mentioned during the time of the Rule of the Romans in Brettaine; now follow the British Kings whom I find mentioned af∣ter the Rule of the Romans ceased in Brettaine, and after the coming in of the Saxons.

Vortiger; he was King of the Brettans when the Saxons first came into Brettaine; [ 425] he began his Reign Anno Christi 425. Cambden's Britannia, pag. 95. Bede de Hist. Ang. lib. 1. cap. 21. Spelman's Councels, Tom. 1. pag. 49. where he placeth the Councel against the incestuous Marriage of Vortiger with his own Daughter, in Anno 449. somewhat too late I conceive. By the Wiles of this Vortiger was Constantine slain; Homo nobilis & domi clarus; whom the Brettons made their King, a Man of their own Stock, and fetched from Little Brettaine in France. So Buchanan, Rerum Scotica∣rum, lib. 5. pag. 139.

Vortimer, Son of Vortiger, died Anno 463. with whom fell the hope of Brettaine. Matth. Westminster.

• ...Aurelius Conanus.
• ...Vortipor.
• ...Maglocunus.
• ...Cuneglasus.

These Historians place to succeed one annother in their Rule, when it is plain in Gildas (who speaks to every one of them) that they lived all at a time, and tyrannized in divers and several parts of Brettaine at once. Cambden's Britannia, pag. 81. about the Year of Christ 550 or 560.

Nazaleod, the Great King of the Brettans, routed by Cerdic, [ 509] the first King of the West-Saxons, at Certicsford, and 5000 Brettans slain. Huntington pag. 312. which Coun∣trey or Place was before called Nazaleod, or (as some write it) Natanleod, after the King's Name; but after the Victory of Certic here, it was called Certicsford, now called contractedly Chartford, situate in Hantshire. Cambden's Britannia, in Hantshire, pag. 187. Vide Florentium, pag. 206.

Arthur, Bellicosissimus Britonum Heros, buried at Glassenbury. Cambden's Britannia, [ 520] in Somersetshire; of whom the Welsh Bards in their Songs have recorded such Fables, that they have cast a doubt, whether there were such a Man or no. Huntington calls him Dux militum & Regum Britannia, duodecies Dux Belli fuit, duodecies victor con∣trà Saxones, pag. 313. This famous General lived about Anno 520. Cambden saith he was called Mab-uter, id est, Filius horribilis; quià à pueritiâ fuit horribilis; & Artur Britannicè sonat, ursum horribilem. In Britanniâ suâ, pag. 167. He is called Inclitus Rex Arturius, as it is Inscribed on his Stone found at Glassenbury.

Gerent, King of Wales, routed by Ina, King of the West-Saxons. Huntington, pag. 337. [ 710] Anno Regni Inae 21, annoque Christi circiter 710. He is the first that I find styled King of Wales in express terms.

Cadwallader, the last King of the Britons. Powel in his Notes upon the Welsh History, Englished by Homfrey Lhoyd, Printed 1584, pag. 8. saith, That some do hold, that

Cadwallader and Cedwall are all one, and that whom the Saxons call Cedwall (who was King of the West-Saxons, Anno 688 to 690.) the Brittons called Cadwallader, and whom the English Chronicles call Ine, King of the West-Saxons, the same is called Ivor in the the British or Welsh History: And this Ivor the Brettaines call the Son of Alan, King of Little-Brettaine-Armorik in France: But the Saxons say he was the Son of Kentwyn, King of the West-Saxons.

Cadwallader had a Son called Edwall Ywrch, that is, Edwall the Roe-Buck, saith the Welsh History, who was the Father of Roderic, Pag. 23.

So much of the petty Kings of the Britons, as I find them mentioned in more sub∣stantial Authors, during the time of the Power of the Saxons in England. Now fol∣low the Kings of the British Race, since they were quite expelled out of England by the Saxons, and driven into the Mountains of Wales, and began to get Head again: and herein I chiefly follow the Welsh History, put out by Powel, 1584.

* 1.31. Roderike or Roderi, Son of Edwall Ywrch, began his Reign over the Britons in Wales, Anno 720. and obtained a Victory against Ethelred, King of Westsex in Cornwall; obiit 750. He Reigned 30 Years.

