A short relation of a long iourney, made round or ovall by encompassing the principalitie of Wales, from London, through and by the counties of Middlesex and Buckingham, Berks, Oxonia, Warwick, Stafford, Chester, Flint, Denbigh, Anglesey, Carnarvan, Merioneth, Cardigan, Pembrooke, Caermarden, Glamorgan, Monmouth, Glocester, &c. This painfull circuit began on Tuesday the 13 of July last, 1652. and was ended (or both ends brought together) on Tuesday the 7. of September following, being near 600. miles. Whereunto is annexed an epitome of the famous history of Wales. / Performed by the riding, going, crawling, running, and writing of John Taylor, dwelling at the sign of the Poets Head, in Phenix Alley, near the midle of Long Aker or Covent Garden.

A SHORT RELATION OF A LONG IOURNEY, Made ROƲND or OVALL By encompaſſing the Principalitie of Wales, from London, through and by the Counties of Middleſex and Buckingham, Berks, Oxonia, Warwick, Stafford, Cheſter, Flint, Denbigh, Angleſey, Carnarvan, Merioneth, Cardigan, Pembrooke, Caermarden, Glamorgan, Monmouth, Gloceſter, &c.

This painfull circuit began on Tueſday the 13 of July laſt, 1652. and was ended (or both ends brought together) on Tueſday the 7. of September following, being near 600. Miles.

Whereunto is annexed an Epitome of the Famous Hiſtory of WALES.

Performed by the Riding, Going, Crawling, Running, and Writing of John Taylor, dwelling at the Sign of the Poets Head, in Phenix All • y, near the midle of Long Aker or Covent Garden.

To all my Honourable, Worſhipfull, and honeſt Friends, that have ſubſcribed to this following Bill; I humbly deſire them to read it againe, and conſider the Contents of it, and content mee accordingly.

A Taylors Bill, with few or no Items: by or for John Taylor. NOw in the ſeventy fourth yeare of mine Age, I take an Engliſh and Welſh Pilgrimage: From London firſt I bend my courſe to Cheſter, And humbly I to all men am Requeſter; That when I have paſt over Hills and Dales, And compaſt with my Travels famous Wales, That when to you that I a Book do give, Relating how I did ſubſiſt and live, With all my Paſſages both here and there, And of my Entertainment every where. Write but your Names and Dwellings in this Bill, I'le finde you, for the Book give what you will. Twelve Voyages and Journies I have paſt, And now my Age ſayes this may be my laſt. My Travels Story ſhall moſt pleaſant be To you that read, though painfull unto me.

IN this Bill I did promiſe to give to my friends (Subſcribers) a true Relation of my Journey, and Entertainment, (which I have done) and I do give to them more then I promiſed, which is a briefe Chronicle of Wales, (which I did not mention in my Bill) I know there are foure or five ſorts of Adventurers with me in this weariſome Journey, ſome of them have payd me already (before I went) and their paine is paſt: If all the reſt do pay me (being near 3000) I am deceived; If none doe pay me I am miſerably couſened: For thoſe that have payd, or can and will pay, I thanke them; for ſuch as would if they could, or will when they can, I wiſh them ability to performe their wills for their owne ſakes, and mine both: But for thoſe that are able to reward me and will not, I will not curſe them, though I feare they are almoſt paſt praying for.

A Short Relation of a Long Iourny, &c. A Traveller that loves to ſee ſtrange Lands, May be a man or not a man of 's hands: But yet 'tis very requiſite and meet, He ſhould be furniſh'd with good brains and feet; For he that wants legs, feet, and brains, and wit, To be a Traveller is moſt unfit: And ſuch am I by Age of ſtrength bereft, With one right leg, and one lame left leg left. Beggers on their backs their brats do reare; But I my iſſue in my leg do beare: I dreſſe it often and impatiently It lies and cries not, though it make me cry; Yet I dare challenge Scottiſh Jock or Jackey, Or any light-heel'd nimble footed Lackey, To travell ſuch a Jaunt as I have done, With th' right leg going, and the left leg run: Or if I pleaſe, the caſe I'le alter ſo, To make the worſt leg run, the beſt to goe. And ſure my heart was ſtout, men may ſuppoſe, To venture Travell with ſuch legs as thoſe. But there be ſome few that do underſtand, 'Tis merry walking with a horſe in hand. Such was my Lot, I had a ſtately Courſer, None courſer quality'd, and for a worſer, There's neither Halifax, or Hull, nor Hell, That for good parts my horſe can parallel; He was a beaſt, had heated been and cheated, Too much hard over rid and under meated, That he as gaunt as any Greyhound was, And for a Horſes Skelliton might paſſe: You might have told his ribs, he was ſo thin, And ſeen his heart and guts, but for his skin; He was not purſie foggy, cloy'd with greace, And like his Rider lov'd reſt, eaſe, and peace: Dun was, and is the Dumb beaſt, and was Done, E're I begun, or he with me begun. He had a black Liſt, from the Mane to Taile, Which is a colour that doth ſeldome faile: To change of paces he had been inur'd, But yet not one t'endure, or be endur'd; His Trot would fling a Dagger out ot'h ſheath, Or jolt a man to death, or out of breath. His Ambling was inviſible to me, From ſuch ſmooth eaſie garbs his feet were free: His common Pace in Sun-ſhine or in ſhowre, Was (as he pleas'd) about two mile an houre. I never yet could put him in a ſweat, For he was never free, but at his meat. Thus John upon Dun's back, were both Dun John, And thus the tedious way we wandred on. Now to proceed in order duly, truly, I London left the thirteenth day of July: The Wayes as faire as man could well deſire, 'Cauſe I had none to draw Dun out o'th mire: I fifteen miles (to Riſlip) that day went, Baited at Edgworth, to give Dun content; There my acquaintance, of good fame and worth, Did welcome me: the next day I ſet forth, With Boots, Sans Spurs, with Whip, and Switch of Burch, I got on, twenty miles to Stoken Church: The fifteenth day, S. Swithin, I and Dun, Did ſhuffle ſixteen miles to Abington; There till the Tueſday following I abode, From thence I ſixteen miles to great Tue rode, There at the Swan mine Hoſt was free and kind, He had but one eye, tother ſide was blinde; But ſurely he a right Good-fellow was, And there one night my Dun did eat good graſs. On July's twenty one from Tue I went, And unto Warwick ſtrait my courſe I bent, There did I find another ſigne o'th Swan, Mine Hoſteſſe kind, mine Hoſt a Gentile man, And for your love to me, good Maſter Venner, With humble thanks I am your praiſes Penner. My gratitude to Maſter Jacob Harmer, His Drapers ſhop could never make me warmer, Then high and mighty Warwick's drink did there, It made my brains to Caper and careere, It was of ſuch invincible ſtrong force, To knock me (in five miles) twice from my Horſe: And ſure I think the Drink was certainly Infuſed with the conqu'ring ghoſt of Guy. On July's two and twentieth day I came Ʋnto an ancient houſe call'd Hunningham, There were two Ladies of good Worth and fame, Whom for ſome reaſons I forbeare to name: Their Son and Grandſon (John) I'le not forget, He's nobly minded as a Baronet; Foure dayes they kept me with exceeding cheere, And gave me ſilver becauſe Travels deare. From thence my Journey 5 miles I purſue, To Coventry, moſt ſamous for true blew; There the faire Croſſe of ancient high Renown Stands firme, though other Croſſes all are down. 'Tis a dry City, and dry let it be, 'Twas not made dryer one ſmall drop for me: Like a Camelion there I brake my faſt, And thence I twenty miles to Lichfield paſt; There at the George I took my lodging up, I well was lodg'd, and well did ſup and cup, When there by chance, I caſt my wandring eyon The ruin'd Church, with griefe I thought on Sion: I ſigh'd to ſee that ſad confuſion, Like th' Hebrews by the Brook of Babylon. On July's twenty ſeventh I rode alone Full ſixteen miles unto a Town call'd Stone. Next day to Nantwich ſixteen long miles more, From thence to Cheſter near the Cambrian ſhore: There was my welcome in ſuch noble faſhion, Of which in Proſe I'le make ſome briefe Relation.