[ 755] 2. Conan Tindaethwy, Son of Roderik, in the Year 817. chased his Brother Howel out of the Isle of Mon or Anglesey, who fled into the Isle of Man, and shortly after died Conan.

3. Mervin Vrych, and Esylht his Wife, Daughter of Conan.

Anno 841 died Idwalhon, a Nobleman of Wales; and Anno 843 Mervin was slain (as some do write) in the Battel between Beorrhed, King of Mercia, and the Bret∣taines at Kettell, leaving a Son called Roderi-Mawr, that is, Roderik the Great.

[ 843] 4. Roderik Mawr, that is, Roderik the Great. He divided Wales into three parts; North∣wales, which he gave to Anarawd his eldest Son, as the chief Prince; Southwales, which he gave to his second Son; and Powysland, which he gave to his third Son. But Giraldus Cambrensis in his Descriptio Cambriae, cap. 3. saith, that Mervin was his eldest Son, and had Northwales; and Anarawd had Powysland, who died without Issue.

[ 877] 5. Anarawd, Son of Roderik, Prince of Wales, Obiit 913.

[ 913] 6. Edwal Vowel, Son of Anarawd, King or Prince of Northwales. He and his Brother Elise were slain in a Battel against the Danes and Englishmen. He was Tributary to Athelstan King of England.

7. Howel Dha, Prince of Southwales and Powysland, after the death of Edwal Vowel, took upon him the Rule of all Wales. He died Anno 948. and had four Sons, Owen, Run, Roderik, and Edwyn.

[ 948] 8. Jevaf and Jago, second and third Sons of Edwal Vowel, Ruled Northwales; and the Sons of Howel-Dha divided Southwales and Powyis betwixt them. Anno 966. Jago im∣prisoned his Brother Jevaf. Howel, Son of Jevaf, raiseth an Army to set his Father at liberty, and chased his Uncle Jago out of the Land. Howel had three Brothers, Meyric, Jevaf, and Cadwalhon.

9. Howel, Son of Jevaf, having expelled his Uncle, took upon him the Rule of North∣wales, Anno 979. Edwal Vachan, Son of Edwal Vowel, was slain by this Howel his Ne∣phew: and Anno 984. Howel entring England with an Army, was slain in Battel. He had no Son, but Cadwalhon his Brother Reigned in his place.

[ 984] 10. Cadwalhon, Brother of Howel, was Prince of Northwales; he first made War with Jonaval his Cosin, the Son of Meyric, and right Heir to the Land, and slew him; and the year following Meredith, Son of Owen, Prince of Southwales, slew Cadwalhon in Fight, with Meyric, Brother of Cadwalhon also.

[ 986] 11. Meredyth ap Owen, now King of all Wales. Godfryd, Son of Harold, entred the Isle of Anglesey the third time, and having taken Lhywarch, the Son of Owen, with 2000 Prisoners, cruelly put out his Eyes; whereupon Meredyth the King, with the rest, escap'd to Cardigan.

Anno 987. died Jevaf Son of Edwal, who had many years led a private Life. also the same year died Owen, Son of Howel Dha, Prince of Southwales. Anno 991.

died Cadwalhon, the onely Son of Meredyth. Anno 992. the Welshmen chose Edwal, Son of Meric, the right Heir of Northwales, for their Prince. At Langwm, in a Battel between Edwal and Meredyth, was slain Theodor, or Tudor Mawr, the Nephew of Me∣redyth, who lost two Sons, Rees and Rytherch, and Elen a Daughter. Anno 998. died Meredyth ap Owen, Prince of Wales, leaving one onely Daughter, called Angharad, Married to Lhewelyn ap Sitsylht; and after his Death she Married Conuyn Herdref, or (as others think) Conuyn ap Gweristan.

12. Edwal ap Meyric, the Son of Meredith,* 1.4 being now in possession of the Principality of Northwales, endeavored to keep it; but soon after, Swane, the Son of Harold, de∣stroyed the Isle of Man, and entring into Northwales, slew Edwall the Prince thereof; which Edwall left behind him a Son called Jago.

13. Aedan, the Son of Blegored, usurped Northwales, and killed Conan Son of Howel, [ 1003] one that then aspired to the Government, Anno 1003. in open Field. He was slain with his four Sons by Lewelin in Battel, Anno 1015.

14. Lhewelyn ap Sitsylht, Prince of Wales: He was slain by Howel and Meredith, [ 1003] the Sons of Edwin, Anno 1021. leaving a Son called Griffith ap Lhewelyn.

15. Jago or James, ap Edwal, ap Meyric, ap Edwal Voel, [ 1021] took upon him the Govern∣ment of Northwales as right Heir.

Rytherch, Son of Jestyn, usurped Southwales.

Jago was slain by Griffith ap Lhewelyn, 1037.

16. Griffith ap Lhewelin, ap Sitsylht, and Angharat. This Griffith was King of all Wales, [ 1037] and chased Howel and Edwin out of Southwales.

This Griffith Married Edgith* 1.5 or Aldith, Daughter of Algar, Earl of Mercia in England, by whom he had Issue Blethyn, Successor of his Dominion, and Nest a Daughter. Odericus Vitalis, lib. 3. pag. 492. & lib. 4. pag. 511. also Will. Gemeti∣censis, lib. 7. cap. 31. He was a valiant Prince, and wasted a great part of Hereford∣shire, 1052. Sim. Dunelmensis. Algar being banished Anno 1055. he went into Ire∣land, where having got 18 Pyrate Ships, he came into Wales to King Griffith, who joyning Forces, routed the English about two Miles from Hereford, Nono Calendas Novembris. Sim. Dunelmensis. Afterwards were both reconciled to the King of England.

Griffith was slain by his own Men, Nonas Augusti 1064. and his Head being cut off, was sent to Edward, sirnamed The Confessor, King of England. See also Ingulphus, pag. 899.

Anno 1070, William Fitz-Osborne, Earl of Hereford, with Walter Lacy and other stout Champions, were placed as a Curb to the Welsh by William the Conqueror. These first Invaded the People of Brecknock, and slew three Welsh Kings or Princes, Rees, Cadogan, and Merydeth, and many other of the Welsh. Ordericus, pag. 521. 522.

{fleur-de-lys} This King Griffith had two Brothers, Blethyn and Ruthyn, to whom Edward the Con∣fessor Anno 1065, gave Wales to be held of the King of England, Pro servitio debito, ju∣ratâ Fidelitate. Ingulphus, pag. 899.

17. Blethyn, in Latine Blidenus, Son of Griffith, saith Ordericus; [ 1064] but the Welsh History put out by Powel, pag. 103, calleth him Blethin Son of Conwin: He was King of Northwales at least.

Meredyth ap Owen, ap Edwyn, was Prince of Southwales. But this Meredith was slain by Caradoc, ap Griffith, ap Rytherch, ap Jestin, upon the River Rympyn, Anno Dom. 1068.

{fleur-de-lys} Blethyn was traiterously murthered by Rees, ap Owen, ap Edwyn, Anno Domini 1073. He joyned with Edwyn and Morcar, his Uncles by the Mother, against the Conqueror, Anno 1068. Ordericus, pag. 511. and in Anno 1069. the Welsh and Cheshiremen Be∣sieged the Conqueror's Garrison of Shrewsbury. See Ordericus, pag. 515.

18. Trahaern ap Caradoc, after the death of Blethyn, Prince of Northwales: He was Cosen-german to Blethyn; and Rees ap Owen was Prince of Southwales; which Rees was slain and outed by Trahaern ap Caradoc, about 1076.

Anno 1077. Rees ap Theodor, ap Eneon, ap Owen, ap Howel Dha, as right Inheritor to Southwales, claimed the same, and was received.

* 1.619.

• Griffith up Conan, Prince of North-Wales,
• Rees ap Theodor, Prince of South-Wales:

These joyning their Forces, slew Tra∣herne and all his Cosins in Battel: 1078.

Anno 1079. William the Conqueror of England, entred Wales with an Army as far as St. Davids, and took Homage of the Princes of Wales.

Anno 1088. Griffith ap Conan, King of Wales, enters the Borders of England about Rothelent with an Army, and made great destruction; where Robert of Rothelent a Norman, Governor of Rothelent Castle under William the Conqueror, was slain in a Skirmish; whose Head was cut off, and carried away with King Griffith, who cau∣sed it to be hanged upon the Mast of his Ship. Ordericus, pag. 670. This Robert of Rothelent, and Robert de Malpas, (two of the Earl of Chester's Barons) and other cruel Potentates, spilt much of the Welshmens Blood. Ordericus, pag. 522.