MY Lodging at Cheſter was in the Watergate ſtreet, at the Sign of the Feathers, I lay on a Feather-bed, and in the ſame houſe I met with two Brothers of mine acquaintance thirty years, they brought me to the Chamber of a Reverend Italian Phyſition, named Vincent Lancelles he was more then 80 yeares of Age, yet of a very able body, and vigorous conſtitution: The Yong mens Names were Thomas Morrine and Francis Morrine, the people were pleaſed (out of their Ignorance, or in ſmall Wit) to call the old Gentleman a Mountebank; but I am ſure he was deſervedly well reputed and reported of, for many Malladies and Diſeaſes which hee cured, whereof divers were judged incurable: He helped ſuch as were grieved for three ſeverall conſiderations.

Firſt, Hee cured the Rich, for as much as hee could get.

Secondly, Hee healed the Meaner ſort for what they could ſpare, or were willing to part withall.

Thirdly, Hee cured the Poor for Gods ſake, and gave them mony and other reliefe, as I my ſelfe (with thankfull experience) muſt ever acknowledge: For he looked upon my lame leg, and applyed ſuch Medicine, as did not only eaſe me, but I am in hope will cure me, the griefe being nothing but a Blaſt of Lightning and Thunder, or Planet ſtroke, which I received nine years • aſt at Oxford.

For a further courteſie, when I was taking my leave of Cheſter, I demanded what I had to pay for Lodging, Dyet, and Horſe-meat, mine Hoſt ſayd, that all was fully payd and ſatisfied by the Good old Phyſition. My humble thanks remembred to Captain Vincent Corbet, but more eſpecially to Captain John Whitworth at Cheſter.

On Fryday the 30. of July, I rode (and footed it) ten Miles to Flint (which is the Shire Town of Flint-ſhire) and ſurely War hath made it miſerable, the ſometimes famous Caſtle there, in which Richard the Second of that Name, King of England was ſurpriſed by Henry of Bullinbrook, is now almoſt buried in it's own Ruins, and the Town is ſo ſpoiled, that it may truely be ſaid of it, that they never had any Market (in the memory of man) they have no Sadler, Taylor, Weaver, Brewer, Baker, Botcher, or Buttonmaker; they have not ſo much as a ſigne of an Ale-houſe, ſo that I was doubtfull of a Lodging, but (by good hap) I hapned into the houſe of one Mr. Edward Griffith, where I had good meat and lodging for me and my dumb Dun Beaſt, for very reaſonable conſideration, and this (me thinks) is a pitifull diſcription of a Shire Town.

Saturday, the laſt of July, I left Flint, and went three miles to Holy-well, of which place I muſt ſpeak ſomewhat materially: About the length of a furlong, down a very ſteep Hill, is a Well (full of wonder and admiration) it comes from a Spring not far from Rudland Caſtle; it is and hath been many hundred yeares knowne by the name of Holy-Well, but it is more commonly and of moſt Antiquity called Saint Winifrids Well, in memory of the pious and chaſte Virgin Winifrid, who was there beheaded for refuſing to yield her Chaſtity to the furious luſt of a Pagan Prince; in that very place where her bloud was ſhed, this Spring ſprang up; from it doth iſſue ſo forceible a ſtream, that within a hundred yards of it, it drives certain Mils, and ſome do ſay that nine Corn Mils and Fulling Mils are driven with the ſtream of that Spring: It hath a fair Chappell erected over it called Saint Winifrids Chappell, which is now much defaced by the injury of theſe late Wars: The well is compaſſed about with a fine Wall of Free ſtone, the Wall hath eight Angles or Corners, and at every Angle is a fair Stone Piller, whereon the Weſt end of the Chappell is ſupported. In two ſeverall places of the Wall, there are neat ſtone ſtaires to go into the water that comes from the Well, for it is to be noted that the Well it ſelfe doth continually work and bubble with extream violence, like a boiling Cauldron or Furnace, and within the Wall, or into the Well very few do enter: The Water is Chriſtalline, ſweet, and medicinable, it is frequented daily by many people of Rich and Poore, of all Diſcaſes, amongſt which great ſtore of folkes are cured, divers are caſed, but none made the worſe. The Hill deſcending is plentifully furniſhed (on both ſides of the way) with Beggers of all ages, ſexes, conditions, ſorts and ſizes, many of them are impotent, but all are impudent, and richly embrodered all over with ſuch Hexameter poudred Ermins (or Vermin) as are called Lice in England.

Monday, the ſecond of Auguſt, when the Day begun, I mounted my Dun, having hired a little Boy (to direct me in the way) that could ſpeak no Engliſh, and for lack of an Interpreter, we travelled ſpeachleſs eight miles, to Rudland, where is an old ruined winde and war-ſhaken Caſtle; from that Town, after my Horſe, and the Boy, and my ſelfe had dined with Hay, Oats, and Barraw Cauſs, we hors't and footed it twelve miles further, to a fine ſtrong walled Towne, named Aberconwy; there I lodged at the houſe of one Mr. Spencer (an Engliſh man) he is Poſt-Maſter there, and there my entertainment was good, and my Reckoning reaſonable: There is a good defenſive Caſtle which I would have ſeen, but becauſe there was a Garriſon, I was loath to give occaſion of offence, or be much inquiſitive.

The next day when the Clock ſtrook two and fowre, I mounted Dun, Dun mounted Penmen Mawre; And if I do not take my aime amiſſe, That lofty Mountain ſeems the Skies to kiſſe: But there are other Hils accounted higher, Whoſe lofty tops I had no mind t' aſpire: As Snowdon, and the tall Plinnillimon, Which I no ſtomack had to tread upon. Merioneth Mountains, and Shire Cardigan To travell over, will tire horſe and man: I, to Bewmaris came that day and din'd, Where I the good Lord Buckley, thought to find. But he to ſpeak with me had no intent, Dry I came into's houſe, dry out I went. I left Bewmaris, and to Bangor trac'd it, Ther's a brave Church, but Time and War defac'd it: For Love and Mony I was welcome thither, 'Tis merry meeting when they come together.

Thus having travelled from Aberconwy to Beumorris and to Bangor, Tueſday 3. Auguſt, which in all they are pleaſed to call 14 miles, but moſt of the Welſh miles are large London meaſure, not any one of them but hath a hand bredth or ſmall cantle at each end, by which means, what they want in broadneſs, they have it in length; beſides the aſcending and deſcending almoſt impaſſable mountains, and Break-neck ſtony ways, doth make ſuch Travellers as my ſelfe, judge that they were no Miſers in meaſuring their miles; beſides, the land is courſer then it is in moſt parts about London, which makes them to afford the larger meaſure: for courſe Broadcloath is not at the rate of Velvet or Satten.

Wedneſday the 4. of Auguſt I rode 8 miles from Bangor to Carnarvan, where I thought to have ſeen a Town and a Caſtle, or a Caſtle and a Town; but I ſaw both to be one, and one to be both; for indeed a man can hardly divide them in judgement or apprehenſion; and I have ſeen many gallant Fabricks and Fortifications, but for compactneſs and compleatneſs of Caernarvon, I never yet ſaw a parallell. And it is by Art and Nature ſo ſited and ſeated, that it ſtands impregnable, & if it be well mand, victualled, and ammunitioned, it is invincible, except fraud or famine do aſſault, or conſpire againſt it.

I was 5. hours in Caernarvon, and when I thought that I had taken my leave for ever of it, then was I meerly deceived; for when I was a mile on my way, a Trooper came galloping after me, and enforced me back to be examined by Colonell Thomas Maſon, (the Governour there) who after a few words, when hee heard my name, and knew my occaſions, he uſed me ſo reſpectively and bountifully, that (at his charge) I ſtayd all night, and by the means of him, and one Mr. Lloyd, (a Juſtice of Peace there) I was furniſhed with a Guide, and ſomething elſe to bear charges for one weeks travaile; for which curteſies, if I were not thankfull, I were worth the hanging for being ingratefull.

The 5. of Auguſt I went 12. miles, to a place called Climenie, where the Noble Sure John Owen did, with liberall welcome, entertain me.

The 6. day I rode to a Town called Harleck, which ſtands on a high barren Mountaine, very uneaſie for the aſcending into, by reaſon of the ſteep and uneeven ſtony way; this Town had neither hay, graſs, oats, or any relief for a horſe: there ſtands a ſtrong Caſtle, but the Town is all ſpoild, and almoſt inhabitable by the late lamentable troubles.

So I left that Towne (for fear of ſtarving my Horſe) and came to a place called Bermoth, (12. miles that day, as narrow as 20.) That place was ſo plentifully furniſhed with want of proviſion, that it was able to famiſh 100. men and horſes: I procured a brace of Boyes to goe two miles to cut graſſe for my Dun, for which I gave them two groats; for my ſelfe and Guide, I purchaſed a Hen boyld with Bacon, as yellow as the Cowſlip, or Gold Noble. My courſe Lodging there, was at the homely Houſe of one John Thomſon, a Lancaſhire Engliſh man.

Saturday the 7. of Auguſt, I Horſt, footed, (and crawling upon all 4.) 10. ſlender miles to Aberdovy, which was the laſt lodging that I had in Merionethſhire, where was the beſt entertainment for men, but almoſt as bad as the worſt for horſes in all Merionethſhire.

Auguſt 9. I gat into Cardiganſhire, to a miſerable Market Town called Aberiſtwith, where, before the late troubles, there ſtood a ſtrong Caſtle, which being blown up, fell down, and many fair Houſes (with a defenſible thick Wall about the Town) are transformed into confuſed heaps of unneceſſary Rubbidge: within foure miles of this Town, are the ſilver Mines, which were honorable and profitable, as long as my good friend Thomas Buſhell Eſquire, had the managing of them, who was moſt induſtrious in the work, and withall by his noble demeanour, and affable deportment, deſervedly gain'd the generall love and affection of all the Countrey, of all degrees of people: but ſince he hath left that important imployment, the Mines are neglected.

From Aberiſtwith, I went to the Houſe of Sir Richard Price, Knight and Baronet, where my entertainment was freely welcome, with ſome expreſſion of further curteſies at my departure, for which I humbly thank the noble Knight, not forgetting my gratefull remembrance to Mr. Thomas Evans there: that whole dayes journey being 9. miles.

Tueſday the 10. of Auguſt, having hired a Guide, for I that knew neither the intricate wayes, nor could ſpeake any of the Language, was neceſſitated to have Guides from place to place, and it being Harveſt time, I was forced to pay exceeding deare for Guiding; ſo that ſome dayes I payd 2s. ſometimes 3. beſides bearing their charges of meat and drinke and lodging; for it is to bee underſtood that thoſe kind of labouring people had rather reap hard all the day for ſix pence, then to go ten or twelve miles eaſily on foot for two ſhillings. That day, after ſixteen miles travell, I came to the houſe of an ancient worthy and hoſpitable Gentleman, named Sure Walter Lloyd, he was noble in bountifull houſe-keeping, and in his generoſitie, cauſed his horſe to be ſaddled, and the next day hee rode three miles to Conway, and ſhewd me the way to Caermarden, which they do call 18 ſmall miles, but I had rather ride 30 of ſuch miles as are in many parts of England; the way continually hilly, or mountainous and ſtony, inſomuch that I was forced to alight and walke 30 times, and when the Sun was near ſetting, I having foure long miles to go, and knew no part of the way, was reſolved to take my lodging in a Reeke of Oats in the field, to which purpoſe, as I rode out of the ſtony way towards my field-chamber, my Horſe and I found a ſofter bed, for we were both in a Bog, or Quagmire, and at that time I had much ado to draw myſelfe out of the dirt, or my poore weary Dun out if the Mire.

I being in this hard ſtrait, having night (of Gods ſending,) Owl-light to guide me, no tongue to aske a queſtion, the way unknown, or uneven; I held it my beſt courſe to grope in the hard ſtony way againe, which having found, (after a quarter of an houres melancholy paces) a Horſman of Wales, that could ſpeak Engliſh, overtook me and brought me to Caermarden, where I found good and free entertainment at the houſe of one Miſtris Oakley.

Caermarden, the ſhire Town of Caermardenſhire, is a good large Town, with a defencible ſtrong Caſtle, and a reaſonable Haven for ſmall Barks and Boats, which formerly was for the uſe of good Ships, but now it is much impedimented with Shelvs, Sands, and other annoyances: It is ſaid that Merlyn the Prophet was born there; it is one of the plentifulleſt Townes that ever I ſet foot in, for very fair Egs are cheaper then ſmall Pears; for, as near as I can remember, I will ſet down at what rates victuals was there.

Butter, as good as the world affords, two pence halfe penny, or three pence the pound.

A Salmon two foot and a halfe long, twelve pence.

Biefe, three halfe pence the pound.

Oyſters, a penny the hundred.

Egs, twelve for a penny.

Peares, ſix for a penny.

And all manner of Fiſh and Fleſh at ſuch low prices, that a little money will buy much, for there is nothing ſcarce, dear, or hard to come by, but Tobacco pipes.

My humble thanks to the Governour there, to William Guinn of Talliaris, Eſquire; to Sure Henry Vaughan; and to all the reſt, with the good woman mine Hoſteſs.

Concerning Pembrookſhire, the people do ſpeak Engliſh in it almoſt generally, and therefore they call it little England beyond Wales, it being the fartheſt South and Weſt County in the whole Principality: The Shire Town, Pembrook, hath been in better eſtate, for as it is now, ſome houſes down, ſome ſtanding, and many without Inhabitants; the Caſtle there hath been ſtrong, large, ſtately, and impregnable, able to hold out any enemy, except hunger, it being founded upon a lofty Rock, gives a brave proſpect a far off: Tenby Towne and Caſtle being ſomewhat near, or eight miles from it, ſeems to be more uſefull and conſiderable. My thanks to Miſtris Powell at the Hart there.

Tenby hath a good Caſtle and a Haven, but in reſpect of Milford Haven, all the Havens under the Heavens are inconſiderable, for it is of ſuch length, bredth, and depth, that 1000. Ships may ride ſafely in it in all weathers, and by reaſon of the hills that do incloſe it, and the windings and turnings of the Haven from one poynt of land to another, it is conjectured that 1500 ſhips may ride there, and not ſcarce one of them can ſee another. The Haven hath in it 16 Creekes, 5 Bayes, and 13 Rodes, of large capacity, and all theſe are known by ſeverall names.