Anno 1090. Robert Fitz-Hamon, with 12 other Knights, invade Glamorganshire with an Army of Normans, and spoiled the Lands of Rees ap Theodor Prince of South-Wales, where Rees was slain in Battel near Brecknock, with whom fell and de∣cayed the Kingdom of South-Wales. Those also slew Jestyn ap Gurgant Lord of Gla∣morganshire, with a great number of his Men; whereby Robert Fitz-Hamon got possession of Glamorganshire, and gave certain Castles and Manors there to his 12 Knights, and to other Gentlemen, who were the first Strangers that inhabited Wales. Powel on the Welsh History, pag. 119, & 124. Cambden's Britannia, in Glamor∣ganshire, pag. 494.

Anno 1092. Roger de Montgomery, Earl of Shrewsbury, entred into Powys-land, and did win the Castle and Town of Baldwine, which he fortified, and called it Mont∣gomery, after his own Name. Welsh History put out by Powel, pag. 152.

Anno 1094. William Rufus entred Wales at Montgomery, which Castle being lately demolished by the Welshmen, he re-edified it again: But the Welsh keeping the Straits of the Mountains, with the Woods and the Rivers, King William lost his Labor, and a number of his Men, and so returned. Welsh History, pag. 153. Matt. Paris, pag. 18.

Anno 1098. Hugh de Montgomery Earl of Shrewsbury, called Hugh Gogh by the Welsh, that is, Red Hugh, because of his Red Head; and Hugh Earl of Chester, cal∣led Hugh Dirgane by the Welsh, that is, Gross Hugh, because of his Fat Corpulent Body, enter Wales with an Army of Cheshire and Shropshire Men; but Griffith ap Co∣nan the Prince of North-VVales, and Cadogan ap Blethyn, fled into the Mountains. Then the Earls entred the Isle of Anglesey, and by the way they built the Castle of Abberlhiennawe over against it: They slew many of the VVelsh therein; but Griffith and Cadogan fled into Ireland. Hugh Earl of Shrewsbury was slain with an Arrow by Magnus Son of Olave King of Norwey. Ordericus, pag. 768. Roger Hoveden, pag. 467. also the VVelsh History, pag. 155. which puts this in Anno 1096. for 1098.

Anno 1108. King Henry the Frst with sundry Expeditions brought under the VVelshmen, and sent all the Flemmings (who came over into England when a great part of Flanders was drowned) to inhabite in Ross in VVales, where Penbrooke, Tenby, and Haverford are now built; where they remain to this day, as may appear by their Speech and Conditions, far different from the rest of the Countrey. VVelsh Hist. pag. 163.

Anno 1132. died Meredyth ap Blethyn, Chief Ruler of Powys.

Anno 1137. died Griffith ap Rees ap Theodor Prince of South-VVales, who had by his Wife Gwenlhiam (Daughter of Griffith ap Conan) Rees, commonly called Lord Rees, and others.

Anno 1137. towards the end of the Year, died Griffith ap Conan Prince of North-VVales.

[ 1137] 20. Owen sirnamed Gwineth, Son of Griffith ap Conan, is made Prince of North-VVales; and the Name of King is no further used in the British Book. VVelsh Hist. pag. 139.a 1.7 Owen died Anno Domini 1169. after he had Reigned 32 Years.

[ 1169] 21. David ap Owen, Prince of North-VVales, assumed the Government, because the

eldest Son of Owen, called Jorwerth Drwyndwn, that is, Edward with the Broken Nose, was counted unmeet for Government.