The goodly Church of S. Davids hath beene forced lately to put off the dull and heavy coat of peacefull Lead, which was metamorphoſed into warlike bullets. In that Church lies interred Edmund Earle of Richmond, Father to King Henry the ſeventh, for whoſe ſake his Grandſon (K. Henry the eight) did ſpare it from defacing, when hee ſpared not much that belonged to the Church.

Thus having gone and riden many miles, with too many turning and winding Mountains, ſtony turning waies, forward, backward, ſidewaies, circular, and ſemicircular, upon the 17. of Auguſt I rode to the houſe of the right Honourable, Richard Vaughan Earle of Karbery, at a place called Golden Grove; and ſurely that houſe, with the faire Fields, Woods, Walks, and pleaſant ſcituation, may not onely be rightly called the Golden Grove, but it may without fiction be juſtly ſtiled the Cambrian Paradiſe, and Elizium of Wales; but that which grac'd it totally, was the nobleneſs, and affable preſence and deportment of the Earle, with his faire and vertuous new married Counteſs, the beautifull Lady Alice, or Alicia, daughter to the right Honourable the late Earle of Bridgwater, deccaſed: I humbly thank them both, for they were pleaſed to Honour me ſo much, that I ſupp'd with them, at which time a Gentleman came in, who being ſate, did relate a ſtrange diſcourſe of a violent ram which fell on the mountains in part of Radnorſhire, and into Glomorganſhire; the ſtory was, as near as I can remember, as followeth:

That on Saturday the 17. of July laſt, 1652. there fell a ſudden ſhowre of rain in the Counties aforeſaid, as if an Ocean had flowed from the Clouds to overwhelm and drown the mountains, it poured down with ſuch violent impetuoſitie, that it tumbled down divers houſes of ſtone that ſtood in the way of it; it drowned many Cattell and Sheep, bore all before it as it ran, therefore a poore man with his ſon and daughter forſook their houſe, and the father and ſon climed up into a tree for their ſafety, in the mean time the mercileſs waters took hold of the poore maid, and moſt furiouſly bare her away, down betwen two mountains, rolling and hurling her againſt many great ſtones, till at laſt it threw her near the ſide of the ſtream, and her hair and hair-lace being looſe, it catched hold of a ſtump of an old thorn buſh, by which means ſhe was ſtayed, being almoſt dead; but as ſhe lay in this miſery, ſhe ſaw a ſad and lamentable ſight, for the water had fiercely unrooted the tree, and bore it down the ſtreame, with her father and brother, who were both unfortunately drowned: the Maid, as I was certified, is like to live and recover.

My humble thanks to the good yong hopefull Lord Vaughan, and to all the reſt of the Noble Olive Branches of that moſt Worthy Tree of Honour, their Father, not omitting or yet forgetting my gratitude to Mr. Steward there, withall the reſt of the Gentlemen and ſervants attendant, with my love to Mr. Thomas Ryve, unknown, and ſo Golden Grove farewell.

The 18. of Auguſt, I hired a Guide who brought me to Swanſey (16 well ſtretch'd Welch Mountainous Miles) where I was cordially welcome to an Ancient Worthy Gentleman, Waker Thomas Eſquire, for whoſe Love and Liberality I am much obliged to him and the good Gentlewoman his Wife; he ſtaid me till the next day after Diner, and then ſent his man with me a mile to his Sons houſe, named William Thomas Eſquire: There, as ſoone as I had rewarded my Guide he ſlip'd from me, leaving me to the mercy of the Houſe, where I found neither mercy nor manners; for the good Gentleman and his Wife were both rode from home; and though there were people old enough, and big enough, yet there was not one kind enough, or good enough to do me the leaſt kind of courteſie or friendſhip; they did not ſo much as bid me come into the houſe, or offer me a cup of drink; they all ſcornfully wondred at me, like ſo many Buzzards and Woodcocks about an Owle, there was a ſhotten thin ſcul'd ſhallow brain'd ſimpleton fellow, that anſwered me, that he was a ſtranger there, but I believed him not, by reaſon of his familiarity with the reſt of the folks, there was alſo a ſingle-ſoal'd Gentlewoman, of the laſt Edition, who would vouchſafe me not one poor glance of her eye-beams, to whom I ſaid as followeth.

Fair Gentlewoman, I was ſent hither by the Father of the Gentleman of this Houſe, to whom I have a Letter from a Gentleman of his familiar acquaintance; I am ſure that the Owner of this Place is famed and reported to be a man endowed with all affability and courteſie to ſtrangers as is every way accommodating to a Gentleman of Worth and Quality; and that if I were but a meer ſtranger to him, yet his Generoſity would not ſuffer me to be harbourleſs, but by reaſon of his Fathers ſending his ſervant with me, and a Friends Letter, I ſayd that if Mr. Thomas had been at home I ſhould be better entertained.

To which Mrs. Pumpkins looking ſcornfully, aſcue over her ſhoulders, anſwered me with (it may be ſo) then moſt uncurteous Miſtris, quoth I, I doubt I muſt bee neceſſitated to take up my lodging in the Field: To which the ſaid ungentle Gentlewoman (with her poſteriors, or butt end towards me) gave me a finall Anſwer, that I might if I would.

Whereupon I was enraged and mounted my Dun, and in a friendly maner I tooke my leave, ſaying, that I would wander further and try my fortune, and that if my ſtay at that houſe, that night, would ſave either Mr. Shallow-pate, or Mrs. Jullock from hanging, that I would rather lie, and venture all hazards that are incident to Horſe, Man, or Traveller, then to be beholding to ſuch unmanerly Mungrils.

Thus deſperately I ſhaked them off, that would not take me on, and riding I knew not whither, with a wide wild Heath under me, and a wider Firmament above me. I roade at adventure, betwixt light and darkneſs, about a mile, when luckily a Gentleman overtook mee, and after a little talk of my diſtreſſe and travail, he bad me be of good chear, for he would bring me to a lodging and entertainment; in which promiſe he was better then his word, for hee brought mee to a pretty Market Towne called Neath, where he ſpent his money upon me; for which kindneſs I thank him. But one Doctour (as they call him) Rice Jones, (or Doctor Merriman) came and ſupt with mee, and very kindly payd all the reckoning. That dayes journey being but 6 miles ſterling.

The 19. of Auguſt I hired a Guide for 3 s. (16 miles) to a place called Penline, where ſomtime ſtood a ſtrong Caſtle, which is now ruined; adjoyning to it, or in the place of it, is a fair houſe, belonging to Anthony Turberville Eſquire, where although the Gentleman was from home, the good Gentlewoman, his Wife, did with hoſpitable and noble kindneſſe, bid me welcome.

Fryday, the 20. of Auguſt, I rode a mile to an Ancient Town, named Coobridge, from whence I ſcrambled two miles further to Llanſtrithyott, where the Noble Gentleman Sure John Awbrey, with his Vertuous Lady kept me three dayes, in the mean ſpace I rode two miles to the houſe of the Ancient and Honorable Knight, Sir Thomas Lewis at Penmark, to whom and his good Lady, I humbly dedicate my gratitude: The ſame day after Dinner, I returned back to Llanſtrithyott, which was to me a ſecond Golden Grove, or Welch Paradice, for Building, Scituation, wholſome Ayre, Pleaſure and Plenty, for my free entertainment there, with the Noble expreſſion of the Gentlemans Bounty at my departure, I heartily do wiſh to him and his, with all the reſt of my Honorable and Noble, Worſhipfull and friendly Benefactors, true peace and happineſſe, internall, externall, and eternall.

Monday, the 23. of Auguſt, I rode eight miles to the good Town of Cardiffe, where I was welcome to Mr. Aaron Price, the Town Clark there, with whom I dined, at his coſt and my perrill, after Dinner he directed me two miles further, to a place called Llanrumney, where a right true bred generous Gentleman, Thomas Morgan Eſquire, gave me ſuch loving and liberall entertainment, for which I cannot be ſo thankfull as the merit of it requires.

Tueſday, being both Saint Bartholomews Day, my Birth day, the 24, of the Month, and the very next day before Wedneſday, I aroſe betimes, and travelled to a Town called Newport, and from thence to Carbean, and laſtly to Ʋske, in all 15 well meaſu'd Welſh Monmouthſhire miles: at Uske I lodg'd at an Inne, the houſe of one Maſter Powell.

The 25. of Auguſt I rode but 12 miles, by an unlook'd for accident, I found Bartholomew Faire at Monmouth, a hundred miles from Smithfield; there I ſtayed two nights upon the large reckoning of Nothing to pay, for which I humbly thank my Hoſpitable Hoſt, and Hoſteſs, Maſter Reignald Rowſe and his good Wife.

Monmouth, the Shire Town of Monmouthſhire, was the laſt Welſh ground that I left behind me: Auguſt 27. I came to Gloceſter, where though I was born there, very few did know me; I was almoſt as ignorant as he that knew no body: my lodging there was at the ſigne of the George, at the houſe of my Nameſake, Maſter John Taylor, from whence on Saturday the 28. I rode 16. miles to Barnſley.

Of all the places in England and Wales that I have travelled to, this Village of Barnſley doth moſt ſtrictly obſerve the Lords day, or Sunday, for little children are not ſuffered to walke or play: and two Women who had beene at Church both before and after Noone, did but walke into the fields for their recreation, and they were put to their choice, either to pay ſixpence apiece (for prophane walking,) or to be laid one houre in the ſtocks; and the pieviſh willfull women (though they were able enough to pay) to ſave their money and jeſt out the matter, lay both by the heeles merrily one houre.

There is no ſuch zeale in many places and Pariſhes in Wales; for they have neither Service, Prayer, Sermon, Miniſter, or Preacher, nor any Church door opened at all, ſo that people do exerciſe and edifie in the Church-Yard, at the lawfull and laudable Games of Trap, Catt, Stool-ball, Racket, &c. on Sundayes.

From Barnſley on Monday the 30. of Auguſt, I rode 30 miles to Abington, from thence, &c. to London, where I brought both ends together on Tueſday the 7. of September.

Thoſe that are deſirous to know more of Wales, let them either travell for it as I have done, or read Mr. Camdens Brittania, or Mr. Speeds laborious Hiſtory, and their Geographicall Maps and Deſcriptions will give them more ample, or contenting ſatisfaction.

ONE Humphrey Lloyd Eſquire, did exactly collect the Brittiſh, or Welſh Hiſtory from the Originall, till the yeare 1510. after which it was continued by Doctor David Powell, till the yeare 1584. Printed then and Dedicated to Sir Phillip Sidney Knight: thoſe who are deſirous to read more largely, let them make uſe of their larger Book: But for ſuch as love brevity, or cheapneſſe, let them read this which followeth.

Cambria Brittania: OR, Aſhort Abreviation of the Hiſtory, and Chronicles of VVALES. By JOHN TAYLOR.

CARADOC of Lancarvan, (a ſtudious Antiquary, and a learned diligent Collector of the Succeſſions and Acts of the Brittiſh Princes) did write the Hiſtory of Wales, from the time and Raigne of Cadwallador, who lived in the yeare of our Redemption, 685, and continued the ſaid Chronology near 500 years, till the Raigne of Henry the ſecond King of England. It hath alwayes before thoſe times, and ever ſince, that Writers for feare, or flattery, or profit, have uſed ſhamefull (or ſhameleſs) partiality, in publiſhing the fames of their owne Princes, and Countrey, above meaſure, and beyond truth; but in their detracting and traducing others, they have been too liberall; and in relating their Valour, Vertues, or Injuries of ſuch they fancyed not, they have been too ſparing, or wilfully negligent.

But to make bold and ſpeak the truth, it is worth good conſideration, to know what reaſon the Engliſh had to make Warr againſt the Welſh; Wales had ever been a free Countrey, not ſubject to any Prince, except their own; they owed no Homage or Alegiance neither to England, or to any other Crowne, or State; their Language, Lawes, and Cuſtoms, were of their own inſtitutions, to which Lawes both Prince and people were ſubject; they lived quietly upon their owne, and they never went forth of their owne bounds to rob the Engliſh, or to ſpoile and invade England, or any other Nation. Then the queſtion is with much eaſe propoſed and anſwered. What cauſe did the Welſh give to the Engliſh to make Warre upon them, to invade, plunder, ſpoile, and kill? the Anſwer is, or may be, Becauſe the English were ambitious, and covetous, and alſo ſtronger then their Neighbours, and being able and willing to do injury, and oppreſs the Welsh, they many times attempted to ſubject and conquer them; and they (on the other ſide) did manfully reſiſt, and oppoſe their English Invadors, as this brief Relation will truly declare and manifeſt.

Thus force reſiſted force, the Saxons, Danes, English, Irish, and Flemmings, all ſeverally, and ſometimes joyned together, to conquer, and make prey and purchaſe of poor Wales, they all ſtriving to have the Goods and Lands that belonged not to them; and the Welsh men (with their beſt indeavours) juſtly and valiantly holding their own. They had kept their Country & language 2700. years, and the Hiſtorians, Antiquaries, and Gentry of that Nation did record their Laws, Pedigrees, and Genealogies, with as much, or more, exact truth then many, or any other Nations. They had lived under their own Governours (from the time of Heli the High Prieſt of the Jews,) 1800 years before Cadwallador, who went to Rome, and died there; from which time the chief Rulers of Wales, were ſometimes ſtiled Kings, ſometimes Princes; theſe were many times under one King or Prince, of Northwales; ſometimes they had three Princes or Kings, as North-Wales, South-Wales, and Powis Land. Theſe three Princes, although they had many and mighty Enemies, did often make Warre upon each other, ſpoiling, and harraſing their Countrey, to the advantage of their Enemies and ruine of themſelves. But to proceed to the Hiſtory.

In the yeare 688. Ivor (a kinſman of Cadwalador) was Prince ſome ſmall time; and hee alſo went to Rome, and there ended his daies.

The Next Ivor, Roderick Molwinnoc, the ſecond Prince of North-Wales rained 30 years; he was Grandchild to Cadwallador, a valiant man, he died Anno 755.

The third was Canon Tindaethwy, a gallant Prince, he Warr'd with good ſucceſs, againſt Offa, King of Mercia, who would have invaded North Wales; but Canon did defend himſelfe ſo ſtoutly, that Offa with much loſs retired: the Engliſh at that time had not one foot of ground in Wales.

Anno 800. Mervin was the fourth King of North-Wales, he married Eſylht, Daughter to Canon; in his time Egbert, King of the Weſt Saxons, invaded and ſpoyled Angleſey, and Kenulph, King of Mercia, did much miſchiefe in Powis Land, whereby Mervin being overpowred, was ſlaine, valiantly fighting againſt the King of Mercia.