Anno 1190. died Griffith Maylor Lord of Bromfield, a Nobleman and a Wise man. VVelsh History, pag. 242. He was Lord of Bromfield, Yale, Hope-Dale, Nan∣hewdwy, Mochnant is Rhayard, Chirke, Cynlhayth, and Glindoverdwy: Ibidem, pag. 211. (This was part of Powys Vadoc. Powys before Offa's time reached Eastward to the Rivers of Dee and Severn.) and had to Wife Angharat Daughter of Owen Guyneth Prince of North-VVales, by whom he had a Son called Madoc, who died 1236. leaving a Son called Griffith: Pag. 293.* 1.8

22. Lhewelyn ap Jorwerth peaceably received all North-Wales to his Subjection. He Married Joan base Daughter of John King of England, by Agatha Daughter of William Ferrars Earl of Derby, Anno 1206. Vincent upon Brooke. pag. 204. Speed's History, pag. 518. calls her Daughter of Robert Ferrers; and had Issue two Sons, Griffith and David; and for Daughters, he had Marret, married to John de Bruse, 1219. Welsh Hist. pag. 279. and Gladys another Daughter, married to Sir Rafe Mor∣timer: Ibid. pag. 298. And it is certain, he had another Daughter called Hellen, married to John the Scot Earl of Huntington, and afterwards Earl of Chester: She was married about 1222. and this was for a Final Agreement and Peace between Randle Earl of Chester, sirnamed Blundevill, and this Lhewelyn Prince of North-Wales, who before-time had many Conflicts and Wars one against the other. Knighton, pag. 2430. Matt. Paris, pag. 380. See also my Antiquities touching Cheshire, in this Book. But Helen had no Issue by John Scot, who (saith Matt. Paris) was consenting to the Poysoning of her Husband. After she married Robert de Quency, third Son of Saher de Quency Earl of Winchester. Vincent upon Brooke's Catalogue of Nobility, pag. 260.

About the Reign of Henry the Second,* 1.9 when he made a Voyage against the Welsh to the Mountains of Berwin, as he lay at Oswestrey, a number of his Men, who were sent to try the Passages, to have passed Offa's Ditch at the Castle of Cro∣gen, were met withal, and slain. The Englishmen afterwards used to cry Crogen to the Welsh, as much as to say, Remember Crogen; that they should expect no favour from the English: But this Word in process of time grew to be an opprobrious Word, when the English would in disgrace call the Welsh—Crogens. Welsh Hist. pag. 257, 258.

This Lhewelyn was a valiant Prince, and brought all Wales to subjection. He died tertio Idûs Aprilis, scilicèt die Sancti Guthlaci, Anno Christi 1240. Matt. Paris, pag. 525. And having tamed Griffith his Son, who rebelled against him, he left the Principality of Wales unto David his younger Son. He died in the 46 Year of his Reign, and was buried at Conwey. Welsh Hist. pag. 298.

23. David, younger Son of Lhewelyn, Prince of North-Wales, [ 1240] with all the Barons of Wales, did Homage to King Henry the Third for all the Lands which they had in Wales. Hist. of Wales, pag. 299.

This David imprisoned Griffith his elder Brother, alledging also that he was a Bastard: Senana, the Wife of Griffith, Petitions the King of England for the Re∣lease of Griffith her Husband, and Owen his Son, who was imprisoned with his Fa∣ther. Henry the Third makes an Agreement with Senana, dated 25 Hen. 3. 1241. and Roger de Monte alto, High-Steward of Cheshire, was a Surety or Pledge for Se∣nana to observe the Agreement. David consents to deliver Griffith, and Owen his Son, and to stand to the Judgment of King Henry's Court about Griffith's part of the Land; and to restore to Roger de Monte alto all his Land of Moald in Flintshire: And David acknowledgeth to hold his Lands of Wales of King Henry in Capite. Matt. Paris, pag. 624, 625. Griffith is sent by David unto King Henry, who imprisoned him in the Tower of London; but Griffith endeavouring to make an Escape, fell down and broke his Neck, 1 die Martii, 1244. Matt. Paris, pag. 617.

David Prince of Wales took the Castle of Mould by Storm, 1245. Matt. Paris, pag. 655. And after it was taken and razed to the Ground by Griffith ap Gwenwynwyn, 1268. Welsh Hist. pag. 326.

* 1.10David died without Issue, 1246. Matt. Paris, pag. 695.

24. Lhewelyn ap Griffith ap Lhewelyn, was the last Prince of Wales of the British Blood, who with his Brother Owen Gogh divided the Principality between them. Lhewelyn ap Griffith married Elianour Daughter of Simon de Montfort Earl of Leycester, Anno 1279. 6 Edw. 1. the Marriage being Solemnized at Worcester, at the Charge of the King of England. Walsingham, pag. 48. Welsh Hist. pag. 336. Matthew of West∣minster placeth it Anno 1278. I find mention of a Daughter he had, for whom the King of England promiseth to provide honourably, and to give Lhewelyn 1000 l. Sterling, and some Honourable County in England, if Lhewelyn would upon his Submission put the King in possession of Snowdon. This was Anno 1281. upon a Treaty to be had. Welsh History with Powel's Notes, pag. 365. But what became of this Daughter, I find not; but her Mother Elianour was now dead. This Treaty took no effect.