Anno 843. Roderick the ſecond (called the Great) was the 5. King of North-Wales; hee had much war with the Engliſh Mercians, with various ſucceſs, but for the moſt part fortunate. In his Raigne, the Danes came and ſpoiled Angleſey, againſt whom Prince Roderick manfully fighting was unfortunately ſlaine. But ſome do write, that he did beat the Danes out of Angleſey, and ſlain afterwards in a Battell againſt the Engliſhmen, Anno 876. when he had raigned with much love and honour 39 years.

The 6. King or Prince was Anarawd, the ſon of Roderick; and about that time of Anno 877. the Normans, with their Duke Rollo, invaded a great Province in France, which from the name of Normans, (or Northern men) is to this day called Normandy.

In the year of grace 878. the Danes and Engliſh men came with great powers againſt Wales, between whom and the Welſh was then a bloudy battell, near the water of Conwy, where the Welſh had a mighty Victory, which they called the Revenge for the death of Roderick. Prince Anarawd died, after much trouble, in Anno 913. having Rained 34. years.

Seventhly, or the 7. Prince was Edwal Voel, the Danes ſpoyled Angleſey, and the Engliſh burnt and ſpoiled Brecknock. Athelſtane King of England, enforced the Welſh to pay him a yearly tribute of 20 pounds in Gold, 300 pounds in ſilver, and 200 Bieves, or Cattell. Afterwards Edwal Voel had raigned 25 years, he and his Brother Elſe were both ſlaine, fighting with the Danes, Anno 938.

The 8. Prince was Howell Dha, he was a kinſman to Edwal Voel, he was a Prince of South-wales, but he afterwards had all Wales; the Engliſh vexed him often, and did much hurt; but ſtill Howel galantly reſiſted them, and died much lamented, in the year of Chriſt 948.

The 9. were Jevaſ and Jago, or James, both Brethren, and ſons to Edwal Voel. They had cruell wars with Owen, and his Brethren, (the ſons of Howel Dha) in which Bickerings Owen (with his Brothers) were ſlaine. About this time the Danes ſpoiled Angleſey, and burnt Holy-head. And alſo Wales was much troubled by Edgar King of England; but it was agreed at laſt, that the tribute of gold, & ſilver, & cattel, which was laid on the Welſh Nation in Edwal Voels time, after it had been paid near 13 years, ſhould be remitted, and in lieu thereof, the Princes of Wales were injoyned to pay a certaine number of Woolves heads (for at that time four-leg'd Woolves did as much miſchiefe amongſt Beaſts, Sheep, and Cattell, as two-leg'd Woolves have done in theſe latter times amongſt men,) and by the means of the yearly payment of the aforeſaid Woolves heads, there was not one of thoſe ravenous beaſts in three years payment to be found in all Wales, or the Marches of England.

The Brethren the Princes fell our, (for Lordſhip and Love can brook no Rivalls or fellowſhip) James impriſoned Jevaf a long time, at which time, the Danes entred Angleſey, and did much ſpoile, Howell the ſon of Jevaf, made ſharp war againſt his Unkle Jago, or James, and beat him, and releaſt his Father, after which he took his eldeſt Unkle Meric, and put his eyes out; but never reſtored his Father to his former eſtate, but kept the Principality to himſelfe: This was about the yeare of our Lord 974.

The 10. King or Prince of North-Wales (or almoſt all Wales) was Howell ap Jevaf, or the ſon of Jevaf, Anno 975. there was great wars and much bloudſhed betwixt South and North-Wales; but Howell took his Unkle James, which had impriſoned his Father Jevaf, and then poſſeſt all Wales in peace, for a ſhort while, for the Danes brake in and ſpoiled many Towns and places in North-Wales, and did much miſchiefe to the Cathedrall of S. Davids. And in 982. a great Army from England, waſted and ſpoiled Brecknock, and a great part of South-Wales; but Prince Howell made war againſt them, ſlew many, and made the reſt flee. The ſecond yeare after Howell entred England with an Army, in which war he was ſlaine valiantly fighting, in the yeare 984. to whom ſucceeded his Brother.

Cadwallon, the 11. Prince, he firſt warred againſt Jonavall the ſon of Meric, whoſe eyes Howell had cauſed to be put out, who by right was right Lord of all Wales: In the end Jonavall was ſlain by Cadwalhon, and the next year after Cadwalhon himſelfe was kill'd by Meredith, the ſon of Owen, Prince of South-Wales, Anno 985.

The 12. King or Prince was Meredith ap Owen, or the ſon of Owen, which Owen was ſon to Howell Dha, before mentioned; he began in the yeare 986. and had a moſt troubleſome Government; for the Danes again waſted Angleſey. They took Priſoner Lhywach, Brother to Prince Meredith, and put his eyes out, and the Danes tooke 2000 Priſoners, and either carried them away, or put them to ranſome, and in the yeare 98. the Danes came againe and ſpoyled St. Davids, Lhandydoch, Llanbadarne, Llanriſted, and all Religious Places of Devotion that their heatheniſh power could maſter.

In theſe troubles Prince Meredith was forced to give thoſe miſcreant Danes, a peny a Head for every man that was then alive in all his Dominions; which payment was called the Black Armies Tribute; about this time all South-Wales was over-ran by the Engliſh, and (to fill the meaſure of the Affliction in Wales) Meredith made mighty havock in Glamorgan-ſhire: So that there was not any place in Wales, free from the fury of fire and ſword. But to make the meaſure of miſery heap and run over, the Danes came once more and made a prey of the Iſle of Angleſey; with which continuall troubles Meredith being overladen and wearied, reſigned his Princely Authority to Edwal ap Meric ap Meredith, or his own Grandchild: Meredith died 998.

Edwal the 13. Prince of North-Wales, was ſcarce warm in his ſeat, but Meredith ſought and fought for re-poſſeſſion, and after much bloudſhed, loſt his labour. Then the Danes came again and ſpoiled much in North-Wales; and the Prince valiantly fighting was ſlain, and the ſame Danes came again to S. Davids, ranſack'd it, and ſpoiled all the Countrey.

The 14. King was Aedan ap Belgored, he fought for the Principality with Conan the ſon of Howell, and ſlew him in the year 1003. About this time the Danes ſpoiled many places in Weſt-Wales; and in this Princes Raigne all the Danes in England were ſlaine in one night; and Anno 1015. Prince Aedon was ſlain by his ſucceſſor.

Lhewelyn ap Sitſylht, after he had kill'd Aedan, was the 15. Prince; he had a peacefull and plentifull beginning, till a low born Scot, whoſe name was Runne, faigned himſelfe to be the ſonne of Meredith ap Owen before named: But Lhewelyn met him, and fought with him, and in the end made Runne run, till at laſt he killed him; And after that, this Prince was ſlaine by Howell and Meredith the ſons of Edwal, 1026.

The 16. Prince was Jago (or James) the ſon of Edwal, he rained over North-Wales, and Rytherch ap Jeſtin ſwayed in South-Wales, 1031. But by continuall contention betwixt the Grandchildren of Howell Dha, Rytherch (Prince of South-Wales) was ſlain by the Engliſh; and then aroſe new Wars in NorthWales, for Griffith ap Lbewelyn ap Sytylth war'd againſt Jago, ſlew him, and poſſeſt the Principality, Anno, 1037.

Griffith ap Lhewelyn was the 17. Prince of North-Wales, he overcame both the Engliſh and the Danes, when they would have invaded his Land, in Anno, 1038. He had much trouble with Prince Howell of South-Wales; but in the end he overcame him, and poſſeſt his Principallity; after this Griffith was treacherouſly taken, by Conan the Son of Jago, and as Conan was carrying him away towards ſome Iriſh Ships, the Country aroſe up ſpeedily and happily, and (after a ſharpe fight) redeemed their Prince Griffith, and Conan was forced to flie for his life. After that the Prince had another great fight with Howell ap Edwin, which Howell was joyn'd with the Danes and Engliſh, and in a bloudy battle the Engliſh and Danes were overthrown, that very few eſcaped; Howell was ſlain & Prince Griffith victorious; but peace laſted not three Months, but Ritherich and Rees, two of Jeſtins Sons, made War upon Griffith, and after a cruel fight all day, the darke night parted them, that both Armies returned with great loſſe to their homes.

About this time there raigned in Scotland a bloudy uſurping Tyrant, named Mackbeth, hee cauſed a Lord, one Bancho, to bee murthered, whoſe Son, named Fleance, eſcaped and fled into Wales, and was courteouſly entertained, with love and welcome to Prince Griffith; Griffith had a bountifull Daughter, with whom Fleance grew to be ſo familiar, that he got her with child; for which the offended Prince cauſed the head of Fleance to be ſtrooke off, and in rage caſt off his Daughter, who was in ſhort time delivered of a Male Child, named Walter: This Walter grew to be a tall goodly Gentleman to whom few or ſcarce one was comparable for ſtrength, feature, valour, agillity and affability: And when one in deriſion called him Baſtard he killed him, and fled into Scotland, in the yeare 1052, and in the Raign of Robert Bruiſe King of Scots, then with which King, the ſaid Walter won ſuch favour, for ſome gallant ſervices which he had done, that with love and honour, he was made Lord Stuart, or Steward, of Scotland, and receiver of the Kings whole Revenue; and from that Office did come the name of Steward, now called Stuart, of which Sirname many Kings, Princes, Lords, and Gentlemen have been and are deſcended.

Griffith ap Ritherch ap Jeſtin, made hot War againſt Griffith ap Lhewelyn, but Lhewelyn overcame and ſlew him, 1054. then he made an inrode into England, and with the ayd of Algar Earle of Cheſter, hee ſpoyled all Hereford ſhire, and burnt the City of Hereford to aſhes, and returned with much ſpoyle.

But in the concluſion the Danes were ayded by Harrold King of England, and aſſiſted by ſome perfidious Welſh Lords, they entred Wales with great Forces, at which time this Noble Prince Griffith ap Lhewelyn, was treacherouſly murdered by his own men, and his head preſented to Harrold King of England. Thus this gallant Griffith, liv'd beloved, and dy'd lamented, when hee had governed 34 years.

Blethyn and Rywalhon, were the Sonnes of Conum, and Brothers by the Mothers ſide to Griffith ap Lhewelyn; in the Raign of theſe two, William, Surnamed the Conquerour, came into England, Anno 1066. and in 1068. two Sons of Griffith ap Lhewelyn, did raiſe War againſt Blethyn & Rywalhon, their names were Meredith and Ithell, in theſe Wars, Fortune playd a Game at Croſſe Ruffe, for Ithell was ſlain on the one ſide, and Rywalhon on the other; Meredith fled, and Blethin was Maſter of all Wales: Shortly after the Normans ſpoyled Cardigan, and a great part of Weſt-Wales, and in the year, 1073. Blethin was traiterouſly murdered by Rees ap Owen ap Edwin. This Blethin was the 18. Prince who left four Sons: But for all that,

Traherne his Kinſman got the Principalities of North-Wales, and was the 19. Prince, at which time Rees ap Owen, with Ritherch ap Caradoc, had equall all South-Wales, but Ritherch was quickly murdered treacherouſly, and Rees then had all South-Wales, but Rees and another Brother of his were both ſlain in hot fight, by Caradoc ap Griffith, and in Anno, 1087. Traherne was ſlaine by his Couſins, of the Line and Race of Howell Dha.

The 20. Prince of North-Wales was Griffith the Son of Conan, and Rees ap Theodor had South-Wales, but Rees was mightily troubled in Wars with ſome Kinſmen of his, who in the end were all ſlain; then was St. Davids ſpoyled and burnt by Rovers, and Rees was murdered at Brecknok by his own ſervants, ayded by ſome Normans: at that time Robert Fitzharmaco Knight, and one of the Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber to William Rufus King of England, ſurpriſed the Lordſhip of Glamorgan, which the Engliſh do hold yet; alſo 12. Commanders with him did likewiſe take Portions of Land there: Their Names were, 1. William de Londres, or London. 2. Richard Granavilla, or Greeneville, or Greenefeild. 3. Paganus de Turberville. 4. Robert de St. Quintin. 5. Richard Sywarde. 6. Gilbertus Humfrevell. 7. Reignold de Beckrolls. 8. Reinoldus de Swilly. 9. Peter le Sorre. 10. Johanes de Flemming. 11. Oliverus St. John. 12. John William de Eſterling, now Stradling.

After much trouble, many cruel fights, with great ſlaughters of, and againſt Normans, Engliſh, Iriſh, Scots, and continuall War with South-Wales, and divers places more in Wales; this victorious Prince dyed, much beloved aud lamented for, when he had Nobly Ruled 50. years, Anno 1137.

The 21. King was Owen Gwynneth, who was Sou to the laſt Famous Prince Griffith, he began with Wars againſt South-Wales, where the Engliſh had taken poſſeſſion, with Flemmings, Normans, and others; he chaſed them away, burnt and ſpoyled Caermarden, and returned victoriouſly to North-Wales, 1142. in the year, 1143. ſeven great Lords, all of them of Princely blood and pedigree, were ſlain in Wales; Alſo at this time the Iriſh did much ſpoyle, and in coneluſion were ſpoyled by Prince Owen, and near this time, Howell and Conan, Owens Sons, gave the Normans and Flemmings a bloudy diſcomfeture at Abertivye, and returned to their Father with ſpoyle and honour: Yet theſe Wars continued ſtill, but the Flemmings and Normans were beaten twice more at the Caſtles of Carmarden and Lhanſtephan, from the yeare of Chriſt, 1138. to 1160 being 32. years, Wales had not ſo much as ſix Moneths peace and quietneſs.

And then, before one yeare was expired the Princes of South-Wales quarrelled with Prince Owen, and after ſome dangerous bickerings Owen had the Victory. In Anno, 1163. Henry the Second, King of England, made great preparations for War, hee entred South-Wales, as far as Brecknok, and returnd without any cauſe of triumphing. And in the year, 1165. the ſaid King Henry the Second came in Perſon again, having in his Army the ſtouteſt of Engliſhmen, Normans, Gaſcoigners, Flemmings, Guiencys, and ſome fugitive Welch; but Prince Owen joyned with South-Wales, and others, after much fighting, and loſſe on both ſides, King Henry returned without Conqueſt, and fewer men then he brought forth: Alſo the next year, 1167. the ſame King made a greater inrode into Wales, to as much purpoſe as he had, done twice before. Alſo, preſently, in the • ick of theſe troubles, another Army of Flemmings and Normans came to Weſt-Wales, did much harm, and in the end returned with much loſſe.

Then preſently, to make the miſery of Wales compleat, the Welſh Lords fell together by the ears one with another; and after a weary and troubleſome Raign of 32. yeares, the magnanimous Prince Owen Guineth dyed, Anno, 1169.