[Obiit, 1282] Concerning the Death of this Lhewelyn, it is variously reported by our Histo∣rians. Matt. of Westminster saith, He was slain in the Battel betwixt the English and the Welsh, Anno 1282. when Edmund de Mortuo mari rushing with others into the Army of Lhewelyn, he was slain among other Welshmen, and his Head cut off, which was carried to London, and set upon the top of the Tower of London: With whom agreeth Walsingham, who placeth the time one Year later. The Welsh Hi∣story, pag. 374. saith, That Lhewelyn retiring to a Grove near Buhelt, or Buelht, whiles some of the Welsh were sent to defend the Bridge called Pont Orewyn, sud∣denly there came Horsemen about the Grove; and as he would have escaped, one Adam Francton pursued him, and ran him through, but knew him not; and when he came to see his Face in the Spoil, he knew him well, and struck off his Head; sub Anno 1282. Yet Stow saith, That whiles Lhewelyn was speaking disgraceful Words against the English at Buelht-Castle, where he was taken, Roger le Strange ran upon him, and cut off his Head.

[ 1283] And in Anno 1283. King Edward the First subdued all Wales, and annexed it to the Crown of England; and David the Brother of Lhewelyn was taken, with some of his Sons and Daughters: And David was sent to the Castle of Chester, and af∣ter convicted of Treason in the Parliament at Shrewsbury, and put to death, saith our Stowe.

Giraldus Cambrensis in his Description of VVales, cap. 3. hath this Pedegree of the Ancient Princes of VVales, which I thought good here to insert.

Roderik the Great, King of All VVales, who was slain Anno Christi 876.

• Princes of North-VVales.
  • 1. Mervin, Prince of North-VVales.
  • 2. Anandhrec, Son of Mervin.
  • 3. Meyric, Son of Anandhrec.
  • 4. Edwal, Son of Meyric.
  • 5. Jago, Son of Edwal.
  • 6. Conan, Son of Jago.
  • 7. Griffith, Son of Conan.
  • 8. Owen, Son of Griffith.
  • 9. Jorwerth, Son of Owen.
  • 10. Lhewelyn, Son of Jorwerth, who died Anno 1240.
• Princes of Powys.
  • Anaraud, Son of Ro∣derik, had no Issue; undè Principes Pow∣isiae suam habent per se Generationem: So Giraldus. But this agrees not with the Welsh History, which makes Anaraud to be the Prince of North-VVales, and Father of Edwal Vowel.
• Princes of South-VVales.
  • Cadelh, Prince of South-Wales, Son of Roderik.
  • Howel Dha, that is, Howel the Good, Son of Cadelh.
  • Owen, Son of Howel.
  • Aeneas, Son of Owen.
  • Theodor, Son of Aeneas, or Eneon.
  • Rees, Son of Theodor, 1077.
  • Griffith, Son of Rees: Obiit 1137.
  • Rees, Son of Griffith.

To conclude: We see how uncertain the VVelsh History in the later Times is, not so much as vouching any Author or Record, either to prove the Deaths, or Marriages, or Children punctually, nor when; and therefore full of Errors, till of late, since the Reign of VVilliam the Conqueror: And how should we believe any thing of the long Pedegree of Brute, in the more ancient and dark Ages?

Notes

• * 1.1

  Anno Chr. 30.
• * 1.2

  Anno Chr. 62.
• * 1.3

  Anno Chr. 720.
• * 1.4

  Anno Chr. 992.
• * 1.5

  This Ed∣gith (after the Death of Griffith) Married Ha∣rold King of England.
• * 1.6

  Anno Chr. 1078.
• a 1.7

  With Pow∣el's Notes: Also pag. 6.
• * 1.8

  Anno Chr. 1194.
• * 1.9

  Crogen.
• * 1.10

  Anno Chr. 1246.