His Son David ſucceeded the 22 Prince, who was fain to fight for it, and kill his Brother Howell, before he could attain the Princedom. Then did Henry the 2. King of England enter South-Wales, took the Town of Caerleon from the Lo. Jorworth, and quite deſtroyed it: and in 1172. after a tedious moleſtation, Prince David ap Owen was expulſt from his Rule: and,

Lhewelyn ap Jorworth, being lawfull Prince, took the Government, 1194. Richard the firſt of that Name being then King of England. This Prince had a quiet beginning in North-Wales, but South-Wales was much vexed; for K. John of England, with David ap Owen, before named, who was depoſed or expulſed, came with an Army againſt Prince Lhewelyn, who fought and beat K. John, and took David priſoner, and kept him faſt; and the ſame yeare there was another bloudy Battell fought, between the Engliſh and the Lords of South-Wales, and many men ſlain by the treachery of ſome Welſh Lords, for private intereſts.

In 12 yeares Prince Lhewelyn had not one months quietneſs, yet he was ſtill victorious.

1211. K. John came into Wales with a mighty Army, with a purpoſe to deſtroy all that had life; but he returned with great loſs: and the next year he came again, when (by reaſon that the Engliſh King had many Welſh Lords to take his part) Prince Lhewelyn ap Jorworth came to an agreement with K. John, and gave him 20000 l. and 40 Horſes: But covenants not being kept by occaſion of the harſh dealing of the Engliſh Nobles, and their Officers, made to the Prince to raiſe an Army, and take ſome Caſtles and Countries, for which K. John cauſed the Gentlemen (which he had for Pledges) to be all hang'd; and with another great Army he came into Wales again, to no purpoſe; for K. John had his hands and head full of troubles at home, with the Pope and the French, that he was forced to leave Wales, and return, to his great grief and loſs.

In the yeare of Grace 1214. there was great wars between the Lords of South-Wales and Powis, Welſh againſt Welſh, and much miſchiefe done on both ſides: And Anno 1215. Prince Lhewelyn made an Inrode into England; then hee wonne Shrewshury, ſack'd it, and returned into South-Wales, he took Caermarden from the English, raiſed the Caſtle, and took 12 Caſtles more, and returned home triumphant: ſhortly after he ſubdued all Powis Land to his obedience, and in Anno 1217. he brought all Wales to his ſubjection. He had not a weekes reſt from the yeare 1218. to 1221. but either Welsh, English, Flemmings, or other troubles kept him from idleneſs, and ſtill it was his happineſs to be Victor.

King John of England, being reconciled to the Pope, the French expulſt from thence, and the Kingdome in quiet, the King (having little to do at home) would have the tother bout with Wales, which he attempted with much Charge, and bad ſucceſs, and ſhortly after died; to whom his ſon Henry the 3. ſucceeded, who made a ſpeedy expedition againſt Lhewelyn, and returned home with much detriment, & peace was made for a ſmal time; for in Anno 1231. K. Henry made another great preparation againſt the Prince, to the effect aforeſaid.

In 1232. Lhewelyn made an expedition into England, and returned with much Riches and Honour. In 1233. South-Wales raiſed new wars; but the Prince went in perſon and beat them into ſome quietneſs, overthrew their Caſtles and ſtrong holds, and returned renowned.

And the ſame yeare K. Henry the 3. came into Wales, with a greater Army then ever, compact of divers Nations, with an intent to deſtroy all he could, but was deceived in his purpoſe, and went home a loſer: Then K. Henry ſent the Arch Biſhop of Canterbury, with the Biſhops of Rocheſter and Cheſter to make a peace with Lhewelyn, but it could not be effected.

Then this peerleſs Prince died, beloved, and lamented, and was buried at Conwy. He married Jone the daughter of K. John, by whom he had two ſons David and Griffith; this David kept his brother Griffith in priſon all his raigne. The Noble Prince Lhewelyn ap Jorworth, raigned 56 years.

To whom David ap Lhewelyn ſucceeded, being the 24. Prince, Anno 1240. This Prince was curſed by the Pope, and hated by the people for impriſoning his Brother Griffith; for which the K. of England came againſt him with an Army, but a peace was made, and Griffith not releas'd, who ſtriving to break priſon and eſcape, by tying of Lines and Sheets, with ſuch other ſtuff which he had, and as he gat out of a high window, he putting all his weight to the Lines, they brake, and he being fat and heavy, fell with his head downwards, where he lay a moſt pittifull dead ſpectacle, for his head and neck were beaten forcibly into his body.

Then K. Henry the 3. (as his Predeceſſors had often done) ſtrived to have Wales under his obedience, to which purpoſe he in 1245. raiſed a mighty Army, and was more mightily met and foyled by Prince David; ſoone after David died, when he had Ruled 5 years, 1246.

Lhewelyn ap Griffith, or the Son of Griffith that dyed with a fall, was the 25 Prince, for his Unkle, Prince David had no Iſſue, this man was valiant, but unfortunate, for his two Brethren, Owen and David, made War upon him, but he vanquiſht them, and was Maſter of all Wales: he ſtrived much to ſhake off the yoke of England, and perforce hee chaſed all the Engliſh out of Wales, with great ſlaughter, 1256. King Henry the Third, with two great Armies entred Wales in ſeverall places, did much ſpoile, received much loſs, and returned angry.

In 1258. James Lord Audley with Germane Horſemen, did much ſpoile, and killed many in Wales, but in the end, the Welſhmen gave them ſuch welcome, that few of the Germanes return'd. In theſe times in all places in VVales was continuall ſtrife, ſpoile, and bloudſhed; for the Engliſh would Have; and the Welſh would Hold: In 1267. Lhewelyn entred England, ſpoyled and deſtroyed Cheſter, and much of that County; but after that, the Welſh had a great overthrow at a place called Clun, and in 1268. Henry of England with an Army entred VVales again; but by the means of Cardinall O • tobonus (the Popes Legate) a Peace was made, and the Prince paid to the K. of England 30000 Marks. In Anno 1272. King Henry the 3. died, and his ſon Edward the 1. went to Cheſter, from whence he ſent a Summons to command Prince Lhewelyn to come to him and doe homage: But the Prince refuſed, and would not come to the King. Then two Engliſh Armies entred South-Wales, and North-Wales, and Weſt-Wales, at once; but (upon hard conditions) a Peace was concluded, which laſted not long; for Anno 1281. they fell to it cruelly again: The Prince ſaid, that it was a bard thing to live in War alwayes; but it was harder to live in continuall ſlavery: ſoon after, Prince Lhewelyn was ſlaine, valiantly fighting, and all Wales fell to the Crowne of England, after it had continued from Brute and Camber 2418 years, to the year of Chriſt 1282.

Kings ſons and Daughters of England, that haue been Princes of VVALES ſince 1282. 1 EDward of Carnarvon, ſon to K. Ed. 1. 1289. 2 Edward of VVinſor, ſon to Edw. 2. 3 Edw. of VVoodſtock, ſon to Edw. 3. or the Black Prince. 4 Richard of Burdeaux, ſon to the Black. 5 Henry of Monmouth, ſon to Henry 4. 6 Edw. of VVeſlm. ſon to Henry 6. 7 Edw.of VVeſlm. ſon to Edw. 4. 8 Edw. ſon to K. Ric. 3. at 10 year old inſtal'd P. 9 Arthur, ſon to K. Henry 7. 10 Henry D. of York, 2. ſon to H. 7. E. 6. ſon to H. 8. 11 Mary, Princeſs of VVales, Daughter, &c. 12 Eliz. Princeſs. 13 Henry. 14 Charls, ſons to King James. FINIS.